MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER MOTHER TO THE DOCTOR WHEN SHE STARTED TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE THE FRONT END MADE A NOISE. SHE STOPPED AND PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND THE TIE ROD BROKE OFF. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES. *JB
1995 Dodge Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Caravan years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Dodge Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caravan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 26 of 489 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
26 reportsI WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE TIE-ROD ON MY 1995 DODGE CARAVAN (WITH 58,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER) BROKE SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE LOCAL MENDENHALL DODGE AUTO DEALER WAITING FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THEY KEEP ALL PARTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR SO THAT I …
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I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE TIE-ROD ON MY 1995 DODGE CARAVAN (WITH 58,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER) BROKE SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE LOCAL MENDENHALL DODGE AUTO DEALER WAITING FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THEY KEEP ALL PARTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR SO THAT I MAY INSPECT THEM. *AK
POWER STEERING BELT CONTINUES TO COME LOOSE FROM PULLEY AND DISCONNECTS FROM VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED THE PROBLEM THREE TIMES, AND CANNOT REMEDY THE SITUATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
WHEN GOING DOWN STEEP GRADES CONSUMER PUTS VEHICLE IN 2ND GEAR, AND VEHICLE WILL STALL. FOUND INFORMATION ON INTERNET REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THROTTLE PLATE CARBONS UP, AND CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL. ALSO, WENT TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES ON STEEP MOUNTAIN ROAD AND THE DRIVER LOS…
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WHEN GOING DOWN STEEP GRADES CONSUMER PUTS VEHICLE IN 2ND GEAR, AND VEHICLE WILL STALL. FOUND INFORMATION ON INTERNET REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THROTTLE PLATE CARBONS UP, AND CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL. ALSO, WENT TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES ON STEEP MOUNTAIN ROAD AND THE DRIVER LOST STEERING CONTROL AND THE BRAKES FAILED TOO. *YH
ENGINE STALLED WHILE DECELERATING AND TURNING. LOST POWER STEERRING AND BRAKES. ALMOST TURNED INTO ONCOMING 18 WHEELER AND ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER. THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED 10-12 TIMES PREVIOUSLY. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR PROBLEM. DEALER RESPONSE HAS BEEN THAT THIS IS NORMAL OR THAT IT MIGHT BE BAD GAS, BUT USE …
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ENGINE STALLED WHILE DECELERATING AND TURNING. LOST POWER STEERRING AND BRAKES. ALMOST TURNED INTO ONCOMING 18 WHEELER AND ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER. THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED 10-12 TIMES PREVIOUSLY. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR PROBLEM. DEALER RESPONSE HAS BEEN THAT THIS IS NORMAL OR THAT IT MIGHT BE BAD GAS, BUT USE THE SAME GAS IN OTHER CAR WITH NO PROBLEM. REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, BUT NO IMPROVEMENT. *AK
WHEN DRIVING ON WET ROADS THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THIS IS THE NORM NOT THE EXCEPTION. IT WAS REPLACED ONCE AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES ANT NOW IT IS OCCURRING AGAIN. I WOULD NOT LET MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER DRIVE THIS VEHICLE,IF THE STEERING WAS TO GO OUT IT IS TOO HEAVY FOR THEM TO REGAIN CONTROL. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS M…
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WHEN DRIVING ON WET ROADS THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THIS IS THE NORM NOT THE EXCEPTION. IT WAS REPLACED ONCE AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES ANT NOW IT IS OCCURRING AGAIN. I WOULD NOT LET MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER DRIVE THIS VEHICLE,IF THE STEERING WAS TO GO OUT IT IS TOO HEAVY FOR THEM TO REGAIN CONTROL. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE OF MINIVAN AND THEY SAY IT HAS HAPPENNED WITH THEM TOO. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT OCCASIONALLY IN WET WEATHER,BUT I CAN COUNT ON IT GOING OUT IF I DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE. *AK
SERPENTINE BELT KEEPS COMING OFF IN RAINY CONDITIONS WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *AK
WHILE VEHICLE IS COLD STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN OR RETURN TO NORMAL. AFTER VEHICLE IS WARMED UP THERE IS NORMAL DRIVING. *AK *ML
WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT, AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO, TIRES STARTED TO WOBBLE. HAD HEARD A LOUD BANGING BEFORE STEERING WENT. VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. NOTHING WAS HIT. VEHICLE TOWED TO ORIGINAL DEALER & MECHANIC REPAIRED THE STEERING. *AK
WHEN TURNING A CURVE OR HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD STEERING COLUMN FEELS LOOSE AND ALSO JERKS. VEHICLE HAS A HAD A LOOSE BOLT IN THE COLUMN. PROBLEM EXISTS AGAIN.*AK
Official recalls
199V113000 · Air Bags
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
PE97049 · Air Bag Circuit/windshield Wiper Motor
Opened Nov 18, 1997 · Closed Mar 17, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
There is no summary currently available
EA97003 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Aug 19, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
Child Seat
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
DP96014 · Defective Air Bag Crash Sensor
Opened Nov 14, 1996 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.
SQ96016 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Sep 18, 1996 · Closed Feb 4, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:integrated Child Seat
ODI CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LATCHING/RETRACTOR MECHANISM PROBLEMS.CHRYSLER'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM INDICATES THAT OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SEAT.THE SEAT APPEARS TO MALFUNCTION IF CRUMBS OF FOOD OR BEVERAGE RESIDUE ACCUMULATES ON THE LATCHING TONGUE IN THEWELL LOCATED BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS.ODI HAS 19 COMPLAINTS OF RETRACT LOCKUP.SEVEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS REPORT CUTTING THE STRAPS TO REMOVE THE CHILD.TWO OF THE SEVEN CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE CHILD WAS CHOKING.CHRYSLER REPORTS 60 OWNER/FIELD REPORTS WHICH INDICATED 19 HARNESSES WERE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND TO EVALUATE THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.
PE96008 · Safety Blt Latch Operation
Opened Jan 25, 1996 · Closed Jun 28, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
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