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1999 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Caravan years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Dodge Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

230 reports with mileage · 325 unknown

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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

46 crash reports14 fire reports28 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

44 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicTires

WHILE CONSUMER WAS IN FOR OTHER SERVICES, WAS ADVISED BY TECHNICIAN THAT VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE TIRE, CONSUMER IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TIRE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #560258

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPING DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR, AND CAUSING PROBLEM WITH BRAKING PROPERLY OR DELAYED STOPPING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL, AND VEHICLE WASOUT OF ITS WARRANTY. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DET…

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FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPING DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR, AND CAUSING PROBLEM WITH BRAKING PROPERLY OR DELAYED STOPPING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL, AND VEHICLE WASOUT OF ITS WARRANTY. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881973

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicInjury

WHILE STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT THE BRAKES FAILED, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVER SUSTAINED LEFT LEG INJURIES AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED COLLAR BONE INJURIES. NLM

NHTSA ODI #559504

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOISE AND IT IDLES ERRATICALLY, VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE TRAVELLING 60 MPH, ON ONE OCCASION, DEALER FOUND THAT A PISTON HAD FAILED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. BRAKES SQUEALED, DEALER CLEANED AND SANDED PADS AND ROTORS. VEHICLE SHOOK AT SPEEDS ABOVE 70 MPH, DEALER BALANCED AND ROTATED T…

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CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOISE AND IT IDLES ERRATICALLY, VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE TRAVELLING 60 MPH, ON ONE OCCASION, DEALER FOUND THAT A PISTON HAD FAILED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. BRAKES SQUEALED, DEALER CLEANED AND SANDED PADS AND ROTORS. VEHICLE SHOOK AT SPEEDS ABOVE 70 MPH, DEALER BALANCED AND ROTATED TIRES. CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG ODORS THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR INOPERABLE. ALTERNATOR BELT CAME APART. ACCELERATOR RATTLES. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES DECELERATION. CARPET BUCKLES. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #872946

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK REAR BRAKE DRUMS ALSO ARE RUSTING. THE RUST THAT IS DISLODGED IS FOULING THE SELF-ADJUSTER MECHANISMS, AND MANUAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE REAR BRAKES IS PERIDICALLY NEEDED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #872618

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES SHUTTER AND VIBRATE. CONSUMER HAS TO PUT FOOT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. CURRENTLY, ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN 6 TIMES FOR BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #871977

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS PITTED WITH RUST, DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE ROTORS, DEALER TURNED THEM INSTEAD. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #554498

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VECHICLE PURCHASED IN FEB. OF 1999, ROTORS & PADS WERE CHANGED IN AUG 1999, 21000 MILES LATER BOTH ROTORS & PADS NEED TO BE CHANGED AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #725354

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT BRAKES ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY. ALSO, REAR BRAKES ARE NOT ADJUSTED PROPERLY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #862569

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NOISE PRESENT FROM FRONT BRAKES, FOUND THAT LEFT FRONT CALIPER WAS DRAGGING AND RUINED BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR. THEY REPLACED CALIPER, ROTOR, AND FRONT BRAKE PADS. SECOND COMPLAINT IN NOV. 99 HEARD GROWLING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES, TOOK IT TO DODGE SAID ALL WAS FINE. IN FEBRUARY I HAD TO TAKE VAN BACK TO DODGE BECAUSE BRAKES WERE…

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NOISE PRESENT FROM FRONT BRAKES, FOUND THAT LEFT FRONT CALIPER WAS DRAGGING AND RUINED BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR. THEY REPLACED CALIPER, ROTOR, AND FRONT BRAKE PADS. SECOND COMPLAINT IN NOV. 99 HEARD GROWLING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES, TOOK IT TO DODGE SAID ALL WAS FINE. IN FEBRUARY I HAD TO TAKE VAN BACK TO DODGE BECAUSE BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE, THEY REPLACED BRAKES AND RESURFACED ROTORS. SAID WE HAD TO GET THEM CHECKED EVERY 9,000 MILES. THIS REPLACEMENT WAS DONE ON FEB 3, 00. TODAY MARCH 2, I HAVE A NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY. WILL STOP BY DODGE TOMORROW 3/4. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719587

Official recalls

5

04V480000 · Air Bags

Oct 6, 2004

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V076000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Mar 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

01V119000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Apr 11, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Sep 13, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

99V116000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

May 6, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT FOR FLEET SALES ONLY. THE HEADLAMP MODULE DOES NOT IDENTIFY THE PARK LAMP AS "DRL" AS REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.

Remedy: ALL FLEET OWNERS/OPERATORS WILL BE MAILED NON-REMOVABLE DECALS WITH THE REQUIRED "DRL" LETTERS.

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

6

EA04013 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Opened Jun 4, 2004 · Closed May 25, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

THE DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING CAN DEVELOP AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CONDITION RESULTING IN NONFUNCTIONAL DRIVER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED), AND/OR STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).IN ITS OCTOBER 5, 2004 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL AND REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL MY 1998.5-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER MINIVANS, BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1998 AND AUGUST 2000, WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS.IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT ON MY 1998.5-2000 MINIVANS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.THE DETAILS OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION ARE DESCRIBED IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S LETTER (SEE RECALL NO. 04V-480).THE AGENCY BELIEVES THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE VEHICLES COVERED ONLY BY THE LIFETIME WARRANTY.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE PAGE 2 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

RQ04001 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Opened Jan 28, 2004 · Closed Jun 4, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

COMPLAINTS REPORT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, AND THIS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND/OR CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).THIS IS INDICATIVE OF AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CLOCKSPRING FAILURE (RESULTS IN NON-FUNCTIONING DRIVER'S AIR BAG), SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE CONDITION THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S RECALL OF MODEL YEAR 1996-1998.5 MINIVANS (RECALL NO. 02V-293).THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-013).

EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring

Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak

Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System

Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

No summary supplied.

PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity

Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

There is no summary currently available