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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

Visibility complaints

14 reports
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220,000 miles · Aug 26, 2008
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling

OUR BELTS SIPS OFF DURING WET WEATHER"FIVE TIMES WE REPLACED THE "S" BELT AND THE TENSIONERS,WATERPUMP,OVERHEATING OUR 2ND YR OF OWERSHIP.NOW THE 3RD YR OF TRANSMISSIONS LEAKING,THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH W/CHILDREN IN CAR ,STARTING TO BRAKE CAUSING TO SLOW WAY DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND MADE A CHIME SOUND,THE HORN WE…

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OUR BELTS SIPS OFF DURING WET WEATHER"FIVE TIMES WE REPLACED THE "S" BELT AND THE TENSIONERS,WATERPUMP,OVERHEATING OUR 2ND YR OF OWERSHIP.NOW THE 3RD YR OF TRANSMISSIONS LEAKING,THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH W/CHILDREN IN CAR ,STARTING TO BRAKE CAUSING TO SLOW WAY DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND MADE A CHIME SOUND,THE HORN WENT OFF AND IT GOT HOT FAST CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. THANK GOD THERE WAS ROOM TO GET OVER. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR JUST LEAKS EVERYWHERE,WATER,OIL,TRANS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE CARS. I CANT EVEN GET MINE SMOG BECAUSE I HAVE TO KEEP UNPLUGGING MY BATTERY BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SOMEWHERE. I BROUGHT A LEMON.....OH YEAH! I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY CANT REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL UNLESS THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. I HOPE I DON'T DIE CAUSE THE AIRBAGS WONT WORK BECAUSE I HAVE A ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. 2 BATTERIES WERE REPLACED,ALTERNATOR TOO. THE CLOCKSPRING WONT WORK FOR MY CAR ONLY THE CRUISE CONTROL SO SAID THE DEALER. I WOULD FEEL BAD SELLING THIS CAR TO A FAMILY ,CAUSE WHAT IF THEY WERE KILLED. I COULDN'T DEAL WITH THAT. THE DAY THAT HAPPENED WAS ON MY DAUGHTER 16TH BIRTHDAY. I HAD TO STOP EVERYWHERE ALL DAY TO PUT WATER IN THE RADIATOR JUST TO KEEP IT COOL ENOUGH NOT TO RUIN HER DAY. I HATE HOT DAYS,I FEAR THE RAINY DAYS, I CANT SEE AT NIGHT CAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE BURNED OUT AND THE COVERS HAS A GLASS OVER THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239731

180,000 miles · Aug 23, 2007
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. AFTER THE CONTACT HAD THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WIPERS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10200606

69,000 miles · Mar 19, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemVisibility

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, HORN INTERMINTENT, WIPERS INTERMINTENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10114336

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2004
Visibility

BOTH SIDE WINDOWS HAVE FAILED TO ROLL DOWN. PARTS AND LABOR TO CORRECT MALFUNCTION TOTAL $1160.00 FOR BOTH SIDES. UNABLE TO ROLL WINDOS DOWN. PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. MANY PEOPLE THAT OWN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAVE HAD THE SAME INCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10095749

90,193 miles · Jun 30, 2003
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesVehicle Speed Control

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VIN: [XXX] THIS VAN IS A LEMON FROM DAY 1. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, OWNER OF LANDMARK DODGE IN GA, MEDIATION, ARBITRATION, CONSUMER ACTION LINE, AND ANY OTHER PERSON THAT WOULD LISTEN. THIS VAN HAS QUIT ON ME AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. SOMETIMES ON RURAL ROADS. SEVERAL TIMES ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE LAST MA…

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1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VIN: [XXX] THIS VAN IS A LEMON FROM DAY 1. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, OWNER OF LANDMARK DODGE IN GA, MEDIATION, ARBITRATION, CONSUMER ACTION LINE, AND ANY OTHER PERSON THAT WOULD LISTEN. THIS VAN HAS QUIT ON ME AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. SOMETIMES ON RURAL ROADS. SEVERAL TIMES ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE LAST MAJOR INCIDENT OCCURRED ON FATHER'S DAY WITH SIX FAMILY MEMBERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE IT QUIT. IT WOULD NOT STARTAFTERWARDS. WE WERE ON A BUSY HWY 19/41 IN JONESBORO. SEVERAL OTHER TIMES, I LOST MY SPEEDOMETER, AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAVE HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, LEAKY DOORS, INOPERABLE WINDOW MOTORS, HALTED INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, SLUGGISH LOCKS, ETC. I WANTED TO KEEP MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT IS VERY UNSAFE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO TRADE IT IN. THAT WAS NOT MY INTENTION WHEN I PURCHASED IT.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10025200

74,000 miles · Jun 23, 2003
Visibility

I HAVE A 99 DODGE CARAVAN SE AND, BECAUSE OF A CRACKED WINDSHIELD, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT HAS A LOT OF RUST ON THE PINCH PLATE (AREA THAT WINDSHIELD IS BONDED TO). I CAN NOT PUT A NEW WINDSHIELD IN UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. CHRYSLER IS NOT WILLING TO HELP EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE WHO SEES THIS PROBLEM INFORMS ME THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE …

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I HAVE A 99 DODGE CARAVAN SE AND, BECAUSE OF A CRACKED WINDSHIELD, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT HAS A LOT OF RUST ON THE PINCH PLATE (AREA THAT WINDSHIELD IS BONDED TO). I CAN NOT PUT A NEW WINDSHIELD IN UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. CHRYSLER IS NOT WILLING TO HELP EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE WHO SEES THIS PROBLEM INFORMS ME THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ON A VEHICLE THIS NEW AND THAT IT IS/WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023585

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2002
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility

SEAL AROUND WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING, CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN VEHICLE. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK THE WATER DROPS ONTO THE COMPUTER CONTROL AND CAUSES ALL INSTRUMENTS TO WORK IRRADICALLY ON THE DASH BOARD. CONSUMER FEELS THE MAIN CONTROLS SHOULD BE SHIELDED FROM WINDSHIELD LEAKS. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL L…

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SEAL AROUND WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING, CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN VEHICLE. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK THE WATER DROPS ONTO THE COMPUTER CONTROL AND CAUSES ALL INSTRUMENTS TO WORK IRRADICALLY ON THE DASH BOARD. CONSUMER FEELS THE MAIN CONTROLS SHOULD BE SHIELDED FROM WINDSHIELD LEAKS. ALSO, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8013060

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2002
Visibility

THE FIRST TIME MY VAN WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND WHEN I WENT OUT THE NEXT MORNING, THE SMALL WINDOW IN THE REAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS SMASHED IN. I CALLED THE POLICE, BUT THEY SAID IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE VANDALISM, SO I CHALKED IT UP AS AN ACT OF NATURE. THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER WHILE I WAS DR…

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THE FIRST TIME MY VAN WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND WHEN I WENT OUT THE NEXT MORNING, THE SMALL WINDOW IN THE REAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS SMASHED IN. I CALLED THE POLICE, BUT THEY SAID IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE VANDALISM, SO I CHALKED IT UP AS AN ACT OF NATURE. THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY SON HOME FROM PRESCHOOL AND THIS TIME IT WAS THE LARGE WINDOW NEAR HIM DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP LIGHT, TAKING THE NORMAL ROUTE AND IT SMASHED INWARD AND GLASS BLEW IN TOWARD MY SON. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THIS KIND OF DEFAULT IN THE GLASS COULD HAVE LEFT MAJOR INJURIES. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THIS IS ADDRESSED IN THESE VEHICLES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761272

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2002
Visibility

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC OPERATED WINDOW WILL NOT GO UPAFTER BEING PUT DOWN. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8002304

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2001
Interior LightingVisibility

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN. IT WAS INTERMITTENT. INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, AND THEN THEY WOULD NOT COME ON. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN REAR VIEW MIRROR WOULD NOT ADJUST. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT HEADLIGHTS MIGHT GO OUT WHILE ON HIGHWAY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #893263

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