IllustrationTHE VEHICLE'S RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT SWAY LINKS AND STABILIZER BUSHINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 56000 MILES. *NM THE CONSUMER HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *TC *JB
2001 Dodge Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge Caravan do not stand out strongly from 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
250–25K
3425–50K
3150–75K
1875–100K
14100–150K
13150K+
135 reports with mileage · 122 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 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports
What owners actually said
257 reportsAIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OF 0-70 MPH. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH CONTACTED, AND BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.*AK *NM
DRIVING IN NORMAL WINTER CONDITIONS, LESS THAN 2 INCHES OF SNOW, NOT LESS THAN 20 DEGREES IN WEATHER, MY ANTILOCK BRAKES FROZE UP, CAUSING ME TO SPIN OUT. LUCKILY I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR CRASH. $800 WORTH OF DAMAGE, BRAKE LINING FROZE TO DRUM. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS, DRUMS, WHEEL BEARINGS IN BOTH REAR WHEELS. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DRIVER START UP THE VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO START. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE DRIVER DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER NOTICED SEVERE VIBRATION UNDER HIS FEET. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS THE NORMAL CHARARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE. ALSO, MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
FRONT SUSPENSION. *AK
SINCE BUYING THE VAN IN 2001 WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, THE WARNING AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, WE TOOK IT IN AT LEAST 7 TIMES AND NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED. THE LAST TIME IN SEPTEMBER 2004 I TOOK IT AGAIN, AND ASK THEM WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I GOT INTO A ACCIDENT, THEY TOLD ME WITH A SARCASTIC TONE, NOT TO WO…
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SINCE BUYING THE VAN IN 2001 WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, THE WARNING AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, WE TOOK IT IN AT LEAST 7 TIMES AND NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED. THE LAST TIME IN SEPTEMBER 2004 I TOOK IT AGAIN, AND ASK THEM WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I GOT INTO A ACCIDENT, THEY TOLD ME WITH A SARCASTIC TONE, NOT TO WORRY IT JUST WONT GO OFF! I GUESS THAT MY WELLBEING IS NOT IN COSIDERATION! WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH US FOR ALL OF OUR TROUBLES.
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. TOOK IT TO RAMEY, AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, THEY SAID SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT THEY DID NOT FIX IT, THE LIGHT STILL STAYS ON. I AM CONCERNED THAT ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG OR FAILURE OF AIR BAG. NO CONFIDENCE IN THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG. *JB
WE HAVE A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN AND RECENTLY, WITHIN THE LAST 12 TO 6 MONTHS, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE SWITCHED ON AND OFF. IT'S BEEN VERY RANDOM UNTIL THE LAST MONTH, WHERE THEY HAVE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AFTER FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIGHTING UP AND GOING DIM. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT NIGHT SEVERAL TIMES AND DURING TH…
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WE HAVE A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN AND RECENTLY, WITHIN THE LAST 12 TO 6 MONTHS, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE SWITCHED ON AND OFF. IT'S BEEN VERY RANDOM UNTIL THE LAST MONTH, WHERE THEY HAVE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AFTER FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIGHTING UP AND GOING DIM. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT NIGHT SEVERAL TIMES AND DURING THE DAY. WE TOOK THE VAN TO DICKS COUNTRY DODGE TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND WERE TOLD THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS NO MANUFACTURE OF THIS SWITCH AND THERE IS NO ESTIMATED TIME TO EXPECT THIS SWITCH TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD TODAY, 12/10/04, THAT THERE ARE OVER 60 REQUESTS NATIONWIDE FOR THIS SWITCH AND NO ESTIMATED TIME OF REPLACEMENT AS NO ONE IS MAKING THESE SWITCHES. WE ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE OUR VAN DURING THE HOURS OF 4:30 PM UNTIL 7 A.M BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE HEADLIGHTS WILL STAY ON OR NOT. I DROVE TODAY AND MADE IT 10 MILES BEFORE THE LIGHTS FLASHED AND WENT OUT. THIS IS NOT A LIGHT BULB ISSUE, IT'S A SWITCH THAT CAN'T BE FIXED. WE ARE BEYOND FRUSTRATED WITH THIS SITUATION AS THE VAN IS OUR MAJOR FAMILY VEHICLE AND IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET TWO CAR SEATS AND TWO ADULTS IN OUR OTHER VEHICLE. WE FEEL AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE MADE INTO WHY THESE SWITCHES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT, ESSENTIALLY RENDERING A VEHICLE USELESS IN DARK CONDITIONS. IN THE MEANTIME, WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO RENT A VEHICLE FOR A RETURN FROM THE AIRPORT AT NIGHT AS WE CANNOT RELY ON OUR VAN TO GET US SAFELY HOME WITHOUT DEPENDABLE HEADLIGHTS. *JB
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 04V480000 CONCERNING AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK *TC
Official recalls
304V531000 · Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
Nov 2, 2004
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, CONDENSATION FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS MAY DROP THROUGH VENT HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE RADIO AND RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT SUBSEQUENTLY SENDS DIRECT CURRENT TO THE REAR SPEAKERS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SPEAKER FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A SPECIAL TAPE TO THE TOP OF THE RADIO TO PREVENT THE POTENTIAL OF WATER INTRUSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
03V094000 · Structure
Mar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. 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 SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
01V152000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM PIVOT BOLT COULD FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BOLT FRACTURES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS AND NUTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 30, 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.
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
2EA05009 · Headlight Malfunction
Opened Jun 1, 2005 · Closed May 2, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System
OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
PE05004 · Headlight Malfunction
Opened Feb 2, 2005 · Closed Jun 1, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.