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: 15 of 199 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 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports5 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
199 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 1999
Visibility
ON 12/23/98 I TOOK MY VAN TO SERVICE DEPT.@ KAMAAINA MOTORS AFTER MY AIRBAG LITE STAYED ON. ALSO MY REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS NOT WORKING.ON 5 JAN. 99 THEY FIXED THE FUSE AND I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS FINE.ON 16 AUG. 99 I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM MANUFACTURER .THEY THEN INSTALLED A PATCH(MASTIC) MY MILEAGE AT THIS TIME WAS 64940.ON…
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ON 12/23/98 I TOOK MY VAN TO SERVICE DEPT.@ KAMAAINA MOTORS AFTER MY AIRBAG LITE STAYED ON. ALSO MY REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS NOT WORKING.ON 5 JAN. 99 THEY FIXED THE FUSE AND I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS FINE.ON 16 AUG. 99 I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM MANUFACTURER .THEY THEN INSTALLED A PATCH(MASTIC) MY MILEAGE AT THIS TIME WAS 64940.ON DEC.20 99 MY AIR BAG STAYED ON AGAIN AND SHORTED MY REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IAM HAVING THIS FIXED PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE IM WORRIED THAT IT HAPPEN AGAIN.THW2MY MIL
NHTSA ODI #716427
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN MY MINIVAN AT 38,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED, SINCE PROBLEM AT A COST OF $1461.50. I FEEL THAT A MAJOR COMPONENT AS A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 38,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED ON 04/01/1999, AT 35,262 MILES. IT WASN'T BECAUSE OF THE FLUID.
NHTSA ODI #716134
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1999
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train
PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE SEEMS PROBLEMATIC; NEEDS NHTSA INVESTIGATION & RECALL. HATCH LATCH FAILED AFTER RECALLED PART REPAIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #714716
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE BRAKING, THE INSTANT THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THE ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON- AT THE SAME TIME IT FEELS LIKE THE FRONT BRAKES RELEASE, THE PEDAL FEELS HARD, AMOUNT OF BRAKING FORCE IS GREATLY REDUCED RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENT DUE TO INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. ESTIMATED OCCURRENCE IS FOUR TIMES OVER A FEW WEEKS…
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WHILE BRAKING, THE INSTANT THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THE ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON- AT THE SAME TIME IT FEELS LIKE THE FRONT BRAKES RELEASE, THE PEDAL FEELS HARD, AMOUNT OF BRAKING FORCE IS GREATLY REDUCED RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENT DUE TO INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. ESTIMATED OCCURRENCE IS FOUR TIMES OVER A FEW WEEKS. OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. OTHERWISE BRAKING IS NORMAL. LOCAL DEALER ADVISED NO RECALL FOR THIS YEAR MODEL BUT THERE IS A RECALL ON PRIOR YEAR MODELS WITH SAME PROBLEM. THANKS
NHTSA ODI #714695
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 1999
Structure
IN JAN 1998, I NOTICED SURFACE DAMAGE THAT LOOKED LIKE SPOTS. OVER THE MONTHS AFTER REPEATED WASHES AND WAXES, THE SPOTS GREW IN SIZE. THE SPOTS STARTED ETCHING BELOW THE TOP SURFACE. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTERWARD I STARTED TO SEE A GRAY SURFACES APPEAR WHERE THE SPOTS WERE. DURING A SERVICE VISIT IN MID 1998 TO MY LOCAL CHRYSLER…
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IN JAN 1998, I NOTICED SURFACE DAMAGE THAT LOOKED LIKE SPOTS. OVER THE MONTHS AFTER REPEATED WASHES AND WAXES, THE SPOTS GREW IN SIZE. THE SPOTS STARTED ETCHING BELOW THE TOP SURFACE. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTERWARD I STARTED TO SEE A GRAY SURFACES APPEAR WHERE THE SPOTS WERE. DURING A SERVICE VISIT IN MID 1998 TO MY LOCAL CHRYSLER/DODGE DEALER IN FORT COLLINS, CO., I THEN ASKED THEM WHAT CAUSES THIS AND WHETHER TOUCHUP PAINT WOULD WORK TO FIX THE SURFACE. THEY SAID THE CAUSE WAS ENIVORMENTAL EFFECTS ON PAINT. I TOOK THEIR WORD ON IT AND PURCHASED THE TOUCHUP PAINT. SINCE THAT TIME, THE PAINT ON THE TOP ROOF IS COMING OFF IN LARGE FLAKES. A GRAY SURFACE NOW COMPRISES ABOUT 15% OF THE TOTAL AREA. AT THE PRESENT RATE OF FLAKING, THE ENTIRE TOP WILL BE BARE WITHIN TWO MONTHS. ESTIMATES FOR SANDING AND REPAINTING THE TOP WITH BE $1500.00 AND CHRYSLER WILL PARTICIPATE $220.91 TOWARDS REPAINTING THE ROOF AS A GOODWILL GESTURE. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH COMPENSATION. I FEAR THAT OTHER AREAS ON MY VEHICLE WILL SOON START TO SHOW THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY OTHER FAMILY, FRIENDS AND OWNERS NATIONWIDE ARE REPORTING SIMILIAR PROBLEMS. INFORMATION THAT I OBTAINED THROUGH SOURCES INDICATES THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE INCOMPATABILITY OF THE WATER BASED CLEAR COAT AND THE DRY BASED PRIMER AND HOW THE SUN CAUSED THE PRIMER TO OXIDIZE AND CAUSED THE PAINT NOT TO ADHERE. INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY A CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE ON THE INTERNET ON PAINTS USED BY CHRYSLER AND SOME OF THE RELATED PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO STEM FROM CHRYSLER NOT ACKNOWLEDGING A PEELING PROBLEM RELATED TO THE ELIMINATION OF SPRAY PRIMER ON THEIR ASSEMBLY LINES. THEY ARE PRESENTLY BEING SUED IN SEVERAL STATES OVER THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE LAWSUITS ARE NOT SPECIFIC ABOUT THE AFFECTED MODELS OR YEARS. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT CARS AND TRUCKS MANUFACTURED WITH SPRAY PRIMER, AS WELL AS VEHICLES NEWER THAN MODEL YEAR 1993. I WOULD BE WILLING TO SEND PHOTO'S TO BACKUP MY COMPLAINT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #714677
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION
NHTSA ODI #714577
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #714323
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 1999
Air Bags
CONSUMER COTNACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 99V113000, DEALER STATED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THERE WAS A NATIONWIDE BACK LOG. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852097
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1999
Structure
BUSHINGS ON SLIDING DOOR FAILED AND DOOR FELL OFF WHEN OPENED. DEALER CLAIMED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
NHTSA ODI #713708
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 1999
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WAS JERKING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN GEAR CHANGES. VEHICLE IS STUCK IN SECOND GEAR.DODGE WAS CONTACTED.PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FUTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.
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.
WHEELS WITH MISFORMED LUG NUT SEATS WERE INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES. THIS CAUSES REDUCED NUT TO WHEEL CONTACT AREA AND LIMITS THE WHEEL SELF-CENTERING CAPABILITY DURING INSTALLATION. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL LUGFAILURE WHICH MAY CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSPECT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY PLANT CODE; REPLACE WHEELS KNOWN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AND INSTALL NEW LUG NUTS.
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
5
DP03002 · 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.
RQ00011 · Steering Wheel Separation
Opened May 1, 2000 · Closed Apr 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
There is no summary currently available
Steering
There is no summary currently available
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
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
EA94005 · Liftgate Latches
Opened Jan 31, 1994 · Closed Oct 25, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
LIFTGATE LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE FAILED IN LOW AND MODERATE SPEED IMPACTS RESULTING IN OCCUPANT EJECTIONS, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES.THERE ARE TWO FAILURE MODES ASSOCIATED WITH LATCH FAILURE: FORK BOLT-DETENT LEVER BYPASS, AND INERTIAL UNLATCHING.NHTSA ANALYSES OF CHRYSLER AND PEER MINIVANS TOOK THE FORM OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC CRASH TESTING, ENGINEERING EVALUATIONS, COMPLAINT AND FIELD ANALYSES, AND REAL WORLD DATA ANALYSES.A TECHNICAL REPORT DISCUSSING THESE ANALYSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TECHNICAL REPORT IN THE PUBLIC VIEWING FILE.CHRYSLER HAS ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LATCHES ON ALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE CHRYSLER CAMPAIGN WILL CONSIST OF NOTIFICATION LETTERS TO ALL OWNERS; FREE REPLACEMENT OF ALL LATCHES WITH STRONGER, SAFER LATCHES REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE MINIVANS; NATIONAL ADVERTISING TO PROMOTE CUSTOMER AWARENESS OF THE CAMPAIGN; QUARTERLY REPORTS REGARDING CAMPAIGN COMPLETION RATES; AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ENSURE A HIGH COMPLETION RATE, ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ACTIONS THAT NORMALLY WOULD BE TAKEN IN A FORMAL SAFETY RECALL.THESE INCLUDE FOLLOW UP WRITTEN AND TELEPHONIC NOTIFICATIONS TO OWNERS WHO DO NOT BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION.NHTSA FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT THE CRASH PERFORMANCE OF THE LATCHES ON THESE MINIVANS RAISES SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, AND THAT THE CAMPAIGN ADDRESSES THESE CONCERNS.THE CHRYSLER CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE LIFTGATE LATCHES AND DECREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INERTIAL UNLATCHING, THEREBY REDUCING THE RISK OF CRASH-RELATED OPENINGS OF THE LIFTGATE AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT EJECTION THROUGH THE LIFTGATE OPENING.OWNERS OF CHRYSLER MINIVANS WILL GET A STRONGER, SAFER LATCH FREE OF CHARGE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME, WITHOUT THE NEED FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION AND COMPLEX AND TIME-CONSUMING LITIGATION WITH AN UNCERTAIN OUTCOME.BASED ON THE ABOVE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION.
1994 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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