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 16, 2004
Steering
(1) NO WARNING OF FAILURE.(2) SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BOLT FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING A TURN. NO CONSEQUENCES RESULTED FROM THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AT 5MPH. UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES (DOWNHILL ON TIGHT CURVE) THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS …
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(1) NO WARNING OF FAILURE.(2) SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BOLT FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING A TURN. NO CONSEQUENCES RESULTED FROM THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AT 5MPH. UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES (DOWNHILL ON TIGHT CURVE) THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND PROBABLY RESULT IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL.(3) ANTICIPATE REPLACING THE TENSIONER AND RETURNING VEHICLE TO SERVICE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10103069
80,000 miles · Oct 12, 2004
Air Bags
AIR BAG. I OWN A 1994 GRAND CARAVAN. I HAVE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG HAS HAD A PROBLEM SINCE ALMOST DAY ONE. THE AIRBAG PANEL LIGHT IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE SEVERAL YEARS AGO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAD THE VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL SERVICE TO RECTIFY THE OB…
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AIR BAG. I OWN A 1994 GRAND CARAVAN. I HAVE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG HAS HAD A PROBLEM SINCE ALMOST DAY ONE. THE AIRBAG PANEL LIGHT IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE SEVERAL YEARS AGO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAD THE VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL SERVICE TO RECTIFY THE OBVIOUSLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT WAS TIED TO A PROBLEM W/ THE REAR WINDOW WIPER CIRCUIT. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WAS FIXED FOR ALL BUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND TO THIS DAY I DON'T HAVE A WORKING AIR BAG OR REAR WINDOW WIPER. I CAN LIVE W/O THE WIPER, I'D LIKE TO HAVE WORKING SAFETY EQUIPMENT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10095590
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSON FAILURE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041738
120,000 miles · Jul 28, 2003
Structure
WHEN THE CONSUMER CLOSED THE REAR HATCH THE HINGE ON THE UPPER RIGHT CAME OFF. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BOLT HAD BROKEN IN HALF AND ONE HALF OF THE BOLT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE DOOR WHILE OTHER HALF FELL TO THE GROUND. THE PRESSURIZED MECHANISM WAS LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION AND IN ORDER TO CLOSE…
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WHEN THE CONSUMER CLOSED THE REAR HATCH THE HINGE ON THE UPPER RIGHT CAME OFF. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BOLT HAD BROKEN IN HALF AND ONE HALF OF THE BOLT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE DOOR WHILE OTHER HALF FELL TO THE GROUND. THE PRESSURIZED MECHANISM WAS LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION AND IN ORDER TO CLOSE THE DOOR THE CONSUMER HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PUNCTURE THE ROOF. *NLM *CB *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10020004
80,000 miles · Jul 19, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HESITATES AS IF STARVING FOR FUEL AND STALLS WHILE TRAVELING,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL YOU TURN OFF ENGINE AND RETSTART. TAKEN TO DEALER AND NO TROUBLE CODES FOUND. FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, FUEL INJECTOR O-RINGS, REPLACED. HAS HAPPENED OVER LAST SIX YEARS, SOME 20 TIMES AND DEALER HAS NO CLUE. 125,000 MILES ON EN…
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ENGINE HESITATES AS IF STARVING FOR FUEL AND STALLS WHILE TRAVELING,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL YOU TURN OFF ENGINE AND RETSTART. TAKEN TO DEALER AND NO TROUBLE CODES FOUND. FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, FUEL INJECTOR O-RINGS, REPLACED. HAS HAPPENED OVER LAST SIX YEARS, SOME 20 TIMES AND DEALER HAS NO CLUE. 125,000 MILES ON ENGINE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10028608
150,310 miles · Jul 14, 2003
Power Train
PURCHASED ON 5/2001 A USED 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 93,000 MILES FROM CARMICHAEL AUTO EXCHANGE "AS IS". AFTER 1,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED. REPLACED @ $1875.60 WITH NEW MOPAR REBUILT AT 94,282. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR TRANS SERVICE ON 3/8/2002 AT 109,252 TO DEALER. INSTALLED TRANSMISSION COOLER ON 4/2002. NOW REBUILT TRANSM…
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PURCHASED ON 5/2001 A USED 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 93,000 MILES FROM CARMICHAEL AUTO EXCHANGE "AS IS". AFTER 1,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED. REPLACED @ $1875.60 WITH NEW MOPAR REBUILT AT 94,282. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR TRANS SERVICE ON 3/8/2002 AT 109,252 TO DEALER. INSTALLED TRANSMISSION COOLER ON 4/2002. NOW REBUILT TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 7/7/2003 AT 150,325. THIS ADDED EXPENSE WILL COST $2600.00 AT MY EXPENSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026060
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2003
Air Bags
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026794
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2003
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AND FORCED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *NLM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10021629
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS GAUGE SHOWS ERRATIC FUEL LEVEL - CAN END UP EMPTY BECAUSE OF FALSE READING SIMILAR TO NHTSA RECALL NO. 97V194 CHRYSLER CAMPAIGN NO. 755. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10018571
110,000 miles · Jan 25, 2003
Power Train
TRANSAXLE ON 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO AXLES. THE AXLES HAD TO BE REPLACED, ONE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THEY ARE NOW FAILING AGAIN. THE FRONT END WOBBLES AND SHAKES, ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARSHLY, WITH A SLAM. THE TRANSMISSION HAS AN INTERNAL LEAK SO T…
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TRANSAXLE ON 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO AXLES. THE AXLES HAD TO BE REPLACED, ONE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THEY ARE NOW FAILING AGAIN. THE FRONT END WOBBLES AND SHAKES, ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARSHLY, WITH A SLAM. THE TRANSMISSION HAS AN INTERNAL LEAK SO THAT WE HAVE TO CHECK THE FLUID CONSTANTLY, BUT NO FLUID IS DRAINING ONTO THE STREET. IT WILL COST US $2,500 TO REPAIR. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO IT HAD JUST HAD THE TRANSAXLE REPLACED.
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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