← New search

2001 Dodge Grand Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 284.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

200 reports with mileage · 98 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 37 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 reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

298 reports
37,800 miles · Apr 8, 2005
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT COMMING ON AND GOING OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10116618

86,000 miles · Mar 17, 2005
Air Bags

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK....ALSO, RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS HARD TO OPEN MANUALLY. DEALER DETERMINED THAT DOOR MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10115298

65,061 miles · Feb 23, 2005
Power Train

2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HESITATED IN TRAFFIC, BUCKED, DIED AT A STOP SIGN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10112035

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2005
Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING LIGHTS GO OUT ON MY 2001 DODGE MINIVAN, I HAVE BEEN ON THE TELEPHONE WITH LOCAL DEALER AND DIAMBLER CHRYSLER WITH NO ANSWERS OTHER THAN THAT TO THE DEALER FOR TESTING. THIS COULD BE COSTLY AND WE ARE PLANNING A TRIP WITH NIGHT DRIVING INVOLVED AND WANTED INFORMATION AS TO WHAT AREA IS BEING INVESTIGATED TO TELL MY…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING LIGHTS GO OUT ON MY 2001 DODGE MINIVAN, I HAVE BEEN ON THE TELEPHONE WITH LOCAL DEALER AND DIAMBLER CHRYSLER WITH NO ANSWERS OTHER THAN THAT TO THE DEALER FOR TESTING. THIS COULD BE COSTLY AND WE ARE PLANNING A TRIP WITH NIGHT DRIVING INVOLVED AND WANTED INFORMATION AS TO WHAT AREA IS BEING INVESTIGATED TO TELL MY LOCAL DEALER AS IN A MATTER OF SECONDS WITH LIGHT FAILURE AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED AS I GOT NOTHING FROM THE MFG. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10110348

31,840 miles · Feb 7, 2005
Tires

MICHELIN MX4 TIRES ON 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT, VEHICLE HAS ONLY 31,840 MILES ON IT AND TIRES THREAD ARE WORN SEVERELY AND METAL FROM RADIAL IS EXPOSED. I ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE 1 TIRES BECAUSE OF SIDE THREAD WORN, THIS NOW MAKES 3 (1ST TIRE REPLACED UNDER 25,000 MILES. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR OUR FAMILY VEHICLE A…

Read full complaint

MICHELIN MX4 TIRES ON 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT, VEHICLE HAS ONLY 31,840 MILES ON IT AND TIRES THREAD ARE WORN SEVERELY AND METAL FROM RADIAL IS EXPOSED. I ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE 1 TIRES BECAUSE OF SIDE THREAD WORN, THIS NOW MAKES 3 (1ST TIRE REPLACED UNDER 25,000 MILES. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR OUR FAMILY VEHICLE AND ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10110037

41,000 miles · Jan 27, 2005
Air Bags

MY 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT HAS A NON-FUNCTIONING AIR BAG SYSTEM DUE TO A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. I ALSO OWN A 2000 CARAVAN THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR A FAULTY AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING ASS'Y. MY NEIGHBOR HAS A 2002 GRAND CARAVAN SPORT THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED. DODGE REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR MY 2001 CAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10108085

62,000 miles · Jan 27, 2005
Exterior Lighting

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, THEY WILL, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, SHUT OFF. HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF SPEED I AM DRIVING OR ROAD CONDITIONS. THESE OUTTAGES ARE INTERMITTANT AND THERE IS NO PATTERN TO WHEN THEY WILL OCCUR. LOSING HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS IN MY AREA IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. TO…

Read full complaint

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, THEY WILL, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, SHUT OFF. HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF SPEED I AM DRIVING OR ROAD CONDITIONS. THESE OUTTAGES ARE INTERMITTANT AND THERE IS NO PATTERN TO WHEN THEY WILL OCCUR. LOSING HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS IN MY AREA IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO SAID THERE WAS A "FATAL ERROR" SHOWING ON A COMPUTER MODULE. SPENT $600 TO REPLACE COMPUTER MODULE AND THE PROBLEM STILL RECURRED. VEHICLE IS NOW AT DEALER WAITING FOR A BACKORDERED HEADLIGHT SWITCH. DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHEN THE SWITCH WILL COME IN. THEY ORDERED THE SAME SWITCH FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE 2 MONTHS AGO AND IT STILL HAS NOT COME IN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10108032

60,000 miles · Jan 26, 2005
Exterior Lighting

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE DIMMER WAS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH HAS NOT WORKED FOR 3 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER STATED AT NIGHT SHE CAN NOT SEE HOW FAST SHE IS GOING. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10105589

37,500 miles · Jan 26, 2005
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10105449

51,900 miles · Jan 15, 2005
Visibility

MY WIFE WAS GETTING READY TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL ON JAN. 14,2005. AS SHE CLOSED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON OUR 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, THE REAR (HATCH) WINDOW SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES, AND STARTED TO FALL OUT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10106411

Official recalls

3

04V531000 · 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

3

EA05009 · 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.

EA04031 · Power Liftgate Latch

Opened Nov 22, 2004 · Closed Apr 7, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages; Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Latches/locks/linkages

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.

Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED AS PE04-054 REGARDING REPORTS OF ALLEGED POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) OPENING WHILE DRIVING.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IN ITS SEPTEMBER 17, 2004 RESPONSE TO PE04-054. BY LETTER OF APRIL 5, 2005, DCC HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 70,235 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PLG OPTION.DCC HAS IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN EARLY PRODUCTION MY 2003 PLG CONTROL MODULES THAT CAN PREVENT THE PLG DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED IN A POWER OPEN/CLOSE CYCLE.IN THIS CONDITION THE PLG CAN RISE (NOT POWER OPEN) DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PLG CONTROL MODULE TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V134 FOR DETAILS.