Faults:

In real cold weather it does not go into reverse unless you let warm up first.

Has really poor gas mileage being it is a 6cyl with a 3 speed auto transmission.

Stalls during winter even when it is warmed up when stopping.

Front end like the bearings go bad quickly if they are not always maintained more than normally necessary.

Key locks tend to freeze up, from rust or something eventually can't lock the doors.

Paint job for any Dodge around that manufacturing years have really bad paint jobs, paint just chips off in chunks.

Heat setting is kinda crappy, at the lowest setting for heat it gets unbearably hot and have to turn it off, can't put to lower heat setting.

General Comments:

Good points, it is a comfortable seated vehicle.

When handling is at it's best, it does handle good.

My 6cyl has good pick takes off quick.

Faults:

The transmission failed two weeks after I bought the car. Even though It came with a one year 12,000 mile warranty, the dealer wanted me to pay half the rebuild cost ($900). After several calls to the Attorney General's office, It was fixed at their cost. 18 months later the transmission failed again. I had to pay $1,600 for a rebuild. At 78,000 miles, the electrical system went bad. Nothing worked. I had that repaired at a cost of $650. At 120,000 miles the transmission went yet again! Put in a used tranny ($760) At 136,000that tranny failed during a move from Massachusetts to Tennessee. I Traded that POS even for a 1988 Nissan Sentra 5-speed. I've become afraid of automatic transmissions.

In it's defense, I never had any trouble or complaints with the engine itself. it always started, ran smooth, and had adequate power.

General Comments:

I would NEVER buy another Dodge Caravan! One was plenty!

Faults:

Had to replace a thermostat last year.

Had to replace a starter last week.

General Comments:

Has to replace two items since I have had the vehicle which was unusual for the year of the vehicle.

The vehicle is very roomy and has a lot of durability.

Faults:

We bought this van new with 6 miles on it. In the nine years we have owned it the Caravan has been reliable with few maintenance issues. The 3.0L V6 is quick and has been trouble free.

It has the 3-speed transmission which is generally more rugged than the 4-speed available in this year. At about 200 miles I installed a $40 trans oil cooler and to date the tranny has run very well.

The 2nd to 3rd gear shift is abrupt at low speed, common in this vehicle.

An exhaust gasket between the manifold and Cat converter was replaced twice under warranty.

About 4 times in 9 years, the engine will just quit in low speed traffic. When restarted 3-4 times it returns to normal and I'm off on my way.

Tire wear is above average, this is the third set of tires at 90k miles. I have tried several brands.

Front brakes have been replaced twice, each time with new rotors at a total cost of less than $100 (my labor).

A/C system was checked and recharged in year 6 at a cost of $110.

Fuel tank sending unit was replaced in year 5 under extended warranty.

The rear wiper motor broke in year 9; cost to replace (part only) was $90 and 1 hour of my labor.

General Comments:

Overall a great vehicle for the money.

Depreciation in the first 4-5 years is about $2k per year for this body style.

Average fuel mileage is 20 mpg, highway is 23 mpg.

Amazingly I still have the original exhaust system (stainless steel) after 9 winters.

Paint still shines after 9 years; it is garaged about 6-7 months of the year.

If you can do basic repairs yourself the Caravan is easy to work on and parts cost is generally low. Total cost for all routine maintenance and repairs is about $1500. Sure beats a Land Rover!

Based on comments by others, I expect this engine to easily exceed 160k miles.