19th Aug 2005, 22:08

I have a 2002 Dodge Caravan. I have been quite pleased with the vehicle except for one thing. I've had continual trouble with the air bag light coming on. It's been "fixed" four times. Replacement of clock springs and seat belt connections have not fixed the problem-at the cost of several hundred dollars. Apparently there has not been a recall on this model year for this problem. At least that's what the dealer tells me.

13th Oct 2005, 18:04

I have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan SE and recently my headlights are not working properly. with my daytime lights the passenger light is the only one working, on dim the driver side only works and on high beam the passenger side only works. I have taken it to a dealer plus 2 other places and they cannot find anything. The dealer put a dimmer switch, on-off switch plus did a test on the wiring from the switch to the headlights and still not fixed. Don't know what else to do if the dealer can't find the problem.

30th Nov 2005, 18:01

Helpful hint: If you go to internetautoguide.com, and click on auto recalls, you'll find recalls for many vehicle makes/models; some even going back to the 60's and 70's (!).

18th Mar 2006, 15:37

Thank you for all the issues you left. Our Dodge 96 Caravan had the same issues, i.e. horn stopped working, cruise control stopped, light on airbag on continuously.

I then found the actual recall link for the recall letter that you can take in to the dealer to have fixed for free.

Good luck.

Dave.

20th May 2006, 20:50

I have a 96 Caravan with 170,000. The (4 cylinder) head has been replaced twice, the clock spring is broken, the interior lights come on and off by themselves, the wipers come on and off by themselves.

The windows come out of their tracks frequently, requiring me to disassemble the door each time. The door locks also come apart on their own -- usually I fix it while I'm working on the window.

The cup holder works great. Best piece of engineering on the whole car.

My wife's Honda van, with 328,000 miles on it has only had routine tires and brakes.

Guess where my next car will come from?

11th Jun 2006, 15:15

Oh my Gosh! So many problems with the Caravans. I have the possessed wipers also. It is quite strange and seemingly a small problem. I guess its the muli-functional piece I need. My 96 we purchased with 85,000 and have been pretty lucky. The wiper thing as well as changing tires frequently seem to standard problems, however, now my cruise light comes on, stays on, goes back off, and I don't know what to do about it. My cruise stills works fine. Anyone have a solution to that?

17th Jul 2006, 10:58

My daughter, bless her heart, gave me her 1996 Grand Caravan when she couldn't get a decent trade-in figure. She had replaced the tranny once at 65,000. I got it at 122,000 and replaced the tranny at 128,000. At 150,000 it found a new trick. It turns itself off at any speed, any weather, any temp., any time. Going down the road at 20-60 m.p.h., it will lose ignition, stay off for a few seconds, then turn itself back on. Lights stay on, radio working, but the r.p.m. reads 0 and you are traveling without engine combustion. Sometimes at slow speeds it will turn off and you cannot restart it in neutral or park (stopped of course). Replaced the throttle position sensor and after a week, it stopped doing anything goofy. 5,000 miles later, the same thing. Haven't decided to fix it or call it a day with the Dodge. Someone, besides the dealer, must have a happy ending with the same problem.

3rd Nov 2006, 14:06

I stumbled on this page and thought I was the only with bad luck with a Dodge Caravan. I own a 97' Dodge Caravan. I bought the vehicle new and have been extremely disapointed with the numerous problems. I have had four AC compressors installed. The first one failed at 40,000 miles. I had to wait until I paid the car off to replace it at my expense. The second one lasted 30 days. The third one lasted 13 months. The fourth one last one week. I am now told that it could be a computer problem! The lights on the dash flash on and off. I have had numerous mechanics attempt to reset, however, they are unsuccessful. I put in a new transmission @ 92,000 miles. A week later I replaced a wheel bearing. I have the same problem as the other readers, my windshield wipers come on for no apparent reason. My horn and cruise control stopped working. I had this fixed after (3) previous attempts. I now have 116,000 miles on it. I enjoy owning my vehicles and do not have to keep up with the Jones by getting a new vehicle every 2 years. Unfortunately I put my trust in Dodge. The have failed at providing me with a durable vehicle and the support to make necessary repairs. When the van does die, be assured I will not make the same mistake with another Dodge.

7th Dec 2006, 11:17

We finally traded in our junky 2002 Volvo purchased through an auction (nice, but had problems from day 1, and very expensive to always be fixing). Please don't ever get an auto from an auction.

Any way, we now have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan at less than 15K miles. A month after purchase, it made the weirdest sound. It was sort of a soft Wookie/seal-like sound (from Star Wars) from the rear. I have no other way of describing it. Then about two weeks ago, another weird sound from the front. And today, it made a sound like when you trace a wet rim of a glass of water (personally never tried this, but always saw and heard this type of stuff on TV).

Anyone have these sounds coming out of their minivan? It's just really strange.

27th Apr 2007, 09:39

I to, am one of the lucky Dodge Caravan owners that have had several of the problems others have. The transmission had a complete overhaul at 80,000 miles. With it being replaced completely at a little over 110,000 miles. I contacted the manufacturer to report problem, at that time was told about 3 recalls for said vehicle. First, being the fuel tank lock ring, second being the heater fan relay switch, and third was the built-in child safety restraints. Meaning the child safety restraints are unsafe, they do not release so that the child can removed. Had to cut the straps to remove child. I have the service engine light on all the time, any ideas about that? I know of several others that have traded in their Dodge vans because of so many problems with them, I would never again own a Dodge vehicle, they do not stand behind their products, or take safety concerns serious enough for my personal safety standards for vehicles.

23rd May 2007, 16:30

1996 Caravan bought with 45K now has 95K. Valve/lifters make lots of noise at low RPM now not just in the cold, but in the warm temperatures. Always changed oil on time at 5k. Sounds like a diesel. Wipers will on occasion come on by themselves. Otherwise, o.k. Only substantial repair so far, valve cover gaskets.

20th Jun 2010, 13:26

I own a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan SE. I got to drive it very little; only had it about 10 months, and it will not start at all. I have put everything possible into this van, and now I'm very sick of Dodge or this van.

I am about to trade it for a Ford van if I don't get any help on this problem in starting this van, and I've replaced the transmission 2 times already.

I need my money back; if this problem is recalled, how do I go about this? Please help me. This van is a money pit.