10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 9
Average Mileage:
175 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Dodge Caravan engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Dodge Caravan Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #103

May 092015

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While turning into a parking space I touched break and the van accelerated to full throttle. The van jumped the curb and was heading toward 3 people, I turned the steering wheel enough to hit a light pole instead of them. The van quit racing for a few seconds and then revved up again. The light pole fell and I was again headed toward the people. I put both feet on the break and was able to stop the van, but not before hitting the people. Luckily they were just bruised because I just bumped them and didn't run over them. This all happened in a matter of seconds. I almost killed some people and no longer have transportation because the van was totaled.

- Springfield, OR, USA

problem #102

Jan 152009

Caravan

  • 18,000 miles
BCM-1, (warranty) loss of dash functions 1996: BCM-2 estimate $1200 replaced Chrysler P/N P4686727 lost 95,000 mile odometer for a working BCM from junkyard (2001), BCM-3, lost fuel gauge and speedometer BCM from junkyard fixed P/N P46867(2006) bad windshield replacement leaks water into cabin, BCM-3, failed again currently no wipers, not able to find a 1996/1997 BCM only 1998 Plymouth Voyager BCM P/N P04801062ae. Will try to validate compatibility tonight. Adel Chrysler estimate $1,400 plus labor. Already gave them $742 for tune up and trouble shooting what they said was a bad multi-switch ($110) did not fix and no discount for not knowing how to diagnose a problem properly. Their number is 515-993-4587 cory (karl is the service manager-owner's son).

- Waukee, IA, USA

problem #101

Dec 032003

Caravan

  • miles
While shifting gears transmission down shifted on its own. Driver took vehicle to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic replaced speed sensor.

- Jeannette, PA, USA

problem #100

Jan 032001

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Clockspring (located in the steering wheel) failure resulted in loss of use of both airbags, the cruise control and the horn

- Ambler, PA, USA

problem #99

Aug 292002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Failure of this part causes the horn and the cruise control to be inoperable and for the airbag light to stay on all the time. With the number of failures of this part, a recall is necessary. Many people will not fix at the cost of the part and will be driving an unsafe vehicle.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #98

Aug 202002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
First the windshield wipers come on automaticall, ythen the cruise control stops, then the horn stops working, then the airbag light comes on, now the car occasionlly doesn't start unless I adjust the steering column

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #97

Jul 142002

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at any speed cruise control will work intermittently. Dealer notified.

- Doniphan, MO, USA

problem #96

Jun 012002

Caravan

  • miles
Airbag light on, no speed control, no horn. Airbag light indicates nonfunctioning restraint system.

- Union, MO, USA

problem #95

Mar 152002

Caravan

  • miles
Ea 01 007/air bag clockspring:air bag light remains on while driving, also, both horn and cruise control are inoperative. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

problem #94

Apr 102002

Caravan

  • miles
Failure started as an intermitent illumination of the air bag light. Later noticed that the cruise control did not work. April 10, 2002 horn would not sound when attempting to signal another car backing out of a parking spot. Avoided the car and an damage. Now the air bag light is on constantly. Neither the horn or cruise control work and I assume the air bag is inoperative. The van is going in for the fuel rail recall on April 29 and I will ask about the clockspring at that time.

- Bayport, NY, USA

problem #93

Apr 062002

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

SRS light stays illuminated while driving. Also, cruise control is inoperable. Please provide additional information.

- Remsen, NY, USA

problem #92

Apr 012002

Caravan

  • miles
Devices on steering wheel do not work. Windshield wipers/ cruise control, and horn do not work.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #91

Jan 012002

Caravan

  • miles
Air bag light is on, and horn/ cruise control do not work. Contacted dealer, and dealer is not willing to do anything.

- Elkton, MD, USA

problem #90

Mar 212002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Defective clock spring caused cruise control/ air bag, and horn to malfunction at the same time. Please provide any further information, and vehicle identification number.

- Martinez, CA, USA

problem #89

Jun 212000

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Airbag light came on and stayed on, no horn or cruise control. A few days later I read about Chrysler minivans being investigated because of faulty clockspring assemblies. After reading that, I called our dealer and asked if there was a recall on it. None! this is definitely a safety issue. No airbag, no horn means dangerous driving conditions. We had to pay to have the part replaced. After reading through 96 complaints about this part on your website, I thought I would add my complaint. Chrysler paid for our new transmission, but we had to pay labor. Also paid for the new elect. For ac knob.

- Vicksburg, MI, USA

problem #88

Sep 012001

Caravan

  • miles
The horn, speed control and airbag are all connected to the steering wheel through the clockspring. At this point, both the horn and airbag are completely disabled and the speed control rarely functions. I've called my local dealer about recalls or courtesy repairs and they state that none are allowed for this problem. Repairs have not yet been made.

- Beltsville, MD, USA

problem #87

Nov 012001

Caravan

  • miles
Airbag light is on constantly, horn won't blow and cruise control does not work. Dealer has been contacted.

- Los Vegas, NV, USA

problem #86

Feb 112002

Caravan

  • miles
Airbag light stays on, horn doesn't work, cruise control doesn't work. I was told by dealer the clock spring needs replacing and that this default could cause the airbags to not deploy in a crash. This is a safety hazard that needs to be recalled by Chrysler.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #85

Oct 302001

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The norn does not work/ cruise control does not work, and air bag light stays on, parking brake light turns on every time you turn the wheel to the left! windshield wipers come on and off when they please, we have had the transmission replaced at 68,000 miles, we were told that we cannot pass inspection at our military base overseas until this safety feature is fixed!

- Apo, NY, USA

problem #84

Oct 012001

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Air bag light stays illuminated while driving. Also, the horn assembly and cruise control are inoperable. Please add further details.

- Apo, AE, USA

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