10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,227 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.

1999 Dodge Caravan engine problems

engine problem

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1999 Dodge Caravan Owner Comments

problem #18

Jun 162010

Caravan

  • 152,000 miles

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

1999 Dodge Grand Caravan had recall in 2004 to replace a clockspring, but dealer avoided this after customer's 3 or 4 tries in 2004. On 06-16-2010 when the vehicle was put in reverse, (all [xxx] broke loose!) the motor hit high revolutions, the steering wheel and the brakes immediately "locked" up and could not be moved as it traveled backwards and finally hitting and totaling 2 vehicles at over 50 mph.note: Since about 2007 a brake light has been on and the cruise control was not working. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

problem #17

Sep 152004

Caravan 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles
Vehicle lunged forward. I was unable to control speed due to lunging and stalling. Does this with or without the air condition on and only upon acceleration. Does not matter if it is on an incline or not-always upon acceleration. Very unsafe and I am very worried as I travel alone with a toddler in this daily.

- Tallulah, LA, USA

problem #16

Sep 112003

Caravan

  • miles
Vehicle was parked in the driveway and without warning vehicle rolled backwards, hitting a nearby tree. Consumer has contacted dealership.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #15

Jun 152003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,193 miles

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

1999 Dodge Grand Caravan VIN: [xxx] this van is a lemon from day 1. I have contacted Chrysler, owner of landmark Dodge in ga, mediation, arbitration, consumer action line, and any other person that would listen. This van has quit on me at least eight times. Sometimes on rural roads. Several times on a major highway. The last major incident occurred on father's day with six family members inside the vehicle. There was no warning before it quit. It would not startafterwards. We were on a busy hwy 19/41 in jonesboro. Several other times, I lost my speedometer, and could not accelerate. I have had check engine lights, leaky doors, inoperable window motors, halted intermittent windshield wipers, sluggish locks, etc. I wanted to keep my vehicle. However, it is very unsafe. I cannot afford to trade it in. That was not my intention when I purchased it. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hampton, GA, USA

problem #14

Mar 062003

Caravan 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,900 miles
It is an intermittent problem. The speedometer gets stuck on a number but the car is still going faster or slower than shown on the display. It stays stuck for a few minutes when it happens. I try not accelerate and even apply the brake, however, the needle remains stuck. Then it eventually goes back to normal. It just recently happened again, so I was checking to see if a recall was issued for this problem. It was investigated as I see here, however, it was not recalled. This is a defect. I am sure, not positive that other people are having the same problem with their Caravan. Note, automobile stills accelerates and slows but the actual speed is not known because the needle is stuck.

- Babylon, NY, USA

problem #13

Feb 162000

Caravan

  • 7,000 miles
The speedometer suddenly froze, while vehicle was in motion.

- Babylon, NY, USA

problem #12

May 012002

Caravan

  • miles

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

Consumer placed vehicle in reverse and vehicle took off backward, hitting a truck. Dealership was aware of problem.

- Fresco, CA, USA

problem #11

May 242002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
In our 1999 Caravan, several months ago, the cruise control and horn began to intermittently not work. Then the airbag light intermittently would come on while driving and while parked. At this time neither the horn, the cruise control and sometimes the windshield wipers will not work at all. The airbag light will still come on and off intermittently. We called the dealer's repair service and they told us that they thought it sounded like the clock spring mechanism. Upon taking the vehicle in for physical inspection/ diagnostics, an open circuit was detected and we were informed that the clockspring indeed needs to be replaced. However, at this time the necessary part is backordered (on a national basis) and is not immediately available. The technician told us that if we were in an accident the airbags would not deploy. Since we drive our minivan primarily with our entire family on board (ie, myself, my spouse, and 4 young children) I am greatly concerned that we are not able to have this problem immediatly fixed. Upon viewing your website I have discovered that an investigation into this has been started but did not find out the status of this investigation. If these parts are "nationally" backordered, that should tell you that there is a big problem out there. If even one of those vehicles is in an accident and the airbags will not deploy, there is severe risk of phyical injury to the driver/passenger and possibly additional passengers in this vehicle. Please continue your investigation and request a recall. Isn't saving a life that important? we also are being asked to pay close to $300 for the diagnostics and installation of this clockspring (if we can get one), for something that appears even to an amateur detective to be a design flaw and a very serious one! please help!

- Hillsboro, WI, USA

problem #10

Mar 282002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Intermittently the vehicle will acceletate suddenly and unexpectedly. The dealer has inspected the vehicle and could not duplicate or correct the problem. Please provide additional information. Nlm

- Oxford, NC, USA

problem #9

Apr 012001

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Once at a stop vehicle starts to race, dealer was contacted. Consumer took vehicle in for a oil change, while vehicle was up on grease rack, engine started to race, came off the rack. Consumer states that on 24-Jul-2001 dealers reported it as a surging problem and replaced the ais motor, this has not stopped the racing of the motor. The vehicle is equipped for the handicapped and she is a paraplegic in a wheelchair, concerned about her safety.

- Oxford, NC, USA

problem #8

Feb 202002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle has trouble changing gears. Also, has problems accelerating. When consumer keeps trying to make vehicle accelerate it will shut off. Contacted dealer, and the dealer is not willing to do anything.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #7

Jul 262001

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1999 Grand Caravan purchased new, transmission failed with approx 10000 miles repaired, still not right dealer unable to duplicate problem. Car can lunged forward with very slight pressure on gas pedal taken for routine oil change by independent station, found transmission fluid leaking said poss seal worn at 17000 miles.car has very unusual acceleration patterns I am the full time driver of this vehicle and after two years I still am unsure on how to handle it when accelerating to highway speeds it is very unpredictable. Another problem we have seen with it is the brakes. We had it back to dealer at 10K miles for noise from back wheels, they told us it was a loose car seat, what do they think we are stupid. The whistling has been constant, even after telling them to look into it this time they said the hubcaps were bent and the noise was coming from that, they never checked the brakes, low and behold, we now need a $400 plus full brake job. I am so fed up with this disaster of a car.any info on bulletins in.

- Malverne, NY, USA

problem #6

May 252001

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Whenever trying to put vehicle into gear vehicle will, without notice, accelerate even while conusmer has foot on the brake. Ak interlock system was never installed on vehicle, consumer states he can move the gear lever at any time.

- Lake City, FL, USA

problem #5

Jul 212000

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Speed sensors have failed 3 times in the last 12 weeks causing the transmission to shift erratically and violently. All dash gauges also go dead intermittently. Vehicle has been in the shop a total of 5 times in this same timeframe. (July 21- Oct 16) Chrysler has been contacted but refuses to do anything further till the vehicle breaks again. (Chrysler file # 7858395)

- Flower Mound, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 131999

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states that engine makes loud noise and it idles erratically, vehicle has stalled while travelling 60 mph, on one occasion, dealer found that a piston had failed, however problem still exist. Brakes squealed, dealer cleaned and sanded pads and rotors. Vehicle shook at speeds above 70 mph, dealer balanced and rotated tires. Consumer smelled strong odors through the ventilation system. Passenger side sliding door inoperable. Alternator belt came apart. Accelerator rattles. Vehicle experiences deceleration. Carpet buckles.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #3

Sep 222000

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 70 mph vehicle will completely shut down without warning, this problem also occurs while vehicle is stopped at traffic lights. Dealer replaced the iac motor and crankshaft sensor which did not correct the problem.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 022000

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving at 40 mph vehicle surged forward/ downshfited due to transmission going bad, and has been replaced on three different ocassions. Consumer has contacted dealer.

- Long Beach, MS, USA

problem #1

Jun 041999

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Vehicle suddenly accelerated when driver attempted to back out of parking space and accelerated when put in drive causing damages.

- Henderson, NV, USA

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