1996 Dodge Caravan problems
Owners have filed 2,178 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Caravan. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 12% of complaints. After that come fuel system (11%) and electrical system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 2,178 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 12% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 74 and 66
- Injuries and deaths
- 102 and 9
- Typical mileage
- 96,000 miles 158 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 8 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 30 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 37 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 35 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 18 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 12 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 158 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 96,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 102,000 miles (28 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 74 complaints mention a crash; 66 complaints mention a fire; 102 injuries reported; 9 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 26 model years of the Dodge Caravan with enough data (1,307 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 9 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Consumer was traveling about 70MPH on highway and vehicle started picking speed and landed in a ditch. Driver had to turn vehicle off. Brakes burned up and vehicle had to be towed. Nothing was being done, and consumer will talk with a lawyer.
Consumer was driving down a flat highway and the steering locked up, applied the ABS brakes and the brakes wouldn't move, resulting in an accident/injuries, also excessive gas consumption.
While driving, the consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the gas station and the mechanic informed the consumer that the lower ball joints were worn out. The front axle broke while driving, the sway bar bushings were replaced as well as the rear shocks.
While driving air bag warning light came on and stayed on. When this occurred the horn and the cruise control became inoperative.