1994 Dodge Caravan
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Dodge › Caravan › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Dodge Caravan. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1994 Dodge Caravan. Newest first.
Vehicle description: MINI vans equipped with 2-spoke luxury wheels manufactured july 1992 through june 1993; or equipped with 4-spoke sport wheels manufactured from july 1992 through september 1993. the steering wheel armature stamping can crack and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the steering wheel separates from the center hub attachment to the steering column, loss of control can occur increasing the risk of an accident.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for cracks and any wheels with cracks will be replaced. all other vehicles will have a reinforcement plate installed to prevent steering wheel separation in the event cracking occurs.
Vehicle description: MINI vans. the bolts used to attach the strut to the body and the rear liftgate can accumulate fatigue damage if three factors combine. if the bolt IS loose, the gas strut IS over-pressurized, and the frequency of opening and closing cycles IS higher than for the average customer, the bolt can fail.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Personal injury could occur if the bolts break allowing the liftgate to fall suddenly.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect for loose fasteners, if the fasteners are loose, the strut (and integral bolts) will be replaced. if the bolt shows evidence of torque, the bolt will be removed, larger washers will replace the existing washer and the bolt will be reinstalled and hand tightened to the target torqued.
Vehicle description: MINI vans. the wiring that initiates the driver and/or passenger air bag could electrically short circuit to ground. a short circuit to ground that exists immediately after turning the ignition key to the "on" or "start" position can cause the air bag(s) to inadvertently deploy.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Inadvertent air bag deployment can injure a front seat occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will perform an electronic diagnostic check. any short circuits identified in either the driver's or passenger side air bag initiator wire circuit will be repaired.
Vehicle description: light duty passenger minivans without remote release. this IS not a safety recall. there has been no determination that a safety defect exists with the minivan latches. chrysler IS conducting a service campaign to replace the liftgate latch assembly of the affected minivans. in a collision, the rear liftgate latch assembly could…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the liftgate latch opens, occupants can be ejected resulting in significantly increased risk of injury or death.
Remedy
Chrysler dealers will replace the liftgate latch with a new stronger latch assembly without charge. chrysler began notifying owners of these vehicles beginning september 1995.
Vehicle description: light duty passenger minivans with remote release. this IS not a safety recall. there has been no determination that a safety defect exists with the minivan latches. chrysler IS conducting a service campaign to replace the liftgate latch assembly of the affected minivans. in a collision, the rear liftgate latch assembly could open.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the liftgate latch opens, occupants can be ejected resulting in significantly increased risk of injury or death.
Remedy
Chrysler will replace the liftgate latch with a new stronger latch assembly without charge. chrysler began notifying owners during december 1995.
Owner complaints
644 complaints91 involved a crash6 involved a fire102 injuries3 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags · Visibility/wiper
My air bag light IS on because the rear wiper shorted out and blew the fuse, and the air bags are on the same fuse.
- Engine
Driving down interstate vehicle just quit. was able to coast to side of road. attempt to restart failed.4 times. let vehicle sit for about 10 minutes and normal restart. this IS third time in three weeks. other two no starts were after vehicle sitting overnight. no error codes or check engine…
Driving down interstate vehicle just quit. was able to coast to side of road. attempt to restart failed.4 times. let vehicle sit for about 10 minutes and normal restart. this IS third time in three weeks. other two no starts were after vehicle sitting overnight. no error codes or check engine light. first no start replaced air filter. second no start replaced battery. info provided because of 2010 dodge grand caravan issue an potential for it to exist in early vehicles. I do not believe it IS the ignition switch. *tr
- Structure › Body · Unknown or other
As I slowly was turning the car to park in a parking lot in vienna va shopping center, the van suddenly accelerated on its own and stopped when it crashed into handicap parking pole marker ( no damage). Damage to my van which IS visable appears to be the front of the hood of the car and a damaged…
As I slowly was turning the car to park in a parking lot in vienna va shopping center, the van suddenly accelerated on its own and stopped when it crashed into handicap parking pole marker ( no damage). Damage to my van which IS visable appears to be the front of the hood of the car and a damaged but functioning radiator as best I can see. note: the air bags were not activeated, and wondered why they didn't.( IS this another problem ?) *tr
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
1994 dodge caravan gas tank leak. the consumer stated she was searching for information regarding a gas leak and came across recall 99v216000 and was wondering if it applied to her vehicle? And if so, will dodge honor the recall and fix her vehicle?
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Went to work on april 1, 2009 had brakes, when I went to go home the brakes went all the way to the floor, and anti brake light came on, changed front brakes , did not need it , but did it anyway, was going to change the back but they did not need it, bled the brakes, all worked fine , then went…
Went to work on april 1, 2009 had brakes, when I went to go home the brakes went all the way to the floor, and anti brake light came on, changed front brakes , did not need it , but did it anyway, was going to change the back but they did not need it, bled the brakes, all worked fine , then went oklahoma april 11TH , stayed in motel and brakes where fine, got up next morning and went to do some things and again the brakes went all the way to the floor and ABS light comes on ,still has plenty of fluid. *Tr
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
I tried to open the hood of my minivan and the release broke off. The release was on the inside of the 1994 dodge minivan and I don't know what caused it to break off. I've checked the safety defect notifications for "1994 dodge minivans" and could not find any other mentions of failure of the hand release for the vehicles' hoods. *tr
- Visibility › Glass, side/rear
Rear window on lift gate shattered in a thousand pieces for no reason while parked (glass inside and outside). Outside temp was about 20 f and cloudy. Glass type IS a privacy tinted with window defroster. It appears glass was not required to be a safety glass type as compared to a windshield with a…
Rear window on lift gate shattered in a thousand pieces for no reason while parked (glass inside and outside). Outside temp was about 20 f and cloudy. Glass type IS a privacy tinted with window defroster. It appears glass was not required to be a safety glass type as compared to a windshield with a "plastic sandwich in-between. About 10 hours of clean up required. Many small glass fragments and "glass dust" traveled as far as the front dashboard. Owner will be replacing glass. Cost estimated to be between $300 to $400 parts and labor. I have pictures available if needed .*cn
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
Serpentine belt comes off...dry, wet, snow..big, little ...literally no puddles...and the gatorback belt doesn't fix it, nor the snow shield on the pulley shield.....with all the complaints and the numerous times my belt has come off..you'd think chrysler would have fixed this long ago...no just…
Serpentine belt comes off...dry, wet, snow..big, little ...literally no puddles...and the gatorback belt doesn't fix it, nor the snow shield on the pulley shield.....with all the complaints and the numerous times my belt has come off..you'd think chrysler would have fixed this long ago...no just soak people for money..if they r not mechanically inclined( which thanks to my father, brother, and husband) I am.....and I know about the internet site forums that help each other out...in times like these. Some unfortunately..several hundreds and thousands of dollars later...how unfair of chrysler...and we're talking.... This problem has been around awhile...you'd have thought they would've fixed it long ago ..even before putting out new ones with the same problem....i bet those new buyers are fit to be tied right about now!!!! Hopefully all these complaints and I hope you people are complaining...gets something done!! *nm
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
1994 dodge caravan mileage 66.873 with wheelchair lift rear liftgate hinge, bolt holding the hinge together broke due to metal fatigue, letting hinge separate, causing liftgate to drop down. this IS a very serious safety problem. chrysler/dodge 1-800-992,1997 ref.#15261363 was contacted…
1994 dodge caravan mileage 66.873 with wheelchair lift rear liftgate hinge, bolt holding the hinge together broke due to metal fatigue, letting hinge separate, causing liftgate to drop down. this IS a very serious safety problem. chrysler/dodge 1-800-992,1997 ref.#15261363 was contacted by phone several times. I was told that II was not on the recall list. Sorry car IS out of warranty. the van IS always parked in my carrage. Like new. I have the old parts and 17 color poctures. *Jb
- Electrical system · Fuel system, gasoline · Power train › Automatic transmission
Lacks power, wants to stall like it's not getting any fuel, have replaced numerous parts including what was listed on the diagnostic scans, clunking noise under van. nothing seems to correct the problem. have spent over $600 in parts alone, not counting labor. *nm
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Dt: consumer states his 1994 dodge caravan that he purchased used about 8 months ago had transmission problems immediately. the transmission will pop out of gear when it IS hot. the vehicle has to be shut off and then it will start again. The first time it happened, september 2004, he took the…
Dt: consumer states his 1994 dodge caravan that he purchased used about 8 months ago had transmission problems immediately. the transmission will pop out of gear when it IS hot. the vehicle has to be shut off and then it will start again. The first time it happened, september 2004, he took the vehicle to a dealership and was told that they could not duplicate the problem. it happened again about 30 days ago and happened again yesterday. *jb
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
While stopped at a light, another vehicle rear ended the consumer. the consumer proceeded to strike the vehicle in the front of him. both passenger and driver seats collapsed. the driver seat fell onto the child passenger, breaking several bones in his face and had to undergo surgery. *jb
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
Nhtsa recall campaign 99v213000, the bolt to the hatch broke, causing the piston to break in half. A stick must be used to hold the hatch up. Consumer was aware of recall for this particular model. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
The serpentine belt continuously slips off which causes the steering to become inoperable. The power steering completely fails. *Ak
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
The passenger sliding door fell off the hinges. It would be difficult to open/close door. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Nar 05/21/2003 *mr the consumer had to replace two transmissions on the 1994 dodge caravan twice. dealer notified. *Cb
- Unknown or other
The paint IS peeling off the roof of the van (the roof IS now almost bare, a year later) and now has begun to peel off the hood, as well. We contacted our local dodge dealer and they said that this IS not covered by any sort of warranty or lemon law and that we would have to pay to repaint the van.…
The paint IS peeling off the roof of the van (the roof IS now almost bare, a year later) and now has begun to peel off the hood, as well. We contacted our local dodge dealer and they said that this IS not covered by any sort of warranty or lemon law and that we would have to pay to repaint the van. other than the paint problem... The van IS in excellent condition other than the fact that soon it will no longer have any paint. It IS a dark blue color, and we have seen many other dodge grand caravans from that same year with exactly the same problem. Others have sold their vans rather than pay to repaint an aging, high-mileage vehicle.
- Unknown or other
I have not actually tried to have the problem fixed because I heard through the grapevine there might be a recall for this particular defect, and I am simply trying to find out if that IS true. my problem IS we have a light blue dodge caravan and the paint IS peeling badly!!!! I have seen other light blue dodge caravans the same year and model that are also peeling badly. what can I do to get it repaired?
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Have a 1994 dodge grand caravan. Already replaced one transmission and I am looking at replacing another. Told by transmission mechanics and others the transmissions in these vehicles are notorious for failure and that the company knowingly install such equipment at the consumer's ultimate expense. *jb
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Plastic headlights are fogging over making night drivinga chore. So far i;ve had to add accesory lighting and brighter bulbs in hope of just staying even.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission felt like it went into neutral while on our way home, at night, then it just stopped in the middle of the road on a corner. we pushed it somewhat off the road and turned on the hazards. then I proceeded to haul my five kids out of the vehicle and down the road to try to phone for…
Transmission felt like it went into neutral while on our way home, at night, then it just stopped in the middle of the road on a corner. we pushed it somewhat off the road and turned on the hazards. then I proceeded to haul my five kids out of the vehicle and down the road to try to phone for help. walking at night with 5 young children on the shoulder of the road IS dangerous. I tried to get it repaired and was told that this was a common problem with dodge. I was also informed that it would take approximately $3,000.00 to fix and then it could turn around and happen again. no indicator light ever came on. the dealer told me these were good vans and very dependable too. does someone have to die by being hit by oncoming traffic before someone does something? these transmissions should be declared lemons, recalled and made good on. *la
- Visibility › Windshield
Rear window shattered while vehicle was in park and turned on. Will be taking vehicle to dealership to determine cause of window problem.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving vehicle began to shake violently. vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the mechanic found that automatic transmission exploded internally, and had to be rebuilt. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failure on our 1994 dodge grand caravan without any warning - the van IS just under 9 years old and had 86292 miles. It has been regularly serviced and IS maintained in very good condition. It IS used to commute to work and as a family car without any towing or heavy loads. regular…
Transmission failure on our 1994 dodge grand caravan without any warning - the van IS just under 9 years old and had 86292 miles. It has been regularly serviced and IS maintained in very good condition. It IS used to commute to work and as a family car without any towing or heavy loads. regular transmission service and checkup has been performed with last one before the failure at 72456 miles. No problems were found at this service, otherwise I would have taken appropriate action. the failure happened in an office underground parking lot and the car would not move when my wife tried to park it. It had to be towed to the dealer for repairs. This could have happened while driving on a busy highway or on a busy street and could have been dangerous to her safety and to other people on the road. I researched into the issue on the internet and found a lot of chrysler/dodge caravan owners with similar problems over the years. I even talked to friends and people I know who are caravan owners and several told me it IS a known problem with these transmissions but chrysler has failed to remedy the problem. Failures even happen at lower mileage than my van and to older models. Replaced transmissions are also known to fail with low mileage in several cases that I came across. I have filed a complaint with chrysler on this matter and the ridiculous cost of $2500 that I had to pay to replace the transmission with a remanufactured one. the dealer that checked the problem on my van found that there were 4 problems found including worn out clutches and he had no explanation for the failure. Chrysler informed me that there IS no recall on this problem at this time but they may have one later on. I strongly believe that chrysler/dodge IS well aware of this defect problem and that it IS also a safety hazard. Chrysler should issue a recall and replace the transmissions with a better designed one for the sake of safety to their customers and other people on the road.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission had some major repairs done at 90,000 miles. currently, transmission IS slipping out of gear while driving at 55 mph. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering column separation
Mr. Larry a. Sackey submitted a petition to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) by letter dated april 18, 2003, requesting that nhtsafurther investigate the defective collapsible steering shaft system on 1987-1995 vehicles manufactured by the daimlerchrysler corporation.in part because of 49 cfr…
Mr. Larry a. Sackey submitted a petition to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) by letter dated april 18, 2003, requesting that nhtsafurther investigate the defective collapsible steering shaft system on 1987-1995 vehicles manufactured by the daimlerchrysler corporation.in part because of 49 cfr ? 30120(G), nhtsa has decided to limit the scope of the petition vehicles to 1993-1995 models, excluding the 1993 jeep grand cherokee and 1994-1995 dodge RAM series trucks that were recalled (93v210 & 96v230) for steering column failure.if the analysis of these vehicles had identified a potential problem, the scope could have been expanded in an investigation.a review of odi's data base shows no recent complaints and a lack of a complaint trend concerning the subject issue on the subject vehicles as a whole or by individual models.therefore, the petition IS denied.for details, see federal register notice volume 68, no. 130, july 8, 2003.
- Steering wheel separation
There is no summary currently available
- Inadvertent air bag deployments
Complaints allege that the front air bag (s) deployed inadvertently--in most cases while starting the vehicle.
- Air bag circuit/windshield wiper motor
There is no summary currently available
- Inadvertent air bag deployments
Complaints allege that the subject vehicles' air bags deployed inadvertently (in most cases when starting the vehicle).
- Defective air bag crash sensor
Cfas sent a follow-up letter on december 12, 1996, to change the intent of the petition to airbag aggressivity and deployment variability.nhtsa received the letter on 12/12/96; accordingly, the petition due day was changed to april 12, 1997.cfas petitioned the agency to conduct an investigation to determine whether…
Cfas sent a follow-up letter on december 12, 1996, to change the intent of the petition to airbag aggressivity and deployment variability.nhtsa received the letter on 12/12/96; accordingly, the petition due day was changed to april 12, 1997.cfas petitioned the agency to conduct an investigation to determine whether the airbag crash sensor and/or deployment systems for the 1991-92 chevrolet corsica/beretta, 1990-92 ford taurus, and 1994-96 chrysler minivans are defective.cfas allege that information on low speed crashes here occupants have suffered fatal injuries suggests [that the above vehicles] have defective airbag crash sensor and/or deployment systems.
- Safety blt latch operation
There is no summary currently available
- Liftgate latches
Liftgate latches in the subject vehicles have failed in low and moderate speed impacts resulting in occupant ejections, injuries, and fatalities.there are two failure modes associated with latch failure: fork bolt-detent lever bypass, and inertial unlatching.nhtsa analyses of chrysler and peer minivans took the form…
Liftgate latches in the subject vehicles have failed in low and moderate speed impacts resulting in occupant ejections, injuries, and fatalities.there are two failure modes associated with latch failure: fork bolt-detent lever bypass, and inertial unlatching.nhtsa analyses of chrysler and peer minivans took the form of static and dynamic crash testing, engineering evaluations, complaint and field analyses, and real world data analyses.a technical report discussing these analyses can be found in the engineering analysis technical report in the public viewing file.chrysler has advised nhtsa that it will conduct a campaign to replace the latches on all the subject vehicles.the chrysler campaign will consist of notification letters to all owners; free replacement of all latches with stronger, safer latches regardless of the age of the minivans; national advertising to promote customer awareness of the campaign; quarterly reports regarding campaign completion rates; as well as additional measures to ensure a high completion rate, above and beyond the actions that normally would be taken in a formal safety recall.these include follow up written and telephonic notifications to owners who do not bring their vehicles in for corrective action.nhtsa firmly believes that the crash performance of the latches on these minivans raises serious safety concerns, and that the campaign addresses these concerns.the chrysler corrective action will increase the strength of the liftgate latches and decrease the potential for inertial unlatching, thereby reducing the risk of crash-related openings of the liftgate and possible occupant ejection through the liftgate opening.owners of chrysler minivans will get a stronger, safer latch free of charge at the earliest possible time, without the need for further technical investigation and complex and time-consuming litigation with an uncertain outcome.based on the above, odi IS closing this investigation.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10191460Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
- 10150552Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that are marked **** for the model year are no longer supported with OEM retrofit kits. NOTE: Dealers are encouraged to honor any customers? request for the installation of the Child Seat Tether Anchors and Dealer reimbursement will be made by FCA US LLC regardless of vehicle age or mileage. See the Warranty Policy and Procedure Manual and/or Warranty Bulletin D-08-33 for reimbursement detail.
- 6092304Subject regarding non-deployed airbag handling procedures.
- 6089800Daimlerchrysler corporation IS now offerinb airbag on / off switches for selected vehicles.
- 6089311Concerns with a/c evaporator odor. *Nlm
- 6089038Information on tire and wheel runout. *Nlm
- 6089028Information on 41te/42le service information. *Nlm
- 6088988Concerns with 41te/42le transaxle shudder during an emcc (electronically modulated converter clutch) shift. *Nlm
- 6088834Information regarding nhtsa authorized airbag deactivation for medical necessity. *Nlm
- 6088786Concerns with engine coolant usage. *Nlm
- 634272Flash programming failure recovery. *Slc
- 620059Subject regarding airbag / clock spring service for various models including 2002 model year jeep liberty.
- 618049Subject regarding wire splice repairs.
- 615688Subject regarding child seat tether anchors.
- 612160Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *Mjs
- 610635Subject regarding child seat tether anchors.
- 609995This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts.
- 607963Information on child seat tether anchors.
- 607959This bulletin announces the availability and installation of a resuable automatic transmission oil pan gasket.
- 605014Conditions with intermittent loss of speed control.
- 604977Subject pertaining to smooth road high-speed vibration or shake condition.
- 604696Subject regarding reusable automatic transmission oil pan gasket.
- 604364Service and parts information on 1999 running changes to transmission range sensor (trs)
- 603153Subject regarding airbag on - off switches.
- 602612Some subject vehicles may experience a loosening or loss of the nut retaining the engine cooling module fan causing a vibration initially. If not addressed immediately, fan blade will not turn and engine could overheat.
- 602450Subject regarding the airbag on-off switches.
- 602288Subject regarding a 30 day airbag wiring diagnostic survey.
- 601982Information on 30 day airbag wiring diagnostic survey.
- 600862Information on installation of radio transmitting equipment.
- 54423Authorized airbag deactivation for medical necessity.
- 52963Various car owner's have expressed interest in using engine coolants made with propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.
- 51993Vehicle shudder during torque converter emcc (lock up) operation/diagnostic trouble code 38.
- 51978Vehicles with 3.0L engines - intake valve deposits - driveway die out, rough idle, lack of power, sags or hesitation.
- 51942Difficult to clean light colored "chalky" residue from plastic body components that are molded in black.
- 51274Erroneous mil illumination with hex code $2e-egr system failure.
- 46371Bulletin supersedes technical service bulletin 08-16-95, dated apr. 14, 1995. If the vehicle operator **repeatedly** presses and releases the set button with their foot off of the accelerator (a 'lift foot set' to begin speed control operation), the vehicle may accelerate and exceed the desired set speed by up to 5 mph (8 km/h) and then decelerate to less than the desired set speed before finally achieving the desired set speed.
- 44048Unknown
- 43055Unknown
- 43051Unknown
- 41049Cruise control overshoot/undershoot during initial set speed selection.
Every Dodge Caravan model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.