1994 Dodge Grand Caravan
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › Grand Caravan › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
6 recalls name the 1994 Dodge Grand 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.
Wheels with misformed lug nut seats were installed on these vehicles. This causes reduced nut to wheel contact area and limits the wheel self-centering capability during installation. This results in loss of wheel lug nut torque retention.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Loss of lug nut torque retention may lead to wheel lugfailure which may cause wheel separation and an accident.
Remedy
Inspect the wheel assembly plant code; replace wheels known to have the problem and install new lug nuts.
Owner complaints
199 complaints8 involved a crash5 involved a fire11 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
Instrument cluster don't work
- Steering
When I was trying to turn the wheel to get out of the driveway, my steering wheel came off. I was about to back up and if I did I would have lost control and crashed.
- Air bags · Latches/locks/linkages · Steering · Structure
TL* the contact owns a 1994 dodge grand caravan. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 00v305000 (steering), 99v213000 (structure), 99v113000 (air bags), and 95i00100 (latches/locks/linkages); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the…
TL* the contact owns a 1994 dodge grand caravan. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 00v305000 (steering), 99v213000 (structure), 99v113000 (air bags), and 95i00100 (latches/locks/linkages); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Engine and engine cooling
TL* the contact owns a 1994 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that the serpentine belt would detach from the vehicle when it would rain or when the vehicle was driven through a puddle of water. The failure would cause the vehicle to loose power and overheat. The vehicle was repaired several…
TL* the contact owns a 1994 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that the serpentine belt would detach from the vehicle when it would rain or when the vehicle was driven through a puddle of water. The failure would cause the vehicle to loose power and overheat. The vehicle was repaired several times and the pulleys were replaced, but the failure continued to recur. The dealer and several mechanics were unable to determine what caused the consistent failure. The failure mileage was 230,426 and the current mileage was 241,625.
- Air bags
Air bags deployed on 1994 dodge grand caravan with braun handicapped modifications while idling in the driveway during loading of handicapped woman. attendant was injured due to proximity of head to passenger side airbag. *Tr
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
TL* - the contact owns a 1994 dodge chrysler grand caravan. while driving around a mountain the steering locked and lost power steering. the contact let the vehicle sit for approximately 1/2 hour and the vehicle was drivable. there were no warning indicators. the failure mileage was 66,000. The…
TL* - the contact owns a 1994 dodge chrysler grand caravan. while driving around a mountain the steering locked and lost power steering. the contact let the vehicle sit for approximately 1/2 hour and the vehicle was drivable. there were no warning indicators. the failure mileage was 66,000. The dealer didn't try to duplicate the failure. the current mileage was 165,000.*ak the consumer stated that he replaced the belt in 1996, but the mechanic stated the belt looked fine. Update 05/10/07*tr
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel rail
TL* -the contact stated that the 1994 dodge grand caravan with 150000 failure mileage was leaking gas on the manifold. the contact a mechanic discovered that there was a fuel leak. there was a recall # 00268000 on the 1996-2000 dodge grand caravans. the vehicle was not drivable , and the…
TL* -the contact stated that the 1994 dodge grand caravan with 150000 failure mileage was leaking gas on the manifold. the contact a mechanic discovered that there was a fuel leak. there was a recall # 00268000 on the 1996-2000 dodge grand caravans. the vehicle was not drivable , and the vehicle had not been repaired. the current mileage was 150,000. *Ak the fuel rail was leaking fuel at the end of the rail where a pipe joined the 2 rails together, fuel leaked on the manifold and a small fire was ignited. Updated 04/30/07. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle stalls while driving, usually when weather IS very warm. no indication of overheating. let set for 10-15 minutes and vehicle starts and runs fine until next time. has happened 6 times in the last 3 years, usually on the interstate causing a potentially very dangerous situation. have not…
Vehicle stalls while driving, usually when weather IS very warm. no indication of overheating. let set for 10-15 minutes and vehicle starts and runs fine until next time. has happened 6 times in the last 3 years, usually on the interstate causing a potentially very dangerous situation. have not had to a dealer to check out but have seen other complaints on this site by people who have this same problem who have taken to dealer and dealer was not able to locate the source of the stalling.
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
1994 dodge grand caravan, drivers side seat back broken at the first weld on the vertical portion of the seat back. Car was being driven normally, no accident or incident occurred. There was no warning, the seat just went to a reclined position while driving. Further investigation revealed that in…
1994 dodge grand caravan, drivers side seat back broken at the first weld on the vertical portion of the seat back. Car was being driven normally, no accident or incident occurred. There was no warning, the seat just went to a reclined position while driving. Further investigation revealed that in addition to the vertical frame weld failure, a casting failure occurred on the horizontal portion of the seat frame in the vicinity of recline lever. The frame casting was completing severed and would not have retained the seat in the event of a sudden deceleration. The seat was unsafe but did not reveal itself until the back frame weld failure. my state of residence IS wisconsin, your program did not allow me to enter this state so I choose one at random. *nm
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
(1) no warning of failure.(2) serpentine belt tensioner bolt failed causing loss of power steering during a turn. no consequences resulted from this particular failure because the failure occurred in a parking lot at 5MPH. under different circumstances (downhill on tight curve) the failure would…
(1) no warning of failure.(2) serpentine belt tensioner bolt failed causing loss of power steering during a turn. no consequences resulted from this particular failure because the failure occurred in a parking lot at 5MPH. under different circumstances (downhill on tight curve) the failure would have been extremely dangerous and probably result in total loss of control.(3) anticipate replacing the tensioner and returning vehicle to service.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Air bag. I own a 1994 grand caravan. I have no other complaints about this vehicle. however, the air bag has had a problem since almost day one. the airbag panel light IS always illuminated. I received a recall notice several years ago about this problem and had the van to the dealership for…
Air bag. I own a 1994 grand caravan. I have no other complaints about this vehicle. however, the air bag has had a problem since almost day one. the airbag panel light IS always illuminated. I received a recall notice several years ago about this problem and had the van to the dealership for recall service to rectify the obviously widespread problem. I believe it was tied to a problem w/ the rear window wiper circuit. this IS a problem that was fixed for all but a couple of months and to this day I don't have a working air bag or rear window wiper. I can live w/o the wiper, I'D like to have working safety equipment. *nm
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
Consumer stated the sliding door fell off track . The part had been repaired three times, however the problem recurred. *Ak the consumer stated that the parts seem to wear to easy and rust when they should not. *tc
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmisson failure. *la
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine hesitates as if starving for fuel and stalls while traveling,check engine light stays on until you turn off engine and retstart. taken to dealer and no trouble codes found. Fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injector o-rings, replaced. has happened over last six years, some 20 times and dealer has no clue. 125,000 miles on engine.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Purchased on 5/2001 a used 1994 dodge grand caravan with 93,000 miles from carmichael auto exchange "as IS". After 1,000 miles, transmission failed. Replaced @ $1875.60 with new mopar rebuilt at 94,282. Took vehicle in for trans service on 3/8/2002 at 109,252 to dealer. Installed transmission…
Purchased on 5/2001 a used 1994 dodge grand caravan with 93,000 miles from carmichael auto exchange "as IS". After 1,000 miles, transmission failed. Replaced @ $1875.60 with new mopar rebuilt at 94,282. Took vehicle in for trans service on 3/8/2002 at 109,252 to dealer. Installed transmission cooler on 4/2002. Now rebuilt transmission failed on 7/7/2003 at 150,325. This added expense will cost $2600.00 at my expense. *Ak
- Air bags
Consumer stated that when turning the vehicle on the passenger side air bag deployed. Dealer notified . *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
When we bought the van in april of 2001 the transaxle would not shift into reverse when cold. the vehicle has apparently been warmed up before we test drove it. the transmission filter and fluid were replaced and the transmission was fine until the next cold season . the fluid and filter were…
When we bought the van in april of 2001 the transaxle would not shift into reverse when cold. the vehicle has apparently been warmed up before we test drove it. the transmission filter and fluid were replaced and the transmission was fine until the next cold season . the fluid and filter were replaced and the transmission was fine until the next cold season. the fluid and filter were replaced again but it did not help. the transmission started out at the beginning of this year's cold season just not going into reverse while cold, then it quickly progressed to no first gear or reverse while cold. during the time when it had no first or reverse the transmission would go into limp mode. (Chrysler A-604 ultradrive) during this time the transmission only functions in second gear (while the gear selector IS in overdrive). the transmission repair shop acted very surprised that our transmission lasted 135K miles! Unfortunately our warranty company IS not aware of the problems with this transmission or just doesn't want to lose money because of it, but they only paid for the installation of a used transmission with 80K miles. I use the ultimate warranty company (1-800-576-5113). *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*****770786
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving 60 mph the automatic transmission failed and forced the consumer to pull off the road. *nlm. *ak
- Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
When the consumer closed the rear hatch the hinge on the upper right came off. upon further investigation it was discovered that the bolt had broken in half and one half of the bolt was still attached to the door while other half fell to the ground. The pressurized mechanism was locked in the open position and in order to close the door the consumer had no choice but to puncture the roof. *nlm *cb *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I can't keep it running in cold weather, no matter what the speed of driving.**** dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****769757. *ak *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline
Gas gauge shows erratic fuel level - can end up empty because of false reading similar to nhtsa recall no. 97V194 chrysler campaign no. 755. *nlm
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Axle assembly
Transaxle on 1994 dodge grand caravan LE failed causing damage to axles. the axles had to be replaced, one axle had to be replaced twice. they are now failing again. the front end wobbles and shakes, especially when accelerating and the transmission shifts very harshly, with a slam. the…
Transaxle on 1994 dodge grand caravan LE failed causing damage to axles. the axles had to be replaced, one axle had to be replaced twice. they are now failing again. the front end wobbles and shakes, especially when accelerating and the transmission shifts very harshly, with a slam. the transmission has an internal leak so that we have to check the fluid constantly, but no fluid IS draining onto the street. it will cost us $2,500 to repair. when we bought the car 2 years ago it had just had the transaxle replaced.
- Structure › Body › Tailgate
Nhtsa recall 99v213000 liftgate support bracket; she had this recall repaired two years ago. the owner states that she heard something, moved out the way and the liftgate slammed shut on its' own. please describe details. nlm
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Van has problem with illumination of head lights, dealership has tried several attempts to rectify illumination failure. manufacturer has no more suggestions on how to correct problem. dealership IS declining putting on fog lights, and IS questioning next step.*ak. Consumer's son adjusted the…
Van has problem with illumination of head lights, dealership has tried several attempts to rectify illumination failure. manufacturer has no more suggestions on how to correct problem. dealership IS declining putting on fog lights, and IS questioning next step.*ak. Consumer's son adjusted the headlights and consumer can now see the road, consumer assumed it was the headlights themselves, but it seems they were juse misaligned.*jb
- Seat belts › Rear/other
Consumer had to stop the vehicle suddenly to avoid an accident. consumers wife who was seated in the front passenger seat felt a very large jolt to the vehicle. thinking they had been hit from behind, the wife turns to check on their 2 year old son who was seated in back of the passenger seat.…
Consumer had to stop the vehicle suddenly to avoid an accident. consumers wife who was seated in the front passenger seat felt a very large jolt to the vehicle. thinking they had been hit from behind, the wife turns to check on their 2 year old son who was seated in back of the passenger seat. the safety belt belonging to the vehicle had come unbuckled and the son had been thrown into the back of the seat head first. someone from the carseat safety coalition came to consumers home to inspect the seats. They were installed correctly. crysler claims it IS impossible for a sfety belt to become unbuckled by itself. *jg
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
- Air bag circuit/windshield wiper motor
There is no summary currently available
- 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.
Every Dodge Grand Caravan model year
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