1992 Dodge Caravan: problems, recalls and reliability
11 recalls and 913 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (27% of complaints); the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 1999
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 913 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Brakes stopped working in middle of driving almost cause a car accident. I looked up the problem and they did a recall on the ABS brake system. Would just like to bring it in to get it fixed.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2017
“I have a 1992 dodge caravan subject to recall 685 NHTSA # 96v099000. The antilock bendix 10 assembly was replaced once . It now needs replacing again . ABS light comes on and pump runs excessively. All inherent to the problems addressed above . The dealer is claiming to no nothing about the lifetime warrenty on this system indicated in the recall documentation on this site . I need some additional information to recontact chrysler with to force the to do the required repairs.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the ABS system pump and motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 279,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the anti lock brake warning light would intermittently illuminate while driving at various speeds. The contact would have to apply heavy pressure to the brake pedal during the failure to stop the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 96v099000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 dodge caravan. The contact is upset because he has had his brakes repaired twice at his own expense. The contact just found out there was an recall on his year/make and model. He informed the manufacturer of the failure with the brakes. The manufacturer stated that they would only cover the expenses if the contact vehicle had less than 100,000 miles. The contact was driving at 40mph and the brakes failed again. The contact put on his emergency brakes and pulled over. He later drove it to the repair shop. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 110000 and the current mileage was 159733.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 dodge caravan. While driving less than 55 mph, the ABS warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact depressed the brake pedal and found it to be extremely stiff. The brakes were inoperative and he eventually was able to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal repeatedly with great force. Although there was a recall for the ABS failures (NHTSA campaign id number 96v099000), the dealer would not make the necessary repairs because the brake line was rusted. The repairs would not be effective unless the contact paid to have the brake line replaced at the estimated cost of $700. The failure and current mileages were 199,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2008
“1992 dodge caravan customer states that no letter regarding recall on brakes was sent. Customer also paid to have car fixed and it took 3 dealerships to get the problem fixed right**cc *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the coupling bolt fractured on the steering wheel. A NHTSA recall, #92v015000 was performed on the vehicle concerning steering: wheel and handle bar however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair under the recall.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2006
“The right rear tire bridgestone dueler apt lt195-75-14 belt separated and ripped off the tire causing damage to the rear bumper and shattering the right rear tail light. *jb”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2006
“Dt: the contact took the car to dealer for repairs for the ABS several times and it never has been completely repaired. The ABS brakes did not stop vehicle quickly enough. When the pump worked it pumped fluid out onto the ground. The dealer worked on vehicle 1-2 months ago. They replaced a pressure pump, but were waiting on the rest of the parts to fix the car. . The manufacturer told the contact it would be another 2-4 months before the parts came in. The consumer cited recall 96v099000 on the brakes a long time ago. He took the car to dealer for recall repairs, and they told him there was nothing wrong with the car.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 49 of these complaints and injuries in 39 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 11 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. THE CENTER REAR SEAT, RIGHT OUTBOARD SIDE, SAFETY BELT ANCHOR HOOK CAN BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE BODY ANCHOR POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ANCHOR HOOK RETAINING CLIP WITH A REVISED PROFILE CLIP AND A COVER PLATE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. COVERS ON THE SOLID STALK MOUNTED SEAT BELT BUCKLES CAN BECOME DISLODGED CAUSING THE RELEASE BUTTON TO STICK INSIDE THE COVER. THE BUCKLE WOULD THEN BE ONLY PARTIALLY LATCHED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.
FUEL TANK FLANGES WERE NOT BENT AS REQUIRED TO ALLOW THE SPECIFIED CLEARANCE FOR THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAPS AND FUEL LINES AT THE TANK.
Remedy: REPAIR THE FLANGE BY BENDING TO THE CORRECT ANGLE; REPLACE DAMAGED FUEL LINES AND MOUNTING STRAPS.
THE BRAKE PEDAL PAD ATTACHMENT TO THE PEDAL ARM MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH DUE TO MISLOCATION OF WELDS, AND COULD BREAK.
Remedy: REPLACE INADEQUATE BRAKE PEDALS WITH PROPERLY MANUFACTURED PEDALS.
THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS IN THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT AREA. ANY STEERING WHEELS SHOWING CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
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.
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: 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.
Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES IN MARCH 1996.
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 OPEN.
Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES IN OCTOBER 1995.
THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LEFT HAND WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT DRIVE ARM WAS NOT MECHANICALLY STAKED TO THE PIVOT SHAFT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT ASSEMBLY.
THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1992 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Caravan by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Dodge Caravan reliable?
NHTSA has 913 owner complaints and 11 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Dodge Caravan. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Dodge Caravan problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 145,000 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Dodge Caravan have open recalls?
11 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.