1993 Dodge Caravan: problems, recalls and reliability
10 recalls and 949 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (32% of complaints); the 1995 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 949 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tie rods went in the front. Brake pads had to be replaced. Then driving on the highway during rush hour traffic I lost the brakes. Pulled over and called to have the car towed in. Mechanic said the master cylinder needed replacement but because ABS brakes, a new cylinder cannot be found. Dodge stopped making them because they were faulty.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. The contact stated while driving at unknown speed, the brakes failed making it extremely difficult to stop the vehicle. The brake light illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the brake system needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 169,000. Updated 10/23/2014*lj updated 05/21/2015 *js”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the brake pedal had to be depressed firmly in order to stop the vehicle and the ABS warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ABS pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“When driving the vehicle, at random times the ABS system warning lights turn on and then I have no brakes. I have taken it to several repair shops, seen various mechanics and dealerships and it continues to be a serious problem. No one has been able to solve or fix the problem. As a senior citizen, I am not in a position to purchase a newer vehicle, thus I continue to drive this vehicle. I am afraid that I may not be as fortunate when the brakes go out again. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. The contact was driving 40 mph when the ABS and the brake lights illuminated. The contact pressed the brake pedal but the vehicle did not respond until the pedal reached the floorboard. The contact shut off and restarted the vehicle and the brakes worked normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where he found that NHTSA campaign: 96v099000 service brakes, hydraulic was the cause of the failure. The recall repair had been previously done on the vehicle. The vehicle not not be inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was 145,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. The contact received repairs to the vehicle under NHTSA campaign id number: 96v099000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock). Three years later, the brake warning light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the ABS system was repaired. The failure mileage was 74,000 and the current mileage was 109,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. While driving less than 50 mph, the ABS warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and the electric pump continued to cycle. The brakes hardened and failed. The contact had to use both feet and massive force in order to depress the brake pedal and stop the vehicle. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 96v099000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock), although the failures were identical. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 119,000 and current mileage was 139,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2007
“Tl* - the contact's 1992 dodge caravan, has been effected by safety campaign 96v099000. The contact has been to the dealership and contacted chrysler daimler and, was told that he is responsible for the repairs on his car. Although the repairs all fall under the safety campaign, the dealership will not honor it because his car exceeds the 100,000 mile warranty. There is an exception in the campaign for two of the components involved that have a lifetime warranty but, the dealership is denying this warranty to the vehicle owner.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated that both the ABS warning light and parking light illuminated before the power brakes failed. This occurred while backing up at 2 mph. The problem has also occurred at 60 mph. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer and the manufacturer was notified. The service dealer informed the contact that there was a recall # 96v099000, for the service brakes, hydraulic: antilock, for years 1991-1993. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated that there were brake problems at various speeds. Prior to the problem there was extended stopping distance and brake light illuminated under normal braking conditions. Nature of failure worsened over time. Campaign id # 96v099000 was observed online by the contact pertaining to service brakes, hydraulic, antilock. The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was included in the recall however the dealer stated that the piston was covered under the recall and there were other repairs that needed to be done to the brake system not covered under recall. The vehicle was not serviced yet. The rear hatch struts were replaced”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 68 of these complaints and injuries in 84 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 10 campaigns
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.
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: 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.
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: 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.
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 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.
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 OPEN.
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.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING DECEMBER 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.
THE 15 INCH WHEELS HAVE MALFORMED LUG NUT SEAT CONFIGURATION WHICH CAUSES POOR NUT-TO-WHEEL CONTACT AND CENTERING OF THE WHEEL DURING INSTALLATION.
Remedy: THE ROAD AND SPARE WHEELS WITH THE MALFORMED LUG NUT SEAT CONFIGURATION WILL BE REPLACED.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1993 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 1993 Dodge Caravan reliable?
NHTSA has 949 owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Dodge Caravan. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Dodge Caravan problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 130,000 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Dodge Caravan have open recalls?
10 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments. 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.