1994 Dodge Caravan: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 644 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (15% of complaints).
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 644 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2015
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2014
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2008
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2007
“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”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2006
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2005
“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”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2005
“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”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2004
“The serpentine belt continuously slips off which causes the steering to become inoperable. The power steering completely fails. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 91 of these complaints and injuries in 102 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 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 1994 Dodge Caravan reliable?
NHTSA has 644 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Dodge Caravan. The most complained-about area is power train (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Dodge Caravan problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 102,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Dodge Caravan have open recalls?
5 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.