1994 Dodge Grand Caravan: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 199 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (27% 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 199 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2016
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2012
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2010
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2007
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2005
“(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”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2004
“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”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2004
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2003
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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.
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.
Remedy: INSPECT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY PLANT CODE; REPLACE WHEELS KNOWN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AND INSTALL NEW LUG NUTS.
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 Grand 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 Grand Caravan reliable?
NHTSA has 199 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan. The most complained-about area is power train (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 120,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan have open recalls?
6 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.