FaultScore

1993 Dodge Caravan transmission problems

108 of the 1,229 complaints about the 1993 Dodge Caravan are about the transmission — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 106,500 miles.

A

108

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 76 70.4%
Manual Transmission 13 12.0%
Power Train 3 2.8%
Gear Position Indication (Prndl) 3 2.8%
Torque Converter 2 1.9%
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch 2 1.9%
Cooling Unit AND Lines 2 1.9%
Axle Shaft 2 1.9%
Axle Assembly 1 0.9%
Driveshaft 1 0.9%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Dodge Caravan year

1989 50 3.5%
1990 79 5.6%
1991 58 4.1%
1992 118 8.4%
1993 108 7.7%
1994 118 8.4%
1995 100 7.1%
1996 200 14.2%
1997 142 10.1%
1998 118 8.4%
1999 105 7.4%
2000 91 6.5%
2001 19 1.3%
2002 28 2.0%
2003 22 1.6%
2005 15 1.1%
2006 14 1.0%
2008 11 0.8%
2010 14 1.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 205,000 miles Bremen, IN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT. WHEN IT ISN'T WORKING THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO DOES NOT WORK, NOR DOES THE ODOMETER. THE PROBLEM SHOWS UP MORE AFTER VEHICLE IS WARMED UP. WHEN IT IS WORKING SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER WORKS FINE ALSO. I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD. IT IS NOT BEING DRIVEN RIGHT NOW. THE MECHANIC IS WAITING FOR PARTS. COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10102172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Linn, MO

POWER TRAIN

I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE A/C, HEATER SWITCHING TO BLOW OUT THROUGH THE DEFROST WHEN ACCELERATING OR UNDER LOAD CAUSING POOR COOLING/HEATING. I TALKED TO CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO SWITCH. I HAVE HAD THE COMPRESSOR REPLACED WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. I HAD TO REPLACE THE COOLING FAN AFTER WARRANTY. IT FAILED AGAIN ALMOST A YEAR LATER. BUT THE PART WAS REPLACED WITH ONLY INSTALLATION COST. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT OTHER THINGS CAN BE DONE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF SWITCHING TO DEFROST. SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10070370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valencia, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. I HAVE SPENT OVER $10,000.00 ON REPAIRS SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 1993. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH DODGE. I'VE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS ON VARIOUS COMPONENTS, THEY WERE CORRECTED AND ARE NOW AGAIN DEFECTIVE INCLUDING MY SEATBELTS, ABS SYSTEM, AND STEERING COLUMN. I AM NOW NOTICING THAT THE PAINT IS ERODING ON THE TOP OF MY VAN. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER DODGE CARAVANS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THE EXACT SAME PATTERN OF CORROSION. IT APPEARS THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF ON THE TOPS OF THE CARS, THEN THE HOODS AND SO ON. IT EVENTUALLY RUSTS THROUGH AS I'VE SEEN ON AT LEAST 20 DODGE CARAVANS. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED PAINT WEARING AWAY LIKE THIS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES THAT I'VE OWNED AND MUCH OLDER THAN 10 YEARS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT SOMEWHERE IN THE PAINTING PROCESS, PERHAPS THE PRIMER OR THE PAINT ITSELF. THIS IS THE THIRD LETTER I'VE WRITTEN AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM ANYONE. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PAINTING PROCESS OF THESE VANS. I BELIEVE IT IS ALSO OCCURRING IN OTHER YEAR MODELS. THANK YOU, SUSAN DEANFRASIO.

NHTSA complaint #10063811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Pinckney, MI

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MY 1993 DODGE CARAVAN HAS NOT BEEN CHANGING GEARS CORRECTLY FOR 1 1/2 YEARS. WHEN IT STARTED, I HAD IN TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES IN 8 WEEKS. THEY FOUND $800 IN THINGS TO REPAIR BUT NONE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM - CHANGING GEARS ROUGHLY, DROPPING SEVERAL GEARS WHEN COMING TO A STOP, ETC. THIS WILL HAPPEN FOR AWHILE AND THEN STOP FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS. THE DEALER AND ANOTHER GARAGE COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. FINALLY IT IS SHOWING IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE - BUT IT STILL DOESN'T ACT UP ALL THE TIME. READING ALL THESE PROBLEMS ON THE WEBSITE FOR SO MANY YEARS, WHY HASN'T DODGE BEEN HELD RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM FOR CARAVAN OWNERS!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10048977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pembroke, MA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STOPPED OPERATING OR FELT LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE STRIPPED.

NHTSA complaint #10038312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Gatesville, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WE HAVE A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN THAT HAS ALREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED ($1,000.00). NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THE TRANSMISSION IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD.

NHTSA complaint #10023694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warren, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT TO 2ND GEAR, AND CONSUMER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT BACK TO DRIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10024283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,000 miles Abingdon, MD

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH THE OVERDRIVE WOULD TURN OFF THEN COMES BACK ON. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING BAD ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT TO REGULAR GEAR AND THE BACK TO OVER DRIVE. THE RPM STAYED THE SAME AND THE SPEED NEEDLE WOULD JUMP TO 10MPH, DROP DOWN TO 20 MPH, THEN BACK TO THE PROPER SPEED WITH IN TWO SECONDS. THERE WAS A CLUNK NOISE IN THE REAR BRAKE(S) HEARD AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. SCC

NHTSA complaint #10014985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Commack, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION ON 1993 DODGE CARAVAN IS FAILING ONCE AGAIN. I SEE THAT THERE IS ACTUALLY A WEB SITE DEDICATED TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUIT AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 70,000+ MILES AND IS IN NEED FOR ITS NEXT RE-BUILD. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW DODGE HAS BEEN ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH NOT HAVING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PROBLEM TRANSMISSONS. THE WARANTEE IS OVER AND THE COST OF THE REPAIR WILL PROBABLY BE BETWEEN $1500 AND $2000. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE? TO READ SOME STORIES FROM OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS, GO TO GOOGLE.COM AND TYPE IN "DODGE CARAVAN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS". IT MAKES FOR SOME INTERESTING READING! THANK YOU...

NHTSA complaint #10011008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pinon Hills, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, I HAD TO GET A REBUILT TRANSMISSION EVERY YEAR SINCE THE YEAR I BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10010815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Osceola, WI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE BALL JOINTS AND STARTER FAILED, THE BRAKE LINE WAS BROKEN, THE SIDE DOOR FELL OFF, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OIL AND COOLANT FAILURES. ALSO THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN OUTER ROD END INSTALLED AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. *JG

NHTSA complaint #10006061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, VA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE FROM 2ND GEAR, THEN ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS IT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE VAN WOULD NOT CHANGE GEAR WHEN MOVING ALONG. SEVERAL TIMES I STOPPED FOR A WHILE AND TRY AGAIN THEN IT WOULD START UP AND CHANGE GEARS FOR A TIME. THE VAN NOW WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK.

NHTSA complaint #766958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, VA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT INTERMITTENTLY GO INTO GEAR. WILL CONTACT DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #8018226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ERA, PA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED GEAR SHIFTER DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. *JG

NHTSA complaint #8006216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ellenwood, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN DRIVING AND STOPPING; AND THEN, WHEN TAKING OFF AGAIN, IT TAKES TIME TO GO INTO NEXT GEAR. ALSO, SOMETIMES VEHICLE JERKS, AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING IT WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS, IT STAYS IN ONE GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #8005166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kings Point, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE HESITATES BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8004846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Ahleboro, MA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTING. ALSO, VEHICLE JERKS VERY HARD, AND SOMETIMES GEARS STICK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURHTER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

NHTSA complaint #8003632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION OCASSIONALY DOWNSHIFTS TO 2ND GEAR WITHOUT WARNING, OR FAILS TO UPSHIFT BEYOND 2ND GEAR. THE SOLONOID BODY WAS REPLACED TWICE BY A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP WHEN HIS EQUIPMENT SHOWED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE THIRD FAILURE IS UNSOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #757586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jonesboro, AR

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #751897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cynthiana, KY

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND LEAKING FLUID, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED, UPON INSPECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION IT REVEALED THAT THE CLUTCHES AND OTHER PARTS WERE BURNED UP, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BEYOND REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #562239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vine Grove, KY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #750770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sarland, AL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STEERING WAS LOOSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID NOT TO DRIVE BECAUSE RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE ON RIGHT SIDE. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY, AIR CONDITION FAILED AND MAJOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #889278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cazenovia, WI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TROUBLE SHIFTING SINCE NEW, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP BEFORE ENGAGING, THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE WITH A REBUILT ONE, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGAIN. NLM

NHTSA complaint #560549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Macomb, MI

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK THE CAUSE FOR THE VEHICLE'S STALLING WAS FAILURE OF DIFFERENTIAL PIN IN TRANSAXLE. THIS WAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION IF IT HAPPENED ON FREEWAY.

NHTSA complaint #882696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brownsville, KY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #882715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ellicott City, MD

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INTERMITTENTLY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT INTO GEAR IT WILL STICK. DEALER HAS REBUILT TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, IT STILL STICKS IN GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #882062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Braunf, TX

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING THE 3 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #559341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angele, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED THREE TIMES. NLM

NHTSA complaint #558573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peshtigo, WI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION WOUL STICK WHILE IN 2ND GEAR. WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY. WAS UNDER 7YR WARRANTY. HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED, BUT IT WAS ALSO STICKING IN 2ND GEAR. PRIOR TO STICKING ON 2ND TRANSMISSIN, THERE WOULD BE A LOUD BANG. CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT. WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND WAS OFFERED 50% OFF ON PARTS & LABOR.

NHTSA complaint #878250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Temple, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:SWITCH:SOLENOID: SHIFT ELECTRIC FAILED AND BECAME STUCK IN SECOND GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #876366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1993 Dodge Caravan problems

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