FaultScore

1994 Dodge Caravan body problems

83 of the 836 complaints about the 1994 Dodge Caravan are about the body and structure — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 109,222 miles.

D

83

Complaints

8

Crashes

0

Fires

8

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Door 25 30.1%
Hatchback/Liftgate 14 16.9%
Hinge AND Attachments 13 15.7%
Hinge AND Attachments 13 15.7%
Body 5 6.0%
Frame AND Members 4 4.8%
Tailgate 4 4.8%
Hinge AND Attachments 3 3.6%
Support Device/Strut 1 1.2%
Trunk LID 1 1.2%

Body & Structure across every Dodge Caravan year

1985 14 1.8%
1986 14 1.8%
1987 10 1.3%
1988 20 2.6%
1989 43 5.6%
1990 59 7.7%
1991 87 11.4%
1992 85 11.1%
1993 89 11.6%
1994 83 10.8%
1995 45 5.9%
1996 64 8.4%
1997 22 2.9%
1998 27 3.5%
1999 28 3.7%
2000 34 4.4%
2001 14 1.8%
2002 12 1.6%
2005 15 2.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 119,444 miles Vienna, VA Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 ?)

NHTSA complaint #10637824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,793 miles Windermere, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10165126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pikeville, TN

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10113289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Fremont, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10109270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles High Point, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THERE IS A LIGHT ON THE SLIDING DOOR THAT GETS VERY HOT IF THE DOOR STAYS AJAR FOR A FEW SECONDS.

NHTSA complaint #10024219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peoria, AZ

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

DOOR WAS STICKING AND HARD TO CLOSE. MY WIFE TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND IT STUCK. SHE PULLED ON THE DOOR AND IT FELL OFF THE HINGES. BODY SHOP SAID ALL THE PARTS WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. DT

NHTSA complaint #769883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Centratia, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

HINGE ON DRIVER DOOR IS CRACKED.

NHTSA complaint #8018242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia Beach, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

LEFT BOLT THAT HOLDS HINGES TO HATCHBACK SHEARED OFF. HATCHBACK CAME SLIDING DOWN TO THE RIGHT, CAUSING LEFT ARM TO "FREEZE" IN POSITION, RENDERING HATCHBACK DOOR INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA complaint #8016372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cape Coral, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL 99V213000 CONCERNING LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET. *AK WHEN THE HYDRAULIC LIFTGATE BOLTS HAD BROKEN-3 TIMES, THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY HAD TO GET THE LIFTGATE REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T OPEN OR CLOSE THE HATCH OTHERWISE. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #8015101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grafton, WV

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

INTERMITTENTLY TAILGATE COMES AJAR WHEN DRIVING, DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED REAR LIFTGATE OPENS WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED, ALSO AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING.*SLC

NHTSA complaint #8001743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

MT Lake Terr., WA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

VAN SLIDING DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. AS A RESULT PASSENGERS WERE TRAPPED INSIDE OF VEHICLE . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8000617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Powhatan, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #752482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Endwell, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

FRONT PASSENGER'S DOOR SEPARATED FROM HINGE ON TWO OCCASIONS. CONSUMER STATED DOOR HINGE WAS NOT RUSTED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #895650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Annandale, MN

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES 99V113000/ AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT; 99V213000/LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET, AND 00V305000/ STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE MAIL. WHEN DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTS, SHE WAS TOLD THAT WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN EXAMINED FOR THESE RECALLS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #890808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Batavia, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

WHILE CLOSING THE SLIDING DOOR IT CAME OFF THE TRACK.

NHTSA complaint #9002111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

THE LIFTGATE FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #784472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Francisco, CA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

MOLDING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR CAME OFF. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #784472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cliffside Park, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL (99V213) REPAIR, HOWEVER HAD TO PAY FOR THE DRILL BROKEN BOLT, DEALER SAID THIS WAS PAID BY THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THIS PART WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, CONSUMER FEELS THIS PART SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #554704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Johnstown, AK

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED WHILE ROUNDING A BEND CAUSING ME TO ALMOST FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR THE SEAT BELT I WOULD HAVE FALLEN OUT. AFTER THE DOOR OPENED I SWERVED LOOSING CONTROL HOWEVER THER WASN'T AN ON COMING VEHICLE AT THE TIME.FROM THE FORCE OF THE DOOR SWINGING OPEN BOTH OF THE JOINTS BROKE OFF AND THE SERVICE MAN AT OUR LOCAL DEALER INFORMED US THAT HE SEES MANY OF THESE PROBLEMS ON THE 1994/1995 MODELS. I HAD ALL OF THE RECALLS DONE TO DATE INCLUDING THE REAR LATCH, THAT I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH . I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE 02 SENSOR. I FELL THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ON COMING CAR AT THE TIME, WE WERE VERY LUCKY.

NHTSA complaint #734346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Conley Springs, NC Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERNCE TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 99V213000 AND 99V113000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL'S 730 AND 818. DEALER DID NOT CORRECT RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #870551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antoni, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

CONSUMER IS HAVING DIFFICULTY OBTAINING RECALL REPAIR (99V-213) FROM THE DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP IS TOO BUSY TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIR. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #553766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmington, CT 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

I WAS LEAVING CHURCH ON 6-11-00 AND HAD 5 OTHER PASSANGERS IN THE CAR. THE LAST PASSANGER INTO THE CAR WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY CLOSING THE SLIDING DOOR SO I GOT OUT TO DO IT. THE DOOR WAS INDEED DIFFICULT TO CLOSE AND AS I MANAGED TO GET THE DOOR ALMOST CLOSED, IT FELL OFF OF THE TRACKING AND LANDED ON MY FEET. MY FEET WERE HURT AS WELL AS BAD SCRAPING TO MY ARM AS I TRIED TO CATCH THE DOOR WHEN IT STARTED TO FALL. I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK AT HAVING A DOOR FALL OFF. WE COULDN'T GET THE DOOR BACK ON AND HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE DOOR OFF. I HAD TWO CHILDREN AND TWO ELDERLY PASSANGERS IN THE VAN BESIDES MYSELF AND MY FRIEND. I HAD NO OTHER WAY OF GETTING THE VEHICLE HOME SO HAD TO DRIVE IT THIS WAY. WHEN WE GOT HOME WE MANAGED TO GET THE DOOR BACK ONTO THE TRACK BUT COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR AGAIN AS IT WAS INOPERABLE. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THIS BUT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO HELPING ME GET THIS REPAIRED OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY AS THEY SAID THAT THEY DO THIS FROM TIME TO TIME. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO PAPA'S DODGE WHERE I BOUGHT THE VAN I WAS TOLD THAT THEY CALLED CHRYSLER CREDIT AND WERE TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PART AND THE REPAIR AT THE COST OF AROUND 300.00. A SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD MY FRIEND PRIVATELY THAT THEY HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS HAPPENING WITH THIS MODEL VAN. I HAD BEEN TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. DOORS DON'T JUST FALL OFF OF CARS! I WAS TOLD THAT THE ROLLERS HAD ERODED. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER UNUSUAL WEAR. ONE CAN'T TELL ME THAT EVERYBODY WHO OWNS A DODGE CARAVAN WILL HAVE THEIR DOOR FALL OFF AFTER 6 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. I DON'T AGREE THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, THIS IS ABNORMAL. MY CHILDREN NOW HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO GET TO THEIR SEATS. I AM ALSO IN FEAR OF THE DOOR FALLING OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING UNTIL I CAN GET THIS FIXED. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #724916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Holyoke, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

WHEN OPENING THE SLIDING DOOR DOOR FELL OFF THE HINGE WHICH HELD THE DOOR IN PLACE. THE LOWER LIP OF THE CARRIER (OF THE DOOR) IS COVERED BY A SNAP-ON COATED ALUMINUM STRIP, WHICH POPPED OUT OF THE SLOT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, BUT MADE THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. *AK

NHTSA complaint #861134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Halifax, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

RECALL COMPONENT FAILED PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WHEN SUPPORT BROKE CAUSING LIFTGATE TO COLLASPE (99V213). *MJS

NHTSA complaint #551292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

RECALL COMPONENT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (99V-213). *MJS

NHTSA complaint #551352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Middleburg, FL 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

THE BOLT ATTACHING THE LEFT LIFTGATE TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING IT TO FALL ON CONSUMERS HEAD (99V-213). NLM

NHTSA complaint #551340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bath, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

WHILE CHILD WAS OPENING SLIDING DOOR DOOR SLIPPED OUT OF TRACK. DEALER/MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #860986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

DOOR ON PASSENGER IN BACK WON'T CLOSE COMPLETELY AND ROOF POPS IN WARM WHEATHER.

NHTSA complaint #721080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

DOOR ON PASSENGER IN BACK WON'T CLOSE COMPLETELY AND ROOF POPS IN WARM WHEATHER.

NHTSA complaint #721080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northfield, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

RECALL COMPONENT FAILED PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION. (99V-213) *MJS

NHTSA complaint #550907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Dodge Caravan problems

← Full 1994 Dodge Caravan report