FaultScore

1994 Dodge Caravan door lock problems

58 of the 836 complaints about the 1994 Dodge Caravan are about the doors, latches and locks — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 151,000 miles.

C

58

Complaints

5

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Lock 34 58.6%
Latch 14 24.1%
Latch 6 10.3%
Latch 4 6.9%

Doors, Latches & Locks across every Dodge Caravan year

1986 12 2.0%
1987 15 2.5%
1988 23 3.8%
1989 29 4.8%
1990 49 8.0%
1991 39 6.4%
1992 37 6.1%
1993 30 4.9%
1994 58 9.5%
1995 25 4.1%
1996 64 10.5%
1997 10 1.6%
2005 203 33.3%
2006 16 2.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 235,000 miles Chicago, IL

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

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.

NHTSA complaint #10216220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Johnstown, PA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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 THERE 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 FEEL THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ON COMING CAR AT THE TIME. WE WERE VERY LUCKY. *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734346

NHTSA complaint #10007041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Johnstown, AK

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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 LOSING 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.

Fredonia, KS

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

TAILGATE WILL NO LONGER LATCH PROPERLY, DOOR HAS TO BE SLAMMED A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE IT SHUTS.

NHTSA complaint #892854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Joseph, MI

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

THE LATCH ASSEMBLY AT THE REAR OF THE DOOR IS JAMMED SO THAT THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. I HAVE MANAGED TO GET IT BACK INTO THE RIGHT POSITION ON TWO OTHER OCCASSIONS BY PRYING IT INTO PLACE (NO, I DID NOT BEND IT OR ALTER IT IN ANY WAY). THIS TIME, HOWEVER, IT SIMPLY WON'T CLOSE. THE "LOOP" IS UP. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLESOME AS THE PROBLEM OCCURED WHEN I WAS SHOPPING. I HAD TO TAKE MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN HOME WITH THE DOOR BEING HELD SHUT BY A SEAT BELT. I DON'T BELIEVE A DOOR LATCH OF THIS AGE SHOULD FAIL. IT IS FULLY LUBRICATED.

NHTSA complaint #743419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Balloway, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY. HINGES KEPT BREAKING. DOOR WOULD FLY OPEN WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER OR CURB. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, NOT A DEFECT. HAD BEEN REPAIRED 15 TIMES, AND WOULD ONLY LAST ABOUT 3 MONTHS. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC REPLACED OLD DESIGN WITH A NEW DESIGN.

NHTSA complaint #884677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dearborn, MI

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

SEATBELT GETS STUCK IN DOOR PATH; WHEN ENTERING VEHICLE SEATBELT IS LOOSE, AND WON'T PROTECT OCCUPANT IN A CRASH. ALSO, PROBLM WITH DOOR LATCH STRIKER WHICH THE OCCUPANT MUST SLAM DOOR IN ORDER TO SHUT. AK BECAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR SPRING WAS WEAK, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT HAS ABOUT A FOOT OF SLACK.

NHTSA complaint #878430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ballenger, TX

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR AND THE PASSENGER'S DOOR WILL NOT SHUT. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. NO ASSISTANCE FROM CHRYSLER. *AK

NHTSA complaint #861552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LA Bevier, MO

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

WINDSHIELD MOTOR (REAR) WAS RECALLED, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. CONNSUMER SAT AT DEALER ALMOST 2 HOURS BEFORE BEING TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN, SIDE DOOR OF VAN- WHEN HITTING A BUMP THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF LIKE STROBE LIGHTS AND THE DOOR LATCH IS NOT LATCHING PROPERLY, THEREFORE THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF AND A BEEPING SIGNAL IN HEARD CONSTANTLY..

NHTSA complaint #856281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

WHN PULLING THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR, LATCH POPS OPEN PERIODICALLY. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #855874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Seneca, NY

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING FLUID SINCE PURCHASE FROM AXLE SEAL TRANSFER CASE. FRONT RIGHT STRUT ASSEMBLY MAKES EXSTREME NOISES OVER BUMPS AND SHARP CURVES. ENGINE HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK. LEFT DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED WITH KEY. SUSPECT FLOOD DAMAGE DUE TO A REOCCURRING ODOR FROM HEATER VENTS. WE HAVE CONTACTED DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND WERE GIVEN A "DODGE" ! DEALER HAS CHANGED THE BUISNESS NAME AND STATES HAS NO LONGER AN OBLIGATION TO HONOR THESE PROBLEMS WHICH WE ENCOUNTERED UNDER WARRANTY! ALSO, AIR CONDITION UNIT HAS BEEN LEAKING AND WAS SERVICED UNDER WARRENTY AND REMAINS A PROBLEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS TOO LONG TO LIST. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS VEHICLE IS FAILING RAPIDLY MECHANICALLY! I FEEL STRONGLY THAT I HAVE BEEN "RIPPED OFF!" BY THIS DEALER AND AM IN NEED OF SOME SORT OF SOLUTION!.

NHTSA complaint #716950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arden, NC

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

DRIVING DOWN ROAD CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE BOLT UNDER THE HOOD THAT HOLDS THE TENSIONER BROKE IN HALF. VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN WHEN THIS OCCURRED BUT HAS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHEN IN MOTION.

NHTSA complaint #846731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pilot Hill, CA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAS A PROBLEM WITH LATCHING PROPERLY SO THAT IT WILL STAY SHUT. CONSUMER HAD DOOR ADJUSTED, BUT IT STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #845267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Duluth, GA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN SHUT & LOCKED PROPERLY. THE LOCKING MECHANISM HAD JAMMED. PLASTIC PIECE BROKE OFF AT THE LATCH.

NHTSA complaint #844823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Duluth, GA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

SLIDING SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. PLASTIC PIECE USED TO STOP VIBRATION (?) BROKE AND JAMMED DOOR LATCH OPEN. DOOR WILL NOT SHUT.

NHTSA complaint #708239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kennerdell, PA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

WHEN OPERATING VEHICLE AT NIGHT,HEADLIGHTS GO OUT MOMENTARILY,(2-3SEC),OR AFTER DRIVING FOR 50 TO 100 MILES AT NIGHT THEN STOPPING ,AND STARTING AGAIN ,LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, HEATER CONTROLS WILL NOT FUNCTION.2TO3 HOURS. LATER EVERYTHING WORKS FINE AGAIN (FOR AWHILE UNTIL THE SAME PROBLEM SURFACES AGAIN) NO.OF OCCURRENCES 10.

NHTSA complaint #705484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockton, IL

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

TAILGATE LATCH FAILED WHEN VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED.

NHTSA complaint #604372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, UN

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

LATCH RECALL WORK PERFORMED HOWEVER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #532315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BIG Flats, NY

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

THE HOOD UNLATCHED AND FLEW UP WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 55 MPH AND UP. NO ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED.

NHTSA complaint #814386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring Lake, MI

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

REAR HATCH OPENED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #512363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flushing, MI Crash

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

RECALL RELATED, REAR HATCHBACK LATCH FAILED AFTER HITTING A WALL, THE LATCH OPENED, LOW IMPACT, SPEED 45MPH.

NHTSA complaint #805668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hurricane, UT

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

HATCH RELEASE BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #509526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

FAILURE ON THE REAR HATCHBACK, THE REAR HATCHBACK CAN NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.

NHTSA complaint #801216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seoul, 00

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

DEFECTIVE REAR DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM.

NHTSA complaint #502605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norristown, PA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

WHILE WAITING FOR TAILGATE PART, LIFTGATE HINGE CRACKED, AS RESULT FROM IMPROPER SHUTTING OF TAILGATE LATCH, DEALER HAD NO PART, DLR/MFR INDICATE NOT RELATED.

NHTSA complaint #984424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angele, CA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

REAR LIFT GATE LATCH FAILS IN ACCIDENT, ALLOWING PASSENGERS TO BE EJECTED.

NHTSA complaint #500733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Duryea, PA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

REPLACEMENT LIFT GATE ON SERV BULLTIN NOTICE INVESTIGATION,LIGHT COME IN VEHICLE AND THE CHIME COMES ON, DOME LIGHT IF DRIVE ON UNEVEN ROADWAY.

NHTSA complaint #983368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Travers City, MI

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW UP AND ALMOST HIT THE WINDSHEILD. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #982142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

MT JOY, PA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENAGER DOORS CAN BE LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE DOOR CAN STILL BE OPENED.

NHTSA complaint #980924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stevensville, MD

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

PURCHASE CAR NEW THE CYLINDER ON THE REAR HATCH LATCH BROKE THE REAR HATCH LATCH ALMOST INJURED CONSUMER. BOTH PARTS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #979798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Dodge Caravan problems

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