FaultScore

1994 Dodge Caravan engine problems

80 of the 836 complaints about the 1994 Dodge Caravan are about the engine — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 81,178 miles.

A

80

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Gasoline 33 41.3%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 14 17.5%
Engine 13 16.3%
FAN 7 8.8%
Exhaust System 4 5.0%
Radiator Assembly 3 3.8%
Cooling System 2 2.5%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 1 1.3%
Emission Control 1 1.3%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 1 1.3%

Engine & Cooling across every Dodge Caravan year

1987 13 0.9%
1988 18 1.2%
1989 34 2.3%
1990 28 1.9%
1991 49 3.3%
1992 84 5.7%
1993 107 7.3%
1994 80 5.4%
1995 78 5.3%
1996 261 17.8%
1997 145 9.9%
1998 145 9.9%
1999 116 7.9%
2000 72 4.9%
2001 18 1.2%
2002 23 1.6%
2003 19 1.3%
2005 17 1.2%
2006 27 1.8%
2007 17 1.2%
2008 29 2.0%
2009 20 1.4%
2010 35 2.4%
2011 14 1.0%
2012 19 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 95,356 miles Tucson, AZ

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10692369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mellenville, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF...DRY, WET, SNOW..BIG, LITTLE ...LITERALLY NO PUDDLES...AND THE GATORBACK BELT DOESN'T FIX IT, NOR THE SNOW SHIELD ON THE PULLEY SHIELD.....WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND THE NUMEROUS TIMES MY BELT HAS COME OFF..YOU'D THINK CHRYSLER WOULD HAVE FIXED THIS LONG AGO...NO JUST SOAK PEOPLE FOR MONEY..IF THEY R NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED( WHICH THANKS TO MY FATHER, BROTHER, AND HUSBAND) I AM.....AND I KNOW ABOUT THE INTERNET SITE FORUMS THAT HELP EACH OTHER OUT...IN TIMES LIKE THESE. SOME UNFORTUNATELY..SEVERAL HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LATER...HOW UNFAIR OF CHRYSLER...AND WE'RE TALKING.... THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AROUND AWHILE...YOU'D HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD'VE FIXED IT LONG AGO ..EVEN BEFORE PUTTING OUT NEW ONES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM....I BET THOSE NEW BUYERS ARE FIT TO BE TIED RIGHT ABOUT NOW!!!! HOPEFULLY ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AND I HOPE YOU PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING...GETS SOMETHING DONE!!

NHTSA complaint #10172482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

THE SERPENTINE BELT CONTINUOUSLY SLIPS OFF WHICH CAUSES THE STEERING TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10112852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Johnstown, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

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.

Freeport, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WITHOUT WARNING CONSUMERS VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. TS

NHTSA complaint #10004347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cooper City, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8018143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Maryville, TN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

AFTER TRAVELING OVER WATER PUDDLES SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATS, SERPENTINE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND THEY RECOMMEND THE SHIELD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8004860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Paterson, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

AT TIME OF STARTIN ENGINE, CONSUMER NEEDS TO LET IT WARM UP FOR LONG TIME BECAUSE IT'S NOT REAL WARM AT THE TIME OF SHIFTING TO DRIVE. ENGINE WILL DIE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8002627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

NHTSA complaint #8001822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

OIL IS LEAKING FROM ENGINE, CAUSING SMOKE TO COME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, OIL LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8001827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grafton, WV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

Titusville, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

VEHICLE OVERHEATED BECAUSE FAN BLADE CAME LOOSE DUE TO THREADED NUT THAT HOLDS BLADE CAME LOOSE. CONTACTED A DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #884009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owings Mills, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

IT STALLS SUDDENLY FROM TIME TO TIME - "CHECK GAUGES" LIGHT IS ON AT THIS POINT - SOMETIMES ONCE A WEEK, SOMETIMES ONCE A MONTH, SOMETIMES TWICE A WEEK, SOMETIMES ... YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN!. I CAN RESTART IT EASY, BUT IT DOES NOT HOLD ON IDLE, AND STALLS IMMEDIATELY. IF I STEP AT THIS MOMENT AT GAS PEDAL, AND WHILE KEEPING RPM AROUND 1000, SHIFT INTO DRIVE, IT RUNS OK AS IT NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS....ONLY UNTIL NEXT TIME... I TURN OFF ALL ELECTRIC DEVICES: RADIO, FAN, LIGHTS WHILE RESTARTING IT. THAT SEEMS LIKE NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCES. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT STARTED DOING SO AFTER DEALER REPLACED ELECTRONIC MODULE FOR AIR BAGS ACCORDING TO SAFETY SERVICE NOTICE FROM CHRYSLER, OR IT'S JUST A COINCIDENCE. I GOT READING STOPPING THE ENGINE NORMALLY, IT IS 55, THEN NEXT TIME IT STALLED I GOT THE READING AGAIN, IT WAS THE SAME AS IN NORMAL SITUATION - 55.

NHTSA complaint #741863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cheyenne, WY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE FORD EXPLORER'S ELECTRICAL/ENGINE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STALLS AFTER HIGH SPEED TRAVEL ON INTERSTATE, WHEN SLOWING AND WHEN TURNING AFTER EXITING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE CAN BE RESTARTED AFTER SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPT AND RUNS FINE UNTIL THE NEXT OCCURANCE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #559365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redman, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIIVNG COULD DECELERATE, AND ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING.CONSUMER USED A DIFFERENT TYPE OF FUEL TO CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT ENGINE STALLING COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.

NHTSA complaint #880750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Middleburg HTS, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE DIES/RPM DROPS OUT: JUST DRIVING ALONG, HIGHWAY OR ROADWAY AND THE ENGINE DIES AND POWER STEERING AND BRAKING IS LOST AND IS DANGEROUS. NO ACCIDENTS YET, THANK GOODNESS. DEALER SAID IT WAS BECAUSE MY THROTTLE BODY AND BASE GASKET HAVEN'T BEEN MA

NHTSA complaint #740823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH & VEHICLE ON MANY OCCASION HAS STALLED. ONCE VEHICLE HAS STALLED IT WILL START BACK UP. THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS HAPPENING. DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE OTHER TIMES, BUT COULD NOT FIND A REMEDY.

NHTSA complaint #867593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oviedo, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE DIES WHEN YOU RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR AT ALMOST ANY SPEED. VEHICLE MUST BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED. NO MECHANIC CAN DETECT A COMPUTER, SENSOR, DIRTY PART OR OTHER PROBLEM TO CAUSE THIS EFFECT.

NHTSA complaint #724620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Media, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

BELT TENSIONER FAILURE DESTROYED SERPETINE ENGINE BELT. I COULD NOT CHARGE BATTERY AND HAD REDUCED POWER STEERING. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. MANY TENSIONERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY MY SERVICE STATION ('HOUSER'S AUTOMOTIVE' IN BROOKHAVEN, PA, 610-874-9285).

NHTSA complaint #724301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Venture, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #862375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Savannah, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #721711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE VAN'S ENGINE WILL INTERMITENTLY CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TOWN. IN MOST CASES THERE IS NO WAY TO WARN DRIVERS APPROACHING FROM THE REAR THAT YOU HAVE NO POWER OR ARE STOPPED IN THE ROAD. (WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OUT THERE IS NO WARNING OR NOISE. THE ONLY WAY THE DRIVER KNOWS THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING IS THAT THE POWER STEERING IS GONE OR THE VAN DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN THE DRIVER STEPS ON THE GAS PEDAL.) RESTARTING THE ENGINE MAY TAKE 4 TO 6 TRIES BEFORE YOU CAN PLACE THE VAN BACK IN DRIVE AND CONTINUE. EVEN IF THE DRIVER WERE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES OR TURN ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, OTHER CARS AND MACK TRUCKS APPROACHING FROM THE REAR HAVE A TENDENCY TO RUSH UP ON THE REAR BUMBER BEFORE THEY REALIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS IS, OBVIOUSLY, VERY UN-NERVING ESPECIALLY TO THE DRIVER WHO IS TRYING TO RESTART THE VAN BEFORE SOMEONE RUNS INTO HIM. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 6 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS STALLING PROBLEM IN EITHER A DODGE VAN OR CAR THAT HAS THE 3.0L ENGINE. MOST HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR DODGE DEALER AND HAVE SOLD THE UN-REPAIRED VAN OR CAR RATHER THAN ARGUE WITH THE DELERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE STALLING PROBLEM IN MY VAN HAPPENED ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS WHEN IT WAS NEW AND IT DID NOT REALLY SEEM TO BE A SAFETY PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IN THE PAST YEAR THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO THINK TWICE ABOUT GETTING OUT ON 495 AT RUSH HOUR FOR FEAR OF BEING RUN OVER. DODGE HAS JUST SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE FOR AIR BAG WIRING ON THIS VAN, PLEASE GET THEM TO RECALL THE VANS AND CARS THAT USE THE 3.0L ENGINE TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS STALLING PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #711134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gonzales, LA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS HAD 3 NEW TRANSMISSIONS, 3 NEW AIRCONDITIONERS,, A NEW STARTER, 3 OR 4 RECALLS FOR DIFFERENT THINGS AND NOW AN OIL LEAK THAT HAS TO BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #719278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Seneca, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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.

Burke, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF TBHIS PART. FIRST FAILURE WAS AT 61590 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER V-6 ENGINES AND ONE WHICH, IF IT OCCURS AT SPEED, CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WITH TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER AND ADVISING ME OF YOUR FINDINGS.

NHTSA complaint #716593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pearl River, LA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO REASON AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. MAY RUN JUST FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND HE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. BUT STALLING CONTINUES.

NHTSA complaint #849830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakeland, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WITHIN FOUR MONTHS WATER PUMP WENT OUT TWICE, AND FAN BELT POPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. ALSO, NO POWER STEERING, AND RADIATOR OVERHEATED.

NHTSA complaint #848800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakeland, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

WITHIN FOUR MONTHS WATER PUMP WENT OUT TWICE, AND FAN BELT POPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. ALSO, NO POWER STEERING, AND RADIATOR OVERHEATED.

NHTSA complaint #848800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakeland, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

WITHIN FOUR MONTHS WATER PUMP WENT OUT TWICE, AND FAN BELT POPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. ALSO, NO POWER STEERING, AND RADIATOR OVERHEATED.

NHTSA complaint #848800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seattle, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING.VEHICLE BEEN IN/ OUT DEALER SHOP, AND NOTHING CAN BE FOUND. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #844913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Dodge Caravan problems

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