55 of the 2,178 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Caravan are about the lighting — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,000 miles.
55
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS RETAINED WATER AND CAUSED THEM TO APPEAR FOGGY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING NEW HEAD LIGHTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10187543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVER HAS TURNED OPAQUE AND HAS REDUCED THE OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS BY APPROXIMATELY 50%. DUE TO THE REDUCTION OF HEADLIGHT OUTPUT I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT DUE THE LOW OUTPUT. I HAVE TRIED TO USE AUTO CLEANSERS BUT THE HAVE NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE..I THINK THE HEADLIGHT PLASTIC LENSES SHOULD BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10150018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS ARE CLOUDED OVER. IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT, EVEN WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ON. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10080385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
THE HEADLIGHTS LENS DEVELOPED A DISCOLORATION THAT REDUCED THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE STATE INSPECTOR CHARGED CONSUMER $155.00 TO CLEAN THE LENS. THE CAUSE OF THE DISCOLORATION WAS DUE TO THE TYPE OF PLASTIC MATERIAL BEING USED.
NHTSA complaint #10080009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING DURING NIGHT HOURS, INTERMITTENTLY THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10065524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CONSUMER STATED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. *AK THE SERVICE WRITER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT WAS CLOUDED DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE HEAD LAMPS.
NHTSA complaint #10053713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
NO ACCIDENTS YET. HEADLIGHTS HAVE FOGGY COATING ON THEM, WHICH WE HAVE LOW LIGHT VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. ALSO, WHEN FILLING UP TANK WITH GAS IT RUNS OUT WHEN COMPLETELY FULL.
NHTSA complaint #10046912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
THE HEADLIGHTS PRODUCE A THICK FILM. AS A RESULT, THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT SHINE THROUGH COMPLETELY. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10046706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS ON 1996 DODGE CARAVAN HAVE DETERIORATED LEAVING A HAZY COVERING. ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD BY THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT IS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR DRIVING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HEADLIGHTS ON OUR 1996 CARAVAN ARE THE TYPE WITH A CLEAR PLASTIC OR GLASS COVER OVER THE BULBS. OVER TIME, THE CLEAR COVERING HAS BECOME VERY CLOUDY TO THE POINT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WELL ENOUGH TO SAFELY SEE AT NIGHT. THE LIGHTS ARE NOT DAMAGED, THE LENSES ARE JUST NOT AT ALL CLEAR ANYMORE. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE THE HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT BUT OUR LOCAL DODGE DEALER TELLS US THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE CLOUDY LENS. THEY SAY THE ONLY REPAIR OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. OUR VEHICLE WARRANTY IS LONG SINCE EXPIRED BUT I DO NOT SEE THIS ISSUE AS ONE OF WARRANTY BUT RATHER SAFETY. ANY REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPECT THE HEADLIGHTS ON A VEHICLE TO ILLUMINATE A SAFE PATH AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUED IN SERVICE. I'VE CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND THEY SAY IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND DISAGREE WITH MY SAFETY COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10020883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. VEHICLES' HEAD LIGHT GETS DEBRIS ON THEM WHICH RESULT IN POOR VISIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THERE IS A PLASTIC LENS THAT COVERS HEADLIGHTS. IT HAS DETERIORATED AND IS BLOCKING THE HEAD LIGHT. CONTACTED DEALER.*A
NHTSA complaint #8015351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE BURNING FROM INSIDE AND CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8012658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. THEN, MATERIAL DEVELOPS A NON REMOVEABLE FILM THAT DULLS HEADLIGHT COVERS. CONSUMER IS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER BRIGHT ENOUGH.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8001947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TAILLIGHT HOUSING MOLDED CONTACTS FAILED, BRAKE LIGHT FAILS, FIXED PROBLEM BY DRILLING HOLES IN HOUSING AND SOLDERING JUMPER WIRE
NHTSA complaint #754983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
TAILLIGHT HOUSING MOLDED CONTACTS FAILED, BRAKE LIGHT FAILS, FIXED PROBLEM BY DRILLING HOLES IN HOUSING AND SOLDERING JUMPER WIRE
NHTSA complaint #754983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS HAVE A GLARE. LIGHTS ARE DIMMED LIKE A FILM IS OVER THEM. ALSO, IT IS HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. CONTACT DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #897882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
DURING THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL TURN ON RANDOMLY AND STOP WITHOUT ANY DRIVER INTERACTION. IT HAPPENED TODAY AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS AND EVEN STANDING STILL IN PARK. IT HAPPENED LAST WEEKEND AS I WAS PASSING A TRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROX. 70MPH. WHEN IT OCCURS IT DISTRACTS ME FROM MY DRIVING AND SOMETIMES STARTLES ME. THE TURN SIGNAL/WIPER MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT WAS REPLACED WAS ON 08/13/97 BY LANDMARK DODGE, INC., 6823 MT. ZION BLVD, MORROW, GA 30260, TEL:770/968-4900 UNDER INVOICE #DOCS22788.
NHTSA complaint #749516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #733691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING WOULD USE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. TURN SIGNALS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES WOULD TURN OFF OR ON BY ITSELF.
NHTSA complaint #870957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
TURN SIGNALS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY IN HOT/HUMID WEATHER. SOMETIMES WOULD NOT WORK WITH INDICATOR TURNED ON. HAD CHANGED THE FUSES EACH TIME PROBLEM HAPPENED. ALSO, SLIDING DOOR LOCK DOES NOT REGULARLY RELEASE WITH THE LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH. FURTHER, IT IS UNRELIABLE WITH THE MANUAL LOCK/BOTTON. THE HEADLIGHTS, IN HOT/HUMID WEATHER MAY OR MAY NOT GO OFF WHEN SWITCH IS TURNED OFF. BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #867744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
TURN SIGNALS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY IN HOT/HUMID WEATHER. SOMETIMES WOULD NOT WORK WITH INDICATOR TURNED ON. HAD CHANGED THE FUSES EACH TIME PROBLEM HAPPENED. ALSO, SLIDING DOOR LOCK DOES NOT REGULARLY RELEASE WITH THE LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH. FURTHER, IT IS UNRELIABLE WITH THE MANUAL LOCK/BOTTON. THE HEADLIGHTS, IN HOT/HUMID WEATHER MAY OR MAY NOT GO OFF WHEN SWITCH IS TURNED OFF. BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #867744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
LIGHT SWITCH HAS SHORTED OUT, CAUSING BATTERY TO DIE. WHEN BATTERY IS CHARGED WITH JUMPER CABLES AND VEHICLE IS STARTED, SMOKE FROM LIGHT SWITCH FILLS CAB. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH SHOULD BE LOOKED AT.
NHTSA complaint #725075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING WIPER TO COME ON BY THEMSELVES. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITHOUT KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, WINDSHILD WIPERS WOULD OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK DEALER REPLACED MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. THEY SAID IF NOT REPLACED COULD EITHER DRAIN BATTERY OR CAUSE WIRES TO MELT CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #863714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHILED WIPER TO COME ON SPORADICALLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #552062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHILED WIPER TO COME ON SPORADICALLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #552062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
CONSUMER TURNED ON SIGNAL LIGHTS & WINDSHEILD WIPERS CAME ON. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER TO QUOTE PRICE FOR REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #861142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WHICH WONT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN A CRASH OR DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY. ALSO, THE DOME LIGHT STAYED ON. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #860904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. WOULD COME ON OR GO OFF ON THEIR OWN. THIS CAUSED VISIBILITY PROBLEMS FOR DRIVER. ALSO, TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES ACTIVATED WINDSHIELD WIPERS. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & INFORMED TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER. NO REPAIRS DONE.
NHTSA complaint #859177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.