12 of the 326 complaints about the 2002 Dodge Caravan are about the body and structure — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.
12
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE VIN INFORMATION IN THE DATABASE HAS BEEN CHANGED BY THE AUTO BODY SHOP IN ORDER TO AVOID RETURNING THE VAN TO ITS "PRE ACCIDENT CONDITION".
NHTSA complaint #10808044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO WIRES WOULD SHORT CIRCUIT WHENEVER THE RADIO WAS ACTIVATED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V531000 (EQUIPMENT). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL TANK HOSE WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10568723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND TOOK VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION WHO STATED THAT THE DRIVER PASSENGER SIDE MOUNT WAS CORRODED AND ALMOST FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000. ..UPDATED 08-07-13
NHTSA complaint #10520874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE SLIDING DOORS LOCKED AND WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10436673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING. DO NOT WANT IT TO GET LIKE MY PICKUP A 1995 DODGE .
NHTSA complaint #10190627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
REAR HATCH POWER LOCK DISENGAGES LEAVING REAR HATCH AJAR AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. ALSO TRIES TO DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OR LESS. IT IS ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE IS HOLDING A REMOTE ENTRY DEVICE( WHICH I DON'T HAVE) AND I HEAR A CLICK, CLICK AS IT DISENGAGES THE LOCK. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED AT LEAST TEN TIMES, EVERY TIME I PUT THE VAN IN PARK THE REAR HATCH UN-LATCHES AND I HAVE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND USE MY KEY TO OPEN THE HATCH THE REST OF THE WAY FOR IT TO CLOSE. ALSO FOR THE FIRST TIME IT HAS INTERFERED WITH MY POWER DOOR LOCKS WORKING. THE HATCH WILL ALSO DISENGAGE IF I AM PARKED AND JUST IDLING. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF I WAS IN A VEHICLE CRASH....
NHTSA complaint #10178393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
2002 DODGE CARAVAN HAS RUSTED IN FOUR DIFFERENT AREAS. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10147510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CHILD HAD THUMB SLAMMED IN VAN DOOR AND FAMILY WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR THREE MINUTES. CHILD FRACTURED BONE. A YOUNGER CHILD COULD HAVE LOST A LIMB. PARENT HAD TO GO INSIDE THE CAR AND PULL THE JAMMED LOCK TO FREE CHILD. IF PARENT WAS HOLDING A CHILD AND THEY GOT A LIMB STUCK THE PARENT COULD NOT LET GO OF THE CHILD TO GO INSIDE AND FREE THE DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10143446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
2002 DODGE CARAVAN CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.*MR THE CONSUMER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE 11 DAYS PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE ON THE RADIO VENT SLOTS (RECALL# 04V531000).
NHTSA complaint #10136682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED REAR LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10115879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
CONSUMERS WIFE HAS DIFFICULTY GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE SINCE SHE HAS NO HANDLE TO HOLD. IF THE MANUFACTURER PLACED HANDLES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DOOR IT MAY BE EASIER TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMERS' REQUIRES ASSISTANCE WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10080273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE ROOF LINE OF THE SHORT WHEEL BASE CARAVAN MINIVAN SLOPES DOWN SO LOW THAT EVEN SHORT ADULTS (AND TALL CHILDREN) CAN NOT SIT IN THE 3RD SEAT WITHOUT THEIR NECKS BEING SMASHED FORWARD AGAINST THE ROOF. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS DESIGN WILL RESULT IN NECKS BEING BROKEN IN CRASH SITUATIONS. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO PROVIDE OWNERS WITH LOWER SEATS THAT ALLOW ADEQUATE HEAD ROOM.
NHTSA complaint #757238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.