at 105,677 miles
Hackensack, NJ
ENGINE
ENGINE BROKE
NHTSA complaint #11151374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2002 Dodge Caravan engine problems
23 of the 326 complaints about the 2002 Dodge Caravan are about the engine — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 74,000 miles.
23
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Engine
9
39.1%
Engine AND Engine Cooling
4
17.4%
Engine
3
13.0%
Emission Control
2
8.7%
Catalytic Convertor
2
8.7%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
1
4.3%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys
1
4.3%
Gasoline
1
4.3%
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 2 miles
Miami Beach, FL
ENGINE
THE STEERING WHEEL GETS LOCK WERE EVER I STOP ,INTERNAL CONTROL FAILURE, RADIATOR HEAT CONSTANTLY WHEN I AM DRIVING ,
NHTSA complaint #10969351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 miles
Parker, PA
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVING VEHICLE .IT FLAME FROM UNDER. BELLY OF VEHICLE, . TOTALED THE VEHICLE NOTHING LEFT OF IT. LOST MY PERSONALS AS WELL.THANK GOD I DID NOT HAVE MY KIDS IN IT WHEN IT HAPPENED BEEN NO TIME, TO GET THEM OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10507365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 miles
Alexandria, AL
Fire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ORC MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS ALSO CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DID NOT TURN OFF. UPDATED 2/22/2013
NHTSA complaint #10493326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 miles
Fitchburg, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT DETECTED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WATER PUMP WERE LEAKING FLUIDS. ALSO, THE FLYWHEEL BROKE IN HALF. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SERVICE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
NHTSA complaint #10322092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 miles
Half Moon BAY, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN MAKES CHIRPING SOUND AND HAVE REPAIRED IT OFTEN AT DEALERSHIPS. DEALER SAYS CANNOT BE FIXED IS STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WITH FAN BELT AND WHAT IT SITS IN - TENSIONER? - THEY ARE MISALIGNED AND CANNOT BE FIXED. CAR WAS BUILT WRONG. TIRED OF NOISE AND REPAIRING SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER.
NHTSA complaint #10230050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 miles
Auburn, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ROTTED OFF OF THE MANIFOLD AND FELL WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10210243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Verona, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 59,000 MILES- WILL COST ME AT LEAST $2650 WHEN I PICK IT UP THURSDAY, 10/25/07. WHAT CHOICE DO I HAVE, I HAVE TO GET TO WORK. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND IT WILL BE PAID OFF NEXT OCTOBER, 2008. I'VE HAD THAT VAN TO THE TWO DODGE DEALERS AND AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT INDIVIDUAL MECHANICS. I'VE PAID FOR EMISSIONS REPAIRS, 3 SETS OF TIRES. I HAD THE "CARAVAN" LETTERS REPLACED AND THEY ARE NOW ETCHED OUT AGAIN, I'VE BEEN DRIVING IT AND IT QUIT BEFORE, BUT TODAY'S INCIDENT, WAS JUST A NEAR MISS I WASN'T CRUSHED BETWEEN A SCHOOL BUS AND A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE VAN JUST WOULDN'T GO. I WAS JUST SICK ALL DAY-SCARED AND ACTUALLY LEFT WORK EARLY.
NHTSA complaint #10206711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,900 miles
Justice, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN MY 2002 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT IN SEPTEMBER 2006. THERE IS A FAULT IN THE REAR HEATER ASSEMBLY TUBE WHICH CAUSES IT TO RUST OUT. WHEN THIS TUBE RUSTS OUT, ANTI-FREEZE LEAKS OUT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVER HEAT AND SEIZES THE MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10188880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,900 miles
Holt, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
MY 2002 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINE HAS ABOUT 66,000 MILES ON IT AND THE EGR VALVE PACKAGE HAS GONE BAD. THE CHRYSLER DEALER IN MY AREA STATES THAT THIS PART IS NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED EMISSION'S CONTROL WARRANTY THAT EXPIRES AT 80,000 MILES. THE PART COST AROUND $170.00 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT $120-$200 FOR LABOR. THE PART # IS 4287820AC.
NHTSA complaint #10177324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,472 miles
Green Ridge, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2002 DODGE CARAVAN PROBLEMS. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10172240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 miles
Dansville, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY AND OCCURRED AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. UPDATE 5/2/2006 - ALL THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKERED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #10155477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 miles
Barrie, 00
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2002 DODGE CARAVAN WILL STALL AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED - USUALLY WITHOUT WARNING. NO ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON INDICATING ENGINE HAS TURNED OFF. REALIZE ENGINE OFF WHEN NO RESPONSE OCCURS WITH PRESSING THROTTLE. MUST COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD TO STOP. VEHICLE WILL OFTEN NOT START FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES - ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR. VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT 62 MPH AND EVEN AT LOWER SPEEDS ON ALL TYPES OF GROUND ELEVATION. VERY INTERMITTENT STALLING. ENGINE WILL ALSO NOT TURN OVER WHEN SITTING OVER NIGHT IN DRIVEWAY OR JUST WHEN EATING IN A RESTAURANT. EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS WILL STALL IN INTERSECTIONS, OR ON HIGHWAY TYPICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. A FEW TIMES CAR JERKED AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED THEN LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10136303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ozark, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER RECEIVED THIRD RECALL NOTICE FOR 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE DASH ON AND OFF, AND THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA complaint #10126867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,120 miles
Miami, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
ON JANUARY 27, 2005, WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL INTERSTATE, THE AXLE BROKE, RACK AND PINION, AND THE CV JOINTS AND BOOTS ON MY 2002 DODGE CARAVAN WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT AND GREAT BODILY HARM TO MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING, OUR CHILDREN AGES 6YRS AND 4YRS, AND OTHER TRAVELING VEHICLES IN HER PATH. IN ADDITION TO THIS THE VEHICLE HAS A GAS EXHAUST PROBLEM. DIAMLERCHRYSLER SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED THE EXHAUST PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE CATALYSTIC CONVERTER IN AUG 2004 BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, THE AXLE WAS REPAIRED ON 2/2005 BUT NOT THE OTHER PROBLEMS MENTIONED ABOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10120817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,120 miles
Miami, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON JANUARY 27, 2005, WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL INTERSTATE, THE AXLE BROKE, RACK AND PINION, AND THE CV JOINTS AND BOOTS ON MY 2002 DODGE CARAVAN WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT AND GREAT BODILY HARM TO MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING, OUR CHILDREN AGES 6YRS AND 4YRS, AND OTHER TRAVELING VEHICLES IN HER PATH. IN ADDITION TO THIS THE VEHICLE HAS A GAS EXHAUST PROBLEM. DIAMLERCHRYSLER SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED THE EXHAUST PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE CATALYSTIC CONVERTER IN AUG 2004 BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, THE AXLE WAS REPAIRED ON 2/2005 BUT NOT THE OTHER PROBLEMS MENTIONED ABOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10120817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO .
NHTSA complaint #10115742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goshen, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A SERPENTINE BELT PROBLEM. HE HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT REPAIRED AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES, BUT IT KEPT COMING OFF. WHEN THIS HAPPENED EVERYTHING SHUT OFF. THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE CONSUMER COULD BE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IF THE BELT SHUT OFF, CONSUMER COULD GET HURT.
NHTSA complaint #10097896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120 miles
Marshall, TX
Crash
1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
I HAD PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN SE AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT WAS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. I HEARD A NOISE IN THE WINDOW AND THE DODGE PLACE TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. ALSO I HAVE MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DODGE PLACE FOR THE BRAKES (REPLACED 6 TIMES ) , SLIDING DOOR DOESN'T STAY LATCHED AND ALWAYS SLIDES AND HITS MY CHILDREN WHILE GETTING IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT COMES UNDONE FOR NO REASON (IT WONT STAY LATCHED), I HAD A FLAT AND THE TIRE JACK BROKE WHILE JACKING UP THE VAN, I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VAN JUST PROCEEDED TO GO AND I NO CONTROL OTHER THAN RUNNING IN A DITCH TO STOP, THE VAN ALWAYS DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND DEALER SAID IT NOT FAULTY THAT'S HOW ITS MADE TO DO, I HAD 7 SETS OF TIRES AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE , I HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE 4 TIMES BECAUSE OF THE DRIFTING AND TIRES WEARING OUT SO OFTEN, I HAVE HAD THE BALL BEARINGS REPLACED 2 TIMES, I HAD THE AC RECHARGED WITH FREON 2 TIMES IT JUST WOULDN'T KEEP COOL, THE BACK DEFROSTER SOMETIMES DOESN'T DEFROST MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING, BAD SMELL COMING FROM VAN IT SMELLS LIKE A SKUNK AND IT MAKES IT HARD TO BREATHE.
NHTSA complaint #10095637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,500 miles
Everett, MA
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE. HAD SLOWED DOWN ,AND SMOKE CAME FROM VENTS. PULLED OVER, AND EVERYONE GOT OUT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER POPPED OPEN THE HOOD AND FLAMES SHOT OUT. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS BY FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ENGINE FUEL VALVE.
NHTSA complaint #10075695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,965 miles
Staten Island, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING ON VEHICLE.*MR THE TRANSMISSION AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT CONTROLLED THE TRANSMISSION ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT CHANGE GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR THE TRANSMISSION BUT TO DATE THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10040152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlottesville, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10009314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stuart, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. ALSO, THERE IS A STRAIN IN VEHICLE WHEN CHANGING GEARS. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE AND CANT FIXED IT.
NHTSA complaint #8005545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.