FaultScore

2002 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems

20 of the 417 complaints about the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan are about the engine — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 98,500 miles.

C

20

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 6 30.0%
Engine 5 25.0%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 5 25.0%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 1 5.0%
Emission Control 1 5.0%
Gasoline 1 5.0%
Cooling System 1 5.0%

Engine & Cooling across every Dodge Grand Caravan year

1991 10 0.5%
1992 19 1.0%
1993 27 1.4%
1994 20 1.0%
1995 15 0.8%
1996 214 11.1%
1997 129 6.7%
1998 149 7.7%
1999 69 3.6%
2000 91 4.7%
2001 19 1.0%
2002 20 1.0%
2003 17 0.9%
2004 20 1.0%
2005 49 2.5%
2006 31 1.6%
2007 41 2.1%
2008 145 7.5%
2009 50 2.6%
2010 161 8.4%
2011 97 5.0%
2012 120 6.2%
2013 72 3.7%
2014 81 4.2%
2015 38 2.0%
2016 85 4.4%
2017 60 3.1%
2018 35 1.8%
2019 42 2.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 260,000 miles Barnesville, OH

ENGINE

MY VAN,2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, RANDOMLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET/ROAD WHETHER ON STRAIGHT ROAD OR A CURVE, OR WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS OR LESS,GAS SEEMS TO BE IRRELEVANT . AFTER STALLING WILL NOT RESTART. I HAVE REPLACED ALL MINI-FUSES,BATTERY, STARTER,AND STILL WILL STALL. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 25 MPH WHILE STILL MOVING IT WILL RESTART ON ITS OWN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11270261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 221,015 miles Boston, MA

ENGINE

CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING POWER LOSS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY

NHTSA complaint #11153600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170,000 miles Pinole, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN OR SNOW BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF THE PULLEY AND THE POWER STEERING ABILITY WAS REDUCED. ALSO, THE BATTERY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE, AND THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #11048763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Bernardino, CA

ENGINE

LEAKING FUEL RAIL CAP 2002 DODGE CARAVAN IS LEAKING GAS ALL OVER THE SPARK PLUGS ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL PARTS WHEN 1ST TURNING THE VEHICLE ON IN THE MORNING.

NHTSA complaint #10971147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 159,200 miles SAN Pablo, CA

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY CAR JUST TURN OFF,I TURN BACK ON WHIT NO PROBLEM AND TIME LATER PASSES AGAIN,SOMETIMES TURN OFF 2 OR 3 TIMES A DAY AND SOMETIMES WORK FINE, THE COMPUTER SHOWS NO CODE, AND I CHANGE MANY THING TRYING TO FIX IT, SPARK PLUGS, RELAY FUEL PUMP, SPARK PLUG WIRES, RELAY STARTER. I WENT WHIT THE MECHANIC FOR CHECK THE FUEL PUMP AND IS GOOD. DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME. THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10704346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Lakewood, NJ

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED FROM THE ALTERNATOR AND THE COOLING SYSTEM FAN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10485420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Deer Lodge, MT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OUR 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH A 3.8 AWD BEGAN CUTTING OUT ON ACCELERATION AND AT INTERSECTIONS RECENTLY. CURRENTLY IT WILL DIE 3 OR 4 TIMES IN A HALF A MILE WHEN IT IS COLD. THIS CONDITION HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AS THE CAR WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH OUT WARNING. NO CEL IS PRESENT ALL MAINTENANCE IS UP TO SCHEDULE. FUEL FILTER,SPARK PLUGS, WIRES,AIR FILTER,CLEANED THROTTLE BODY. DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT IT CAN BE. THIS IS NOT A SAFE CAR AND SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THIS DANGEROUS FLAW.

NHTSA complaint #10446975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Lakeland, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I ENTERED COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS, ABS BRAKING, STEERING, WINDOW MOTORS AND ENTIRE RUSTING UNDER CARRAIGE.

NHTSA complaint #10442018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles Naples, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE DOORS HAD TO BE TAKEN APART IN ORDER TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 77,000. UPDATED 07/27/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIATOR COOLING FAN BROKE, THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND WAS INCORRECTLY FIXED AT THE DEALER. THE ELECTRIC TAIL GATE DOESN'T WORK. ONE OF THE TAIL LIGHTS CAME OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE, THE HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED THE LEFT ND RIGHT WINDOW REGULATORS BROKE, THE FUEL PUMP BROKE OFF AND THE ABS SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 08/01/11

NHTSA complaint #10403970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Green BAY, WI Fire 2 injured 2 killed

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON NOVEMBER 28, 2007 MY 2 YEAR OLD SON, DYLAN FISHER DEPETRO LOST HIS LIFE, ALONG WITH 9 MONTH OLD AMELIA DEMEUSE, TO A MINIVAN FIRE THAT ALSO SERIOUSLY INJURED TWO OTHERS IN THE TOWN OF LUXEMBURG, WI. OUR SON'S SITTER RAN SOME ERRANDS FOR ANOTHER LITTLE GIRL'S 1ST BIRTHDAY. WHILE SHE WAS IN A HARDWARE STORE, PURCHASING DECORATIONS, THE MINIVAN, HOLDING FIVE CHILDREN (ALONG WITH MY SON) CAUGHT FIRE. THE CAUSE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION. I HOLD NO ANGER TOWARDS SUE LALUZERNE, THE SITTER. SHE LOVED MY SON AND MY SON LOVED HER. HOWEVER, I KNOW THAT MY SON'S DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN. HE WAS CALLED HOME TO JESUS FOR A REASON AND I FEEL IT'S MY CALLING TO ENSURE THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. THE MINIVAN WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. MY SON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE FROM SMOKE INHALATION AND SOOT. HE PROBABLY ONLY TOOK TWO BREATHS BEFORE BECOMING UNCONSCIOUS. ALTHOUGH THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR A VEHICLE BECOMING CONSUMED IN FLAMES IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. MY SON WAS IN A CAR SEAT THAT WAS BUILT INTO THE MINIVAN; A SEAT THAT CONTAINED HIGHLY FLAMMABLE, TOXIC MATERIALS. WE ARE WORKING WITH GIL ROSS, A LAWYER OUT OF CHICAGO, TO HELP US DURING THIS TIME. THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT COULD EVER EASE THE PAIN OF LOSING MY CHILD. WHAT I REALLY WANT TO HAPPEN OUT OF ALL OF THIS IS FOR THE AUTO INDUSTRY TO STOP USING FLAMMABLE MATERIALS IN THEIR SEATS, ESPECIALLY IF CAR SEATS ARE BUILT IN. I WANT PEOPLE TO BE TRAINED IN THE USE OF CAR SEATS IN CPR CLASSES ACROSS THE NATION AND A MECHANISM FOR QUICK RELEASE OF A CAR SEAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE. I ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN MAKING THE WORLD AWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND HELPING US TO CHANGE THE SAFETY STANDARDS. MY SON DESERVES THIS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10217449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,300 miles Concord, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY.AIRBAG FAULTY . DEALER REPLACED THEM AT COST $338.00. SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH ONLY 44450 MILES ON 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. VERY DISSAPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE,ALWAYS IN SHOP. ENGINE 4 TIMES,TIE ROD ENDS, BRAKE CALIPERS ,AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP. ETC.

NHTSA complaint #10185618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairhope, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO MOVE THE LEVER A FEW TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM SHE WAS EXPERIENCING COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED IN THE 2 WEEKS THE MECHANIC HAD THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO ONE SIDE AND VIBRATED WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. THE EMISSION HOSE AND GAS CAP WERE REPLACED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE STAYING SHUT. THE OIL PAN GASKET AND AXLE SEAL WERE LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10144301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairhope, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO MOVE THE LEVER A FEW TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM SHE WAS EXPERIENCING COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED IN THE 2 WEEKS THE MECHANIC HAD THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO ONE SIDE AND VIBRATED WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. THE EMISSION HOSE AND GAS CAP WERE REPLACED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE STAYING SHUT. THE OIL PAN GASKET AND AXLE SEAL WERE LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10144301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,300 miles Mandeville, LA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. ONCE I ARRIVED AT THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A TRAIL OF OIL LEADING TO THE VEHICLE. I LOOKED UNDER TO FIND THO PUSH ROD HANGING THROUGH THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP WITH THE MOTOR REPLACED. WHEN THE TEST DRIVE WAS TAKING PLACE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE COMPUTOR CHIP CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DROP DOWN TO LOW GEAR IN WHICH RAN THE RPM'S INTO THE DANGER ZONE WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGINE COMING APART. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 59,000 MILES ON IT. I MADE ATTEMPT AFTER ATTEMPT TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE AT CHRYSLER AND COULD NOT EVEN GET A RETURN CALL FROM ANYONE OTHER THAN A DEALER. I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT A MOISTER LEAK FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER WHICH MAY LEAD INTO A SHORT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. I CALLED THE NUMBER GIVEN ON THE RECALL AND ASKED IF I COULD SPEAK TO SOMEONE AT CHRYSLER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY PHONE #'S. THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO CONTACT THIS DEPARTMENT. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE IS CERTAINLY A RISK AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, AS WELL AS EXPENSES REIMBURESED BY CHRYSLER.

NHTSA complaint #10126237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,360 miles Valdosta, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I OWN A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. IF IT STARTS AGAIN, IT STALLS WITHIN 1/4 MILE. YOU CAN DO THIS ONLY FOR 3 TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY CAN NOT BE STARTED. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER PROGRAM MODULE. THE CAR WORKED FOR 100 MILES, THEN DIED AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP STARTED THE CAR AND RAN A DIAGNOSTIC BUT FAILED TO LOCATE ANY FAULTY CODES. I ASKED THEM TO TAKE IT FOR A TEST RIDE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THEY DID, AND IT DIED ON THEM. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED. THEY REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. AGAIN, LESS THAN 100 MILES LATER, THE CAR DIED. THE DODGE DEALER SEEMS TO BE AT A LOSS AS TO WHY IT IS FAILING AND NOT STARTING. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE THEM STYMIED. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT INDICATIONS PRIOR TO FAILURE. YOU LOSE ALL POWER TO THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10104636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mcallen, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING HAS BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES. *MR THERE WAS A LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, A BROKEN CHAIN ON THE DRIVER'S SLIDER DOOR, A HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND A STALLING PROBLEM (POSSIBLE FUEL FILTER PROBLEM), AND A GRINDING NOISE DUE TO THE IDLER PULLEY BEING FAULTY. THE CONSUMER REQUEST COMPENSATION. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10083761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Croton, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEH SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW , MAY 2002. VEH HAS A ROUGH IDLE WHILE STOPPED IN GEAR, DEALER STATES THEY ARE WAITING FOR A COMPUTER UPDATE. TO DATE STILL HAVE PROBLEM. PROBLEM WITH STARTER , SAME GRINDS ON FIRST START IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER. DEALER REPLACED 2 STARTERS AND FLYWHEEL. PROBLEM WITH TRANS, HARD BANG FELT WHEN SLOWING UP BETWEEN 8-5 MPH. SAID PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND DEALER HAS NOT DRIVEN VEH LONG ENOUGH TO GET CONDITION. DEALER HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS OF TRANS, PROBLEM STILL EXIST. CAR HAS BEEN IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR POWER STEERING LEAK AND VIBRATION. NUMEROUS PARTS REPLACED. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND SPOKE WITH THE DISTRICT MANAGER AND ADVISED HIM OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS WITH VEH AND PROBLEMS THAT STILL EXIST. I TOLD HIM I DID NOT WANT THE VEH . HE ADVISED ME HE WOULD LOOK INTO MY FILE AND CALL ME BACK.ITS BEEN TWO MONTHS AND I HAVE LEFT HIM SEVERAL MESSAGES AND HE STILL HAS NOT RETURNED MY CALLS. HIS NAME IS [XXX]. CHRYSLER HAS LEFT ME NO CHOICE BUT TO FILE THE LEMON LAW. AS OF TODAY I AM WAITING FOR A HEARING DATE TOO BE SET. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10069857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hawkinsville, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT 5-10 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN COMPLETELY LOCKED UP COMING OFF OF A RAMP. UPON STARTING AGAIN IT STARTED TO JERK. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #10026678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

RECALL REPLACEMENT OF GAS TANK THAT MIGHT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY ENGINE LIGHT TURNING ON NOW I FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMING THROUGH THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM PURGE (GROSS) LEAK ENGINE CODE P0455 GIVEN TO ME BY THE CAR ITSELF, MY CAR WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER ON THIS CONDITION MONDAY JUNE 16,2003 AND I THINK THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE REPAIR OF THE RECALL. MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS THAT I'VE BIN AT THIS DEALER THREE TIMES WITH REPAIR DONE OR CHECK DONE ON PROBLEMS TO MY VEHICLE AND THREE TIMES I GET NO PROOF THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE THERE EVEN WHEN THE RECALL WAS DONE ALL I HAVE IS THE TAG # WHICH IS ONLY FOR THERE PURPOSE. I DO ASK FOR IT EVEN THOUGH I THINK I SHOULDN'T AND THEY STATE THAT JOB IS DONE AND I DON'T NEED ANYTHING CAUSE IT WAS DONE. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10023091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #8011167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

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