FaultScore

2002 Dodge Grand Caravan fuel system problems

21 of the 417 complaints about the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan are about the fuel system — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 40,000 miles.

D

21

Complaints

1

Crashes

3

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel System, Gasoline 7 33.3%
Fuel/Propulsion System 5 23.8%
Tank Assembly 2 9.5%
Fuel Pump 2 9.5%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 2 9.5%
Delivery 1 4.8%
Fuel System, Other 1 4.8%
Fuel Injection System 1 4.8%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Dodge Grand Caravan year

1990 11 1.2%
1991 16 1.7%
1993 11 1.2%
1994 10 1.1%
1996 196 20.7%
1997 39 4.1%
1998 26 2.7%
1999 15 1.6%
2000 24 2.5%
2001 19 2.0%
2002 21 2.2%
2003 10 1.1%
2004 36 3.8%
2005 65 6.9%
2006 31 3.3%
2007 49 5.2%
2008 15 1.6%
2009 12 1.3%
2010 23 2.4%
2011 137 14.5%
2012 75 7.9%
2013 40 4.2%
2014 11 1.2%
2016 26 2.7%
2017 14 1.5%
2019 14 1.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Globe, AZ Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was driving down highway 60 when my van backfired. I thought it was a blown tire & started pulling off the highway. When pulling off the highway I noticed the orange glare off the side rails on the highway. That's when I realized that the van had caught on fire under the hood. Once I pulled over I had a friend call 911 to report my van on fire while I tried to open the hood & put the fire out. The hood was to hot to open so I grabbed everything I could from my van & stayed clear of it until the Arizona fire dept & Arizona highway patrol came. All my information was taken by the Arizona highway patrol. I was told that my van will be at J&S Towing & that my friends & i can leave the scene.

NHTSA complaint #11545506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Troy, MO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STRONG FUEL SMELL ENTERING THE CABIN AT LOW SPEED OR IDLE COMING FROM VEHICLE WHEN RUNNING.

NHTSA complaint #11104678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Bernardino, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 250,400 miles Aumsville, OR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WE HAVE BEEN SMELLING THE SMELL OF GAS FOR AWHILE, TODAY IT GOT ALOT STRONGER,WE HAD JUST PUT GAS IN THE VAN AND WE THOUGHT MAY SOME HAD GOTTEN SPILLED ON THE OUTSIDE. WHEN WE STOPPED TO WASH IT I LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW A HUGE PUDDLE OF GAS FORMING ON THE GROUND. COME TO FIND OUT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL IN OCTOBER 2002. LOOKED ON MY CARFAX AND IT DOESNT LIST THAT AS BEING REPAIRED. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10661121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles Brandon, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC DETECTED A LEAK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL TANK WAS COLLAPSING AND EXPANDING. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL IN EFFECT, BUT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT PROVIDING A READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA complaint #10461783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calexico, CA Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DODGE GRAND CARAVAN JUST WENT UP IN FLAMES WHILE DRIVING WITHIN MAYBE 5 MINUTES FIRE FIGHTERS CONTROL THE SITUATION BUT THE MOTOR ,BATTERY, EVERYTHING IN FRONT INSIDE HOOD JUST MELTED I REALLY NEED HELP I HAD JUST FINISHED PAYING IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I ATTRIBUTE THIS TO THE FAULTY ELECTRICAL RECALLS IT HAS AS WELL AS THE FUEL. HELP. AT LEAST I WANT A REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10451654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles Naples, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

Boise, ID

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SOMETIMES THE FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO EMPTY SUDDENLY, AND A LITTLE LATER, IT WILL GO BACK TO THE ACTUAL READING. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10246328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Miami, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SOMETIMES THE FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO EMPTY SUDDENLY, AND A LITTLE LATER, IT WILL GO BACK TO THE ACTUAL READING. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT COULD BE REPORTED. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10245437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olivehurst, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK CONTROL VALVE WELD JOINT HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR THREE WEEKS. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE LEAK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL THAT DOES NOT APPLY TO HIS VIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10190660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,000 miles Murfreesboro, TN Crash Fire 4 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ON JULY 4, 2002 MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED ROLLOVER IN WHICH THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. IN THE MINUTES FOLLOWING THE ROLLOVER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY UP. MY WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN WERE TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND ALL 3 BY THE GRACE OF GOD WERE PULLED TO SAFETY BY PERSONS NEAR THE ACCIDENT. TWO MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE VAN FROM THE DEALER INDICATING THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL SYSTEM TO REPLACE A PART THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER.

NHTSA complaint #10158669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairhope, AL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

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 67,360 miles Valdosta, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

at 18,900 miles Littleton, CO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

AFTER OVERFILLING THE FUEL TANK GAS FUME WERE COMING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSES. ALSO, IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING.

NHTSA complaint #10101162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,500 miles Littleton, CO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GAS PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING OVERFILL OF GAS TANK. GAS TANK SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR CAPTURE AND EVAPORATION OF OVERFILL. VENTS FOR AIR FLOW IN VEHICLE ALLOW GASOLINE FUMES/VAPORS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF VEHICLE. THIS CREATES A PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE PASSENGERS OR NEED TO USE THE VEHICLE. ALL OCCUPANTS ARE FORCED TO SIT INSIDE OF AN ENCLOSED VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE VAPORS. BROUGHT CONCERN TO DEALER AND DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WITHIN DESIGN PARAMETERS AND ADVISED NOT TO OVERFILL TANK. OVERFILL WAS NOT INTENTIONAL AND DEALER ADVISE DOES NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THAT THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM WAS MANDATED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT ALL NEW CARS HAVE SIMILAR SYSTEMS AND IF THEY ARE OVERFILLED FUMES/VAPORS WILL BE PRESENT IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AS WELL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN/MANUFACTURE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. DEALER WILL NOT WORK WITH ME BUT ONLY STATES THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE PUTTING MY FAMILY/CHILDREN INTO THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING IT WHILE IT IS FULL OF GASOLINE FUMES/VAPORS. AS A CAREER FIREFIGHTER I RECOGNIZE THAT GASOLINE IS MOST VOLITILE IN THE VAPOR STATE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURERS/DEALERS ATTENTION AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN/WILL DO.

NHTSA complaint #10100110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,000 miles Newport, TN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAVE A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2003. IT DID OK FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER THAT IT HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. WHEN I'M WAITING TO GO ON A ROAD IF I TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE IT STARTS ROLLING BACKWARD FAST. YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE BRAKE WHILE PUSHING THE GAS TO KEEP IT FROM ROLLING BACK. IT'S STEERING HAS GIVEN ME TROUBLE, THE GAS GAUGE HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS, ETC.... I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HAVE GOTTEN NO HELP FROM THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10098731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Greenville, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ENGINE SHUT OFF. DEALER STATED THAT FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED WHICH ENABLED FUEL TO REACH THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10088036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles North Wells, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

CONSUMER NOTICED A GAS LEAK. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT O-RINGS WERE LEAKING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH...

NHTSA complaint #10006434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,500 miles Hoffman Estates, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S GAS GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #10001777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bradenton, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK CAME OFF AND WITIN 40 MILES I LOST 10 GALONS OF GAS.

NHTSA complaint #761888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sparks, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

THIS IS MY SECOND 2002 GRAND CARAVAN...THE FIRST WAS PURCHASED ON 10/23/2001 AND ON THE WAY HOME WE SMELLED STRONG FUEL VAPORS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND IT STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE PROBLEM AND WE WERE GIVEN A REPLACEMENT 2002 GRAND CARAVAN ON 10/24/2001....I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WAS BUILT ON THE SAME DAY AND SAME PRODUCTION LINE AS THE PREVIOUS 2002 I HAD...AND ONLY ONE OTHER VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED BETWEEN THEM. THE VEHICLE I HAVE JUST STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS ONE (STRONG VAPORS, CHECK ENGINE LITE), AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING GAS TANK/PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE PROBLEMS. SINCE THE VEHICLES WERE BUILT ON THE SAME LINE/DAY, AND SINCE IT IS A GAS TANK/VAPOR PROBLEM, AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ALL GRAND CARAVANS BUILT ON THAT LINE ON/AROUND THAT DAY.

NHTSA complaint #761033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

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