Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 2001 Dodge VAN with NHTSA between 2001 and 2011.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 35
Against the median year of the Dodge VAN. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
42.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 51
30% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2001 Dodge VAN
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
421.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 42,300 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
315.8%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
210.5%
Median failure at 56,450 miles
Suspension
210.5%
Median failure at 29,532 miles
Steering
210.5%
Median failure at 76,057 miles
Seats
15.3%
Seat Belts
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Tires
15.3%
Median failure at 12,000 miles
Body & Structure
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Brakes
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Airbags
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
220.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
110.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
220.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
440.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
110.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2001peak 3Jun 2011
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Rockford, ILCrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS
ON MAY 14, 2006, MY DODGE CARAVAN WAS TOTALLED AFTER A COLLISION CAUSE BY A NEGLIGENCE DRIVER. DURING THE ROLLOVER, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ROLLED OVER TOO EASILY. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT DISENGAGED WHEN NEEDED "PUSH" ON.
NHTSA complaint #10164247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, ILCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
ON MAY 14, 2006, MY DODGE CARAVAN WAS TOTALLED AFTER A COLLISION CAUSE BY A NEGLIGENCE DRIVER. DURING THE ROLLOVER, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ROLLED OVER TOO EASILY. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT DISENGAGED WHEN NEEDED "PUSH" ON.
NHTSA complaint #10164247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, ILCrash3 injured
STRUCTURE
ON MAY 14, 2006, MY DODGE CARAVAN WAS TOTALLED AFTER A COLLISION CAUSE BY A NEGLIGENCE DRIVER. DURING THE ROLLOVER, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ROLLED OVER TOO EASILY. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT DISENGAGED WHEN NEEDED "PUSH" ON.
NHTSA complaint #10164247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,827 milesHanover, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS 2001 DODGE B VAN WITH 4827 MILES. THE VAN WAS PARKED IN A CUSTOMER'S DRIVEWAY WHILE THE DRIVER PERFORMED PHONE REPAIRS INSIDE THEIR HOUSE. THE CUSTOMER NOTICED THE VAN BURNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION BY TROOPER INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE AND STARTED IN THE HEATER BOX AREA OF THE VAN. RESULTS OF A FIRE INVESTIGATION BY DODGE HAVE NEVER BEEN RELEASED TO VERIZON. VERIZON HAS EXPERIENCED MANY BLOWER MOTOR FAILURES AND BLOWER RESISTOR FAILURES IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. VERIZON HAS EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FIRES IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND FEELS THAT THESE FIRES WARRANT FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA complaint #10075094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Geneva, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *JG
NHTSA complaint #10006300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 93,017 milesLogan, OH
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING BOX RUSTED FROM SUB FRAME AND DETACHED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,017.
NHTSA complaint #10406147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,300 milesBellmore, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
ON OR ABOUT APRIL 5, 2007, I BROUGHT MY 2001 DODGE CARAVAN TO A LOCAL DODGE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR OF THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY CAR WHICH STOPPED FUNCTIONING & STOPPED MEASURING THE SPEED OF MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR ONE DAY AND CLAIMED THAT THEY RECALIBRATED THE SPEEDOMETER AND "ALL IS WELL." APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE SPEEDOMETER CEASED WORKING AGAIN. SO, ON OR ABOUT JULY 19,2007, I CALLED MERRICK DODGE & REQUESTED AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD OF DRIVING A VEHICLE WITHOUT A WORKING SPEEDOMETER. ON JULY 23, 2007, I CALLED AND REQUESTED AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT BUT WAS ADVISED THAT I COULD NOT RECEIVE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL 8/8. I TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE IN VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS CONDITION AS WELL AS VIOLATION OF NY STATE VEHICLE & TRAFFIC LAW SEC. 375 IF I DROVE A VEHICLE WITHOUT A WORKING SPEEDOMETER. THEREAFTER, I WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT ON 7/26/07. ON 7/26, I ARRIVED AT THE NEW ADDRESS OF THE DEALER AT OR ABOUT 8 AM AND WAS ASSURED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED THE SAME DAY. I DID NOT RECEIVE A PHONE CALL BY 1 PM SO I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY HAD NOT REACHED THE CAR AS OF THAT TIME. THEREAFTER, I CALLED THE DEALER AT ABOUT 4:45 TO INQUIRE AS TO THE STATUS OF MY CAR AND WAS ADVISED THAT A RECALIBRATING OF THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED SO A NEW "CLUSTER FOR THE SPEEDOMETER" WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT UNDER MY 7 YEAR 60K MILE SERVICE CONTRACT, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $100 DEDUCTIBLE EVENTHOUGH THIS WAS A RECURRING CONDITION THAT WAS ADDRESSED A MERE THREE MONTHS AGO. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE WHEN THERE CLEARLY IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I ADVISED CHRYSLER THAT I WOULD NOT PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE FOR A RECURRING CONDITION THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED A "LEMON" UNDER NEW YORK STATE'S LEMON LAW. I WOULD APPRECIATE WHATEVER ASSISTANCE YOUR AGENCY CAN GIVE ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10197620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,300 milesBellmore, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
ON OR ABOUT APRIL 5, 2007, I BROUGHT MY 2001 DODGE CARAVAN TO A LOCAL DODGE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR OF THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY CAR WHICH STOPPED FUNCTIONING & STOPPED MEASURING THE SPEED OF MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR ONE DAY AND CLAIMED THAT THEY RECALIBRATED THE SPEEDOMETER AND "ALL IS WELL." APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE SPEEDOMETER CEASED WORKING AGAIN. SO, ON OR ABOUT JULY 19,2007, I CALLED MERRICK DODGE & REQUESTED AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD OF DRIVING A VEHICLE WITHOUT A WORKING SPEEDOMETER. ON JULY 23, 2007, I CALLED AND REQUESTED AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT BUT WAS ADVISED THAT I COULD NOT RECEIVE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL 8/8. I TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE IN VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS CONDITION AS WELL AS VIOLATION OF NY STATE VEHICLE & TRAFFIC LAW SEC. 375 IF I DROVE A VEHICLE WITHOUT A WORKING SPEEDOMETER. THEREAFTER, I WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT ON 7/26/07. ON 7/26, I ARRIVED AT THE NEW ADDRESS OF THE DEALER AT OR ABOUT 8 AM AND WAS ASSURED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED THE SAME DAY. I DID NOT RECEIVE A PHONE CALL BY 1 PM SO I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY HAD NOT REACHED THE CAR AS OF THAT TIME. THEREAFTER, I CALLED THE DEALER AT ABOUT 4:45 TO INQUIRE AS TO THE STATUS OF MY CAR AND WAS ADVISED THAT A RECALIBRATING OF THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED SO A NEW "CLUSTER FOR THE SPEEDOMETER" WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT UNDER MY 7 YEAR 60K MILE SERVICE CONTRACT, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $100 DEDUCTIBLE EVENTHOUGH THIS WAS A RECURRING CONDITION THAT WAS ADDRESSED A MERE THREE MONTHS AGO. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE WHEN THERE CLEARLY IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I ADVISED CHRYSLER THAT I WOULD NOT PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE FOR A RECURRING CONDITION THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED A "LEMON" UNDER NEW YORK STATE'S LEMON LAW. I WOULD APPRECIATE WHATEVER ASSISTANCE YOUR AGENCY CAN GIVE ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10197620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, ILCrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS
ON MAY 14, 2006, MY DODGE CARAVAN WAS TOTALLED AFTER A COLLISION CAUSE BY A NEGLIGENCE DRIVER. DURING THE ROLLOVER, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ROLLED OVER TOO EASILY. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT DISENGAGED WHEN NEEDED "PUSH" ON.
NHTSA complaint #10164247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, ILCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
ON MAY 14, 2006, MY DODGE CARAVAN WAS TOTALLED AFTER A COLLISION CAUSE BY A NEGLIGENCE DRIVER. DURING THE ROLLOVER, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ROLLED OVER TOO EASILY. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT DISENGAGED WHEN NEEDED "PUSH" ON.
NHTSA complaint #10164247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, ILCrash3 injured
STRUCTURE
ON MAY 14, 2006, MY DODGE CARAVAN WAS TOTALLED AFTER A COLLISION CAUSE BY A NEGLIGENCE DRIVER. DURING THE ROLLOVER, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ROLLED OVER TOO EASILY. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT DISENGAGED WHEN NEEDED "PUSH" ON.
NHTSA complaint #10164247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,900 milesSouth Bend, IN
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN'S DRIVERS WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN. WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY WITH A NEW MOTOR. IN 2005, I GAVE THIS VAN TO MY SON AND THE PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP AND DOWN AND BY THEN THEY NOT ONLY PUT IN A NEW MOTOR BUT A COMBINATION MOTOR/REGULATOR. THEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT WORK AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED WITH A MOTOR/REGULATOR COSTING $1000 TO FIX BOTH WINDOWS.
NHTSA complaint #10162845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port ST. Lucie, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHENEVER THE DRIVING OR HEADLIGHTS ARE ON THE SWITCH GETS WARM TO THE TOUCH.
NHTSA complaint #10156794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,098 milesRIO Vista, CA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
AT APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND ATTEMPTED TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE POWER ASSIST WENT OUT ON THE STEERING. I HAD TO USE ALL MY MIGHT TO GET THE WHEEL TO MAKE THE 90 DEGREE TURN. AFTER EXPERIENCING THIS, I HAD TO FIGHT TO GET THE VAN INTO A PARKING SPOT. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, OPENED THE WINDOWS, AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER MANEUVERED THE VAN OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE TO WHERE IT COULD BE TOWED, HE POINTED OUT TO ME THAT HE HAD NO TROUBLE WHATSOEVER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY CHECKED ALL THE FLUID LEVELS AND THE STEERING SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE AND CHARGED ME $45 FOR NOTHING. AT ALMOST 79,000 MILES, THE STEERING PROBLEM SHOWED ITS UGLY HEAD WHILE ON VACATION LAST WEEK AND I WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN AND INSIST THAT IT BE FIXED. I WILL TAKE IT TO A DIFFERENT DODGE DEALER THIS TIME SO THAT I CAN HAVE A "SECOND OPINION."
NHTSA complaint #10134255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesDavis, CA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WE OWN A 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (MINI-VAN) WHICH HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT POWER WINDOWS GETTING STUCK INTERMITTENTLY, EITHER UP OR DOWN OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN. SOMETIMES IT WOULD GET STUCK DOWN WHEN IT WAS RAINING OR STORMY OUTSIDE, OR IT WOULD BE STUCK IN THE UP POSITION WHEN I NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE (I.E. TOLL-BOOTH ATTENDANT). I TOOK IT IN YESTERDAY TO BE REPAIRED, AND THE WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND TALKING TO A NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR, I DISCOVERED THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH OUR CAR. SEE, FOR EXAMPLE, HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/REVIEWS/LONGTERM/ARTICLES/45220/PAGE013.HTML, OR HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEW_78539.HTML, BOTH REPORTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM APPEARS UNRELATED TO MILEAGE ON THE CAR (I.E. SOMETIMES APPEARS BEFORE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED, OR SOMETIMES AFTER IT HAS EXPIRED). HOWEVER, DODGE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A PROBLEM OR TO PAY TO CORRECT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10130339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,100 milesLakehurst, NJ
SUSPENSION:REAR
OIL PRESSURE GAUGE KEEPS DROPPING AND ENG HAS POWER LOSS. REAREND HAS HIGH PITCH NOISE WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA complaint #10126934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesLakehurst, NJ
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRES HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR AT ONLY 12000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10126932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,965 milesLakeville, MN
SUSPENSION
MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 2001 GRAND CARAVAN. WE LOVE THE VAN VERY MUCH. WE STARTING HEARING A STANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. WE TOOK IT IN TO A DEALERSHIP NEAR US AND WE WERE TOLD THE SWAYBAR END LINKS AND BUSHING WE GONE. LUCKILY WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRNATY TO COVER THE COST OF IT. WE FEEL THAT IS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR, THIS IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE BEING TOLD THAT IT IS WEAR AND TEAR. WE HAVE OWNED ALOT OF CARS AND NOT ONE OF THEM EVER HAD A SWAYBAR LINK PROBLEM. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CAR OF THE VAN. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS RECALLED BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #10116172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,827 milesHanover, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS 2001 DODGE B VAN WITH 4827 MILES. THE VAN WAS PARKED IN A CUSTOMER'S DRIVEWAY WHILE THE DRIVER PERFORMED PHONE REPAIRS INSIDE THEIR HOUSE. THE CUSTOMER NOTICED THE VAN BURNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION BY TROOPER INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE AND STARTED IN THE HEATER BOX AREA OF THE VAN. RESULTS OF A FIRE INVESTIGATION BY DODGE HAVE NEVER BEEN RELEASED TO VERIZON. VERIZON HAS EXPERIENCED MANY BLOWER MOTOR FAILURES AND BLOWER RESISTOR FAILURES IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. VERIZON HAS EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FIRES IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND FEELS THAT THESE FIRES WARRANT FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA complaint #10075094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front Royal, VA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION CLUTCHES WENT OUT. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10022867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front Royal, VA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
TRANSMISSION CLUTCHES WENT OUT. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10022867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Geneva, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *JG
NHTSA complaint #10006300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #748505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, AZ
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEATBACK LATCH IS FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING LEVER CAN BE BUMPED LIGHTLY, AND SEATBACK COLLAPSES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK DEALER REMOVED LATCH AND ROTATED IT AND CONSUMER HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #883043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.