1991 Dodge CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
408 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
118,773 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 128 of 408 complaints (31.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 156 | 38.2% |
| Steering behavior | 32 | 7.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 6.6% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 2.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 1.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 128 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 27 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 21 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 21 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 19 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 10 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 10 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 128; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 27; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock: 21; Structure:Body:Door: 21; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 19; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 10; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 392 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 213 |
| 1996 | 62 |
| 2000 | 44 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 213; 1996: 62; 2000: 44; 2001: 32; 2002: 18; 2003: 15; 2004: 8; 2005: 6; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2014: 2; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 156 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 27 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002317 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES, CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS VERY HARD, AND CAUSES FLUID TO COME OUT OF THE PUMP ONTO THE GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002338 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
THE VEHICLES ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD, SENDING FLUID OUT OF PUMP TO THE GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132955 · 2005-08-15 (August 15, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 96V229000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF. FORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 13, 2005. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF EXACTLY WHY THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED. BUT IT DID CAUSE THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10132955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10574533 · 2014-03-27 (March 27, 2014)
1991 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM RECALL AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS ON APRIL 20, 2006 AND WAS CHARGED $376.73, EVEN THOUGH A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ABS PROBLEMS AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2013. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL LETTER STATED IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, CHRYSLER WOULD COVER ANY REPAIRS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, HE HAD TO PAY $112 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD BE COVERED, UNDER THE R…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10574533 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027065 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039058 · 2003-09-17 (September 17, 2003)
TRANSMISSION BEHAVES ERRATICALLY. FIRST SYMPTOMS WERE REVVING AND FAILURE TO GO INTO GEAR IN COOL (BELOW 60) OR RAINY WEATHER. THREE TRIPS TO THE DODGE SERVICE CENTER AND SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO DAIMLER-CHRYSLER HAVE DONE NO GOOD! ON MY WAY TO WORK THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND WOULD NOT DECELERATE. I HAD TO VEER INTO AN EMPTY LOT AT @ 40 MPH TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY THREE SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN THE VAN WITH ME. I HAD TO FORCE VAN INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE AS IT WOULD NOT DECELERATE. I HAVE SEEN M…
Owner-reported narrative. 97,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115812 · 2005-03-24 (March 24, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AN DTOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT THREE TIMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486308 · 1995-05-19 (May 19, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029830 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10970660 · 2017-04-05 (April 5, 2017)
STARTED MISSING AT FRIST, THEN A NO START. I'VE CHANGED THE TIMING CHAIN, CRANK SENSOR, CAMSHAFT SENSOR, COIL PACK. TRIED A NEW ECM. THERE'S VOLTAGE TO THE COIL PACK, BUT NO SPARK. I'VE CHECKED WIRING CIRCUIT, AND AUTO SHUT DOWN RELAY .
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10970660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501636 · 1996-02-10 (February 10, 1996)
BATTERY REPLACED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501636 at NHTSA ↗