1996 Dodge CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
932 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
96,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 119 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 185 of 932 complaints (19.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 91 | 9.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 86 | 9.2% |
| Braking behavior | 69 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 57 | 6.1% |
| Engine operation | 38 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 31 | 3.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 185 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 105 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 92 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 89 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 51 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 48 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 43 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 39 |
Air Bags: 185; Electrical System:Horn: 105; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 92; Vehicle Speed Control: 89; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 51; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 48; Air Bags:Frontal: 43; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 39
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 36 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 39 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 36; 100,000 to 149,999: 39; 150,000 and above: 12
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (39). 813 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 | 28 |
| 1996 | 95 |
| 2000 | 207 |
| 2001 | 193 |
| 2002 | 202 |
| 2003 | 105 |
| 2004 | 53 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
1995: 28; 1996: 95; 2000: 207; 2001: 193; 2002: 202; 2003: 105; 2004: 53; 2005: 14; 2006: 12; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 91 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 86 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 69 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 10000066 · 2002-12-12 (December 12, 2002)
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1996 DODGE CARAVAN HAS FAILED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME. IT WAS REPLACED ONCE IN 1997 AT 7,000 MILES BY CHRYSLER. IT WAS RECONDITIONED IN 2000 AT 56,000 MILES BY CHRYSLER. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE AT 81,000 MILES IN DECEMBER OF 2002. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND REFUSES TO PERFORM ANY "GOOD WILL" REPAIRS.
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008043 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCING 2ND GEAR SLIPPAGE CAUSING HESITATION AND DEGRADED ACCELERATION WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ENTERING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.
Owner-reported narrative. 98,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000807 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
HEIGHT SENSOR VALVE, REAR LEFT BRAKE (THE ACTUAL DATE OF THE INCIDENT WAS JANUARY 5, 2003, HOWEVER, THE INCIDENT DATE SEGMENT DID NOT PROVIDE THE YEAR 2003. ALSO, THE NUMBER OF FAILURES SECTION...ONCE FAILURE OCCURRED, IT CONTINUED) WENT TO MECHANIC TO FIND PROBLEM. THERE WAS ANOTHER 1996 VAN THERE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (QUITE COINCIDENTAL, WHICH PROMPTED THIS COMPLAINT). MECHANIC SAID THE HEIGHT SENSOR VALVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT, COULD ONLY BE DONE BY DEALER DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS A DEALER PART ONLY AND THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDED RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 92,875 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009790 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
WHEN THE VEHICLES GAS TANK WAS FILLED, GAS LEAKED OUT ONTO THE GROUND. WHEN THE TANK WAS HALF FILLED THERE WAS NO LEAKAGE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001948 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE THEN THERE'S A NOISE (PLACE UNKNOWN)AND VEHICLE WILL HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PROBLEM WILL WORSEN WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE ABS BRAKES ARE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003634 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD LOCK UP WITHOUT WARNING.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009150 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. *AK A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN MOTION. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE ON MANY OCCASIONS AND CHANGED DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL PARTS AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THIS MAKE/MODEL. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009150 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009822 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES ENGINE STALLED, STARTED SMOKING AND LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006569 · 2002-12-28 (December 28, 2002)
THE CLOCK SPRING WIRING HARNESS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO FAIL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE HORN AND THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DO NOT FUNCTION. *******DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******770791. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006569 at NHTSA ↗