1994 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
107 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 107 complaints (25.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 18.7% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 7.5% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 27 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 6 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 6 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 5 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 27; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Structure:Body:Door: 6; Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments: 6; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 5; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 4
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 92 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 41 |
| 2001 | 22 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
1996: 7; 2000: 41; 2001: 22; 2002: 17; 2003: 8; 2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2007: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 20 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 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 10003376 · 2003-01-25 (January 25, 2003)
TRANSAXLE ON 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO AXLES. THE AXLES HAD TO BE REPLACED, ONE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THEY ARE NOW FAILING AGAIN. THE FRONT END WOBBLES AND SHAKES, ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARSHLY, WITH A SLAM. THE TRANSMISSION HAS AN INTERNAL LEAK SO THAT WE HAVE TO CHECK THE FLUID CONSTANTLY, BUT NO FLUID IS DRAINING ONTO THE STREET. IT WILL COST US $2,500 TO REPAIR. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO IT HAD JUST HAD THE TRANSAXLE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003376 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006629 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VAN IN APRIL OF 2001 THE TRANSAXLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHEN COLD. THE VEHICLE HAS APPARENTLY BEEN WARMED UP BEFORE WE TEST DROVE IT. THE TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID WERE REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE UNTIL THE NEXT COLD SEASON . THE FLUID AND FILTER WERE REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE UNTIL THE NEXT COLD SEASON. THE FLUID AND FILTER WERE REPLACED AGAIN BUT IT DID NOT HELP. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED OUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR'S COLD SEASON JUST NOT GOING INTO REVERSE WHILE COLD, THEN IT Q…
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557207 · 2000-11-02 (November 2, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING ON SNOW COVERED OR SLUSHY ROADS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID WHEN BRAKING, THIS HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN A COUPLE DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 730110 · 2000-09-04 (September 4, 2000)
I READ AN ARTICLE REGARDING SCHOOL BUSES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BRAKES, THE SAME IS HAPPENING WITH MY 94 DODGE CARAVAN LE 3.3 WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING SLOWLY USUALLY LESS THAN 20MPH AND I GO TO BRAKE , THEY TEMPORARILY LOSE THEIR BRAKING ABILITY FOR A FEW SECONDS AS IF THE ABS KICKS IN FOR A FEW SECONDS ON ITS OWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 730110 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103069 · 2004-12-16 (December 16, 2004)
(1) NO WARNING OF FAILURE.(2) SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BOLT FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING A TURN. NO CONSEQUENCES RESULTED FROM THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AT 5MPH. UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES (DOWNHILL ON TIGHT CURVE) THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND PROBABLY RESULT IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL.(3) ANTICIPATE REPLACING THE TENSIONER AND RETURNING VEHICLE TO SERVICE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10103069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10187496 · 2007-04-10 (April 10, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE CHRYSLER GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AROUND A MOUNTAIN THE STEERING LOCKED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE DEALER DIDN'T TRY TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE BELT IN 1996, BUT THE MECHANIC STATED THE BELT LOOKED FINE. UPDATE 05/10/07*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10187496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028608 · 2003-07-19 (July 19, 2003)
ENGINE HESITATES AS IF STARVING FOR FUEL AND STALLS WHILE TRAVELING,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL YOU TURN OFF ENGINE AND RETSTART. TAKEN TO DEALER AND NO TROUBLE CODES FOUND. FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, FUEL INJECTOR O-RINGS, REPLACED. HAS HAPPENED OVER LAST SIX YEARS, SOME 20 TIMES AND DEALER HAS NO CLUE. 125,000 MILES ON ENGINE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184520 · 2007-03-08 (March 8, 2007)
TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 150000 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LEAKING GAS ON THE MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT A MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THERE WAS A RECALL # 00268000 ON THE 1996-2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE , AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *AK THE FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING FUEL AT THE END OF THE RAIL WHERE A PIPE JOINED THE 2 RAILS TOGETHER, FUEL LEAKED ON THE MANIFOLD AND A SMALL FIRE WAS IGNITED. UPDATED 04/30/07. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865065 · 2000-07-10 (July 10, 2000)
BATTERY CABLES BEGAN TO MELT, AND THE WIRE HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE, THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN, NO STOP THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 889961 · 2001-06-07 (June 7, 2001)
AFTER HAVING REPAIR WORK PERFORMED FOR RECALL 99V113000 REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS FAILED 14 MONTHS AFTER REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED. CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT AIR BAG WAS NOT ON A SEPARATE ELECTRICAL FUSE, WHICH CAUSED FUSE FOR AIR BAG TO SHORT WHEN WIPER MOTOR FAILED. *AK *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 889961 at NHTSA ↗