2002 Dodge VAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
44,187 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Equipment is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 18 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Equipment | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Equipment: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 8; 2006: 5; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Equipment leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10109655 · 2005-02-02 (February 2, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109655 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148103 · 2006-01-19 (January 19, 2006)
I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING COMPLAINTS ABOUT MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING THAT HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY REPORTED, AND I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. I AM EXPERIENCING A NOISE AND VIBRATION WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED US THERE IS A TSB FOR THE PROBLEM, AND THE REPAIR COST ARE ESTIMATED AT $275.00. THE SUSPENSION PROBLEM IS A KNOCKING AND RATTLING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. THE TECHNICIAN HAS SAID THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, AND LINKS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR …
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124258 · 2005-06-05 (June 5, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED THE VAN OVER AND SHUT IT OFF TO READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WHICH STATES CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS A LOOSE OR MISSING GAS CAP, POOR FUEL QUALITY, ETC. MAY ILLUMINATE THE LIGHT AFTER ENGINE START. THE VECHILE SHOULD BE SERVICED IF THE LIGHT STAYS ON THROUGH SEVERAL OF YOUR TYPICAL DRIVING CYCLES. IN MOST SITUATIONS THE VECHILE WILL DRIVE NORMALLY AND WILL NOT REQUIRE TOWING. THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHES TO ALERT YOU TO SERIOUS CONDITIONS THAT COULD LEAD TO IMMEDIATE LOSS OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 43,374 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132930 · 2005-08-15 (August 15, 2005)
I WAS DRIVING ON 35 W NORTH BOUND, IN THE FAST LANE GOING APPROXIMATELY. 70 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CONVERSION VAN STARTED TO ACCELERATE, I TAPPED MY BRAKES AS IF I WAS USING MY CRUISE, WHICH I WASN'T. THE VAN THEN SLOWED A FEW SECONDS AND THEN TOOK OFF OUT OF CONTROL, IT ACCELERATED SO FAST SO QUICK, I LOOKED DOWN AT MY SPEEDOMETER AND I WAS GOING OVER 90 MPH AT THIS POINT, I WAS PUSHING ON THE BRAKE AND THE TIRES WERE SPINNING AND SMOKING VERY FAST, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SLOW LANE AND THEN WHIPPED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND PART DITCH WITH BO…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174433 · 2006-11-27 (November 27, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES HAD CONSISTENT AND WORSENING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED AFTER EVERY REPAIR. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES BURSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE WERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINATION THE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS FAULTY DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER DESIGN AND THE BRAKE LINE ON THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151817 · 2006-03-05 (March 5, 2006)
I PURCHASED MY CARAVAN IN NOVEMBER OF 2005. ONE MONTH AFTER BUYING IT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY. NOW THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER WINDOWS SOMETIMES GO UP AND SOMETIMES DON'T. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING ON SUCH A NEWER VEHICLE? DO I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT WILL COST ME A FORTUNE? LG,MI. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10151817 at NHTSA ↗