2001 Dodge CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
257 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 135 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 257 complaints (11.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 34 | 13.2% |
| Braking behavior | 18 | 7.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 6.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.2% |
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 | 29 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Exterior Lighting | 15 |
| Suspension:Front | 15 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 12 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
Air Bags: 29; Electrical System: 16; Exterior Lighting: 15; Suspension:Front: 15; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 12; Steering: 12; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 11; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 34 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 31 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 13 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 34; 50,000 to 74,999: 31; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 13
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (34). 122 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2002 | 30 |
| 2003 | 39 |
| 2004 | 45 |
| 2005 | 41 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2001: 23; 2002: 30; 2003: 39; 2004: 45; 2005: 41; 2006: 11; 2007: 7; 2008: 11; 2009: 10; 2010: 12; 2011: 1; 2012: 6; 2013: 5; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005949 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008143 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
MY 2001 DODGE CARAVAN SE HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT 35,000 MILES.THE VAN STOP ON THE FREEWAY FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THE DEALER FIX IT AND 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT FORM 2ND GEAR. AND THE GAUGES DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS MY 2ND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVAN AND THE LAST ONE .I'LL BUY A HONDA FOR NOW ON WHEN I PAY OR NEARLY PAY THIS ONE. I'M A DODGE MAN , I HAVE 2002 PT CRUISER THAT I HAD A RECALL ALREADY. THESE ARE THE LAST AMERICAN MADE CAR I'LL PURCHASE. I HAD PURCHASE 7 NEW VEHICLES IN THE PAST 10 YEARS(3…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009327 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VENTS, AND THE VEHICLE LEAKED COOLANT.*JB. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009910 · 2003-03-24 (March 24, 2003)
THERE WAS A SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A DEMO. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOUND OVER 26 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MOLD IN THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED A STRIP CLEANING OF THE ENTIRE INTERIOR. HOWEVER THE SMELL HAD COME BACK, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE HEATER WAS BLOWING. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010270 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
STEERING VIBRATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND GRINDING NOISE FROM UNDER FRONT OF VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011481 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EMMITED A HORRIBLE SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND WAS FOUND TO HAVE 26 TYPES OF MOLD GROWING IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STRIP CLEANED THE VEHILCE BUT THE PROMLEM PERSISTED. MANY OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE HAVE BECOME ILL. PH *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011594 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE HAS DECREASED IN BRIGHTNESS. THE PROBLEM IS NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT. THERE IS A RESISTANCE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL AND WHEN BACKING. THE RUBBER GASKETS CONTINUE TO FALL FROM THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME TO WARM UP IN COLD WEATHER. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 23,032 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012410 · 2003-03-25 (March 25, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012410 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V152000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 2001-05-08 (May 8, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM PIVOT BOLT COULD FRACTURE.
Consequence: IF THE BOLT FRACTURES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS AND NUTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V094000 · Structure
Reported: 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V531000 · Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Reported: 2004-11-02 (November 2, 2004)
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, CONDENSATION FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS MAY DROP THROUGH VENT HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE RADIO AND RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT SUBSEQUENTLY SENDS DIRECT CURRENT TO THE REAR SPEAKERS.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SPEAKER FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A SPECIAL TAPE TO THE TOP OF THE RADIO TO PREVENT THE POTENTIAL OF WATER INTRUSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗