2004 Dodge CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
70,850 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 50 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 64 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 18.8% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 15.6% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 15.6% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Electrical System: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6; Steering: 5; Air Bags: 3; Engine: 3; Structure: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 5
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2004: 10; 2005: 4; 2006: 5; 2007: 3; 2008: 5; 2009: 5; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 10; 2014: 7; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 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 10063501 · 2004-03-18 (March 18, 2004)
CONSUMER HEARD A SPRAYING SOUND FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THIS SOUND OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. ALSO, WHEN SLOWING DOWN CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. DEALER RESPONDED BY SAYING THE SOUNDS THAT CONSUMER HEARD WERE NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063501 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065923 · 2004-04-11 (April 11, 2004)
ON BOARD COMPUTER MAPS ALMOST CAUSED ANOTHER CAR TO RUN INTO ME... HE WAS DISTRACTED USING HIS MAP WHILE DRIVING. THE SOLUTION IS HAVE MAP SYSTEMS NONFUNCTIONAL WHILE CAR IS MOVING. A SIMPLE SENSOR COULD DO THIS AND SAVE A LOT OF LIVES. ALL MAKES AND MODELS NOT JUST DODGE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10065923 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065925 · 2004-04-11 (April 11, 2004)
ON BOARD COMPUTER MAPS ALMOST CAUSED ANOTHER CAR TO RUN INTO ME... HE WAS DISTRACTED USING HIS MAP WHILE DRIVING. THE SOLUTION IS HAVE MAP SYSTEMS NONFUNCTIONAL WHILE CAR IS MOVING. A SIMPLE SENSOR COULD DO THIS AND SAVE A LOT OF LIVES. ALL MAKES AND MODELS NOT JUST DODGE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10065925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073613 · 2004-05-13 (May 13, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHEN TOUCHING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. CONSUMER NEARLY GOT TRAMPLED BY A 18 WHEELER LAST TIME WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS DANGEROUS, AND THERE WAS NO SOLUTION FOR IT. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073641 · 2004-05-14 (May 14, 2004)
THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH OR TWO. THE BRAKES ACCUMULATED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF BRAKE DUST. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE BRAKES ARE WORKING NORMALLY. *AK THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS INCREASED BY 430% WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LOADED. THE VEHICLES FRONT WHEELS LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING ON WET/LOW FRICTION SURFACES. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079990 · 2004-06-28 (June 28, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH LATCH MECHANISM WAS NOT LOCKED PROPERLY. AS A RESULT THE BENCH SEAT MOVED FORWARD, AND CHILD WHO WAS SEATED HIT HIS FACE ON THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER SIDE . MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081656 · 2004-07-09 (July 9, 2004)
WHILE SHIFTING GEARS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10081656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093332 · 2004-09-29 (September 29, 2004)
TWICE IN THE PAST 7 YEARS, THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 1994 DODGE CARAVAN EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MY RESEARCH ON THE WEB SHOWS THAT THE NHTSA HAS A FINDING AGAINST CHRYSLER ON THIS AND CHRYSLER WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE REPLACED ALL OF IT'S STOCK OF INFERIOR GLASS. EVIDENTALLY, THIS WASN'T DONE OR THEY STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. NEITHER I NOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE SHEAR NOISE OF THIS BREAKAGE COULD EASILY CAUSE A REACTION BY THE DRIVER THAT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10093332 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V386000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
Reported: 2004-08-05 (August 5, 2004)
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.3 OR 3.8L V-6 ENGINE, THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE MAY SPLIT AND CAUSE A FLUID LEAK.
Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗