RoadVitals

1991 Dodge Caravan Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
216
Latest Aug 4, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
35%
of 617 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
12
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1991 Dodge Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 216 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 216, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Aug 4, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS MALFUNCTIONED AND MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON AND THE PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) ALTHOUGH THE RECALL INDICATED THAT THE PART WOULD HAVE A LIFE TIME COVERAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ID
10618629
Incident
Apr 3, 2013
Mileage
87,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Mar 27, 2014

1991 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM RECALL AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS ON APRIL 20, 2006 AND WAS CHARGED $376.73, EVEN THOUGH A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ABS PROBLEMS AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2013. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL LETTER STATED IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, CHRYSLER WOULD COVER ANY REPAIRS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, HE HAD TO PAY $112 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD BE COVERED, UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER THEN INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO TEST HIS VEHICLE, DUE TO THE AGE. HOWEVER, A FEW DAYS LATER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY HAD THE EQUIPMENT, BUT IT WOULD COST $336. THE CONSUMER DECLINED THE TEST. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION, STARTER, FUEL PUMP, IGNITION COIL BLOCKS , SERPENTINE BELT, PULLEYS, POWER STEERING PUMP, AND RADIATOR WERE ALL REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 04/16/14

NHTSA ID
10574533
Incident
Apr 20, 2006
Brakes
Filed Feb 5, 2007

1991 DODGE CARAVAN WITH ABS FAILURE PROBLEMS**CC A RECALL WAS ISSUED AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD THE FIRST REPAIR DONE. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10181654
Incident
Feb 22, 1994
Mileage
49,091 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 21, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RECALL # 96V099000 FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC: ANTI-LOCK WAS RECEIVED. WHEN THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CALLED TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR, THE SERVICE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT, THERE WOULD BE CHARGES FOR REPLACING THE ACCUMULATOR PLUS LABOR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTED THE RECEIPTS TO BE SENT FOR REVIEW FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10173961
Incident
Nov 21, 2006
Mileage
145,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 20, 2006

HELLO BELOW IS A COPY OF TEXT ON YOUR RECALL SITE WITH DETAILS OF THIS RECALL COMMENTS I MAKE ARE BELOW THAT.. MAKE : DODGE MODEL : GRAND CARAVAN YEAR : 1991 MANUFACTURER : CHRYSLER CORPORATION NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 96V099000 MFG'S REPORT DATE : APR 19, 1996 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 321000 SUMMARY: THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION. CONSEQUENCE: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). THE THING I FIND HERE IS THE TERM REGARDING PISTON ASSEMBLY WHEN I TOOK MY VAN IN DUE TO FAILURE ONLY THE PISTON ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED IT SHOULD BE REVISED TO INCLUDE THE WHOLE UNIT BECAUSE A ACCUMULATOR MADE OF CAST IRON THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE UNIT IS NEVER REPLACED RUST KEEPS ENTERING THE UNIT FROM THIS ACCUMULATOR BEING IT IS MADE OF A RUSTING METAL AND JUST KEEPS MAKING THE UNIT FAIL THIS IS MY SECOND REPAIR IN 2YRS AND THE RUST IS NOW GETTING INTO THE LINES CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK IN WET WEATHER ALL THE PARTS STORES THAT EVEN CARRY THE UNIT WHICH IS FEW SELL IT AS A COMPLETE UNIT NOT IN PIECES SUCH AS WITH OTHER MASTER CLY. 'S WITHOUT ABS I FIND CAST IRON A POOR CHOICE FOR A AIR TANK OF A AIR PUMP WHICH BY NATURE INJECTS AIR INTO THE METAL CAST IRON TANK STAINLESS STEEL WOULD BEEN A BETTER CHOICE IF IT WOULD MEET THE TANK PRESSURES. I AM SEEKING REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE IT IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE RUST AND PREFER NON ABS IF THAT'S ABLE . *NM

NHTSA ID
10153274
Incident
Mar 19, 2006
Mileage
130,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE CONTACT BEING AWARE OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT WHICH THEY DENIED BECAUSE THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE NHTSA RECALL # 96V099000 CONCERNING THE SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK.

NHTSA ID
10153152
Incident
Feb 20, 2006
Mileage
180,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jan 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PULSATING. THIS HAS PERSISTED FOR 3 YEARS. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND REALIGNED NUMEROUS TIMES TO CORRECT THE VIBRATION, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES, ALTHOUGH THE PULSATING IS CURRENTLY EVIDENT. THE VIBRATION OCCURS AROUND 30 MPH. WHEN THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES, THE VIBRATION IS LESS NOTICEABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10147711
Incident
Jan 13, 2006
Mileage
133,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUNCTION PRESSURE SWITCH IN THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE SERVICE DEALER CLAIMED ABS BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO THE REPAIR THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT SUCCEED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ABS PISTON PUMP AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL WAS SERVICED ON MAY 16, 2005, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE BRAKING PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 3/3/2006 - ANOTHER DEALER REPLACED THE PRESSURE SWITCH AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10133039
Incident
Aug 10, 2005
Brakes
Filed Jun 2, 2005

1991 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EXPERIENCED ABS FAILURE.*MR ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE ABS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR IT YET. *NM

NHTSA ID
10124714
Incident
Apr 11, 2005
Mileage
107,545 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 12, 2004

PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 1991 DODGE CARAVAN.*MR THE VEHICLE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE ABS SYSTEM SINCE 1997. IN MARCH, 2004 THE DEALER REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10089149
Incident
Jul 7, 2004
Brakes
Filed May 3, 2004

THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 96V099000 CONCERNING ABS BRAKE FAILURE. THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR, CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION. DEALERSHIP INDICATED SORRY THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10071977
Incident
May 3, 2004
Brakes
Filed Apr 9, 2004

OFFER MADE TO THE CONSUMER FOR DODGE TO INSPECT HER VEHICLE RELATIVE TO THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. (NAR) *PH *CB

NHTSA ID
10066967
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Brakes
Filed Feb 17, 2004

RECALL 96V099000 CONCERNING ABS BRAKE FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. 30,000 MILES LATER BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. DEALER DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND DETERMINED THAT THE PARTS THAT WERE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKE POWER. DEALER WOULD NOT DO ANY REPAIRS UNTIL CONSUMER AGREED TO PAY FOR THEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10059172
Brakes
Filed Nov 3, 2003

UPON STARTING VEHICLE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, AND WOULD STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME THAT VEHICLE WOULD BE RUNNING. ALSO, BRAKE FLUID LEAKED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEMS WERE NOT RESOLVED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10046199
Incident
Oct 29, 2003
Mileage
52,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 16, 2003

THE DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT RECALL 96 V 099 000 BECAUSE THE CONSUMER WOULD NOT LET THEM REPAIR THE ABS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10020021
Brakes
Filed May 2, 2003
Crash reported

LOST MY BRAKES FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THREE YEARS, DUE TO EVASIVE ACTION I MISSED HITTING A CAR BUT COULD NOT STOP FROM HITTING THE CURB AND SCRAPE A STREET POLE, BROKE AN AXLE AND SUSPENSION PARTS ALL ON THANKSGIVING. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10016907
Incident
Nov 28, 2002
Mileage
183,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 12, 2003

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLIED.*JB

NHTSA ID
10007208
Incident
Feb 1, 2003
Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ABS ILLUMINATES ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE IS SOME BRAKING POWER. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ID
10002531
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jan 8, 2003

THE VEHICLES ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD, SENDING FLUID OUT OF PUMP TO THE GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
10002338
Brakes
Filed Jan 8, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES, CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS VERY HARD, AND CAUSES FLUID TO COME OUT OF THE PUMP ONTO THE GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
10002317
Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 2002

CONSUMER STATE WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES ON NORMAL CONDITIONS THE ABS AND THE NORMAL BRAKES LIGHT COME SIMULTANEOUS, CAUSING TO LOST THE BRAKING, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
8024143
Incident
Dec 5, 2002
Brakes
Filed Dec 3, 2002

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HE LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE BRAKES. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM HAD PROBLEMS BUT ALSO STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS COVER FOR LIFE TIME. DEALER ALSO TOLD THAT THERE WAS MONEY THAT HE NEEDED TO PAY FOR SOME PARTS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ABS SYSTEM BUT NOT COVER FOR THE RECALL. TS

NHTSA ID
8023586
Brakes
Filed Nov 6, 2002

THE RECALLED ABS BRAKES I SENT THE MANUFACTURER THE BILL OR REIMBURSEMENT TWICE NOW WITH NO RESPONSE. DT

NHTSA ID
769386
Incident
Jul 1, 2000
Brakes
Filed Oct 9, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE THEM FOR THE REPAIR OF THE RECALL. THE PARTS ARE GUARANTEED FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. RECALL#96V099999 BRAKES: ANTI SKID SYSTEM SAFE CHRYSLER BROOKLYN, NY 718-998-5353 MR

NHTSA ID
8020469
Incident
Oct 3, 2002
Brakes
Filed Aug 19, 2002

ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD AND PEDAL IS HARD AND GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COMES ON AND PUMP WAS RUNNING EVERY PEDAL APPLICATION DUE TO WEAK ACCUMULATOR. ALSO, MODULATOR FAULT WAS CAUSED BY INTERNAL SHORT IN ABS CONTROLLER. DEALER REPLACED LEFT FRONT MARKER, ABS CONTROLLER AND ACCUMULATOR. *YH

NHTSA ID
8016644
Incident
Aug 9, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .