RoadVitals

1993 Dodge Caravan Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting 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.
18
Latest Jun 23, 2004
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.
2%
of 949 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1993 Dodge Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 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 exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 23, 2004

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE CLOUDY, BUT REALLY THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. THE CONSUMER NOW REALIZES THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10079812
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting+5 more
Filed Mar 24, 2004

I HAVE A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. I HAVE SPENT OVER $10,000.00 ON REPAIRS SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 1993. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH DODGE. I'VE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS ON VARIOUS COMPONENTS, THEY WERE CORRECTED AND ARE NOW AGAIN DEFECTIVE INCLUDING MY SEATBELTS, ABS SYSTEM, AND STEERING COLUMN. I AM NOW NOTICING THAT THE PAINT IS ERODING ON THE TOP OF MY VAN. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER DODGE CARAVANS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THE EXACT SAME PATTERN OF CORROSION. IT APPEARS THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF ON THE TOPS OF THE CARS, THEN THE HOODS AND SO ON. IT EVENTUALLY RUSTS THROUGH AS I'VE SEEN ON AT LEAST 20 DODGE CARAVANS. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED PAINT WEARING AWAY LIKE THIS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES THAT I'VE OWNED AND MUCH OLDER THAN 10 YEARS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT SOMEWHERE IN THE PAINTING PROCESS, PERHAPS THE PRIMER OR THE PAINT ITSELF. THIS IS THE THIRD LETTER I'VE WRITTEN AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM ANYONE. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PAINTING PROCESS OF THESE VANS. I BELIEVE IT IS ALSO OCCURRING IN OTHER YEAR MODELS. THANK YOU, SUSAN DEANFRASIO. *JB

NHTSA ID
10063811
Incident
May 1, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 18, 2001

ITEM #1, HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY (BOTH R AND L) HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE WITH AGE. THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO OCCUR THREE YEARS AGO AND PROGRESSIVELY HAS BECOME WORSE. THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM IS A "FOGGING" OF THE CLEAR PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENS MAKING IT DIFFUSE TO THE HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION. VERY LITTLE DIRECT LIGHT IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE "FOGGED" LENS TO ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME VERY HAZARDOUS FOR ME TO DRIVE AT NIGHT SINCE SO LITTLE OF THE ROADWAY IS VISIBLE. I OWN TWO DODGE CARAVANS, (1992 AND 1993), BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES SUFFER FROM THE SAME PROBLEM OF DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT LENS ASSEMBLIES. PROBLEM # 2, DEFECTIVE ABS BRAKE SYSTEMS. MY TWO DODGE CARAVANS HAVE REPEATING PROBLEMS OCCURRING WITH THE ABS BREAKING SYSTEM. DEALER SERVICE OF THIS ITEM HAS RESULTED IN CONTINUING BRAKE FAILURES. COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES USUALLY OCCURS. THIS PATTERN OF BRAKE FAILURES IS CONSISTENT WITH BOTH OF MY DODGE CARAVANS, 1992 AND 1993 MODELS. RECOMMENDATIONS: I RECOMMEND THAT CHRYSLER CORP. ISSUE A RECALL OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM WITH A MATERIAL (GLASS PREFERABLY) THAT WILL NOT DETERIORATE WITH TIME. THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES IS A POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN. VERY LITTLE CAN BE DONE AT THIS POINT.*AK

NHTSA ID
752340
Incident
Jul 1, 2001
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 24, 2001

THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD AS SIGHT DISTANCE AT NIGHT IS VERY LIMITED. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ID
751045
Exterior lighting
Filed May 7, 2001

BOTH HEADLAMPS ARE DEVELOPING A CLOUDY APPEARANCE, RATHER THAT WATER WHITE CLARITY THAT WAS PRESENT WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW. THE SIDE-LIGHTS THAT SEEM TO BE MADE FROM THE SAME MATERIAL ARE STILL CLEAR INDICATING THAT THE PROBLEM IS DAMAGE WITHIN THE HEADLIGHTS, PROBABLY DUE TO ULTRAVIOLET DAMAGE. I NOTICE THAT CARS DRIVING BESIDE ME AT NIGHT SEEM TO PRODUCE A BETTER LIGHTING OF THE ROAD AND THAT ONCOMING DRIVERS OFTEN FLASH THEIR HIGH BEAMS AS IF I HAD NOT DIMMED MY OWN. I HAVE OBSERVED OTHER CARAVAN'S WITH SIMILAR LOOKING HEADLIGHTS. I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING CARS OF ANY OTHER TYPE WITH THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
745018
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 26, 2000

DUE TO POOR DESIGN HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOGGED OVER, CREATING POOR VISIBILITY, DODGE DEALER JUST QUOTED PRICE TO DO REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ID
876990
Incident
Oct 15, 2000
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 24, 2000

THE PLASTIC IN THE HEADLIGHT LENSES HAS YELLOWED OVER THE YEARS TO THE POINT WHERE NO LIGHT COMES OUT. THIS CONSTANT LACK OF DRIVING DISTANCE VISION SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON A PART WHICH INVOLVES SAFETY. THE HEADLIGHTS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THERE IS NO RECALL ON THESE PLASTIC LENSES. *AK

NHTSA ID
736828
Incident
Nov 24, 2000
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 16, 2000

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE PLASTIC AND ARE NO LONGER CLEAR, HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AND CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT!!!!

NHTSA ID
728159
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 31, 2000

DUE TO DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING LIGHTS TO OPERATE ON AND OFF, WHICH RESULT IN VISUAL DIFFICULTIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
866303
Incident
Jul 1, 1999
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 27, 2000

PLASTIC LENSES ON HEADLIGHTS HAVE DETERIORATED . HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ID
866139
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 19, 2000

HEADLIGHTS HAVE FOGGED AND YELLOWED IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, REDUCING THE LIGHT EMITTED AND NO LONGER DIRECTING LIGHT IN ANY PARTICULAR DIRECTION. MINIMAL LIGHT HITS ROAD. APPEARS COMMON TO CHRYSLER PRODUCTS OF THIS AGE. MFR. AND DLR. CONTACTED BUT NO EQUITABLE RESOLUTION. (COMPLAINT ALSO INCLUDES FAULTY PAINT). *AK

NHTSA ID
721656
Incident
May 21, 1999
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 30, 1999

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED. CHECKED VEHICLE NEXT DAY & NOTICED HEADLIGHT LENS MISSING. CONTACTED DEALER & INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ENTIRE UNIT HARD TO BUY TO DO REPAIRS. LENS COVER NOT SOLD SEPARATELY & THERE WERE NO INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING LENS COVER. MANUFACTURER IS BACKING DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
846090
Incident
Jul 13, 1999
Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Feb 4, 1998

RECALL REPAIR WORK ON SEAT BELTS REQUIRED ADDITIONAL WORK, REPLACEMENT OF DRIVER'S BELT, WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL COMPONENT LIST.

NHTSA ID
529938
Incident
Jan 19, 1998
AirbagsExterior lighting
Filed Nov 26, 1997
Crash reported

AIR BAG: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AND HIT A BUMP IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HAD TROUBLE WITH THE LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF, BUT DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO UNLESS HE REPLACED THE ENTIRE UNIT. *AK

NHTSA ID
819512
Incident
Nov 24, 1997
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 25, 1997

ARE THERE ANY EXISTING STUDIES ON THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS OF CHRYLSER PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ID
546853
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 12, 1996

CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO THE HEAD LAMPS ARE OVERHEATING INTERMITTENTLY. TT

NHTSA ID
979076
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jun 18, 1995

REPLACED BURNED OUT RIGHT FRONT MARKER BULB.

NHTSA ID
485152
Incident
Jun 12, 1995
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed May 10, 1995

THE WIPER SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 20 TIMES, AND WENT OUT RECENTLY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, AND THE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK DUE TO A SHORT CIRCUT SOMEWHERE.

NHTSA ID
965081
Incident
Apr 9, 1995

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .