RoadVitals

1996 Dodge Caravan Airbags Problems

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

Data refreshed

Airbags 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.
251
Latest Jan 29, 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.
18%
of 1,403 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.
29
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
21

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Dodge Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 251 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 airbag

The 25 most recent of 251, in the owner's own words

AirbagsElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 29, 2014

I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE FROM OWNER IN DEC. 2013 AND START HAVING PROBLEM THE OWNER I PURCHASE IT FROM PURCHASE IT FROM A BANK BACK IN 2006. THEY DID KNOW ABOUT AN RECALL OR ETC. ABOUT THIS VEHCLE. THE ELECTRIC HAS PROBLEM AND AIRBAGS, THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AND FUEL INJECTION AND ETC,. WHERE CAN I CAN GET HELP FOR THESE PROBLEMS.ETC.,. *TR

NHTSA ID
10562062
Incident
Jan 20, 2014
Airbags
Filed Jan 24, 2007
1 injury reported

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT DOING 3 OR 4 MPH, WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER HIT ANYTHING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES ON HER FOREARM. THE CONTACT DIDN'T KNOW IF ANYTHING COULD BE, AND GOT RID OF THE VAN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10180595
Incident
Dec 16, 2006
Mileage
180,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 12, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

MAY 7, 2005, I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. THE OTHER CAR WAS A 2004 HONDA ACCORD. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ACCORD HIT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF MY 1996 DODGE CARAVAN JUST IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATED, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT. THROUGH THE COURSE OF HAVING THIS CAR, THE "AIRBAG" LIGHT WAS AN ISSUE ALMOST FROM DAY ONE. WHEN I WOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, BILL KAY CHRYSLER IN NAPERVILLE, THEY WOULD CHECK IT AND FIND NOTHING WRONG. FINALLY I WAS TOLD TO IGNORE THE "AIRBAG" LIGHT THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY SENSOR THAT COULD NOT BE FIXED.

NHTSA ID
10120732
Incident
May 7, 2005
Mileage
178,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 25, 2005

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' FOR DODGE CARAVAN 1996, CLOCK SPRING BROKEN. *BF THE CONSUMER DID NOT FIND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL, UNTIL THE REPAIRS WERE ALREADY MADE. #02V293000 *JB

NHTSA ID
10117180
Incident
Mar 8, 2004
Mileage
99,258 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 21, 2005

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, THE HORN DOES NOT WORK, AND THE CRUSIE CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION......A CLOCKSPRING MALIFUNTION FROM ALL REPORTS....AND DEFINETLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAZARD. WILL ATTEMPT TO REPLACE BUT AT A HIGH COST....

NHTSA ID
10111909
Incident
Jul 20, 2004
Airbags
Filed Dec 13, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND NECK INJURIES., AND FRONT END SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10103612
Incident
Dec 12, 2004
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 23, 2004

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERABLE WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO USE THEM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE RECALL(04V480000) FOR THE CLOCK SPRING WAS NOT FOR THIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
10101592
Incident
Nov 23, 2004
Airbags
Filed Nov 8, 2004

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT AND CONSEQUENCES AS STATED IN RECALL 04V2800000 FOR THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING. BUT THIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10099560
Incident
Sep 8, 2004
Mileage
119,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 20, 2004
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10083649
Incident
Jun 29, 2004
Mileage
173,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 15, 2004

1996 DODGE CARAVAN'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY.*MR THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CONSUMERS CLAIM, THEY STATED THE INSPECTION SHOWED IMPACT TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10082167
Incident
Mar 1, 2004
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 8, 2004

I COMPLAINED TO THE CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT REQUESTING THAT THEY FIX A DEFECTIVE PART FREE OF CHARGE. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT FOR FREE AND RECOMMENDED THAT I FIX IT ASAP SINCE ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS A DEFECT AND I HAVE EVEN READ IT AS A RECALL IN OTHER DOCUMENTS. THE AIRBAG AND THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. TEXAS WILL NOT EVEN SAFETY APPROVE MY VEHICLE WITHOUT THIS BEING FIXED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10080588
Incident
Jul 7, 2004
Airbags
Filed Jun 29, 2004

THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING RECALL 02V293000 ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED PREMATURELY WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN A ACCIDENT. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10073913
Incident
Mar 1, 2004
Mileage
155,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 25, 2004

IN 2003, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, IN MY 1996 DODGE CARAVAN, AND THE HORN STOPPED WORKING, WHICH BOTH HAVE CREATED AN UN-SAFE OPERATING VEHICLE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THE "RECALL" FOR THE CLOCK SPRING, BUT ARE REFUSING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS AS MY VEHICLE WAS OVER 70,000 MILES. NOW 2004 AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND NOW THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 95,000 MILES ON IT. THIS SERIOUS SAFETY AND POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD NOT COST THE CONSUMER ANY MONEY WHATSOEVER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10073145
Incident
Aug 7, 2003
Mileage
76,000 mi
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Apr 21, 2004

CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE CLOCK SPRING RECALL 02V293000 AND FUEL TANK FILLER NECK RECALL 96V002000 PARTS WILL TAKE 3-4 DAYS TO BE ORDERED, WHEN THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT, IT HAS BEEN 3 WEEKS AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. ALSO, VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE MOTOR TO GO BAD.*AK

NHTSA ID
10068549
Incident
Apr 7, 2004
Mileage
123,511 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 13, 2004

WHILE DRIVING HORN/CRUISE CONTROL FAILED AND AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10067068
Incident
Mar 31, 2004
Mileage
106,000 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed Mar 25, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10064905
Incident
Mar 25, 2004
Airbags
Filed Mar 4, 2004

WHILE DRIVING (SRS) LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH BOARD AND REMAINED ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURN OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
10061408
Incident
Mar 4, 2004
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 9, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10057700
Mileage
80,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 3, 2004

THE HORN ON MY 1996 CARAVAN HAS STOPPED WORKING; THE AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME; THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS STARTING TO FAIL.*AK I SAW THE REPORT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ON NEWER MODELS. I THINK THE RANGE OF MODEL YEARS NEEDS TO BE BROADENED. I HAVE ALSO SEEN REPORTS OF OTHER 1996/1997 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ON INTERNET AUTO REPAIR WEB SITES.

NHTSA ID
10056434
Incident
Feb 3, 2004
Mileage
125,000 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed Dec 12, 2003

REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR CLOCKSPRING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED ON A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *MR THERE WAS A CLUNK NOISE, THEN THE CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING DUE TO THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BEING BROKEN, OIL LEAKED DUE TO THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD COME ON. RECALL#02V293000 *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10050485
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Dec 8, 2003

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V293000 / WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL. HAVE HAD VEHCILE LONG ENOUGH TO GET A RECALL THE WAS DONE IN THE YEAR 2000 ON SOME O-RINGS ON FUEL INJ RAILS AND INFORMED. WHY NOT ON THIS ONE? THE ORIG RECALL THAT I HAD FIXED AND WAS INFORMED WAS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 00V268000. *AK

NHTSA ID
10049438
Incident
Dec 8, 2003
Airbags
Filed Oct 20, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH ON SUNNY GOOD WEATHER THE ENGINE STALLED WHITHOUT ANY WARNING, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
10043218
Incident
Oct 17, 2003
Mileage
64,300 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Sep 23, 2003

CLOCKSPRING MECHANISM

NHTSA ID
10039369
Incident
Aug 12, 2003
Mileage
115,335 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Jul 24, 2003

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS LIT AND CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10029086
Incident
Jul 1, 2003
Mileage
87,600 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 9, 2003

WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CLOCKSPRING MECHANISM OF OUR DODGE CARAVAN WHICH AFFECTS THE AIRBAG, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT IT AT DODGE CITY IN HERMITAGE, PA, THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT UNLESS WE ALSO PAID FOR OTHER REPAIRS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10025710
Incident
Jul 8, 2003
Mileage
124,187 mi

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 .