RoadVitals

1999 Dodge Caravan Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance 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.
35
Latest Jul 16, 2015
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.
6%
of 555 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.
6
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 forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Dodge Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 35 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 driver-assistance

The 25 most recent of 35, in the owner's own words

AirbagsDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

NHTSA ID
10734482
Incident
Mar 4, 2015
Mileage
134,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. AFTER SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SPED UP TO 55 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE THEN APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING, THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD ACTIVATE ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRUISE SERVO/ACTUATOR. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED AN ENGAGEMENT SWITCH. UPDATED 09/30/11*JB

NHTSA ID
10418342
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
42,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 21, 2010
Crash reported

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAD RECALL IN 2004 TO REPLACE A CLOCKSPRING, BUT DEALER AVOIDED THIS AFTER CUSTOMER'S 3 OR 4 TRIES IN 2004. ON 06-16-2010 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE, (ALL [XXX] BROKE LOOSE!) THE MOTOR HIT HIGH REVOLUTIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY "LOCKED" UP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED AS IT TRAVELED BACKWARDS AND FINALLY HITTING AND TOTALING 2 VEHICLES AT OVER 50 MPH.NOTE: SINCE ABOUT 2007 A BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10339338
Incident
Jun 16, 2010
Mileage
152,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Aug 26, 2008

OUR BELTS SIPS OFF DURING WET WEATHER"FIVE TIMES WE REPLACED THE "S" BELT AND THE TENSIONERS,WATERPUMP,OVERHEATING OUR 2ND YR OF OWERSHIP.NOW THE 3RD YR OF TRANSMISSIONS LEAKING,THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH W/CHILDREN IN CAR ,STARTING TO BRAKE CAUSING TO SLOW WAY DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND MADE A CHIME SOUND,THE HORN WENT OFF AND IT GOT HOT FAST CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. THANK GOD THERE WAS ROOM TO GET OVER. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR JUST LEAKS EVERYWHERE,WATER,OIL,TRANS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE CARS. I CANT EVEN GET MINE SMOG BECAUSE I HAVE TO KEEP UNPLUGGING MY BATTERY BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SOMEWHERE. I BROUGHT A LEMON.....OH YEAH! I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY CANT REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL UNLESS THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. I HOPE I DON'T DIE CAUSE THE AIRBAGS WONT WORK BECAUSE I HAVE A ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. 2 BATTERIES WERE REPLACED,ALTERNATOR TOO. THE CLOCKSPRING WONT WORK FOR MY CAR ONLY THE CRUISE CONTROL SO SAID THE DEALER. I WOULD FEEL BAD SELLING THIS CAR TO A FAMILY ,CAUSE WHAT IF THEY WERE KILLED. I COULDN'T DEAL WITH THAT. THE DAY THAT HAPPENED WAS ON MY DAUGHTER 16TH BIRTHDAY. I HAD TO STOP EVERYWHERE ALL DAY TO PUT WATER IN THE RADIATOR JUST TO KEEP IT COOL ENOUGH NOT TO RUIN HER DAY. I HATE HOT DAYS,I FEAR THE RAINY DAYS, I CANT SEE AT NIGHT CAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE BURNED OUT AND THE COVERS HAS A GLASS OVER THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10239731
Incident
Jul 29, 2008
Mileage
220,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 2, 2005
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ,AND THE HORN FAILED TO WORK. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON CLOCK SPRING AFFECTING EARLIER MODELS.*AK RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V480000. FOR THE AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED PAPERWORK ON A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CLOCK SPRING REPAIR. *TC

NHTSA ID
10075793
Incident
Jun 27, 2004
Mileage
59,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 18, 2004

THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. UPON HAVING THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING RECALL 04V480000 REPAIRS PERFORMED DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE HORN FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE RECALL PART, AND CHARGED THE CONSUMER $100.00 TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10101287
Incident
Nov 18, 2004
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 16, 2004

VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL SPEED DUE TO LUNGING AND STALLING. DOES THIS WITH OR WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITION ON AND ONLY UPON ACCELERATION. DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS ON AN INCLINE OR NOT-ALWAYS UPON ACCELERATION. VERY UNSAFE AND I AM VERY WORRIED AS I TRAVEL ALONE WITH A TODDLER IN THIS DAILY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10091109
Incident
Sep 15, 2004
Mileage
110,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 27, 2004

I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM REPORTED UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER RQ04001. I HAVE A NONFUNCTIONAL HORN, CRUISE CONTROL AND A AIR BAG LIGHT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10082794
Incident
Jul 6, 2004
Mileage
116,550 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 9, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. FOLLOWING THAT THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER CALLED IN TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10081651
Incident
Jul 9, 2004
Mileage
85,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 13, 2004

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN STOPPED WORKING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10075323
Incident
Mar 1, 2004
Mileage
73,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 1, 2004

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. AS A RESULT, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. A RECALL FOR THE CLOCK SPRING WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO MODEL YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10075460
Incident
May 28, 2004
Mileage
111,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 21, 2004

AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND HORN, CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING. DEALER SAID ITS MY PROBLEM & WILL COST $300+. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROB. & OTHER YEAR MODELS RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ID
10067616
Incident
Apr 10, 2004
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 14, 2004

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, AND WITHIN SECONDS, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN BECAME INOPERATIVE. RECALL 02V293000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10054001
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 19, 2003

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. HOWEVER, SPEED CONTROL/HORN ASSEMBLY, AND HEAT SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND CLOCKSPRING WAS REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10048251
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 11, 2003
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS, HITTING A NEARBY TREE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10039815
Incident
Sep 11, 2003
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 7, 2003

ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT (AT FIRST, INTERMITTENTLY, THEN CONTINUOUS) FOLLOWED BY LOSE OF CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN FUNCTIONS.VEHICLE TYPE: 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. APPROX. MILEAGE: 91400. *AK

NHTSA ID
10025505
Incident
Jun 14, 2003
Mileage
91,400 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Jun 30, 2003

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VIN: [XXX] THIS VAN IS A LEMON FROM DAY 1. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, OWNER OF LANDMARK DODGE IN GA, MEDIATION, ARBITRATION, CONSUMER ACTION LINE, AND ANY OTHER PERSON THAT WOULD LISTEN. THIS VAN HAS QUIT ON ME AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. SOMETIMES ON RURAL ROADS. SEVERAL TIMES ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE LAST MAJOR INCIDENT OCCURRED ON FATHER'S DAY WITH SIX FAMILY MEMBERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE IT QUIT. IT WOULD NOT STARTAFTERWARDS. WE WERE ON A BUSY HWY 19/41 IN JONESBORO. SEVERAL OTHER TIMES, I LOST MY SPEEDOMETER, AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAVE HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, LEAKY DOORS, INOPERABLE WINDOW MOTORS, HALTED INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, SLUGGISH LOCKS, ETC. I WANTED TO KEEP MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT IS VERY UNSAFE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO TRADE IT IN. THAT WAS NOT MY INTENTION WHEN I PURCHASED IT.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10025200
Incident
Jun 15, 2003
Mileage
90,193 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 3, 2003

DODGE CARAVAN 1999: WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL ON HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE TURNING OFF CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKING HARD. 911 EMERGENCY OPERATOR WAS CALLED VIA CELL PHONE. MY WIFE (THE DRIVER) WAS INSTRUCTED TO TURN ENGINE OFF AND PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AS IT GLIDED SLOWLY TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE AWAIT WORD FROM THE DEALER ON THE CAUSE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10016947
Incident
May 2, 2003
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 11, 2003

THE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY FROZE, WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10011361
Incident
Feb 16, 2000
Mileage
7,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 11, 2003

IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER GETS STUCK ON A NUMBER BUT THE CAR IS STILL GOING FASTER OR SLOWER THAN SHOWN ON THE DISPLAY. IT STAYS STUCK FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN IT HAPPENS. I TRY NOT ACCELERATE AND EVEN APPLY THE BRAKE, HOWEVER, THE NEEDLE REMAINS STUCK. THEN IT EVENTUALLY GOES BACK TO NORMAL. IT JUST RECENTLY HAPPENED AGAIN, SO I WAS CHECKING TO SEE IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT WAS INVESTIGATED AS I SEE HERE, HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT RECALLED. THIS IS A DEFECT. I AM SURE, NOT POSITIVE THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARAVANS. NOTE, AUTOMOBILE STILLS ACCELERATES AND SLOWS BUT THE ACTUAL SPEED IS NOT KNOWN BECAUSE THE NEEDLE IS STUCK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10010275
Incident
Mar 6, 2003
Mileage
40,900 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 6, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CLOCK SPRING IS GONE BAD CAUSING THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO WORK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA ID
10002121
Driver assistance
Filed May 28, 2002
Crash reported

CONSUMER PLACED VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF BACKWARD, HITTING A TRUCK. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8010601
Incident
May 1, 2002
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 24, 2002

IN OUR 1999 CARAVAN, SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORK. THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY WOULD COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE PARKED. AT THIS TIME NEITHER THE HORN, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL STILL COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. WE CALLED THE DEALER'S REPAIR SERVICE AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY THOUGHT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CLOCK SPRING MECHANISM. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR PHYSICAL INSPECTION/ DIAGNOSTICS, AN OPEN CIRCUIT WAS DETECTED AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING INDEED NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME THE NECESSARY PART IS BACKORDERED (ON A NATIONAL BASIS) AND IS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD US THAT IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. SINCE WE DRIVE OUR MINIVAN PRIMARILY WITH OUR ENTIRE FAMILY ON BOARD (IE, MYSELF, MY SPOUSE, AND 4 YOUNG CHILDREN) I AM GREATLY CONCERNED THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATLY FIXED. UPON VIEWING YOUR WEBSITE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS HAS BEEN STARTED BUT DID NOT FIND OUT THE STATUS OF THIS INVESTIGATION. IF THESE PARTS ARE "NATIONALLY" BACKORDERED, THAT SHOULD TELL YOU THAT THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM OUT THERE. IF EVEN ONE OF THOSE VEHICLES IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY, THERE IS SEVERE RISK OF PHYICAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER/PASSENGER AND POSSIBLY ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS IN THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR INVESTIGATION AND REQUEST A RECALL. ISN'T SAVING A LIFE THAT IMPORTANT? WE ALSO ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY CLOSE TO $300 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND INSTALLATION OF THIS CLOCKSPRING (IF WE CAN GET ONE), FOR SOMETHING THAT APPEARS EVEN TO AN AMATEUR DETECTIVE TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND A VERY SERIOUS ONE! PLEASE HELP!*AK

NHTSA ID
762258
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 28, 2002

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELETATE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. NLM

NHTSA ID
8006630
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 21, 2002

ONCE AT A STOP VEHICLE STARTS TO RACE, DEALER WAS CONTACTED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A OIL CHANGE, WHILE VEHICLE WAS UP ON GREASE RACK, ENGINE STARTED TO RACE, CAME OFF THE RACK. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT ON 24-JUL-2001 DEALERS REPORTED IT AS A SURGING PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE AIS MOTOR, THIS HAS NOT STOPPED THE RACING OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND SHE IS A PARAPLEGIC IN A WHEELCHAIR, CONCERNED ABOUT HER SAFETY. *YD

NHTSA ID
8006138
Incident
Apr 1, 2001

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 on this page last refreshed .