RoadVitals

2001 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.
43
Latest Mar 18, 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.
17%
of 257 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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

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 2001 Dodge Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 43 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 43, in the owner's own words

AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

NHTSA ID
10695173
Incident
Nov 19, 2014
Mileage
176,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 28, 2013

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. HORN WILL NOT WORK .CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10554071
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
Airbags
Filed Aug 9, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD NOT SOUND UPON ACTIVATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10534498
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
70,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 6, 2012

DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT THESE DEFECTS ARE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. THIS WAS A MATTER OF RECALL FOR THE DODGE CARAVAN AND GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY FROM THE 1996-2000 MODEL YEARS. OUR CAR IS 2001 MODEL AND IS NOT IN A RECALL LIST, BUT IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT FIXED IN 2001 YEAR MODELS. AM I ALONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS UNFIXED PROBLEM? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10474081
Incident
Jun 28, 2012
Airbags
Filed Mar 27, 2012

THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THEN GOES OUT. I BELIEVES IT THE SAME PROBLEM COVERED FOR PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS INCLUDED IN THE CLOCK SPRING NHTSA RECALL 04V480000. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL YEAR MODELS SINCE IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS DRIVING SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10453260
Incident
Mar 24, 2012
Mileage
171,080 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jan 12, 2010
1 injury reported1 death reported

HERE'S A DEAD GUY FROM A BAD DODGE CARAVAN CLOCKSPRING THAT YOU REFUSE TO RECALL BEYONG FY2000. WHAT IS IT YOU GOVERNMENT GALLOOFS DO ALL DAY? NEW YORK - A FAMED STRONGMAN WHO ONCE LIFTED 3,200 POUNDS AT CONEY ISLAND DURING ITS HEYDAY AND WAS STILL BENDING QUARTERS WITH HIS FINGERS AT AGE 104 DIED MONDAY AFTER HE WAS HIT BY A MINIVAN. JOE ROLLINO WAS STRUCK AS HE CROSSED A MAJOR STREET IN BROOKLYN, AND SUFFERED A BROKEN PELVIS, HEAD TRAUMA AND BROKEN RIBS. HE DIED A FEW HOURS LATER AT AN AREA HOSPITAL. POLICE SAID THE DRIVER WAS GOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND HAD NOT BEEN DRINKING. NO CRIMINALITY IS SUSPECTED, BUT THE DRIVER WAS ISSUED A SUMMONS FOR A DEFECTIVE HORN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10299108
Incident
Jan 12, 2010
Airbags
Filed Dec 11, 2009

2001 DODGE CARAVAN CLOCK SPRING AIR BAG DEAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10295325
Incident
May 1, 2009
Mileage
115,000 mi
AirbagsSuspension
Filed Mar 30, 2009

2001 DODGE CARAVAN CONSUMER'S AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR YEARS, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CLOCK SPRING NHTSA RECALL 04V480000 DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10263611
Incident
Mar 30, 2009
Airbags
Filed Dec 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE FOUND INFORMATION STATING THAT THE ILLUMINATION COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG BECOMING DISABLED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING BAG. THE CLOCKSPRING BAG WAS REPAIRED ON APRIL 21, 2003. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION PER THE MANUFACTURER'S ADVICE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A CURRENT RECALL REGARDING THE CLOCKSPRING BAG; HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
10252513
Incident
Nov 1, 2008
Mileage
64,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 4, 2008

2001 DODGE CARAVAN AIRBAG DASHBOARD LIGHT IS ON BAD "CLOCK SPRING" SAFETY ISSUE SAME ISSUE WAS FOUND ON OLDER MODELS OF DODGE CARAVANS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10236890
Incident
Jul 24, 2008
Mileage
93,000 mi
AirbagsSuspension
Filed Mar 6, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CLOCK SPRING HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES ON JUNE 27 2002, SEPTEMBER 2003 , AND JANUARY 3, 2007. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT LINKAGE ON THE FRONT SWAY BAR WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A NOISE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. THE DEALER STATED THERE HAS BEEN A MODIFICATION TO THE LINKAGE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,500. *AK

NHTSA ID
10184325
Incident
Jun 27, 2002
Mileage
42,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 26, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE SAFETY RECALL WAS ON THE CLOCK SPRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. NEITHER SPEED NOR WEATHER WERE FACTORS IN THE CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10180814
Incident
Jan 16, 2007
Mileage
93,600 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Nov 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE PULLED OUT AT ALL. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM. WHEN THE AIR BAG WAS TESTED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A CODE WHICH ONLY THE DEALER COULD DECIPHER.

NHTSA ID
10173837
Incident
Nov 20, 2006
Mileage
47,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Apr 16, 2006

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING. MAINLY OCCURS DURING RIGHT TURNING EVENTS. LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE (AIR BAG) DURING A RIGHT TURN EVENT. WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE LIGHT WILL RESET. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING MY OWNERSHIP, AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WEATHER RELATED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10155427
Incident
Apr 12, 2006
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jan 24, 2006

DRIVER'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE HORN WILL NOT OPERATE. THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES GOES AWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK ALSO, THE HORN MAY NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED I.E. IF A CHILD RUNS OUT IN FRONT OF MY VAN. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION.

NHTSA ID
10148484
Incident
Jan 20, 2006
Mileage
19,900 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 17, 2005

AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON, SOMETIMES GOES OFF AFTER TURNING THE WHEEL. *NM

NHTSA ID
10143071
Incident
Nov 10, 2005
Airbags
Filed Nov 16, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE AIRBAG CONNECTOR AND ON AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR LINE. THEY CLEANED OFF THE CORROSION BOTH TIMES. THE AIRBAG WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10142845
Incident
May 27, 2005
Mileage
28,435 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 20, 2005

DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RECALL OF EARLIER MODELS OF THE SAME CAR WHERE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. THE STEERING WAS NOT AFFECTED .THIS CAUSED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACT CALLED DODGE AND TOLD THEM.HE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST WEEK. *AK

NHTSA ID
10129479
Incident
Jul 15, 2005
Mileage
87,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 6, 2005

THE HORN AND THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. THE CLOCK SPRING IS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER IS MAKING THE REPAIR. *NM THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON SINCE PURCHASE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A SHORT. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10113023
Incident
Feb 10, 2005
Mileage
46,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 5, 2005

AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING HAS FAILED 3 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10116425
Incident
Apr 5, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 3, 2005

(1) THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STAYING ON DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, AND THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE ALSO NON OPERATIVE. THIS IS ON OUR 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. WE ALSO HAVE A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN THAT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL (NOTIFICATION CODE D17) FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, ONLY IT COVERED 1998-2000 FOR THE RECALL OF CLOCKSPRINGS. OUR 2001 DODGE CARAVAN HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL FOR THE 1998-2000 DODGE CARAVANS, BUT WAS NOT COVERED, SINCE IT IS A 2001. SINCE THE SAME PART IS FAILING ON THE 2001 MODELS, I BELIEVE THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART IS BEING USED ON THE 2001 MODEL DODGE CARAVANS. (2) AIRBAG, HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERATIVE (3) DEALER REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART COVERED UNDER A RECALL OF THE 1998-2000 MODELS OF DODGE CARAVANS, WHICH WAS NOTIFICATION CODE D17. THIS WAS DONE AT OUR EXPENSE, AND I FEEL THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS OUT THERE HAVING THE SAME DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRINGS REPLACED ON THEIR 2001 (AND EVEN LATER) MODELS OF DODGE CARAVAN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10112465
Incident
Mar 2, 2005
Mileage
96,733 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 7, 2005

THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING COIL FOR A SECOND TIME SINCE PURCHASE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10109058
Incident
Jan 3, 2005
Airbags
Filed Dec 21, 2004

AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OF 0-70 MPH. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH CONTACTED, AND BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.*AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10099819
Incident
Mar 1, 2002
Mileage
24,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 13, 2004

SINCE BUYING THE VAN IN 2001 WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, THE WARNING AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, WE TOOK IT IN AT LEAST 7 TIMES AND NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED. THE LAST TIME IN SEPTEMBER 2004 I TOOK IT AGAIN, AND ASK THEM WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I GOT INTO A ACCIDENT, THEY TOLD ME WITH A SARCASTIC TONE, NOT TO WORRY IT JUST WONT GO OFF! I GUESS THAT MY WELLBEING IS NOT IN COSIDERATION! WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH US FOR ALL OF OUR TROUBLES.

NHTSA ID
10102837
Incident
Apr 11, 2001
Airbags
Filed Dec 11, 2004

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. TOOK IT TO RAMEY, AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, THEY SAID SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT THEY DID NOT FIX IT, THE LIGHT STILL STAYS ON. I AM CONCERNED THAT ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG OR FAILURE OF AIR BAG. NO CONFIDENCE IN THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG. *JB

NHTSA ID
10102675
Incident
Apr 1, 2003
Mileage
32,000 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 .