RoadVitals

2002 Dodge Caravan Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure 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.
12
Latest Dec 2, 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.
5%
of 245 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Dodge Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 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 body or structure

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

Body & structure
Filed Dec 2, 2015
Crash reported

THE VIN INFORMATION IN THE DATABASE HAS BEEN CHANGED BY THE AUTO BODY SHOP IN ORDER TO AVOID RETURNING THE VAN TO ITS "PRE ACCIDENT CONDITION".

NHTSA ID
10808044
Incident
Sep 22, 2015
Mileage
106,000 mi
Body & structureFuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO WIRES WOULD SHORT CIRCUIT WHENEVER THE RADIO WAS ACTIVATED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V531000 (EQUIPMENT). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL TANK HOSE WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568723
Incident
Mar 5, 2014
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jun 20, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND TOOK VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION WHO STATED THAT THE DRIVER PASSENGER SIDE MOUNT WAS CORRODED AND ALMOST FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000. ..UPDATED 08-07-13 *BF

NHTSA ID
10520874
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 21, 2011

THE SLIDING DOORS LOCKED AND WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10436673
Incident
Oct 28, 2011
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 14, 2007

DASHBOARD IS CRACKING. DO NOT WANT IT TO GET LIKE MY PICKUP A 1995 DODGE . *AK

NHTSA ID
10190627
Incident
Jan 13, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Jan 11, 2007

REAR HATCH POWER LOCK DISENGAGES LEAVING REAR HATCH AJAR AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. ALSO TRIES TO DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OR LESS. IT IS ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE IS HOLDING A REMOTE ENTRY DEVICE( WHICH I DON'T HAVE) AND I HEAR A CLICK, CLICK AS IT DISENGAGES THE LOCK. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED AT LEAST TEN TIMES, EVERY TIME I PUT THE VAN IN PARK THE REAR HATCH UN-LATCHES AND I HAVE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND USE MY KEY TO OPEN THE HATCH THE REST OF THE WAY FOR IT TO CLOSE. ALSO FOR THE FIRST TIME IT HAS INTERFERED WITH MY POWER DOOR LOCKS WORKING. THE HATCH WILL ALSO DISENGAGE IF I AM PARKED AND JUST IDLING. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF I WAS IN A VEHICLE CRASH.... *JB

NHTSA ID
10178393
Incident
Nov 1, 2006
Body & structure
Filed Dec 22, 2005

2002 DODGE CARAVAN HAS RUSTED IN FOUR DIFFERENT AREAS. *TS *NM

NHTSA ID
10147510
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Body & structure
Filed Nov 22, 2005
1 injury reported

CHILD HAD THUMB SLAMMED IN VAN DOOR AND FAMILY WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR THREE MINUTES. CHILD FRACTURED BONE. A YOUNGER CHILD COULD HAVE LOST A LIMB. PARENT HAD TO GO INSIDE THE CAR AND PULL THE JAMMED LOCK TO FREE CHILD. IF PARENT WAS HOLDING A CHILD AND THEY GOT A LIMB STUCK THE PARENT COULD NOT LET GO OF THE CHILD TO GO INSIDE AND FREE THE DOOR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10143446
Incident
Nov 4, 2005
Body & structure
Filed Nov 15, 2005
Fire reported

2002 DODGE CARAVAN CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.*MR THE CONSUMER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE 11 DAYS PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE ON THE RADIO VENT SLOTS (RECALL# 04V531000). *NM

NHTSA ID
10136682
Incident
Aug 15, 2005
Mileage
66,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 25, 2005

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED REAR LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10115879
Incident
Jan 5, 2005
Mileage
44,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 1, 2004

CONSUMERS WIFE HAS DIFFICULTY GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE SINCE SHE HAS NO HANDLE TO HOLD. IF THE MANUFACTURER PLACED HANDLES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DOOR IT MAY BE EASIER TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMERS' REQUIRES ASSISTANCE WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10080273
Incident
Jul 1, 2004
Mileage
25,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 23, 2002

THE ROOF LINE OF THE SHORT WHEEL BASE CARAVAN MINIVAN SLOPES DOWN SO LOW THAT EVEN SHORT ADULTS (AND TALL CHILDREN) CAN NOT SIT IN THE 3RD SEAT WITHOUT THEIR NECKS BEING SMASHED FORWARD AGAINST THE ROOF. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS DESIGN WILL RESULT IN NECKS BEING BROKEN IN CRASH SITUATIONS. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO PROVIDE OWNERS WITH LOWER SEATS THAT ALLOW ADEQUATE HEAD ROOM.

NHTSA ID
757238

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 .