RoadVitals

2002 Dodge Caravan Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
245
Latest Nov 13, 2018
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
24
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 23, 2002

What this page shows

Our database holds 245 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Dodge Caravan. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 245 · page 1 of 10

Engine
Filed Nov 13, 2018

ENGINE BROKE

NHTSA ID
11151374
Incident
Oct 9, 2018
Mileage
105,677 mi
Fuel systemSeat beltsSteering
Filed Apr 28, 2018

SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY GAS TANK, IT ALWAYS STOPS ME EVEN IF IT'S HALFWAY. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DOESN'T STAY WELL. THE HOLES WHERE THE ENGINE ALWAYS COMES OFF AND THERE'S A LOT OF SMOKE COMING OUT. THE HEADLINER IS COMING OFF AND THERE'S LIKE A SAND FALLING TO MY KIDS. THE BREAK IS NOT THAT STRONG

NHTSA ID
11090834
Incident
Jun 10, 2017
Mileage
121,000 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Mar 29, 2017

THE STEERING WHEEL GETS LOCK WERE EVER I STOP ,INTERNAL CONTROL FAILURE, RADIATOR HEAT CONSTANTLY WHEN I AM DRIVING ,

NHTSA ID
10969351
Incident
Feb 1, 2017
Mileage
2 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 8, 2016

2002 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INTERMITTENT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD AND CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *SMD

NHTSA ID
10838365
Incident
Feb 1, 2016
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
Fuel system
Filed Sep 11, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR HOSE WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

NHTSA ID
10763107
Incident
Aug 27, 2015
Mileage
104,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 25, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN

NHTSA ID
10721305
Incident
Apr 29, 2015
Mileage
152,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 27, 2014
Crash reported

ON 6/5/14 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AT 65MPH A DEER HAD BOLTED OUT IN FRONT OF MY 02 CARAVAN. I HAD REACTION TIME WITH HITTING MY BRAKES UNTIL MY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED & MY VAN CONTINUES SLIDING ON DRY PAVEMENT, I ATTEMPTED HITTING MY HORN BUT NOTICED THE SECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL THAT THE HORN ISS LOCATED WAS ROCK HARD & COULD NOT BE PUSHED IN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST. I ENDED UP HITTING THE DEER DEAD CENTER OF THE FRONT OF MY VAN, CRUMPLED MY HOOD, CRACKING MY RADIATOR, HEADLIGHT ASSEMLIES, GRILL & COOLING FANS. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. SINCE THIS INCIDENT MY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME I PRESS ON THE BRAKES & COME TO A REST LASTING 30 SECOND OR LONGER & WILL GO OFF MOMENTS AFTER RELEASING THE PEDAL. APPROX MILEAGE 165, 000 ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY, DAYLIGHT & 100% VISIBILITY. *JS

NHTSA ID
10616608
Incident
Jun 5, 2014
Mileage
170,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Jul 17, 2014

I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN VAN ON JUNE 9, 2014. ON JULY 11, WHILE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE TO REPAIR THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS IRREPARABLE. MY SPARE TIRE HAD A HUMP IN IT AND CONSEQUENTLY I WASN'T ABLE TO PUT IT ON THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2005. THE OTHER TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2012 BUT HAS A GASH IN THE TIRE. THE THREE REMAINING TIRES HAVE NO TREAD ON THEM. IN THE EVENT THAT ONE OF MY TIRES GOES OUT I HAVE NO SPARE. I PURCHASED A NEW TIRE FOR 79.00.I WAS TOLD TIRES ARE NOT COVERED. I HAVE BEEN DELAYED AND STRANDED DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. UPON BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10611272
Incident
Jul 11, 2014
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 25, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID
10605809
Incident
May 11, 2005
Mileage
20,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 27, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BRAKES FAILED TO DISENGAGE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED THE ROTOR AND PADS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10594341
Incident
Dec 7, 2005
Mileage
40,000 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
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 10, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EQUIPPED WITH DOUGLAS XTRA TRAC II TIRES SIZE 215-70 R15, DOT NUMBER (MD34JV1R3912). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BELTS FAILED FROM THE INSIDE OUT ON BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10559375
Incident
Feb 28, 2013
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Sep 24, 2013
Crash reported1 death reported

2002 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAGS MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 9, 2013. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY EVEN AFTER THE IMPACT, AND THERE WERE POSSIBLE SEAT BELT ISSUES, AS WELL. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, HIS WIFE WAS EJECTED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND DIED TWO DAYS LATER. HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, SHE WOULD HAVE REMAINED IN THE VEHICLE AND HAD A GREATER CHANCE OF LIVING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10544763
Incident
Aug 9, 2013
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 21, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE IN A JERKING MOTION. THE SPEEDOMETER READING ALSO FLUCTUATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10536445
Incident
Feb 1, 2013
Mileage
130,000 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
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2013
Fire reported

DRIVING VEHICLE .IT FLAME FROM UNDER. BELLY OF VEHICLE, . TOTALED THE VEHICLE NOTHING LEFT OF IT. LOST MY PERSONALS AS WELL.THANK GOD I DID NOT HAVE MY KIDS IN IT WHEN IT HAPPENED BEEN NO TIME, TO GET THEM OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10507365
Incident
Apr 6, 2013
Mileage
170,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 2, 2013

I CANNOT BELIEVE A RECALL ON THE INTERMITTENT AIR LIGHT COMING ON HAS NOT OCCURRED ON THE 2002 CARAVAN. MINE GOES ON AND OFF USUALLY WHEN MAKING A TURN-A CLEAR INDICATION THAT THE WIRE IN THE CLOCKSPRING HAS FAILED. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. DODGE WANTS ALMOST $300 TO REPLACE A PART THAT HAS BEEN FAILING ON PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS AND WERE RECALLED. THIS WILL BE MY 2ND TIME FIXING THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505445
Incident
Jan 22, 2013
Mileage
108,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 17, 2013
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ORC MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS ALSO CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DID NOT TURN OFF. UPDATED 2/22/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10493326
Incident
Jan 15, 2013
Mileage
128,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 7, 2013

BACKED OUT OF GARAGE ON COLD MORNING AND COULDN'T TURN STEERING WHEEL (ESPECIALLY TO THE LEFT) UNTIL SEVERAL MINUTES OF IDLING AND FORCING TO EXTREME RIGHT AND THEN TO LEFT, SEVERAL TIMES, PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND EVEN AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES, IT HAS HUNG UP ON LEFT TURNS REQUIRING A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN AND JANKING TO LEFT IN COLD TEMPERATURES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10491736
Incident
Nov 25, 2008
Mileage
66,384 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 11, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, BURNING FUMES STARTED TO EMIT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACTING ANYTHING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, SEAT BELT, DASHBOARD AND THE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000. UPDATED 12/19/12 *CN ..UPDATED 01/04/13 *BF

NHTSA ID
10479821
Incident
Jun 5, 2012
Mileage
125,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 16, 2012

THE DASH WENT OUT. NO HAZARDS, NO BLINKERS AND NO GAUGES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10461960
Incident
Oct 13, 2011
Mileage
173,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT WAS SHREDDING AND SHE HAD THEM REPLACED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE WAS EXHIBITED ON THE FRONT SEAT BELTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS AND THE RETRACTORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10457948
Incident
May 4, 2010
Mileage
70,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR FROM THE VEHICLE AND THEN NOTICED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10440610
Incident
Dec 19, 2011
Mileage
98,000 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

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.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .