RoadVitals

1991 Dodge Grand Caravan

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
129
Latest Oct 20, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Sep 2, 1999
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
7
1 currently open
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.
6
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 129 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Dodge Grand Caravan, most frequently naming the brakes, seat belts and fuel system categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 NHTSA investigations name it.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Sep 2, 1999
1,318,189 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
The risk: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

Jul 16, 1999
828,559 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LEFT HAND WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT DRIVE ARM WAS NOT MECHANICALLY STAKED TO THE PIVOT SHAFT.
The risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE DRIVE ARM TO DISENGAGE FROM THE SHAFT LEADING TO A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT ASSEMBLY.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATIONManufacturer number 836View on NHTSA.gov

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Sep 9, 1997
1,100,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. COVERS ON THE SOLID STALK MOUNTED SEAT BELT BUCKLES CAN BECOME DISLODGED CAUSING THE RELEASE BUTTON TO STICK INSIDE THE COVER. THE BUCKLE WOULD THEN BE ONLY PARTIALLY LATCHED.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ99004OpenRecall Query

REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT

Opened Apr 19, 1999

ON MAY 7, 1997, CHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL 436,000 1992 DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER/GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 97V-079.ODI HAD INVESTIGATION THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT PROBLEM FOR 1991-1993 CHRYSLER MINIVANS IN PE 96-035 AND EA96-027.AT THE TIME OF CLOSING EA96-027 ON MAY 16, 1997, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAD NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED ON THE 1991 AND 1993 MODELS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA96-027, ODI HAS RECEIVED 34 COMPLAINTS OF REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT ATTACHING BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TEN INJURIES, ON THE SUBJECET VEHICLES.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A RECALL QUERY BE OPENED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CLOSING NOTE: ON JULY 19, 1999, DAMILERCHRYSLER AGREED TO RECALL 1991, 1993, AND 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES TO REMEDY REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 99V-213.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT RQ99-004 BE CLOSED.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUTLed to recall 97V079000
EA97005ClosedEngineering Analysis

SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FAILURES

Opened Apr 10, 1997
Closed Dec 23, 1997

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGELed to recall 97V149000
PE96008ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION

Opened Jan 25, 1996
Closed Jun 28, 1996

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS
EA95029ClosedEngineering Analysis

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

Opened Sep 26, 1995
Closed Nov 13, 1996

AFTER AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS, CHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED THE DEFECT AS A FATIGUE FAILURE, ORIGINATION IN THE HEAT AFFECTED REGION OF THE PROJECTION WELDS OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB TO STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE ATTACHMENT.THE HUB IS THE PORTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY THAT CONNECTS IT TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND IS ATTACHED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY BY 4 WELDS.IF CRACKS DEVELOP IN THE HEAT AFFECTED REGION OF THE WELDS AND PROPAGATE THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE TO EACH OF THE WELDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CAN SEPARATE FROM THE HUB.THIS IS A SLOW PROGRESSIVE FAILURE WHICH NORMALLY OCCURS AT HIGH MILEAGE.IN SOME CASES COMPLAINANTS HAVE REPORTED A LOOSENESS OR WOBBLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL PRIOR TO SEPARATION.TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT, CHRYSLER WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEELS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FOR CRACKS IN THE HUB AREA.IF ANY CRACKS ARE FOUND, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BE REPLACED.ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE REINFORCING PLATES INSTALLED WHICH WOULD PREVENT A STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION SHOULD CRACKING OCCUR.

STEERINGLed to recall 96V229000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 2020

NHTSA RECALL: 96V099000 LIFETIME COVERAGE...BENDIX 10 ABS BRAKE FAILURE. CHRYSLER CORPORATION DENIED REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIRS ON 10/20/2020..

NHTSA ID
11365460
Incident
Sep 16, 2020
Mileage
294,998 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 6, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE AND TRAVELED HALFWAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES EVENTFULLY ENGAGED AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-LOCK AND BRAKE INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE NOT EQUIPPED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO THEN REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GLENBROOK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP (100 W COLISEUM BLVD, FORT WAYNE, IN 46805, (260) 579-4713) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN MANUAL MODE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT PARTS WERE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11100230
Incident
May 16, 2018
Mileage
66,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 31, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE RECURRED AND CAUSED THE REDUCED POWER ASSIST TO FAIL DURING BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN SUGGESTING THE PART BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE SAME PART BEING REPLACED WOULD PREVENT THE FAILURE OR IF THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10871566
Incident
Apr 19, 1996
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 27, 2015

NHTSA RECALL #96V099000, REFERENCING ABS LIFETIME WARRANTY. DEALER CRYSTAL CHRYSLER CENTER, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA, (760) 324-4557, HAS FAILED TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE ABS SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE MANDATED NHTSA LIFETIME WARRANTY. DEALER HAS HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER SIX MONTHS WITH THE EXCUSE THAT "DIAGNOSIS" IS IN PROCESS. CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S "EXECUTIVE REFERRAL" CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE (586) 274-8177, HAS FAILED TO ASSURE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ABS ANTI-LOCK LIGHT REMAINS ON, PUMP AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY CONTINUES TO FAIL AND HAS CREATED A "DEAD SHORT" IN THE "FUSIBLE LINKS" CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE WIRING HARNESSES. NO MATTER THE MILEAGE OF THIS VEHICLE, I AM REQUESTING REPAIRS TO THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM UNDER THE NHTSA LIFETIME WARRANTY...PLEASE ASSIST. UPDATE 9/15/15*CW UPDATED 11/10/11.*JB

NHTSA ID
10743825
Incident
Jan 15, 2015
Mileage
285,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2009

FUEL RAIL LEAKS GAS INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10294237
Incident
Nov 26, 2009
Mileage
189,485 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 30, 2007

PEP BOYS FUTURA PLUS TOURING SE P215/70R/15WW. PART#WK14CPU754. PURCHASED SET OF 4 ON 4/28/2004 AT HAMPTON, VIRGINIA PEP BOYS. BELT SEPARATION AFTER 18,000 MILES. HALF THE WIDTH OF THE TIRE FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES CIRCUMFERENCE BULGED OUT APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH. HAPPENED WHILE SETTING IN DRIVEWAY. SERVICE ADVISOR AT DEALER WHERE PURCHASED INITIALLY DENIED IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE, THEN SAID THAT IS WHAT HE HAD BEEN TOLD TO SAY BY MANAGEMENT. MANAGER THEN OFFERED TO PRORATE AND REPLACE WITH SAME TIRE, THAT HAS NOW BEEN REBADGED AS A DEFINITY TIRE, AT A PRICE THAT IT WAS ALREADY BEING SOLD AT IN SETS OF 4. APPARENTLY HE ASSUMED I WAS IGNORANT. NOW RUNNING ON SPARE AND GOING TO BUY A SET OF MICHELIN X ONES AT COSTCO SINCE MY EXPERIENCE SEEMS TO INDICATE THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS IT AND IS STONEWALLING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10195058
Incident
Jun 29, 2007
Mileage
182,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 10, 2005

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WITH MY FOUR KIDS WHEN I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. WHEN MY HUSBAND GOT HOME I HAD HIM LOOK AT IT TO FIND OUT IT WAS LEAKING GAS FROM THE FUEL RAIL SO BAD THAT THERE WAS STANDING GAS ON THE VALVE COVER LEAKING INTO WHERE MY SPARK PLUGS ARE. I CONTACTED THE PLACE I AM BUYING IT FROM AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT, UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. IS THERE ANY RECALL IN THIS PROBLEM?I SEE THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS SAME AS MINE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10144915
Incident
Dec 9, 2005
Mileage
154,033 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 15, 2005

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. WHEN PROCEEDING TO PULL OFF VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE ABS NOT UNLOCKING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10115196
Incident
Mar 11, 2005

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Grand Caravan by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000
2020191052.6
20192384163.3
20182694155.9
20174113153.6
20169986257.2
20152784159.2
20143575262.6
20134704257.8
20125836256.3
20115304257.3
20108676357.4
20095437255.6
20081,2918255.7
20071823156.3
20062844559.2
20059956758.5
20041163149.1
20032193358.3
20022906561.7
20012985355.7
20004428361.2
19994325661.9
19985596664.2
19975836664.5
19961,157111160.7
19951083554.9
19941996561.4
19932899859.6
19922558665.0
1991Viewing1298761.5
1990553254.8
1989243256.2
1988103255.6
1987222
1986022
1985122
1984022

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.