RoadVitals

2002 Dodge Grand 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.
59
Latest Jun 13, 2019
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.
20%
of 290 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.
6

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 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 59 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 59, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jun 13, 2019

AIR BAG FAILURE REPORTED TO DODGE IN 2003 AND MANY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE IT FIXED HAVE FAILED. CODE SAYS PASSANGER AIR BAG DEFECTIVE AND AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. IN MANY YEARS THE DEALER HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEY SIMPLY RESET THE CODE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF AND LATER IT COMES BACK ON. THE FIRST REPORTED FAILURES WERE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEN THEY CHARGE $ 100.00 TO TURN THE LIGHT AND THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 10 TIMES IN THE PAST YEARS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM (NOT A WEAR ITEM) AND SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER NOW WANTS OVER A 1,000 TO REMOVE THE DASH ASM JUSTR TO DETERMINE IF IT IS A WIRING, CONNECTION PROBLEM OR IF THE AIR BAG IS ACTUALLY BAD. I HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS VERIFYING MY CLAIM.

NHTSA ID
11219750
Incident
Jun 10, 2019
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Dec 13, 2017

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME I START THE ENGINE AND STAYS ON .

NHTSA ID
11054506
Incident
Dec 2, 2017
Mileage
193,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TROUBLE CODE DETECTED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10780201
Incident
Apr 15, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 5, 2015
Crash reported

I ROLLED INTO THE WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME AND MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER CAR EXCEPT FOR THE AIRBAGS. THE DRIVER AIRBAG SMACKED ME IN THE FACE AND CHEST AND THUMB. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 3 MPH BECAUSE I HAD STOPPED AND THE WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED AND WE WERE BOTH GOING FORWARD TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AT A REALLY SLOW SPEED. I ROLLED INTO HER AND A SECOND OR TWO LATER THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10746376
Incident
Aug 5, 2015
Mileage
142,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Nov 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,000.

NHTSA ID
10658732
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
203,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 27, 2012

ON 12/24/1, ON A SMOOTH ROAD, A WARNING BELL SOUNDED AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS. THEN, THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND STAYED OFF. THE NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, ONLY THIS TIME THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO RELATION TO SPEED, TURNING, BREAKING, BUMPY ROAD, ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10490274
Incident
Dec 24, 2012
Mileage
151,200 mi
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 10, 2012

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, WHEN I USE TURN SIGNAL TO TURN LEFT THE RIGHT ONE COMES ON AND VICE VERSA, ONE HEAD LIGHT WILL COME ON AND AFTER A WHILE THE OTHER ONE WILL TURN ITSELF ON, WENT OUT ONE NIGHT TO EAT AND WHEN ENTERING THE VAN WITH THE AUTOMATIC UNLOCK KEY THE SECURITY ALARM WENT OFF NOTHING WORKED WHAT WE DID SO WE HAD TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY FOR 20 MINS. I WAS TOLD THAT WEIRD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN THE CLOCK SPRING GOES BAD. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN'S HAD RECALLS ON THE CLOCK SPRING AND WHEN I CALLED THE DODGE DEALER CLOSE TO ME I WAS TOLD MY VIN WASN'T IN THE SYSTEM AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10487804
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Mileage
161,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Dec 27, 2010
Crash reported

ON 12/25/2010 MY FAMILY AND I WAS DRIVING IN OUR 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT, VIN # [XXX]. WE SLIDE ON ICE AND SNOW GOING DOWN A HILL AND AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH WE SMASHED INTO A TREE HEAD ON. BOTH AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. LUCKY NO BIG INJURIES. THE WHOLE FRONT END, METAL BAR, RADIATOR, HOOD AND FRAME WERE ALL DAMAGED. IF THE TREE WOULD HAVE BEEN ANY LARGER, WE WOULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS INJURIES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10372490
Incident
Dec 25, 2010
Mileage
124,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 19, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING WHEN THE DRIVER GOT INTO THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED HITTING THE PASSENGER IN THE FACE. THE PASSENGER WAS ELDERLY AND HAD A MENTAL DISABILITY AND SUFFERED GREAT EMOTIONAL TRAUMA, HOWEVER HE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THERE WAS NO ONE THEY COULD CALL AND FILE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/08/10. *JB

NHTSA ID
10320938
Incident
Mar 18, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 8, 2010

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WHERE THE AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE LIGHT IS ON. I HAVE SEEN RECENTLY WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON 2005-2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE (THRU THEIR WEB SITE) AND NEVER RECEIVED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF MY COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10317817
Incident
Feb 1, 2009
Airbags
Filed Feb 23, 2010

AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON AND OFF DURING DRIVING HAVE CHECK ALL CONNECTION AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10313268
Incident
May 14, 2005
Mileage
188,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 1, 2009

IN MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. MY AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR TWO DAYS. THEN IT WOULD GO OFF FOR THREE DAYS. IF I TURN MY WHEELS TO THE LEFT IT WOULD COME ON THEN IT WOULD GO OFF. WHEN I TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO CHECK OUT WHY THAT LIGHT WAS ON HE STATED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. BUT IT NEVER CAME BACK ON TILL A WEEK LATER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10279021
Incident
Jul 19, 2009
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 1, 2008

THE VAN'S AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THEN STAYED LIGHTED FROM THEN TO DATE. BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10244095
Incident
Jul 1, 2007
Mileage
151,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 25, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS REMAINED LIT FOR SOME TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ UPDATE 09/18/08.*JB

NHTSA ID
10235793
Incident
Jul 25, 2006
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 9, 2008

WE HAVE A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, AND THE AIR-BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND STAYS ON FOR AWHILE, THEN GOES OFF. I CALLED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER AND THEY GAVE ME NO SATISFACTION. IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WE ALSO HAVE A 2000 CHRYSLER GRAND VOYAGER, AND THE LIGHT HAS NEVER GONE ON, BUT IT IS ON THE RECALL LIST. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2002. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230296
Incident
Jun 18, 2006
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 9, 2008

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON AND THE HORN QUIT WORKING. I HAD TO HAVE CLOCKSPRING AND PASSENGER AIRBAG JUMPER WIRING REPLACED COSTING $524.00. THESE ARE PARTS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED ON EARLIER MODELS, SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS "WEARABLE" PARTS, AND INVOLVE THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL FOR THIS YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230294
Incident
Jan 10, 2008
Mileage
57,500 mi
Airbags
Filed May 15, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN JUNE OF 2007, WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUALLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS LOCAL MECHANIC FOR REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED. IN MAY OF 2008, THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATE AGAIN WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR A SECOND AT 47,000 MILES. THE CLOCK SPRING IS CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL FOR OTHER MODELS AND THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE THE RECALL TO BE EXPANDED. THE ORIGINAL FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ID
10228435
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Mileage
39,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIRS IN FEBRUARY OF 2006. THE FAILURE CEASED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS, BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AGAIN IN MID-MARCH OF 2008. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, SHE DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT A DIFFERENT VEHICLE YEAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,907.

NHTSA ID
10225359
Incident
Feb 1, 2006
Mileage
63,907 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 22, 2007

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS HAD TO BE RESET BY DEALER SEVERAL TIMES SINCE WE HAVE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2002. TIRED OF PAYING $100 FOR THEM TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY, UNEXPLAINED INEFFECTIVE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10200517
Incident
Aug 21, 2007
Mileage
20,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 28, 2007

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG IS NONOPERATIONAL. VEHICLE RECALLED IN THE PAST DUE TO CONDENSATION BUILDUP IN THE FRONT DASH AREA LEADING TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I BELIEVE THIS CONDENSATION OR FAULTY SENSOR MAY BE LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG COMPONENT. I ALSO DROVE THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS IN HEAVY SALT WHILE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK SERVING IN THE ACTIVE DUTY ARMY. I AM CURRENTLY STATIONED IN VIRGINIA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10191834
Incident
May 4, 2007
Mileage
69,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed May 21, 2007
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ES. ON MAY 13, 2007, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, FORCING HER TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 45 MPH. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS SHOVED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. BOTH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG FAILED. THE ENGINE SIZE AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,000.

NHTSA ID
10191326
Incident
May 13, 2007
Mileage
88,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesHeating & air conditioning+2 more
Filed Mar 20, 2007

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY.AIRBAG FAULTY . DEALER REPLACED THEM AT COST $338.00. SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH ONLY 44450 MILES ON 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. VERY DISSAPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE,ALWAYS IN SHOP. ENGINE 4 TIMES,TIE ROD ENDS, BRAKE CALIPERS ,AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP. ETC. *AK

NHTSA ID
10185618
Incident
Mar 19, 2007
Mileage
44,300 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 1, 2007

MALFUNCTIONING CLOCKSPRING IN AIR BAG. *NM

NHTSA ID
10183967
Incident
Feb 1, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 14, 2006

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH OUT CRASH/IMPACT. DRIVER PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. WHEN THE KEY WAS MOVED INTO THE OFF POSITION THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10173521
Incident
Nov 12, 2006
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 11, 2006

AT 42K MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT TURNING ON AND OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SAID "DRIVER SQUIB CIRCUIT OPEN" AND CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING. PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE. BUT NOW AT 72K MILES, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. WHY AREN'T THE 2002'S COVERED IN THE RECALL? MY SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THAT LISTED ON THE RECALL (WHICH ONLY COVERS UP TO 2000). *JB

NHTSA ID
10173185
Incident
Nov 1, 2006
Mileage
42,000 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 .