1996 Dodge Caravan Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Dodge Caravan recalls

Most common 1996 Dodge Caravan problems

Problem areas named in the 1,403 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Engine And Engine Cooling	260
Air Bags	255
Fuel System, Gasoline	236
Electrical System	234
Power Train	200
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	175
Visibility	131
Vehicle Speed Control	117
Steering	72
Structure	64

What owners report

2023-01-03, Fuel System, Gasoline
The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he opened the hood and noticed a fuel leak on top of the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

2015-06-08, Service Brakes
WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE I TOUCHED BREAK AND THE VAN ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE. THE VAN JUMPED THE CURB AND WAS HEADING TOWARD 3 PEOPLE, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO HIT A LIGHT POLE INSTEAD OF THEM. THE VAN QUIT RACING FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN REVVED UP AGAIN. THE LIGHT POLE FELL AND I WAS AGAIN HEADED TOWARD THE PEOPLE. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BREAK AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VAN, BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING THE PEOPLE. LUCKILY THEY WERE JUST BRUISED BECAUSE I JUST BUMPED THEM AND DIDN'T RUN OVER THEM. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I ALMOST KILLED SOME PEOPLE AND NO LONGER HAVE TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE THE VAN WAS TOTALED.

2015-05-08, Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE ODOMETER DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V293000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2014-01-29, Electrical System
I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE FROM OWNER IN DEC. 2013 AND START HAVING PROBLEM THE OWNER I PURCHASE IT FROM PURCHASE IT FROM A BANK BACK IN 2006. THEY DID KNOW ABOUT AN RECALL OR ETC. ABOUT THIS VEHCLE. THE ELECTRIC HAS PROBLEM AND AIRBAGS, THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AND FUEL INJECTION AND ETC,. WHERE CAN I CAN GET HELP FOR THESE PROBLEMS.ETC.,. *TR

2013-07-01, Steering
THIS VEHICLE HAS A CHRONIC DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THROWING ITS SERPENTINE BELT WHENEVER THE TENSION PULLEY GETS WET. SOON AS THE BELT IS THROWN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING, AND IT STEERS 10 TIMES WORSE THAN A MACK TRUCK. THE LACK OF STEERING IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD TO EVERY OTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. AS IT HAPPENS SUDDENLY BY DRIVING THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE, ETC. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO TIME TO REACT. IN ADDITION TO LACK OF STEERING THERE IS NO ALTERNATOR OUTPUT, RESULTING IN RAPID BATTERY DRAIN. ALSO THERE IS NO COOLANT SYSTEM FAN RESULTING IN RAPID ENGINE OVERHEATING. THIS DESIGN FAULT HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR WELL OVER A DECADE, NO MAKE THAT 2 DECADES, BUT CHRYSLER HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBL

1996 Dodge Caravan questions

Does the 1996 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls for the 1996 Dodge Caravan: Air Bags:Frontal; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump; Child Seat; Seat Belts:Integrated Child Seat. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Caravan?

Based on 1,403 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (260), Air Bags (255), Fuel System, Gasoline (236).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Dodge Caravan has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.