Model year record

1993 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls & problems

The 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan has 7 safety recalls and 289 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (109 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls

Complaints289filed by owners

Crashes · fires11 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths13 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SteeringOct 12, 2000

Steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 00V305000679,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Risk: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.

StructureSep 2, 1999

Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments

Recall 99V2130001,318,189 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
Fix: 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.

VisibilityJul 16, 1999

Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages

Recall 99V189000828,559 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LEFT HAND WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT DRIVE ARM WAS NOT MECHANICALLY STAKED TO THE PIVOT SHAFT.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT ASSEMBLY.

Air bagsMay 6, 1999

Air bags

Recall 99V113000736,824 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Risk: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.

Seat beltsSep 9, 1997

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 97V1480001,100,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.

Seat beltsSep 9, 1997

Front › Anchorage

Recall 97V1490001,100,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. THE CENTER REAR SEAT, RIGHT OUTBOARD SIDE, SAFETY BELT ANCHOR HOOK CAN BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE BODY ANCHOR POSITION.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ANCHOR HOOK RETAINING CLIP WITH A REVISED PROFILE CLIP AND A COVER PLATE.

Service brakes, hydraulicJun 13, 1996

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 96V099000321,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light	109	3	6	148,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	52	1	1	97,000 mi
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Retractor	46	1	4	137,000 mi
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments; Body › Door	34	0	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys	27	0	0	97,000 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor	18	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	16	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	13	5	2	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Delivery	11	0	0	139,760 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Steering wheel/handle bar	10	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Hatchback/liftgate › Lock	9	0	0	—
Service brakes	9	1	0	134,240 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed, the brake pedal required excessive effort to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake actuator piston assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V099000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was…
Apr 24, 2024 · 132,000 miles
Service brakesCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. DICK HANNAH CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM IN VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A BRAKE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Sep 27, 2017 · 222,400 miles
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ABS PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Sep 6, 2016 · 190,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BRAKE PUMP, AND BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES OPERATED PROPERLY AFTER TEN SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. UPDATED 09/20/16*LJ THE BRAKES WORKED WITH THE RELAY CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING, WHICH ACTIVATED THE BRAKE PUMP AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM WAS THE PUMP/MOTOR ASSEMBLY…
Aug 2, 2016 · 140,000 miles
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE OPERATED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Jun 27, 2016 · 87,000 miles
Service brakes
MY DODGE CARAVAN HAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY DUE TO A RECALL ON THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM THAT WAS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED. TURNS OUT THE ORIGINAL OWNERS BROUGHT THE VAN IN FOR THIS RECALL, BUT THE PART WAS NOT REPLACED. SO YEARS LATER IT GAVE OUT. THE VAN HAS 36K MILES, SO IF IT WAS REPLACED WHEN THE PREVIOUS OWNERS BROUGHT IT IN EVERYTHING WOULD BE FINE. (THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE OLDER AND DISABLED, SO I DONT THINK THEY REALIZED NOTHING WAS DONE) ANYWAYS, DODGE IS REFUSING TO FIX THE ABS SYSTEM, AND TELL ME THEY DON'T HAVE A DIAGNOSIS TOOL, SO THEY CANT FIX IT. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO ID WHAT WAS WRONG, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ORDER A PART DUE TO THIS LIFETIME RECALL. THEY ARE ALSO SAYING THEY CANT LOCATE…
Jun 2, 2015 · 36,800 miles
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Aug 27, 2014
Service brakes
THIS VAN IS SUBJECT TO RECALL 96V099000. UNDER THIS RECALL THERE IS A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND PUMP MOTOR. THE BREAKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING TWICE PREVIOUSLY AND WERE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE BREAKS STOPPED WORKING FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE VAN WAS TOWED INTO RICHARDSON CHRYSLER ON JUNE 24, 2013. CHRYSLER NO LONGER MAKES THE PARTS. AT FIRST THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PART AND NOW THE SHIPPING DATE CONTINUES TO BE EXTENDED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE CHRYSLER NATIONAL PARTS SERVICE GROUP CAN TELL ME WHEN THEY WILL GET A PART. IT IS NOW AUGUST 5, 2013.HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PART ON A LIFETIME WARRANTY? BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VAN, CHRYSLER REFUSES TO…
May 31, 2013 · 165,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONClosed
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR…
DP03002 · opened May 7, 2003 · closed Jul 22, 2003
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATIONClosedLed to recall 00V305000
There is no summary currently available
RQ00011 · opened May 1, 2000 · closed Apr 1, 2002
REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTOpenLed to recall 97V079000
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…
RQ99004 · opened Apr 19, 1999
SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FAILURESClosedLed to recall 97V149000
There is no summary currently available
EA97005 · opened Apr 10, 1997 · closed Dec 23, 1997
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATIONClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE96008 · opened Jan 25, 1996 · closed Jun 28, 1996
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILSClosedLed to recall 96V099000
There is no summary currently available
EA94028 · opened Jul 29, 1994 · closed Jun 24, 1996
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILSClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94024 · opened Mar 7, 1994 · closed Jul 29, 1994
LIFTGATE LATCHESClosed
LIFTGATE LATCHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE FAILED IN LOW AND MODERATE SPEED IMPACTS RESULTING IN OCCUPANT EJECTIONS, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES.THERE ARE TWO FAILURE MODES ASSOCIATED WITH LATCH FAILURE: FORK BOLT-DETENT LEVER BYPASS, AND INERTIAL UNLATCHING.NHTSA ANALYSES OF CHRYSLER AND PEER MINIVANS TOOK THE FORM OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC CRASH TESTING, ENGINEERING EVALUATIONS, COMPLAINT AND FIELD ANALYSES, AND REAL WORLD DATA ANALYSES.A TECHNICAL REPORT DISCUSSING THESE ANALYSES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TECHNICAL REPORT IN THE PUBLIC VIEWING FILE.CHRYSLER HAS ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LATCHES ON ALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE CHRYSLER CAMPAIGN WILL CONSIST OF NOTIFICATION LETTERS TO ALL OWNERS; FREE REPLACEMENT OF ALL LATCHES WITH STRONGER, SAFER LATCHES REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE MINIVANS; NATIONAL ADVERTISING TO PROMOTE CUSTOMER…
EA94005 · opened Jan 31, 1994 · closed Oct 25, 1995