Model year record

1994 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls & problems

The 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan has 4 safety recalls and 199 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (59 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints199filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 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.

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.

WheelsDec 14, 1993

Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 93V21500090 vehicles

Problem: WHEELS WITH MISFORMED LUG NUT SEATS WERE INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES. THIS CAUSES REDUCED NUT TO WHEEL CONTACT AREA AND LIMITS THE WHEEL SELF-CENTERING CAPABILITY DURING INSTALLATION. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION.
Risk: LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL LUGFAILURE WHICH MAY CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION AND AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSPECT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY PLANT CODE; REPLACE WHEELS KNOWN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AND INSTALL NEW LUG NUTS.

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	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	59	1	1	0	122,500 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	33	0	0	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	22	4	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	20	0	0	0	112,500 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	20	5	0	10	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	16	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Hatchback/liftgate › Lock	11	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring	10	0	4	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Rack and pinion	10	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	10	0	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Fuel injection system	10	0	1	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Springs › Coil springs	8	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DON'T WORK
Feb 15, 2015 · 108,416 miles
Steering
WHEN I WAS TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF. I WAS ABOUT TO BACK UP AND IF I DID I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED.
Feb 4, 2016
Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 00V305000 (STEERING), 99V213000 (STRUCTURE), 99V113000 (AIR BAGS), AND 95I00100 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Apr 17, 2012
Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WOULD RAIN OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER AND OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PULLEYS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE DEALER AND SEVERAL MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE CONSISTENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,426 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 241,625.
Aug 11, 2010 · 203,426 miles
Air bags1 injury
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH BRAUN HANDICAPPED MODIFICATIONS WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY DURING LOADING OF HANDICAPPED WOMAN. ATTENDANT WAS INJURED DUE TO PROXIMITY OF HEAD TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *TR
Jul 18, 2010 · 70,000 miles
Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE CHRYSLER GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AROUND A MOUNTAIN THE STEERING LOCKED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE DEALER DIDN'T TRY TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE BELT IN 1996, BUT THE MECHANIC STATED THE BELT LOOKED FINE. UPDATE 05/10/07*TR
Jan 1, 1996 · 66,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel railFire
TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 150000 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LEAKING GAS ON THE MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT A MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THERE WAS A RECALL # 00268000 ON THE 1996-2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE , AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *AK THE FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING FUEL AT THE END OF THE RAIL WHERE A PIPE JOINED THE 2 RAILS TOGETHER, FUEL LEAKED ON THE MANIFOLD AND A SMALL FIRE WAS IGNITED. UPDATED 04/30/07. *JB
Feb 4, 2007 · 150,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY WHEN WEATHER IS VERY WARM. NO INDICATION OF OVERHEATING. LET SET FOR 10-15 MINUTES AND VEHICLE STARTS AND RUNS FINE UNTIL NEXT TIME. HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS, USUALLY ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. HAVE NOT HAD TO A DEALER TO CHECK OUT BUT HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WHO HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER AND DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE STALLING.
Jun 27, 2005 · 125,000 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
AIR BAG CIRCUIT/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTORClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE97049 · opened Nov 18, 1997 · closed Mar 17, 1998
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATIONClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE96008 · opened Jan 25, 1996 · closed Jun 28, 1996
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