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1999 Dodge CaravanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 555 owner complaints about the 1999 Dodge Caravan, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

29
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.4× the Caravan median · #8 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints55588 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage89kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 17, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Dodge Caravan has problems

555 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags11926
Engine and engine cooling1029
Power train968
Electrical system649
Service brakes, hydraulic446
Vehicle speed control335
Suspension331
Steering271
Structure271
20 other systems13715

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1999 Dodge Caravan recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Air bags

Recall 04V-480 · Oct 6, 2004 · 955,344 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts: rear/other

Recall 02V-076 · Mar 8, 2002 · 545,311 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: retractor

Recall 01V-119 · Apr 11, 2001 · 161,682 vehicles

Risk. IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Recall 00V-268 · Sep 13, 2000 · 1,163,000 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do air bags problems start?

89kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 65 air bags complaints. 65% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 41% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles42under 100k miles23100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

8 owners mentioned a cost

$2,233median

Middle half: $1,975 – $2,550

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other Caravan year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Caravan median. How we score

'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Dodge Caravan, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AIR BAG CLOCKSPRINGEA01007 · closed Nov 22, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-293
  2. DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILUREEA04013 · closed May 25, 2005
    Led to recall 04V-480
  3. POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEMEA99013 · closed Aug 10, 2001
    No recall
  4. POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITYPE99010 · closed Jun 11, 1999
    No recall
  5. DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAKRQ00008 · closed Mar 18, 2002
    Led to recall 00V-268
  6. DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURERQ04001 · closed Jun 4, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What Caravan owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF…
Complaint 10871165 · May 27, 2016 · 112,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Complaint 10734482 · Jul 16, 2015 · 134,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING AND I NOTICED A DING DING SOUND THAT WAS TRYING TO INFORM ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM UNTIL I LOOKED UP AND SAW THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD POPPED ON AND AFTER A MOMENT OR SO I TRIED TO USE MY HORN, IT DID NOT WORK THERE WAS AN ENGINE LIGHT ON AT…
Complaint 10550284 · Oct 30, 2013 · 165,000 miles

Own a 1999 Caravan?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.