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2001 Dodge CaravanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 257 owner complaints about the 2001 Dodge Caravan, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2001 Dodge Caravan
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Caravan median · #14 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints25724 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage56kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 28, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Crcjfly, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Dodge Caravan has problems

257 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 bags434
Steering321
Suspension320
Exterior lighting300
Electrical system294
Visibility200
Power train190
Engine and engine cooling161
Service brakes, hydraulic131
16 other systems8411

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

3 recalls

2001 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

Control arm: lower arm

Recall 01V-152 · May 8, 2001 · 41,587 vehicles

Risk. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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?

56kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 22 air bags complaints. 86% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
5under 30k miles19under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2001 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
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Dodge Caravan safety ratings

2001 Dodge Caravan in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Dodge Caravan frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2001 Dodge Caravan side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Dodge Caravan, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONEA05009 · closed May 2, 2006
    No recall
  2. HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONPE05004 · closed Jun 1, 2005
    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 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
Complaint 10695173 · Mar 18, 2015 · 176,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD NOT SOUND UPON ACTIVATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE…
Complaint 10534498 · Aug 9, 2013 · 70,000 miles
DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT THESE DEFECTS ARE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. THIS WAS A MATTER OF RECALL FOR THE DODGE CARAVAN AND GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY FROM THE 1996-2000…
Complaint 10474081 · Sep 6, 2012

Own a 2001 Caravan?

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