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2002 Dodge CaravanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 245 owner complaints about the 2002 Dodge Caravan, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2002 Dodge Caravan
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Caravan median · #15 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints24530 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage50kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 13, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Dodge Caravan has problems

245 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 bags598
Steering360
Electrical system338
Power train272
Engine and engine cooling193
Equipment151
Exterior lighting151
Seat belts153
Structure123
15 other systems779

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

4 recalls

2002 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

Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Recall 04V-386 · Aug 5, 2004 · 681,000 vehicles

Risk. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Child seat

Recall 01V-310 · Oct 4, 2001 · 52,649 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

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?

50kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 42 air bags complaints. 88% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
10under 30k miles37under 100k miles5100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 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

2002 Dodge Caravan safety ratings

2002 Dodge Caravan in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Dodge Caravan frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Dodge Caravan side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Dodge Caravan, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONEA05009 · closed May 2, 2006
    No recall
  2. FUEL TANK LEAKPE02068 · closed Oct 9, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-274
  3. POWER STEERING HOSE FAILUREPE03012 · closed May 29, 2003
    Led to recall 04V-386
  4. SPEAKER FIRE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLEPE04049 · closed Nov 5, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-531
  5. 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.

2002 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INTERMITTENT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD AND CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *SMD
Complaint 10838365 · Feb 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…
Complaint 10721305 · May 25, 2015 · 152,000 miles
ON 6/5/14 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AT 65MPH A DEER HAD BOLTED OUT IN FRONT OF MY 02 CARAVAN. I HAD REACTION TIME WITH HITTING MY BRAKES UNTIL MY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED & MY VAN CONTINUES SLIDING ON DRY PAVEMENT, I ATTEMPTED HITTING MY HORN BUT NOTICED THE SECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL THAT THE…
Complaint 10616608 · Jul 27, 2014 · 170,000 miles

Own a 2002 Caravan?

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