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1996 Dodge Grand CaravanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1,157 owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 9 safety recalls.

23
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid3.3× the Grand Caravan median · #2 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls9Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1,15798 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage96kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 1, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan has problems

1,157 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 bags21115
Power train2092
Electrical system1979
Engine and engine cooling17726
Fuel system, gasoline17412
Vehicle speed control1244
Visibility991
Service brakes, hydraulic952
Steering751
19 other systems32018

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

9 recalls

1996 Dodge Grand 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: frontal

Recall 02V-293 · Nov 7, 2002 · 1,500,521 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

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 5 more recalls
–no report yet

Seat belts: integrated child seat

Recall 96V-136 · Jul 18, 1996 · 200 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Recall 96V-002 · Jan 16, 1996 · 265,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A SPARK TO OCCUR WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY IGNITE THE FUEL VAPORS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine: gasoline

Recall 96V-006 · Jan 11, 1996 · 40,000 vehicles

Risk. INADEQUATE SEALING AND RETENTION OF THE PLUG CAN RESULT IN OIL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 95V-225 · Nov 28, 1995 · 20,000 vehicles

Risk. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, THE BOLT MAY FAIL AND CAN CAUSE THE SEAT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE SEAT RISERS, WHICH INCREASES THE POTENTIALOF INJURY TO ITS OCCUPANTS.

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.

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.

Air bags

17 owners mentioned a cost

$250median

Middle half: $250 – $400

Power train

13 owners mentioned a cost

$2,000median

Middle half: $1,507 – $2,300

Fuel system, gasoline

11 owners mentioned a cost

$450median

Middle half: $301 – $778

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

1996 vs. every other Grand 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 Grand Caravan median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan safety ratings

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
11 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AIR BAG CLOCKSPRINGEA01007 · closed Nov 22, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-293
  2. FUEL TANK LEAKSEA97002 · closed Feb 10, 1998
    No recall
  3. INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUPEA97003 · closed Aug 19, 1998
    Led to recall 97I001000
  4. POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEMEA99013 · closed Aug 10, 2001
    No recall
  5. AIR BAG CLOCKSPRINGPE00032 · closed Feb 21, 2001
    Led to recall 02V-293
  6. FUEL LEAKEAGE FROM ROLLOVER VALVEPE95053 · closed Dec 22, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-236
  7. SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATIONPE96008 · closed Jun 28, 1996
    No recall
  8. FUEL LEAKS FROM THE GAS TANKPE96051 · closed Jan 31, 1997
    Led to recall 99V-216
  9. POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITYPE99010 · closed Jun 11, 1999
    No recall
  10. DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAKRQ00008 · closed Mar 18, 2002
    Led to recall 00V-268
  11. INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUPSQ96016 · closed Feb 4, 1997
    No recall
In owners' words

What Grand Caravan owners report

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

THE VAN WILL START THEN IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF. IT DOES THIS MORE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. IF YOU LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE SHADE IT WILL START AND GET YOU TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION. IF THE WEATHER IS TOO HOT IT WON'T START UNTIL THE WEATHER CHANGES TO COOLER. I HAVE REPLACED THE…
Complaint 10233766 · Jul 10, 2008 · 80,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH DOWNHILL IN THE SNOW, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE REAPPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY LOCKED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STRUCK A TREE HEAD…
Complaint 10221428 · Mar 17, 2008 · 200,500 miles
- 96 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN W/3.8 V6 AND 41TE 4SPD TRANSMISION - 2 TRANSMISSION FAILURES - 1ST WENT TO ABOUT 125000, THEN KEPT HITTING THE "LIMP HOME MODE" - 2ND HAS "TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKUP" PROBLEM, SHOPS SAY REBUILD AGAIN, AFTER ONLY 38000 MILES. - FAN RELAY WENT OUT BEFORE RECALL WAS ISSUED, HAD…
Complaint 10110774 · Feb 18, 2005 · 165,000 miles

Own a 1996 Grand Caravan?

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