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2002 Dodge Grand CaravanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 290 owner complaints about the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

53
CarFlaw IndexSolid year10% below the Grand Caravan median · #17 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints29037 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage54kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 10, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan has problems

290 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 bags597
Steering533
Power train421
Electrical system3810
Service brakes, hydraulic322
Seat belts214
Exterior lighting210
Structure194
Suspension161
15 other systems958

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

5 recalls

2002 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

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 →

Show 1 more recall
–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?

54kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 43 air bags complaints. 77% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
6under 30k miles33under 100k miles10100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 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

2002 Dodge Grand Caravan safety ratings

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

2002 Dodge Grand Caravan frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Dodge Grand 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 Grand Caravan, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER LIFTGATE LATCHEA04031 · closed Apr 7, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-134
  2. HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONEA05009 · closed May 2, 2006
    No recall
  3. FUEL TANK LEAKPE02068 · closed Oct 9, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-274
  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 Grand Caravan owners report

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

AIR BAG FAILURE REPORTED TO DODGE IN 2003 AND MANY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE IT FIXED HAVE FAILED. CODE SAYS PASSANGER AIR BAG DEFECTIVE AND AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. IN MANY YEARS THE DEALER HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEY SIMPLY RESET THE CODE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF AND LATER IT COMES BACK ON. THE FIRST…
Complaint 11219750 · Jun 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TROUBLE CODE DETECTED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WAS FAULTY.…
Complaint 10780201 · Oct 6, 2015 · 100,000 miles
I ROLLED INTO THE WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME AND MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER CAR EXCEPT FOR THE AIRBAGS. THE DRIVER AIRBAG SMACKED ME IN THE FACE AND CHEST AND THUMB. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 3 MPH BECAUSE I HAD STOPPED AND THE WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME HAD STOPPED AND WE WERE BOTH GOING…
Complaint 10746376 · Aug 5, 2015 · 142,000 miles

Own a 2002 Grand Caravan?

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