2002 Dodge Grand Caravan

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 290 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
48,000 milesMedian miles at failure

195 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,00050,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags31
201
Power Train › Automatic Transmission23
000
Electrical System19
050
Steering14
100
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module14
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections13
010
Air Bags › Frontal9
405
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8
100
Exterior Lighting › Headlights8
000
Structure › Body › Door7
012

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.04V531000
Filed Nov 2, 2004238,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, CONDENSATION FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS MAY DROP THROUGH VENT HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE RADIO AND RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT SUBSEQUENTLY SENDS DIRECT CURRENT TO THE REAR SPEAKERS.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SPEAKER FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADD A SPECIAL TAPE TO THE TOP OF THE RADIO TO PREVENT THE POTENTIAL OF WATER INTRUSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections04V386000
Filed Aug 5, 2004681,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.3 OR 3.8L V-6 ENGINE, THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE MAY SPLIT AND CAUSE A FLUID LEAK.

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

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Fuel System, Gasoline03E053000
Filed Oct 24, 200368,563 vehiclesWix Filteration Products Division

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, MODELS WIX FILTER PART NUMBERS 33576, 33577, 33734; NAPA FILTER PART NUMBERS 3576, 3577, 3734; AND CARQUEST FILTER PART NUMBERS 86576, 86577, 86734 USED ON 1996-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, DODGE CARAVAN, AND PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VEHICLES, CAN CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LEAK.

Risk. A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Remedy. WIX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. NOTE: THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP. NOR ANY DAILMERCHRYSLER DEALERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WIX AT 704-864-6711.

Structure03V094000
Filed Mar 7, 20033,674 vehiclesSouthern Comfort Conversions

Defect. CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Risk. THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly02V274000
Filed Oct 8, 2002116,029 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE FUEL TANK CONTROL VALVE WELD JOINT COULD SEPARATE RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK.

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

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Child Seat01V310000
Filed Oct 4, 200152,649 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER MANUALS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES DO NOT INDICATE WHICH SEATING POSITIONS ARE EQUIPPED WITH TETHER ANCHORAGES AND CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

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

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM INFORMATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OCTOBER 8, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE INFORMATION WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 2026MI

I just bought a 2002 Dodge Grand caravan. I have noticed the seat belts do not lock when I installed the car seat and pulled the seat belt to lock the car seat in place it will not work which makes the car seat tip and fall every direction. I tried every seat in van to see if the lock and they do not unless the car is started if you pull it down fast it locks but not when it's off and will not stay locked. Speedometer and gas gage quit working.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Sep 19, 2023AZ

I was driving down highway 60 when my van backfired. I thought it was a blown tire & started pulling off the highway. When pulling off the highway I noticed the orange glare off the side rails on the highway. That's when I realized that the van had caught on fire under the hood. Once I pulled over I had a friend call 911 to report my van on fire while I tried to open the hood & put the fire out. The hood was to hot to open so I grabbed everything I could from my van & stayed clear of it until the Arizona fire dept & Arizona highway patrol came. All my information was taken by the Arizona highway patrol. I was told that my van will be at J&S Towing & that my friends & i can leave the scene.

Electrical System
Filed May 6, 2022IL

Every time I go Though a small puddle rain or snow 10 to 30 mph I loose power steering and have a battery light pop on I have to pull over turn off van and restart sometime it goes back to normal

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 7, 2022185,000 milesKY

The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the heater blower had become inoperable and upon inspection, it was discovered that the heater blower wiring harness was burnt and the wires were melted together. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 185,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 22, 2019260,000 milesOH

MY VAN,2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, RANDOMLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET/ROAD WHETHER ON STRAIGHT ROAD OR A CURVE, OR WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS OR LESS,GAS SEEMS TO BE IRRELEVANT . AFTER STALLING WILL NOT RESTART. I HAVE REPLACED ALL MINI-FUSES,BATTERY, STARTER,AND STILL WILL STALL. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 25 MPH WHILE STILL MOVING IT WILL RESTART ON ITS OWN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.

Structure › Body › DoorFire
Filed Jul 29, 201990,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR HANDLE HAD MELTED DUE TO EXPOSURE TO THE SUN AND THE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED. ALSO, THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD HAD ALSO MELTED AND CRACKED DUE TO EXPOSURE TO THE SUN CAUSING DEBRIS TO SEPARATE FROM THE DASHBOARD MAKING CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS OPENED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER JACKSONVILLE DODGE (11101 NURSERYFIELD DR. JACKSONVILLE FL) AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 13, 2019AZ

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 REPORTED FAILURES WERE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEN THEY CHARGE $ 100.00 TO TURN THE LIGHT AND THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 10 TIMES IN THE PAST YEARS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM (NOT A WEAR ITEM) AND SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER NOW WANTS OVER A 1,000 TO REMOVE THE DASH ASM JUSTR TO DETERMINE IF IT IS A WIRING, CONNECTION PROBLEM OR IF THE AIR BAG IS ACTUALLY BAD. I HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS VERIFYING MY CLAIM.

Engine
Filed Nov 25, 2018221,015 milesMA

CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING POWER LOSS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 29, 2018108,000 milesMO

STRONG FUEL SMELL ENTERING THE CABIN AT LOW SPEED OR IDLE COMING FROM VEHICLE WHEN RUNNING.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 13, 2017193,000 milesIL

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME I START THE ENGINE AND STAYS ON .

Wheels
Filed Nov 28, 201790 milesOH

REAL AXLE RUSTED OUT ON RIGHT SIDE CAUSING THE WHEEL BRAKE LOOSE IN MY DRIVEWAY AS I PULLED IN AFTER GOING OVER A BUMP IN MY DRIVEWAY AS I CAME TO A STOP I HAD IT REPAIRED AT A COST NEAR $800 I CAN NOT ACCESS RECORDS AT THIS BUT COULD IF NECESSARY

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 27, 2017170,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN OR SNOW BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF THE PULLEY AND THE POWER STEERING ABILITY WAS REDUCED. ALSO, THE BATTERY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE, AND THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 7, 2017CA

LEAKING FUEL RAIL CAP 2002 DODGE CARAVAN IS LEAKING GAS ALL OVER THE SPARK PLUGS ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL PARTS WHEN 1ST TURNING THE VEHICLE ON IN THE MORNING.

Steering
Filed Mar 28, 2017NH

MY STEERING WHEEL ACTS UP WHEN IT RAINS OUTSIDE MAKES IT HARD TO STEER MY LEFT SIDE SPEAKERS WENT OUT THE TAPE DECKS NEVER WORKED ON MY VAN MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW GOES DOWN BUT SEEMS TO HAVE DIFFICULT GOING UP MY SLIDING DOORS SEEM TO HAVE DIFFICULTIES AT TIMES THE RIGHT SIDE NEVER OPENS

Suspension
Filed Nov 13, 2016MA

DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. HAS REAR AXEL CRAKED. THIS PROBLEM CAN PUT THE VEHICLE USAFE ON THE ROAD, AND ALSO CAUSE DEATH OR INJURY.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 6, 2015100,000 milesIL

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. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 10, 2015NY

I PARKED MY MINI VAN @ 3:00 PM STAURDAY-22-2015 ON 115 STREET BEFORE MYRTLE AV RICHMOND HILL QUEENS NEW YORK, SUNDAY 6:00 AM I CAME HOME AND DECIDED TO CHECK ON MY CAR IF SOMEBODY HAD BROKEN-IN/STEEL MY 3 PEACE TOOL BOX BUT MY CAR HAD DISSAPEARED, I SAW BROKEN DRIVER SIDE GLASS ON THE GOUND AND CALL COPS RIGHT AWAY.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 10, 2015CT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V234000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Aug 5, 2015142,000 milesWA

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 FORWARD TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AT A REALLY SLOW SPEED. I ROLLED INTO HER AND A SECOND OR TWO LATER THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ *CN

Electrical System
Filed Jun 25, 2015165,000 milesNY

THE DATE AND MILEAGE ARE APPROXIMATE, BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE LAST FALL (2014). WHEN PLACING THE KEY IN THE ACC POSITION EVERYTHING WORKS. AFTER STARTING THE MOTOR, MANY TIMES THE WIPERS, RADIO, POWER WINDOWS AND INTERNAL FAN WILL NOT COME ON FOR AS LITTLE AS A FEW SECONDS OR AS LONG AS AN HOUR. IT DOES NOT TO ALWAYS HAPPEN, BUT VERY FREQUENTLY IT DOES. IT SOMETIMES SEEMS TO BE WEATHER RELATED... HEAT, COLD, RAINING OR SNOWING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE DANGER IS SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF ESPECIALLY ON A RAINY/SNOWY DAY, BEING AWAY FROM HOME AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT WORK WHEN RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE FUSE AND COMPUTER UNITS CHANGED (TOTAL FUSE POWER BOX REPLACED NEW ABOUT 1-1/2 YEARS AGO WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS AN UPGRADED BETTER SEALED UNIT AND THE COMPUTER ATTACHED IN FRONT OF IT REPLACED WITH A USED ONE ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO) BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT IS MY OPINION THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT CONCERNS THE WIPERS NOT ABLE TO WORK. I KNOW WHICH FUSE OPERATES THEM AND HAVE TRIED REPLACING IT, BUT THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS, IT WILL NOT CLICK ON UNTIL WHAT EVER IS CAUSING IT NOT TO DECIDES TO LET IT COME ON. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY DODGE AND NOT BE AN EXPENSE TO MYSELF OR ANY OTHER OWNER WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY GRIEVANCE. *TR

20 of 290 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202020100Routine
2019240430Above average
2018270401Fatalities reported
2017414330Above average
20161,000670Above average
2015281420Above average
20143575130Above average
2013470430Above average
20125836140Above average
20115304171Fatalities reported
20108686130Above average
2009543760Above average
20081,2928162Fatalities reported
2007182370Routine
2006284430Above average
2005995670Above average
2004116310Routine
2003219350Above average
2002 — this page2906142Fatalities reported
2001298510Above average
20004428131Fatalities reported
19994325138Fatalities reported
19985596201Fatalities reported
19975836391Fatalities reported
19961,15711427Fatalities reported
1995108310Routine
1994199650Routine
1993289900Above average
1992255841Fatalities reported
1991129860Routine
199055320Routine

Compare every Grand Caravan year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 2, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.