10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 9
Average Mileage:
175 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Dodge Caravan engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Dodge Caravan Owner Comments (Page 5 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Oct 192000

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle will stall without prior warning. Consumer must wait for while in order to restart vehicl., dealer and mechanic cannot determine cause. Throttle body, idle speed motor, computer changed, a solenoid replaced, but defect keeps occurring.

- Iselin, NJ, USA

problem #22

Sep 142000

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle has had continued problems with poor fuel mileage, surging and loss of power, consumer noticed that the wiring harness was resting on the throttle body linkage, this chaffed the wiring and caused problems with acceleration.

- Spring Hil, FL, USA

problem #21

Jul 262000

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling with cruise control set at 70mph and vehicle started to accelerate up to 80mph & over. Applying brakes & turning switch didn't disengage cruise control. Consumer moved to the shoulder of the road & put the vehicle in neutral, which put in it wide open throttle. Vehicle started smoking & it was turned off. Dealer basically said it wasn't under warranty. Consumer will be contacting manufacturer.

- Hagerstown, IN, USA

problem #20

Jul 252000

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving air bag light will come on/horn will not work/ cruise control malfunctioned, and windshield wipers will come on unexpectedly.

- Lawtey, FL, USA

problem #19

Jun 162000

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When cruise control is on, lights flash and locks go on and off.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #18

Nov 011996

Caravan

  • miles
Defect in head gasket caused oil to leak causing the air idle valve control, PCV, fuel filter, hormica balancing board, throttle, water pump, theromstat, iignition module to have to be repaired. Timing belt was recall Dodge did not put it on right causing to head gasket to leak. Timing belt covers was never replace when it was recalled.was not notified of this recall timing belt broken while driving.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #17

Mar 092000

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While traveling at 65mph he consumer applied brakes, and they stuck. Also, cruise control wouldn't shut off. Consumer stopped at a gas station because engine was roaring up. Took fuse from the fuse box.

- Plainview, TX, USA

problem #16

Feb 292000

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving two dogs ran out into the street, consumer put on brakes and tried to blow horn, and the horn did not work. Also, airbag light came on, and cruise control did not work. Took to dealer, and they had to order a clock spring.

- Harrisonburg, VA, USA

problem #15

Sep 151999

Caravan

  • miles
Airbag light stays on once vehicle is started and causes horn and cruise control not to work. Dealer was contacted 6 months ago, and they contacted the consumer 3 months after that to tell consumer that there will be a charge for repairs. Consumer believes it is a factory defect.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #14

Jan 032000

Caravan

  • miles
Transmission slips and shifts into gears at unusual speeds. At initial start up each day, car lurches into gear when shifted into reverse.

- Islip Terrace, NY, USA

problem #13

Nov 291999

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had many problems with the 1996 Dodge Caravan that I purchased used six months ago and I would like to know if anyone else has experienced similure problems and if any of these are recall issues. No safety defect mentioned.

- Galt, CA, USA

problem #12

Feb 201999

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Was braking vehicle to stop when it suddenly accelerated into a field. Took vehicle to dealer for repairs. Picked vehicle up. Went to church & vehicle accelerated, again. Vehicle's engine was racing when tow truck driver turned vehicle on.

- New Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #11

Feb 041998

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Cruise control failed.

- Grass Vall, CA, USA

problem #10

Feb 021999

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Since we purchased our van in August of 1997, we have had many repairs and visits to the dealer. As of today, they have not fixed or diagnosed the brake problems. When coming to a stop or applying my brakes, a crunching sound occurs, and I can feel it in the pedal. It is a fairly loud sound and the vibration is distracting because you lose your brake pedal for a period of 1-2 seconds. I have talked to other Dodge Caravan owners and plan to take a detailed survey on this matter, but, none to this point have had this problem. This leads me to believe this is a defect in the brake system or antilock brake computer system which is undetectable. This does not occur all the time, and not under the same conditions. This, also, leads me to the conclusion there is a major saftey defect here. I have had this to the dealer and they say they cant diagnose the problem. What am I supposed to do, get in an accident? I have asked that they recall my van, refund full purchase price or replace my vehicle with one similar to mine. This is not the only problem: Today it was in for brakes and a blown engine head gasket. Previously, catalytic converter/ blower motor/battery/ speed sensor and anti rattle bumpers that still havent corrected problem/fuel filter ground strap and fuel filler tube ground strap have been replaced. Also, deglazed brakes, but still brakes squeak.finally, headlights replaced w/housing/lamp, and whatever else they have done to it while in the shop right now. It has been there since Tuesday Feb.02. This van is no way worth the hassles that I have been put through and I dont think anyone should have this many problems so early on. I have done extensive research on this model and have found atleast 100 complaints for transmission problems and other major repairs and undiagnosed problems with the engine. I think it is time someone stepped in and took a good look at this 96 vehicle because it is not up to saftey standards by a long shot. Thank you.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #9

Nov 041998

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
While driving with the cruise control activated the vehicle accelerated. The cruise control would not disengage until the vehicle was put into neutral and the engine cut off. Cause unknown.

- Stover, MO, USA

problem #8

Nov 271996

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Only indication that shows cruise control engaged is a tiny green led is impossible to see in normal daylight, dangerous design.

- St. Charles, MO, USA

problem #7

Jan 211998

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Cruise control would activate in reverse and would also increase in speed by its self.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

problem #6

Sep 241996

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While engaging cruise control, vehicle suddenly drops from drive O a lower gear and vehicle slows down.

- Queensbury, NY, USA

problem #5

Feb 141997

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Stopped at stop sign, lever would not shift out of low gear. Engine revved up but no acceleration. Happens intermittently. Vehicle seems to want to stall. Took to mechanic. Problem could not be duplicated. Computer sensor blew out on interstate & was replaced twice. Passenger's sliding door not working properly. Consumer states vehicle loses power, sticks in low gear, makes noises when shifting. Vehicle drops out of cruise control.

- Minonk, IL, USA

problem #4

Oct 101996

Caravan

  • miles
Fast idle due to failed tp sensor.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

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