1991 Dodge Caravan
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1985 | 49 |
| 1986 | 49 |
| 1987 | 69 |
| 1988 | 103 |
| 1989 | 191 |
| 1990 | 278 |
| 1991 | 617 |
| 1992 | 913 |
| 1993 | 949 |
| 1994 | 644 |
| 1995 | 489 |
| 1996 | 1403 |
| 1997 | 714 |
| 1998 | 629 |
| 1999 | 555 |
| 2000 | 470 |
| 2001 | 257 |
| 2002 | 245 |
| 2003 | 195 |
| 2004 | 64 |
| 2005 | 537 |
| 2006 | 173 |
| 2007 | 81 |
| 2008 | 302 |
| 2009 | 118 |
| 2010 | 172 |
| 2011 | 78 |
| 2012 | 87 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 36 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
26% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 163 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
LOST MY BRAKES FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THREE YEARS, DUE TO EVASIVE ACTION I MISSED HITTING A CAR BUT COULD NOT STOP FROM HITTING THE CURB AND SCRAPE A STREET POLE, BROKE AN AXLE AND SUSPENSION PARTS ALL ON THANKSGIVING. *NLM
NHTSA ODI report, 20030502
7% of complaints: seat belts — 46 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY7% of complaints: power train — 43 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND TRANSMISSION LOCKED INTO LOW, CAUSING DRIVER TO INJURE HIS BACK. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. CONSUMER WAS VERY UPSET. *AK *TC
NHTSA ODI report, 20041130
6% of complaints: structure — 34 distinct reports on file.
INJURY5% of complaints: seat belts — 28 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
INCORRECT TURN SIGNAL FLASHER INHIBITS INDICATION OF SIGNAL LAMP OUTAGE.
Remedy: REPLACE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER WITH PROPER FLASHER.
Campaign 91V041000 — check if this car was fixed
ABS CONTROL FAILURE
BRAKING PERFORMANCE LOSS
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HIGH PRESSURE HOSE MAY LEAK OR DETACH AT ITS CRIMPED END FITTING RESULTING IN THE DISCHARGE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID.
Remedy: REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WITH A HOSE OF DIFFERENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
Campaign 91V191000 — check if this car was fixed
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HIGH PRESSURE PUMP MAY BE POROUS WHICH WILL RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE ABS HIGH PRESSURE PUMP AND HIGH PRESSURE HOSE IF THE LAST SIX DIGITS OF THE BAR CODE LABEL ON THE PUMP ARE BETWEEN 052300 AND 059262.
Campaign 92V030000 — check if this car was fixed
SAFETY BLT ANCHORAGE BRKS
WINDOW SHATTERING
MELTED THROTTLE CABLES
LIFTGATE LATCHES
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYS
Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES IN OCTOBER 1995.
Campaign 95I001002 — check if this car was fixed
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER
Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES IN MARCH 1996.
Campaign 95I001006 — check if this car was fixed
ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE
THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE POSITION
INCONSISTENT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE
THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE
Campaign 96V099000 — check if this car was fixed
ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE
THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS IN THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT AREA. ANY STEERING WHEELS SHOWING CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE
Campaign 96V229000 — check if this car was fixed
SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FAILURES
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. COVERS ON THE SOLID STALK MOUNTED SEAT BELT BUCKLES CAN BECOME DISLODGED CAUSING THE RELEASE BUTTON TO STICK INSIDE THE COVER. THE BUCKLE WOULD THEN BE ONL
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.
Campaign 97V148000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. THE CENTER REAR SEAT, RIGHT OUTBOARD SIDE, SAFETY BELT ANCHOR HOOK CAN BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE BODY ANCHOR POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ANCHOR HOOK RETAINING CLIP WITH A REVISED PROFILE CLIP AND A COVER PLATE.
Campaign 97V149000 — check if this car was fixed
REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS O
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS W
Campaign 99V213000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LEFT HAND WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT DRIVE ARM WAS NOT MECHANICALLY STAKED TO THE PIVOT SHAFT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT ASSEMBLY.
Campaign 99V189000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1991 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (163 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seat belts issues (46 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (43 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 91V041000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 91V191000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 92V030000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95I001002 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95I001006 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V099000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V229000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V148000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V149000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V213000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V189000 (visibility) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1991 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Dodge Caravan is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Dodge Caravan?
The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Dodge Caravan have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.