1993 Dodge Caravan

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1993 Dodge Caravan
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
955
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 1993

Investigations
13

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1989: 194 complaints 1990: 283 complaints 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1993 955 1994: 661 complaints 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2009: 118 complaints 2009 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2019 2020: 3 complaints
1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 72 complaints 1987 1988: 107 complaints 1989: 194 complaints 1990: 283 complaints 1990 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1993 955 1994: 661 complaints 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1996 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2002 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2005: 537 complaints 2005 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2011 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2017 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2020
1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1986 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1988 1989: 194 complaints 1990: 283 complaints 1990 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1993 955 1994: 661 complaints 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1996 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1998 1999: 555 complaints 2000: 470 complaints 2000 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2002 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2006 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2010 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2012 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2016 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2018 2019: 3 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2020

1993: 955 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198418
198549
198649
198772
1988107
1989194
1990283
1991623
1992923
1993955
1994661
1995489
19961,403
1997714
1998629
1999555
2000470
2001257
2002245
2003195
200465
2005537
2006173
200781
2008302
2009118
2010172
201178
201287
201330
201420
201523
201636
201711
20185
20193
20203

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

37% · 358 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

When driving the vehicle, at random times the ABS system warning lights turn on and then I have no brakes. I have taken it to several repair shops, seen various mechanics and dealerships and it continues to be a serious problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-20

Tl* the contact owns a 1993 Dodge Caravan. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the ABS and the brake lights illuminated. The contact pressed the brake pedal but the vehicle did not respond until the pedal reached the floorboard.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-09-13

Tl* the contact owns a 1993 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the brakes failed when applied. The contact was able to stop the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-13

Seat belts

13% · 120 reports

Most commonly citing anchorage and retractor.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was in a rollover accident. Seat belts did not secure driver or passenger. Driver went through the windshield, and the passenger went through the passenger door.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-03

Power train

11% · 107 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 100 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE

Steering

10% · 95 reports

Most commonly citing pump and steering wheel/handle bar.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 13 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1993Complaint volume 955 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1993-08-26Wheels93V098000 The 15 inch wheels have malformed lug nut seat configuration which causes poor nut-to-wheel contact and centering of the wheel during installation.

    Remedy: The road and spare wheels with the malformed lug nut seat configuration will be replaced.

  3. I
    1994-01-31Engineering analysisClosed 1995-10-25 Liftgate latches
  4. I
    1994-03-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-07-29 ABS braking system fails
  5. I
    1994-07-29Engineering analysisClosed 1996-06-24 ABS braking system fails
  6. R
    1995-09-29Latches/locks/linkages95I001001 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.…

    Remedy: Chrysler dealers will replace the liftgate latch with a new stronger latch assembly without charge. Chrysler began notifying owners of these vehicles beginning September 1995.

  7. R
    1995-12-22Latches/locks/linkages95I001005 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.…

    Remedy: Chrysler will replace the liftgate latch with a new stronger latch assembly without charge. Chrysler began notifying owners during December 1995.

  8. I
    1996-01-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-06-28 Safety blt latch operation
  9. I
    1996-05-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-10-31 Alleged rear liftgate support failure
  10. R
    1996-09-03Service brakes, hydraulic96V099000 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…

  11. I
    1996-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 1997-05-16 Alleged rear liftgate support failure
  12. I
    1997-03-12Defect petitionClosed 1997-04-02 Windshield wiper failure
  13. I
    1997-04-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-09-30 Windshield wiper failure
  14. I
    1997-04-10Engineering analysisClosed 1997-12-23 Safety belt anchorage failures
  15. I
    1997-09-30Engineering analysisClosed 1999-07-27 Front windshield wiper
  16. R
    1997-12-08Seat belts97V148000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a cover retaining clip to the stalk mounted buckle cover to prevent dislocation of the buckle cover.

  17. R
    1997-12-08Seat belts97V149000 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.

  18. I
    1999-04-19Recall queryOpen Rear liftgate support
  19. R
    1999-08-02Air bags99V113000 Vehicle description: mini vans. The wiring that initiates the driver and/or passenger air bag could electrically short circuit to ground. A short circuit to ground that exists immediately after…

    Remedy: Dealers will perform an electronic diagnostic check. Any short circuits identified in either the driver's or passenger side air bag initiator wire circuit will be repaired.

  20. R
    1999-08-30Structure99V213000 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…

    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…

  21. R
    2000-03-27Visibility99V189000 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.

  22. I
    2000-05-01Recall queryClosed 2002-04-01 Steering wheel separation
  23. R
    2000-11-06Steering00V305000 Vehicle description: mini vans equipped with 2-spoke luxury wheels manufactured July 1992 through June 1993; or equipped with 4-spoke sport wheels manufactured from July 1992 through September 1993.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for cracks and any wheels with cracks will be replaced. All other vehicles will have a reinforcement plate installed to prevent steering wheel separation in…

  24. I
    2003-05-07Defect petitionClosed 2003-07-22 Steering column separation

Buy-smart checklist

1993 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 358 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 120 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 107 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 93V098000 · Wheels
  • Recall 95I001001 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 95I001005 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 96V099000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 97V148000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 97V149000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 99V113000 · Air bags
  • Recall 99V213000 · Structure
  • Recall 99V189000 · Visibility
  • Recall 00V305000 · Steering

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1993 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Dodge Caravan is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Dodge Caravan?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1993 Dodge Caravan have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.