MYRModel Year Report

1994 Dodge Caravan

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1994 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
661
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

18% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1989: 194 complaints 1989 1990: 283 complaints 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1994: 661 complaints 1994 661 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 1994: 661 complaints 1994 661 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 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 1992 1993: 955 complaints 1994: 661 complaints 1994 661 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

1994: 661 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.

Power train

18% · 117 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

14% · 95 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that while driivng at 35-40 MPH the consumer rear ended another vehicle and none of the air bags deployed. Contacted dealer.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-01

Neither air bag deployed at time of crash. I have pictures of the crash scene and the interior of the Caravan.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-26

Upon impact, during frontal crash at approx. 10 MPH, 2:00 on front bumper, drivers/passengers airbags failed to deploy, resulting in injury.…

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-03

Also filed under Seat belts

Structure

13% · 83 reports

Most commonly citing hinge and attachments and door.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

As I slowly was turning the car to park in a parking lot in vienna va shopping center, the van suddenly accelerated on its own and stopped when it crashed into handicap parking pole marker ( No damage).

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-21

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 75 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and belts and associated pulleys.

FIRE

Service brakes

11% · 71 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1994Complaint volume 661 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1994-01-31Engineering analysisClosed 1995-10-25 Liftgate latches
  3. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1996-01-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-06-28 Safety blt latch operation
  6. I
    1996-11-14Defect petitionOpen Defective air bag crash sensor
  7. I
    1997-10-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-02-27 Inadvertent air bag deployments
  8. I
    1997-11-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-03-17 Air bag circuit/windshield wiper motor
  9. I
    1998-02-27Engineering analysisClosed 1999-05-24 Inadvertent air bag deployments
  10. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2000-05-01Recall queryClosed 2002-04-01 Steering wheel separation
  13. 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

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

Buy-smart checklist

1994 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 117 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 95 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 83 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 95I001001 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 95I001005 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 99V113000 · Air bags
  • Recall 99V213000 · Structure
  • Recall 00V305000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1994 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Dodge Caravan is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Dodge Caravan?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Dodge Caravan have?
5 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.