1996 Dodge Grand 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 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 10 |
| 1989 | 24 |
| 1990 | 55 |
| 1991 | 129 |
| 1992 | 256 |
| 1993 | 289 |
| 1994 | 199 |
| 1995 | 108 |
| 1996 | 1157 |
| 1997 | 583 |
| 1998 | 559 |
| 1999 | 432 |
| 2000 | 442 |
| 2001 | 298 |
| 2002 | 290 |
| 2003 | 219 |
| 2004 | 116 |
| 2005 | 995 |
| 2006 | 284 |
| 2007 | 182 |
| 2008 | 1291 |
| 2009 | 543 |
| 2010 | 868 |
| 2011 | 530 |
| 2012 | 583 |
| 2013 | 470 |
| 2014 | 357 |
| 2015 | 279 |
| 2016 | 964 |
| 2017 | 402 |
| 2018 | 265 |
| 2019 | 235 |
| 2020 | 16 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
20% of complaints: power train — 232 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
CRASH INJURY18% of complaints: air bags — 211 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME. CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN WERE NOT FUCTIONING CORRECTLY.DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020919
PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED TO LEFT INSTEAD OF RECTANGULAR OR SQUARE SHAPE, DID NOT INFLATE FULLY, PASSENGER FELL FORWARD TO RIGHT OF AIRBAG, CAUSED INJURIES.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960911
18% of complaints: electrical system — 208 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn and interior/under dash.
CRASH FIRE17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 192 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
CRASH FIRE INJURY16% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 181 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel injection system.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
AFTER RECEIVING THE FIRST RECALL NOTICE (96V-002) THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE DEALER, APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS LATER THE FUEL TANK CAUGHT FIRE WHILE BEING DRIVEN, AND THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE INITIAL REPAIR WAS DONE INCORRECTLY OR WAS NOT DONE...
NHTSA ODI report, 20020917
SAFETY TIMELINE
No summary on file.
Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH CHILD SEAT ASSEMBLIES WITH REVISED SEATS CONTAINING RETRACTOR IMPROVEMENTS. THE REVISED SEATS WILL ALSO INCREASE CHILD COMFORT BY INCORPORATING PROTECTIVE SEAT BELT
Campaign 95I004000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL LEAKEAGE FROM ROLLOVER VALVE
THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE CAN ALLOW FUEL TO PASS INTO THE VAPOR CANISTER RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL FOR FUEL LEAKAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE WITH A FILLER TUBE THAT HAS AN ADDITIONAL ROLLOVER VALVE. THE ASSOCIATED ROLLOVER VALVE VAPOR HOSES WILL BE REROUTED.
Campaign 95V236000 — check if this car was fixed
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
THE BOLTS WHICH SECURE THE REAR BENCH SEATS TO THE SEAT RISERS MAY BE EMBRITTLED AND FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BENCH SEAT TO RISER BOLTS.
Campaign 95V225000 — check if this car was fixed
A STATIC ELECTRIC CHARGE CAN BUILD UP ON THE UNGROUNDED METAL SECTION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GROUND STRAP FOR THE FUEL FILLER TUBE.
Campaign 96V002000 — check if this car was fixed
IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG DOES NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD OIL IS NOT ADEQUATELY RETAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXPANSION PLUG AND RETAINING BRACKET OVER THE CYLINDER HEAD OIL GALLEY PLUG.
Campaign 96V006000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL LEAKS FROM THE GAS TANK
THE BOLTS WHICH SECURE THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT MODULES TO THE SEAT FRAME CAN BREAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT MODULE BOLTS.
Campaign 96V136000 — check if this car was fixed
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
FUEL TANK LEAKS
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT WHEN THE SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE BE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPER
Campaign 98V185000 — check if this car was fixed
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. FUEL CAN LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK AT THE INTERFACE OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ATTACHMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ATTACHING NUT WITH A NUT THAT INCLUDES TIGHTER DESIGN TOLERANCES. THE SEALING O-RING WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
Campaign 99V216000 — check if this car was fixed
DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAK
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN
Campaign 00V268000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF M
Campaign 02V293000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRAL CHILD SEATS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY.
Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A VIDEO TAPE AND 2 HARNESS CLIPS. THE VIDEO TAPE INSTRUCTS OWNERS ON THE PROPER USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CHILD SEATS.
Campaign 97I001000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Dodge Grand Caravan — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (232 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (211 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (208 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97I001000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95I004000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V236000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V225000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V002000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V006000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V136000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V185000 (child seat) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V216000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V268000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V293000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.