1996 Dodge Grand Caravan

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1996 Dodge Grand 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
1,157
Recalls
11

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
11

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 0 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1989: 24 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1990 1991: 129 complaints 1992: 256 complaints 1993: 289 complaints 1994: 199 complaints 1995: 108 complaints 1996: 1,157 complaints 1996 1,157 1997: 583 complaints 1998: 559 complaints 1999: 432 complaints 2000: 442 complaints 2001: 298 complaints 2002: 290 complaints 2003: 219 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2005: 995 complaints 2005 2006: 284 complaints 2007: 182 complaints 2008: 1,292 complaints 2009: 544 complaints 2010: 869 complaints 2010 2011: 530 complaints 2012: 584 complaints 2013: 471 complaints 2014: 358 complaints 2015: 281 complaints 2015 2016: 966 complaints 2017: 404 complaints 2018: 265 complaints 2019: 238 complaints 2020: 17 complaints 2020
1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 0 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1988 1989: 24 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1991: 129 complaints 1991 1992: 256 complaints 1993: 289 complaints 1994: 199 complaints 1995: 108 complaints 1996: 1,157 complaints 1996 1,157 1997: 583 complaints 1998: 559 complaints 1999: 432 complaints 2000: 442 complaints 2000 2001: 298 complaints 2002: 290 complaints 2003: 219 complaints 2003 2004: 116 complaints 2005: 995 complaints 2006: 284 complaints 2006 2007: 182 complaints 2008: 1,292 complaints 2009: 544 complaints 2009 2010: 869 complaints 2011: 530 complaints 2012: 584 complaints 2012 2013: 471 complaints 2014: 358 complaints 2015: 281 complaints 2015 2016: 966 complaints 2017: 404 complaints 2018: 265 complaints 2018 2019: 238 complaints 2020: 17 complaints
1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 0 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 10 complaints 1989: 24 complaints 1989 1990: 55 complaints 1991: 129 complaints 1991 1992: 256 complaints 1993: 289 complaints 1993 1994: 199 complaints 1995: 108 complaints 1996: 1,157 complaints 1996 1,157 1997: 583 complaints 1998: 559 complaints 1999: 432 complaints 1999 2000: 442 complaints 2001: 298 complaints 2001 2002: 290 complaints 2003: 219 complaints 2003 2004: 116 complaints 2005: 995 complaints 2005 2006: 284 complaints 2007: 182 complaints 2007 2008: 1,292 complaints 2009: 544 complaints 2009 2010: 869 complaints 2011: 530 complaints 2011 2012: 584 complaints 2013: 471 complaints 2013 2014: 358 complaints 2015: 281 complaints 2015 2016: 966 complaints 2017: 404 complaints 2017 2018: 265 complaints 2019: 238 complaints 2019 2020: 17 complaints

1996: 1,157 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19840
19851
19860
19872
198810
198924
199055
1991129
1992256
1993289
1994199
1995108
19961,157
1997583
1998559
1999432
2000442
2001298
2002290
2003219
2004116
2005995
2006284
2007182
20081,292
2009544
2010869
2011530
2012584
2013471
2014358
2015281
2016966
2017404
2018265
2019238
202017

Known problem areas

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

Power train

20% · 232 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

18% · 211 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Air bag light was on all the time. Cruise control and horn were not fuctioning correctly.dealer was contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-19

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-09-11

Electrical system

18% · 208 reports

Most commonly citing horn and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIRE

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 192 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

16% · 181 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel injection system.

CRASHFIRE
Show 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, 2002-09-17

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 11 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1995-09-25Seat belts95I004000 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…

  2. I
    1995-10-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-12-22 Fuel leakeage from rollover valve
  3. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 1,157 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. R
    1996-01-02Fuel system, gasoline95V236000 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.

  5. I
    1996-01-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-06-28 Safety blt latch operation
  6. R
    1996-02-12Seats95V225000 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.

  7. R
    1996-02-16Fuel system, gasoline96V002000 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.

  8. R
    1996-04-22Engine and engine cooling96V006000 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.

  9. I
    1996-08-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-01-31 Fuel leaks from the gas tank
  10. R
    1996-08-27Seat belts96V136000 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.

  11. I
    1996-09-18SQClosed 1997-02-04 Integrated child seat belt lockup
  12. I
    1997-01-31Engineering analysisClosed 1998-02-10 Fuel tank leaks
  13. I
    1997-01-31Engineering analysisClosed 1998-08-19 Integrated child seat belt lockup
  14. R
    1998-11-30Child seat98V185000 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…

    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…

  15. I
    1999-02-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-06-11 Post-collision fuel system integrity
  16. I
    1999-06-11Engineering analysisClosed 2001-08-10 Post collision fuel system
  17. R
    2000-01-09Fuel system, gasoline99V216000 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.

  18. I
    2000-03-09Recall queryClosed 2002-03-18 Dc minivan fuel injector rail leak
  19. I
    2000-08-08Preliminary evaluationClosed 2001-02-21 Air bag clockspring
  20. I
    2001-02-21Engineering analysisClosed 2002-11-22 Air bag clockspring
  21. R
    2002-01-25Fuel system, gasoline00V268000 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…

    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…

  22. R
    2002-11-18Air bags02V293000 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…

  23. R
    Date not on fileSeat belts97I001000 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.

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 232 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 211 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 208 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97I001000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 95I004000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 95V236000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 95V225000 · Seats
  • Recall 96V002000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 96V006000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 96V136000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 98V185000 · Child seat
  • Recall 99V216000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 00V268000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 02V293000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.