Dodge Caravan years to avoid
The Dodge Caravan years to avoid are 1996, 1993, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1994, 1991, 1999, 2005, 1995, 2000, 2008 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2016 is the cleanest year on record.
14,200
Total complaints
79
Recall campaigns
1984–2017
Years covered
12
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Caravan years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | High complaints + open investigation | 2,178 | |
| 1993 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,229 | |
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 1,126 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 1,028 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 840 | |
| 1994 | High complaints + open investigation | 836 | |
| 1991 | High complaints + open investigation | 773 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 745 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 691 | |
| 1995 | High complaints + open investigation | 656 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 613 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 421 |
Every Caravan year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 29 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 27 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 34 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 116 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 112 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 257 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 175 | 2 | |
| 2008avoid | 421 | 2 | |
| 2007 | 115 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 231 | 6 | |
| 2005avoid | 691 | 9 | |
| 2004 | 83 | 8 | |
| 2003 | 252 | 9 | |
| 2002 | 326 | 10 | |
| 2001 | 341 | 10 | |
| 2000avoid | 613 | 13 | |
| 1999avoid | 745 | 14 | |
| 1998avoid | 840 | 14 | |
| 1997avoid | 1,028 | 15 | |
| 1996avoid | 2,178 | 18 | |
| 1995avoid | 656 | 4 | |
| 1994avoid | 836 | 5 | |
| 1993avoid | 1,229 | 10 | |
| 1992avoid | 1,126 | 11 | |
| 1991avoid | 773 | 11 | |
| 1990 | 341 | 6 | |
| 1989 | 236 | 5 | |
| 1988 | 135 | 5 | |
| 1987 | 83 | 3 | |
| 1986 | 55 | 4 | |
| 1985 | 85 | 6 | |
| 1984 | 26 | 6 |
Common questions
What are the worst Dodge Caravan years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Caravan years to avoid are 1996, 1993, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1994, 1991, 1999, 2005, 1995, 2000, 2008. The cleanest year on record is 2016.
What is the best year for the Dodge Caravan?
By complaint volume, 2016 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Caravan years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Dodge Caravan have?
Across all model years, the Caravan has 79 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 14,200 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.