Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 1,126 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.9 times the median Caravan year — the 1992 model ranks #3 of 37 Caravan years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 6 deaths and 50 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
Brakes leads the complaint categories with 301 reports (27% of the total).
1,126
NHTSA complaints
11
Recalls
14
Investigations
60
Crash-involved
14
Fires reported
50
Injuries
6
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 301 | 27% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 181 | 16% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 118 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 85 | 8% | — flat |
| Engine | 84 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 80 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 72 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 37 | 3% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 36 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 34 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 20 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 19 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 18 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 11 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 11 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Other | 10 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 5 | 0% | — flat |
| Child Seat | 4 | 0% | new |
11 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LEFT HAND WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT DRIVE ARM WAS NOT MECHANICALLY STAKED TO THE PIVOT SHAFT.
Consequence
THIS COULD ALLOW THE DRIVE ARM TO DISENGAGE FROM THE SHAFT LEADING TO A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT ASSEMBLY.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. THE CENTER REAR SEAT, RIGHT OUTBOARD SIDE, SAFETY BELT ANCHOR HOOK CAN BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE BODY ANCHOR POSITION.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ANCHOR HOOK RETAINING CLIP WITH A REVISED PROFILE CLIP AND A COVER PLATE.
Defect
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 ONLY PARTIALLY LATCHED.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.
Defect
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 OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
Consequence
PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
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 WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.
Defect
THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Consequence
IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS IN THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT AREA. ANY STEERING WHEELS SHOWING CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
Defect
THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Consequence
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
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 BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.
Defect
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. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Consequence
IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES IN MARCH 1996.
Defect
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. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Consequence
IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES IN OCTOBER 1995.
Defect
FUEL TANK FLANGES WERE NOT BENT AS REQUIRED TO ALLOW THE SPECIFIED CLEARANCE FOR THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAPS AND FUEL LINES AT THE TANK.
Consequence
THE UNBENT FLANGES TO THE FUEL TANK WILL DAMAGE THEMOUNTING STRAPS AND/OR FUEL LINES. THE DAMAGED MOUNTING STRAPS MAY BREAK CAUSINGTHE TANK TO DROP AND THE DAMAGED FUEL LINE WILL LEAK FUEL. IN EITHER CASE A FIRECOULD RESULT IF THE SPILLED FUEL IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy
REPAIR THE FLANGE BY BENDING TO THE CORRECT ANGLE; REPLACE DAMAGED FUEL LINES AND MOUNTING STRAPS.
Defect
THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.
Consequence
FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.
Remedy
REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.
Defect
THE BRAKE PEDAL PAD ATTACHMENT TO THE PEDAL ARM MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STRENGTH DUE TO MISLOCATION OF WELDS, AND COULD BREAK.
Consequence
FAILURE OF THE PEDAL PAD TO PEDAL ARM ATTACHMENT RESULTSIN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE INADEQUATE BRAKE PEDALS WITH PROPERLY MANUFACTURED PEDALS.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, BOTH ABS BRAKE LIGHTS HAD COME ON, THEN THE CONSUMER LOST THE POWER ASSIST AND BRAKE PEDAL, EVENTUALLY HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. SCC”
“TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON THE BELTWAY, CONSUMER WAS APPROCHING TURN OFF WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE CAR COLLISION. SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK”
“WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 50MPH, SUDDENLY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, AS RESULT OF HOLE BLOWN IN TRANS. CASING, FOLLOWING TRANS. FLUID LOSS, NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK”
“DURING SIDE-IMPACT AT 35-40MPH REAR HATCH TAILGATE FLEW OPEN CAUSING CONTENTS TO FALL OUT.AFTER ACCIDENT TAILGATE CONTINUE TO OPEN DURING HIGH ACCELERATION/STOP”
“ELECTRIC RADIATOR FAN SEIZED UP AND BLEW A FUSABLE LINK THAT WAS LOCATED [REDACTED] INSIDE [REDACTED] THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS NEAR THE FRONT WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR. WHEN THE FUSABLE LINK BLEW, IT SET FIRE TO THE OTHER WIRES AND FUSABLE LINKS IN THE PLASTIC COMB SHEATH. THE DEALER FIX THIS BY PATCHING…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 1,126 complaints put the 1992 model at #3 of 37 Caravan years. It is one of the Caravan years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (301 complaints), seat belts (181 complaints), transmission (118 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Dodge Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 14 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on 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 record among Caravan years belongs to 2019.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.