VehicleVerdict

1993 Dodge Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1993 Dodge Caravan carries two red flags at once: 1,229 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 5.3× the Caravan norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT). It is one of the Caravan years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 110 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 374 reports (30% of the total).

1,229

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

13

Investigations · 1 open

87

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

110

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Caravan years?

Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted2,178 complaints1984: 26 complaints1985: 85 complaints1986: 55 complaints1987: 83 complaints1988: 135 complaints1989: 236 complaints1990: 341 complaints1991: 773 complaints1992: 1,126 complaints1993: 1,229 complaints1994: 836 complaints1995: 656 complaints1996: 2,178 complaints1997: 1,028 complaints1998: 840 complaints1999: 745 complaints2000: 613 complaints2001: 341 complaints2002: 326 complaints2003: 252 complaints2004: 83 complaints2005: 691 complaints2006: 231 complaints2007: 115 complaints2008: 421 complaints2009: 175 complaints2010: 257 complaints2011: 112 complaints2012: 116 complaints2013: 34 complaints2014: 27 complaints2015: 29 complaints2016: 42 complaints2017: 18 complaints2018: 6 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 4 complaints
Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Dodge Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes37430%
Seat Belts12110%
Transmission1089%
Engine1079%
Steering1018%
Body & Structure897%
Visibility & Wipers554%
Electrical System504%
Airbags403%
Seats313%
Latches & Locks302%
Speed Control212%
Lighting212%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)192%
Suspension192%
Fuel System151%
Other131%
Tires & Wheels101%
Child Seat50%

Does the 1993 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V305000SteeringOctober 12, 2000 · 679,000 units

Defect

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. 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 CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.

99V213000Body & StructureSeptember 2, 1999 · 1,318,189 units

Defect

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 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.

99V189000Visibility & WipersJuly 16, 1999 · 828,559 units

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.

99V113000AirbagsMay 6, 1999 · 736,824 units

Defect

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 TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

Consequence

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.

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.

97V148000Seat BeltsSeptember 9, 1997 · 1,100,000 units

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.

97V149000Seat BeltsSeptember 9, 1997 · 1,100,000 units

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.

96V099000BrakesJune 13, 1996 · 321,000 units

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.

95I001001Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 66,407 units

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 BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1995.

95I001005Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 1,342,202 units

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 WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING DECEMBER 1995.

93V098000Tires & WheelsJune 4, 1993 · 600 units

Defect

THE 15 INCH WHEELS HAVE MALFORMED LUG NUT SEAT CONFIGURATION WHICH CAUSES POOR NUT-TO-WHEEL CONTACT AND CENTERING OF THE WHEEL DURING INSTALLATION.

Consequence

POOR NUT-TO-WHEEL CONTACT DURING INSTALLATION CAN LEAD TOPOSSIBLE LOSS OF A WHEEL, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

THE ROAD AND SPARE WHEELS WITH THE MALFORMED LUG NUT SEAT CONFIGURATION WILL BE REPLACED.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ99004

REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT

ON MAY 7, 1997, CHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL 436,000 1992 DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER/GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 97V-079.ODI HAD INVESTIGATION THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT PROBLEM FOR 1991-1993 CHRYSLER MINIVANS IN PE 96-035 AND EA96-027.AT THE TIME OF CLOSING EA96-027 ON MAY 16, 1997, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAD NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED ON THE 1991 AND 1993 MODELS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA96-027, ODI HAS RECEIVED 34 COMPLAINTS OF REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT ATTACHING BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TEN INJURIES, ON THE SUBJECET VEHICLES.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A RECALL QUERY BE OPENED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.CLOSING NOTE: ON JULY 19, 1999, DAMILERCHRYSLER AGREED TO RECALL 1991, 1993, AND 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES TO REMEDY REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 99V-213.IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT RQ99-004 BE CLOSED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“RECALL RELATED 96V099, ABS SYTEM FAILED, IN FOR REPAIR, DID NOT REPAIR VEHICLE PROPERLY, OR SCREENED FOR THE RECALL WHICH CAUSED A CRASH, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, 10MPH, PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR, LOST OF EFFECTIVENESS AND LOST OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 26, 1996 · crash

“VEHICLE CAME DOWN ON A DECLINE IN SNOW, WENT INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER TURNED COMPLETELY SIDEWAYS, AND HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW, AND ENDED UP FACING THE BACKSEAT. DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT BELTS. THERE IS NOW A RECALL ON THE SEAT BELTS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · crash

“TRANSMISSION WOUL STICK WHILE IN 2ND GEAR. WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY. WAS UNDER 7YR WARRANTY. HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED, BUT IT WAS ALSO STICKING IN 2ND GEAR. PRIOR TO STICKING ON 2ND TRANSMISSIN, THERE WOULD BE A LOUD BANG. CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT. WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 10, 2000

“THE VEHICLE KEEPS RUNNING HOT AND BLOWING HEAD GASKETS WITHOUT GIVING ANY WARNING OR LIGHT SIGNAL THAT IT IS RUNNING HOT. HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE...THE FIRST REPAIR LASTED ABOUT A YEAR THEN BLEW A HEAD GASKET AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE HEADS BEING MADE OF ALUMINUM. CANNOT FIND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 15, 1999

“WHIILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVE WAY DRIVER LOST STEERING CONTROL BECAUSE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. DEALER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. VAN WAS REPAIRED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 21, 2000 · crash

1993 Dodge Caravan — common questions

Is the 1993 Dodge Caravan reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,229 complaints put the 1993 model at #2 of 37 Caravan years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Caravan years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (374 complaints), seat belts (121 complaints), transmission (108 complaints).

Does the 1993 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Dodge Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 Dodge Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Dodge Caravan years should you avoid?

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.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.