VehicleVerdict

1994 Dodge Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1994 Dodge Caravan carries two red flags at once: 836 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 3.6× the Caravan norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR). It is one of the Caravan years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 5 deaths and 159 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (118), airbags (105), and body & structure (83), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

836

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

8

Investigations · 1 open

116

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

159

Injuries

5

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Caravan years?

Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 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, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Dodge Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission11814%
Airbags10513%
Body & Structure8310%
Engine8010%
Brakes799%
Latches & Locks587%
Visibility & Wipers476%
Electrical System445%
Steering395%
Seat Belts314%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)293%
Fuel System233%
Suspension192%
Seats192%
Other162%
Speed Control152%
Tires & Wheels121%
Lighting111%
Child Seat81%

Does the 1994 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

5 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.

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.

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

DP96014

DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR

CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING 65MPH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ON ITS OWN AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 85MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT PEDAL WAS LOCKED. SHE USED BOTH FEET ON BRAKE WITH NO RESULTS. THEN, PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO SLOW IT DOWN, AND VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, $ AMOUNT OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 1, 2001 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION TRAVELING ABOUT 15-20 MPH IN WHICH NEITHER DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BREAST AND CHEST DUE TO THE SEAT BELT NOT PROVIDING PROTECTION, AND C AUSING THE PASSENGER TO JUMP FORWARD. CONSUMER HAS YET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 30, 1998 · crash

“AS I SLOWLY WAS TURNING THE CAR TO PARK IN A PARKING LOT IN VIENNA VA SHOPPING CENTER, THE VAN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO HANDICAP PARKING POLE MARKER ( NO DAMAGE). DAMAGE TO MY VAN WHICH IS VISABLE APPEARS TO BE THE FRONT OF THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND A DAMAGED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 21, 2014 · crash

“ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER THEN MADE A STOP AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 16, 1996 · fire

“I LOST CONTROL OF THE VAN TRYING TO STOP INSTEAD OF HITTING THE TRUCK I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE GAS PEDAL SPED UP DODGE SAID ITS NOT THERE FAULT PLEASE CHECK IT OUT AND SEE IF THE VAN WAS TO BLAME ALSO THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK BECAUSE I HIT THE WINDOW BEFORE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 15, 2000 · crash

1994 Dodge Caravan — common questions

Is the 1994 Dodge Caravan reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 836 complaints put the 1994 model at #6 of 37 Caravan years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Caravan years to avoid.

What are the most common 1994 Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (118 complaints), airbags (105 complaints), body & structure (83 complaints).

Does the 1994 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Dodge Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1994 Dodge Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR). 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.