VehicleVerdict

1995 Dodge Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1995 Dodge Caravan carries two red flags at once: 656 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.8× the Caravan norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR). It is one of the Caravan years to avoid. Complainants reported 67 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (100), engine (78), and airbags (73), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

656

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

6

Investigations · 1 open

74

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

67

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Caravan years?

See all Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Dodge Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission10015%
Engine7812%
Airbags7311%
Brakes6610%
Body & Structure457%
Electrical System457%
Visibility & Wipers396%
Steering305%
Fuel System274%
Latches & Locks254%
Seats234%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)213%
Seat Belts173%
Other162%
Speed Control142%
Suspension132%
Tires & Wheels122%
Lighting112%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1995 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

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

03E045000OtherSeptember 26, 2003 · 45,870 units

Defect

AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 17, 2002, AND JANUARY 20, 2003, SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER MAY EXPERIENCE MALFUNCTION OF THE QUICK CONNECTOR EITHER BLOCKING FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE OR CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP. NOR ANY DAILMERCHRYSLER DEALERS.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE COULD STALL. ALSO, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THE FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS FOR 1995-2000 SHORT WHEELBASE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS PART NO. 18232 AND DATE CODE 0237, 0249, OR 0252. REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS FOR 1995-2000 LONG WHEELBASE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS PART NO. 18230 AND DATE CODE 0237, 0249, 0251, OR 0304. REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS FOR 2001-2004 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS PART NO. 28871 AND DATE CODE 0249. THESE PART NUMBERS AND DATE CODES APPEAR ON THE GOLD-TONE FILTER. DISTRIBUTORS AND RETAILERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO ISOLATE AND RETURN AFFECTED INVENTORY. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE FUEL FILTER SERVICED ON ONE OF THE APPLICABLE VEHICLES AFTER SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 SHOULD RETURN THEIR VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE FACILITY TO BE INSPECTED TO SEE IF THE FUEL FILTER THAT WAS INSTALLED IS ONE THAT IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. IF SO, THE OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THE FILTER REPLACED. TO RECEIVE A FULL REFUND PLUS THE COST OF POSTAGE, OWNERS SHOULD CUT THE CONNECTORS FROM THE HOSES, RINSE THE CONNECTORS AND RETURN THEM TOGETHER WITH PROOF OF THE AMOUNT PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART AND LABOR, TO INTERCONTINENTAL AT INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS, INC., P.O. BOX 861, MAHWAH, NJ 07430, ATTN: FUEL FILTER RECALL. INTERCONTINENTAL WILL MAIL A FULL REFUND TO THE OWNER.

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.

THE DRIVER PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THE DRIVEWAY AND IN ABOUT A MINUTE THE GEARS JUMPED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 14, 1997 · crash

WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER ,THEREFORE, EXISTED VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED ON SCENE OF FIRE COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDED FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · fire

A VEHICLE HIT THE CONSUMER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PUSHING THE VEHICLE INTO A LANDSCAPING WALL AND INTO A TREE, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED INWARD, HOWEVER THE AIRBAG EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO SUSTAIN INJURIES, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG (99V113) WHICH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · crash

ABS BRAKES; ON (2) OCCASIONS ABS FAILED TO ENGAGE, NOT ACTIVATING. TRUCK INVOLVED IN (2) ACCIDENTS. DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE ONCE HOOKED TO COMPUTER. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

WELDING THAT HOLDS DOOR HINGES TO THE FRAME OF VEHICLE CRACKED AND COULD POSSIBLY DISCONNECT FROM VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED PROBLEM, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THE PROCESS FOR REPAIRING THE HINGES WILL INVOLVE DEALING WITH WIRES UNDER DASH BECAUSE SENSORS FOR AIR BAGS RUN THROUGH THAT AREA.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

1995 Dodge Caravan — common questions

Is the 1995 Dodge Caravan reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 656 complaints put the 1995 model at #10 of 37 Caravan years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Caravan years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (100 complaints), engine (78 complaints), airbags (73 complaints).

Does the 1995 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Dodge Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 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.