VehicleVerdict

1996 Dodge Caravan transmission problems

The 1996 Dodge Caravan has 200 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

200

Transmission complaints

9%

Share of year

8

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Caravan transmission complaints by model year200 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 8 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 7 complaints1988: 4 complaints1989: 50 complaints1990: 79 complaints1991: 58 complaints1992: 118 complaints1993: 108 complaints1994: 118 complaints1995: 100 complaints1996: 200 complaints1997: 142 complaints1998: 118 complaints1999: 105 complaints2000: 91 complaints2001: 19 complaints2002: 28 complaints2003: 22 complaints2004: 4 complaints2005: 15 complaints2006: 14 complaints2007: 9 complaints2008: 11 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 14 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 3 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 6 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 1 complaints2018: 1 complaints
Caravan transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“TL* - THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT WHEN SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM HER CAR. SHE PULLED HER CAR OVER AND GOT OUT AND THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT SAID THAT SHE CAN GET A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT. THE CONTACT ALSO SAID THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 1, 2006 · fire

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1996 Dodge Caravan have?

NHTSA has 200 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Caravan transmission — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

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.