Verdict · NHTSA data
Worth extra scrutiny
The 1992 Dodge Grand Caravan is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 8 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 319 owner complaints run below the Grand Caravan median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 30 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (73), seat belts (61), and transmission (39), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
319
NHTSA complaints
8
Recalls
6
Investigations
19
Crash-involved
4
Fires reported
30
Injuries
1
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 73 | 23% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 61 | 19% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 39 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 36 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 21 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 19 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Other | 11 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 11 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 7 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 7 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 7 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 7 | 2% | — flat |
| Suspension | 7 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 5 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 0% | new |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | new |
| Speed Control | 1 | 0% | ▼ down |
8 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. 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
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
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 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
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WAS HARD. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT SKIDDED, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND REMAINED ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED…”
“CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. DRIVER'A AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO CATCH. CONSUMERS HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD, KNOCKING OUT TWO TEETH, AND ARMS WERE INJURED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF…”
“ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE 2ND FAILED WHILE DRIVING, WENT FROM 35 TO 15 AND RPM WENT FROM 2 TO 5. HAD TO BE COAXED TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. THE 3RD, AT 113,500, IS PRESENTLY NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY, BUCKING, AND CUTTING OUT WHILE DRIVING,…”
“REAR TAILGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER SUPPORT ROD PULLS OUT OF VEHICLE BODY, CAUSING SUPPORT ROD TO MALFUNCTION AND ALLOWING TAILGATE TO FALL WHEN UP. *AK SUPPORT HAS FAILED TWO TIMES, THE RIGHT SIDE HYDRAULIC SUUPORT BROKE OFF OF VEHICLE, CAUSING LIFTGATE TO CRASH DOWN, CONSUMER STATES IT IS NOT THE…”
“WHILE DRIVING REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID DON'T WORRY IT WILL BE A RECALL SOON, THESE VANS HAVE THIS PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. CONSUMER HAS NO REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH IMPAIRS DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. ALSO, 94 AND 95 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS HAVE BEEN…”
It is close to typical for the Grand Caravan: 319 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and 6 investigations on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (73 complaints), seat belts (61 complaints), transmission (39 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Caravan years to avoid are 2008, 1996, 2005, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2011, 2012, 2009, 1998, 2013, 1999, 2000, 1993, 1991. The cleanest record among Grand Caravan years belongs to 1986.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.