VehicleVerdict

1994 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 248 owner complaints run below the Grand Caravan median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (59), body & structure (33), and brakes (24), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

248

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

5

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Grand Caravan years?

Grand Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted1,962 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 12 complaints1989: 30 complaints1990: 69 complaints1991: 150 complaints1992: 319 complaints1993: 391 complaints1994: 248 complaints1995: 118 complaints1996: 1,860 complaints1997: 857 complaints1998: 761 complaints1999: 599 complaints2000: 558 complaints2001: 362 complaints2002: 417 complaints2003: 289 complaints2004: 144 complaints2005: 1,341 complaints2006: 378 complaints2007: 273 complaints2008: 1,962 complaints2009: 798 complaints2010: 1,307 complaints2011: 821 complaints2012: 816 complaints2013: 656 complaints2014: 476 complaints2015: 348 complaints2016: 1,220 complaints2017: 531 complaints2018: 349 complaints2019: 307 complaints2020: 23 complaints
Grand Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission5924%
Body & Structure3313%
Brakes2410%
Airbags208%
Engine208%
Visibility & Wipers166%
Latches & Locks114%
Steering104%
Fuel System104%
Electrical System104%
Seat Belts83%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)83%
Suspension83%
Other62%
Tires & Wheels21%
Seats10%
Speed Control10%
Lighting10%

Does the 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

6 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.

93V215000Tires & WheelsDecember 14, 1993 · 90 units

Defect

WHEELS WITH MISFORMED LUG NUT SEATS WERE INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES. THIS CAUSES REDUCED NUT TO WHEEL CONTACT AREA AND LIMITS THE WHEEL SELF-CENTERING CAPABILITY DURING INSTALLATION. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION.

Consequence

LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL LUGFAILURE WHICH MAY CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSPECT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY PLANT CODE; REPLACE WHEELS KNOWN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AND INSTALL NEW LUG NUTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ A YOUNG CHILD GOT IN VEHICLE, PUT KEY IN IGNITION, AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDM, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DAMAGE TO THAT VEHICLE WAS $2000.00. *AK *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 3, 2001 · crash

“WHEN THE CONSUMER CLOSED THE REAR HATCH THE HINGE ON THE UPPER RIGHT CAME OFF. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BOLT HAD BROKEN IN HALF AND ONE HALF OF THE BOLT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE DOOR WHILE OTHER HALF FELL TO THE GROUND. THE PRESSURIZED MECHANISM WAS LOCKED IN THE OPEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 16, 2003

“EXPERIENCING ABS BRAKE FAILURE WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. PROBLEM OCCURRED 30 MINUTES AFTER GOING OVER AN OVERPASS. ABS SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. BRAKE CONTINUALLY GRADED TO NOTHING. VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 11, 1998 · crash

“ENGINE HESITATES AS IF STARVING FOR FUEL AND STALLS WHILE TRAVELING,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL YOU TURN OFF ENGINE AND RETSTART. TAKEN TO DEALER AND NO TROUBLE CODES FOUND. FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, FUEL INJECTOR O-RINGS, REPLACED. HAS HAPPENED OVER LAST SIX YEARS, SOME 20 TIMES AND DEALER HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 10, 2003

“INSURED WAS IN TURNING LANE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND TURNED IN FRONT OF AN ONCOMING VAN. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SHOP STATES THAT SPECIFIC CRUNCH/CRIMPING IN AREA, SENSOR SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF, THERE WERE TWO INJURIES IN ACCIDENT, CLAIM 59-V722-082. *JG ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 14, 2001 · crash

1994 Dodge Grand Caravan — common questions

Is the 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 248 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Grand Caravan year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1994 Grand Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (59 complaints), body & structure (33 complaints), brakes (24 complaints).

Does the 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Dodge Grand 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 Grand Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Grand Caravan years should you avoid?

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.

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.