Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan sits mid-pack among Grand Caravan years: 362 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 362, with 5 recalls and 3 closed investigations. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across lighting (51), airbags (48), and electrical system (40), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
362
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
3
Investigations
10
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
12
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lighting | 51 | 14% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 48 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 40 | 11% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 31 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 29 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 26 | 7% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 20 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 20 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 19 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 19 | 5% | — flat |
| Suspension | 17 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 9 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Other | 8 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 7 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 6 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 5 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 4 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 3 | 1% | — flat |
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, CONDENSATION FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS MAY DROP THROUGH VENT HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE RADIO AND RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT SUBSEQUENTLY SENDS DIRECT CURRENT TO THE REAR SPEAKERS.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN A SPEAKER FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL ADD A SPECIAL TAPE TO THE TOP OF THE RADIO TO PREVENT THE POTENTIAL OF WATER INTRUSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Defect
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, MODELS WIX FILTER PART NUMBERS 33576, 33577, 33734; NAPA FILTER PART NUMBERS 3576, 3577, 3734; AND CARQUEST FILTER PART NUMBERS 86576, 86577, 86734 USED ON 1996-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, DODGE CARAVAN, AND PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VEHICLES, CAN CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LEAK.
Consequence
A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy
WIX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. NOTE: THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP. NOR ANY DAILMERCHRYSLER DEALERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WIX AT 704-864-6711.
Defect
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
Consequence
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Defect
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2001 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, AND DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN MINI VANS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY OPTION. THE SLIDING DOOR LATCHES ON THESE VEHICLES COULD RELEASE DURING CERTAIN SEVERE ACCIDENT CONDITIONS THAT INVOLVE THE SLIDING DOOR.
Consequence
THIS COULD ALLOW THE SLIDING DOOR TO PARTIALLY OPEN.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH SLIDING DOOR KEY CYLINDER-TO-BELL CRANK LINKS ON THE SLIDING DOORS FREE OF CHARGE (PARTS AND LABOR). DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE SLIDING DOOR KEY CYLINDER-TO-BELL CRANK LINKS. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM PIVOT BOLT COULD FRACTURE.
Consequence
IF THE BOLT FRACTURES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS AND NUTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“I HAVE A 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS. WHEN YOU TURN THE VAN ON, THE RIGHT RUNNING LAMP LIGHTS. WHEN YOU TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON, THE LEFT HEADLIGHT LIGHTS AND THE RIGHT GOES OFF. WHEN YOU TURN THE BRIGHTS ON, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT LIGHTS AND THE LEFT GOES OFF. I HAVE SEEN ON THE…”
“1. NO EVENTS OR LIGHTS LEADING UP TO THE CRASH. ( LIGHTS, ERROR MESSAGE FOR AIR BAG, ETC. ) 2. SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG - DID NOT GO OFF. I WAS IN A SIDE IMPACT CAR CRASH AT SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR ON OUR DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. 3. OVER $6,000.00 WORTH OF WORK DONE ON VEHICLE. NOTHING WAS DONE TO COORECT OR…”
“AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION UNDER THE HOOD CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE, THE FIRE INSPECTOR CAME TO THIS CONCLUSION BASED ON A CORE THAT THE FIRE BURNED. *YH ”
“ THE DRIVER WINDOW ON MY GRAND CARAVAN WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK EITHER AND WILL COST OVER $1200 TO REPAIR. IT IS NOT SAFE TO HAVE DEFECTIVE WINDOWS. IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOORS WERE BLOCKED, I WOULD BE TRAPPED. I ALSO HAVE 2 CHILDREN. WE LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT…”
“MY MINIVAN WAS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHILE I DELIVERED A PACKAGE TO A NEIGHBOR DURING A THUNDER, LIGHTNING, RAIN STORM. THE VAN JUMPED INTO GEAR, RACED FORWARD AND PINNED ME TO THE NEIGHBOR'S DOOR FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR BEFORE BEING RESCUED. I SPENT SEVERAL DAYS IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT…”
It is close to typical for the Grand Caravan: 362 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (51 complaints), airbags (48 complaints), electrical system (40 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 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 3 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.