NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan.
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash-test ratings for the 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan. New vehicles are often added to the NCAP rating program after initial release; check nhtsa.gov/ratings for the latest status.
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
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.
Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DON'T WORK
WHEN I WAS TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF. I WAS ABOUT TO BACK UP AND IF I DID I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 00V305000 (STEERING), 99V213000 (STRUCTURE), 99V113000 (AIR BAGS), AND 95I00100 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WOULD RAIN OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER AND OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PULLEYS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE DEALER AND SEVERAL MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE CONSISTENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,426 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 241,625.
The 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan has 6 NHTSA recalls and 217 consumer complaints on file. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
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Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
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.
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
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.
Component: AIR BAGS
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.
Component: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
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.
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH BRAUN HANDICAPPED MODIFICATIONS WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY DURING LOADING OF HANDICAPPED WOMAN. ATTENDANT WAS INJURED DUE TO PROXIMITY OF HEAD TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *TR
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE CHRYSLER GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AROUND A MOUNTAIN THE STEERING LOCKED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE DEALER DIDN'T TRY TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE BELT IN 1996, BUT THE MECHANIC STATED THE BELT LOOKED FINE. UPDATE 05/10/07*TR
TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 150000 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LEAKING GAS ON THE MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT A MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THERE WAS A RECALL # 00268000 ON THE 1996-2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE , AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *AK THE FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING FUEL AT THE END OF THE RAIL WHERE A PIPE JOINED THE 2 RAILS TOGETHER, FUEL LEAKED ON THE MANIFOLD AND A SMALL FIRE WAS IGNITED. UPDATED 04/30/07. *JB
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY WHEN WEATHER IS VERY WARM. NO INDICATION OF OVERHEATING. LET SET FOR 10-15 MINUTES AND VEHICLE STARTS AND RUNS FINE UNTIL NEXT TIME. HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS, USUALLY ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. HAVE NOT HAD TO A DEALER TO CHECK OUT BUT HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WHO HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER AND DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE STALLING.
1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK BROKEN AT THE FIRST WELD ON THE VERTICAL PORTION OF THE SEAT BACK. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN NORMALLY, NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE SEAT JUST WENT TO A RECLINED POSITION WHILE DRIVING. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT IN ADDITION TO THE VERTICAL FRAME WELD FAILURE, A CASTING FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE HORIZONTAL PORTION OF THE SEAT FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF RECLINE LEVER. THE FRAME CASTING WAS COMPLETING SEVERED AND WOULD NOT HAVE RETAINED THE SEAT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN DECELERATION. THE SEAT WAS UNSAFE BUT DID NOT REVEAL ITSELF UNTIL THE BACK FRAME WELD FAILURE. MY STATE OF RESIDENCE IS WISCONSIN, YOUR PROGRAM DID NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER THIS STATE SO I CHOOSE ONE AT RANDOM. *NM
CONSUMER STATED THE SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF TRACK . THE PART HAD BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PARTS SEEM TO WEAR TO EASY AND RUST WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT. *TC
(1) NO WARNING OF FAILURE.(2) SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BOLT FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING A TURN. NO CONSEQUENCES RESULTED FROM THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AT 5MPH. UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES (DOWNHILL ON TIGHT CURVE) THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND PROBABLY RESULT IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL.(3) ANTICIPATE REPLACING THE TENSIONER AND RETURNING VEHICLE TO SERVICE.*AK
AIR BAG. I OWN A 1994 GRAND CARAVAN. I HAVE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG HAS HAD A PROBLEM SINCE ALMOST DAY ONE. THE AIRBAG PANEL LIGHT IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE SEVERAL YEARS AGO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAD THE VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL SERVICE TO RECTIFY THE OBVIOUSLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT WAS TIED TO A PROBLEM W/ THE REAR WINDOW WIPER CIRCUIT. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WAS FIXED FOR ALL BUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND TO THIS DAY I DON'T HAVE A WORKING AIR BAG OR REAR WINDOW WIPER. I CAN LIVE W/O THE WIPER, I'D LIKE TO HAVE WORKING SAFETY EQUIPMENT. *NM
TRANSMISSON FAILURE. *LA
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 POSITION AND IN ORDER TO CLOSE THE DOOR THE CONSUMER HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PUNCTURE THE ROOF. *NLM *CB *NLM
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 NO CLUE. 125,000 MILES ON ENGINE.*AK
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