Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Caravan, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags59
- Steering36
- Electrical system33
- Power train27
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Exterior lighting15
- Equipment15
- Seat belts15
- Service brakes, hydraulic12
- Structure12
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 9 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 12 2002 Caravan vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 8 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Dodge Caravan failed the safety check 1.56% of the time — 22% less often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 138,159 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 13.0–17.5 L/100 km (about 13–18 mpg US), CO₂ 280–299 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caravan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 14.9 | 10.6 | 13.0 |
| Caravan FFV · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 15.0 | 10.6 | 13.0 |
| Caravan FFV · Minivan · E85 ethanol | 20.2 | 14.2 | 17.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Dodge Caravan.
| 2004392 2 Nov 2004 | Electrical On certain vehicles subject to conditions involving extreme heat and humidity, condensation from the instrument panel air conditioning ducts may drip through th… |
| 2004276 4 Aug 2004 | Steering On certain minivans equipped with a 3.3L or 3.8L engine, the upper power steering cooler hose could split, causing a fluid leak. Power steering fluid leakage i… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.3 OR 3.8L V-6 ENGINE, THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE MAY SPLIT AND CAUSE A FLUID LEAK.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER MANUALS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES DO NOT INDICATE WHICH SEATING POSITIONS ARE EQUIPPED WITH TETHER ANCHORAGES AND CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 2002 Dodge Caravan: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635728 | SOME VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MAY HAVE THE ABS, BRAKE AND TRAC OFF LAMPS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TT |
| 635719 | SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSAXLE THAT WILL NOT MOVE OR SLIPS IN REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR. *TT |
| 635708 | SUBJECT REGARDING MONRONEY LABEL TIRE DISCREPANCY. *TT |
| 635706 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SLIPPING OR NO DRIVE CONDITION IN REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR. *TT |
| 635704 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SLIPPING OR NO DRIVE CONDITION IN REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR. *TT |
| 635697 | SUBJECT REGARDING AIR CONDITIONER TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL (STRATIFICATION) BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT PANEL OUTLETS. *TT |
| 635694 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE HVAC DRAIN WATER LEAKS UNDER PASSENGER SIDE CARPET. *TT |
| 635674 | CONCERNS WITH THE ABS, BRAKE AND TRAC OFF CLUSTER LAMPS ILLUMINATED ON VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS BRAKES. *TT |
| 635672 | SUBJECT REGARDING REAR BRAKE CYCLIC RUBBING SOUND FROM REAR OF VEHICLE DURING MEDIUM TO LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION ON VEHICLES WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES. *TT |
| 634272 | FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC |
| 634129 | SUBJECT REGARDING POOR REAR AIR CONDITIONER PERFORMANCE - LOW OUTPUT FROM HEADLINER VENTS. *SLC |
| 634120 | SUBJECT REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION, ERRONOUS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0456, EVAP LEAK MONITOR 0.020 LEAK DETECTED. *SLC |
| 634115 | LOUD WHISTLE/SQUEALING SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT-2002 RS/RG. *SLC |
| 634092 | SUBJECT REGARDING STEERING SHUDDER. *SLC |
| 634090 | SUBJECT REGARDING FUEL CAP DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. *SLC |
| 634087 | SUBJECT REGARDING REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *SLC |
| 634082 | CHROME WHEEL CARE. *SLC |
| 634077 | SUBJECT REGARDING OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS REPLACEMENT. *SLC |
| 634074 | SUBJECT REGARDING QUARTER WINDOW WEATHERSTRIP LOOSE. *SLC |
| 634072 | SUBJECT REGARDING ASSIST FEATURE INOPERATIVE ON QUAD OR SPLIT REAR BENCH SEATS. *SLC |
| 634070 | SUBJECT REGARDING QUAD SEAT RELEASE HANDLE SCREW SHEARED OFF IN SHAFT. *SLC |
| 633487 | SUBJECT REGARDING STUCK OIL PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE FOR VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2002 EQUIPPED WITH A 3.3 L OR 3.8 L ENGINE. *SLC |
| 633448 | SUBJECT REGARDING COOLING FAN SOUND/VIBRATION. *SLC |
| 632208 | INFORMATION ON REMOVABLE FLOOR CONSOLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. *TT |
| 632205 | THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES INSTALLING A REVISED POWER SEAT ADJUSTER DRIVE BLOCK SCREW TO THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE POWER SEAT TRACK(S). *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION
HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION
SPEAKER FIRE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE
POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURE
FUEL TANK LEAK
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation