Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While turning into a parking space I touched break and the van accelerated to full throttle. The van jumped the curb and was heading toward 3 people, I turned the steering wheel enough to hit a light pole instead of them. The van quit racing for a few seconds and then revved up again. The light pole fell and I was again headed toward the people. I put both feet on the break and was able to stop the van, but not before hitting the people. Luckily they were just bruised because I just bumped them and didn't run over them. This all happened in a matter of seconds. I almost killed some people and no longer have transportation because the van was totaled.
Dt: in April while driving down I-70 at about 70 MPH the owner was driving and heard a ripping noise . Looked back and saw side panel in the air and it flew into the median. It was a piece of gray panel that was along the van at the bottom. There were cars around, but the plastic piece didn't hit anything or anyone. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer will be contacted. Owner has no idea why the panel fell off. There hasn't been any other problems with vehicle, and it was regularly serviced. The only dealer information the consumer had was the name and city and state.
Dt*: the contact stated the hatchback handle assembly jammed in August 2002. The hatchback handle assembly was replaced in August 2002. The same problem has returned and the handle is currently jammed. Sometimes the hatch will not open at all without difficulty. The dealers have been made aware of the reoccurring problem. Updated 06/16/06.
Left front strut mtg tower rusted through by the time the rust was seen the metal in the strut tower had failed Chrysler refused to do anything stating it was over 3 year 36,000 mile for manifacturers deffect repair yet this is known as a common problem and can cause loss of control if it fails on the highway.
Integrated child seat wont retract when pulled out. Weatherstripping on drivers door fell off found out the drivers door was not aligned properly. Constant belt noise especially during wet conditions. Dealer must repeatedly tighten them. Brakes pulsate when applying them. Replaced numerous components on rear brakes. Fuel tank would not read fuel level correctly. Dealer had to replace fuel tank, fuel pump, and other components and said the fuel tank was bowed. Dual sliding doors have to be repeatedly adjusted because they become difficult to slide. Driver's side window regulator broke for no apparent reason. Right rear child safety seat had hole in the buckle. Replaced battery once.installed child safety belt extensions due to recall. Van is now back in shop for unknown problems, will not start.
The engine is just the most recent problem. We went ahead and bought the extended warranty even though it is usually never used. This time we used it numerous times. We have had problems with the electric windows, the starter has been replaced, the fuel pump, the engine head, the electronic locks currently do not work. It has just been a real lemon. We just do not know what to do. This time the engine blew and there was no clue that anything was wrong. We have been stranded several times and last night just barely made it home.
Stopped at stop sign, lever would not shift out of low gear. Engine revved up but no acceleration. Happens intermittently. Vehicle seems to want to stall. Took to mechanic. Problem could not be duplicated. Computer sensor blew out on interstate & was replaced twice. Passenger's sliding door not working properly. Consumer states vehicle loses power, sticks in low gear, makes noises when shifting. Vehicle drops out of cruise control.
Consumer needed to have transmission replaced again because it was shifting incorrectly. Problem could've been a rebuilt torque converter they used. Clock spring needed to replaced because horn didn't work. Also, airbag light stayed on, and cruise control went totally out. Drivers side sliding door jams, linkage appears okay. Windshield wipers sometomes will not shut off after key is removed.
Ea-01-007; consumer has noticed air bag light illuminated on dashboard. Also, horn was inoperable/ windshield wipers worked intermittently, and electrical door locks failed to lock or unlock. Also, note ABS brake light illuminated on the dash, brakes have failed. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine cause of failures. Please provide any further details.
Air bag light on the dashboard has come on and will not go off. Dealership has not examined vehicle, but informed consumer he would be responsible for any repairs to vehicle. Consumer states horn also is inoperable. Air conditioner evaporator coil failed. Door locks do not go down automatically.
NHTSA investigations
Sliding door latch failure
Chrysler maintains that the common factor contributing to known sliding door opening incidents is prior incorrect dealer latch adjustment.Chrysler attributes this problem to an inaccurate service manual procedure - sliding door latch/lock control, removal and installation.Chrysler furnished information showing that six of its complaints, and two of odi's, involved vehicles that had undergone prior repairs to the…
Sliding door latch failure
Analysis of known incidents indicates a declining trend over the last five calendar quarters.extensive testing of incident vehicles has failed to reproduce occurrences of full latch disengagement.no failure mode which could cause a properly latched door to lose full latch engagement while driving has been verified as a causal factor in any of the known incident vehicles during this investigation.a safety-related…
Body complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1996 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the body & structure of the 1996 Dodge Caravan, 4% of the model year's 1,403 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (49 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Caravan body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1996 Dodge Caravan, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Caravan body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.