Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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.
Bought used 1996 Dodge in sept 2003 and have replace brakes, rotor, and calipers 6 times. Mechanics don't know what else it could be. Brakes also lock when I press on them and hit bump at same time causing van to slide with me and my infant in it. Have to replace brakes and rotors every 2-3 months something needs to be done by the Dodge company to recall these Dodge caravans, this site has about 50% on complaints on brakes and rotors.
Height sensor valve, rear left brake (the actual date of the incident was January 5, 2003, however, the incident date segment did not provide the year 2003. Also, the number of failures section...once failure occurred, it continued) went to mechanic to find problem. There was another 1996 van there with the exact same problem (quite coincidental, which prompted this complaint). Mechanic said the height sensor valve needed replacement, could only be done by dealer due to the fact that it was a dealer part only and that the gas tank needed removal. The reason I am proceeding with this complaint is due to the fact that I had little to no warning that brake failure was imminent. During one trip (approximately 30 minutes total), brakes began to feel "spongy", then brake light came on, then total brake failure. …
Consumer was driving at 25mph on the highway. He was looking in his rear mirror and he noticed smoke trail. Gasoline was dripping from underneath the pipe, and the car was on fire. When he applied brakes,the car kept moving. The vehicle cut off in the middle of highway traffic going 55 MPH due to a faulty fuel pump which the manufacturer replaced. 15 months later fuel began to leak from underneath the vehicle causing fire while the customer was driving.
Consumer complained about ongoing ABS brake problem. ABS light came on and would either go off within seconds or stay on all day. This caused brake failure on separate occasions. Also, brakes failed to stop vehicle immediately, resulting in extended stopping distance, which almost caused a rear end collision. Dealership was unable to correct the problem. They performed a diagnostic test but no failure code was found.
Complete and sudden brake failure while approaching a stoplight. I was very lucky to be able to steer around the vehicle in front of me to avoid a serious accident. Prior to the incident the brakes were working fine. This is an extremely dangerous and serious failure mode. I have seen other reports of this on the web and it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured or killed...
While driving and brakes are applied, the steering wheel will vibrate then there's a noise (place unknown)and vehicle will have extended stopping distance. Problem will worsen when driving in wet conditions. The dealership cannot fix the problem, and they indicated that the ABS brakes are the cause of the problem. Ts
Catalytic converter overheated, causing the wires to melt, short out and eventualy catch 0n fire. Dealer has been contacted. Consumer adds vehicle smelled of fuel from day vehicle was purchased. The brakes fail constantly. Leaky o-rings caused fire.
Brake failure: made noise when brakes applied; dealer replaced drums twice. Nothing wrong w/rotors; failure of power booster caused accident. Informed dealer 7 times. Dealer repaired/replaced or changed different parts of brakes, each time.
On or about February of 1999, the airbag light starting blinking on and off, and I thought it was possibly a blown fuse. During the month of February I took the van in for service and while there in informed the served manager that the airbag light had begun to blink and I thought maybe a fuse had blown. He agreed to have it checked along with the other repairs I had requested. One repair being the squealing brakes I had repaired in October of 98. The service manager assured me the brakes were fine, and that those kind of brakes will often squeal. After that he informed me that in order to solve the airbag problem I would have to pay them an additional $800.00, because the airbag was no good. And I told the service manager that the airbag had never before deployed. How could it not be any good? I asked the service manager. He then told me it was a manufactures defect. …
Brake complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1996 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 153 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Dodge Caravan, 11% of the model year's 1,403 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (63 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Caravan brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 3 fires and 17 injuries to brakes 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.