Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
I purchased my vehicle used, and since then, the windshield wipers came on without warning, and at the oddest times. Also, my airbag light turned on and my horn stopped working because of it. Suddenly, about 3 months ago, the car started smoking. I took it to get it serviced and asked them to check the source of the smoking. The service men told me that it was because the vehicle was burning oil. I was told by other mechanics, after the fire that I describe below, that if the vehicle burns oil, the smoke would be temporary, and it would go away after it burns off. Well... It didn't, and this is what happened: on April 20th, I parked my car on the outdoor parking lot of the whole foods market, in glendale, ca. I heard an announcement over the pa, that there was an emergency in the south parking lot, and that everyone there should move their car. I was parked in the south lot. …
Tl contact owns a 1996 Dodge Caravan. The contact attempted to drive her vehicle and noticed that there was a fire near the headlight switch. The fire was extinguished by the contact. There were no injuries and the fire department was not called. The vehicle was able to be driven back to the contact's residence. The vehicle has not been to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 192,400.
This vehicle has a chronic design problem with throwing its serpentine belt whenever the tension pulley gets wet. Soon as the belt is thrown there is no power steering, and it steers 10 times worse than a mack truck. The lack of steering is a definite safety hazard to every other vehicle on the road. As it happens suddenly by driving through a water puddle, etc. There is virtually no time to react. In addition to lack of steering there is no alternator output, resulting in rapid battery drain. Also there is no coolant system fan resulting in rapid engine overheating. This design fault has been known for well over a decade, no make that 2 decades, but Chrysler has never acknowledged a problem. The problem dates back to all Chrysler Mini-van designs from the early 1990s to at least 2000. If the lack of steering is not a safety related defect I don't know what is. …
In fueling our van, on two different occasions, we have had a fire. The fire comes from the filler pipe on the van! The van was totally turned off. It does extinguish itself after awhile. We are experiencing shock constantly when we touch the van. We have had it to the dealer about the shocking problem, but not the fire. We assumed it was with our personal gas tank. Contacted the gas co. And they investigated and corrected what could have been a problem. No other vehicals that are filled at this tank have experienced this difficulty. My son and I were involved the first time there was a fire. He was burnt slightly. The second time, only myself. We are concluding now, that the difficulty is within the van. We are contacting a dealer in the am but would you please assist. Not only was the filler pipe on the van on fire, the hose from the stationary tank and the ground was on fire. …
BCM-1, (warranty) loss of dash functions 1996: BCM-2 estimate $1200 replaced Chrysler p/n p4686727 lost 95,000 mile odometer for a working BCM from junkyard (2001), BCM-3, lost fuel gauge and speedometer BCM from junkyard fixed p/n p46867(2006) bad windshield replacement leaks water into cabin, BCM-3, failed again currently no wipers, not able to find a 1996/1997 BCM only 1998 Plymouth voyager BCM p/n p04801062ae. Will try to validate compatibility tonight. Adel Chrysler estimate $1,400 plus labor. Already gave them $742 for tune up and trouble shooting what they said was a bad multi-switch ($110) did not fix and no discount for not knowing how to diagnose a problem properly. Their number is [phone] cory (karl is the service manager-owner's son).
Tl contact owns a 1996 Dodge Caravan. While driving in inclement weather conditions, water, or with the air conditioner activated, the vehicle temporarily loses control. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the serpentine belt slipped off. No warning lights illuminated at the time of the failure. The vehicle was repaired approximately five times, however, the failures recurred two months later. The manufacturer was unable to provide assistance. The speed was unknown. The failure mileage was 119,000 and current mileage was 135,000. Updated 01-23-08. The dealer stated upper radiator loose, loose clamps, front brake pads, belt tensioner, oxygen sensor, and alternator bracket. Updated 01/23/08
1996 Dodge Caravan suffers from intermittent "body control module". One of the possible symptoms of this failure is random failures of the windshield wipers. This failure is unpredictable and apparently widespread over several model years. The body control module is replaceable only at Chrysler dealers who charge over $700 to replace this module. They have contracted with some national service facilities to repair the modules (including "united radio" in syracuse ny) but these service facilites are contractually prohibited from performing repairs on modules submitted by anyone except daimler-Chrysler. This failure is dangerous and daimler/Chrysler is using it as a cash-cow instead of repairing it at no charge.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed that the horn failed to function. In addition, the odometer displayed an incorrect reading and the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 02V293000 (air bags), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.
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 was traveling 60mph on highway. A motorist was hunking horn to get consumer's attention. When looking though the rearview mirrior he saw black smoke coming from underneath vehicle. Consumer had to pull over on the shoulders of the road, and he/ his family jumped out of vehicle. When opening the hood flames came bursting out. Vehicle burned to a crisp, and was totaled.
NHTSA investigations
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
Electrical complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1996 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 213 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Dodge Caravan, 15% of the model year's 1,403 complaints. The component named most often is horn (111 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Caravan electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 17 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.