Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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).
Rear doors on vehicle will not open from the inside. Driver's side door was repaired, but the problem persists. Door lever links were replaced in the repaired driver's side door. Dealer and manufacturer had been informed of the problem.
Driver's side slifing door was working fine. Then on 1/24/99 we tried to open door to get my son out of his car seat, but the door would not open. It seemed like it was still locked. So my husband unlocked it again with the key. It still would not open. On 1/28/99, I took the car to a bertera dealer in palmer, ma (closer to home,) and they checked the fuel door safety mechanism and it was OK. So they called Chrysler corp and was informed that sometimes the lock activator seizes up. The entire inside door panel must be removed to fix the problem. Possibly need to replace the part if broken.
The automatic door locks on both rear sliding doors failed two times each. Three times they failed in the unlocked position and van could not be secured - a major safety hazard since the doors could not be manually locked (e.g., theft). Other failed in the locked position and could not be manually unlocked. When fixed by dealer, dealer noted that this is a common problem. Recommend requiring recall. Fyi - I am a safety engineer for the us army.
# pe96038, the sliding door sometimes you can unlock it, but couldn't not open it, can open from the inside . Consumer states the locking mechanism began acting up in July, sometimes door would not unlock fully and would have to be unlocked again, finally the door lock assembly froze and the door could not be opened from the outside at all, dealer repaired under warranty, however it is beginning to develop the same problems as before.
Turn signals would work intermittently in hot/humid weather. Sometimes would not work with indicator turned on. Had changed the fuses each time problem happened. Also, sliding door lock does not regularly release with the lock/unlock switch. Further, it is unreliable with the manual lock/botton. The headlights, in hot/humid weather May or May not go off when switch is turned off. Been in contact with dealership.
Ea 01 007; air bag clock spring: air bag light stayed on, and horn assembly did not operate. Dealer was notified. Head gasket and time chain replaced due to tremendous oil loss, engine light is now illuminated, vehicle's temperature gauge went up and vehicle locked up. Windshield wipers come on by themselves. Sliding door latch inoperable.
While driving up the driveway vehicle cuts off. Had no warning. Also, the gauges on dashboard do not work like they should, especially, odometer/fuel and pressure gauges. In addition, brake rotors had to be replaced twice/sliding doors cannot be opened properly with or without key. Vehicle towed to dealer to check out problems.
Sliding door locked/malfunctioned on both passenger's side which prevented occupants from exiting vehicle. Doors could be opened from outside. Passenger side door lock solenoid has been replaced four times, driver side door solenoid has been replaced once. Please provide any further details.
At 17,000 miles the brake rotors were replaced because of a corrosion problem. Driver experienced a vibration problem with the brakes. The rotors are being replaced again at 46,000 miles. Also, the sliding door on the passenger's side does not unlock at all times.
Driver's side sliding door continues to come off and door lock continues to be faulty. Will unlock at times and not latch or close correctly. Dealer contacted, and repairwork attempted approximately five times. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 1996 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the locks & latches of the 1996 Dodge Caravan, 4% of the model year's 1,403 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (61 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Caravan door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches 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 door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 13,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
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.