Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving approximately 35 MPH. I hit a slight dip in the road and my driver's side air bag deployed, causing a tragic accident. When the police arrived my child's seat was not restrained in the rear seat. They closed the highway for 5 hours looking for a baby, who May have climbed out one of the broken windows, they thought. Thank god, she was at home.
Vehicle hit a post in the parking lot and the air bag did not deploy. Also the seat belt did not retain the driver in the seat which caused the driver to get hurt. Investigation (dp-96- 014) for defective air bag sensor.
1996 Dodge Caravan- gen 3 seatlbelts. Twice the seat belt has come unbuckled around my child's carseat. I just happened to notice it. I don't even know how long I had been driving with it unlatched. After the first incident (about a year ago) I have checked the security of it every time we get in the car. I have noticed it unlatched once more since then. Not sure how it happened because there was nothing on or around the seat that could have unlatch the belt. I recently saw the article in the February issue of parents magazine which LED me to the website discussing the concerns around these seatbelts. I personally am alarmed. Our Caravan has been our main vehicle and I hate knowing my children are not safe. These belts really need to be recalled.
Vehicle's intergrated child safety seat straps are locking up around the child's neck.this will be the 4th seat which is being replaced by the car manufacturer. Currently, manufacturer wants to replace seats with bench and refund owner for the intergrated child seat. The anchor points on the belts are in the wrong place.
Child integrated restraint systems located on the middle bench seat did not function properly. On both systems, the harness straps tightened and buckle would not release. On all the rear seat belts release buttons on the buckles were sensitive and released with little pressure.
I own a 1996 Dodge Caravan and just learned of the hazards with gen3 seat belts. I have three children ages 1, 10, and 12 years. I am very concerned about my toddlers carseat being properly installed and am counting on the seat belt keeping my baby safe during an accident.
When removing child out of the integral child safety seat the belts would not release, but kept tightening up and harness went up under the child's neck, almost choking child. Straps had to be cut with knife to remove child.
Seat belt retractor: while trying to get daughter out of the car seat, the belt that goes over the head would not go forward to get her out. The sea tbelt constantly twisted inside the retractors and can't get them out.
Gen 3 seat belts! My husband and my 16 month old son are everything to me, we have a 1996 Dodge Caravan and now I am afraid to drive it! Please take the necessary actions to keep us safe. We are real people.
Failure of the seat belt buckle, the seat belt comes unlatched from the buckle, consumer noticed that the belt clicks it is engaged.. Consumer contacted the dealer and the dealer stated it was normal operation.
Related recalls
Seat belts › Integrated child seat
The bolts which secure the integrated child seat modules to the seat frame can break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the integrated child seat module bolts.
NHTSA investigations
Integrated child seat belt lockup
Odi continues to receive complaints alleging latching/retractor mechanism problems.Chrysler's assessment of the problem indicates that owners of the vehicles are not adhering to the cleaning requirements for the seat.the seat appears to malfunction if crumbs of food or beverage residue accumulates on the latching tongue in thewell located between the child's legs.odi has 19 complaints of retract lockup.seven of…
Safety blt latch operation
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belt complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 1996 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the seat belts of the 1996 Dodge Caravan, 3% of the model year's 1,403 complaints. The component named most often is integrated child seat (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Caravan seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-136 (integrated child seat, Jul 18, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to seat belts 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.