Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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).
Consumer stated the drivers seat back is broken. The seat doesn't come up all the way and it doesn't recline backward ...took vehicle to meroke auto repair in merrick, ny, and mechanic stated the seat should be recalled. It is a main structure in the vehicle. Consumer called junk yards looking for a seat and they said that the seats they have are either the same or worst.
Driving down highway,came to a stop; dump truck hit driver in the rear, knocked her down through the intersection, driver hit head on steering wheel and flew backwards and landed on her back. Seat totally collapsed. Vehicle in for repairs, cause unknown.
While at a stop another vehicle rear ended consumer at about 55 MPH. Both passengers' side seatbacks collasped. As a result of seatback collasping consumer felt some of the injuries would not have been so bad. Please provide any further information.
Dt: the contact owned a 1996 Dodge Caravan. Had to have seat welded because it would lean all the way back. This was on the driver's side seat, and it was a high back. This is the first time the seat has been welded. He knew a couple of people where the seat fell backwards while they where driving onthe highway. This seat cost $216. 00.
Power seat stopped operating properly. Unable to move seat back and forth. Manufacturer notified, and refused to repair unless cost was paid by consumer. Engine overheated due to thermostat failure. Rattle in rear seat while driving due to seat risors and adjusters failure.
Vehicle was involved in a rearend collision. Upon impact, rear seat disconnected from floor and flew into the faces of the three children who were sitting in the rear seat belted securely. All three of them suffered injuries, broken legs.
During front end collision the rear bench seat buckled, daughter who was a passenger in the rear bench seat, sustained compression fracture of l2 vertebrate. She wa swearing a seat belt.
Consumer was driving when another vehicle struck the rear of consumer vehicle at approximately 35-40 MPH , causing both sets of rear seats to unanchor from tracks. Dealer notified.
The two rear captain's chairs are loose as a result of a 35 MPH accident which could have injured the occupants. Please provide further information.
Vehicle was struck in the rear by another vehicle that was traveling at 60 MPH, causing the driver's side seatback to collapse. Cause unknown.
Related recalls
Seats
The bolts which secure the rear bench seats to the seat risers May be embrittled and fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear bench seat to riser bolts.
Seat complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 1996 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the seats of the 1996 Dodge Caravan, 2% of the model year's 1,403 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › recliner (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Caravan seat problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 95V-225 (seats, Nov 28, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Caravan seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to seats 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.