Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Car was bought used form Kia deal 7/1/2003 a little under 2 yrs left on warranty have done regular maint. Per mfg spec. Went on vacation to main 5/12/05 came back 5/21/05 and found transmission fuild on garage floor. Went to I went to mech (pep boys) because thougth when I had transmission flush per Dodge spec that someting wasnt right. Mech said that it wasn't anything thay had done and that thay coundnt fix it I had to go to Dodge it was a spec. Valve that was leaking and thay need tools that thay didn't have. I told them that it was just 9 days out of warranty..I have had four recalls on this van and thay have fix all problems .I just think Dodge should pay for the repair. It going to cost me 500.00 to fix it. I would understand if the van had more miles on it but it only has 35863 miles in three years. When I bought it had 17,000 mile I work 7 miles from work. …
I purchased my 2002 Dodge Caravan new. It has had several problems in the four years that I have owned it. Aside from all of the recall work, my transmission has failed twice now. The first time it failed was two months ago, the mechanic said it was a sensor problem and that it was fixed. It went out again last night while driving. Now they want to charge me another deductible to "fix" it again. My air conditioner has not worked properly in over a year, water leaks down on the passenger side floor, and cold air only comes out of the passenger side vents, the driver side vents blow out hot air. My driver side window has not worked in over a year, the interior lights go on and off at random, and the arm rest on the passenger side front seat just snapped off. The dealer is not very helpful at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Caravan. While driving approximately 70 MPH the vehicle began to decelerate independently and lose power. The failure was sporadic. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technician stated that the power train control module would have to be replaced. The failure recurred after repairs. In addition, when the turn signal was activated the opposite turn signal light would illuminate erroneously and the oil warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the mechanic advised that the power train control module would need to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
My transmission failed thanksgiving day 2006. Van was parked on hill. I placed it in drive and it rolled backwards down the hill. Was able to cautiously drive it to transmission shop. They had to rebuild the unit. The check engine light never came on. After picking it up I had to take it back to the shop because it wouldn't go out of first gear. Shop stated it was due to a sensor problem. A couple of month's later it did the same first gear. Shop replaced the sensor again. Luckily the rebuilt transmission was still under warranty. Dodge only warrants the powertrain to the original purchaser. I purchased it used in 2003.
On January 27, 2005, while driving on a local interstate, the axle broke, rack and pinion, and the cv joints and boots on my 2002 Dodge Caravan which was purchased new, which almost caused a horrible accident and great bodily harm to my wife who was driving, our children ages 6yrs and 4yrs, and other traveling vehicles in her path. In addition to this the vehicle has a gas exhaust problem. Diamlerchrysler supposedly repaired the exhaust problem by replacing the catalystic converter in aug 2004 but the engine light stays on constantly, the axle was repaired on 2/2005 but not the other problems mentioned above.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 65 MPH, all of the dashboard lights illuminated then the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to the dealership on a flatbed truck because the tires were locked up. The dealerships diagnostic test determined the transmission went out and needs to be replaced. Also, the brakes will not release while the brake pedal is depressed, this occurs every time, and causes the rims to get hot, causing three blowouts on the front end. The dealership is unable to determine a problem, but the shoes have been replaced 6 times and the rotors were replaced twice.
Dt the vehicle has been fixed, but it could be dangerous. The consumer could hear a noise when shifting gears. The consumer brought the vehicle to the dealer and they foundthat the axle nuts were loose. Three months later the consumer had to bring the vehicle bafck to the dealer for the same thing. They said that the nuts had just come loose and were not sure what caused it. This happened on May 12, 2004. The consumer was charged both times to have it fixed.
Problems with transmission slipping on vehicle. The transmission and the computer system that controlled the transmission encountered numerous problems. The transmission slipped while the vehicle was being driven and the transmission did not change gears properly. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer for repairs on three occasions for the transmission but to date the problems still exist. The check engine light illuminated. The speedometer failed.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Caravan. The vehicle was parked when the contact detected that the automatic transmission and water pump were leaking fluids. Also, the flywheel broke in half. The authorized dealer stated that the owner would be responsible for the repair cost. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact that the service warranty was expired. There was no recall related to the defect. The failure mileage was 53,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the gear shifted from drive to neutral independently. The failure recurred numerous times over the years. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
Transmission complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Dodge Caravan, 11% of the model year's 245 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Caravan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2002 Dodge Caravan, though it has 4 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 2002 Dodge Caravan transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.