Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 | 13% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 5% | 131,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 7% | 0 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 5% | 54,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2010 | 17 | 10% | 52,000 miles |
| 2009 | 26 | 22% | 96,000 miles |
| 2008 | 42 | 14% | 84,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 10% | 98,000 miles |
| 2006 | 27 | 16% | 63,000 miles |
| 2005 | 49 | 9% | 63,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% | 119,000 miles |
| 2003 | 14 | 7% | 64,000 miles |
| 2002 | 59 | 24% | 50,000 miles |
| 2001 | 43 | 17% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 69 | 15% | 90,000 miles |
| 1999 | 119 | 21% | 89,000 miles |
| 1998 | 99 | 16% | 85,000 miles |
| 1997 | 152 | 21% | 95,000 miles |
| 1996 | 251 | 18% | 102,000 miles |
| 1995 | 67 | 14% | 81,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was hit by and 18 wheeler on the free way in no airbags deploy causing me to have surgery on my shoulder in I was driving a company car I work for enterprise in I was want to find a good lawyer that handle case or airbags my phone number is [redacted] I was driving a Dodge Caravan 2015 I know alot of people with big family drives Caravan in I might can save someone life if I can make sure in the future this never happen again with the airbags not deploying.
While driving airbag light came on with interior lights flicking on/off while driving on every occasion for last 1-2 months. Also while driving would say right rear sliding door was open with lights on while driving. Air bag light has since gone off and came back on/off but interior lights remain on at times while driving. Sometimes rear sliding door sounds like it's trying to latch. Local garage unable to find anything wrong it. I believe there is a electrical shortage that started with airbags and from reading there is a Takata recall on other vehicles causing a circuit shortage like this.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caravan. While driving 5 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, a 2004 Honda accord crashed into the passenger side and sliding door of the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that the overhead air bags deployed, but were deflated. In addition, the other air bags failed to deploy at all. The contact was not injured. The passenger sustained bruises to the upper right torso and hip that required medical attention. The contact stated that the driver of the 2004 Honda accord sustained head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting inspection by the insurance company. The local dealer was not contacted for diagnosis of the air bag failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the computer chip was replaced; however, the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer twice, where the air bag sensor and the air bag harness were replaced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 4,500.
At 7:40 am, Thursday 3/5/ 15 I was driving my vehicle to go drop my son off at school the wiper blade started going on and off by themselves and then smoke started coming from underneath the horn on the steering wheel and then the airbag deployed hitting my hand and burning my left hand it filled my van full of smoked where we couldn't see I almost got into an accident I pulled the vehicle over roll the windows down clear it out all the smoke then I dropped my son off at school drove the vehicle to the closest dealership took pictures of the wiper blades, the airbag deploying, the time, the traffic in the background, to prove that I was not in an accident. …
Takata recall -- I have changed the alternator, starter , had the electrical box worked on by my mechanic. At this moment my vehicle does not start and hasn't started for a week. 3 years ago the vehicle stop in the middle of traffic while my daughter was driving. It would not start or turn over., had to be pushed into a parking lot.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caravan. While driving at 55 MPH, the contact t-boned the preceding vehicle on the driver side. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the impound lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to start. The failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system) however, the parts were unavailable to perform the repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,500. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 03/01/16 updated 05/09/18
Related recalls (5)
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 Dodge caravan, grand caravan and Chrysler town & country vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new…
Remedy: Chrysler will replace the front airbag sensors with a new design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety improvement campaign will begin during June 2010. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Certain minivans are being recalled that were originally sold in or currently registered in the 27 states plus the district of columbia that use greater amounts of salt for winter road deicing.
Remedy: For vehicles registered in the recall states, dealers will replace the original uf air bag sensors with ones with greater corrosion resistance.
Air bags
On certain minivans, the driver's air bag May become disabled due to a failure of the clockspring, which is located in the hub of the steering wheel.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all covered vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. For those vehicles with more than 70,000 miles, daimlerchrysler will offer an extended lifetime warranty under which it…
Air bags › Frontal
On certain Mini vans, the clockspring assembly May have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. An extended lifetime warranty will also be placed on this component for all affected vehicles, regardless of mileage.
Air bags
Vehicle description: Mini vans. The wiring that initiates the driver and/or passenger air bag could electrically short circuit to ground. A short circuit to ground that exists immediately after turning the ignition key to the "on" or "start" position can cause the air bag(s) to inadvertently deploy.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an electronic diagnostic check. Any short circuits identified in either the driver's or passenger side air bag initiator wire circuit will be repaired.
NHTSA investigations
Defective air bag crash sensor
Cfas sent a follow-up letter on December 12, 1996, to change the intent of the petition to airbag aggressivity and deployment variability.NHTSA received the letter on 12/12/96; accordingly, the petition due day was changed to April 12, 1997.cfas petitioned the agency to conduct an investigation to determine whether the airbag crash sensor and/or deployment systems for the 1991-92 Chevrolet corsica/beretta, 1990-92…
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
Driver air bag clockspring failure
Complaints report air bag warning light illuminates, and this May be accompanied with a non-functioning horn and/or cruise control (if equipped).this is indicative of an open-circuit clockspring failure (results in non-functioning driver's air bag), similar to the failure condition that was the subject of daimlerchrysler's recall of model year 1996-1998.5 minivans (recall no.
Driver air bag clockspring failure
The driver air bag clockspring can develop an open-circuit condition resulting in nonfunctional driver-side frontal air bag, horn, cruise control (if equipped), and/or steering wheel radio control (if equipped).in its October 5, 2004 letter to NHTSA, daimlerchrysler stated that it will conduct a safety recall and replace the clockspring assembly on all my 1998.5-2000 daimlerchrysler minivans, built between March…
Front air bag crash sensor failure
Chrysler will replace the frame rail-mounted front air bag crash sensors in approximately 312,442 model year (my) 2005 and 2006 Chrysler minivans (recall 10v-008).these vehicles are equipped with front crash sensors with ultradur brand plastic housings and steel bushings and were built between January 19, 2005 and April 5, 2006.this action covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in 27 states…
Front air bag crash sensor failure
The model year (my) 2005 daimlerchrysler (dc) minivans have the new advanced frontal air bag systems with two front crash sensors mounted on the frame rails behind the front bumper and a main crash sensor inside the air bag control module mounted in the passenger compartment.according to dc, the front crash sensors are designed to optimize detection of frontal offset and angular crashes.the advanced air bag system…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Caravan years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (251), 1997 (152), 1999 (119), 1998 (99) and 2000 (69) model years. Airbag complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Dodge Caravan airbag problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 10V-008 (sensor/control module-inactive, Jan 11, 2010); 07V-192 (sensor/control module-inactive, May 3, 2007); 04V-480 (air bags, Oct 6, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Caravan airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (249 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (71).
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.