Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 | 17% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 35% | 66,000 miles |
| 2013 | 15 | 50% | 45,000 miles |
| 2012 | 47 | 54% | 75,000 miles |
| 2011 | 54 | 69% | 64,000 miles |
| 2010 | 79 | 46% | 74,000 miles |
| 2009 | 72 | 61% | 85,000 miles |
| 2008 | 162 | 54% | 80,000 miles |
| 2007 | 9 | 11% | 45,000 miles |
| 2006 | 30 | 17% | 74,000 miles |
| 2005 | 123 | 23% | 71,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 12% | 112,000 miles |
| 2003 | 29 | 15% | 56,000 miles |
| 2002 | 33 | 13% | 46,000 miles |
| 2001 | 29 | 11% | 78,000 miles |
| 2000 | 33 | 7% | 84,000 miles |
| 1999 | 64 | 12% | 85,000 miles |
| 1998 | 68 | 11% | 92,000 miles |
| 1997 | 96 | 13% | 72,000 miles |
| 1996 | 213 | 15% | 115,000 miles |
| 1995 | 40 | 8% | 105,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
Original owner. Van was in use and most of the dash warning lights went on. Most electrical items (horn etc) not working short distance to home but the motor would not shut off. The van kept running even with the key removed. Started to overheat since the fan wasn't working. Called dealer, advised to remove negative battery cable. Motor shut off. Tried a restart to position for tow truck. Van restarted and functioned. Flatbedded to dealer where "TIPM" was replaced under warranty. Invoice chcs398350 teterboro Chrysler, nj owned-driven many cars/trucks never saw one that would not shut off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge Caravan. When the key was inserted into the ignition, the vehicle failed to start and the "bad key" warning message illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (ourisman Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, clarksville, maryland). The technician was unable to reprogram the computer system due to a faulty wind module. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the warranty did not cover the wind module. The failure mileage was 65,629.
The passenger doors no longer open with the automatic system. The passenger windows in the back do not work any longer . The door locks do not lock by the remote or by the door button. I have to manually push them down. And occasionally the all the lights just light up and begin flashing and dinging while driving and just sitting in park. The electrical system is bad!!!. I have had to replace one fuse in the drivers motorized seat. This has been on ongoing problem since spring of 2017.
Dodge grand Caravan 2013 crew purchased from dealer used in 10/2014. Upon first service visit to same dealership as keys were handed over, owner informed of potential electrical malfunction with 3rd row seat windows, and dealer was informed by manufacture to disconnect power source due to possible short/fire. Owner was not informed upon purchase, nor was this recall documented on/in paperwork from dealership. Owner has called dealership x2 and Dodge x1, same response: the manufacture cannot/has not been able to determine the "fix"! Owner allegedly was placed on a list the escalates the concern to a "priority" stated Dodge csr. Owner has not received any official notification from dealer or manufacture. The time elapsed is unreasonable and unacceptable! Owner has contacted nc attorney generals office and submitted dealership complaint, and has been referred to NHTSA. …
Received a recall notice from Chrysler shortly after purchasing 2013 Dodge Caravan stating the rear quarter window switch May overheat if exposed to liquid moisture and May cause a burning odor, smoke, or driver's door fire without warming. I contacted my dealer and they disconnected the rear quarter vent window switch. This of course does not allow the windows to open. In February 2015, I contacted my dealer about the recall repair and was told that Chrysler is unable to provide a permanent remedy due to the needed part is not available. This defect has not been repaired within a reasonable time frame. Chrysler needs to remedy this situation or provide compensation for a defective vehicle.
Spontaneous combustion - while stopped at a trafficlight -- of the driver-side switchbox that controls the windows, doorlocks & outside mirrors. Flames erupted from the armrest making escape from vehicle difficult. Fdny was called & extinguished the fire. This happened early Friday morning/snowing. Insurance company examined car & authorized repair. Chrysler sent an engineering safety inspector who had vehicle towed to a Dodge dealership where investigation was performed. We received a "safety recall notice" [ p25/NHTSA 14v-234] later that same day. Chrysler has ignored my calls & live-chats for the past month. Dealership still has the vehicle but can't get a response from Chrysler either. Incident occurred 4 weeks ago! Have been forced to rent a replacement vehicle -- at my expense -- for transportation purposes.
First time, battery kept going dead. Took it to cortland Dodge, they said there was a problem with the wiring [not covered by warranty] charged us about 80.00 ! Second time. Fuses blown for seat controls and wipers third time car started shifting wildly up and down. Head lights started to dim and car finally quit! Had it towed to Dodge dealer was informed it needed new alternator and battery[not covered by warranty] cost almost 1000.00 to fix it!! Fourth time car was parked beside the house when horn started blowing when we went outside car was running lights were flashing wipers and washers were going full speed, flashers going and red glow under car also doors were locked ! ! We finally got door unlocked and got hood open,battery and fuse box was cherry red. Finally took hedge clippers and cut battery cables and things cooled down ! What can we do?!?!?!?!
NHTSA investigations
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
Headlight malfunction
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation after receiving reports from consumers that their headlights would malfunction in various ways from flickering to complete non-illumination.headlight operation is monitored by the vehicle's body control module (BCM) and front control module (fcm).odi is upgrading this preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis (ea05-009) to further examine…
Headlight malfunction
Owner reports indicate allegations of improper headlight operation of one or both headlights.some report intermittent outage or dimming.many report that the condition is random; it sometimes does not repeat and lasts for a very short duration.
Speaker fire in the rear of the vehicle
On July 7, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation based on consumer complaints alleging an interior vehicle fire starting in the area of the driver side rear speaker.daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) informed odi that condensation from the instrument panel air conditioning ducts May drip onto the radio and into vent holes on top of the radio.this can result in a short circuit…
Loss of Headlight Illumination
To date, ODI has interviewed several complainants who confirmed that the headlights fully extinguish, and remain extinguished, on an intermittent basis.In most cases this occurred while the vehicle was in motion.The occurrences do not show a repeatable pattern, and the problem occurs at a low frequency, typically one or more weeks between failures.For this reason most complainants have not attempted diagnosis or…
Loss of headlight illumination
The subject vehicle (SV) population includes MY 2005-2006 vehicles built between March 2004 and December 2005 manufactured with a TRW supplied headlight switch assembly (HSA).The HSA was the primary focus of the investigation; earlier and later vehicles utilized different HSAs.Consumers complain that the headlights in the subject vehicles do not illuminate when the HSA is turned on, or that the headlights extinguish…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Caravan years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (213), 2008 (162), 2005 (123), 1997 (96) and 2010 (79) model years. Electrical complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Dodge Caravan electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Dodge Caravan model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Dodge Caravan electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 25% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the horn (243 mentions), followed by the ignition (64).
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.