Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Re:Dodge Grand Caravan se, l996 continual problems with electrical system. Sudden lack of power when driving on freeway, narrowly avoiding serious accidents. In researching on various web sites, this seems to be a recurring problem for other owners as well. The dealer has kept the car twice so they could 'duplicate the problem', they replace one sensor or another. Last replacement seems to have worked but still don't trust the car and won't drive on freeway or far from home. Now have trouble starting the car, the dealer said it's probably the crank sensor. They say since I only have 33,000 miles on the car, it shouldn't be the starter. Also, I have history of the wipers turning on and off whenever they feel like it. They also establish their own rhythm when working. The wiper sensor has been replaced 3 times. The computer never shows an error code so obviously, it isn't working either. …
When driving on the highway and going 65 to 70 MPH, the car loses RPM's, backfires, jerks, loses speed. I am unable to give it gas. I have to pull off into the emergency lane and it slows to a stop and stalls. I cannot start it back, however if I set for a few minutes, open and slam the hood, it will start back. My service engine light comes on and the code that was found said that a misfire was found in cylinder 6. It has happened since fixing that problem, but the service engine light went off. I have been told to try to fix many different problems but no one, not even the Chrysler dealership can tell me for sure what is wrong and needs to be fixed. This is amazing to me, because I can find many people who have the same problem, and not only with 1996 Grand caravans. This is a very dangerous problem because of the sudden stalling at such high rates of speed. …
The van will start then immediately turn off. It does this more when it is hot outside. If you let the vehicle sit for about 4 hours in the shade it will start and get you to your next destination. If the weather is too hot it won't start until the weather changes to cooler. I have replaced the starter, two computers, got the circuit board cold soldered. Replaced the battery and can't remember all the rest. It still has this problem. It seems to be very common. There is a web site topix.com that has a forum just for this problem. No one has been able to fix it completely. Some one some where has got to know how to fix this problem. Also the clock spring is under recall. Once you get the recall done after a few years the spring breaks again and they don't fix it again. So I no longer have a horn or airbags that work.
I have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan and my airbag light stays on, horn and cruise control has gone out. I have 3 other friends with the same problem and I feel this should be a recall fix if so many other same year vehicles have the same exact problem. I even found a website with many others listed having the same problem. I have recently returned from kuwait in the middle east and when I began driving my van again this problem was identified. This is definitely a safety hazard. Please let me know if I can take to a dealer near me to have fixed free of charge?
There are many problems with my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. 1. The windshield and rear wipers will go on an off when they want too. Sometimes when you turn them on you can't turn them off. The back one will come on sometimes when starting the car. 2. The horn all of a sudden stopped working. 3. When my van hit around 80,00 miles the air cond. Stopped working and doesn't get cold. Took it to a place to check and they said it was a know problem with Dodge. And that it would cost around 1,500.00 to repair.
Dodge '96 minivan stalling problem while in operation. Start up time 5-10 minutes later (very dangerous). Transmission slipped out of gear; problem escalated to full replacement. Not satisfied with replacement -"bumps" on second and third gears up and down. These have been costly repairs. Service engine soon light would not go out no matter what repairs were performed - full fuel and electrical systems. Rps raced to 15K. Replaced cam sensor, harness, hoses etc.
Motherboard has stopped working and has been replaced twice. It failed a third time a week ago; last time the motherboard was replaced was oct 2003. When motherboard fails, all display items cease to work - no speed indicator, no fuel gauge, no temp gauge, no mileage. This is a $700 repair and should not continue to happen. Have not replaced part a third time, am considering replacing the vehicle.
Soon after purchase airbag light would intermittenly come on, however, my husband had an accident in November of 98 and they did not deploy and have remained on all the time. Also, our horn and cruise quit working and still does not. We don't know if it was because of accident or body repair. We have been attempting to get our car ins. Co. To do something but to date they still haven't.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle failed to start and also stalled while driving at various speeds. The failures gradually became worse and occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop on multiple occasions. The mechanic replaced the wiring in an attempt to remedy the failures. The vehicle is currently awaiting a fuse box replacement.
While driving approximately 50 MPH on major highway my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan shut down, and lost all power. Same thing occurred 1 month later. I was almost involved in a major accident with 4 children aboard. Mechanic has changed 2 relay switches. Do not know if and when it will happen again.
NHTSA investigations
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
Electrical complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 197 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan, 17% of the model year's 1,157 complaints. The component named most often is horn (107 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 9 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 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.