Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The built-in child seat gets stuck with the child in the seat and when the seats are close and then a child cant get in them. Chrysler did a recall and installed a safty clip to address getting the child out. But the problem continues that you cant use the seat when the get stuck in the closed position so you cant put a child in the seat. Also note Chrysler has change the mechinism on newer vans. They gave a an escape route not a fix to the problem of the belts getting stuck due to food falling in the lock area. Remeber we are talking about a child seat. I would also like to report I have brought the car in to the dealership three times to unlock the seat belts when the get stuck perminantly closed. This time I was told I would have to call Chrysler customer service which I call over 25 time at the dealership, and from my home and work only to receive a busy signal every time. …
While driving thru my neighborhood I had to slam on my brakes to avoid a car backing out of its driveway without them looking. My 2 year old along with her car seat came forward and she hit her head on the back of the drivers seat. I had just checked that her car seat was tight earlier. I believe this was a defect from the gen 3 seat belt. I feel either her own car seat or that of her brother next to her rubbed on the release button. Who knows how long I May have driven without her carseat being belted in if this incident hadn't happened. Something much worse could have happened on the highway. Dt
Integrated css: pushed red release button to unlock seat, pulled down to loosen, seat continued to retract tighter/tighter, crushing childs chest; same problem with child seat on passenger's side. This time child's hair caught in retractor, parent literally had to cut child's hair out, down to scalp out of retractor; has appointment with dealer to have seats lubricated.
Front windshield wipers come on without activating them. In addition, bench passenger seatbelt disconnects when buckled; brakes wore out when the car had 32,000 miles; left front tire blew out on the freeway at 7,000; transmission overhauled at 44,000 miles; passenger's sliding door locks do not open when unlocked, and gas tank was leaking.
Child safety seat; when engaged as instructed by manual, t- shield does not hold adequately, child can stand up in css; also, after releasing locking mechanism it will not release; gets tighter/tighter around neck of occupant, nearly choking child.
When consumer drove off a red light about 5 MPH she noticed that her child had fallen out of safety seat because the seat belt did not hold car seat. The child was on the middle of the center seat of the van. Dealer was contacted.
The consumer feels that all of the vehicles seat belt latches are unsafe and improperly assembled by the manufacturer. The consumer feels that the seatbelt unlatches to easily. The dealer has been notified.
The intergrated child seat in vehicle is faulty. When child is placed in seat it jams and straps cannot be pulled out. This has occurred on three different times. Dealers have not been able to correct problem.
Vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 3o-35mph and driver's seat belt came unbuckled during impact. Seat belt retracted and was caught around passenger's neck. Chrysler has vehicle currently.
Consumer was in a collision and the driver's side automatic seat belts did not restrain driver who was injured . Please describe .
Related recalls
Seat belts › Integrated child seat
The bolts which secure the integrated child seat modules to the seat frame can break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the integrated child seat module bolts.
NHTSA investigations
Integrated child seat belt lockup
Odi continues to receive complaints alleging latching/retractor mechanism problems.Chrysler's assessment of the problem indicates that owners of the vehicles are not adhering to the cleaning requirements for the seat.the seat appears to malfunction if crumbs of food or beverage residue accumulates on the latching tongue in thewell located between the child's legs.odi has 19 complaints of retract lockup.seven of…
Safety blt latch operation
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belt complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the seat belts of the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2% of the model year's 1,157 complaints. The component named most often is integrated child seat (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-136 (integrated child seat, Jul 18, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to seat belts 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.