Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Sometimes when the vehicle is started only the driver side daytime running light comes on. Turn the lights on and the driver side light goes out and the other side comes on. Turn on the high beams, the driver side light comes on and the other side goes out. Took the vehicle to a dealer,cause was said to be the multi function switch shorted. The multi function switch was replaced, lights worked properly for about 2 weeks,then the problem returned. Took vehicle back to the same dealer and was told they could not duplicate the problem.when both lights are on at the same time they flicker,the problem has gotten to the point to where only one light is working more times than when both lights are working. I researched the problem on the internet and found several other owners having the same problem as early as 2005. …
Since 8/25/04 30153 miles I have had light switch problems. First it was the interior lights that would turn on and off all the time. Dealer said switch was working normal.(it was like an old radio volume switch that made noise, if you kept moving the switch it would bet better for a while and then start up again)then 2/14/06 41931 miles my headlights started to flicker when I had the lights on (the headlight and dimmer are all in one unit) and the dealer did TSB 08-005-04 (which doesn't even apply to my vehicle) and charged me $41.50. Finally on 9/7/06 46022 miles it started again and I drove right down so the dealer could actually see it while it happened and they did witness the problem and made an appointment. Of course the tech. That witnessed it was on vacation when it went in for the appt. …
I had a single headlight fail on my Dodge Grand Caravan. It was Sunday, and I had a long drive home. I had the intent of replacing the bulb the next day. As I neared my home, it became dusk. I turned on my one working headlight. As it got darker, I noticed that my working headlight was flashing on and off steadily. I tried turning the switch on and off, but the problem remained. In fact, the headlight would not turn off at all! I was in a remote area, and drove the about 30 minutes home with one headlight flashing on and off. I got home, turned off the headlight and the ignition. The headlight kept flashing on and off! The only way I got it to stop was to disconnect the battery. The next day, I bought 2 new headlamps and replaced them, which seemed to resolve the problem. A vehicle should be able to operate on a single headlight for a short period of time. …
Headlights will go off and flicker. Sometimes stay out for about 2 seconds, and then will eventually come back on. Nothing I do will make them come back on. I have to wait for them to come back on on their own accord. It happens at varying speeds - any where from 15 MPH to 65 MPH. It doesn't matter if the road is smooth or not, or what the weather conditions are. I've reported it to diamler/Chrysler with no results. They simply stated there have been no outstanding recalls on my vehicle. Headlights going out on their own in the middle of the night while driving is an extreme safety hazard, not to mention I could get a ticket for driving without my headlights. I would like this situation looked into. Thank you.
Headlight problem experienced over the last 2 years. When daytime running lights are on, just the left light illuminates. When headlights are turned on, the left one goes off and the right one goes on. When brights are on, they switch - left goes on and right goes off. Only one light is on at a time. I have had this in to the dealer 4 times for repair. They replaced lamps, switch, and front control module to no avail. Now they say I need to replace the fuse block and body control module, at a cost of over $800.00. I am not alone in having this problem. According to the following website, over 20 others have had the very same problem: http://www.topix.net/forum/autos/Dodge-Grand-Caravan/tfgks9o3llh1abobm.
When driving the vehicle with the headlights on, they will, for no apparent reason, shut off. Happens regardless of speed I am driving or road conditions. These outtages are intermittant and there is no pattern to when they will occur. Losing headlights at night on dark country roads in my area is a serious safety hazard. Took vehicle to dealer who said there was a "fatal error" showing on a computer module. Spent $600 to replace computer module and the problem still recurred. Vehicle is now at dealer waiting for a backordered headlight switch. Dealer has no idea when the switch will come in. They ordered the same switch for another vehicle 2 months ago and it still has not come in.
Headlight problem: vehicle has daytime running lights. With headlights off, driving with daytime running lights only the left headlamp is illuminated. When the headlights are turned on the low beam on the rh side illuminates, but not the left. When the headlights are switched to high beam, the lh lamp illuminates but the rh does not. Internet chat discussions indicate this is a very common problem. I first noticed this problem a week ago and replaced the headlight bulbs, which did not solve the problem. I will now try a solution to improve the connections from the control module to the fuse block, as indicated by several contributors to an online discussion forum.
Over the last 4 months (March 05 - July 05), my 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan has experienced intermittant headlamp failure. This happens when the vehicle is in motion. The lights flicker off/on for several cycles. This does not seem to be related to weather or engine RPM. To date, the lights have eventually stayed on and this has not yet made the vehicle unoperable. Dealer does not have any idea what the problem could be and will just start trying things....am planning to take this to dealer within the next month. I have filed a complaint with daimlerchrysler. The date listed below is the most recent occurance...but this has been a problem for several months.
Headlight malfunction. 1 daytime running light comes on. When I turn on headlights, the one that is on during daytime running light operation turns off, and other light turns on. When I switch lights into high beam mode, the lights reverse to the way they operate while in daytime running light operation. I've already invested $200 into the diagnosis of this problem. The repair shop replaced the light switch and turn signal switch which did not correct issue. Shop spent two days checking all connections, leads and ground and they can not diagnose the cause of the problem.
When starting my car, the automatic headlights come on, however only the passenger headlight works. When I turn on the lights the passenger lights stay on and the driver side remains off. When I turn my lights onto a bright setting, the driver side lights work and the passenger side goes out. I have replaced both headlights and this still occurs. I have researched this problem online and have noticed hundreds of people experiencing the same problem. Because lights are a safety issue, I strongly believe daimler-chrystler must do a safety recall and fix this problem.
Headlight complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the lights of the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan, 16% of the model year's 298 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 3 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 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
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.