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 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the heater blower had become inoperable and upon inspection, it was discovered that the heater blower wiring harness was burnt and the wires were melted together. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 185,000.
I just bought a 2002 Dodge Grand caravan. I have noticed the seat belts do not lock when I installed the car seat and pulled the seat belt to lock the car seat in place it will not work which makes the car seat tip and fall every direction. I tried every seat in van to see if the lock and they do not unless the car is started if you pull it down fast it locks but not when it's off and will not stay locked. Speedometer and gas gage quit working.
The date and mileage are approximate, but this has been happening since last fall (2014). When placing the key in the acc position everything works. After starting the motor, many times the wipers, radio, power windows and internal fan will not come on for as little as a few seconds or as long as an hour. It does not to always happen, but very frequently it does. It sometimes seems to be weather related... Heat, cold, raining or snowing when this happens. The danger is shutting the vehicle off especially on a rainy/snowy day, being away from home and the wipers will not work when re-starting the vehicle. I have had the fuse and computer units changed (total fuse power box replaced new about 1-1/2 years ago which I was told was an upgraded better sealed unit and the computer attached in front of it replaced with a used one about 1 month ago) but the problem still exists. …
Dt*: the contact stated while parked at a stop light white smoke came from the heating vent on the passenger side of the dash board. The smoke began to turn black and flames erupted from the dashboard vent. The contact pulled off of the road. The fire department extinguished the fire however, they could not determine the source of the fire. Prior to the incident, the contact smelled something similar to plastic burning. The contact reported the same smell intermittently three to four months prior to this incident. The dealership determined there was a hose leaking fluid and it was replaced. The contact does not recall the type of fluid leaking or the type of hose that was replaced. The smell continued however, the dealership could not determine the source of the smell. Updated on 05/30/2006.
I experienced ramdom failure of the headlights on my Dodge Caravan. I brought this to the attention of my dealer and they said they "could not duplicate concern". I was told the cause was probably the "front control module" but they would not replace it because they were not positive it was the cause, and because of the cost of the part. After this occured the second time I took it to my own mechanic and he replaced the module at a cost of $307.05. The replacement occured 9/15/2004. I have had no similat problems since the module was replaced. I had purchaced the extended warrenty with the vehicle but I was told by the dealer the module was not covered by the policy. It covers 7 different named control modules but not this one. I called Chrysler and registered a complaint-#12641005.
While sitting in the vehicle and idling consumer noticed smoke coming from the front end. Consumer left the vehicle, and saw that fire was rising up from beneath of vehicle. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. Vehicle was totaled. Dealer examined the vehicle, and could not determine the cause of the fire.
While going to pick my children up from school, the windshield wipers started going off by themselves and the radio started changing channels. The van quit and smoke began to come from out from under the hood. Upon opening the hood, noticed a fire on wires below. Fire was put out but children were in the van.
Every time I go Though a small puddle rain or snow 10 to 30 mph I loose power steering and have a battery light pop on I have to pull over turn off van and restart sometime it goes back to normal
On 6/11/03 vehicle was making power steering noises & auto dr locks wouldn't lock at 15 MPH. Replaced power hose, hose clamp & oil trans. Informed I needed new brakes (22, 153 miles & didn't req that they do this when I arrived at shop). 7/2/03 took van in 'cause left rear (driver side) speaker caught on fire while at a gas pump. While at gas pump w/2 of our 4 kids in the car. Brakes that were just replaced prev month were squeaking as well as the steering again. (dealer-brakes squeak 'cause they are metal & there is air in the steering line). 9/23/03 van battery blew up when started. Replaced battery. 12/3/03 steering making noise during turns. Replaced both sway bars links. 12/29/03 steering is very tight & shuddering again & auto lock button on key chain won't work. Ordered new power steering rack & resevoir. …
1) 2002, Dodge Grand Caravan, "sport" edition with v6 3.3l engine, 76,600 miles. Wife went to work and parked van as usual. 2a) co-workers noticed the van's wipers were on; van had started all by itself after being parked with ignition turned off, key removed, and doors locked. To get the engine stopped again, van was put into gear and turned off, then put into park to remove key. This happened several times that day. 3a) wife took van to Chrysler dealer where it was purchased. Dealer charged 3 hours of troubleshooting labor and only found that the ABS cab was in need of replacement. Dealer ordered ABS cab. Dealer could not find cause of the startup/running with no key in ignition. 2b) 6 days later (dec. 21, 2006) van would not turn off after driving ~300 miles. …
NHTSA investigations
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…
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…
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.
Electrical complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan, 13% of the model year's 290 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 5 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 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 10 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.