Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
I was driving down highway 60 when my van backfired. I thought it was a blown tire & started pulling off the highway. When pulling off the highway I noticed the orange glare off the side rails on the highway. That's when I realized that the van had caught on fire under the hood. Once I pulled over I had a friend call 911 to report my van on fire while I tried to open the hood & put the fire out. The hood was to hot to open so I grabbed everything I could from my van & stayed clear of it until the Arizona fire dept & Arizona highway patrol came. All my information was taken by the Arizona highway patrol. I was told that my van will be at J&S Towing & that my friends & i can leave the scene.
On July 4, 2002 my 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan was involved in a low speed rollover in which the vehicle came to rest upside down. In the minutes following the rollover the vehicle caught on fire and burned completely up. My wife and 3 children were traveling in the vehicle when this happened and all 3 by the grace of god were pulled to safety by persons near the accident. Two months later I received a recall on the van from the dealer indicating there was a recall on the fuel system to replace a part that May cause a fire in the event of a rollover.
Gas pump malfunctioned, causing overfill of gas tank. Gas tank system allows for capture and evaporation of overfill. Vents for air flow in vehicle allow gasoline fumes/vapors into passenger compartment of vehicle. This creates a problem if you have passengers or need to use the vehicle. All occupants are forced to sit inside of an enclosed vehicle with gasoline vapors. Brought concern to dealer and dealer said vehicle was operating within design parameters and advised not to overfill tank. Overfill was not intentional and dealer advise does not correct problem. Dealer stated that the evaporative system was mandated by federal government regulations. Dealer also stated that all new cars have similar systems and if they are overfilled fumes/vapors will be present in passenger compartment as well. I believe that this is a design/manufacture problem that needs to be corrected. …
I own a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. The car stalls while driving. If it starts again, it stalls within 1/4 mile. You can do this only for 3 times before it finally can not be started. Brought the car to the dealership to investigate. First time they replaced the computer program module. The car worked for 100 miles, then died again while I was driving. The dealership started the car and ran a diagnostic but failed to locate any faulty codes. I asked them to take it for a test ride and see what happens. They did, and it died on them. They ran a diagnostic test and said the crankshaft sensor failed. They replaced the crankshaft sensor. Again, less than 100 miles later, the car died. The Dodge dealer seems to be at a loss as to why it is failing and not starting. I have owned the car for 3 years and have never had a problem with it. This seems to have them stymied. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated the doors could not be opened automatically or manually. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the doors had to be taken apart in order to locate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and the current miles were 77,000. Updated 07/27/11 the consumer stated the radiator cooling fan broke, the steering wheel column came off while driving and was incorrectly fixed at the dealer. The electric tail gate doesn't work. One of the tail lights came off while the vehicle was in motion on the interstate, the headlights had to be replaced the left nd right window regulators broke, the fuel pump broke off and the ABS sensor was faulty and had to be replaced. Updated 08/01/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact noticed that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics. The mechanic detected a leak in the fuel system. The mechanic stated the fuel tank was collapsing and expanding. The mechanic referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there was a manufacturer's recall in effect, but the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The contact also noticed the speedometer was not providing a reading. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
I have a Dodge Grand Caravan 2003. It did OK for about six months after that it has been one problem after another. When I'm waiting to go on a road if I take my foot off brake it starts rolling backward fast. You have to hold the brake while pushing the gas to keep it from rolling back. It's steering has given me trouble, the gas gauge has caused problems, etc.... I have contacted Dodge several times, but have gotten no help from them.
We have been smelling the smell of gas for awhile, today it got alot stronger,we had just put gas in the van and we thought May some had gotten spilled on the outside. When we stopped to wash it I looked underneath and saw a huge puddle of gas forming on the ground. Come to find out there had been a recall in October 2002. Looked on my carfax and it doesnt list that as being repaired. We could have been killed.
Dodge Grand Caravan just went up in flames while driving within maybe 5 minutes fire fighters control the situation but the motor ,battery, everything in front inside hood just melted I really need help I had just finished paying it when this happened. I attribute this to the faulty electrical recalls it has as well as the fuel. Help. At least I want a replacement.
2002 Dodge Grand Caravan sometimes the fuel gauge will go to empty suddenly, and a little later, it will go back to the actual reading. It happens sporadically, but I did not know that it could be reported. Thank you
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
On certain Mini vans, the fuel tank control valve weld joint could separate resulting in a possible fuel leak.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace it if necessary. Owner notification began October 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…
Fuel System complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan, 7% of the model year's 290 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-274 (tank assembly, Oct 8, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 4 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.