Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 1% | 48,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% | 34,000 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 0% | 66,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% | 95,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% | 67,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% | 6,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% | 42,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% | 32,000 miles |
| 2010 | 8 | 1% | 37,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 1% | 75,000 miles |
| 2008 | 14 | 1% | 83,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% | 12,000 miles |
| 2005 | 24 | 2% | 30,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 2% | 20,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% | 30,000 miles |
| 2002 | 16 | 6% | 65,000 miles |
| 2001 | 16 | 5% | 56,000 miles |
| 2000 | 56 | 13% | 100,000 miles |
| 1999 | 37 | 9% | 100,000 miles |
| 1998 | 51 | 9% | 119,000 miles |
| 1997 | 20 | 3% | 136,000 miles |
| 1996 | 60 | 5% | 120,000 miles |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The rear sway bar mount on frame had completely broken off and the sway bar was making a loud clunking sound as we were driving which caused difficulty to control the vehicle. Upon inspection, mechanic found that the sway bar had broken away from the bottom axle area. This caused the body of the vehicle to be off center which caused the vehicle to rub the left tire which in turn rubbed the fuel neck and rubbed off the protected rubber coating. It was advised to not drive the vehicle as it was not safe. We have an independent mechanics report.
The van slid backwards then accelerated at a higher speed going from a stop to slowly with a light tap on the gas pedal. The speed does not go higher than 15mph with the rmp too high when this occurs. It jerks back when trying to drive it forward. Has not left the dealership parking lot. Drove out 3mile out with this occuring. 3 attempts to fix. Still not driving well and can't leave the dealership lot.
Was driving home from work (on city streets) and noticed that the engine seemed to be idling higher than normal RPMs. Van would not shift from first gear and would not accelerate beyond about 30 MPH, very sluggish, while RPMs rose above 3K and engine made a grinding/whining sound. No warning lights of any kind came on while driving or while stopped. While stopped at a traffic light, heard several loud clunks from under the hood and van had difficulty accelerating from stop. Was able to get it to the shop where they diagnosed transmission failure - the mechanics couldn't get it out of first gear by the time they were done looking at it and had to push it off the lift. Total cost of a remanufactured transmission plus new hubs and axles because they couldn't get the old ones removed without damaging them to remove/replace the transmission was $5600. Van has 128,000 miles.
There is a creaking noise in the front end of the Dodge Caravan. Upon inspection at a service station, it was identified as a bushing that was partially missing on the front subframe crossmember attachment to the chassis. When attempting to purchase a replacement bushing from Chrysler it was discovered that the bushing was no longer made for this vehicle. Instead Chrysler now makes an entire new subframe crossmember with fasteners, that will need to be purchased and installed. It seems like this the bushing part was defective and therefore Chrysler made an adjustment which is now going to cost a lot more money to repair. This should be a recall and not an expense to the consumer.
I was at a stop sign on the corner of ferry and eighth in niles, mi getting ready to turn northbound; a truck was going southbound and it was blizzard and icy conditions out, he was going to fast and when I turned right, he hit me on the drivers side spun my vehicle around twice and ended up hitting both sides of the vehicle in the front of the van taking the whole front end off. Neither air bags went off and my granddaughter was also in the front passenger seat. He was going fast enough that I ended up northbound kitty corner across the road and he ended up in a telephone pole. Both of his airbags went off in his truck upon impact. The bumper, headlights, frame was bent, the hood, the whole front end was smashed, (over $8000 of damage), but no airbags. I could feel the impact from the crash and ended up having to have physical therapy and my granddaughter had to go to the er.. …
Wheelchair-accessible conversion by fr conversions includes a repositioned rear suspension panhard rod, the sole lateral stability link for the axle. The repositioned chassis mounting bracket for the panhard rod separated from the van in a straight-road single vehicle highway rollover crash. Evidence currently supports that this bracket mounting (welded to the conversion's sheet metal) May have partially failed prior to the rollover crash. The loss of function of a panhard rod reduces vehicle controllability. This complaint submitted by a third party not involved with the incident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caravan. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the odor of burning rubber was noticed and smoke emerged from the rear passenger tire. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the rear passenger side wheel bearing failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired by the same mechanic for the same failure three months earlier. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was repaired for the most recent failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
Vehicle has extreme vibration problem occurring at approximately 40 and 80mph this eventually caused it to stop running. Vehicle was towed to a service center where no problem could be found. However, transmission fluid was added and transaxle oil filter was changed. Problem not resolved. Eight months later engine mounts needed replaced due to shift in engine/transmission by 6 in. Problem not resolved. Two weeks later transmission filter changed, fluid and dr tranny added. Problem not resolved. Vibration stops when gas is no longer applied however returns at approximately 30-45mph. Problem has been noticeable for over 2 years.
Related recalls (3)
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly
Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through…
Remedy: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600.
Suspension › Rear
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 town and country and Dodge grand caravan vehicles manufactured from November 15, 2011, through November 21, 2011. Some vehicles May be equipped with right rear hub and bearing assemblies that were not fully machined.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right rear hub and bearing assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 27, 2012. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Vehicle description: minivans. The lower control arm pivot bolt could fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right lower control arm bolts and nuts. Owner notification began April 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (60), 2000 (56), 1998 (51), 1999 (37) and 2005 (24) model years. Suspension complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Dodge Grand Caravan suspension problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 14V-055 (non-powered axle assembly, Feb 11, 2014); 12V-141 (rear, Apr 3, 2012); 01V-152 (lower arm, May 8, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Grand Caravan suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (101 mentions), followed by the front › macpherson strut (51).
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.