1996 Dodge Caravan Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 1996 Dodge Caravan, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 79,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “serpentine belt” (9% of reports).
- 215engine and engine cooling complaints
- 79,000median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,850typical repair cost reported by owners
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Serpentine belt: mentioned in 20 of 215 complaints (9%)
- Head gasket: mentioned in 17 of 215 complaints (8%)
- Provide further information: mentioned in 12 of 215 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the 1996 Dodge Caravan at $1,850, and half of them between $1,800 and $1,950.
Based on 6 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2003), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 13 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 215 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 1 an injury.
Dodge Caravan engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Caravan | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2010 Caravan | 9 | 5% | 4,986 |
| 2009 Caravan | 3 | 3% | 84,399 |
| 2008 Caravan | 5 | 2% | 75,780 |
| 2007 Caravan | 6 | 7% | 69,000 |
| 2006 Caravan | 13 | 8% | 37,000 |
| 2005 Caravan | 14 | 3% | 34,512 |
| 2004 Caravan | 4 | 6% | 38,250 |
| 2003 Caravan | 17 | 9% | 18,380 |
| 2002 Caravan | 19 | 8% | 65,900 |
| 2001 Caravan | 16 | 6% | 23,000 |
| 2000 Caravan | 61 | 13% | 62,420 |
| 1999 Caravan | 102 | 18% | 86,396 |
| 1998 Caravan | 135 | 21% | 72,000 |
| 1997 Caravan | 123 | 17% | 94,000 |
| 1996 Caravan | 215 | 15% | 79,000 |
| 1995 Caravan | 67 | 14% | 99,859 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline
Problem: In certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.
Risk: Inadequate sealing and retention of the plug can result in oil leakage which could cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Fix: Dealers will install an expansion plug and retaining bracket over the cylinder head oil galley plug.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge caravan. While driving in inclement weather conditions, water, or with the air conditioner activated, the vehicle temporarily loses control. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the serpentine belt slipped off. No warning lights…
While driving at low speeds vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
Consumer noticed engine consumed one quart of oil every week due to a oil leak from the crankshaft. Dealer was notified. *ak
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1996 Dodge Caravans have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 215 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 1996 Dodge Caravan (15% of the 1,403 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Dodge Caravan engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?
The median reported mileage is 79,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the 1996 Dodge Caravan?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,850 (half paid between $1,800 and $1,950), from 6 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 1996 Dodge Caravan?
The most frequent phrase is “serpentine belt”, in 20 of 215 complaints, followed by “head gasket” (17).
Other 1996 Dodge Caravan problems
See all 1996 Dodge Caravan problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all Caravan years.