Dodge Caravan Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 1,059 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Dodge Caravan across 21 model years. The 1996 model year has the most (251). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (48% of reports).
- 1,059air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 203mention a crash
- 147mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $440typical repair cost reported by owners
- 30%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.
- Air bag: mentioned in 512 of 1,059 complaints (48%)
- Clock spring: mentioned in 237 of 1,059 complaints (22%)
- Horn cruise: mentioned in 95 of 1,059 complaints (9%)
- Bags electrical: mentioned in 58 of 1,059 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical air bags repair on the Dodge Caravan at $440, and half of them between $380 and $480.
Based on 20 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2013), 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 air bags problems happen?
Based on 365 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,059 complaints, 203 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 147 an injury.
Dodge Caravan air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Caravan | 3 | 13% | 60,000 |
| 2014 Caravan | 1 | 5% | 131,000 |
| 2013 Caravan | 2 | 7% | 1 |
| 2012 Caravan | 4 | 5% | 51,007 |
| 2011 Caravan | 3 | 4% | 52,069 |
| 2010 Caravan | 17 | 10% | 51,500 |
| 2009 Caravan | 26 | 22% | 85,000 |
| 2008 Caravan | 42 | 14% | 84,000 |
| 2007 Caravan | 8 | 10% | 88,002 |
| 2006 Caravan | 27 | 16% | 62,500 |
| 2005 Caravan | 49 | 9% | 62,609 |
| 2004 Caravan | 4 | 6% | 118,652 |
| 2003 Caravan | 14 | 7% | 64,000 |
| 2002 Caravan | 59 | 24% | 50,000 |
| 2001 Caravan | 43 | 17% | 56,000 |
| 2000 Caravan | 69 | 15% | 89,469 |
| 1999 Caravan | 119 | 21% | 89,000 |
| 1998 Caravan | 99 | 16% | 85,450 |
| 1997 Caravan | 152 | 21% | 95,356 |
| 1996 Caravan | 251 | 18% | 102,104 |
| 1995 Caravan | 67 | 14% | 79,807 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Model years: 2005, 2006
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 dodge caravan, grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, alaska and the district of columbia. The front crash sensors may crack under certain environmental conditions and allow water to enter into the sensor. This can cause the sensor to become inoperative and illuminate the airbag warning light. These sensors were added to enhance the performance of the airbag system in certain frontal crashes.
Risk: If the front crash sensors become inoperative, the driver is immediately alerted by illumination of the airbag warning light and the vehicle should be promptly serviced. Until the vehicle is repaired, the airbags may not provide the enhanced protection in the event of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will replace the front airbag sensors with a new design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety improvement campaign will begin during june 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Model years: 2005
Problem: Certain minivans are being recalled that were originally sold in or currently registered in the 27 states plus the district of columbia that use greater amounts of salt for winter road deicing. The up-front (uf) air bag sensors that contain brass bushings installed in these vehicles may corrode and crack allowing water to enter the sensor. These sensors provide enhanced air bag performance in certain types of frontal crashes.
Risk: In one of these crashes, with one or both of the vehicle's uf sensors inoperative, the occupants will not benefit from the enhanced air bag protection that these sensors would provide.
Fix: For vehicles registered in the recall states, dealers will replace the original uf air bag sensors with ones with greater corrosion resistance. Vehicles registered in other states will obtain a lifetime free replacement of any uf sensor that fails. The campaign began on july 2, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags
Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000
Problem: On certain minivans, the driver's air bag may become disabled due to a failure of the clockspring, which is located in the hub of the steering wheel.
Risk: This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all covered vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. For those vehicles with more than 70,000 miles, daimlerchrysler will offer an extended lifetime warranty under which it will replace the clockspring at no charge if it fails. Daimlerchrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. The recall began on october 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags:frontal
Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998
Problem: On certain mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
Risk: This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
Fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. An extended lifetime warranty will also be placed on this component for all affected vehicles, regardless of mileage. Daimlerchrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. Owner notification began november 18, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Air bags
Model years: 1995
Problem: Vehicle description: mini vans. The wiring that initiates the driver and/or passenger air bag could electrically short circuit to ground. A short circuit to ground that exists immediately after turning the ignition key to the "on" or "start" position can cause the air bag(s) to inadvertently deploy.
Risk: Inadvertent air bag deployment can injure a front seat occupant.
Fix: Dealers will perform an electronic diagnostic check. Any short circuits identified in either the driver's or passenger side air bag initiator wire circuit will be repaired.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the related undisclosed recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to…
The contact owned a 2008 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, an unknown Toyota Minivan entered his driving route and crashed into the vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to his back, neck, and feet and bruising. Medical attention was provided. The passenger…
Air bag Light stays On, even with seat belt attached, so this means air bag is not working, not sure driver side, or passenger. went to Dodge dealer, they would NOT fix it!!
The problems we are experiencing is the airbag indicator light keeps coming on and off dinging every time it comes on. The other issue we have experienced is the engine is in need of repair but the check engine light does not come on to let mechanics find the problem. However once every three…
Passenger side air bag exploded. Luckily no injury. Vehicle was not moving. I didn't even know it could do that! I'd like this fixed. Also, two leaks in engine. Oil leak/transmission leak. Is this normal? Leaks are ongoing. Another thing: noticing headlights getting slightly dimmer, then brighter…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Caravans have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,059 owner complaints about air bags for the Dodge Caravan. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Caravan air bags?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix air bags problems on the Dodge Caravan?
Owners report a typical cost of $440 (half paid between $380 and $480), from 20 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Dodge Caravan?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 512 of 1,059 complaints, followed by “clock spring” (237).
Other Dodge Caravan problems
See all Dodge Caravan problems.