Dodge Caravan Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 810 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Dodge Caravan across 17 model years. The 1996 model year has the most (215). The words owners use most often: “serpentine belt” (19% of reports).
- 810engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,500typical repair cost reported by owners
- 29%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 153 of 810 complaints (19%)
- Head gasket: mentioned in 76 of 810 complaints (9%)
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 Dodge Caravan at $1,500, and half of them between $510 and $1,900.
Based on 23 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2011), 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 232 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 810 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 57 a fire, 6 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
Model years: 1996
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 2007 dodge caravan. While driving 35 mph, there was a strong exhaust odor and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (putman chrysler jeep dodge, 3 california dr., burlingame, ca 94010)…
2014 grand caravan. Consumer writes in regards to engine compartment annoying sounds, bracket installation to eliminate the noise, alternator replaced, water and oil pump replaced. Dealership still unable to repair engine noise issue. *smd
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. While driving various speeds, the power steering seized without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired…
2004 dodge caravan. Consumer writes in regards to fuel tank extended warranty coverage that applies to vehicle stalling after refueling. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle began stalling shortly after it was purchased and has since continued. The stalling occurred at highway speeds and while…
Every time this vehicle is to be served for smog check renewal, the check engine light becomes an issue. For 2014 i spent money in repairs dealing with a new egr valve. The problem stopped and passed smog check. This year 2016 i am having the same problem. All areas of smog have passed in the smog…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Caravans have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 810 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling 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 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.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Dodge Caravan?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,500 (half paid between $510 and $1,900), from 23 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Dodge Caravan?
The most frequent phrase is “serpentine belt”, in 153 of 810 complaints, followed by “head gasket” (76).
Other Dodge Caravan problems
- Electrical System problems (1,216)
- Air Bags problems (1,059)
- Power Train problems (849)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (536)
- Steering problems (448)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (416)
- Latches/locks/linkages problems (354)
- Visibility problems (324)
See all Dodge Caravan problems.