Dodge Caravan Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 280 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the Dodge Caravan across 16 model years. The 1996 model year has the most (51). The words owners use most often: “strut tower” (19% of reports).
- 280suspension complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $1,350typical repair cost reported by owners
- 25%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.
- Strut tower: mentioned in 54 of 280 complaints (19%)
- Sway bar: mentioned in 23 of 280 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical suspension repair on the Dodge Caravan at $1,350, and half of them between $840 and $1,600.
Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2001–2009), 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 suspension problems happen?
Based on 135 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 280 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury.
Dodge Caravan suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Caravan | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2010 Caravan | 1 | 1% | 133,000 |
| 2009 Caravan | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2008 Caravan | 6 | 2% | 35,000 |
| 2007 Caravan | 4 | 5% | 99,300 |
| 2006 Caravan | 3 | 2% | 32,000 |
| 2005 Caravan | 17 | 3% | 34,000 |
| 2003 Caravan | 8 | 4% | 45,566 |
| 2002 Caravan | 11 | 4% | 56,000 |
| 2001 Caravan | 32 | 12% | 45,000 |
| 2000 Caravan | 43 | 9% | 99,000 |
| 1999 Caravan | 33 | 6% | 106,584 |
| 1998 Caravan | 37 | 6% | 97,500 |
| 1997 Caravan | 20 | 3% | 95,000 |
| 1996 Caravan | 51 | 4% | 100,000 |
| 1995 Caravan | 11 | 2% | 135,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Suspension:rear
Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010
Problem: The braun corporation is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 chrysler town & country and dodge caravan mobility conversions which were altered by braun between january 21, 2009 and march 19, 2010. During conversion, the chassis was raised and the floor was lowered to accommodate wheelchair accessibility features. In raising the chassis, the rear spring hats come into closer proximity to the rear tires. In rough or aggressive driving situations the tires may intermittently contact the rear spring hats.
Risk: Contact between the tire spring hat may wear a hole in the tire over time. This may result in loss of vehicle control in the event of tire pressure loss increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Braun will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact braun toll-free at 1-800-488-0359.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Model years: 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: minivans. The lower control arm pivot bolt could fracture.
Risk: If the bolt fractures, the lower control arm could separate from the crossmember, causing a loss of vehicle control.
Fix: 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 the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle was in motion- while driving along i heard and felt a loud noise (boom) from rear of vehicle-vehicle then swerved wildly out of control spinning around and taking down signs, mailbox-after looking at van it is apparent that the rear axle slid backwards in wheel well. While body is rust…
I was driving and hit a pot hole and the rear axle broke cause by cheap design rear axle support. After checking out you tube it is e common problem with dodge and chrysler vans. If this happened on the highway one can end up under a 18 wheeler.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT CHAMPION CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (6525 W SAGINAW HWY, LANSING, MI 48917, [redacted]) FOR A POWER STEERING FAILURE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR WAS CORRODED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
The 2008 dodge grand caravan is a lawsuit waiting to happen it somes with too many problems that i believe the creators if this vehicle knew about but put out for production any how for the love of money. Too many lives are put at risk. Im requesting a brand new car my vheicle has electrical issues…
I bought a 2007 dodge caravan, the drivers side window switch seems to be burning out not allowing me to roll the window down on the electric switch and when it does, has a hard time trying to go back up. Then my drivers side passenger van door has a button on top in the front that you can hit it…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Caravans have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 280 owner complaints about suspension 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 suspension?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix suspension problems on the Dodge Caravan?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,350 (half paid between $840 and $1,600), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the Dodge Caravan?
The most frequent phrase is “strut tower”, in 54 of 280 complaints, followed by “sway bar” (23).
Other Dodge Caravan problems
See all Dodge Caravan problems.