1991 Dodge Caravan problems & reliability
617 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Dodge Caravan. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
26 complaints report injuries (32 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1991 Dodge Caravan vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 208 | 34% |
| Seat Belts | 90 | 15% |
| Structure | 80 | 13% |
| Power Train | 57 | 9% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 41 | 7% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 39 | 6% |
| Steering | 38 | 6% |
| Visibility | 23 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 22 | 4% |
| Electrical System | 19 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Started missing at frist, then a no start. I've changed the timing chain, crank sensor, camshaft sensor, coil pack. Tried a new ecm. There's voltage to the coil pack, but no spark. I've checked wiring circuit, and auto shut down relay .”
Engine · filed Apr 5, 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the front brake calipers malfunctioned and made the vehicle difficult to move. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the hydraulic control unit that houses the brake actuator piston and the pump motor assembly needed to be replaced…”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Aug 4, 2014
“1991 dodge caravan. Consumer writes in regards to anti lock brake system recall and seeks reimbursement for repairs. *smd the consumer stated he paid for the repairs on april 20, 2006 and was charged $376.73, even though a recall had been issued. The consumer experienced abs problems again in december 2013. The…”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Mar 27, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT
Recall Query RQ99004 · opened Apr 19, 1999 · open · led to recall 99V213000
- SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FAILURES
Engineering Analysis EA97005 · opened Apr 10, 1997 · closed Dec 23, 1997 · led to recall 97V149000
- ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA96027 · opened Oct 31, 1996 · closed May 16, 1997 · led to recall 97V079000
- INCONSISTENT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE
Engineering Analysis EA96016 · opened Jun 28, 1996 · closed Dec 17, 1997 · led to recall 97V148000
- THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE POSITION
Preliminary Evaluation PE96036 · opened May 14, 1996 · closed Oct 31, 1996
- ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE96035 · opened May 6, 1996 · closed Oct 31, 1996 · led to recall 97V079000
- SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
Preliminary Evaluation PE96008 · opened Jan 25, 1996 · closed Jun 28, 1996
- STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
Engineering Analysis EA95029 · opened Sep 26, 1995 · closed Nov 13, 1996 · led to recall 96V229000
Technical service bulletins
40 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1991 Dodge Caravan. The 10 most recent:
Subject regarding airbag / clock spring service for various models including 2002 model year jeep liberty. *tt
0801001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 25, 2001
Subject regarding wire splice repairs. *sb
0800600REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 29, 2000
Subject regarding child seat tether anchors. *tt
2300800B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 24, 2000
Subject regarding non-deployed airbag handling procedures. *tt
082700 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 29, 2000
Subject regarding child seat tether anchors. *tt
230800 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 3, 2000
This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts. *tt
080600 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 25, 2000
Daimlerchrysler corporation is now offerinb airbag on / off switches for selected vehicles. *tt
083799 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 12, 1999
Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *mjs
233599REVA · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1999
Information on child seat tether anchors. *tt
233599 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 3, 1999
This bulletin announces the availability and installation of a resuable automatic transmission oil pan gasket. *tt
210599A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 3, 1999
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1991 Dodge Caravan in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1991 Dodge Caravan?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.