2002 Dodge Caravan problems & reliability
245 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Dodge Caravan, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. 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.
6 complaints report injuries (9 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2002 Dodge Caravan vehicles were involved in 12 fatal crashes with 8 occupant deaths. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 59 | 24% |
| Steering | 36 | 15% |
| Electrical System | 33 | 13% |
| Power Train | 27 | 11% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 19 | 8% |
| Equipment | 15 | 6% |
| Exterior Lighting | 15 | 6% |
| Seat Belts | 15 | 6% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 | 5% |
| Structure | 12 | 5% |
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.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 53,000 miles (middle 50% between 34,556 and 78,334 miles), based on 152 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Something wrong with my gas tank, it always stops me even if it's halfway. The driver seat belt doesn't stay well. The holes where the engine always comes off and there's a lot of smoke coming out. The headliner is coming off and there's like a sand falling to my kids. The break is not that strong”
Seat Belts · filed Apr 28, 2018
“The steering wheel gets lock were ever I stop ,internal control failure, radiator heat constantly when I am driving ,”
Service Brakes · filed Mar 29, 2017
“2002 dodge caravan. Consumer writes in regards to intermittent airbag warning light displayed on the dashboard and clockspring failure. *smd”
Air Bags · filed Feb 8, 2016
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION
Engineering Analysis EA05009 · opened Jun 1, 2005 · closed May 2, 2006
- HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION
Preliminary Evaluation PE05004 · opened Feb 2, 2005 · closed Jun 1, 2005
- SPEAKER FIRE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE
Preliminary Evaluation PE04049 · opened Jul 7, 2004 · closed Nov 5, 2004 · led to recall 04V531000
- POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE03012 · opened Apr 9, 2003 · closed May 29, 2003 · led to recall 04V386000
- FUEL TANK LEAK
Preliminary Evaluation PE02068 · opened Sep 24, 2002 · closed Oct 9, 2002 · led to recall 02V274000
Technical service bulletins
101 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Dodge Caravan. The 10 most recent:
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 30, 2020
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
31-005-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
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
The 2002 Dodge Caravan has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
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 2002 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.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 53,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.