Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 1.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
644Complaints
5Recalls
91Crashes
6Fires
101Injured
3Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (14.9% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 1.8× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Power Train:automatic Transmission
96 · 14.9%
No official action
—
Air Bags:frontal
66 · 10.2%
Recalled
Recall 99V113000
Air Bags
36 · 5.6%
Recalled
Recall 99V113000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
36 · 5.6%
No official action
—
Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock
34 · 5.3%
Recalled
Recall 95I001005 · Recall 95I001001
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
33 · 5.1%
No official action
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE33 · 5.1%
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER29 · 4.5%
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR25 · 3.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION24 · 3.7%
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE14 · 2.2%
Percentages are the share of the 644 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 5 campaigns
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments
IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE.”NHTSA complaint 980149 — filed 03/05/1996 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED TWO TIMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE.”NHTSA complaint 980149 — filed 03/05/1996 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED THREE TIMES AT 80,000 MILES DURING A SNOW STORM IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT”NHTSA complaint 978622 — filed 02/02/1996 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Dodge Caravan?
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 96 of 644 NHTSA complaints (14.9%), followed by air bags:frontal (66), air bags (36), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (36). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1994 Dodge Caravan have?
644 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 91 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 101 reported injuries. 3 deaths were reported.
Does the 1994 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 99V213000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1994 Dodge Caravan's reported problems?
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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