Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1996 Dodge Caravan
NHTSA data on file today
The 1996 Dodge Caravan has 18 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,399 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #10E034000 AFTERMARKET RECEIVER HITCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E022000 BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E023000 FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03E053000 WIX FILTERATION/FUEL FILTER LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03E045000 INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS/FUEL FILTER LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V293000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V268000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FUEL LEAKAGE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V216000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FUEL PUMP NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V185000 CHRYSLER/INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97I001000 CHRYSLER/INTEGRAL CHILD SEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V136000 Seat Belts — Integrated Child Seat NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V002000 Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Filler Pipe and Cap NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V006000 CHRYSLER/ENGINE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #95V236000 Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #95V225000 Seats NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #95I004000 Seat Belts — Integrated Child Seat NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 250 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 207 complaints
- Electrical System 202 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 199 complaints
- Power Train 168 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 122 complaints
Of the 1,399 complaints on file, 56 report a crash and 45 a fire; across all 1,399 complaints, owners report 64 injuries and 9 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$8,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1996 Dodge Caravan is rated below-average due to numerous recalls and a high volume of complaints related to the air bags, fuel system, and electrical system. Common issues often result in costly repairs, and the vehicle may require significant maintenance to maintain safety and reliability over five years.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| air bags | 100,000–150,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| fuel system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $400–$900 | common |
| electrical system | 90,000–130,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Transmission fluid replacement
- Brake pad inspection and replacement
- Cooling system check and fill
- Regular tire rotations
- Check and replace air filter
- Inspect belts and hoses
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Airbag warning light on
- Fuel odor inside or outside
- Frequent electrical issues
- Check engine light persists
- Rough idling or stalling
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1996 Dodge Caravan at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.