Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2001 Dodge Caravan
NHTSA data on file today
The 2001 Dodge Caravan has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns and 257 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 #08E048000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E039000 FMVSS 108/LIGHT REFLECTION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E022000 BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V531000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/RADIO SHORT CIRCUIT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03E053000 WIX FILTERATION/FUEL FILTER LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03E045000 INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS/FUEL FILTER LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V094000 SOUTHERN COMFORT/RUNNING BOARDS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01I003000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/SLIDING DOOR LOCK LINKAGE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V152000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 43 complaints
- Steering 32 complaints
- Suspension 31 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 30 complaints
- Electrical System 29 complaints
- Visibility 20 complaints
Of the 257 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 257 complaints, owners report 15 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2001 Dodge Caravan exhibits recurring issues with air bags, steering, and suspension. Although aftermarket parts contribute to failures, numerous complaints about safety and electrical problems indicate wider reliability concerns. Despite no major engine issues, unreliable components impact overall ownership costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| air bags | 70,000–100,000 miles | $500–$900 | common |
| steering column | 60,000–90,000 miles | $350–$700 | common |
| suspension bushings | 50,000–80,000 miles | $250–$600 | occasional |
| headlights | 40,000–70,000 miles | $150–$300 | 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 change every 5,000 miles
- Brake pad replacement every 20,000 miles
- Annual suspension check
- Transmission fluid change every 30,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Airbag warning light
- Steering wheel vibrations
- Uneven tire wear
- Dim or flickering headlights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2001 Dodge Caravan at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.