1992 Dodge Caravan body problems

81 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 81
of this car's complaints: 9%
crashes: 3
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Body: door
25
Body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut
24
Body: door: hinge and attachments
15
Body: hatchback/liftgate
7
Body: tailgate: hinge and attachments
4
Body: tailgate
2
Body
2
Frame and members
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Dodge Caravan body problems in other years

Related recalls

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strutReported May 16, 1997 · 436,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The bolts used to attach the strut to the body and the rear liftgate can accumulate fatigue damage if three factors combine. If the bolt is loose, the gas strut is over-pressurized, and the frequency of opening and closing cycles is higher than for the average customer, the bolt can fail.
Risk: Personal injury could occur if the bolts break allowing the liftgate to fall suddenly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for loose fasteners, if the fasteners are loose, the strut (and integral bolts) will be replaced. If the bolt shows evidence of torque, the bolt will be removed, larger washers will replace the existing washer and the bolt will be reinstalled and hand tightened to the target torqued.

Recall number 97V079000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Alleged rear liftgate support failureOpened October 31, 1996, closed May 16, 1997

The retainer bolt of the rear liftgate support cylinders may shear resulting in sudden collapse of the rear hatch door.

EA96027

Alleged rear liftgate support failureOpened May 6, 1996, closed October 31, 1996

The retainer bolt of the rear lift gate support cylinders may sheer resulting in the sudden collapse of the rear hatch door.

PE96035

Liftgate latchesOpened January 31, 1994, closed October 25, 1995

Liftgate latches in the subject vehicles have failed in low and moderate speed impacts resulting in occupant ejections, injuries, and fatalities.there are two failure modes associated with latch failure: fork bolt-detent lever bypass, and inertial unlatching.the federal safety agency analyses of chrysler and peer minivans took the form of static and dynamic crash testing, engineering evaluations, complaint and field analyses, and real world data analyses.a technical report discussing these analyses can be found in the engineering analysis technical report in the public viewing file.chrysler has advised the federal safety agency that it will conduct a campaign to replace the latches on all the subject vehicles.the chrysler campaign will consist of notification letters to all owners; free replacement of all latches with stronger, safer latches regardless of the age of the minivans; national advertising to promote customer awareness of the campaign; quarterly reports regarding campaign completion rates; as well as additional measures to ensure a high completion rate, above and beyond the actions that normally would be taken in a formal safety recall.these include follow up written and telephonic notifications to owners who do not bring their vehicles in for corrective action.the federal safety agency firmly believes that the crash performance of the latches on these minivans raises serious safety concerns, and that the campaign addresses these concerns.the chrysler corrective action will increase the strength of the liftgate latches and decrease the potential for inertial unlatching, thereby reducing the risk of crash-related openings of the liftgate and possible occupant ejection through the liftgate opening.owners of chrysler minivans will get a stronger, safer latch free of charge at the earliest possible time, without the need for further technical investigation and complex and time-consuming litigation with an uncertain outcome.based on the above, odi is closing this investigation.

EA94005

Rear hatch latch failureOpened September 30, 1993, closed January 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

PE93084

What 1992 Dodge Caravan owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Body · 170,000 miles · OH

While driving 65 MPH, the rear hatch latch snapped. This caused the hatch to open and it was hard for the consumer to close the hatch. *ak the dealer had previously repaired the original hatchback latch per recall#97v079000. *sc

Filed Jul 23, 2001 · Body · NC

Recall work was done on the liftgate support washers on 10/15/97... Could over tightening the liftgate arm bolt cause the bolt to snap off. (snapped off on 07/23/2001). Dealership is saying they are not responsible and I just want to know if you have had other problems with this bolt breaking off. If it was in the lifted position and broke off it would have put someone in the hospital or worse. Here is the info on the sales ticket at the time: card # 6986, j# 1 04d0z730 liftgate sup washers, 23730182 inspected washer, replace both liftgate support washers, washer # 18-50-3

Filed Jul 5, 2001 · Body · IL

Exterior handles on two doors have broken off, hanging loose from frame.

Filed Mar 28, 2001 · Body, Visibility · KS

First, windshield wiper fluid would not spray. Then, after about 3 months later windshield wipers stopped working. *ak automatic locks lock everything but the side door, this has to be manually locked, master key would unlock driver and passenger doors, but not side and rear doors.

Filed Feb 8, 2001 · Body, Brakes · CT

Spark plugs were replaced due to being worn.

Filed Sep 4, 2000 · Body · IL

Reporting the hydraulic strut pin shear off and leaving door without support; dealer was not notified atthis time. Please provide further details:

Filed Aug 22, 2000 · Body · KY

Front passenger door handle is hanging off, consumer not able to open door from outside.

Filed May 25, 2000 · Body · FL

Prior to the recall the lift gate support, the vehicle failed while the lift gate was in up position because the bolt sheared off. Yh

Filed Apr 10, 2000 · Body · TX

Passenger's side door was welded, would not shut, and flushed against vehicle's structure. Was rewelded because it came off. Currently, driver's door failed to close tightly from the outside. Would pull it to shut from inside, and would push against door to open it. Taking vehicle to dealership to check the door structure.

Filed Apr 5, 2000 · Body · NY · 1 injury

The weak lift gate bolts broke tearing the metal off the vehicle and causing the lift gate to fall on passengers back. Nlm

Questions about the 1992 Dodge Caravan body

Does the 1992 Dodge Caravan have body problems?

Owners have filed 81 complaints about the body of the 1992 Dodge Caravan, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1992 Dodge Caravan body problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 1992 Dodge Caravan body?

Yes, 1 recall: 97V079000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Dodge Caravan have the most body problems?

The Dodge Caravan model years with the most body complaints are 1992 (81 complaints), 1993 (81 complaints) and 1991 (80 complaints).