Tie rods went in the front. Brake pads had to be replaced. Then driving on the highway during rush hour traffic I lost the brakes. Pulled over and called to have the car towed in. Mechanic said the master cylinder needed replacement but because ABS brakes, a new cylinder cannot be found. Dodge stopped making them because they were faulty.
The worst 1993 Dodge Caravan problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes336
- Seat belts113
- Transmission100
- Steering93
- Engine86
- Body81
- Visibility52
- Electrical44
- Airbags34
- Seats31
- Locks30
- Acceleration19
- Lights19
- Fuel system15
- Suspension14
- Tires8
- Wheels2
- Driver assistance1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1993 Dodge Caravan
ABS 225Brake failure 93Seat belt 39Wipers 29Stalling 28Power steering loss 23Transmission failure 23Loss of power 22No deployment 19Headlights 14Door locks 11Hesitation 8Jerking 7Slipping 7Ball joint 6Spongy pedal 6Sudden acceleration 6Fuel leak 5Overheating 5Tire blowout 5
Recalls 8
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans equipped with 2-spoke luxury wheels manufactured july 1992 through june 1993; or equipped with 4-spoke sport wheels manufactured from july 1992 through september 1993. The steering wheel armature stamping can crack and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for cracks and any wheels with cracks will be replaced. All other vehicles will have a reinforcement plate installed to prevent steering wheel separation in the event cracking occurs.
Recall number 00V305000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans. 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 99V213000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: minivans. The left hand windshield wiper pivot drive arm was not mechanically staked to the pivot shaft.
- Risk
- This could allow the drive arm to disengage from the shaft leading to a loss of wiper function. The driver's visibility would be impaired, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left hand side windshield wiper pivot assembly.
Recall number 99V189000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans. The wiring that initiates the driver and/or passenger air bag could electrically short circuit to ground. A short circuit to ground that exists immediately after turning the ignition key to the "on" or "start" position can cause the air bag(s) to inadvertently deploy.
- Risk
- Inadvertent air bag deployment can injure a front seat occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform an electronic diagnostic check. Any short circuits identified in either the driver's or passenger side air bag initiator wire circuit will be repaired.
Recall number 99V113000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger mini-vans. Covers on the solid stalk mounted seat belt buckles can become dislodged causing the release button to stick inside the cover. The buckle would then be only partially latched.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a cover retaining clip to the stalk mounted buckle cover to prevent dislocation of the buckle cover.
Recall number 97V148000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: anchorage
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger mini-vans. The center rear seat, right outboard side, safety belt anchor hook can become unattached from the body anchor position.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the anchor hook retaining clip with a revised profile clip and a cover plate.
Recall number 97V149000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- The ABS hydraulic control unit can experience excessive brake actuator piston seal wear causing pump-motor deterioration.
- Risk
- If this condition occurs, the ABS function could be lost and reduced power assist would be experienced during vehicle braking increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will test the vehicle's anti-lock brake system and repair the vehicles if necessary. Also the warranty on all ABS components will be extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles (except for the brake actuator piston assembly and the pump-motor assembly which will have a lifetime coverage). Owners will also be reimbursed for previous ABS component repair costs.
Recall number 96V099000 · Recall details
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- The 15 inch wheels have malformed lug nut seat configuration which causes poor nut-to-wheel contact and centering of the wheel during installation.
- Risk
- Poor nut-to-wheel contact during installation can lead topossible loss of a wheel, resulting in loss of vehicle control and an accident.
- Remedy
- The road and spare wheels with the malformed lug nut seat configuration will be replaced.
Recall number 93V098000 · Recall details
See all 8 recalls for the 1993 Dodge Caravan
Defect investigations
Steering column separation
Mr. Larry a. Sackey submitted a petition to the federal safety agency by letter dated april 18, 2003, requesting that agencyfurther investigate the defective collapsible steering shaft system on 1987-1995 vehicles manufactured by the daimlerchrysler corporation.in part because of 49 cfr ? 30120(g), the federal safety agency has decided to limit the scope of the petition vehicles to 1993-1995 models, excluding the 1993 jeep grand cherokee and 1994-1995 dodge ram series trucks that were recalled (93v210 & 96v230) for steering column failure.if the analysis of these vehicles had identified a potential problem, the scope could have been expanded in an investigation.a review of odi's data base shows no recent complaints and a lack of a complaint trend concerning the subject issue on the subject vehicles as a whole or by individual models.therefore, the petition is denied.for details, see federal register notice volume 68, no. 130, july 8, 2003.
DP03002
Steering wheel separation
There is no summary currently available
RQ00011
Rear liftgate support
On may 7, 1997, chrysler filed a defect information report to recall 436,000 1992 dodge caravan/grand caravan, plymouth voyager/grand voyager and chrysler town and country vehicles to repair the liftgate supports; safety recall 97v‑079.odi had investigation the rear liftgate support problem for 1991-1993 chrysler minivans in pe 96-035 and ea96-027.at the time of closing ea96-027 on may 16, 1997, a safety related defect trend had not been identified on the 1991 and 1993 models.since the closing of ea96-027, odi has received 34 complaints of rear liftgate support attaching bolt failures, including ten injuries, on the subjecet vehicles.it is recommended that a recall query be opened to determine the scope of liftgate support failures on the subject vehicles.closing note: on july 19, 1999, damilerchrysler agreed to recall 1991, 1993, and 1994 model year vehicles to remedy rear liftgate supports; safety recall 99v‑213.it is recommended that rq99-004 be closed.
RQ99004
Front windshield wiper
Alleged failures of windshield wiper systems
EA97020
Safety belt anchorage failures
There is no summary currently available
EA97005
Windshield wiper failure
Alleged windshield wipers fail while in use
PE97013
Windshield wiper failure
Cfas petitioned the agency to conduct a defect investigation on windshield wiper failure on 1989 and later chrysler models which should include, but not limited to spirit/acclaim: dynasty/new yorker/landau; lance/lebaron; shadow/sundance; caravan/voyager.however, based on odi's complaint records, only certain minivans will be investigated
DP97001
Alleged rear liftgate support failure
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 failure
The retainer bolt of the rear lift gate support cylinders may sheer resulting in the sudden collapse of the rear hatch door.
PE96035
Safety blt latch operation
There is no summary currently available
PE96008
Abs braking system fails
There is no summary currently available
EA94028
Abs braking system fails
There is no summary currently available
PE94024
Liftgate latches
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
Technical service bulletins for the 1993 Dodge Caravan 54
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Valve Body
- Flash programming failure recovery. slc
- Subject regarding airbag / clock spring service for various models including 2002 model year jeep liberty. tt
- Subject regarding wire splice repairs. sb
- Subject regarding child seat tether anchors. tt
- Subject regarding non-deployed airbag handling procedures. tt
- This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts. tt
- Daimlerchrysler corporation is now offerinb airbag on / off switches for selected vehicles. tt
- Subject on the child seat tether anchors. mjs
- This bulletin announces the availability and installation of a resuable automatic transmission oil pan...
1993 Dodge Caravan fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 24-28 | 20-21 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 22 | 19 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | FWD | 15-16 | 21-22 | 17-18 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 |
What 1993 Dodge Caravan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the ABS and brake lights illuminated. In addition, the brake pedal traveled to the floor when it was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who checked the diagnostic trouble codes. The codes were cleared and the dealer performed a modulator circuit test and additional testing. If the resistance was below 5 ohms, the cab ABS module, dual pressure switch, and the accumulator may need to be rechecked or the parts may need to be replaced. The dealer was unable to determine if the manufacturer would be able to supply the parts to repair the vehicle. The dealer would not release the vehicle until it got repaired due to the failures with the brake system. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 96v099000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and the federal safety agency action number: ea94028 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.
I just found out, that a recall that was suppose to be replaced years ago, as not replaced, just looked at. The ABS on this van is known to be defective, and has a lifetime warranty on the van. I contacted dodge, and they refuse to fix it, and tell me they cant diagnois it because they dont have a tool. With is bs. They offer to buy the van at below market value, like 1/3 of what its worth. This is a low mileage, special equipment handi cap van, worth atleast 6k... They offer 1951. I im mostly upset because upon the original recall, it was not replaced, and was left alone with the original defected part. I think that is fraud, and against what a recall is about. Plese check into this, or advise what can be done.
Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal had to be depressed firmly in order to stop the vehicle and the ABS warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ABS pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. The contact stated while driving at unknown speed, the brakes failed making it extremely difficult to stop the vehicle. The brake light illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the brake system needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 169,000. Updated 10/23/2014*lj updated 05/21/2015
When driving the vehicle, at random times the ABS system warning lights turn on and then I have no brakes. I have taken it to several repair shops, seen various mechanics and dealerships and it continues to be a serious problem. No one has been able to solve or fix the problem. As a senior citizen, I am not in a position to purchase a newer vehicle, thus I continue to drive this vehicle. I am afraid that I may not be as fortunate when the brakes go out again.
Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the ABS and the brake lights illuminated. The contact pressed the brake pedal but the vehicle did not respond until the pedal reached the floorboard. The contact shut off and restarted the vehicle and the brakes worked normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where he found that the federal safety agency campaign: 96v099000 service brakes, hydraulic was the cause of the failure. The recall repair had been previously done on the vehicle. The vehicle not not be inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the brakes failed when applied. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the brake assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
The paint job is defective. The paint has peeled and the van is rusting.
Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated until completely failing. The contact stated that the dealer repaired the failure previously but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 32,000 and the current mileage was 40,000.
Compare the 1993 Dodge Caravan
Other model years
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Questions about the 1993 Dodge Caravan
Is the 1993 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Owners have filed 946 complaints about the 1993 Dodge Caravan, 10.9 times a typical Caravan model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1993 Dodge Caravan?
Brakes, with 336 complaints, typically around 140,000 miles. Next is seat belts (113).
How many recalls does the 1993 Dodge Caravan have?
8 recalls, covering steering, structure and visibility.
Was there a recall on the 1993 Dodge Caravan brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 96V099000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Dodge Caravan have bad brakes?
The Dodge Caravan model years with the most brakes complaints are 1993 (336 complaints), 1992 (271 complaints) and 1991 (216 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1993 Dodge Caravan get?
Official estimates for the 1993 Dodge Caravan range from 17 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 24-28 highway.
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