As I slowly was turning the car to park in a parking lot in vienna va shopping center, the van suddenly accelerated on its own and stopped when it crashed into handicap parking pole marker ( no damage). Damage to my van which is visable appears to be the front of the hood of the car and a damaged but functioning radiator as best I can see. Note: the air bags were not activeated, and wondered why they didn't.( is this another problem ?)
1994 Dodge Caravan body problems
78 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). 8 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 78
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- crashes
- 8
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Body: door24
- Body: hatchback/liftgate14
- Body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments13
- Body: door: hinge and attachments13
- Body5
- Frame and members4
- Body: tailgate4
- Body: tailgate: hinge and attachments3
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: 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
Related investigations
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
What 1994 Dodge Caravan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
1994 dodge caravan mileage 66.873 with wheelchair lift rear liftgate hinge, bolt holding the hinge together broke due to metal fatigue, letting hinge separate, causing liftgate to drop down. This is a very serious safety problem. Chrysler/dodge 1-800-992,1997 ref.#15261363 was contacted by phone several times. I was told that ii was not on the recall list. Sorry car is out of warranty. The van is always parked in my carrage. Like new. I have the old parts and 17 color poctures.
The federal safety agency recall campaign 99v213000, the bolt to the hatch broke, causing the piston to break in half. A stick must be used to hold the hatch up. Consumer was aware of recall for this particular model.
The passenger sliding door fell off the hinges. It would be difficult to open/close door. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
There is a light on the sliding door that gets very hot if the door stays ajar for a few seconds.
Door was sticking and hard to close. My wife tried to close the door and it stuck. She pulled on the door and it fell off the hinges. Body shop said all the parts were completely worn out. Dt
Hinge on driver door is cracked.
Left bolt that holds hinges to hatchback sheared off. Hatchback came sliding down to the right, causing left arm to "freeze" in position, rendering hatchback door inoperative.
Chrysler dealership refused to honor recall 99v213000 concerning liftgate support bracket. *ak when the hydraulic liftgate bolts had broken-3 times, the consumer states that they had to get the liftgate repaired because they couldn't open or close the hatch otherwise.
Intermittently tailgate comes ajar when driving, dealer has been notified. *ak consumer stated rear liftgate opens without being activated, also airbag light was illuminated, head gasket was leaking.
Questions about the 1994 Dodge Caravan body
Does the 1994 Dodge Caravan have body problems?
Owners have filed 78 complaints about the body of the 1994 Dodge Caravan, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1994 Dodge Caravan body problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1994 Dodge Caravan body?
Yes, 1 recall: 99V213000. 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).
Other 1994 Dodge Caravan problems
Transmission 110Airbags 94Engine 68Brakes 63Locks 57Visibility 44Steering 38Electrical 36Seat belts 31Fuel system 22Seats 19Suspension 19Acceleration 14Lights 11Tires 7Wheels 5
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