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1999 Dodge Caravan problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Dodge Caravan is airbags, typically around 89,000 miles. It has 6.3 times the complaints of a typical Caravan model year.

Typical year6.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
552
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
104
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
16-20mpg
Typical repair
$300

The worst 1999 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.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Dodge Caravan

Airbag light 60Adaptive cruise 29Transmission failure 25No deployment 20Power steering loss 18Stalling 18Headlights 13Loss of power 13Fuel smell 12Check engine light 9Slipping 9Brake failure 8Wipers 8Tire blowout 7Fuel leak 6Sudden acceleration 6Coil spring 5Fire or smoke 5Jerking 5Overheating 5Seat belt 5

Recalls 5

Air bagsReported October 6, 2004 · 955,344 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain minivans, the driver's air bag may become disabled due to a failure of the clockspring, which is located in the hub of the steering wheel.
Risk
This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all covered vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. For those vehicles with more than 70,000 miles, daimlerchrysler will offer an extended lifetime warranty under which it will replace the clockspring at no charge if it fails. Daimlerchrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. The recall began on october 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 04V480000 · Recall details

Seat belts: rear/otherReported March 8, 2002 · 545,311 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain minivans, some trim material can loosen and drop into the rear outboard seat belt assembly, causing the seat belt to become inoperative.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the trim with foam blockers and inspect and replace all 3rd row seat belt assemblies. Owner notification began june 3, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 02V076000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: retractorReported April 11, 2001 · 161,682 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain van, wagon, pickup trucks, passenger and sport utility vehicles, fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the front seat belt retractor may not comply with the requirements of the standard.
Risk
If the retractor does not work properly, it will not adequately protect occupants in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the seat belt retractor. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 01V119000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection systemReported September 13, 2000 · 1,163,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: mini vans built with 3.3l and 3.8l engines have fuel rails with nitrole rubber o-ring seals that can degrade over time. Fuel leakage from the underhood fuel injection fuel rail could result, increasing the likelihood of a vehicle fire.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a seal on the vehicle fuel rails to prevent external leakage of fuel from the fuel rail crossover tube, should the existing o-rings continue to degrade. Owner notification began on january 25, 2002. Due to the large quantity of vehicles involved in this campaign, the owner notification will be phased over the next several months. However, if a vehicle is leaking fuel from the o-rings, the vehicle should be taken into a dealer to have this repaired as soon as possible. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 00V268000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported May 6, 1999 · 1,635 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: mini vans built for fleet sales only. The headlamp module does not identify the park lamp as "drl" as requirement of fmvss 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk
These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108.
Remedy
All fleet owners/operators will be mailed non-removable decals with the required "drl" letters.

Recall number 99V116000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 1999 Dodge Caravan

Defect investigations

Driver air bag clockspring failureOpened June 4, 2004, closed May 25, 2005

The driver air bag clockspring can develop an open-circuit condition resulting in nonfunctional driver-side frontal air bag, horn, cruise control (if equipped), and/or steering wheel radio control (if equipped).in its october 5, 2004 letter to the federal safety agency, daimlerchrysler stated that it will conduct a safety recall and replace the clockspring assembly on all my 1998.5-2000 daimlerchrysler minivans, built between march 1998 and august 2000, with 70,000 miles or less.it will also provide a lifetime warranty for this component on my 1998.5-2000 minivans, regardless of mileage.the details of the corrective action are described in daimlerchrysler's letter (see recall no. 04v‑480).the agency believes that further expenditure of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists with respect to those vehicles covered only by the lifetime warranty.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see page 2 for additional information.

EA04013

Driver air bag clockspring failureOpened January 28, 2004, closed June 4, 2004

Complaints report air bag warning light illuminates, and this may be accompanied with a non-functioning horn and/or cruise control (if equipped).this is indicative of an open-circuit clockspring failure (results in non-functioning driver's air bag), similar to the failure condition that was the subject of daimlerchrysler's recall of model year 1996-1998.5 minivans (recall no. 02v‑293).this recall query has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea04-013).

RQ04001

Air bag clockspringOpened February 21, 2001, closed November 22, 2002

There is no summary currently available

EA01007

Dc minivan fuel injector rail leakOpened March 9, 2000, closed March 18, 2002

There is no summary currently available

RQ00008

Post collision fuel systemOpened June 11, 1999, closed August 10, 2001

EA99013

Post-collision fuel system integrityOpened February 3, 1999, closed June 11, 1999

There is no summary currently available

PE99010

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Dodge Caravan 104

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 104 bulletins for the 1999 Dodge Caravan

1999 Dodge Caravan fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD182420
3.0L 6‑cylFWD172419
3.3L 6‑cylFWD162218
3.8L 6‑cylFWD152217-18
3.8L 6‑cyl4WD142116-17
Electric motor Electric 70 mi range2WD373335 MPGe

What 1999 Dodge Caravan owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 17, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · 202,335 miles · CA

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the serpentine belt failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer a third time where the serpentine belt was replaced again however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified the third time. Additionally, The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 00V268000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that a friend had jumped his vehicle due to the battery had failed when gasoline started to spill onto the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times but the contact stated that the service rep disconnected and the call would be redirected. The failure mileage was approximately 202,335.

Filed May 18, 2022 · Engine · 200,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to function as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Jul 22, 2020 · Steering · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel ceased without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the serpentine belt was detached. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the serpentine belt was replaced several times however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not provided.

Filed May 28, 2020 · Tires · 56,172 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge caravan equipped with goodyear tires, tire line: all season assurance, tire size: 215/65/r15, dot number: md5ujv1r2317. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle pull to the left and then to the right. The contact stated the front passenger side tire was defective. The vehicle was taken to tire shop and was informed to the front passenger tire needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 56,172.

Filed May 27, 2016 · Airbags · 112,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was constantly illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v480000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2016 · Steering · NJ

"takata recall" thge serpintine belt keeps breaking or comming off while driving normally. I ve had it repkaced numberous times. They told me it was the pulley, I changed that. And the belt has come off again!

Filed Nov 3, 2015 · Fuel system · 194,875 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to work properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 194,875.

Filed Jul 16, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · 134,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge caravan. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the air bag and cruise control warning indicators were illuminated continuously. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Lights, Seats · GA

My suspension bottoms out on me no matter where I am at. My front seats will not move back and forth at due to the handle mechanism breaking. My headlight assemblies do not put out the right beam of light the it needs to be able to see properly at night. I need your help in this matter please.

Filed Feb 9, 2015 · Electrical · FL · fire

While driving van speed would not accelerate over 35mph, I pulled over to find wires burning it was the fuel injector harness and the surrounding areas of that location.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1999 Dodge Caravan

Is the 1999 Dodge Caravan reliable?

Owners have filed 552 complaints about the 1999 Dodge Caravan, 6.3 times a typical Caravan model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Dodge Caravan?

Airbags, with 119 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles. Next is engine (103).

How many recalls does the 1999 Dodge Caravan have?

5 recalls, covering air bags, seat belts and fuel system, gasoline.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Dodge Caravan airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V480000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Dodge Caravan have bad airbags?

The Dodge Caravan model years with the most airbags complaints are 1996 (251 complaints), 1997 (152 complaints) and 1999 (119 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Dodge Caravan get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Dodge Caravan range from 16 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 24 highway.

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