The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he opened the hood and noticed a fuel leak on top of the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Dodge Caravan fuel smell problems
87 of the 10,018 owner complaints about the Dodge Caravan describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 87
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical mileage
- 82,000
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel leak 26Fuel pump 14Fire or smoke 5Stalling 4Transmission failure 1Slipping 1Overheating 1Loss of power 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. The contact stated that a smog test detected a fuel leak from the fuel tank. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor outside of the vehicle prior to the smog test being performed. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,936.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caravan. While driving 35 MPH, there was a strong exhaust odor and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (putman chrysler jeep dodge, 3 california dr., burlingame, ca 94010) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter failed. The vehicle was repaired. After the vehicle was repaired, the contact would become sleepy while driving. The contact believed this was due to carbon monoxide entering the vehicle. She also stated that the floorboard was very hot to the touch. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The failure mileage was 128,000. The VIN was not available.
Every time I put any amount of fuel in my tank of my 2006 dodge caravan sxt there is a very strong smell of gas coming from the engine compartment and after the van starts it will always stall out within a minute or two of starting up. It will stall idling in park as well as when in gear and starting out at slow speed and up to 25 miles per hour. It occurs more often when the fuel tank reaches the full mark. I have had the fuel pump assembly replaced which did not change the problem.
Top of the fuel pump is made of plastic and was found cracked in two places. Internet search yielded many other examples with photos showing cracks in exactly the same place. Result of these cracks is a fuel leak as well as strong gas fumes in and around the vehicle resulting in an obvious fire hazard. Leaks at all time that the vehicle is running as well as for some time after the vehicle is stopped and parked.
Strong gas smell while driving and at stop. Lights turn on and off at will.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge caravan. While driving various speeds, the contact smelled an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 06ve091000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 223,000.
The vehicle has the strong smell of gasoline. When parked and being driven the gas fumes are strong. I changed the fuel tank, that did not fix the problem. If the windows are opened the fumes enter the cab. When open the door, I have to stand back and let the fumes dissipate before getting in. I cringe when a lit cigarette is thrown out ahead of me. Is this the time that I will go up in a blaze of glory? What has to happen to get this problem fixed?
The tipm module was faulty, causing the fuel pump to either not engage when trying to start the vehicle, or cut out while the vehicle was in motion, other times the fuel pump would remain on after turning off the vehicle...pumping gasoline fumes into our garage for long periods of time. Dodge refused to acknowledge that this was a tipm failure and instead tried to convince me to replace the fuel pump multiple times...we did replace the fuel pump once which had not affect on this issue.
Began smelling gas fumes, got stronger and stronger and began leaking fuel. Crack in fuel pump. I began to hear that this is a trend with this 2005 model.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- The braun corporation is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 chrysler town & country and dodge caravan commercial entervans which were altered by braun between january 21, 2009 and march 19, 2010. During conversion, the chassis was raised and the floor was lowered to accommodate wheelchair accessibility features. In raising the chassis, the fuel fill pipe comes into closer proximity to the left rear tire. In rough or aggressive driving situations, the tire may intermittently contact the fuel fill pipe.
- Risk
- Contact between the tire and fuel fill pipe may wear a hole in one or the other components over time. This may result in loss of vehicle control in the event of tire pressure loss, or a vehicle fire in the event the fuel pipe is compromised.
- Remedy
- Braun will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact braun toll-free at 1‑800‑488‑0359.
Recall number 10V148000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- 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
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: minivans. Fuel can leak from the fuel tank at the interface of the fuel pump module attachment.
- Risk
- If a fuel leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module attaching nut with a nut that includes tighter design tolerances. The sealing o-ring will also be replaced.
Recall number 99V216000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- A static electric charge can build up on the ungrounded metal section of the fuel filler tube.
- Risk
- This condition could cause a spark to occur when fueling the vehicle and possibly ignite the fuel vapors.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a ground strap for the fuel filler tube.
Recall number 96V002000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The fuel tank rollover valve can allow fuel to pass into the vapor canister resulting in the potential for fuel leakage.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage increases the potential for a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler tube with a filler tube that has an additional rollover valve. The associated rollover valve vapor hoses will be rerouted.
Recall number 95V236000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- Fuel tank flanges were not bent as required to allow the specified clearance for the fuel tank mounting straps and fuel lines at the tank.
- Risk
- The unbent flanges to the fuel tank will damage themounting straps and/or fuel lines. The damaged mounting straps may break causingthe tank to drop and the damaged fuel line will leak fuel. In either case a firecould result if the spilled fuel is exposed to an ignition source.
- Remedy
- Repair the flange by bending to the correct angle; replace damaged fuel lines and mounting straps.
Recall number 92V147000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Caravan fuel smell
Which Dodge Caravan years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (27 complaints), 1999 (12 complaints) and 2005 (12 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Dodge Caravan?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history