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2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 290 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan, most often about the air bags (20% of complaints, typically around 54,000 miles). It is 13th of 21 Grand Caravan model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan problems
Air bags
59 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Driver took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic claimed that this vehicle had low battery. Upon further questioning dealership diagnosed air bag indicator lamp and claimed fault was in air bag module. Upon further negotiations dealer and…
The air bag light came on and stayed on and the horn quit working. I had to have clockspring and passenger airbag jumper wiring replaced costing $524.00. These are parts previously recalled on earlier models, should not be considered as "wearable" parts, and involve the safety of the vehicle and therefore should also…
Steering
53 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist system, column.
2002 Dodge Grand Caravan sport with 35,000 miles. Recalled twice for steering fluid hose replacements in 2004. After first hose was replaced, minivan started leaking power steering fluid. Received another recall notice for another steering hose replacement. Took it in to have that replaced, told them to look into the…
I have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan with 45000 miles on it and the power steering has to be replaced, I think that is premature & should be consider as a recall.
Transmission
42 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission.
1998 grand voyager was totaled in an accident. The consumer then purchased a 2002 Grand Caravan, however at 50,0445 the transmission failed on the vehicle. Even after the consumer received a brand new transmission, the vehicle still not perform correctly, it took the technicians one week to find out from chrysler how…
The check engine light came on and we had the vehicle checked. We were told that it was dealing with the transmission and to go to a transmission specialist. A day later, the tires were locked and the van did not respond to any gear. Had the van towed to transmission shop. They said that the torque converter failed…
Electrical
38 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, horn, alternator/generator/regulator, ignition.
I own a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. The car stalls while driving. If it starts again, it stalls within 1/4 mile. You can do this only for 3 times before it finally can not be started. Brought the car to the dealership to investigate. First time they replaced the computer program module. The car worked for 100 miles…
Dt: contact stated the air bag light illuminated intermittently. The dealer replaced the clock spring assembly. This appeared to have fixed the problem. There was NHTSA recall 02v293000 for this make and model, but not for the model year. Updated 11/16/2005 - the headlamps cut off while the vehicle was being driven.…
Brakes
36 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 24,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, supply, antilock.
Brakes woreout around 23,000 or 21,000 I purchased the vehicle used it had 15,000 miles already on it. The brakes were wearing out faster and faster even though I put new routers on them. My mechanic says the calipers are defective. I think the distribution of the brakes is not evenly handle by the front and the back.…
Vehicle will not go into gear smoothly. Prior to this incident consumer was able to make a smooth transitions after a couple of attempts. Vehicle had to be towed dealer, where they discovered the rear brakes rusted .
Seat belts
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear/other, integrated child seat.
The middle row seat belt and all the third row seat belts would come undone while driving or not driving. The release button stick too high up, any pressure causes the button to release the claps. The dealer was notified.
Accident, Grand Caravan was totaled. Van flipped, extensive front end, frame, side, roof, etc, damage. Neither of the front air bags deployed, nor did the side air bags. Preliminary assessments, including qualified individuals, indicate that the air bags should have deployed given the extent of the damage.…
Fuel system
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery, fuel injection system.
2002 Dodge Grand Caravan sometimes the fuel gauge will go to empty suddenly, and a little later, it will go back to the actual reading. It happens sporadically, but I did not know that it could be reported. Thank you
Consumer noticed a gas leak. The mechanic stated that o-rings were leaking. Cause unknown. Please provide any further information. Ph...
Lights
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, tail lights, turn signal.
The tail light cover on the passenger rear blew off as I traveled on a highway. The tail light cover had come loose. When examined the glue appeared to have failed. I thought it was strong enough to hold. I was wrong. Now I have a tail light without a lens so the lights are white when I put on my brakes or turn signal.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge caravan. The contact stated the doors could not be opened automatically or manually. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the doors had to be taken apart in order to locate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls
Equipment: radio/tape deck/cd etc.
Risk: This could result in a speaker fire.
Fix: Dealers will add a special tape to the top of the radio to prevent the potential of water intrusion. The recall began on january 31, 2005. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain mini vans, condensation from the instrument panel air conditioning ducts may drop through vent holes in the top of the radio and result in a short circuit that subsequently sends direct current to the rear speakers.
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
Risk: Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under hood fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the upper power steering cooler hose. This recall began on september 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain minivans equipped with 3.3 or 3.8l v-6 engine, the upper power steering cooler hose may split and cause a fluid leak.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. 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 southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underbody fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace it if necessary. Owner notification began october 28, 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.
Full defect summary
On certain mini vans, the fuel tank control valve weld joint could separate resulting in a possible fuel leak.
Child Seat
Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Owners will be provided with the necessary child restraint system information. Owner notification is expected to begin october 8, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free information within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain mini vans fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the owner manuals supplied with these vehicles do not indicate which seating positions are equipped with tether anchorages and child restraint anchorage systems as required by the standard.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Headlight malfunction
Summary
Owner reports indicate allegations of improper headlight operation of one or both headlights.some report intermittent outage or dimming.many report that the condition is random; it sometimes does not repeat and lasts for a very short duration. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see summary report for additional information.
Headlight malfunction
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation after receiving reports from consumers that their headlights would malfunction in various ways from flickering to complete non-illumination.headlight operation is monitored by the vehicle's body control module (BCM) and front control module (fcm).odi is upgrading this preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis (ea05-009) to further examine the issue.
Power liftgate latch
Summary
This investigation was opened as pe04-054 regarding reports of alleged power liftgate (plg) opening while driving.the investigation was upgraded on november 22, 2004 based on information provided by daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) in its september 17, 2004 response to pe04-054. By letter of april 5, 2005, dcc has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall of 70,235 model year (my) 2003 chrysler town & country and dodge grand caravan vehicles equipped with the plg option.dcc has identified a problem in early production my 2003 plg control modules that can prevent the plg door from latching closed in a power open/close cycle.in this condition the plg can rise (not power open) d
Speaker fire in the rear of the vehicle
Summary
On july 7, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation based on consumer complaints alleging an interior vehicle fire starting in the area of the driver side rear speaker.daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) informed odi that condensation from the instrument panel air conditioning ducts may drip onto the radio and into vent holes on top of the radio.this can result in a short circuit sending direct current to the rear speakers and cause a speaker fire.the condition is present only on subject vehicles equipped with the base radio.subject vehicles with other option radios contain circuit protection that prevents sending direct current to the speakers and are no
Fuel tank leak
Questions about the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (59 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles); steering (53 complaints, typically around 35,500 miles); transmission (42 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 2, 2004 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Dodge Grand Caravan?
- It is 13th of 21 Grand Caravan model years by number of complaints, with 290 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.