Dodge Caravan

Bought my 92 Grand Caravan new. Drove it for 273,000 miles until 2006 when it was in a crash and I lost it. During those years the transmission was replaced at 71k and 200k. Wonderful, wonderful car. The AC was evem working fine to the end (and I live in Florida). The beautiful 3.3 engine never gave any trouble, it finally developed some timing chain noise, but never needed any repair and did not burn oil or make noise. (I never missed a 3k oil change, used QS synthetic blend). Biggest problem was CV boots kept tearing or leaking, had to replace axles and boots much more often than reasonable. Lots of routine things like oxygen sensors, water pump, batteries, brakes, headlamps, radiator fans, etc, but that's just life. I immediately repaired anything that went wrong and it was always just like a new car to me. Paint started to peel, but the van was white and it worked to just spray on paint as needed, it looked OK. I love the practical body style, flat floor, big windows. A... Read more

My caravan was cheap, economical(the 4 cylinder got 25-26 mpg hiway), and never needed a single repair; I traded it it at 156,000 mi for another one. You can't argue with success. There must be some reason why they sell so many of them, when so few of the higher rated ones get bought. I suspect an impractical, romantic infatuation with exotic or expensive vehicles. I don't need to spend an extra 15,000 to make people think I'm not impotent (got six kids alreadyl!); I just wanted a cheap, economical, comfortable, reliable vehicle.

94 Grand Caravan...most useful car ever owned but have been plagued with transmission issues...if not for that It would be a 5 star rating

I've owned my 2000 Dodge Caravan for about 3 yrs and it has had it's share of problems. We've had to replace the transmission and other problems. We've kept the van service but it still has it shares of problems. Our most mind boggling problem was the van not starting. We changed the battery had it tested at a dodge dealership but still they could not find the problem. We are ready to move on and forget about ever owning another dodge. If you're going to buy a dodge make sure you have another vehicle to drive or else you will be stranded.

I think it was the transmissions with automatic overdrive that were defective in the older models. The standard automatic transmissions (without overdrive) seem to be alright. It depends what type of Caravan or Voyager you are shopping for. I heard from people that they can be great vehicles, some not. Its not good for my type of driving, but ok.

i have had a few problems with our dodge caravan, requiring trips to the mechanic. other than that, its a good van, not great, but good and affordable if used.

i'm driving a 96 Grand Caravan top of the lne, ES it was the best u could buy at the time.... but it's only been what? 7 years and this van has been in the shop every year with some major problem. elctronics, the stero, the locks on the doors, the mirrors failure to adjust, the side window fell out (and i mean fell) the engine belt snapped and pulled half the engine out along side, (maybe that was the mechanic's fault) and it's got 160 K miles. it's a good car 2 drive big loads, but i say get a truck! the transmision on that van has been giving me trouble and that thing is a gas guzzler. for a soccer mom car like that you'd think it'd be economic! DAimler Benz and it's former ally mitsubishi suck! but Crysler cars suck the most! i mean at least with my mom's 15 year old mitsubishi, i could still drive it around and the problems only began happening after a period of baybe ten years. which is realistic for a crappy car like mitsu.... ah well screw it i'm getting a mazda.

Hello! I want to organize a class action lawsuit about the tranny problems with the Chysler Minivans! my parents have had alot fo problems with them. they have a '96 caravan and a 98 voyager and the caravan had this problem several times! and we just bought a 98 voyager off a dealer (I forget how many miles but I dont think that much) and the tranny gave up. These trannys are defective and Chrylser went downhill since Iococa left!!! their service is bad!!! they dont car about anyone!!! I hope that you join me!!!! thanks and please reply to the owners at [email protected] thanks alot!!!! Yours Sincerely, Liz Kowalsky Parents Not so proud owners of two chrysler minivans

Burnt valve at 58000 miles and I'm told its because I'm not using premium gas. Excuse me. $1400 for the 6 day wait and replacement plugs and wires for another $268 plus tax. I'm buying a Toyota Sienna!!!

My 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan with 3.8L engine keeps getting me lost! I'll try to go to my friend Ben's house right down the street and I'll end up driving past his house 2 or 3 times before I figure it out. Bad Van

good value, but you get what you pay for

Difficult call to make, I have two a 93 with 203k and a 94 with 194k miles. Both have needed a new transmission (I would have placed a 3 speed instead but with the 3.3 Liter the ultradrive is all you have for a choice!) but not a single other problem ever besides routine maintenance. Both cars work flawless down to the A/C. If Chrysler would just fix the tranny, it would be perfect.

I had owned a 1990, a 1992, and now a 1999. All three had transmission problems. I like the car, but I will never buy another minivan from this car maker.My personal opinion is that they do not care to fix the transmission problem and we, the consumer must pay to replace it every 60.000 miles or less. I always said "buy american", but my next one will be a Toyota!

I'm sick and tired of hearing how wonderful Chrysler's "Magic" Wagons are. They're unreliable, overrated pieces of trash. Ever see the paint peel off a five year old Caravan? I have. Have you ever heard of the endless numbers of Caravan owners with transmission problems? So Chrysler "invented" the minivan (I though VW did with the minibus). There are MUCH better choices out there when buying a minivan: the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Mazda MPV. Don't get caught up in the hype. Chrysler's Magic Wagons aren't all they're cracked up to be. Buy one and I guarantee you'll be sorry.

We had a Dodge Caravan that held up from '89 to early '01. That's a pretty long life. Trustworthy vehicle at least for us.

I have a 1993 Caravan, with the 3.3 liter engine and the A-604 electronic ultradrive transmission, and an ABS system. WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK! I am on my FIFTH transmission, and my SECOND ABS system. When the ABS system failed (two weeks after the dealership told me it was "in perfect shape"), it almost dumped my wife, my son and myself out onto a bust road. The tranny was so bad that it would fail to engage in DRIVE, REVERSE, and PARK! Either that, or it would stall the engine out whenever I came to a stop sign. As of 1998, Chrysler had still not fixed the tranny problem, as a friend of mine who had an Intrepid (same engine/tranny) was having the exact same problems. DO NOT BUY ANY CHRYSLER VEHICLE WITH A 3.3 LITER ENGINE! THEY HAVE RELABELED THE A-604 TRANNY TO SOME OTHER NAME. BE WARNED! --Steve

We've repaced the engine. the transmission and have had many other problems which have cost us $$$$$$$$$ in the last 31/2 yrs. We should have gotten rid of it years ago.

A very good 2nd place to the Mazda.

I have a 1990 Caravan and love it! I never thought I would drive a minivan and now I can't imagine not having one.