1993 Dodge Caravan Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write in about braking trouble: the ABS warning light comes on and the pedal becomes hard or sinks, making stopping harder than expected. Transmission shifting problems and seat-belt anchorage or buckle complaints also appear repeatedly, usually on high-mileage vans.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS light on, hard or sinking brake pedal

   • 297 complaints (31%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 12.8 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 1995–2017

   Complaints describe the ABS or brake warning light coming on and the brake pedal then going hard, sinking to the floor, or needing heavy two-foot pressure to stop the van. In some accounts the brakes return to normal after the ignition is switched off and restarted, and in others the pedal stays firm and stopping distance grows. Several owners say a dealer or mechanic pointed to the ABS hydraulic unit or pump, and some were told their vehicle was not covered by a recall that addresses this symptom; others describe repeat trouble after that repair was already done. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 32,000 to 240,000 miles, with many accounts above 100,000 miles.

   Recall 96V099000

   What to check: Ask for any repair history on the ABS hydraulic unit and pump motor, and check whether the van's VIN was covered by the ABS recall and serviced. During a test drive, watch for the ABS light and feel for a hard or low pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Questioning daimler's chrysler application of NHTSA's required recall (flat_cpl.zip file, #2772, # 96v099000, dated june 18, 1996) concerning the ABS brake system on my 1993 Dodge grand Caravan. Problem has not been resolved and dealer says that it is very difficult to determine the problem. I spent about $500 for dealer(jerry's Dodge, springfield, va) to replace booster and actuator switch which did not fix the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10051055, filed 2003-12, 149,000 miles

   “When driving the vehicle, at random times the ABS system warning lights turn on and then I have no brakes. I have taken it to several repair shops, seen various mechanics and dealerships and it continues to be a serious problem. No one has been able to solve or fix the problem. As a senior citizen, I am not in a position to purchase a newer vehicle, thus I continue to drive this vehicle. I am afraid that I may not be as fortunate when the brakes go out again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10614880, filed 2014-07, 130,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission won't shift or slips out of gear

   • 73 complaints (8%)
   • median 93,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1995–2004

   Owners describe the automatic transmission failing to shift, shifting roughly, dropping several gears when coming to a stop, or refusing to move out of park. Some report the overdrive cycling on and off at highway speed, sometimes with the speedometer and odometer quitting at the same time, and a few mention a van left in park rolling backwards. Several say the transmission had already been rebuilt or replaced once and was failing again, and that dealers and independent shops had trouble pinning down the fault. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 160,000 miles; some owners describe repeat failures within a few years of a rebuild.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the transmission has been rebuilt or replaced and when. On a test drive, check for rough or delayed shifts, hunting in and out of overdrive at steady speed, and whether the speedometer and odometer read steadily.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have a 1993 Dodge Caravan that has already had the transmission replaced ($1,000.00). Now we are being told that the transmission needs to be replaced again. This is ridiculous. The transmission is only three years old.”

   NHTSA complaint #10023694, filed 2003-06, 90,000 miles

   “Transmission on 1993 Dodge Caravan is failing once again. I see that there is actually a web site dedicated to people that have had the same problem. The transmission was rebuit at approximately 40,000 miles. The vehicle now has 70,000+ miles and is in need for its next re-build. I don't understand how Dodge has been able to get away with not having to take responsibility for these problem transmissons. The warantee is over and the cost of the repair will probably be between $1500 and $2000. Can anything be done? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10011008, filed 2003-03, 65,000 miles
3. 3
   Seat belts

   Seat belt buckle or anchorage lets go

   • 52 complaints (5%)
   • median 148,500 mi at 12.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Complaints describe the front seat belt buckle sticking so the belt only partly latches, and the center rear belt anchor releasing while the belt is in use. A few owners describe belts not holding occupants in a crash. Some say the release button sticks inside its cover and the buckle will not fully engage. Mileage is often not given in these complaints; accounts span vans from early use through high mileage.

   Recall 97V148000Recall 97V149000

   What to check: Check every buckle latches firmly and releases cleanly, and pull on the center rear belt anchor to confirm it is attached. Ask whether the seat belt recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle was in a rollover accident. Seat belts did not secure driver or passenger. Driver went through the windshield, and the passenger went through the passenger door. Occupants suffered serious injuries. Vehicle was involved in a rollover accident and the seat belt equipment did not secure the driver or the passenger. The passenger went through the windshield and the driver was ejected out of the driver side door. Both occupants were seriously injuried.”

   NHTSA complaint #10050007, filed 2003-12, 112,000 miles

   “Ea97-005, safety belt anchorage failure. Safety belt anchorage releases frequently when belt is in use. Vehicle was purchased in may of 93. The spring clip is not broken. Dealer has not looked at problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #811772, filed 1997-04
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering quits when the belt or tensioner fails

   • 51 complaints (5%)
   • median 91,800 mi at 7.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners report the accessory belt or its tensioner coming apart while driving, which takes out power steering and leaves the wheel very hard to turn. Some describe the pulley disintegrating and parts falling off the engine, and others note a loose steering column found at inspection. Mileage is usually not stated in these accounts; failures are described as happening during normal driving.

   Recall 00V305000

   What to check: Inspect the accessory belt, tensioner and pulleys for cracks, glazing or looseness, and check the steering wheel for play or cracks around the hub. Ask whether the steering wheel recall was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “During vehicle inspection the consumer was informed that steering column was excessively loose. The dealer also replaced the front cover, timing chain tensioner, water pump and oil pump.”

   NHTSA complaint #10022850, filed 2003-07, 91,800 miles

   “The pulley/belt tensioner disintegrated and came apart causing parts to fall off engine while driving and resulting in an immediate loss of power steering. Nlm”

   NHTSA complaint #558564, filed 2001-01

Buying note. On a van this old, condition and repair records matter more than the model's reputation: ask specifically about ABS work, transmission history, seat belt recall completion and the accessory belt and tensioner. A test drive that includes hard braking and steady highway speed will show most of what owners complain about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.