1994 Dodge Caravan Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 111about this part
- Share
- 17%of 644 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 111 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1994 Dodge Caravan, 17% of the 644 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission failure on our 1994 Dodge grand Caravan without any warning - the van is just under 9 years old and had 86292 miles. It has been regularly serviced and is maintained in very good condition. It is used to commute to work and as a family car without any towing or heavy loads. Regular transmission service and checkup has been performed with last one before the failure at 72456 miles. No problems were found at this service, otherwise I would have taken appropriate action. …”
NHTSA complaint #10030406, filed 2003-07, 86,292 miles“Transmission felt like it went into neutral while on our way home, at night, then it just stopped in the middle of the road on a corner. We pushed it somewhat off the road and turned on the hazards. Then I proceeded to haul my five kids out of the vehicle and down the road to try to phone for help. Walking at night with 5 young children on the shoulder of the road is dangerous. I tried to get it repaired and was told that this was a common problem with Dodge. I was also informed that it would take approximately $3,000.00 to fix and then it could turn around and happen again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10043256, filed 2003-10, 157,000 miles“Lacks power, wants to stall like it's not getting any fuel, have replaced numerous parts including what was listed on the diagnostic scans, clunking noise under van. Nothing seems to correct the problem. Have spent over $600 in parts alone, not counting labor.”
NHTSA complaint #10130729, filed 2005-07, 114,000 miles“Dt: consumer states his 1994 Dodge Caravan that he purchased used about 8 months ago had transmission problems immediately. The transmission will pop out of gear when it is hot. The vehicle has to be shut off and then it will start again. The first time it happened, september 2004, he took the vehicle to a dealership and was told that they could not duplicate the problem. It happened again about 30 days ago and happened again yesterday.”
NHTSA complaint #10128573, filed 2005-07, 44,900 miles“While driving vehicle began to shake violently. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the mechanic found that automatic transmission exploded internally, and had to be rebuilt.”
NHTSA complaint #10038277, filed 2003-09, 105,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | 26% |
| 2014 | 2 | 10% |
| 2013 | 2 | 7% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 5 | 6% |
| 2010 | 14 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 11 | 4% |
| 2007 | 9 | 11% |
| 2006 | 13 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 2% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 22 | 11% |
| 2002 | 27 | 11% |
| 2001 | 19 | 7% |
| 2000 | 86 | 18% |
| 1999 | 96 | 17% |
| 1998 | 103 | 16% |
| 1997 | 133 | 19% |
| 1996 | 185 | 13% |
| 1995 | 93 | 19% |
| 1994 | 111 | 17% |
| 1993 | 101 | 11% |
| 1992 | 110 | 12% |
| 1991 | 57 | 9% |
| 1990 | 75 | 27% |
| 1989 | 48 | 25% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 7 | 10% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 6 | 12% |
| 1984 | 3 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1994 Dodge Caravan
94 complaintsBody and structure
78 complaintsEngine cooling
66 complaintsBrakes
63 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
57 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
44 complaintsSteering
38 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsEquipment
34 complaintsSeat belts
31 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Dodge Caravan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology