1993 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center overwhelmingly on the ABS: owners describe a hard brake pedal, illuminated ABS and brake warning lamps, and longer stopping distances, and many tie the symptoms to recall 96V099000 — including cases where the repair was performed but the problem returned, or where parts were unavailable. Transmission trouble (delayed or harsh engagement, limp mode, failure) and seat belt retractor and buckle problems are the next most frequent themes, with body and liftgate issues and fuel leaks from the rail area also reported. Most complaints arrive well past 80,000 miles on a vehicle of this age, though some ABS and belt reports come in far earlier.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS/brake assist failure with hard pedal and warning lights

   • 84 complaints (29%)
   • median 137,726 mi at 13.8 yrs old (32 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2024

   Owners describe both the yellow ABS and red brake warning lamps lighting up, followed by a brake pedal that becomes very hard or travels to the floor, so the van needs heavy two-foot pressure to stop. Several say the dealer diagnosed a failed ABS pump motor, actuator piston or accumulator and pointed to recall 96V099000; some report the repair was done but the symptoms came back, that parts were on back order, or that the vehicle was excluded from the campaign by VIN. A few describe intermittent failure with no stored trouble code, and one mentions the ABS pump short-cycling and making noise. Mostly reported between roughly 85,000 and 200,000 miles, with a few cases under 40,000; the failure is usually described as sudden or intermittent rather than gradual.

   Recall 96V099000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 96V099000 was completed and whether the pump motor and actuator piston were actually replaced, and request any repair receipts. On a test drive, watch that neither warning lamp stays on after startup and confirm the pedal feels firm but normal rather than rock hard.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Complete brake failure due to malfunction of ABS system control module. I brought this vehicle to roberts chrysler for diagnosis of a complete brake failure. They diagnosed the control module bad as well as the left front ABS sensor bad. They charged me $96.00 to diagnose this problem (2 hours labor). They estimate $1411.00 to repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10066023, filed 2004-04, 148,000 miles

   “My ABS system fails intermittently, leaving me with no power brakes. It works fine 98% of the time, but fails without warning. It has done this numerous times. The dealer has advised me to bring it in 'when it is not working. My regular mechanic has pinpointed the problem, but the dealership will not accept his evaluation. It appears that the pump fails to turn on when signaled to do so, and tapping on the pump seems to get it to work.”

   NHTSA complaint #10192126, filed 2007-05, 128,185 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission delay, harsh shifting and limp mode

   • 28 complaints (10%)
   • median 116,986 mi at 9.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2006

   Owners report the van hesitating before engaging Drive, refusing to shift out of second gear, or dropping back into a lower gear with a harsh jolt while cruising. Some describe no engagement at all in cold weather until the van warms up, and others report repeated transmission replacements, with shops suggesting worn internal pistons or seals. Dealers are described as diagnosing the unit but not offering assistance once it was out of warranty. Reported from roughly 56,000 to 135,000 miles, several owners noting the no-engagement symptom first appears in cold weather.

   What to check: Check the fluid level and color, and drive the van from cold: note any delay going into Drive, slipping, or hard downshifts. Ask for transmission service or replacement records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission will not engage in any selection in cold weather. I began to encounter this problem the first winter I owned it, it was out of warranty. Last week the transmission failed. There was a loud banging noise. The trans. Will not engage. If the engine is running you cannot move the vehicle even in neuteral. If the engine is not runnning the vehicle can be moved. Mechanic says there is a transmission problem, however at this time the nature is unknown.”

   NHTSA complaint #722458, filed 2000-05

   “My original transmission failed at approx. 56,000 miles and was replaced by Dodge. The replacement transmission failed at approx. 112,000 miles and Dodge refused to offer any financial help. I'm a loyal Dodge owner. I currently own 3 Dodge vehicles. However, this fact had no impact on Dodge or their willingness to offer any help towards the replacement of the third transmission. A review of other complaints to NHTSA reveals a similar pattern of transmission failures and response from Dodge for help.”

   NHTSA complaint #755049, filed 2001-11
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Rear liftgate struts and hinge bolts

   • 32 complaints (11%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 12.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2015

   Owners describe the liftgate gas struts or their mounting bolts failing so the hatch will not stay open, in one case letting the door come down on the person opening it. Another reports rusted, corroded door hinges that needed repeated welding and may require door replacement, and a separate complaint mentions the sliding door not staying open. A campaign covers the strut attachment bolts, and one owner says the strut rod still failed after that work was done. Mileage varies widely and is often not given; complaints describe failures on vans of this age rather than a specific mileage range.

   Recall 99V213000

   What to check: Open and close the liftgate, sliding door and side doors several times and check that they hold open; inspect hinge and strut mounting areas for rust, looseness or prior welding, and ask if recall 99V213000 was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This complaint is in reference to NHTSA recall, campaaign id number: 99v213000. On 2/12/05, the liftgate bolts on my 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan failed suddenly. The Dodge dealer would not honor the recall and repair the problem. Instead, I was charged $201.18 for the repair. I think that the daimerchrysler corporation should honor their responsibility to repair the problem as stipulated in the recall notice.”

   NHTSA complaint #10112757, filed 2005-03, 85,000 miles

   “The hinge assembly on the passenger side door is rusted and corroded and has been welded twice and the next time it needs repair the dealer that I took it to says it will have to be (the door) replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #713045, filed 1999-10

Buying note. Given the vehicle's age, the priority checks are the ABS and brake system — confirm whether recall 96V099000 was actually completed and what parts were replaced — plus the transmission's cold-start behavior and the condition of the seat belts and liftgate hardware. Records of past repairs matter more than mileage here, since many complaints involve the same faults recurring after earlier service.

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.