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Electrical systemPart report

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan Electrical system Problems

Complaints
197about this part
Share
17%of 1,157 total for the year
Median mileage
98,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 197 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan, 17% of the 1,157 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving approximately 50 MPH on major highway my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan shut down, and lost all power. Same thing occurred 1 month later. I was almost involved in a major accident with 4 children aboard. Mechanic has changed 2 relay switches. Do not know if and when it will happen again.”

NHTSA complaint #10093341, filed 2004-09, 105,500 miles

“There are many problems with my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. 1. The windshield and rear wipers will go on an off when they want too. Sometimes when you turn them on you can't turn them off. The back one will come on sometimes when starting the car. 2. The horn all of a sudden stopped working. 3. When my van hit around 80,00 miles the air cond. Stopped working and doesn't get cold. Took it to a place to check and they said it was a know problem with Dodge. And that it would cost around 1,500.00 to repair.”

NHTSA complaint #10238559, filed 2008-08, 80,000 miles

“I own a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan with the mileage around 128,000 miles. Starting in april , we smelled and saw smoke coming from under the hood . We took it to aamco and they checked it out and could find nothing wrong with the car at that time using the diagnostics. A few weeks later, the service engine soon light came on and stayed on steadily and they could find nothing wrong with the van at that time either . The *code* they found said *oxygen sensor* but they reset it . …”

NHTSA complaint #10074713, filed 2004-06, 127,500 miles

“When driving on the highway and going 65 to 70 MPH, the car loses RPM's, backfires, jerks, loses speed. I am unable to give it gas. I have to pull off into the emergency lane and it slows to a stop and stalls. I cannot start it back, however if I set for a few minutes, open and slam the hood, it will start back. My service engine light comes on and the code that was found said that a misfire was found in cylinder 6. It has happened since fixing that problem, but the service engine light went off. …”

NHTSA complaint #10062547, filed 2004-03, 120,000 miles

“Serpentine belt or tensioner clip has had to be repaired 4 times (towed every time) electrical problems since the beginning; turn the key and the windshield wipers start going, turn the key off and the wipers keep going, take the key totally out of the ignition and the wipers go and the dinging alarm that tells you the lights are on or the key is in, starts.(I seriously thought the car was possessed) or turn the key and nothing comes on except the engine. I've replaced the battery 5 times at least - it's usually better w/ a new battery for a little while. …”

NHTSA complaint #10082978, filed 2004-07, 500 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020420%
20195824%
20189234%
201714435%
201631431%
20153814%
201412836%
201325654%
201233758%
201133263%
201055063%
200933461%
200881563%
20073016%
20063813%
200525926%
20041311%
20033215%
20023813%
20013712%
2000348%
19996214%
19987914%
199710418%
199619717%
199522%
199495%
199362%
199273%
199165%
198914%

Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan

Air bags
211 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
209 complaints
Fuel system
181 complaints
Engine cooling
177 complaints
Vehicle speed control
124 complaints
Brakes
106 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
100 complaints
Steering
75 complaints
Suspension
60 complaints
Other or unknown
59 complaints
Body and structure
59 complaints
Equipment
35 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge Grand 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