2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the airbag warning light coming on or about airbags that did not deploy or deployed without an impact, with reports spread from a few thousand to well over 100,000 miles. Power steering complaints are the next most common and cluster at lower mileage, often in cold or wet weather, while transmission complaints center on hard or missed shifts, slipping, and complete loss of drive, typically in the 40,000-70,000 mile range.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on; airbags not deploying

   • 59 complaints (20%)
   • median 54,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (41 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2019

   Owners describe the airbag or SRS light coming on and staying on, sometimes clearing and returning intermittently. Several say the dealer diagnosed a module, clock spring, or wiring fault and in some cases reset or replaced parts, while others were told only that an airbag warning lamp was stored. Some complaints describe airbags that failed to deploy in a collision, and one describes a passenger airbag deploying as the key was turned off. Reported from roughly 11,000 to over 150,000 miles, appearing at fairly low mileage on some vans.

   Recall 01V310000

   What to check: With the key on, confirm the airbag light goes out after the bulb check; if it stays on, ask for the stored airbag codes and whether the clock spring or module was replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Passenger side front airbag is nonoperational. Vehicle recalled in the past due to condensation buildup in the front dash area leading to electrical failure. I believe this condensation or faulty sensor may be leading to failure of the airbag component. I also drove this vehicle for 2 years in heavy salt while in upstate new york serving in the active duty army. I am currently stationed in virginia.”

   NHTSA complaint #10191834, filed 2007-05, 69,000 miles

   “I own a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan with approximately 11,000 miles. The air bag light has been illuminating intermittently while driving. The car is currently at the dealer for service and they indicated it would take several days to check out the wiring. As an electronic engineer I find this to be bizarre. The car has low mileage and the implication of the days to check response is that there is a frayed wire somewhere as the connector has checked out all right. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10030741, filed 2003-08, 11,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering whine, stiffness, or loss of assist

   • 55 complaints (19%)
   • median 37,000 mi at 2.6 yrs old (42 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,100 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2017

   Complaints describe a whining noise and heavy or briefly locking steering, most often on a cold start and sometimes after driving through water or rain. Owners report fluid leaks from the rack or hoses, and several mention dealer replacement of hoses, the pump, or the rack, with the problem returning. Some say the dealer could not duplicate the symptoms. Mostly reported under about 50,000 miles, often in cold weather or wet conditions.

   Recall 04V386000

   What to check: Start the van cold and listen for steering whine while turning; check the power steering fluid level and look for leaks at the hoses and rack.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The power steering is making a sporadic whining noise only in the first few miles of driving when the vehicle is cold. Trying to work with local dealer to replace the pump, however, since it doesn't happen all the time they can't fix it if they don't hear it I didn't consider this a safety concern until recently. It's happening so often now that I fear the power steering will fail.”

   NHTSA complaint #10045486, filed 2003-11, 12,000 miles

   “We have chased power steering issues throughout the lifespan of my 2002 Grand Caravan sport. Noise , shaking and vibrating. Local Dodge dealer replaced everything - pump, reservoir , lines , service bulletins and recalls. Even replaced the rack and pinion at 70,000 by the 6th trip in , they replaced the reservoir screen . Fixed all noise and issues . Now , at 110,00 miles ,the rack and pinion is leaking like a sieve and no one will address the issue that this part only has 35,00 miles on it and it was not the broken part in the first place . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10187288, filed 2007-04, 25,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, harsh shifts, or loss of drive

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe jerking or delayed shifts, the transmission dropping out of gear or into neutral while cruising, and, in some cases, complete loss of drive with no response in any gear. Complaints mention dealers unable to duplicate the problem, stored transmission codes, and repairs ranging from a solenoid pack to a replacement transmission. Typically reported between about 34,000 and 70,000 miles, with a few cases later in life.

   What to check: Test drive from cold through several up- and downshifts, including reverse; check transmission fluid level and condition and ask whether any transmission codes were stored.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The check engine light came on and we had the vehicle checked. We were told that it was dealing with the transmission and to go to a transmission specialist. A day later, the tires were locked and the van did not respond to any gear. Had the van towed to transmission shop. They said that the torque converter failed and in turn the oil pump was not circulating oil to the transmission. The transmission was completely welded together. We had to purchase an entire new transmission costing over $2,600.00. The vehicle had only 48,000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10214760, filed 2008-01, 48,600 miles

   “Pulled vehicle into parking spot, tried shifting into reverse and although heard a clunk, vehicle not in gear. Could not get it to go into a forward or reverse gear. Marketplace Dodge dealer in rochester, ny states a thrust bearing in transmission shattered tearing through gears. Cost $2,790 to repair, mileage 41,000, 2002 Dodge caravan.”

   NHTSA complaint #10074476, filed 2004-05, 41,700 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights and running lights working one side at a time

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe headlights, running lights, or high beams operating on one side while the other side goes out, and sometimes flickering or cutting out altogether. Owners report bulb replacement, front control module replacement that sometimes worked briefly, and dealers unable to reproduce the fault. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 110,000 miles.

   Recall 04V531000

   What to check: With the lights on, check that low and high beams work on both sides and that daytime running lights match; ask whether the front control module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I experienced ramdom failure of the headlights on my Dodge caravan. I brought this to the attention of my dealer and they said they could not duplicate concern . I was told the cause was probably the front control module but they would not replace it because they were not positive it was the cause, and because of the cost of the part. After this occured the second time I took it to my own mechanic and he replaced the module at a cost of $307.05. The replacement occured 9/15/2004. I have had no similat problems since the module was replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10125170, filed 2005-06, 46,837 miles

   “When the ignition is first turned on, the daylight lights come on the driver side only, the passenger light is off. When the headlights are turned on the passenger side turns on only, the driver side is off. When high beams are turned on the driver side comes on only, and the passenger side is off. Verified the bulbs they're all ok.?”

   NHTSA complaint #10292668, filed 2009-11, 98,125 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake calipers and hydraulic leaks

   • 31 complaints (11%)
   • median 28,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2017

   Owners report brake pedal or brake light quirks, repeated pad and rotor work at low mileage, and calipers found cracked or broken. A few describe a brake fluid leak and loss of braking while driving, and one notes rusty rear brake components. Reported mostly under about 50,000 miles, with some cases around 60,000-65,000.

   What to check: Inspect the calipers, lines, and rear drums or discs for cracks, rust, and fluid seepage, and check pedal feel and fluid level before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took my 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan to a repair shop to have my brakes looked at. They informed me that they did need replaced and I agreed to the service. I mentioned to them that my brake light came on periodically when putting on the brake but went out abruptly after the brake was depressed. They went and checked the brakes carefully and found not one but two brake calipers were either crushed in pieces or broke completely in half. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10152231, filed 2006-03, 46,000 miles

   “Air bag light comes on randomly.airbag faulty . Dealer replaced them at cost $338.00. Should have been covered with only 44450 miles on 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. Very dissappointed with this vehicle,always in shop. Engine 4 times,tie rod ends, brake calipers ,air condition compressor locked up. Etc.”

   NHTSA complaint #10185618, filed 2007-03, 44,300 miles

Buying note. Ask for records on airbag warning-light repairs, power steering hoses and pump work, and any transmission service, and have a pre-purchase inspection cover the brakes and lighting. The reported issues tend to show up at moderate mileage, so service history matters more than age here.

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.