Skip to content
KLUNK
KLUNK

2002 Dodge Caravan

The Verdict

47 Proceed with Caution

The 2002 Dodge Caravan has 256 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (93 complaints) and electrical (92 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 47/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Dodge Caravan, consider the 2004 model year which has 75% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2004 has 75% fewer complaints

View the 2004 Dodge Caravan dashboard →

47

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

08E039000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

MAXZONE IS RECALLING 2,520 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 3341103L-AS AND 334-1103R-AS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2001-2007 DODGE CARAVAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLA...

Risk

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: 1-888-286-1188 (WA, ...

Reported Oct 6, 2008

08E048000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. CS090-B001L AND CS090-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFO...

Risk

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.

Reported Aug 8, 2008

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2002 Dodge Caravan. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20029314923522
200418812223

By Category

Body
93
Electrical
92
Engine
35
Transmission
22
Brakes
14

By Severity

1
108
2
120
3
1
4
26
5
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 2

ENGINE BROKE

93mo ago
Engine 1

SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY GAS TANK, IT ALWAYS STOPS ME EVEN IF IT'S HALFWAY. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DOESN'T STAY WELL. THE HOLES WHERE THE ENGINE ALWAYS COMES OFF AND THERE'S A LOT OF SMOKE COMING OUT. THE HEADLINER IS COMING OFF AND THERE'S LIKE A SAND FALLING TO MY KIDS. THE BREAK IS NOT THAT STRONG

100mo ago
Engine 2

THE STEERING WHEEL GETS LOCK WERE EVER I STOP ,INTERNAL CONTROL FAILURE, RADIATOR HEAT CONSTANTLY WHEN I AM DRIVING ,

113mo ago
Electrical 2

2002 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INTERMITTENT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD AND CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *SMD

127mo ago
Body 4

THE VIN INFORMATION IN THE DATABASE HAS BEEN CHANGED BY THE AUTO BODY SHOP IN ORDER TO AVOID RETURNING THE VAN TO ITS "PRE ACCIDENT CONDITION".

129mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR HOSE WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

132mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN

135mo ago
Brakes 4

ON 6/5/14 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AT 65MPH A DEER HAD BOLTED OUT IN FRONT OF MY 02 CARAVAN. I HAD REACTION TIME WITH HITTING MY BRAKES UNTIL MY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED & MY VAN CONTINUES SLIDING ON DRY PAVEMENT, I ATTEMPTED HITTING MY HORN BUT NOTICED THE SECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL THAT THE HORN ISS LOCATED WAS ROCK HARD & COULD NOT BE PUSHED IN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST. I ENDED UP HITTING THE DEER DEAD CENTER OF THE FRONT OF MY VAN, CRUMPLED MY HOOD, CRACKING MY RADIATOR, HEADLIGHT ASSEMLIES, GRILL & COOLING FANS. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. SINCE THIS INCIDENT MY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME I PRESS ON THE BRAKES & COME TO A REST LASTING 30 SECOND OR LONGER & WILL GO OFF MOMENTS AFTER RELEASING THE PEDAL. APPROX MILEAGE 165, 000 ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY, DAYLIGHT & 100% VISIBILITY. *JS

145mo ago
Body 2

I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN VAN ON JUNE 9, 2014. ON JULY 11, WHILE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED A FLAT TIRE. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE TO REPAIR THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS IRREPARABLE. MY SPARE TIRE HAD A HUMP IN IT AND CONSEQUENTLY I WASN'T ABLE TO PUT IT ON THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2005. THE OTHER TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2012 BUT HAS A GASH IN THE TIRE. THE THREE REMAINING TIRES HAVE NO TREAD ON THEM. IN THE EVENT THAT ONE OF MY TIRES GOES OUT I HAVE NO SPARE. I PURCHASED A NEW TIRE FOR 79.00.I WAS TOLD TIRES ARE NOT COVERED. I HAVE BEEN DELAYED AND STRANDED DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. UPON BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT IT. *TR

146mo ago
Transmission 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

146mo ago
Brakes 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BRAKES FAILED TO DISENGAGE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED THE ROTOR AND PADS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

147mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO WIRES WOULD SHORT CIRCUIT WHENEVER THE RADIO WAS ACTIVATED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V531000 (EQUIPMENT). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL TANK HOSE WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

150mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EQUIPPED WITH DOUGLAS XTRA TRAC II TIRES SIZE 215-70 R15, DOT NUMBER (MD34JV1R3912). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BELTS FAILED FROM THE INSIDE OUT ON BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

152mo ago
Electrical 5

2002 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAGS MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 9, 2013. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY EVEN AFTER THE IMPACT, AND THERE WERE POSSIBLE SEAT BELT ISSUES, AS WELL. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, HIS WIFE WAS EJECTED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND DIED TWO DAYS LATER. HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, SHE WOULD HAVE REMAINED IN THE VEHICLE AND HAD A GREATER CHANCE OF LIVING. *JB

156mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE IN A JERKING MOTION. THE SPEEDOMETER READING ALSO FLUCTUATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

157mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND TOOK VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION WHO STATED THAT THE DRIVER PASSENGER SIDE MOUNT WAS CORRODED AND ALMOST FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000. ..UPDATED 08-07-13 *BF

159mo ago
Engine 4

DRIVING VEHICLE .IT FLAME FROM UNDER. BELLY OF VEHICLE, . TOTALED THE VEHICLE NOTHING LEFT OF IT. LOST MY PERSONALS AS WELL.THANK GOD I DID NOT HAVE MY KIDS IN IT WHEN IT HAPPENED BEEN NO TIME, TO GET THEM OUT. *TR

161mo ago
Electrical 1

I CANNOT BELIEVE A RECALL ON THE INTERMITTENT AIR LIGHT COMING ON HAS NOT OCCURRED ON THE 2002 CARAVAN. MINE GOES ON AND OFF USUALLY WHEN MAKING A TURN-A CLEAR INDICATION THAT THE WIRE IN THE CLOCKSPRING HAS FAILED. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. DODGE WANTS ALMOST $300 TO REPLACE A PART THAT HAS BEEN FAILING ON PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS AND WERE RECALLED. THIS WILL BE MY 2ND TIME FIXING THE ISSUE. *TR

161mo ago
Engine 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ORC MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS ALSO CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DID NOT TURN OFF. UPDATED 2/22/2013 *JS

164mo ago
Body 1

BACKED OUT OF GARAGE ON COLD MORNING AND COULDN'T TURN STEERING WHEEL (ESPECIALLY TO THE LEFT) UNTIL SEVERAL MINUTES OF IDLING AND FORCING TO EXTREME RIGHT AND THEN TO LEFT, SEVERAL TIMES, PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND EVEN AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES, IT HAS HUNG UP ON LEFT TURNS REQUIRING A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN AND JANKING TO LEFT IN COLD TEMPERATURES. *TR

164mo ago

256 total

1/ 13
Report a Klunk