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1992 Dodge Caravan Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1992 Dodge Caravan has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS hydraulic brake system failure.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1992 Dodge Caravan.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS hydraulic brake system failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

73 NHTSA complaints · 1999-09 → 2019-10

“THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, BOTH ABS BRAKE LIGHTS HAD COME ON, THEN THE CONSUMER LOST THE POWER ASSIST AND BRAKE PEDAL, EVENTUALLY HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. SCC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10004703
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT IS UPSET BECAUSE HE HAS HAD HIS BRAKES REPAIRED TWICE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE CONTACT JUST FOUND OUT THERE WAS AN RECALL ON HIS YEAR/MAKE AND MODEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10320957
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO APPLY HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING THE FAILURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10444929

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission failure and gear slippage

POWER TRAIN

24 NHTSA complaints · 1999-10 → 2003-01

“SPRINGS THAT HOLD ROLLING GEAR PIN WITHIN TRANSMISSION ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH, AND PIN IS TURNING SIDEWAYS, CAUSING IT TO LOCK UP/ CANNOT GO INTO GEAR. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES AT 90,000/ 110,000 MILES AND AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #891217
“THE SPIDER GEAR PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, CAME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND HIT THE FLOORBOARD. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #848162
“TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. *SLC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #785280

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel rail connection leak

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

11 NHTSA complaints · 1999-12 → 2005-01

“VEHICLE DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK AT THE SWIVEL FUEL RAIL LOCATED AT THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE ENGINE. THE LEAK IS DEVELOPING WHERE THE FRONT AND BACK FUEL RAILS CONNECT. DRIVER IS ABLE TO SMELL FUEL THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10103615
“FUEL INJECTOR STARTED LEAKING. THE LEFT FUEL RAIL SEAL, WHICH MEETS THE CROSSOVER JOINT TO CONNECT THE LEFT AND RIGHT RAILS, WENT BAD AND STARTED LEAKING WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #861448
“THE FUEL RAILS THAT JOIN TOGETHER ARE LEAKING FLUID FROM THE CONNECTION POINT. THE "U" SHAPE RAIL AT BOTH CONNECTING ENDS IS WHERE LEAK IS HAPPENING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #854158

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Liftgate support and door latch failure

STRUCTURE

13 NHTSA complaints · 1999-11 → 2004-06

“RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON THE LIFTGATE SUPPORT WASHERS ON 10/15/97... COULD OVER TIGHTENING THE LIFTGATE ARM BOLT CAUSE THE BOLT TO SNAP OFF. (SNAPPED OFF ON 07/23/2001)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #748996
“WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR HATCH LATCH SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE HATCH TO OPEN AND IT WAS HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CLOSE THE HATCH. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10071998
“DOOR HINGES ARE COMING LOOSE. FRONT PASSENGER'S DOOR CAME OPEN WHILE TRAVELING. NOW THE DOOR IS JAMMED AND WON'T OPEN. DOOR IS OFF TRACK SO WHEN IT RAINS, WATER GETS IN. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #849844

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag failure to deploy in frontal crash

AIR BAGS

17 NHTSA complaints · 2000-04 → 2005-01

“FRONT COLLISION AT 45 MPH AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER SUFFERED EXTENSIVE BACK AND NECK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8005991
“CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE, OCCUPANT/OWNER OF THE VEHICLE DIED OF CARDIAC ARREST AT HOSPITAL (HARTFORD COUNTY SHERIFFS ORFFICE - SHERRIF TRAFFIC ENFORCENENT SECTION) . NLM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #556756
“WAS MAKING LEFT TURN. ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN RED LIGHT AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON SIDE.UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WAS HOSPITALIZED.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #885626

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield wiper pivot arm failure

VISIBILITY

21 NHTSA complaints · 1999-09 → 2003-07

“RECALL 99V-189 000/WINDSHIELD WIPER. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED LEFT SIDE WIPER PIVOT DRIVE ARM DISENGAGING FROM SHAFT, LEADING TO LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED AND CAUSE A VEHICLE COLLISION. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #851844
“WHILE DRIVING IN VERY BAD STORM, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WITHOUT WARNING CEASED TO OPERATE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION OF THE PIVOT ASSEMBLY (99V-189). *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #560336
“INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF DRIVER. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #883320

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt buckle and retractor failure

SEAT BELTS

16 NHTSA complaints · 1999-09 → 2002-02

“WHEN DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAS BEEN PULLED OUT FOR USE IT FAILS TO RETRACT BACK. ALSO THERE IS CONSIDERABLE SLACK IN SEAT BELT WHEN BEING USED. NOT ABLE TO ADJUST TIGHTNESS. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8004457
“DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON DOES NOT WORK, ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO BE STUCK IN THE SEAT. ALSO DRIVER'S THUMB GOT CAUGHT IN BELT BUCKLE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED SEAT BELT BUCLE UNDER RECALL. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #850196
“DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO INOPERATIVE, WHICH WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #849055

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical wiring short and under-hood fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11 NHTSA complaints · 1999-11 → 2004-09

“WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT AND WITH NO INDICATION OF PROBLEM EXISTING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10044417
“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF AND ON. VEHICLE LOST POWER. THEN, SMOKE AND FIRE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #883795
“INLINE FUSE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD KEEPS SHORTING OUT, CAUSING A MINOR FIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #859123

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

367 crashes 1990–2024

How the 367 occupant deaths break down

193

driver deaths

172

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

367

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1991 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

52

complaints mentioning a crash

13

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1992 Dodge Caravan reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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