Dodge Grand Caravan 2001–2007
4th generation (RS)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20263,204 complaints, 2,592 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,300 and 97,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 41 complaints (1.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 18,000
- 25%
- 38,300
- Median
- 64,000
- 75%
- 97,000
- 90%
- 132,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 105 | 4.1% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 59 | 2.3% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 48 | 1.9% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 67 | 2.6% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 80 | 3.1% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 80 | 3.1% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 106 | 4.1% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 128 | 4.9% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 135 | 5.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 126 | 4.9% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 145 | 5.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 98 | 3.8% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 132 | 5.1% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 102 | 3.9% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 122 | 4.7% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 101 | 3.9% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 102 | 3.9% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 95 | 3.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 66 | 2.5% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 96 | 3.7% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 68 | 2.6% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 53 | 2.0% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 58 | 2.2% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 41 | 1.6% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 59 | 2.3% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 25 | 1.0% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 45 | 1.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 30 | 1.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 28 | 1.1% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 18 | 0.7% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 35 | 1.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 21 | 0.8% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 18 | 0.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 16 | 0.6% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 16 | 0.6% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 9 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 6 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 41 | 1.6% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 3,204 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001–2007 Dodge Grand Caravan, and 2,592 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 38,300 and 97,000 miles. The median is 64,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (14.1% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles), latches and locks (12.5% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles), the airbag system (9.9% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
4 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Electrical system75,000median 75,117 miles, middle half 50,000 to 104,000
- Latches and locks60,000median 60,000 miles, middle half 45,000 to 80,000
- Airbag system60,000median 60,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 93,000
- Steering45,000median 45,345 miles, middle half 30,000 to 73,000
- Exterior lighting77,000median 77,310 miles, middle half 52,000 to 105,000
- Body structure74,000median 74,500 miles, middle half 48,000 to 104,000
- Transmission and driveline48,000median 48,316 miles, middle half 21,000 to 65,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 453 | 14.1% | 75,000 | 50,000–104,000 |
| Latches and locks | 402 | 12.5% | 60,000 | 45,000–80,000 |
| Airbag system | 317 | 9.9% | 60,000 | 40,000–93,000 |
| Steering | 293 | 9.1% | 45,000 | 30,000–73,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 291 | 9.1% | 77,000 | 52,000–105,000 |
| Body structure | 169 | 5.3% | 74,000 | 48,000–104,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 164 | 5.1% | 48,000 | 21,000–65,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 146 | 4.6% | 105,000 | 80,000–130,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 139 | 4.3% | 28,000 | 18,000–55,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 111 | 3.5% | 50,000 | 36,000–85,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 64,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 14.1% of complaints (453 reports, 386 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,117 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 104,000 miles.
Latches and locks account for 12.5% of complaints (402 reports, 352 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 80,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 9.9% of complaints (317 reports, 262 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 93,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 9.1% of complaints (293 reports, 247 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,345 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 29,900 and 73,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 9.1% of complaints (291 reports, 233 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 77,310 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 52,350 and 105,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 5.3% of complaints (169 reports, 134 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 74,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 104,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2005 model year drew the most — 1,341 complaints — while 2004 drew the fewest at 144. The median year sits at 362.
That makes 2005 an outlier: roughly 3.7 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 4 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around seats (2), equipment adaptive/mobility (1), the airbag system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 3,204 complaints filed against this generation, 116 reported a crash; 63 reported a fire; 165 reported an injury; 4 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 3.6% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 38,300 and 97,000 miles, with a median of 64,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and latches and locks are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Latches and locks in particular shows a median failure mileage of 60,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Transmission
41TE automatic failures continue as the leading complaint category.
Body / Doors
Power sliding door motor, cable and latch failures — doors that fail to latch, open on their own, or jam.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 362 | 242 |
| 2002 | 417 | 273 |
| 2003 | 289 | 226 |
| 2004 | 144 | 115 |
| 2005 | 1,341 | 1,151 |
| 2006 | 378 | 338 |
| 2007 | 273 | 247 |
Recalls (4)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 10V338000 | 2010-07-28 | Seats |
| 10V271000 | 2010-06-22 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility |
| 10V261000 | 2010-06-10 | Seats |
| 10V008000 | 2010-04-19 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive |
What owners reported
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. Ever since june 1, 2001 when the vehicle was purchased, the air bag light illuminates intermittently. Within the last six months, the speed control has become inoperative and shortly afterwards, the horn began to malfunction. Through online research, the contact…
2001 · 57 miles · Airbag system
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the instrument panel lights illuminate intermittently. The vehicle has been to the dealer on three occasions for this failure. She stated that her radio and ABS light are currently experiencing the same failure. The ABS light is constantly…
2001 · 300 miles · Airbag system
Dt: 2001 Grand Caravan sport, consumer says headlights flickered unpredictably. Engine ran rough, and battery light came on. This happened at night at least once a month. Took vehicle to dealer, who checked the van but could not duplicate the problem, no fault codes found in computer, updated PCM. Vehicle was…
2001 · 9,500 miles · Transmission and driveline
Today, while driving our Dodge Grand Caravan, my wife applied the brakes. They made a grinding noise, and the ABS light came on. The car has slightly over 16,000 miles and this is the third time that this has occurred. The first was when the vehicle was 9 months old with 5 600 miles on it. The second was when the…
2001 · 16,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Built from 2,592 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page