The 1996 Dodge Caravan has 1647 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 18 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine and engine cooling. Owners most often flag transmission failures: described as "janky," prone to "clunking," and a "known" problem. cited as a primary reason for the vehicle's poor reputation. frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1996 Dodge Caravan vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 4 Caravan model years we track, complaint volume runs from 78 (2011) to 1,647 (1996). With 1,647 complaints, the 1996 Caravan sits abovethe model's median of 526.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
equipment
Campaign 10E034000CURT MFG IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 3 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 13347, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1997-2007 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS, 1996-2007 DODGE CARAVANS, AND 1996-2004 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VANS. WHEN TH…
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMEN…
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 09E025000DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMEN…
service brakes, hydraulic
Campaign 06E022000CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYB…
Mixed to negative sentiment overall, with a strong consensus on poor long-term reliability and specific, recurrent mechanical failures.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Caravan. See the full Caravan owner picture and every model year.
Used Caravan listings typically run $2,999–$6,399 across 1997 to 2007 model years.
Compare every Caravan year side by side to see how 1996 ranks against the rest.