Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2001 Dodge Caravan: common problems and reliability
· 4th generationOne of the worst Caravan years.
One of the Dodge Caravan years to avoid. All Caravan years
260 owner complaints, most about air bags. 10 recalls.
Should I buy a 2001 Caravan?The 2001 Dodge Caravan has 260 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 10 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and steering. Owners most often flag rust, especially in the midwest and salt-belt regions.
Safety record for the 2001 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2001 Dodge Caravan vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Caravan years only. How we score it
Is 2001 a good year for the Caravan?
Across the 21 Caravan model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2017) to 1,647 (1996). With 260 complaints, the 2001 Caravan sits above the model's median of 173.
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.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2001 Caravan
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 08E048000EAGLE 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 CONFORM TO THE LOWER BEAM PHOTOMETRY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 08E039000MAXZONE 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 HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc.
Campaign 04V531000ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, CONDENSATION FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS MAY DROP THROUGH VENT HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE RADIO AND RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT SUBSEQUENTLY SENDS DIRECT CURRENT TO THE REAR SPEAKERS.
Show 6 more recalls
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 THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE HITCH MAY FRACTURE OR BREAK AT THE BEND LOCATION WHERE THE MAIN BODY OF THE HITCH MEETS THE HITCH MUFFLER STRAP.
fuel system, gasoline
Campaign 03E053000CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, MODELS WIX FILTER PART NUMBERS 33576, 33577, 33734; NAPA FILTER PART NUMBERS 3576, 3577, 3734; AND CARQUEST FILTER PART NUMBERS 86576, 86577, 86734 USED ON 1996-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, DODGE CARAVAN, AND PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VEHICLES, CAN CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LEAK.
suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Campaign 01V152000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM PIVOT BOLT COULD FRACTURE.
structure
Campaign 03V094000CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Campaign 01I003000THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2001 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, AND DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN MINI VANS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY OPTION. THE SLIDING DOOR LATCHES ON THESE VEHICLES COULD RELEASE DURING CERTAIN SEVERE ACCIDENT CONDITIONS THAT INVOLVE THE SLIDING DOOR.
equipment
Campaign 03E045000AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 17, 2002, AND JANUARY 20, 2003, SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER MAY EXPERIENCE MALFUNCTION OF THE QUICK CONNECTOR EITHER BLOCKING FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE OR CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP. NOR ANY DAILMERCHRYSLER DEALERS.
What owners report on the 4th generation Caravan
Owners describe this generation as cheap, spacious, and practical basic transportation that can rack up high miles with maintenance, but they repeatedly warn about rust, transmission weakness, and age-related failures.
- Very frequentRust, especially in the Midwest and salt-belt regions
- Very frequentTransmission weakness or failure
- RecurrentAge-related deterioration of gaskets, belts, hoses, and plastics on low-mileage or long-parked vans
- RecurrentUnderpowered 2.4L four-cylinder, described as dangerously slow
- RecurrentCoolant leaks
Owner insights for the 4th generation Caravan. Read the full 4th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Caravan listings typically run $2,999–$8,933 across 1997 to 2007 model years.
Other Caravan model years
Compare every Caravan year side by side to see how 2001 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Caravan against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy