What year Dodge Caravan should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2010 and 2012 are the Caravan years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 86, the two highest among covered years.

What is the best year for a Dodge Caravan?

Among the years covered (2010-2017), 2014 and 2015 have the lowest complaint indexes at 29 and 43, making them the best relative picks based on owner complaints.

What is the most common problem with the Dodge Caravan?

Electrical System complaints are the most common across all covered years, accounting for 213 of 413 total complaints, or 52%.

Does the 2010 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?

Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2010 Caravan, both related to Braun mobility and commercial entervan conversions.

How many total complaints does the Dodge Caravan have on file?

NHTSA lists 413 total complaints across the 2010-2017 Dodge Caravan model years, with 3 recall campaigns.

Dodge Caravan Best and Worst Years (2010–2017)

Dodge Caravan model years to avoid are 2010 and 2012, both flagged for Electrical System complaints (49% and 54% of their issues) and complaint indexes of 100 and 86. 2014 and 2015 score lowest (indexes 29 and 43) and are the best picks among covered years.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2012

Model years: 8; 2010–2017
NHTSA complaints: 413
Recall campaigns: 3
Crashes reported: 18
Fires reported: 11
Top problem area: Electrical System

Caravan Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Dodge Caravan problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	100	172	8	6	2	Electrical System	—	—
2011	Caution	71	78	1	1	0	Electrical System	—	—
2012	Avoid	86	87	3	3	0	Electrical System	—	—
2013	Caution	57	30	1	1	0	Electrical System	—	—
2014	Good	29	20	1	0	0	Electrical System	—	—
2015	Good	43	23	3	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	—	—
2016	No verdict	0	2	0	0	0	Electrical System	—	—
2017	No verdict	14	1	1	0	1	Brakes	—	—

Caravan years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Dodge Caravan Index 100 · 172 complaints · 2 recalls

2010 is the worst-ranked Caravan year with 172 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Electrical System issues make up 49% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 72,000. Owners also reported Engine problems (23%, median 51,500 miles) and Brakes (17%, median 24,500 miles). Sample complaints describe tire blowouts, a shifter slipping into reverse, airbag deployment concerns during a crash, and engine overheating with a burning odor. This year carries two recalls tied to Braun mobility and commercial entervan conversions, plus 8 crashes and 6 fires reported to NHTSA.

2010 electrical system problems →2010 engine problems →2010 brakes problems →

2012 Dodge Caravan Index 86 · 87 complaints · 0 recalls

2012 ranks second-worst with 87 complaints and a complaint index of 86. Electrical System complaints dominate at 54% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 69,000. Engine issues followed at 24% (median 102,000 miles), then Brakes at 13% (median 32,958 miles). Owners described battery and wiring failures, a dashboard switchbox that caught fire while stopped, and a brake caliper that hung up and smoked. One complaint noted airbags failing to deploy in a crash. NHTSA recorded 3 crashes and 3 fires for this year, with no recalls issued.

2012 electrical system problems →2012 engine problems →

Most common Dodge Caravan problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Electrical System213 (52%)
Engine89 (22%)
Brakes59 (14%)
Other39 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain33 (8%)
Airbags30 (7%)
Fuel System26 (6%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (5%)
Structure & Body20 (5%)
Steering17 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Dodge Caravan should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2010 and 2012 are the Caravan years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 86, the two highest among covered years.
What is the best year for a Dodge Caravan?: Among the years covered (2010-2017), 2014 and 2015 have the lowest complaint indexes at 29 and 43, making them the best relative picks based on owner complaints.
What is the most common problem with the Dodge Caravan?: Electrical System complaints are the most common across all covered years, accounting for 213 of 413 total complaints, or 52%.
Does the 2010 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?: Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2010 Caravan, both related to Braun mobility and commercial entervan conversions.
How many total complaints does the Dodge Caravan have on file?: NHTSA lists 413 total complaints across the 2010-2017 Dodge Caravan model years, with 3 recall campaigns.