1996 Dodge Caravan Consumer Reviews

Bad Choice

Written by: Mike R. on 03/26/2005

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr SE Passenger Van

Review

About the only good things about this vehicle are the wheels and stereo, which I purchased separately. Too many things to mention that have gone wrong, but I'll try. Transmission, W.S. wipers, suspension, belt tensioner, air bag module, air conditioning and 3 recalls. No more Chrysler products for me.

Favorite Features

Power ,size and visibility.

Suggested Improvements

Reliabilty and quality.

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Good Idea, poor execution

Written by: JAZZ1151 on 04/05/2004

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr LE Passenger Van

Review

The design is very innovative, however the quality and reliability left a lot to be desired. We purchased a 7 year 100k mile Dodge warranty and used it. Multiple major problems with the transmission (4) including a complete replacement, cooling system, A/C (5) and a belt tenioner that fails like clockwork every 20K miles since new. Many more less critical problems too numerous to mention here. Except for being beat to death with $50 warranty deductables after 36k miles long warranty enabled us to keep the car longer than we would have if we were footing the bills.

Favorite Features

Drivers side sliding door. Easy out bench seats.

Suggested Improvements

Move the location of the dash power outlet. It hits the drivers knee when any power adapter is plugged in. Body has too much flex. Improve reliability of components.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Beware

Written by: Help from Paradise on 01/24/2004

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr ES Passenger Van

Review

Bought for dbl sliding doors and integrated child seats which no other minivan had in 1996. Mechanical features like 3 speed trans, 14" wheels, no std ABS, no power windows except on high end models were below adequate. But, for intended use of kids to school and games <6,000 mi/yr it was doable. Vehicle has been maintenance nightmare: transmission $1,200@ 40K, electrical and engine problems, locks failed, rear door gas struts failed, ... Not only does it need many parts, they are expensive (ex fuel injectors, fuel pump) and this is before they were Mercedes parts. Will never buy another Chrysler no matter how long they increase the warranty.

Favorite Features

integrated child seats

Suggested Improvements

Reliability.

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Just try to tear my wife away!

Written by: rickaroo on 01/23/2004

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr SE Passenger Van

Review

I have read a number of very negative things about this vehicle but our experience has been pretty positive. In 60k miles of ownership (60k-120k) the only problem outside routine maintenance has been the air conditioner.

Favorite Features

Dual heater controls, dual sliding doors, fun to drive / visibility.

Suggested Improvements

Cannot think of any ... better resale?!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Mechanical Challenges

Written by: dcbeckster on 12/23/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr STD Passenger Van

Review

While the Dodge Caravan is a very popular vehicle the experience by many has been less than adequate. The same problem seems to frequently appear at about 100K miles. The first is usually with the air conditioning not functioning correctly. Equally, the automatic transmission many times will need major repairs. This seems to be fairly consistent with this model.

Favorite Features

Ample passenger space, easily removed benches, and a large cargo space.

Suggested Improvements

Improved integrity with the transmission and air conditioning unit.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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I dont see what the problem is..

Written by: MDozer on 08/26/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr SE Passenger Van

Review

This car seems to get such a range of emotions from their owners. Me for one have only had 1 problem since this van was bought, and the previous owner said they had not problems at all except replacing the tranny at like 90k. About 2 months ago the Air conditioning went out completely, I will admit that we have had a few small issues with the a/c. Other than that the car is great everything is placed well on the inside, the dash is easy to read, and contrary to other reviews NOTHING falls off, yeah there's a lot of plastic but it's all attached very strong. Overall the performance is average, the 3.0V6 is a little slow

Favorite Features

Interior Layout, Finally some good cupholders!, entry and exit is easy, parts are fairly cheap.

Suggested Improvements

3.0V6 is a waist of time, just a little more torque and quieter but not much else, FIX the a/c please, of course by now they have but I still have to say it.

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Buyer beware

Written by: Robert Dennington on 08/23/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr STD Passenger Van

Review

The car has been trouble from the beginning. Chryler couldn't fix the problems while it was under warranty and now since it is out of warranty the problems keep growing.

Favorite Features

styling

Suggested Improvements

engineering as far as the mechanical systems go

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Just give up on staying cool and its ok.

Written by: looseacl on 06/19/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr ES Passenger Van

Review

this was the second mini-van of three owned. Why do I do this to myself???? OK, the car is VERY functional--roomy, not bad handling (next vehicle is AWD), always got us where we were going. BUT! beware of A/C problems!!! I have put over $600 into AC repairs every single year! 3 major parts, each costs $600 and they go out in rotation. Taken it to dealers, AC shops, specialists ... same story every year ... and--the next version... the 2001 AWD, just blew it's first compressor. stop the insanity

Favorite Features

roominess, space for all our stuff and kids

Suggested Improvements

fire the man who designed the AC

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Don't buy

Written by: Never Chysler on 06/07/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr STD Passenger Van

Review

Last car, Dodge Colt. Had it for 10 years. Thought the Caravan would be the same. Mistake! Came with defective window seals dumping water on the passenger side floor when it rained 1st 1000 miles-oil leak and shift indicator broke stranding me 100s of miles from home. Belts don't last. I've lost track of the number of times I've replaced them. One broke without warning. I've had oil leaks, antifreeze leaks, squishy brakes and occasional stalls. At 85,000 miles the windshield wipers turn on intermittently, the belts are squeaking, the brakes need to be replaced again, the horn is broken, and the airbag has been recalled. I'm not bothering to repair it

Favorite Features

Sturdy in accident. Was rear-ended while stopped in traffic by a pickup truck going 60mph. $2,500 damage- replacing the bumpers and beating out rear door. Of course the airbag was defective and did not deploy when I was pushed into the car in front of me.

Suggested Improvements

Everything under the hood. All of it. I was a loyal customer. I will never buy Chrysler again.

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Mistake!

Written by: VTmom on 05/14/2003

Vehicle

1996 Dodge Caravan 2 Dr STD Passenger Van

Review

We bought our 96 Caravan new. It was a great van UNTIL it hit 50,000 miles and the warranty expired. Then everything that can go wrong with a vehicle has gone wrong. I am afraid to drive it because it is so unreliable. After having it die on my 3 times (once when I was over 8 months pregnant), I refuse to drive this thing. Daimler chrysler could not care less. The warranty has expired so we are on our own. We have now put so much money into the van we can't afford to get rid of it. We can't stop kicking ourselves for keeping it though. We will NEVER own another Dodge vehicle.

Favorite Features

It is roomy and I like how it drives when it is actually running.

Suggested Improvements

Make a reliable product that the company is willing to stand behind!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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