2001 Dodge Caravan Consumer Reviews

2001 Caravan Sport

Written by: dt on 05/22/2008

Vehicle

2001 Dodge Caravan Sport Fwd 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Roomy, comfortable on trips, adequate performance, mostly trouble free. First vacuum leak (CEL code for large evap system leak) took it to a dealer and cost $1k. Second vacuum leak (same code) I did some online research, found the bad hose, and fixed it myself for $6.00. My sense is the dealer has overcharged for everything I've had done there, they treat female customers like idiots, and I will not return. Power steering noise around 100k. Researched online and found the "full" line on the Power Steering tank is wrong - added a little fluid and it's been fine for 30k+

Favorite Features

Roominess, dual doors, reliability

Suggested Improvements

eliminate dealerships lighter rear seats

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I love my Caravan

Written by: MikeyP on 05/20/2008

Vehicle

2001 Dodge Caravan Sport Fwd 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

We purchased our Caravan Sport as a primary vehicle for our growing family. Over the past 4.5 years of owning it, it has never had a mechanical breakdown other than normal wear items (battery died in the 3rd year). We had one issue with the A/C system, which was caused by an improperly completed service on the climate controls. That was only a concern because Florida living requires 100% A/C reliability. The vehicle is strong, stable, and runs my 5 member family everywhere we need to go. We have even used it to tow a 2500 pound boat with no issues. Given the opportunity, I would buy another one without hesitation. It may be a soccer mobile, but it fits it's job nicely.

Favorite Features

3.3L V6 has ample power for towing and hauling the family around. Audio system is great. Plenty of room for whatever we need.

Suggested Improvements

Better design of the rear gate. Rear window wiper does not make complete contact regardless of blade replacement. Ability to open the glass separate from the full gate would be convenient.

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America better build a better car

Written by: m thornton on 02/03/2008

Vehicle

2001 Dodge Caravan Sport Fwd 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Bought used with 30k ,Now has 96k Engine light was on when I bought it , dealer installed new EGR.valve. Front stab. bush went.replace 2 x so far. ign. key lock went south,(no bloody good reason) window lift motors went out 2x replaced. Vac leak cannot be found (driving me crazy.)New water pump, Idle tensioner pulley, the reat wa just routine maint. I can't realy say I love this car with the problems I have had. Stupid stuff. I will buy a Kia next time

Favorite Features

Engine proformance , Style.

Suggested Improvements

Build a better car .. or go out of business

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Transmisson

Written by: Cheys for me on 10/10/2007

Vehicle

2001 Dodge Caravan SE Fwd 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 3A)

Review

I have had my van for over a year enjoyed driving it. I did not go out and purposely buy it. Family situtation which I took posssession of the vehicle. Ran great took it on about five trips. About a week ago just going down the road felt two jolts and the transmission was gone. Just went out of warranty. So I had to spend over $ 2,000.00 to have it repaired. Went online to check if other people have had problems. I was blown away with all the complaints. No wonder they are offering lifetime warranty. Needless to say I'm trading in the near future.

Favorite Features

Heated seats. Stereo. Able to recline 2nd row seats.

Suggested Improvements

Do something about the transmissions

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I love this van

Written by: wking309 on 01/04/2007

Vehicle

2001 Dodge Caravan SE Fwd 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 3A)

Review

I never thought I would like a minivan, but once I got my hands on my Caravan, I fell in love. For a car with over 100,000 miles, it is very reliable, still has plenty of power, and is great to drive. This car is plenty powerful for getting me around town, and it doesn't kill me at the pump compared to my old truck. The only things I don't like about it are the slightly rough idle, and how heavy the back seats are. It kills my back having to move those by myself a lot of times.

Favorite Features

Cruise control, tilt steering wheel, very comfortable seating

Suggested Improvements

More lumbar support. After long trips my back was sore, so I had to buy a cushion for my back. I'm only 20 years old.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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The Best Vehicle I've Owned

Written by: Lee Etheridge on 04/17/2006

Vehicle

2001 Dodge Caravan Sport Fwd 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)

Review

The only problem I've ever had was with the front steering/radial arms. The bushings on both sides wore out after about 3 years. Other than that, I haven't had anything go wrong with the car that wasn't normal "wear and tear" (such as changing belts. air filters. etc...).

Favorite Features

When I first got the van, I was afraid it would drive like a box. How wrong I was! Not only did it drive as smooth as a brand new Caddy, but its performance capability reminded me of a 1990 Mazda RX7 I had.

Suggested Improvements

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Not Bad For What It Is

Written by: Steve on 01/02/2006

Vehicle

2001 Dodge Caravan SE Fwd 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 3A)

Review

We bought our Dodge Caravan brand new, and while I wasn't thrilled with the Dodge dealership, this minivan has served us quite well over the years. The only problems I've had with it is a burst vacuum line that took 2 times to find and the tendency for the rubber seal on sliding door on the drivers side to pop out when the door is closed. This makes it impossible to open the driver's door. Of course, if you open the sliding door again, the driver's door opens fine. Yeah, not a great "feature," but honestly it is only a minor inconvenience. On the whole, it has been serviceable and functional - a great value for our family.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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4 years, 86000 miles, and few problems

Written by: Mark on 07/09/2005

Vehicle

2001 Dodge Caravan SE Fwd 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 3A)

Review

This vehicle is not fancy, but it has been dependable transportation for my family. The only time it's been in the shop is for regularly scheduled maintenance, and for a failed power window motor.

Favorite Features

Large enough interior for family and "stuff", and removable seats are great, giving flexibilty of use.

Suggested Improvements

Nothing that the new models don't already have.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Must have been built on a Monday morning

Written by: take it to junkman on 06/28/2004

Vehicle

2001 Dodge Caravan SE Fwd 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 3A)

Review

43K miles on the van in alittle more than 3 years. Started having problems after 1st month. Not enough room here for all, but major ones include replacing HVAC control unit because temp. control was stuck in HOT position, replaced gas tank & most of pollution system looking for a vaccum leak. Power steering pump problems caused noise & vibration at all speeds. Headlght switch broke & lights would just go out w/o any warning. Most of these took at least 2 trips to the garage to fix. Latest problem, tranny let go last Friday. Saturday morn, dealer tells me I can't get loaner car I'm entitled to w/ extended warranty until a tech diagnosis the problem.

Favorite Features

got to spend Saturday test driving Chevys.

Suggested Improvements

Maybe change 5 star service to 10 star... but then again, anything times zero is still ZERO....

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Do not Buy

Written by: dnacam on 05/12/2004

Vehicle

2001 Dodge Caravan SE Fwd 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 3A)

Review

day we brought it home the AC broke, took it back and they "fixed it" when passing an eighteen wheeler on the interstate it didn't switch gears and slowed down with the pedal all the way to the floor a pick up truck was approaching and almost rear ended me. When we took it in for this problem they said "oh, the computer was just off and had to be reset, It's common with these vans". Hope I don't have to pass anyone for the rest of my life while owning this van. Now to get rid of it I am upside down and I will NEVER buy another DODGE and I will pay 3 times as much for a toyota to keep from putting my family in another one of their vehicles.

Favorite Features

Interior

Suggested Improvements

EVERYTHING including companies way of dealing with the problems they should deal with to satisfy their customers, since the customer trusted them,

5 out 7 people found this review helpful

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