Used 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan Consumer Reviews
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1992 Dodge Caraven ES
20 years old and still going strong Since I only live 10 minutes from work the miles have been kept low. 120,00 on it now. Still runs great with plenty of pep from the V-6. Gas milage averages 14 MPG Have had it for 13 years and never had an engine or transmission problem with it. Power windows and front seat all still work. The speaker wires for the radio have somehow become disconnected. The only major problem I had was when one of the transaxles broke. The roof and hood paint peeled as alot of this year model did. The interior has held up fine except for the the ceiling covering which has come loose a hangs down over the front seats and along the sliding door
our van
this has been a wonderful van. lots of use and not alot of problems. would buy again
16 years and still going strong
Great vehicle. Same tranny with only two fluid changes, one water pump change. Still get 24 MPG highway and 21 around town (3.3/FWD), 3K miles per quart of oil.
Too Many Transmissions
I originally bought the caravan as the "kid mobile," including the built in child seats. However, I have put more money into this vehicle in repairs over the years than I care to admit. I wish someone had told me it was the end of a string of years of bad transmissions. Thankfully we had purchased the extended warranty as the first transmission replacement occurred during that time. The second one was just after the warranty expired, but we were able to negotiate a 50/50 split with the dealership on the repair.
good van
i have had this van for five years and just now having moter and trnsmission problems it has 177000 miles on it over all its been a good van the motor has lifter noise and trans does not shift into high gear when its hot out. gas gauge has never worked right
The grand caravan
Father was first owner of vehicle. Very reliable and comfortable on trips and daily driving. Minor problems with paint peeling in large sheets. Needed exhaust recently, but nothing bad. No major problems until the transmission had to be replaced THREE times (first covered by warrenty, second half covered and third was paid in full by my father). I inherited this van 2 years ago and now after about 40,000 miles it needs another transmission (not shifting gears). Sadly, I will let it go. Otherwise I do really like it.
Get rid of it ASAP
I bought it used but in mint condition, My wife and I loved it so much for the first year. It was roomy and very comfortable but nightmare began in the 2nd year. The transmision needed rebuilt only ...3 times and then the engine got overheated 5 times, rear door lift gate broke, starter went dead, alternator stopped working, and on and on.. cost me $ 4000 for maintenance and repair. Finally we traded it in for a Nissan for a very cheap price. This is true! don't buy this van!
MaybeOK
Bought with 110k with new tranny at 95k and now have 210k. Reliability OK, but interior screws falling out panels & rattles, poor suspension-too soft gone through 3 sets of struts. Heating system cuts out & sticks, Never charged A/C, still works good. Motor runs good as it did at 110k, but now leaks alot of oil from main seals, seals were changed at 95k. CV Joints going out for the 1st time. Still gets 18mpg average. Still has original water pump, alternator and starter. Replaced started contacts once.
Very Reliable
I put 105,000 miles on it in 11 years, all locale driving. Didn't begin to have any major problems until around 100,000 when the tranny began to act up. A very comfortable ride. Plenty of power with the 3.3 and 20 miles to the gallon wasn't bad. Just traded it in.
I love my minibus
I bought my mini-bus with a 3.3 6L. with 93000 miles on it just over 3 yrs ago for only $5000. I now have 214000 on it. It uses oil, which a valve gasket job would fix. Replaced the tranny twice, but my choice of mechanics the 1st time was largely to blame for the 2nd time. Up until 200000 miles my van ran excellent. About that time the water pump,& fuel pump went. who could blame it? It has been used as a truck for hauling lumber, a camper on trips, a taxi etc.. I abuse the vehicle but it just keeps running. I will keep it til it dies. Then I will go buy another! I most definately got my money's worth out of this one.
high miles
This van had been a pretty good car. It had a new transmission put in at about 16000 miles, not unexpected for a Chrysler van. Needed new Catalytic converter and starter recently. Rides very nice and 3.3L has plenty of power. Inside is quite roomy. I get 22 mpg almost all highway. Paint is pretty bad, but rust isn't a major problem. This car still runs great at 218000 miles.
Good Vehicle
I bought the car when it was a year old with 43000 miles. The vehicle has been excellent for getting the kids (who are now grown) to and from all of their events and for hauling. When they when to college this car could not be beat for room. It has also been great for getting lumber. You can get a sheet of plywood in the vehicle lay it down flat and still close the doors. We now have 200000 miles and it is showing its age. We replaced the transmission at 134000 miles and the oil pressure is beginning to be poor. I would like to keep it for two more years because it is great for hauling.
Hmm
It worked for us; the tranny was rebuilt at 60,000 miles and it now has 125,000 miles. The tranny leaked always and you had to watch it, my brothers does the same thing. I don't think Dodge has fixed the problem yet. However it always started and always got us were we wanted to go. The AWD is awesome for snow. Knowing what I know now, I would still buy another Dodge Caravan but I probally won't. For the money I think the Chevy Astro is a better buy.
Mixed Bag
Bought in '93 w/42,500 miles; now 187,600 miles (3/25/04). Goes through front brake pads/rotors quite frequently; usual trans. failure at 132,000 mi. and again at 148,500 mi. (this time covered under warranty). Both drive axles replaced at 152,000 and again at 166,000; right hub assembly replaced at 176,000. Other items that failed were the water pump, fuel pump and A/C unit. The 3.3L motor has been outstanding; doesn't burn oil; doesn't leak oil. Engine runs like it did the day we bought the van. We think we have gotten our money's worth from it in service and relative comfort.
3 door Grand Caravan
I bought this car for $2000 when it was 11 years old. I needed a vehicle to transport 7 people and this caught my eye at a local dealer. I should have done an extensive check on this one first. Within 6 months I put $400 into brakes,rotors,bearings,exhaust,tranny seals and the still needed to replace the radiator,thermostat,tires and the paint is peeling off in chunks. I have had it just stop running for no reason at least twice. The A/C quit on the day I bought it. The fan stopped running after replacing radiator. I've had the reserve on radiator actually boil. The only thing that has saved me is the warning alarm that van is overheating.
93 Dodge Grand Carave SE Sport
Solid transportation. Captian Seats for four are great. Lots of room. Keeps on ticking.
If you like to replace transmissions...
...buy a Chrysler minivan. Just found out today that our '93 Caravan needs ANOTHER transmission....THREE have gone out on this vehicle. Never, ever again will I buy another Chrysler product. Talked with District Rep and Detroit....they refuse to acknowlege problem or help in any way.
What a surprise!
We purchased this van with 88,000 miles on it and now 7 yrs later it has 219,000.It's our family car so any where I go she goes. We've never replaced the engine or transmission. My Dodge has been a very reliable vehicle!! I love the room in it. It handles great! I've hauled a few bales of hay and always get my feed for the horses in it. I can't say anything very bad about it. We've replaced the drive axles on both sides and that's the most we've had in repairs. The transmission is giving a few problems now but we watch the fluid and do not use overdrive which isn't as good on mpg. We are starting to look for a different car but I hate to give up my Dodge, I love it!
Great car!
I bought this car brand new off the lot. I have pulled a trailer to South Dakota and back to Wisconsin. From Ohio to Wisconsin at least 30 times. The car has 130000 miles and runs like brand new. Its gone through 2 kids and has never broken down. Only had to replace the transmition once in the past year. I am very pleased with my car.
Damn the Dodge
I bought this thing brand new. I was very pleased at first. This was my second Dodge brand auto I had bought new and should have known from the first one that the quality was not good. I had the 36,000 mile full warrenty. The transmission went out at 37,000. t $2000 a pop I have had 5 transmissions, some only lasting a year. Then the electrical has been less then satisfying.
Functional Utility
The 1993 Grand Caravan is is a people, pet, and thing hauler. It does it comfortably, and farily reliably and economically. The Quad Captain Chairs are comfortable and keep the younger occupants separated, the engines is a dependable workhorse, it will not move you real quick but it can get up and go in a pinch. It does have a heavy steering ride but overall this vehicle is a good third car to have for muddy soccer days or when you need to pick up some mulch and carry some young kids and their friends. Get a used one for functionality and the ultimate utility vehicle.
12 Years and Counting
After 12 years, 158K miles, and only the second transmission, I really can't complain. No rust or squeaks, captain's chairs are still comfortable, and we still get over 25 mpg on a trip. Couldn't have refinished my basement without it (hauled a lot from Home Depot). Still pulls a trailer easily. One odd thing happened this past winter when I closed the driver's door and the rear tailgate window shattered. First transmission died at 69K miles, but was covered without question by the dealer under 7/70 warranty. Second transmission is doing fine. Radio went 4- 5 years ago; replaced it with a CD player. Never did any work on power accessories. Plan to keep it until it drops.
I think I'll keep it
Purchased the van from a friend. The brake system had failed, a/c quit, shocks were toast, and transmission shifted into 1st without warning, scary. Brake system was recalled, but still paid a pretty penny, a/c and shocks fixed myself, and the tranny is still the original. The 3.3 liter tranny will drop down into 1st if: the solenoid pack, tranny computer, or even the throttle position sensor are malfunctioning. I replaced all myself, and it works fine. I did take it to a tranny man, and he said from a computer diagnosis, the tranny looks in great shape. Only reservation I have about it, is it has a little hesitation going up steep hills at high speeds (e.g. 70 m.p.h or above.
1993 Grand Caravan LE
This car is a good car, but reliability is fair, at best. Also, too many safety recalls on this car. Bottom of motor had to be redone at 70k. Transmission went out at 100k. Most other significant systems have required repairs through the years.