BumperScan
Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports|Updated
Your report: 3 of 4 steps complete75%
Car identifiedData collectedBasic analysisFull AI analysis

Free Preview

#BS-2002-DODCAR-D2B5

2002 Dodge CaravanProblems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 326 owners and 10 recalls for this exact model.

Data updated ·checked October 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026

Complaints
326
Crashes
26
Fires
11
Recalls
10
TSBs
101
🛑

Preliminary Verdict

Red Flag

Based on 326 complaints, 26 crashes, 11 fires, and 10 recalls. This is the worst model year for this vehicle.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

Top reported problems

1

transmission failure

11 complaints • Severity 8.5/10

$X,XXX
2

ac not working properly

5 complaints • Severity 7.6/10

$X,XXX
3

sliding door stuck

5 complaints • Severity 8.4/10

$X,XXX
4

brakes rotors wear out prematurely

5 complaints • Severity 6.8/10

$X,XXX
5

heater only works on high

4 complaints • Severity 6.5/10

$X,XXX

Preview: What's in your full report

Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $2.00

Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the AirbagsHIGH

39 owners reported airbags issues — failures commonly reported around 52K miles.

!Inspect the Power Train:automatic TransmissionMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 6 more items in full checklistUnlock

Failure Timeline by Mileage

55
0–30K
66
30–60K
49
60–90K
16
90–120K
12
120–150K
11
150K+

Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (66 reports) • Median: 52K miles

Full report: which components fail at each mileageUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Airbags (39 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Airbags39 (12%)
Power Train:automatic Transmission22 (7%)
Electrical18 (6%)
Air Bags:frontal13 (4%)
Wheels & Tires11 (3%)
Other10 (3%)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine9 (3%)
Steering9 (3%)

2002 Dodge Caravan: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Airbags Issues

Airbags complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 2002 Dodge Caravan, with 39 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 52,476 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 52K-mile mark.

Power Train:automatic Transmission Issues

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2002 Dodge Caravan, with 22 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to power train:automatic transmission-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Electrical Issues

Electrical complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2002 Dodge Caravan, with 18 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Air Bags:frontal Issues

Air Bags:frontal complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 2002 Dodge Caravan, with 13 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to air bags:frontal-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Complaint trend by year

25
02
38
03
54
04
73
05
33
06
21
07
17
08
13
09
8
10
6
11
4
12
10
13
13
14
3
15
1
16
3
17
4
18

Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2002 Dodge Caravan. Recent trend: increasing.

Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own

Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

Get Report — From $2.00

Recall History (10 recalls)

01V310000Oct 2001

CHILD SEAT

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE OWNER MANUALS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES DO NOT INDICATE WHICH SEATING POSITIONS ARE EQUIPPED WITH TETHER ANCHORAGES AND CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

03E045000

EQUIPMENT

AFTERMARKET 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.

03E053000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN 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.

03V094000Mar 2003

STRUCTURE

CERTAIN 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.

04V386000Sep 2004

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.3 OR 3.8L V-6 ENGINE, THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE MAY SPLIT AND CAUSE A FLUID LEAK.

+ 5 more recalls in the full report

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

Unlock

NHTSA Defect Investigations (5)

All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.

EA05009ClosedOpened Jun 2005 · closed May 2006

HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PE02068ClosedOpened Sep 2002 · closed Oct 2002

FUEL TANK LEAK

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

PE03012ClosedOpened Apr 2003 · closed May 2003

POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURE

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

PE04049ClosedOpened Jul 2004 · closed Nov 2004

SPEAKER FIRE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

PE05004ClosedOpened Feb 2005 · closed Jun 2005

HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is the worst model year for the Dodge Caravan according to owner complaint data. The biggest problem area is engine.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 326 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 10 recalls found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated (checked October 21, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026.

Other Dodge Caravan Model Years

200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984
View all Dodge Caravan years →

2002 Dodge Caravan: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Dodge Caravan?
The most commonly reported issue with the 2002 Dodge Caravan is related to the airbags, with 39 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 2002 Dodge Caravan reliable?
The 2002 Dodge Caravan has 326 complaints, 26 crash reports, and 11 fire reports filed with NHTSA. The full report analyzes whether these numbers indicate real risk or are proportional to the vehicle’s popularity.
How much does it cost to fix 2002 Dodge Caravan problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 2002 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
Yes, the 2002 Dodge Caravan has 10 recalls on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Dodge Caravan problems start?
Based on 209 complaints with mileage data, the median mileage at time of complaint is 52,476 miles. The highest concentration of reported issues occurs in the 30–60K mile range. The full report breaks down exactly which components fail at each mileage bracket.
When was the 2002 Dodge Caravan data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 21, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 19, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins. Its numbers last changed on October 4, 2026.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
RaccoonEagleRoverCat

Get the Full 2002 Dodge Caravan Report

10 sections of AI analysis based on 326 owner reports. Know before you buy.

Get Full Report — From $2.00Money-back guarantee
Instant delivery|One-time purchase|No hidden fees