The Lemon IndexAll cars · Dodge Grand Caravan
2002 Dodge Grand Caravan.
The 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan is worse than average by owner complaints: 307 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 123, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 17 to 20 mpg combined. The best Dodge Grand Caravan year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 535 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Grand Caravan year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 28K to 80K miles on the car (350 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 37K–78K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 17K–55K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 30K–104K miles
Recalls 11
- equipment 2010
CURT MFG IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 3 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 13347, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1997-2007 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS, 1996-2007 DODGE CARAVANS, AND 1996-2004 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VANS.
- lights 2008
EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS.
- lights 2008
MAXZONE IS RECALLING 2,520 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 3341103L-AS AND 334-1103R-AS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2001-2007 DODGE CARAVAN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 11 recalls
- brakes 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- equipment 2004
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, CONDENSATION FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS MAY DROP THROUGH VENT HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE RADIO AND RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT SUBSEQUENTLY SENDS DIRECT CURRENT TO THE REAR SPE…
- steering 2004
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2003
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 DAIMLERC…
- equipment 2003
AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 17, 2002, AND JANUARY 20, 2003, SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES LISTED ABOVE.
- body structure 2003
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2002
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE FUEL TANK CONTROL VALVE WELD JOINT COULD SEPARATE RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK.
- child seat 2001
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 EQ…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 102 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Power steering fluid cooler hoses may split and cause a loss of power assist - customer…
- Experiencing a shudder (vibration) felt inside the vehicle while turning the steering wheel
- Subject regarding steering shudder
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedHeadlight malfunction2005–2006
- ClosedHeadlight malfunction2005
- ClosedPower liftgate latch2004–2005
- ClosedSpeaker fire in the rear of the vehicle2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
1)air bag light comes on and off 2) failure can result in airbag not deploying properly 3)dealer (douglas county Dodge) wants to charge for repair. Research indicates that this has been a problem with Dodge since at least 1996.
2002 Dodge Grand Caravan owner · NHTSA complaint 10074485
More owner reports
Rack and pinion steering failed after being replaced six months earlier.
NHTSA complaint 10055411
The air bag light stayed on after the clock spring was replaced some time ago.
NHTSA complaint 10109187
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 123; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Grand Caravan year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (20%), airbags (20%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
11 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan get?
17 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 28,900 and 80,000 miles. The middle report was at 50,000 miles, from 350 complaints.
Does the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Grand Caravan year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2015 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works