- Great hauling capacity and versatitility (seating configurations, etc.)
- Very easy to handle/maneuver in traffic and in parking lots
- Good fuel economy for its size and design
- Attractive styling compared to other minivans of similar vintage
- Seating for up to seven adults
- Great power from the little 3.0 V-6
- Very nice-sounding stereo for a stocker (am/fm cassette)
- Excellent cruise control setup

- Seats are a little unforgiving on a long road trip, but as good or better than many others in other vehicles
- Why the heck does the rear window glue ooze out like that????
- Leaky A/C system. I've owned the van for 2 1/2 years, and had to charge the system both of those summers.

First of all, dont' even think that I work for DaimlerChrysler based on my positive experience! I am a state government employee on a limited budget, and I was simply looking for an affordable way to transport my family and our stuff. My other two cars are a 1971 Plymouth Valiant and a 1959 Studebaker Lark.

My service history since I bought this van has been very acceptable. I paid $7,000 for it in 1999 with 78,000 miles on it. I can't say that any of my repair expenses have been out of the ordinary for a used vehicle. They include the items listed below:

- tie rod end (1)
- brakes (1 set of fronts only - replaced myself)
- A/C recharge (2)
- front wiper motor (I did it myself, and the part was very inexpensive)
- battery (It was the original battery - replaced myself . . . I had left the radio on while we were giving the van a marathon cleaning at the car wash!)
- tires (1 set with an alignment)
- oil changes (every 3,000 miles to start, but I've been getting lazy/cheap lately!)
- light bulb (1 in the 3rd brake light - replaced myself)
- The lock/handle mechanism on the sliding door was being troublesome (wouldn't unlock unless I flicked the power switch at least 2 or 3 times) I spent no more than 30 minutes in the driveway one afternoon to fine-tune and lubricate it myself. Now it works fine.
- adhesive for interior rearview mirror (replaced myself)

I have noticed that I will probably need to replace the serpentine belt and tensioner in the near future, and one motor mount has gotten to that point as well. However, they are both still providing great service at this time. It also leaks a very small amount of oil (it seems to be at the rocker cover gaskets), but not enough to drip on the driveway.

I have had NO transmission problems since I bought this van, and it is has about 95,000 miles on it now (May 2001). I knew of the potential for problems with transmissions in these vans when I was in the market, so I minimized my risk by focusing my search on the exact type of van I ended up with. My criteria were as follows:

- 1995 Dodge Caravan (NOT the Grand Caravan - those things have the same drivetrain as the shorter vans, but have to haul around all that extra length/weight.
- V-6 (no wimpy 4-cylinder to haul my family and our stuff!!)
- Non-Overdrive transmission (I was told by a friend of mine who works on transmissions that the overdrive units in these vans are more troublesome than the straight 3-spd auto.
- Good cosmetics (Mine is the original deep metallic red with no flaking. There are parking lot dings and one pea sized chip from a rock, but otherwise looks great. The interior is grey cloth/vinyl/plastic and only shows the battlescars - i.e., stains - of my three kids and their markers/juice!)

My van is a base model with no power windows, but my experience has left me feeling that all manufacturers power windows are more hassle than they're worth anyway.

Buying ANY vehicle is a gamble, and buying new does not mean that you won't have to deal with unexpected repairs. Besides, I couldn't afford the payments of a new vehicle if I wanted one. I think that I had the good fortune of having a very specific set of criteria in mind when I went shopping, and I did my homework. To be fair, I don't know much about the service history of my van prior to my purchase. If it was anything like I have experienced during my ownership, I'd have to say that this is a great vehicle.

I've received only one recall notice since I bought this van. It had to do with a wiring problem in the circuit that controls both the rear wiper and airbag (what a combination!!!). It was repaired at no cost to me at the local dealership. The fuse for that circuit blew several months later, but I replaced it myself and have had no problems.

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I checked out the Consumer Reports Buyer's Guide for their input when I was looking to upgrade from our '81 Buick Century wagon to a minivan. I had test driven used GM and Ford minivans in our price range, but they were too noisy and rode rough. I heard too many bad things about the Mazda MPV so I didn't even consider them, even though I had several to choose from in town.

Where to begin? Now has over 240,500 miles on it; nothing broke that I could not fix myself in the driveway (including the timing belt). Has the 2.5 L engine--durable as a rock,engine has never been opened. Same with the transmission; it is still on the original fluid and filter! Only now has started making valvetrain noises, but still runs dependably.

Oil leaks from engine since the second year of ownership; wipers have made squeaking sounds since new; had to change power steering pump twice, steering rack three times; radio quit working completely last year.

The Caravan is the best vehicle we've ever owned--most reliable, roomiest, with car-like handling qualities and ride. Don't anticipate any major problems from the new one. I am sorry so many other folks don't like their vans; guess we've been lucky.

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The 2001 Grand Caravan we just bought is exquisite! Looking forward to another 12 years/200,000-plus miles of proud ownership.

Dependable. Good family car for our family of 5.

Struts wore out by 60k miles. Gas gauge did strange things unpredictably - reporting that tank was almost out of gas when it wasn't. Had to get EGR valve replaced.

Good dependable family transportation.

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1986 Caravan. The 1994 was MUCH better. Of course it had fewer miles.

Handling , Space for cargo, comfortable, reasonable gas consumption

Factory defect in wiring, Wild wipers, AC evaporator gone at 123,000Km ( 80,000 Miles)
Cam seals replaced, computer mother board replaced

Too many aggravating interruptions, and costs for service .
MaKes me think twice about ever buying another Chrysler product

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'92 model was great. Got sucked in I guess
had a '96 Voyager, many problems, thought it was a lemon. Turns out they're ALL ('96) bad. Sucked in again.

Durability van has been excellent 6 cyl good gas millage

since van was purchased when you are on the highway and rev up engine to pass another car the ac fan kind of looses power, ever since car was purchased it seems to need throtel body cleaning every 10k miles

This is 1994 dodge caravan that was used as a company car that I took out from the dealer when it was put into service (3/94) when time came for the company to turn in and buy another I opted to purchase it with 56,000 miles for $6300. the van now has 118000 miles and other then the ac evaporator going bad no other major problem has accoured. I have yet to change the timing belt!!!!!!!!!!!! and the transmission still runs perfect!!

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None

Smooth quiet ride,

Premature Transmission Failure - $2,300

Routine maintenance until just after 36 months, then transmission failed, along with "planetary kit", at 69,000 mi - unacceptable for a $27,000 vehicle. Chrysler Customer service was downright RUDE, and insisted that transmission problems were corrected by the early 90's. I called the dealership, and htey said the District Manager will get back to me - have caller ID at home, but no call after one week). Trans. failure also occurred with 2 of my brothers Chrysler vans (states - VA,PA) and an in-law (in TX).
I encourage consumers to post their complaint on the NHTSA complaint board. A list of 1998 Caravan complaints is at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/compmmy5.cfm
Please note that the Caravan is listed under 'Dodge Truck'

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94 Plymouth Voyager - bought used - electrical problems at 82,000 mi, causing van to stall, even at highway speeds; no other major problems

none

like every body else, phantom wiper:quite amazing--trans problem at 98k plus not long ago again loose oil pump in trans--gas leak from intake manifold--cam and crank seals changed--brake including caliper,rotor,pads.--wierd noise from front wheel already change suspension link.

this was my first experience whit dodge and geees !!!!!! never again.DO NOT BUY CARAVAN IT`S APIECE OF YOU KNOW!!!!!!!

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None

Large, roomy in back without removing seats; Unlimited packing can be accomodated during vacations with seats removed; nice looking two toned blue body.

Goes through transmissions every two years like clockwork. The car went through three transmissions, all under warantee. The fourth, not under warantee was rebuilt by a private trans repair place. Excellent work, but only tested trans to 2 yrs 2 months before sold the car (bad oil leak at 130,000 miles). After first 30,000 miles, front brakes repaired every 10,000 miles. Both likely caused by a Chrysler design defect. The car carried a 3.0L engine that was well taken care of. This car model has become a joke. Did any one see the short run commercial last year hawking for a dot.com company. A soccer mom was trying to sell her Caravan along a city sidewalk. She ended up lowering the price until at the end of the commercial she begged people to take the car for nothing and threw the keys into the body of a passerby and said the cars yours. The ad was all about desperation, something many Caravan owner's know about. The ad was pulled after a few days. I wonder who was behind pulling the ad? I wonder?

I never lost a transmission until I purchased a brand new 1989 Dodge Grand Caravan, Then I lost three and had to replace the last with my own money. I can't, I won't, I shall not ever, never by a Chrysler product again. I was a Chrysler owner three time over beforethis mess. I read that many of their constumers since 1989, the year of the TRANSMISSION, have and still are experiencing the same mess I did. One star is too much but that's the trouble with using computer assisted ratings, you have to make compromises.

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Ford Windstar: more powerful engine; hasn't broken down in 2 years 5 months or ownership. The transmission still runs. Only time will tell. Very attractive car and top safety rating. Well worth the $3000 to $4000 extra cost versus an comparable Caravan.

Good Gas Mileage

Loud Howling Wind Noise above 40MPH

I have owned this vehicle for over 6 weeks, and have taken it back to the dealer 3 times for a loud howling wind noise over 40 MPH. (They do not seem to have a clue as to how to repair this). I am now waiting for a factory representative to come. The noise is so loud that you must turn your radio quite loud to hear it over the noise and when you slow down the radio blasts you out. Forget trying to hear your cell phone ring, I have missed several phone calls because the ring cannot be heard over the wind noise. The advertisements for this vehicle states it is the quietest vehicle ever, I have had caravans since they were invented and the 1995 caravan I traded in was 10 times more quiet than this one. Therefore if you are planning on purchasing a Dodge 2001 Caravan before you layout any $$$$, please test drive it on a highway above 40 MPH and if it makes noise DO NOT PURCHASE IT.

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I have had caravans since they were invented and this is noisiest ever

Nice looking vehicle...good styling Plenty of room but that's about it.

Where to begin? I tried to talk my wife into an SUV but she wanted more room. I had always heard that the Dodge Caravan was the best selling mini-van. This may be true but this doesn't mean it is of best quality.

We bought this van in March 2000. After about three months the troubles began. First of all, I do most of my own routine maintenance. I noticed that the serpentine belt was in need of repair. Having over 40,000 miles I thought this was relatively normal so I replaced it. A month later the new belt broke so I replaced it again myself thinking I must have not gotten it on straight. Wrong. A month later the second belt borke and left my pregnant wife and two daughters stranded. I returned the vehicle to the used car dealer where I purchased it and they installed another new belt. A month later...broken. i returned it to them again for further investigation. It was determined that the power steering pump pulley bearings had failed and caused the belt to run along the side pulley which cut and destroyed the belts. Guess what? The dealership is wonderful. They took care of the ENTIRE bill...parts, labor etc.

The next trouble is the transmission. When put into gear it would just sit and not move. Cost me about $80 only to have a new filter installed and fluid but I was beginning to get nervous at the quality of this van.

The van itself with the 3.0 V-6 seems under-powered and when you press the accelerator the vehicle revs wilddly but goes nowhere. The sound system in this van sounds like a radio from the 1950's. Rubber weatherstrip coming off around the windshield. Simple little things that really bother me due to the van's young age. After one year it has less than 50,000 miles and yeat the last and final straw has occurred. The "Service Engine Soon" light came on. Simple "do it yourself" procedures that can found on the internet shows a code that the radiator fan relay has failed. What a joke.

I really did not have a real good experience with my Caravan. By reading some of the above reviews I find more issues in Dodge's van. I'm sure there are many people who are extremely satisfied but it also seems the majority are not.

As of today I am trading for a 1998 Pontiac Transport Montana. This van has a much better engine, ride and options. I don't know if I'll have any better luck but I'm holding out hope.

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I also own a 1997 Dodge Ram extended cab P.U. It is a very fine truck and has had no problems. The truck rides better than the van.