Dodge Caravan ReliabilityAll Years Ranked (1984–2019)
Side-by-side AutoScores, risk levels, and owner-cost projections for every Dodge Caravan we've analyzed. Identify the best years to buy, the ones to avoid, and the problems that follow the Caravan across generations.
Average AutoScore
64/100
Best Year
2015 Dodge Caravan
Score 73
Weakest Year
1988 Dodge Caravan
Score 42
Every Dodge Caravan Ranked
Sorted by AutoScore. Each link opens the full year-specific report.
A highly practical and affordable family hauler with known Achilles' heels in its transmission and rust protection.
Top risks: Transmission (62TE) · Rust and Corrosion · Electrical Systems
A practical and affordable family hauler, but requires attentive maintenance to navigate its well-documented electrical and transmission weaknesses.
Top risks: Transmission (62TE) · Electrical System (TIPM) · Suspension & Steering
A value-packed family hauler with unparalleled flexibility, but ownership demands a proactive maintenance approach to mitigate its notable reliability weaknesses.
Top risks: Transmission (62TE) · Electrical System (TIPM) · Suspension Components
A budget-friendly minivan with excellent utility, but prepare for potential transmission and electrical system headaches.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Electrical System (TIPM / Power Doors) · Rust and Corrosion
A value-packed minivan with practical brilliance, but prepare for the common ailments of its powertrain and power accessories.
Top risks: Transmission (62TE) · Power Sliding Doors · Engine Oil System
An affordable family hauler with unparalleled practicality, but its long-term reliability is hampered by its weak transmission and quirky electronics.
Top risks: Transmission (62TE) · Electrical Systems · Rust and Corrosion
A charming pioneer that requires dedicated attention to ward off the ravages of time, especially rust and specific powertrain weaknesses.
Top risks: Body & Structure (Rust) · Engine (2.6L Mitsubishi) · Automatic Transmission (A413/A470)
A budget-friendly family hauler that demands vigilant maintenance and a healthy repair fund due to its inherent mechanical weaknesses.
Top risks: Transmission (4-speed automatic) · Body/Undercarriage Rust · Electrical System
A budget-friendly family hauler, but only for those prepared to invest in its notorious maintenance demands.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (41TE/41AE) · Electrical System · Rust and Corrosion
An affordable, practical choice, but be prepared for common drivetrain and electrical challenges.
Top risks: Transmission (4-speed automatic) · Electrical System · Rust and Corrosion
A budget-friendly people-mover that can deliver value, but only if you're prepared for common and potentially costly repairs, especially the transmission.
Top risks: Transmission (41TE Automatic) · Electrical Systems & Power Sliding Doors · Rust and Corrosion
A value-packed minivan that requires vigilance over its drivetrain and electrical components to avoid costly pitfalls.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Power Sliding Doors · Electrical System (TIPM/Wiring)
A budget-friendly family hauler that demands proactive maintenance and a keen eye for its known weak points.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (62TE) · Electrical System (TIPM) · Rust and Corrosion
A budget-friendly family hauler requiring diligent pre-purchase inspection and proactive maintenance to mitigate known powertrain and electrical weaknesses.
Top risks: Transmission (62TE) · Electrical (TIPM) · Rust and Corrosion
A budget-friendly family hauler with a few persistent Achilles' heels requiring careful pre-purchase scrutiny and ongoing maintenance.
Top risks: Electrical System (TIPM) · Transmission (62TE Automatic) · Body/Underbody Rust
A budget-friendly family hauler with unparalleled utility, but one that demands vigilance against its well-known mechanical and electrical vulnerabilities.
Top risks: Transmission (62TE) · Electrical System (TIPM/Doors) · Rust and Corrosion
A fascinating slice of automotive history, but expect consistent hands-on maintenance and significant age-related issues.
Top risks: Body & Chassis Rust · Fuel System (Carburetor) · Electrical System
A revolutionary vehicle for utility, but its age and critical powertrain flaws mean it’s an enthusiast's project, not a turn-key daily driver.
Top risks: Transmission (A604 Ultradrive) · Rust & Body Corrosion · Electrical System
A budget-friendly people mover, but only for those prepared to address its well-known mechanical weaknesses.
Top risks: Transmission (41TE Automatic) · Rust and Corrosion · Electrical System
A spacious bargain that often demands patience and a repair fund due to its inherent mechanical weaknesses.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (41TE/40TE) · Rust & Corrosion · Electrical System
A high-utility minivan that can be a great value, but only if its well-documented weaknesses have been properly addressed or are in excellent condition.
Top risks: Transmission (4-speed Automatic) · Rust and Corrosion · Electrical System
A truly pioneering family hauler, but its age and early model quirks demand a mechanically savvy owner and diligent preventative care.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (A413) · Rust and Corrosion · Carburetor and Fuel System
A utilitarian classic, but its Achilles' heel transmissions and propensity for rust make it a high-maintenance proposition.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Body & Frame Rust · Cooling System
A high-utility workhorse that can quickly become a money pit if its well-known weaknesses are ignored.
Top risks: Transmission (A604/41TE) · Rust & Corrosion · Electrical System
A highly practical and affordable used minivan, but only for those prepared for diligent maintenance and potential major repairs.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (41TE/41AE) · Rust and Corrosion · Electrical System
A practical and cheap minivan, but its Achilles' heel transmission demands a substantial repair fund.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (41TE) · Electrical System · Rust and Corrosion
A practical and cheap minivan often crippled by its notoriously weak automatic transmission, demanding careful inspection and a contingency fund.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (41TE/40TE) · Rust and Body Corrosion · Electrical System
A budget-friendly workhorse that demands diligent maintenance and preparedness for inevitable transmission woes.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Rust and Corrosion
A spacious budget hauler, but brace yourself for the inevitable transmission headache and persistent electrical quirks.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (41TE/41AE) · Body & Frame Rust · Electrical System
A budget-friendly people mover, but prepare your wallet for the inevitable transmission work.
Top risks: 4-Speed Automatic Transmission (41TE/40TE) · Rust and Corrosion · Electrical System
A highly practical and affordable minivan that requires vigilant maintenance and a tolerance for common, expensive failures.
Top risks: Transmission (4-speed Automatic) · Electrical System (TIPM & Power Doors) · Rust and Body Corrosion
A highly practical and affordable vintage minivan, but its notoriously fragile transmission and relentless battle with rust demand a mechanically-savvy owner with a healthy repair fund.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (A604/41TE) · Body & Chassis Rust · Electrical System
A utility-focused minivan plagued by a notorious transmission and significant rust potential, requiring a seasoned mechanic's touch to survive.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (A604/41TE Ultradrive) · Rust and Body Integrity · Engine (3.0L Mitsubishi V6) Oil Consumption
A spacious relic that offers utility at the cost of severe mechanical reliability, demanding constant vigilance and a robust repair fund.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (A604/41TE) · Engine Head Gaskets & Leaks · Electrical System
A spacious, budget-friendly minivan haunted by a pervasive transmission Achilles' heel.
Top risks: Transmission (41TE/41AE) · Electrical System · Rust and Corrosion
A testament to practicality, but a commitment to constant vigilance is required.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (A413) · Rust & Body Integrity · Electrical System
Problems That Follow the Caravan Across Generations
Issues that appear in the top-3 risks across multiple model years — the cost of ownership you can actually predict.
Electrical System
Appears in 19 model years · 53% of generations
Rust and Corrosion
Appears in 17 model years · 47% of generations
Transmission (62TE)
Appears in 7 model years · 19% of generations
Automatic Transmission
Appears in 4 model years · 11% of generations
Electrical System (TIPM)
Appears in 4 model years · 11% of generations
Automatic Transmission (41TE/41AE)
Appears in 3 model years · 8% of generations
Body & Chassis Rust
Appears in 2 model years · 6% of generations
Automatic Transmission (A413)
Appears in 2 model years · 6% of generations
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