Is the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
298 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Caravan years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan are in line with other Grand Caravan years. Air bags and exterior lighting stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Grand Caravan owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 48 (16%) | 46k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 48 (16%) | 53k–104k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 37 (12%) | 52k–104k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 25 (8%) | 31k–90k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 19 (6%) | 37k–142k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 16 (5%) | 58k–119k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Equipment | 12 (4%) | 27k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 9 (3%) | 60k–118k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 9 (3%) | 66k–130k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 29 (10%) | 38k–64k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 29 (10%) | 34k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 19 (6%) | 23k–61k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 18 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine and cooling | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 298 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 8 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2017.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2001 Dodge grand caravan - 41TE transmission just quit after 64,000 miles with no warning.
2001 Dodge grand caravan. At 57,000 miles the front pump on the automatic transmission failed, resulting in complete transmission failure.
I heard a whining noise coming from transmission, without warning the transmission completely went out. I only have 38k miles on my van.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan: 5
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 speakers. This could result in a speaker fire.
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… A possible fire can occur in the presence of an ignition source.
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… This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 2001 Plymouth voyager, Chrysler town & country, and Dodge caravan/grand caravan Mini vans that are not equipped with the remote keyless entry option. This could allow the sliding door to partially open.
Vehicle description: minivans. The lower control arm pivot bolt could fracture. If the bolt fractures, the lower control arm could separate from the crossmember, causing a loss of vehicle control.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 9
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Headlight malfunction
Headlight malfunction
Power liftgate latch
Neighbouring years
2000 Grand Caravan: 441 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2002 Grand Caravan: 289 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Grand Caravan year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Grand Caravan years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
298 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Caravan years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (48), exterior lighting (48), electrical system (37), steering (25), fuel system (19).
How many recalls does the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 04V-531), Fuel system (NHTSA 03E053000), Body structure (NHTSA 03V-094), Latches and locks (NHTSA 01I003000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.