Is the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
289 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Caravan years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan are in line with other Grand Caravan years. Air bags and steering 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 2002 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 54,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 58 (20%) | 41k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 53 (18%) | 21k–54k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 42 (15%) | 22k–63k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 38 (13%) | 33k–126k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 21 (7%) | 44k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 21 (7%) | 32k–117k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seat belts | 21 (7%) | 25k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 19 (7%) | 32k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 16 (6%) | 36k–84k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Equipment | 12 (4%) | 28k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (3%) | 40k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 17 (6%) | 60k–166k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 36 (12%) | 18k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locks | 13 (4%) | 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 54,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 289 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 14 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The check engine light came on and we had the vehicle checked. We were told that it was dealing with the transmission and to go to a transmission specialist.
At 62,000 miles the car would not shift into gear. After moving the gear shift all the way up and down it engaged, but began downshifting very hard from 4th to 3RD.
On 6/11/03 vehicle was making power steering noises & auto dr locks wouldn't lock at 15 mph. Replaced power hose, hose clamp & oil trans.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 54,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan: 6
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.
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. Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under hood 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.
On certain Mini vans, the fuel tank control valve weld joint could separate resulting in a possible fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underbody fire.
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. In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
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 2002 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: 5
Headlight malfunction
Headlight malfunction
Power liftgate latch
Speaker fire in the rear of the vehicle
Fuel tank leak
Neighbouring years
2001 Grand Caravan: 298 complaints, keep it · 2003 Grand Caravan: 219 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 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
289 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Grand Caravan years. At 54,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (58), steering (53), transmission and drivetrain (42), electrical system (38), exterior lighting (21).
How many recalls does the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 04V-531), Steering (NHTSA 04V-386), Fuel system (NHTSA 03E053000), Body structure (NHTSA 03V-094) 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.