The 1996 Dodge Caravan is a vehicle that came with a choice of 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl and 3.8L 6-cyl engines. At 30 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Special Purpose Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 3-spd, Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 14–18 city / 20–24 highway / 16–20 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,350–$4,200 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 444–555 grams per mile |
| Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle) | 4,000 lb |
| Versions tested by EPA | 6 configurations: Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD, Caravan/Grand Caravan 4WD |
| Age | 30 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls covering the 1996 Dodge Caravan. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
On certain mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
Risk: This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
Vehicle description: mini vans built with 3.3l and 3.8l engines have fuel rails with nitrole rubber o-ring seals that can degrade over time. Fuel leakage from the underhood fuel injection fuel rail could result, increasing the likelihood of a vehicle fire.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Vehicle description: minivans. Fuel can leak from the fuel tank at the interface of the fuel pump module attachment.
Risk: If a fuel leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Vehicle description: mini vans equipped with integrated child seats. The shoulder harness restraint on the integrated child seat can become difficult to extract when the safety belt latch plate becomes contaminated.
Risk: This can cause difficulty in releasing a child from the restraint.
The bolts which secure the integrated child seat modules to the seat frame can break.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle accident, the child seat may not provide adequate protection to the occupant.
A static electric charge can build up on the ungrounded metal section of the fuel filler tube.
Risk: This condition could cause a spark to occur when fueling the vehicle and possibly ignite the fuel vapors.
In certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.
Risk: Inadequate sealing and retention of the plug can result in oil leakage which could cause a fire in the engine compartment.
The fuel tank rollover valve can allow fuel to pass into the vapor canister resulting in the potential for fuel leakage.
Risk: Fuel leakage increases the potential for a vehicle fire.
The bolts which secure the rear bench seats to the seat risers may be embrittled and fracture.
Risk: In case of an accident, the bolt may fail and can cause the seat to break away from the seat risers, which increases the potentialof injury to its occupants.
Owners have filed 2,560 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Caravan with NHTSA. 88 reports involved a crash and 89 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 108 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 138 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1996 Dodge Caravan. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging system
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or sa
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 14 defect investigations covering the 1996 Dodge Caravan.
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
Dc minivan fuel injector rail leak
There is no summary currently available
Post collision fuel system
Post-collision fuel system integrity
There is no summary currently available
Fuel tank leaks
This engineering analysis was opened on january 31, 1997 based on information gathered during preliminary evaluation (pe), pe96-051. The pe was opened on august 19, 1996, to investigate allegations of fuel leakage from the area where the fuel pump/sending unit joins the fuel tank.for brevidy, this area will be referred
Integrated child seat belt lockup
This investigation is closed.chrysler corporation has submitted a defect information report identifying a safety defect and outlining the proposed remedy.recall number 98v-185 has been assigned to this safety recall.
Defective air bag crash sensor
Cfas sent a follow-up letter on december 12, 1996, to change the intent of the petition to airbag aggressivity and deployment variability.NHTSA received the letter on 12/12/96; accordingly, the petition due day was changed to april 12, 1997.cfas petitioned the agency to conduct an investigation to determine whether the
Sliding door latch failure
Analysis of known incidents indicates a declining trend over the last five calendar quarters.extensive testing of incident vehicles has failed to reproduce occurrences of full latch disengagement.no failure mode which could cause a properly latched door to lose full latch engagement while driving has been verified as a
Integrated child seat belt lockup
Odi continues to receive complaints alleging latching/retractor mechanism problems.chrysler's assessment of the problem indicates that owners of the vehicles are not adhering to the cleaning requirements for the seat.the seat appears to malfunction if crumbs of food or beverage residue accumulates on the latching tongu
Fuel leaks from the gas tank
Analysis to date indicates that some of the subject vehiclescontinue to experience fuel leaks from the fuel tank at the sending unit interface.most often the leak involves the o-ring seal.
Sliding door latch failure
Chrysler maintains that the common factor contributing to known sliding door opening incidents is prior incorrect dealer latch adjustment.chrysler attributes this problem to an inaccurate service manual procedure - sliding door latch/lock control, removal and installation.chrysler furnished information showing that six
Safety blt latch operation
There is no summary currently available
Fuel leakeage from rollover valve
There is no summary currently available
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1996 Caravans that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 1996 Dodge Caravan; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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