Overview & Reviews

A complete redesign yields a cavernous interior, best-in-class driveability, and new innovations such as the optional driver's side passenger door. And although the all-wheel drive version is discontinued for now, Caravan dethrones the Ford Windstar and once again reigns as king of the minivans.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 29.00

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  Beware - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By Help from Paradise - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought for dbl sliding doors and integrated child seats which no other minivan had in 1996. Mechanical features like 3 speed trans, 14" wheels, no std ABS, no power windows except on high end models were below adequate. But, for intended use of kids to school and games <6,000 mi/yr it was doable. Vehicle has been maintenance nightmare: transmission $1,200@ 40K, electrical and engine problems, locks failed, rear door gas struts failed, ... Not only does it need many parts, they are expensive (ex fuel injectors, fuel pump) and this is before they were Mercedes parts. Will never buy another Chrysler no matter how long they increase the warranty.

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  Just try to tear my wife away! - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By rickaroo - January 23 - 2:00 am

  I have read a number of very negative things about this vehicle but our experience has been pretty positive. In 60k miles of ownership (60k-120k) the only problem outside routine maintenance has been the air conditioner.

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  Mechanical Challenges - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By dcbeckster - December 23 - 2:00 am

  While the Dodge Caravan is a very popular vehicle the experience by many has been less than adequate. The same problem seems to frequently appear at about 100K miles. The first is usually with the air conditioning not functioning correctly. Equally, the automatic transmission many times will need major repairs. This seems to be fairly consistent with this model.

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  I dont see what the problem is.. - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By MDozer - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This car seems to get such a range of emotions from their owners. Me for one have only had 1 problem since this van was bought, and the previous owner said they had not problems at all except replacing the tranny at like 90k. About 2 months ago the Air conditioning went out completely, I will admit that we have had a few small issues with the a/c. Other than that the car is great everything is placed well on the inside, the dash is easy to read, and contrary to other reviews NOTHING falls off, yeah theres a lot of plastic but its all attached very strong. Overall the performance is average, the 3.0V6 is a little slow

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  Buyer beware - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By Robert Dennington - August 23 - 2:00 am

  The car has been trouble from the beginning. Chryler couldnt fix the problems while it was under warranty and now since it is out of warranty the problems keep growing.

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  Just give up on staying cool and its ok. - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By looseacl - June 19 - 2:00 am

  this was the second mini-van of three owned. Why do I do this to myself???? OK, the car is VERY functional--roomy, not bad handling (next vehicle is AWD), always got us where we were going. BUT! beware of A/C problems!!! I have put over $600 into AC repairs every single year! 3 major parts, each costs $600 and they go out in rotation. Taken it to dealers, AC shops, specialists ... same story every year ... and--the next version... the 2001 AWD, just blew its first compressor. stop the insanity

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  Dont buy - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By Never Chysler - June 7 - 2:00 am

  Last car, Dodge Colt. Had it for 10 years. Thought the Caravan would be the same. Mistake! Came with defective window seals dumping water on the passenger side floor when it rained 1st 1000 miles-oil leak and shift indicator broke stranding me 100s of miles from home. Belts dont last. Ive lost track of the number of times Ive replaced them. One broke without warning. Ive had oil leaks, antifreeze leaks, squishy brakes and occasional stalls. At 85,000 miles the windshield wipers turn on intermittently, the belts are squeaking, the brakes need to be replaced again, the horn is broken, and the airbag has been recalled. Im not bothering to repair it

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  Mistake! - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By VTmom - May 14 - 2:00 am

  We bought our 96 Caravan new. It was a great van UNTIL it hit 50,000 miles and the warranty expired. Then everything that can go wrong with a vehicle has gone wrong. I am afraid to drive it because it is so unreliable. After having it die on my 3 times (once when I was over 8 months pregnant), I refuse to drive this thing. Daimler chrysler could not care less. The warranty has expired so we are on our own. We have now put so much money into the van we cant afford to get rid of it. We cant stop kicking ourselves for keeping it though. We will NEVER own another Dodge vehicle.

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  Best vehicle Ive Owned - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By etta - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Very dependable comfortable on long distance trips w/great mileage superb family taxi, too.

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  I plan to quit this trade name! - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By King, P - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I have spent too much money on this van, I now need to pay $2400 for a new transmission that I have complained about for a year!