Overview & Reviews

A complete redesign yields a cavernous interior, best-in-class driveability and new innovations such as the optional driver-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 1 through 10 of 61.00

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  Dodge on the dodge - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By meatbkr - December 27 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 96 Caravan new, and it the time to see it was when the warranty ran out. Transmission problems, air conditioner problems, brakes and rotors are always giving out. I just replaced the master cylinder at 80,000 miles, the engine and exhaust are the best features, no problems there, yet.

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  Grand Caravan: Latin for Money Pit - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dotweasl - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I thought I was the only person who called it a money pit. I bought it from my SISTER who had maintained the car flawlessly for 6 years. After 2 weeks the AC went out. 4 weeks later it wouldnt go into reverse. A week later it wouldnt shift out of gear at 30mph. Then the AC went out again and now its not shifting gears. RUN AWAY! RUN FAST! DONT LOOK BACK! Did I mention the strangulation sound it makes when the automatic door locks engage? Explain that when youre driving a client to lunch. Thats easy: ITS A MONEY PIT! RUN FAST! My transmission guy said if it werent for the Caravans, he wouldnt have any business. RUN AWAY!

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  Buy something else--- run run - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Shelly - November 22 - 9:13 pm

  I recently got rid of this vehicle after owning it for 7 years, anxiously waiting for the day we could get rid of it for the last 3. The transmission failed at 147,000 miles. The worst part of it was this was the 3rd transmission. We had one replace right after we got it at about 38,000 and another at 87,000... both were covered by extended warranty purchase.

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  Junk - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By lmollstl - November 13 - 7:53 am

  I bought this van new and have had nothing but problems with it. It has 170,000 miles on it and the things I have had to replace would take up this entire column. The major replacements are; the transmission twice,water pump, power steering pump, gas tank, radio, wiper motor, power windows, door locks, door hinges, etc. The only thing still working is the engine. No wonder the company is going out of business. I will never buy another Dodge

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  256K and transmission died - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By stekicar - October 24 - 10:43 am

  SE 3.0L 3 speed Bought it with 99640 miles on it on 08/2002. Since then, I was free of any problems. Taking care of it, oil changes every 3000 miles, transmission oil every 30k, tune-ups every 50k. And finally, transmission start hard shifting from first to second a week ago. Currently in the shop with $1950 to $2200 bill waiting for fixing transmission - total rebuilt. Plan to drive it for two more years minimum. Engine is still strong. Average is 22mpg. On freeway, with 65mph it reaches 24-25mpg. Rust is everywhere. My friend tells me that soon I will not have to open the door to enter inside :). Construction is still solid.

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  Never Again Will I Buy A Dodge Product - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By C Paul - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Worst car, and worst service, ever encountered.

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  Piece of Crap - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dodge in Distress - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN!!!!! We have replaced the transmission, the air conditioner, the power steering (fell out while sitting at a stop light), water pump and numerous other faulty mechanisms on this van. We have driven foreign cars for years, and have never had to replace much more than the oil and tires. Something electrical messed up the intermittent wipers. The child safety seat has broken twice. STAY AWAY!!!

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  Kens critique, Dodge mini-van - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ken jennings - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Purchased from local dealer with 50k. At this writing (8/11/03) now has 116k Have been happy overall. Some of the reliability issues other raters mentioned have also plagued me on occasion. Luckily, Im a shade tree mechanic and not scared to tackle the unknown without prints or a tech manual. Have replaced starter, several rotors, brake booster (what a pain!), idler pulley (snapped off while driving), Front and rear AC expansion valve/dryer.Also have intermittent wiper gremlin where pulse wipe quits. Even with all this, my wife loves it and Id probably get another one if I werent tiring of the design.

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  bad car - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By nomoreamericancars - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Anything that can go wrong went wrong with this car. VERY POOR reliability.

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  Must have got a good one.Very reliable! - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By llonman - September 16 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our Caravan when our third child was born. Van had 82K on the odometer and was on the second owner. The van now has 156K and still runs okay. The 3.0 engine has burned oil since day one due to the leaking seals. But it is managable. Idler pully is worn out but is cheaper to just replace belt with the next smaller belt to fend off squeeking. One of the resistors in the fan switch also went south at 130K, so we just choose the other 4 speeds. Tranny is the 3 speed model which is rock solid. Overall good van for the daily abuse it takes.