How Long Do Dodge Grand Caravans Last? (Miles & Years)

The Dodge Grand Caravan is a fleet of minivans produced by Chrysler from 1984 through 2020. It has had five generations across 36 model years, making it the longest-lived Dodge nameplate to date.

Until its discontinuation, the Dodge Grand Caravan was known for its versatility, powerful V6 engine, and elite safety features.

Before we dive in, though, check our list of most-common issues with the Dodge Grand Caravans.

In this article, we’ll be discussing the Grand Caravan’s longevity as a whole, alongside comparisons, tips, and other pertinent information.

Here is the short answer to how long Dodge Grand Caravans last:

The Dodge Grand Caravan can last between 200,000 to 300,000 miles on average. It sounds even more impressive when you realize that’s about 13-20 years if you cover 15,000 miles per year. However, you’d have to maintain your Caravan properly to enjoy it for that long.

How Many Miles Can You Expect From A Dodge Grand Caravan?

If you own a Dodge Grand Caravan, you can expect at least 200,000 miles from it subject to proper maintenance. Many Grand Caravans reach and even surpass 300,000 miles as long as they are adequately maintained.

We even found a particular Grand Caravan owner who claims to have crossed 450,000 miles so far. While these numbers are very enviable, we can’t stress enough how important it is to prioritize the Caravan’s maintenance.

We should also mention that reckless and rough driving could shorten the expected lifetime mileage of your Grand Caravan. So, drive as gently and calmly as you can.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust On A Dodge Grand Caravan?

You could get rust on your Caravan as early as the first one to three years, and it could also happen much later than that.

We found several complaints of Grand Caravan rust problems on some Dodge forums. One owner complained that the rusts were minimal in the early years and soon took over the vehicle after 100,000 miles.

If you drive on roads in Seat Belt states, your Grand Caravan is likely to start rusting early. The best ways to stay on top of this include using an anti-rust spray and getting ceramic coating protection. Storing your car indoors and washing it regularly could also help forestall rust.

How Long Do Dodge Grand Caravans Last Compared to Similar Models?

The Dodge Caravan used to rival many other elite minivans in the market until its discontinuation. We are about to see just how good its longevity numbers are when stacked up against some top competitors.

Look into our article which reads about 5 Dodge Models With Most Recalls

Dodge Grand Caravan Vs. Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey has been around since 1994 and is one of the top vehicles in the minivan class.

Our research showed that a new Honda Odyssey would last between 250,000 to 300,000 miles. That number is, of course, subject to adequate maintenance.

This would mean the Caravan and the Odyssey will last around the same time as both vehicles can reach 300,000 miles. However, the Honda Odyssey has a better overall reliability rating and enjoys positive ratings from critics.

Read more: How Long Do Honda Odyssey Last? (Solved & Explained!)

Dodge Grand Caravan Vs. Kia Sedona

Known for its splendid interior and comfortable handling, the Kia Sedona is one of the top minivans on the market. Owners of the Kia Sedona can expect it to last between 250,000-300,000 miles or more, as long as it is adequately maintained.

Both the Kia Sedona and the Dodge Grand Caravan have the same expected lifetime mileage subject to proper maintenance. However, the Sedona enjoys better reception amongst critics and appears to be more reliable.

Read more: How Long Do Kia Sedonas Last? (9 Important Facts)

Dodge Grand Caravan Vs. Toyota Sienna

The Toyota Sienna is undoubtedly one of the most popular minivans on the market. Besides its quality and aesthetically pleasing structure, the Sienna can also last between 200,000 to 300,000 miles or more.

That number puts it on par with the Dodge Grand Caravan in terms of longevity. However, the Toyota Sienna is a lot more reliable and has a better overall rating than the Grand Caravan. The Toyota Sienna also has a hybrid option which makes for greater fuel economy.

Read more: How Long Do Toyota Sienna Last? (Solved & Explained!)

How Reliable Is a Dodge Grand Caravan?

The Dodge Caravan isn’t exactly excellent in terms of reliability; at least, that’s what the critics say.

On J.D. Power, it notched a 2.5 out of 5 reliability rating, putting it a step below average.

RepairPal was a bit more warm, giving it a 4.0 out of 5.0 rating, which is borderline great.

We also found a couple of owners’ forums, and most owners were generally satisfied with the Caravan’s reliability.

So, in answer to the question of the Caravan’s reliability, we would say it is a reliable vehicle that could use more improvement.

The Best And Worst Years Of Dodge Grand Caravan

CarComplaints has a list of three Dodge Grand Caravan models with the most problems. The list includes the 2005, 2008, and 2011 model years, and the 2011 model was named the worst model.

Asides from a myriad of issues, these models are particularly bad because their problems came up before 100,000 miles.

On Carproblemzoo, the Grand Caravan has a total of 13,393 complaints across 24 model years (1996-2019). The 2008 Grand Caravan has the most problems with 1,870, and the 2010 Grand Caravan is next to it with 1,217.

The models with the fewest problems include the 2019 model with 58, the 2018 model with 105, and the 2004 model with 126. The 2004 model is perhaps the most impressive considering how long it has been since it first went on sale.

On Cars.com, the 2017 model is the best model, with a 4.7 rating from 168 reviews. The 2018 and 2019 models also have a 4.7 rating with 70 and 65 reviews, respectively. The 2008 model is the worst model, with a 3.9 rating from 62 reviews.

What About Recalls for These Models?

Below is a list of recalls for the Dodge Grand Caravan models:

• 1991: 6
• 1992: 6
• 1993: 7
• 1994: 4
• 1995: 1
• 1996: 9
• 1997: 5
• 1998: 4
• 1999: 3
• 2000: 5
• 2001: 3
• 2002: 5
• 2003: 2
• 2004: 1
• 2005: 5
• 2006: 3
• 2007: 2
• 2008: 10
• 2009: 7
• 2010: 5
• 2011: 3
• 2012: 5
• 2013: 4
• 2014: 4
• 2015: 3
• 2016: 4
• 2017: 1
• 2018: 2
• 2019: 2

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan has the most recalls with 10. The 1995, 2004, and the 2017 have the least recalls with 1.

Dodge Grand Caravan Model Years

Below is a list of all model years for the Dodge Grand Caravan:

• First Generation Models (1984-1990)
• Second Generation Models (1991-1995)
• Third Generation Models (1996-2000)
• Fourth Generation Models (2001-2007)
• Fifth Generation Models (2008-2020)

We want to mention again that the 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan was the last model year.

Are Dodge Grand Caravans Expensive to Maintain?

According to RepairPal, the annual maintenance cost of the Grand Caravan is $673 on average. It is more expensive than the Honda Odyssey ($547), the Toyota Sienna ($554), and the Kia Sedona ($495).

Based on these numbers, we would say the Grand Caravan is relatively expensive.

However, maintenance costs vary and will increase as the years go by and issues increase. In this regard, Car Edge estimates an average maintenance cost of $10,332 in the first decade.

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

The Dodge Grand Caravan’s brakes will last between 30,000 to 70,000 miles, depending on a range of factors. If you are often caught in traffic, or you drive anywhere that requires using your brake often, you will need to conduct regular inspection.

Signs of faulty brakes include burning smell, screeching sound, vibration in the steering wheel, amongst others.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

The tires on the Dodge Grand Caravan should last anywhere between 50,000 to 60,000 miles. However, the tires could give up early due to factors like terrible road conditions and extensive usage.

We advise regular inspection of the tires and prompt replacement as soon as you notice damage. You could also try rotating your tires every 5,000 miles to help them last longer.

How Long Do the Transmissions Last?

From what we’ve gathered from reports, you can expect the Dodge Grand Caravan transmission to last between 120,000 to 180,000 miles.

We recommend changing the transmission fluid every 60,000 miles as low transmission fluid could hamper your vehicle’s efficiency.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

Dodge Grand Caravan spark plugs can go for as long as 100,000 miles. However, some experts advise changing the spark plugs every 80,000 miles as a precaution.

Signs of a faulty spark plug include the check engine light coming on and considerably poorer gas mileage.

What About Insurance Cost?

According to Insuraviz, insurance for the Dodge Grand Caravan costs $1,276 per year, which is about $106 per month.

Car Edge estimates $1,721 per year as the average annual insurance cost for the Grand Caravan.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Dodge Grand Caravan

Below are few tips that could make your Grand Caravan last longer:

• Drive the vehicle gently and carefully
• Have a solid maintenance plan
• Carry out frequent inspections of the vehicle parts
• Clean your car regularly
• Rotate the tires and inflate the tires every time they have a low air pressure

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