2015 Dodge Caravan Safety Report

The 2015 Dodge Caravan presents a mixed safety picture based on the available NHTSA data. While there are no official NHTSA crash test ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are all N/A), the vehicle has accumulated 23 complaints, including 3 crashes and 2 injuries, with no reported fires or deaths. A significant concern is the complete absence of recalls for this model year, which is unusual for a vehicle with reported issues, especially those related to critical components like the power train and airbags. The lack of recalls suggests that potential widespread defects identified by consumer complaints have not been addressed by the manufacturer or mandated by NHTSA. Complaint patterns reveal a notable concentration of issues within the POWER TRAIN (5 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), and STRUCTURE (2 complaints). Specific incidents include vehicles stalling at speed, transmissions failing to shift or revving uncontrollably, and issues with sliding doors becoming stuck, posing potential egress hazards. Several complaints also mention airbag-related concerns, including the airbag light illuminating and, critically, airbags failing to deploy in crash incidents, which directly contributed to at least one reported injury. The absence of Takata inflator recalls for this specific model year, despite complaints referencing 'TAKATA INFLATORS,' is also a point of concern. Further analysis of complaints highlights critical safety failures such as unintended acceleration, vehicles rolling away while in park, and driver's seat belts coming undone while driving. These are severe issues that directly impact vehicle control and occupant restraint. The lack of crash test data makes it difficult to assess the vehicle's structural integrity in a collision, but the reported airbag non-deployment incidents are a serious red flag. The overall safety profile is concerning due to the nature of the reported failures and the absence of any manufacturer recalls to address these potential defects.

Our recommendation: Given the lack of NHTSA crash test ratings, zero recalls, and a pattern of serious complaints including power train failures and airbag non-deployment, exercise extreme caution. A thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on the power train, electrical system, and airbag functionality is essential.