DodgeCaravan19943.8L V6/dodge/caravan/1994/3-8l-v6/
AS platform

1994 Dodge Caravan — 3.8L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Caravan 3.8L V6.

Body VANEngine 3.8L V6

The 1994 Dodge Caravan is a VAN built on the AS platform and equipped with a 3.8L V6 engine; it uses a 4.5‑quart oil capacity with 5W‑30 API oil and has been recalled five times. Owner complaint records show 772 total complaints, most frequently in the Power Train category. Across the model’s production life from 1990 to 2017, complaints peaked at 1,647 in 1996 and dropped to a single report in 2017, situating the 1994 version early in a long‑term trend of improving reliability. As a result, the 1994 model reflects a period when reported issues were moderate compared with later peaks but still part of the vehicle’s evolving reliability profile.

Model year200720062005200320022001200019991994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug, front wiper blades, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04213583AB discontinued · alt 04306113
Fuel filter04682923 discontinued
Spark plug68304174AA discontinued
Front wiper blades1AMWC018AA discontinued · alt 04673043
Serpentine belt04668303 discontinued · alt 04798390
ThermostatMD997310 discontinued · alt 04573560AE

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.3 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height64.2 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 62.2 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Emission Control System (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1994 Dodge Caravan sits in the middle of a steep decline in complaints and recalls that began with a high of 1,078 complaints in 1992 and peaked at 1,647 in 1996. In 1994, complaints fell to 772 and recalls dropped to five, the lowest recall count in the 1990‑1999 span, indicating a relatively stable platform during that generation. The trend continues upward again after 1996, but the 1994 model enjoys a lower recall burden than the years immediately before and after. Power‑train, air‑bag, structure, and engine cooling complaints dominate the top four issues, but the overall complaint volume is modest compared to the early 1990s. Given its position in the declining trend and the lowest recall count of the decade, 1994 represents a comparatively sound year to buy, though buyers should still verify the vehicle’s maintenance history for the listed complaint areas.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
57
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
772
Owner complaints
107 involved a crash · 7 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 772 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train103
Air Bags86
Structure77
Engine & Engine Cooling67
Service Brakes, Hydraulic65
Latches/Locks/Linkages54
Electrical System33
Visibility32

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

99V213000Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And AttachmentsReported 02/09/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE…

00V305000Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle BarReported 12/10/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. THE STEERING WHEEL… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 57 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
R2118796A2016-02-26Engine And Engine CoolingValve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
23-014-152015-04-23EquipmentChild Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child…
18020022002-06-24Unknown Or OtherFLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC
08010012001-05-25Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL…
0800600REV2000-12-29Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Caravan. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 Caravan 3.8L V6 take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 Caravan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.