2001 Dodge Caravan — 3.3L V6

The 2001 Dodge Caravan marks the first year of a new generation, and the federal data shows a clear break from the elevated complaint and recall levels that plagued the late 1990s models. Complaints dropped sharply to 260, down from 526 in 2000 and a peak of 1,647 in 1996, while recalls fell to 10, continuing a downward trend from the mid-teens. However, Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) surged to 134—the highest since 1997—indicating that while major safety defects prompting complaints and recalls were fewer, the manufacturer was actively documenting a wide range of non-recall issues. The top complaint areas for 2001 are Air Bags (31), Suspension (25), Exterior Lighting (22), and Steering (20), with 9 crash-related and 3 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. This pattern suggests the 2001 model year is a significant improvement over the troubled third-generation vans, but the high TSB volume signals that buyers should verify that these bulletins have been addressed. Overall, it is a better year to buy than its immediate predecessors, but a pre-purchase inspection focused on the noted systems is advisable.