1999 Dodge Caravan review from North America

My van blew up!!

I thought that my van was very reliable.

I hadn't had any problems with it except normal wear-and-tear during the last two years.

I had not driven the van for two days and when I neared it, I smelled something coming from the van that I couldn't quite pinpoint. I had my son check the oil, and while the hood was still open, he tried to start the van to warm it up. Gas spewed out all over the engine.

Four days later, my husband took a look at the van. He was able to move it closer to the shed where his tools are located. The engine caught fire and exploded almost immediately! The van is now totaled and almost burned my house down. If I had been driving it, I'm not sure that I would have been able to get out in time.

I research recalls on the Internet after this happened for the 1999 Dodge Caravan. I found a recall on this site: http://www.dmv.org/vehicle-tire-recalls.php. Certain engines have fuel rails with nitrole rubber O-ring seals that can degrade over time. Fuel leakage from the underhood fuel injection fuel rail could result, increasing the likelihood of a fire.

It was found by the Insurance Co. Investigator that the fire did start in the fuel rail. I never received any information on this recall, even though I have discovered that the recall was originally issued 9/8/2000 and they started notifying owners 1/25/02.

If you own this year model, despite engine size, I urge you to get your engine checked! As I said, I never had any problems with this engine during the last two years. Once it ignited, it exploded almost immediately.