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Wikipedia: Dodge Caravan
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History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Dodge Caravan page on 9 August 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Dodge Caravan is a passenger minivan manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and marketed by its Dodge division. Introduced for model year 1984 and now in its fifth generation, the Caravan has been offered in short-wheelbase (1984–2007) and long-wheelbase (1987–present) variants, the latter as the Grand Caravan. The Grand Caravan is the sibling vehicle of the Chrysler Town & Country.
A pioneering minivan, the Caravan has been manufactured and marketed worldwide alongside rebadged variants: the Plymouth Voyager (1984–2001), Chrysler Voyager (1988–2014), Chrysler Town & Country (1989–2016), Chrysler Grand Voyager, Lancia Voyager (2011-2015)), and Volkswagen Routan (2008–2012), selling more than 11 million combined, worldwide.
Since their introduction in November 1983, the Chrysler minivans have outsold other minivans in the United States.
First generation (1984–1990)
Lee Iacocca and Hal Sperlich had conceived their idea for this type of vehicle during their earlier tenure at Ford Motor Company. Henry Ford II rejected the idea (and a prototype) of a minivan in 1974. Iaccoca followed Sperlich to Chrysler, and together they created what was internally designated the T-115 minivan – a prototype that was to become the Caravan and Voyager, known in initial marketing as the Magic-wagons. Chrysler introduced the Dodge Caravan and the Plymouth Voyager in November 1983 for the 1984 model year, using the Chrysler S platform, an extended derivative of the Chrysler K platform. The Renault Espace launched in Europe the same year, and Chrysler began selling the Chrysler Voyager in Europe four years later.
The long wheelbase (LWB) Grand Caravan was introduced in 1987.
Beginning with model year 1987, all trim levels were also available in a long wheelbase variant, marketed as the Grand Caravan, which allowed more cargo space behind the rear seat. Interior trim, controls, and instrumentation were borrowed from the Chrysler K platform|, and coupled with the lower floor enabled by the front-wheel-drive, the Caravan featured car-like ease of entry. There were three trim levels: base, SE, and LE.
Base vans came equipped for five passengers in two rows of seating. The LE came with 7 passengers standard in three rows of seating. The base van had two bucket seats with attached armrests and open floor space between them in the front, a 3-person bench seat in the second row. The 7 passenger came with two bucket seats with attached armrests and open floor space between them in the front, a 2-person bench seat in the second row, and a 3-person bench seat in the back row. The two bench seats in the rear were independently removable, and the large 3 person bench could also be installed in the 2nd row location via a second set of attachment points on the van's floor, ordinarily hidden with snap-in plastic covers. This configuration allowed for conventional five person seating with a sizable cargo area in the rear. The latching mechanisms for the benches were easy to operate though removing and replacing the seats typically required 2 adults. A front low-back 60/40 split bench, accommodating a third front passenger in the middle, was offered in the SE trim level in 1985 only, allowing for a maximum of 8 passengers.This configuration was subsequently dropped.
Safety features consisted of 3-point seat belts for the front two passengers, with simple lap belts for the rear five. Seats on base models and cloth-trimmed SEs had no headrests, which were not mandated due to the van's "light truck" legal status. However, the two front seats were equipped with non-adjustable headrests on the LE model and in conjunction with vinyl upholstery on the SE. Side-impact reinforcements were mandated, and were at all seating positions front and rear. Neither airbags nor anti-lock braking systems were available.
Access to the rear rows of seating was by a large passenger-side sliding door enabling easy access in confined situations, e.g., parking. Because only one sliding door was offered, the smaller 2nd row bench seat was shifted to the drivers side of the van, facilitating passenger access to the 3rd row seat. To facilitate variable cargo storage behind the rear seat, the seat could be adjusted forward in 2 increments, the first of which removed roughly 6 inches (150 mm) of legroom from the back row passengers, and the second of which would push the bench all the way to the back of the 2nd row, making the seats unusable. The seat back of the rear bench could also be folded forward, providing a flat cargo shelf. The smaller 2nd row bench was not adjustable, nor foldable; it could only be removed entirely.
Cargo access to the rear was via a hatchback, similar to the one on the K platform station wagons. The hatch was hinged at the top and held open by gas struts.
A cargo version of the Caravan, called the Mini Ram Van, was also introduced in 1984, renamed the Caravan C/V for 1989 and discontinued after 1995. It was available either with the short- or long-wheelbase models. Unique to the Caravan C/V was the option of either having the traditional hatch door in the back or the optional swing-out bi-parting doors (with or without windows), similar to those of more traditional cargo vans. These doors were made of fiberglass and required the C/V vans to be "drop shipped", as these doors were custom installed by another vendor. Also based on the Mini Ram and C/V were aftermarket conversion vans sold through official Chrysler dealers and from the conversion companies themselves.
Second generation (1991–1995)
From 1991 through 1995, the Caravan used the Chrysler AS platform; they were the last minivans derived from the Chrysler K platform. The increasing popularity of the short wheelbase Caravan had a dramatic effect on the captive import from Mitsubishi, called the Dodge Colt Vista, and was no longer imported to North America starting in 1991.
This generation of vans brought additional innovations, such as:
"Quad Command" bucket seating (1991) Integrated child safety seats (1991), improved design with recliners (1993) Available anti-lock brakes (1991) First driver's side airbag in a minivan (1991) and first dual front airbags (1994) First minivan to meet 1998 U.S. federal safety standards (1993) All-wheel drive was introduced for the minivan. (1991)
Title & Subtitle | Details |
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Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, Chrysler Town & Country Automotive Repair Manual 2003 thru 2006 | Year & Type: 2002 Service Manual Authors: L. Alan LeDoux & John H. Haynes Publisher: Haynes Publishing Group Dimensions: 8.5" x 10.5" softcover Content: 250+ pages w/black & white photos ISBN: 1-56392-469-2 Topics: Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, and Chrysler Town & Country Availability: Reference Desk |
Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Voyager and Town & Country Automotive Repair Manual 2003 thru 2006 | Year & Type: 2006 Service Manual Authors: John Wegmann & John H. Haynes Publisher: Haynes Publishing Group Dimensions: 8.5" x 10.5" softcover Content: 250+ pages w/black & white photos ISBN: 978-1-56392-616-7 Topics: Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Voyager, and Chrysler Town & Country Availability: Reference Desk |
Hurricane Katrina Photo by "Infrogmation" Flipped Caravan in Lower 9th Ward View photo of Dodge Caravan damaged by Hurricane Katrina - 1,940KB Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License". | |
Hurricane Katrina Photo by "Infrogmation" Flipped Caravan in Lower 9th Ward View photo of Dodge Caravan damaged by Hurricane Katrina - 1,467KB Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License". | |
Photo by IFCAR December 27, 2006 View photo of Dodge Caravan - 223KB | |
Illinois State Fire Marshal Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden View photo of Dodge Caravan - Illinois State Fire Marshal - 735KB | |
United States Postal Service Photo ©2012 Bill Crittenden View photo of United States Postal Service (USPS) Dodge Caravan - 4.2MB | |
Flying Food/Servair Photo ©2013 Bill Crittenden View photo of Flying Food/Servair Dodge Caravan - 3.2MB |
Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
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classified date 1992 | Calspan On-Site Air Bag Deployment Investigation Vehicle - 1991 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 68.6MB - 204 pages |
January 2003 | General Dynamics On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Vehicles - 1993 Dodge Caravan / 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup Truck National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 482KB - 25 pages |
August 2005 | Child Safety Seat Fatality Investigation 2002 Ford Expedition 1993 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 3,056KB - 30 pages |
classified date 1994 | Calspan On-Site Adapted Vehicle Investigation Vehicle - 1993 Dodge Caravan SE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 24.9MB - 96 pages |
January 1997 | Calspan Air Bag Deployment Investigation Vehicle #1 - 1994 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 159KB - 28 pages |
December 1997 | On-Site Air Bag Fatality Investigation Vehicle - 1994 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 3,004KB - 27 pages |
October 2004 | Calspan On-Site Child Air Bag Related Fatality Crash Investigation Vehicle: 1994 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 167KB - 17 pages |
classified date 1996 | On-Site Air Bag Investigation 1994 Dodge Caravan SE, 7-passenger minivan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 47.6MB - 228 pages |
January 1997 | On-Scene / Vehicle to Vehicle / Front to Left Side 1995 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 296KB - 19 pages |
classified date 1995 | Calspan On-Site Air Bag Deployment Investigation Vehicle: 1995 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 83.0MB - 105 pages |
classified date 1996 | Calspan On-Site Air Bag Deployment Investigation Vehicle #1 - 1995 Dodge Caravan (Air Bag Equipped) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 25.4MB - 303 pages |
classified date 1995 | In-Depth Accident Investigation 1995 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 9.3MB - 127 pages |
classified date 1996 | On-Site Air Bag Investigation 1995 Dodge Caravan SE, 3-door minivan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 87.3MB - 430 pages |
July 2000 | Veridian On-Site Air Bag Asymmetrical Deployment Investigation Vehicle - 1996 Dodge Caravan SE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 234KB - 12 pages |
May 2003 | On-Site Air Bag Realted Child Passenger Serious Injury Investigation Vehicle: 1996 Doge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 413KB - 19 pages |
classified date 1996 | Calspan On-Site Air Bag/Child Fatality Investigation Vehicle: 1996 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 55.0MB - 162 pages |
classified date 1996 | Calspan On-Site Air Bag Related Child Fatality Investigation Vehicle - 1996 Dodge Caravan SE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 69.3MB - 95 pages |
November 1998 | On-Site Child Air Bag-Related Serious Injury Investigation Vehicle - 1997 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,256KB - 21 pages |
February 2001 | On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Vehicle - 1997 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 405KB - 23 pages |
May 1998 | Remote Investigation / Vehicle to Vehicle 1998 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 429KB - 15 pages |
September 1998 | Remote, Redesigned Air Bag Special Study 1998 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 430KB - 14 pages |
September 1998 | Remote, Redesigned Air Bag Special Study 1998 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 439KB - 9 pages |
December 1998 | On-Site Redesigned Air Bag Investigation Vehicle - 1998 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,152KB - 20 pages |
May 1999 | Redesigned Air Bag Special Study (RABSS) SCI Technical Summary Report RABSS Vehicle - 1998 Dodge Caravan SE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 251KB - 11 pages |
classified date 2000 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 1998 Dodge Caravan, 4-door van National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 36.6MB - 94 pages |
March 2005 | Calspan On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation Vehicle: 1998 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 198KB - 18 pages |
classified date 2007 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 1999 Dodge Caravan, 4-door minivan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 6.7MB - 109 pages |
December 2005 | Calspan On-Site Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2000 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 325KB - 20 pages |
classified date 2001 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 2000 Dodge Caravan, minivan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 5.6MB - 133 pages |
classified date 2007 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 2000 Dodge Caravan, 4-door minivan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 6.2MB - 489 pages |
January 2009 | Not-in-Traffic Surveillance Calspan Remote Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Fatality Investigation Vehicle: 2000 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 816KB - 21 pages |
March 2002 | On-Site Advanced Occupant Protection Systems/Child Safety Seat Crash Investigation SCI Technical Summary Report Vehicle - 2002 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 257KB - 15 pages |
4 June 2003 | Vehicle Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 208 for Occupant Crash Protection: Sled Test 2003 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 7.0MB - 199 pages |
8 April 2008 | Federal-Mogul Corporation: Part 573.6 Notitication From: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation To: Recall Management Division, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 323KB - 3 pages |
8 April 2008 | NHTSA Recall 08E033000 Carquest K7147, Carquest K7329, MasterPro K8683, Moog K7147, Moog K7329, One Source K8683, Parts Depot K8683, Parts Master K8683, Treadsaver K8683, TRW 104353, 1984 Chrysler E Class, 1984-1986 Chrysler Laser, 1984-1990 Chrysler LeBaron, 1984-1988 Chrysler New Yorker, 2001-2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 1989-1990 Chrysler TC, 1990 Chrysler Town and Country, 1984-1988 Dodge 600, 1984-1989 Dodge Aries, 1984-1990 Dodge Caravan, 1984-1987 Dodge Charger, 1984-1990 Dodge Daytona, 1988-1990 Dodge Grand Caravan, 1985-1989 Dodge Lancer, 1984-1988 Dodge Mini Ram Van, 2000-2005 Dodge Neon, 1984-1990 Dodge Omni, 1984 Dodge Rampage, 1987-1990 Dodge Shadow, 1989-1990 Dodge Spirit, 1995-2000 Ford Contour, 1999-2002 Mercury Cougar, 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique, 1989-1990 Plymouth Acclaim, 1985-1988 Plymouth Caravelle, 1988-1990 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 1984-1990 Plymouth Horizon, 2000-2001 Plymouth Neon, 1984-1989 Plymouth Reliant, 1987-1990 Plymouth Sundance, 1985 Plymouth Turismo, 1984-1990 Plymouth Voyager SuspensionNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
24 April 2008 | Ball Joint Recall Attachment A Ball Joint Affected Date Codes and Applications Federal Mogul NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 57KB - 1 page |
2 May 2008 | Campaign #08E-033 From: Joe Stephan, Federal-Mogul Corporation To: Distributors NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 70KB - 2 pages |
5 May 2008 | Aftermarket Ball Joint Assemblies From: George H. Person, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration To: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 121KB - 3 pages |
21 July 2008 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 51KB - 1 page |
22 September 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 207: Seating Systems 2008 Dodge Caravan SE 5-Door MPV National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 14.6MB - 160 pages |
October 2008 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 14KB - 1 page |
January 2009 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 28KB - 1 page |
4 February 2009 | From: George H. Person, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration To: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 43KB - 1 page |
April 2009 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 25KB - 1 page |
July 2009 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 36KB - 1 page |
August 2009 | Calspan On-Site Rollover Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2007 Dodge Caravan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 466KB - 13 pages |
October 2009 | Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information Federal Mogul Corporation NHTSA Recall 08E033000 | PDF - 43KB - 1 page |
Type & Item # | Name | Details |
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Die Cast - Hot Wheels 18173-1910G2 | Dodge Caravan | 1998 First Editions, small scale, metallic dark purple w/Dodge Caravan graphic in yellow, black & white |
Date | Article | Author/Source |
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10 February 1997 | NHTSA CONTINUES TO MONITOR CHRYSLER HATCH LATCH REPLACEMENT RATES IN OLDER VEHICLES | NHTSA |
2 January 2014 | Dodge Caravan Rebuilt Transmission Now Sold at Automotive Rebuilding Company Website | PowertrainPros.com |
8 April 2015 | Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition, DP14-002 | Frank S. Borris II |
17 May 2016 | Notice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for Minivans | Federal Register: FTA (Ellen Partridge) |