DodgeCaravan19933.3L/dodge/caravan/1993/3-3l/
AS platform

1993 Dodge Caravan — 3.3L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 Caravan 3.3L.

Body VANEngine 3.3LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1993 Dodge Caravan is a V‑type van built on the AS platform and powered by a 3.3‑liter engine that runs on 4.5 qt of 5W‑30 API oil, paired with a four‑speed automatic transmission and delivering EPA ratings of 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. Its drivetrain and modest fuel economy are complemented by a service‑brake and hydraulic system that historically generates the most owner complaints—1140 across the model’s 1990‑2017 span, alongside ten factory recalls. While the 1993 year sits well below the peak complaint count recorded in 1996 (1,647), it remains above the minimal 2017 figure, indicating a reliability level that is typical for mid‑generation Carr‑Van models rather than the extremes of the line’s history.

Model year201020092008200419931992

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
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · 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filter, fuel filter, spark plug, front wiper blades, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter04306113 discontinued · alt 04213583AB
Fuel filter04682923 discontinued
Spark plugSP0RN14MC5 discontinued · alt 68304174AA
Front wiper blades04389350 discontinued
Serpentine belt04798390 discontinued · alt 04612461
Thermostat04573560AE discontinued · alt 04494470

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.1 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height64.2 in
Wheelbase119.3 in
Curb weight3307 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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 w/ filter

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) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 22,500 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Emission Control System (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 1993 Dodge Caravan sits at the peak of a complaint surge within its generation, recording 1,140 complaints—the highest among the 1991–1995 model years, which climbed from 719 in 1991 to 1,078 in 1992 before declining to 772 in 1994 and 573 in 1995. Recalls and investigations also remain elevated at 10 and 13, respectively, though they are slightly below the generation’s maximums of 11 and 16 seen in 1991–1992. The top complaint area, service brakes (hydraulic), accounts for 328 reports, and the vehicle logged 82 crash-related complaints and 7 fire complaints, indicating a concentration of safety concerns. While the data does not specify root causes, the 1993 model year clearly represents the zenith of owner dissatisfaction in this generation, making it a riskier choice compared to later years like 1994 or 1995, which show substantially fewer complaints and recalls. For a used purchase, avoiding the 1993 model in favor of a later second-generation Caravan is advisable.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
56
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
13
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,140
Owner complaints
82 involved a crash · 7 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,140 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic328
Seat Belts115
Power Train88
Steering87
Engine & Engine Cooling83
Structure81
Visibility51
Electrical System38

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 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 56 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 1993 Caravan 3.3L take?

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

Does the 1993 Caravan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.3L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.