DodgeCaravan19953.0L V6/dodge/caravan/1995/3-0l-v6/
AS platform

1995 Dodge Caravan — 3.0L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 Caravan 3.0L V6.

Body VANEngine 3.0L V6Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1995 Dodge Caravan 3.0L V6 is a van built on the AS platform, powered by its 3.0‑liter V6 engine. It carries 4.5 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil with filter, returns an EPA rating of 18/22/19 mpg city/highway/combined, and is mated to a three‑speed automatic transmission. With 573 total owner complaints and four recalls, the 1995 model falls well below the 1996 peak of 1,647 complaints but remains above the 2017 low of a single complaint, placing it in the middle of the 1990‑2017 reliability spectrum for the Caravan line.

Model year2000199919981997199619951994

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
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/22/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 500 CCA battery, 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filter, fuel filter, spark plug, front wiper blades, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-70R15; Short WB: P195-75R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ; P195-75R14 tire: 5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

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 blades04673043 discontinued
Serpentine belt04798390 discontinued · alt 04612461
Thermostat04573560AE discontinued · alt 04494470

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.3 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height64.2 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3325 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 22 / 19 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. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

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

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings38 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Main Bearings60 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugPTU: 6.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugPTU: NS ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca
Optional BCI Group Number34
Optional BCI Cranking Performance685 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24 CANADA

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure35-75 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 8.66 inch DRUM / WITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket25-35 ft-lbs / 15-18 ft-lbs / 30 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130-190 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs / 160 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket25-35 ft-lbs / 15-18 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle130-190 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket30 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle160 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 157.5 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

145.0 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Use new bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil. · M8 Bolts:

125.0 ft. lbs.; M11 Bolts:25 ft. lbs
145.0 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 degrees Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees

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; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering System (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miIgnition Timing (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

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.

In the federal record, 1995 shows 573 complaints, 4 recalls, 6 investigations, and a TSB count of 65, which are lower complaint and recall numbers than the 1994 figures of 772 complaints, 5 recalls, 8 investigations, and 57 TSBs. The complaint peak of the 1990‑2002 generation occurs in 1992‑1993 (1,078 and 1,140 complaints) and again spikes in 1996 (1,647 complaints), indicating a downward trend after the early‑1990s high. For 1995 the dominant complaint categories are Power Train (82), Engine & Engine Cooling (62), Air Bags (58) and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (49), with 67 crash‑related complaints and 8 fire‑related complaints reported. The data does not specify a root cause for these issues, only that the volume of complaints and recalls is modest relative to earlier peak years. Consequently, 1995 represents a comparatively cleaner year in the generation and can be considered a reasonable, though not optimal, choice for a used purchase.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
65
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
6
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
573
Owner complaints
67 involved a crash · 8 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 573 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train82
Engine & Engine Cooling62
Air Bags58
Service Brakes, Hydraulic49
Structure39
Electrical System30
Visibility27
Steering26

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

03E045000EquipmentReported 26/09/2003

AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 17, 2002, AND JANUARY 20, 2003, SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER MAY EXPERIENCE MALFUNCTION OF THE QUICK CONNECTOR EITHER BLOCKING… Remedy: AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS FOR 1995-2000 SHORT WHEELBASE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS PART NO. 18232 AND DATE CODE 0237, 0249, OR…

99V113000Air BagsReported 06/05/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY… Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.

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

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VIN
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Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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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 1995 Caravan 3.0L V6 take?

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

Does the 1995 Caravan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.0L V6 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.