Dodge Grand Caravan
2001 modelsresults also apply to: 2001 Chrysler Town & Country
MODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST
OVERALL EVALUATION:
| Structure/safety cage | Injury measures | Restraints/dummy kinematics | |||
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| Head/neck | Chest | Leg/foot, left | Leg/foot, right | ||
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Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.
Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor
Test details:
The Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country were redesigned for the 2001 model year.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of the Grand Caravan in three 40 mph frontal offset crash tests into deformable barriers. After the first test, DaimlerChrysler indicated the results were different from tests the company had conducted and requested a retest.
Results of the second test were more consistent with company test results for structural performance, but the amount and pattern of intrusion were similar. More significantly, a fuel leak occurred, revealing a weakness in the design of a circular fitting where the fuel lines exit the fuel tank. Further examination of the fitting in the van tested first showed stress fractures in the same area as the leak in the second van.
A third test was conducted after DaimlerChrysler made a design change to fix the fuel tank fitting and retrofitted a 2001 model with the redesign (all 2002 and later models include the modification). Examination of the redesigned fitting after the third test indicated no damage.
Because the 2001 models were not recalled to fix the fuel tank fitting, the structural rating is Poor, as is the overall rating, because of the potential for fuel leakage in a crash of this severity.
Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled in all three tests. There was too much upward movement of the steering wheel in the second test.
Injury measures — Measures taken from the neck and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity in all three tests. High accelerations occurred when the dummy's head hit the steering wheel through the airbag, indicating that injuries to the head would be possible in the first and second tests. Forces on the left femur indicate that injuries to the upper leg would be possible in the first and third tests. Forces on the right tibia and foot indicate that injuries to the lower right leg and foot would be likely in all three tests.
Left to right:
- Action shot taken during the last of three frontal offset crash tests
- The driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well, as indicated by the dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the third crash test.
- The dummy's head bottomed out the airbag and hit the steering wheel in the first two tests. In the second test (pictured), there also was too much upward movement of the steering wheel.
- In the second test, a large amount of the fluid in the fuel system leaked from a circular fitting (green plastic) on top of the fuel tank. Leaking fluid is visible (arrow) running down the side of the black plastic fuel tank.
Additional features:
- Side airbags: front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags (optional)
- Built-in child restraints (optional)
- Antilock brakes
- Daytime running lights (optional on vehicles sold to fleets)
Tested vehicle specifications:
- 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
- Class: Minivan
- Weight: 4,224 lbs.
- Side airbags: front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags (in first and third vans tested, none in second van tested)
- Wheelbase: 119 in.
- Length: 200 in.
- Width: 79 in.
- Engine: 3.3 L V6
- EPA ratings: 18 mpg city | 24 mpg highway
