- What you'll get from Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN check?
- Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN.
- 10th Character in the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
- How to find a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
What you’ll get from Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2001, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class: The VIN can indicate the body class of the vehicle, such as a minivan, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Manufacturer Name: The VIN provides the manufacturer’s name, in this case, FCA US LLC, providing crucial information about the vehicle’s origin and potential brand reputation.
- Plant City: The VIN reveals the city where the vehicle was manufactured, for example, Fenton in Missouri, offering insights into its production location.
Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Vehicle History Risk Factors
Dodge’s used vehicle market is heavily weighted toward performance cars and large SUVs — segments where hard use, modifications, and elevated accident rates all affect used vehicle condition. A Bumper VIN check is particularly important for several reasons.
HEMI tick and MDS lifter issues on 5.7L and 6.4L engines. Dodge’s HEMI V8 engines across the Charger, Challenger, Durango, and Ram lineup have documented issues with Multi-Displacement System (MDS) lifter failure, similar to the GM AFM problem. Repair costs are significant. Service records referencing lifter replacement, MDS delete, or oil consumption complaints are red flags on any HEMI-powered used Dodge.
Transmission failures on 8HP70/8HP75 8-speed automatic. Dodge’s ZF-sourced 8-speed automatics have generated owner complaints related to shuddering, hunting for gears, and torque converter issues — particularly in high-performance Charger and Challenger applications with significant power. This is a well-documented TSB item.
Accident frequency on Charger and Challenger. Dodge’s performance cars rank among the highest in accident rates in the used car market — not a knock on the vehicles, but a statistical reality that makes a Bumper accident history check particularly important. A Charger SRT or Challenger Hellcat with three owners and no reported accidents deserves more scrutiny than a minivan with the same profile.
Title issues on modified Hellcat and Demon models. High-value Hellcat and Demon variants are disproportionately represented in salvage title databases. Their high replacement values make total-loss designations more likely after even moderate damage. Title washing is a documented risk on these models.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier, or WMI, is an integral part of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and it serves as a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan, the WMI can reveal both the brand (Dodge) and the country where the vehicle was manufactured. The initial three characters of the VIN represent the WMI. Different WMIs associated with the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan, such as 1B4 or 2C4, indicate the vehicle type and the manufacturing facilities, which can be located in various countries, including the United States and Canada. By examining the WMI, you can glean the origins and manufacturer of your Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan, which is the first step in decoding the VIN and understanding your vehicle’s history and specifications.
List of WMI Codes for a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
WMI: 1B4
- Model Years Covered: 1996-2001
- Example VIN: 1B4GP55L9TB493175
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 2B4
- Model Years Covered: 1996-2001
- Example VIN: 2B4GP45R9TR525090
- Manufacturer Name: FCA Canada Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Windsor
- State or Province: Ontario
- Country: Canada
WMI: 2B8
- Model Years Covered: 2001
- Example VIN: 2B8GT54L01R151172
- Manufacturer Name: FCA Canada Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Windsor
- State or Province: Ontario
- Country: Canada
WMI: 1B8
- Model Years Covered: 2001
- Example VIN: 1B8GP45G71B109905
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 1D4
- Model Years Covered: 2003, 2005-2008
- Example VIN: 1D4GP21303B338346
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 2D4
- Model Years Covered: 2003, 2005-2007
- Example VIN: 2D4GP54L23R208003
- Manufacturer Name: FCA Canada Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Windsor
- State or Province: Ontario
- Country: Canada
WMI: 2D8
- Model Years Covered: 2003, 2005-2008
- Example VIN: 2D8GP74L03R258795
- Manufacturer Name: FCA Canada Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Windsor
- State or Province: Ontario
- Country: Canada
WMI: 1D8
- Model Years Covered: 2003, 2005-2008
- Example VIN: 1D8GP24R43B328451
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Dodge’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes model variant, engine configuration, body style, and restraint system across the Charger, Challenger, Durango, and Ram (now a separate brand) lineups. On Chargers and Challengers, the VDS is critical for confirming the specific engine variant — the 3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI, 6.4L 392 HEMI, and supercharged 6.2L Hellcat/Demon variants are all available on the same body and require completely different maintenance and insurance cost expectations. Dodge muscle cars are among the most frequently modified used vehicles on the market, and confirming factory engine specification via VDS before a pre-purchase inspection is essential to distinguishing factory performance from modified one-off builds.
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 8 | 2008 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| 7 | 2007 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| 6 | 2006 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| 5 | 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| 3 | 2003 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| 1 | 2001 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| Y | 2000 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| X | 1999 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| W | 1998 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| V | 1997 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| T | 1996 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan |
11th Character in the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Fenton | Missouri | United States | St Louis Assembly South | 1B4GP55L9TB493175 |
| F | Newark | Delaware | United States | Newark Assembly | 1D8HN54P08F173407 |
| R | Windsor | Ontario | Canada | Windsor Assembly | 2B4GP45R9TR525090 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
The final 6 characters in a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side for the VIN plate which is visible from outside the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan.
- Inspect the driver’s side door jamb for a sticker or plate when you open the door, as the VIN often appears in this location on the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan.
- Look for the VIN on the vehicle registration card; it should be listed alongside other pertinent details about your Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan.
- Check your Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan’s insurance card/policy, as the VIN will be printed on any document concerning insurance coverage.
- Peek under the hood where the engine is mounted; sometimes, the VIN can be found engraved on the engine block of the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan.
- Review the owner’s manual or maintenance records as these documents usually note the VIN of your Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan.
- If all else fails, consult the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan’s frame as the VIN may sometimes be stamped directly onto the chassis.
Don’t have your Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Van |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 2400.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 146.45698582735 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.4 |
| Drive Type | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Model | SMPI (DOHC 16V) |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Model | Caravan/Grand Caravan |
| Model Year | 2005 |
| Plant City | Fenton |
| Plant Company Name | St Louis assembly South |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Missouri |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | RS |
| Series2 | L (Low Line) |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Trim | Base, C/V |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1D8GP25B*5B |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample VIN | 1D8GP25B35B331393 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
On most Dodge vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan's history for free?
Enter the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN numbers start with?
Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan VIN's start with 1B4, 1B8, 1D4, and 1D8 for vehicles manufactured by FCA US LLC in United States, 2B4, 2B8, 2D4, and 2D8 for vehicles manufactured by FCA Canada Inc. in Canada. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan.
Decode a Dodge VIN
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