- What you'll get from Dodge Caravan VIN check?
- Dodge Caravan Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Dodge Caravan VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Dodge Caravan
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge Caravan VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Dodge Caravan VIN.
- 10th Character in the Dodge Caravan VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Dodge Caravan VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Dodge Caravan Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge Caravan
- How to find a Dodge Caravan's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge Caravan
What you’ll get from Dodge Caravan VIN check?
- Model Year and Make: The VIN can provide the model year of a vehicle, like the 2002 Caravan, offering precise information about the vehicle’s manufacture year.
- Engine Details: Details such as the engine size (e.g. 2.4-liter displacement), In-Line configuration, and the number of cylinders (in this case, four) can be extracted, helping to understand the vehicle’s power and performance.
- Drive Type and Brake System: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s drive type, like Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), and its brake system, which is Hydraulic. This can offer insights into the vehicle’s drivetrain and safety features.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: Specifics about the primary fuel type (e.g. Gasoline) and the fuel delivery system (such as Multipoint Fuel Injection - MPFI) are included. This provides clues to the vehicle’s efficiency and performance.
- Safety Features: Details about the presence and location of airbags, including front and side airbags for both driver and passenger in the 1st row, signify the vehicle’s focus on occupant safety.
- Body Class and Weight Rating: The VIN can unveil the vehicle’s body class, such as Minivan, and its gross vehicle weight rating, indicating its size and capacity (e.g. falling within Class 1D - 5,001 to 6,000 lb).
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN can also indicate where the vehicle was built, including the manufacturing plant’s city (Fenton), country (United States), and the name of the assembly plant, providing detailed provenance of the vehicle.
Dodge 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 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Dodge Caravan VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes uniquely identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide specific information about the vehicle type and manufacturing location. For the Dodge Caravan, several WMIs indicate its production by either FCA Canada Inc. or FCA US LLC across years and locations. For example, WMI codes like 2B4 and 2B7 are linked to vehicles manufactured in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, by FCA Canada Inc., covering model years from 1986 to 1995 and 1994 respectively. Similarly, 1B4, 1B8, 1D4, and 1D8 are codes for Dodge Caravans manufactured in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States by FCA US LLC, spanning model years from 1995 to 2004. These identifiers not only confirm the authenticity of the vehicle but also assist in tracking, registration, and recall processes.
List of WMI Codes for a Dodge Caravan
WMI: 2B4
- Model Years Covered: 1986, 1988-1995
- Example VIN: 2B4FK51G4GR652257
- Manufacturer Name: FCA Canada Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Windsor
- State or Province: Ontario
- Country: Canada
WMI: 2B7
- Model Years Covered: 1994
- Example VIN: 2B7GH1130RR559508
- Manufacturer Name: FCA Canada Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Windsor
- State or Province: Ontario
- Country: Canada
WMI: 1B4
- Model Years Covered: 1995, 2002
- Example VIN: 1B4GH54L0SX582844
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 1B8
- Model Years Covered: 2002
- Example VIN: 1B8GP15B02B556452
- 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: 2004
- Example VIN: 1D4GP25R04B535534
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 1D8
- Model Years Covered: 2004
- Example VIN: 1D8GP45R34B601987
- 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 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 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 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 4 | 2004 Dodge Caravan |
| 2 | 2002 Dodge Caravan |
| S | 1995 Dodge Caravan |
| R | 1994 Dodge Caravan |
| P | 1993 Dodge Caravan |
| N | 1992 Dodge Caravan |
| M | 1991 Dodge Caravan |
| L | 1990 Dodge Caravan |
| K | 1989 Dodge Caravan |
| J | 1988 Dodge Caravan |
| G | 1986 Dodge Caravan |
11th Character in the Dodge Caravan VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Dodge 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 | 1B4GP25B02B577129 |
| R | Windsor | Ontario | Canada | Windsor Assembly | 2B4FK51G4GR652257 |
| X | Fenton | Missouri | United States | St. Louis Assembly | 1B4GH54L0SX582844 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge Caravan
The final 6 characters in a Dodge 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’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Dodge Caravan is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Dodge Caravan. The VIN is typically located on a metal plate visible through the windshield.
- Examine the driver’s side door frame for a sticker or plate in the door jamb; the VIN for your Dodge Caravan can often be found here.
- Review the vehicle registration documents for your Dodge Caravan; the VIN should be clearly printed there.
- Check your Dodge Caravan’s insurance card or insurance policy documents; the VIN is usually listed along with other vehicle details.
- For older models, inspect the engine block of your Dodge Caravan; the VIN can sometimes be found stamped onto the metal surface.
- Look underneath the spare tire in the trunk area of your Dodge Caravan; occasionally, the VIN is located in this less common spot.
Don’t have your Dodge Caravan’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge Caravan
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Minivan |
| 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 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 |
| Model Year | 2002 |
| Other Engine Info | Engine Info: 16V, Sales Code: EDZ |
| Plant City | Fenton |
| Plant Company Name | St Louis assembly South |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Missouri |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | RS |
| Series2 | E Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Trim | EC |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1B8GP15B*2B |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample VIN | 1B8GP15B02B556452 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Dodge 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?
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's history for free?
Enter the Dodge 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 VIN numbers start with?
Dodge Caravan VIN's start with 2B4 and 2B7 for vehicles manufactured by FCA Canada Inc. in Canada, 1B4, 1B8, 1D4, and 1D8 for vehicles manufactured by FCA US LLC in United States. 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.
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