LATCH in 2001 Dodge Caravan??

agurlsride · Feb 24, 2008

Can someone please confirm that the 01 Grand Caravan Sport has LATCH in all 5 rear seating positions? I am in the process of trying to qualify for a loan for this vehicle (not easy when you have crappy credit). I have not seen the van in person but the dealer is running my info and will have an answer for me tomorrow. I know it has the Gen3 buckles at least in the third row but if the van has LATCH that would make me feel a lot better about buying it. If everything works out I will go and test drive the van tomorrow.
TIA!
Also..if there is anyone who owns a Caravan (not particular on the year) can you tell me how you feel about it....please include the year and model...THANKS!

CDNTech · Feb 24, 2008

There is LATCH in both captain's chairs/second row bench (depending on options) and in the *outboard* positions in the third row. You *may* borrow anchors from the outboard positions for a LATCH install in the center position, BUT then you can NOT use LATCH in the outboard positions.

There are tether anchors in ALL rear seating positions. The 3rd row center position is a lap belt only and IF you have three harnessed seats back there you should not have to worry about someone unbuckling them... nothing should be up against them.

ETA: We owned an '03 (Grand Caravan Sport with captain's chairs and 50/50 split 3rd row bench) for 4 years and now have an '08 (Grand Caravan SXT with swivel n' go and 60/40 3rd row split bench). We really liked it. I *love* the new changes on the '08, but really enjoyed some of the friendly carseat features of our '03... for instance, you could install the carseat with LATCH and still flip the seat forward to gain easy access to the third row. There were also tethers in all positions and it was easy to install seats in that vehicle.

agurlsride · Feb 24, 2008

aidensmom02 said:
There is LATCH in both captain's chairs/second row bench (depending on options) and in the *outboard* positions in the third row. You *may* borrow anchors from the outboard positions for a LATCH install in the center position, BUT then you can NOT use LATCH in the outboard positions.

There are tether anchors in ALL rear seating positions. The 3rd row center position is a lap belt only and IF you have three harnessed seats back there you should not have to worry about someone unbuckling them... nothing should be up against them.

ETA: We owned an '03 (Grand Caravan Sport with captain's chairs and 50/50 split 3rd row bench) for 4 years and now have an '08 (Grand Caravan SXT with swivel n' go and 60/40 3rd row split bench). We really liked it. I *love* the new changes on the '08, but really enjoyed some of the friendly carseat features of our '03... for instance, you could install the carseat with LATCH and still flip the seat forward to gain easy access to the third row. There were also tethers in all positions and it was easy to install seats in that vehicle.

Fabulous!...That all sounds awesome...did you have any major mechanical issues with your 03?

BABYGIRLLYNDSEY · Feb 24, 2008

You know you can also do a carfax history report if you have the VIN number. It's nice to know about the vehicle before you purchase it. We just bought a 05 Ford Explorer last month and did one before we purchased it. The fee was I think $24 so we narrowed the vehicles down to that one and did the check on that. It is carfax.com.

Sorry I can't help on the latch stuff but thought you might want info on the machanical stuff. :thumbsup:

CDNTech · Feb 24, 2008

We had no issues with the '03 at all. The power steering was starting to make a noise, so we would eventually need to replace that, but it's not expensive at all... otherwise it was perfect. We traded in for the '08 because our lease was coming due and the new van payment was the same as the old payment... and I was itching for a new vehicle.

Friend's of ours have an '01 and other friend's have an '00... neither have had issues with their vans either.

This forum will be able to tell you all about the van (mechanically wise)...
http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/forumdisplay.php?f=38

MysticalMama0306 · Feb 24, 2008

We have a 2001 Chrysler T&C which is just like the Caravan. And all seats have latch. Our manual says in the back bench that you can only use two at the same time in the back though. Not sure if that's all exactly the same for the Caravan though.

agurlsride · Feb 24, 2008

aidensmom02 said:
We had no issues with the '03 at all. The power steering was starting to make a noise, so we would eventually need to replace that, but it's not expensive at all... otherwise it was perfect. We traded in for the '08 because our lease was coming due and the new van payment was the same as the old payment... and I was itching for a new vehicle.

Friend's of ours have an '01 and other friend's have an '00... neither have had issues with their vans either.

This forum will be able to tell you all about the van (mechanically wise)...
http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/forumdisplay.php?f=38

Cool,
Thanks for the info and the link...I'm sure I'll visit it often!

agurlsride · Feb 24, 2008

MysticalMama0306 said:
We have a 2001 Chrysler T&C which is just like the Caravan. And all seats have latch. Our manual says in the back bench that you can only use two at the same time in the back though. Not sure if that's all exactly the same for the Caravan though.

I'd realistically only need 2 at a time in the back anyway...thanks for the info!

agurlsride · Feb 25, 2008

BABYGIRLLYNDSEY said:
You know you can also do a carfax history report if you have the VIN number. It's nice to know about the vehicle before you purchase it. We just bought a 05 Ford Explorer last month and did one before we purchased it. The fee was I think $24 so we narrowed the vehicles down to that one and did the check on that. It is carfax.com.

Sorry I can't help on the latch stuff but thought you might want info on the machanical stuff. :thumbsup:

You're totally right about the Carfax. I have the VIN number, I should do that today....thanks!

merryathome · Feb 25, 2008

Before you buy....we currently own a Chrysler T&C (pretty much same thing as a Dodge Caravan.) Both of these cars have a problem with the seatbacks collapsing. If you see the thread, the info is on there. We are getting ready to sell ours and purchase either the Kia Sedona or the Ford Freestar, much safer alternatives...

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=37064

Good luck. (It's about the 4th post or so down)

agurlsride · Feb 25, 2008

merryathome said:
Before you buy....we currently own a Chrysler T&C (pretty much same thing as a Dodge Caravan.) Both of these cars have a problem with the seatbacks collapsing. If you see the thread, the info is on there. We are getting ready to sell ours and purchase either the Kia Sedona or the Ford Freestar, much safer alternatives...

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=37064

Good luck. (It's about the 4th post or so down)

Thanks for the great info. The only problem for us is that its either this or nothing. We have horrible credit, it has taken us a while to find a place that will finance us (we dont have enough to buy outright) and the Caravan is the only family vehicle they have. I'd wait to see if they got something new but right now we are driving a Jeep Cherokee...it seats 5 and there are 6 of us and during the summer there will be 7 of us. Its a bit of a dilemma. Of course I want my family to be safe but I'm kind of at a loss here.

merryathome · Feb 25, 2008

Sometimes dealers can get cars from other dealers...you could just check and see if they are willing to do that... Good luck!

CDNTech · Feb 25, 2008

merryathome said:
Before you buy....

If you read that entire thread, you will see that it is NOT a problem specific to this model of vehicle or even this specific brand. This is an issue *across all* vehicles and I would personally *not* limit my decision based on one article like this. Just my :twocents:

LATCH in 2001 Dodge Caravan??

agurlsride

New member

CDNTech

Senior Community Member

agurlsride

New member

BABYGIRLLYNDSEY

Well-known member

CDNTech

Senior Community Member

MysticalMama0306

New member

agurlsride

New member

agurlsride

New member

agurlsride

New member

merryathome

New member

agurlsride

New member

merryathome

New member

CDNTech

Senior Community Member

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Sponsors

Forum statistics