2007 Dodge Caravan Safety Review
Dodge Caravan Safety Review
Safety - 9.1 (Excellent)
The Caravan scores comparably to its competitors in government crash tests, but the optional side curtain air bags are strongly recommended. Safety-conscious buyers may be disappointed that the Caravan lacks many accident avoidance features available with other minivans -- such as all-wheel drive and parking assist.
In government crash tests, the 2007 Dodge Caravan receives 5 out of 5 stars for both driver and passenger protection in frontal crashes. In side impact crash tests, it earns 4 out of 5 stars for front seat occupant protection and 5 out of 5 for rear seat occupant protection. The Caravan also receives a 4-star rollover rating, which is in line with other minivans such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not rated the 2007 standard Caravan, but gives the Grand Caravan its second highest rating of "acceptable" for front crashes. Buyers should keep in mind that IIHS gives the Grand Caravan an "acceptable" rating in side impact crashes for models with side curtain air bags in all rows, but a "poor" rating (the worst possible) for models without side curtain air bags.
Accident Avoidance
The standard Caravan lacks many of the accident avoidance features available on competitive minivans. Neither the SE nor SXT Caravan has standard anti-lock brakes (ABS), which are widely considered as basic safety features on modern-day vehicles. SXT buyers can upgrade to ABS, but this option isn't available on the SE model. All-wheel drive, traction control, and stability control features are not available with any Caravan models.
Rear parking assistance isn't available on the Caravan SE or SXT -- even as an option. Automotive.com makes the case that parking assistance would be worthwhile: "It's easy to tell where the rear is, but the height of the windows blocks the view of low objects, like that expensive sports car you don't want to scratch."
Crash Protection
Dodge offers full length side curtain air bags (protecting all three rows) as an optional upgrade for the Caravan. Edmunds points out that this is an "important upgrade," and while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not provided safety ratings for the 2007 Caravan, it gives Grand Caravans without side curtain air bags its lowest rating of "poor." Grand Caravans are upgraded to "acceptable" when side curtain air bags are in place.
A "Driver Side Inflatable Knee-Bolster Airbag" comes standard on all models of Caravan. In the event of an accident, the knee air bag keeps the driver in a position where the front air bag protection and seat belts can be most effective.
Advanced Safety Systems
Sliding door alert warning comes standard on all Caravan models. With this system, the exterior lights flash when a sliding passenger door is open, so that other drivers know that passengers may be entering or exiting the vehicle.
