Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (1996)

1,157 consumer complaints on file.

#757520January 29, 2002
STRUCTURE:BODY
SERVICE AGENT DETERMINED/CONFIRMED ANTI-FREEZE COOLANT LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPET AND DOOR SILL AREA. THE LEAK MADE AN OFFENSIVE ODOR, FERMENTING THE CARPET, AND THE RESIDUAL SMELL/ANTIFREEZE FUMES APPEARS UNHEALTHY TO BREATH IN. THE LEAK WAS DETECTED BY VISIBLE SUBSTANTIAL WETNESS OF THE CARPET AREA ABOUT THE SILL AREA. CARPET BECAME SLIGHTLY DISCOLORED/STAINED BY THE ANTI-FREEZE LEAK. THE ACTUAL LOCATION OF THE LEAK COULD NOT BE DETECTED WITHOUT THE COMPLETE DISASSEMBLY OF THE REAR INTERIOR TRIM. A QUOTE OF OVER $230 IN MATERIALS AND $430 IN LABOR WAS GIVEN TO REPAIR THE LEAKING CORE. THIS IS AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF COST, AND OFFERS A POTENTIAL UNHEALTHY SITUATION IF LEFT UNREPAIRED. THE OWNER CANNOT FORESEE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH MAGNITUDE OF COSTS, AND MUST TRY TO SEEK A LESS EXPENSIVE REMEDY. NOTE, THE SERVICE AGENT WOULD NOT DISCONNECT/SHORT CIRCUIT THE HEATER CORE LINES TO DISCONNECT/REMOVE THIS HEATER CORE FROM SERVICE; HENCE AN IMPASSE REMAINS. THE OWNER WILL BE FORCED TO DO SAME TO ELIMINATE THE PERSISTENT LEAK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#757410January 27, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
THIS IS A FOLLOWUP ON ODI 757303 VOQ SUBMITTED 01/24/2002 BY OWNER FOR ORIGINAL GAS TANK VENT ASSEMBLY LEAK. A CERTIFIED DODGE SERVICE AGENT HAD REPLACED MY ORIGINAL GAS TANK AND VENT ASSEMBLY WITH NEW GAS TANK AND VENT ASSEMBLY, AS THE ORIGINAL VENT ASSEMBLY IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED; HENCE A NEW GAS TANK WAS REQUIRED FOR A REPLACEMENT PART. THIS PART SYSTEM CONTAINED A REDESIGNED VENT ASSEMBLY AND GAS TANK. AFTER TANK/VENT ASSEMBLY REPLACMENT WAS COMPLETED ON 01/24/2002, CAR WAS RETURNED TO OWNER. ON 01/27/2002, THE OWNER'S WIFE PROCEEDED TO "FILL UP" THE GAS TANK. OWNER'S WIFE REPORTED STRONG RAW GASOLINE FUMES. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE NOTED VISIBLE GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE NEWLY REPLACED GAS TANK AT THE VENT ASSEMBY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AS THE OWNER MEASURED A CLEARANCE DISTANCE OF ONLY NINE (9) INCHES FROM THE HOT SURFACE OF THE REAR MUFFLER ASSEMBLY WITH NO THERMAL SHIELDING. THE OWNER HAS IMMEDIATELY NOTIFED THE SERVICE AGENT. THE OWNER QUESTIONS THE APPROPRIATENESS, "DESIGN" AND LOCATION OF THE PRESENT VENT ASSEMBLY ON THE GAS TANK, IN LIGHT OF THIS LEAK. A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS OR EXPLOSIVE SITUATION COULD EXIST..*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#757281January 24, 2002
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A GRAND CARAVAN ES PURCHASED NEW IN 1996. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO THE AIR BAG, CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN ALL QUIT AT ONCE. BEING UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN CLOCK (SP.) SPRING LOCATED BEHIND THE AIR BAG. THIS DEVICE APPARENTLY AFFECTS ALL THREE NON-WORKING SYSTEMS, AND WAS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM, $350 TO FIX. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH DODGE TRUCKS AND A RECALL "COULD BE IN THE WORKS" ADDITIONALLY, FOR SOME REASON DURING COLD WEATHER MY TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING, AS THE LEVER ENTERS THE STALK IN THE CLOCK SPRING AREA I SUSPICION IT IS AFFECTING THEM ALSO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#757303January 24, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
OWNER REPORTED RAW FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK. PREVIOUS TSB #845 RECALL (O-RING) WAS PERFORMED 04/21/2000 AND VERIFIED OK. SERVICE AGENT REPORTS VENT ASSEMBLY ON GAS TANK DEFECTIVE AND LEAKING. FIX INVOLVED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF GAS TANK WITH NEW MODEL, AS PRESENT VENT ASSEMBLY IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED NOR COMPATIBLE WITH ORIGINAL TANK. DODGE POST WARRANTY PARTICIPATED FOR 50% OF MATL COST OF TANK ONLY. DISSATISFIED OWNER MADE TO INCUR $302 MATL/$100 LABOR + TAX TO INCUR FIX. OWNER REQUESTED DEFECTIVE PART; DODGE SERVICE AGENT REFUSED CITING NOT APPLICABLE TO EXTENDED POST WARRANTY OFFER AND NEED FOR SERVICE REP TO ACCOUNT FOR SAME. WOULD ONLY RELEASE PART IF OWNER FULLY PAID FOR FIX. (SOUNDED LIKE A RUSE.) OWNER WAS FORCED TO ACCEPT OFFER IN LIGHT OF SAFETY CONCERNS. SUGGEST INVESTIGATION OF DEFECTIVE PART, AS CURRENTLY HELD BY SERVICE AGENT AND WHY ORIGINAL PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO ACCOMMODATE REPAIR MAKING THE FIX TO MANUFACTURER'S NEW DESIGNS(DESIRES)? OWNER HAS EXPRESSED HIS TOTAL DISSATISFACTION TO SERVICE AGENT WITH NO RESULTS, SHORT OF SUGGESTED WITHDRAWAL OF OFFER. SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED IF OWNER DID NOT WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "FIX" HE WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE OWNER NOT COMPLETELY FILL UP THE GAS TANK. OWNER NOTES AN EXTREMELY CLOSE PROXIMITIY OF THE DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL (AND REPLACED) PLASTIC VENT ASSEMBLY TO REAR MUFFLER ASSEMBLY. THE REPLACEMENT TANK IS ALSO PLASTIC. THE ORIGINAL GAS TANK WAS REPORTED TO BE "GOOD" AT TIME OF RECALL, AND AT TIME OF REPLACEMENT. SERVICE MANAGER ALLUDED TO FREE REPLACEMENT OF TANKS SHOWN TO BUCKLE OR BOW AT TIME OF RECALL #845. SIMILAR OFFER WAS NOT EXTENDED AT PRESENT TIME OF REPLACEMENT OF GAS TANK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#757228January 23, 2002
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME, MANUFACTURER STATES OUT OF WARRANTY THIS TIME. EXTREMELY RUDE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT CHRYSLER HOTLINE STATED CAR IS OLD AND NO ONE IN THE CHYRSLER CORPORATION CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HISTORY OF THIS TRANSMISSION IS POOR AND MANUFACTURER DEFECTS ARE CLEARLY THE CAUSE.PLEASE HELP MAKE CHRYSLER UNDERSTAND ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8002620January 22, 2002
AIR BAGS
HORN COMMUNICATION WORKS INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND OFF. AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON DASHBOARD, AND THERE IS NO CRUISE CONTROL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AKTHE FAILED PART IS THE CLOCK SPRING. THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED CONCERNING THIS PART. THE ONTARIO SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS ISSUED. *JG
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900957January 17, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 33-0270-578. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900974January 17, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE, HE PULLED OVER AND HEARD A FUNNY NOISE, THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HOOD, CLAIM 35-W757-894. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900975January 17, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLED, CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO FIND IT ON FIRE, FIRE SEEMED TO COME FROM THE UNDERSIDE AND NOT THE ENGINE AREA, DUE TO THE FUEL LINE RUBBING AGAINST THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL, THIS CAUSED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE, THUS CAUSING THE FIRE, CLAIM 16-N141-453. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900976January 17, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMERS DAUGHTER INFORMED HER THAT VEHICLE WAS SMOKING, CONSUMER WALKED OUT TO SEE VEHICLE SMOKING AND IN FLAMES, PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD COMPLAINED THAT VEHICLE IDLED FAST AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE, CLAIM 52-2509-400. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900977January 17, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CLAIM 35-W700-085. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900978January 17, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS DROPPING OFF NIECE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY, AFTER DRIVING PAST 4-5 HOUSES, CONSUMER SAW ORANGE AND STOPPED, VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, CONSUMER HAD HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL LINE, CLAIM 49-3238-941. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900979January 17, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN CARPORT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 03-3171-084. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900980January 17, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER TOOK CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND COULD SMELL GAS, CONSUMER HAD RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALER HE DID NOT BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH THE RECALL, AFTER PACKAGE, VEHICLE WENT INTO HOUSE, NEIGHBOR CALLED HER AND STATED HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED, CLAIM 20-5211-880. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900981January 17, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE LEAVING HOME, CONSUMER HEARD A POFF, WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, IT WAS SMOKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE MAIN HARNESS IS MELTED, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF A FIRE, CLAIM 25-5394-275. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900982January 17, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 04-1215-889. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#6900983January 17, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WAS FLAGGED DOWN BY A PASSING MOTORIST AND WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE FAN BELT CAUSED THE FIRE, CLAIM 17-9113-989. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#9005193January 17, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
AIRBAG LIGHT CAM ON, I NO LONGER HAVE WORKING HORN OR CRUISE CONTROL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#756928January 16, 2002
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIRBAG LIGHT , HORN,AND CRUISE DOESN'T WORK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8002186January 15, 2002
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD NOT TRAVEL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS NOW ON 3RD TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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