Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (1997)

583 consumer complaints on file.

#712465September 29, 1999
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
UPON TALKING TO THE DEALER SALES MANAGER AND SERVICE MANAGER I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO HISTORY OF TRANSMISSIONS FAILURES IN THE MINI VAN. HOWEVER, ON THE NET THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT REPEATED TRANSMISSION FAILURES FOR THE VANS AND THAT IT HAS BEEN OCCURING SINCE THE LATE 1980S AND CHRYSLER DOES NOT CARE. THEY ARE BASICALLY FORCING PEOPLE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPEATEDLY REPAIR THE TRANSMISSIONS INTHE MINIVANS, BECASUE THE OWNERS CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW CAR AFTER HAVING JUST PAID ALMOST $20,000 FOR THE CURRENT VEHICLE. THERE HAS TO BE SOME CONSUMER PROTECTION SOON TO HELP THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROBLEM AND FOR THOSE WHO SOON WILL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CHRYSLER AND ANY FEDERAL AGENCIES WHO MONITOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. THIS TIME I WAS STRANDED AT WORK AND MY KIDS WERE STUCJ AT DAYCARE UNTIL 8:30 PM. WHERE WILL IT HAPPEN NEXT TIME? WILL ONE OF US BE INJURED? SINCE THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WITH NO WARNING IT IS A VERY SCARY PROPOSITION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#712259September 27, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WE RETURNED HOME AT 1:00 PM. WE WERE LEAVING AGAIN AT 1:20 PM. MY WIFE NOTICED THE VEHICLE SMOKING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTED A SMALL FIRE DOWN NEAR THE OIL FILTER. WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARRIVED AND STATED THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT AT OR NEAR THE STARTER. DODGE WAS CONTACTED AND BEGAN A FILE (#6224504) ON THE EVENT. THEY SENT A REPRESENTATIVE, MIKE GIGANTE, TO OUR HOME ON 09/16/99 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. HE COULD NOT SPECIFICALLY SAY WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE BUT HE DID STATE THAT THE FIRE OCURRED AT THE STARTER. WE ARE NOT PRIVY TO THE REPORT FILED BY MR. GIGANTE. DODGE CLAIMS THAT A LETTER WAS MAILED TO US ON THE 21ST OF SEPTEMBER. TODAY IS THE 27TH OF SEPTEMBER AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT. THE WOMAN AT CUSTOMER SERVICE READ THE LETTER TO ME ON 09/27/99 WHICH STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO US. WE STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE; WE CURRENTLY HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE EVEN IF IT IS REPAIRED UNLESS WE KNOW THE CAUSE ; DODGE'S RESPONSE IS UNACCEPTABLE TO US; THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY REASONABLE CONCLUSION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. AFTER WE GET THE BURNT STARTER MOTOR REPLACED COULD IT SPONTANEOUSLY SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE A FIRE AGAIN? WE HAVE THREE YOUNG CHILDREN AND FEAR DRIVING THE CAR AFTER IT IS REPAIRED. WE CANNOT PARK THE CAR ANYWHERE WITHOUT WONDERING WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF A FIRE STARTS AT NIGHT TIME OR WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE OR INSIDE OUR ATTACHED GARAGE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER; WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OURSELVES AS WELL AS FOR OTHERS DRIVING THE 1997 GRAND CARAVAN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#848645September 24, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE ENGINE IS REQUIRING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF COLLANT TO KEEP FROM OVER HEATING . DLR CANT FIND PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#712043September 24, 1999
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE FRONT WIPERS COME ON FOR NO REASON. SOMETIMES THEY JUST WIPE ONCE. OTHER TIMES THEY KEEP WIPING UNTIL WE TURN THE SWITCH "ON" AND THEN BACK TO "OFF." IT IS SURPRISING TO BE DRIVING AND HAVE THE WIPERS START WORKING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#712045September 24, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
ORIGINAL ROTORS FAILED AFTER 17K MI. (VAN STARTED VIBRATING DURING BRAKING ) DEALER REPLACED ROTORS. REPLACEMENTS STARTED TO VIBRATE SEVERELY AFTER 17,000 MILES. DEALER SAID THEY ARE PITTED ON THE INSIDE, MUST BE REPLACED TO STOP THE VIBRATION BUT THEY ARE SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIBRATION MAKES ME QUESTION THEIR SAFETY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#847470September 10, 1999
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
LOCKS ON THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK.THE KEY CONSTANTLY TURNED, AROUND AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY EITHER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#711084September 8, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DUE TO TENSION PULLEY SNAPPING OFF AT ENGINE BLOCK AND CAUSING BRAKE + STEERING ON THE ONE BELT SYSTEM. SERVICEMAN STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM?DOESN'T SOUND SAFE TO ME!
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#710937September 5, 1999
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
PHANTOM WINDSHIELD WIPER TURNS ITSELF ON, MAKES ONE SWIPE, TURNS OFF. FREQUENCY INCREASING. NOW YOU HAVE TO TURN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF. HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#606950September 1, 1999
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WINDSHIELD SEAL/GROMMET FAILED. MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#846335September 1, 1999
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH WINDSHEILD WIPERS OPERATING WHILE IN AN OFF MODE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WOULD ONLY BE DONE IF VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#782872August 31, 1999
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE NEW TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO FAILURE. *ET
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#710664August 29, 1999
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
SINCE MAY 1999, THE WIPERS HAVE BEEN SUDDENLY ACTIVATING WHILE NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO ACTIVATE THEM. THIS SHARPLY DIVERTS DRIVER ATTENTION FROM ROAD CONDITIONS TO WIPERS. IT HAPPENS EITHER SINGLY OR IN MULTIPLE SESSIONS DURING A DRIVE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#710665August 29, 1999
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
SINCE AUG 1998, THE WIPERS HAVE SUDDENLY ACTIVATED WHEN NOT TOUCHED. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER AND CONCENTRATION IS BROKEN/DIVERTED FROM DRIVING ACTIVITIES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#710458August 24, 1999
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
BELT TENSIONER SUFFERED CATISTROPHIC FAILURE CAUSING MAIN BELT TO DISENGAGE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#710400August 23, 1999
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN SWITCH IS OFF. RUNS UP AND DOWN 1 TIME, THEN CUTS OFF (NORMALLY). THIS IS HAPPENING ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IF I CUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN RESTART IT, IT USUALLY DOES IT AGAIN IN A FEW MINUTES. VEHICLE MAY BE MOVING OR PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT, BUT IT NEVER DOES IT TO THEM. IT'S QUITE STARTLING WHEN IT HAPPENS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#845073August 16, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO HAVE THEM PULLED. NOTICED THE ROTORS WERE CORRODED/RUSTED & PITTED. WAS INFORMED ROTORS NOT USABLE & NEEDED REPLACING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#845115August 16, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
FUEL PUMP BROKE WHILE IN MOTION. HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO, BELT TENSIONER BROKE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH/COMPUTER CHIP HAD FAILED & THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP FUNCTIONING AT 65MPH, AND BATTERY WENT DEAD & CAN NOT BE RECHARGED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#709990August 14, 1999
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WIPERS LIFT OFF WINDSHIELD AT 70 MPH, CHRYSLER SAYS CANT FIX.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#709606August 4, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN LOSSING ALL POWER TO BRAKES AND STEERING AS WELL AS ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#782585August 4, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS ARE PITTED AND RUSTED CAUSING POOR CONTACT WITH PADS AND INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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