Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints
13,518 consumer complaints on file.
- #10450608March 7, 2012TIRES:VALVE
VALVE STEM BROKE OFF OF TIRE WHEN SERVICE STATION WAS CHANGING OIL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, 3RD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE: PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS . *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10450237March 4, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING. THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED ON THE INTERNET QUITE A BIT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB OR DOOR SWITCH. THE ALSO DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN THE CAR STARTS MOVING THUS CREATING A SAFETY CONCERN FOR KIDS RIDING IN THE BACK. REMOVING THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL RESETS IT SO THAT IT WORKS AGAIN BRIEFLY. THE PROBLEM RECURS AGAIN AFTER A BRIEF TIME. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10450044March 2, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHEN STARTING, THE ENGINE OCCASIONALLY MAKES A RATTLING NOISE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER STATING THAT NO CODES WERE CAPTURED, THEY CLEARED THE CODE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN SO I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE CAM POSITION SENSOR, WHICH THEY SAID WOULD FIX IT. IT DIDN'T AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON WITH A RATTLING AT THE START WHICH NOW OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY. NOW THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AT THE START AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVING AT ROAD SPEEDS AND DRY CONDITIONS. THE VAN LOSES POWER AND IS SLOW TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE TO PULL OVER WHEN DRIVING, OR IF IT OCCURS AT STARTING, I HAVE TO SHUT THE VAN DOWN AND RESTART THE VAN AND THIS CORRECTS THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT TIME IT OCCURS, I WILL JUST DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER AND SHOW THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEEM TO BELIEVE ME OR THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I SEE THAT I AM NOW NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TOO. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10449661February 29, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HI I OWN A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN.HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT A YR. TRIED CONTACTING DODGE THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME OR GIVE ME ANY SUGGESTIONS. THEY SAID BECAUSE THE VAN HAS A LOT OF MILES. I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS ME.I DID HAVE MY MECHANIC CHK IT OUT. HE COULD NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE AFTER 1WK. IT STARTED WITH A DEAD BATTERY,THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD SOMETIMES NOT WORKING,THE AC IS BLOWING HOT AIR OR NOT WORKING AT ALL AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW NOT GOING DOWN.NOW NONE OF THE GAUGES WORK INCLUDING MY GAS GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER,AIR,WINDOW,CAR TEMP AND THE LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON. I AM A SINGLE MOM I CANNOT PAY RIDICULOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR THEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES BUT HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE WITH DODGE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON A ROAD WHERE GAS IS NOT OFF THE EXIT. I AM A MOTHER OF TWO AND THAT'S NOT SAFE. PLEASE SEE IF YOU COULD HELP ME. THANK YOU *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10449406February 27, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V139000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL BUT THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10449414February 27, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED. THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED EACH TIME A WATER PUDDLE WAS DRIVEN OVER. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT A SHIELD BE PLACED OVER THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER INSTALLED THE SHIELD COVER OVER THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10449324February 25, 2012SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
STRUT TOWER ASSEMBLY CORROSION (STRUTS ASSEMBLY COULD COLLAPSE) I AM PROUD OWNER OF DODGE VEHICLES FOR MANY YEARS AND DRIVE A 98 GRAND CARAVAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A STRUT REPAIR THE MECHANIC REFUSED TO REPLACE THE STRUTS AS HE FOUND THE CORROSION AND SAID ITS A SAFETY ISSUE.TO MY SURPRISE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY AMERICAN FAMILIES WHO OWN A SIMILAR MODEL MINIVAN. I WANT THE SAFETY AUTHORITIES TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER IMMEDIATELY. ALL THE VEHICLES WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR GOD FORBIDDEN LOOSES THEIR LOVED ONE IN AN ACCIDENT. CAME TO KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE IN THESE MINIVANS AND SURPRISE THE INSPITE OF KNOWING THE ISSUE THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL ???. I AM A FAMILY PERSON AND CANNOT PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR IN THESE TROUBLE TIME AND REQUEST THE AUTHORITIES TAKE THIS TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND GET A RECALL OUT. HOPEFULLY THIS MAY SAVE SOMEONE. I THINK HAVE DONE MY JOB AND IT IS YOUR TURN NOW. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10449205February 24, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE HORN CONTINUED TO SOUND AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REMAINED ACTIVATED FOR A FEW MINUTES. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,104.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10449808February 23, 2012STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
LETTER FROM SENATOR COLLINS ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, RE THE FRAME OF HER 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE HAS EXTENSIVE RUST, WELL BEYOND WHAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, BECAUSE THE OF THE EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE SUPPORT FRAME. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10449146February 23, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
IN DECEMBER OF 2011, WE DECIDED TO CHECK THE OIL IN OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN BECAUSE THE SOUND OF THE MOTOR SEEMED TO HAVE CHANGED. THE VAN SEEMED TO BE RUNNING A LITTLE LOUDER. WE CHECKED THE OIL, AND SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE STICK. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OIL. WE WASN'T SURE IF IT LEAKED OR BURNED. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ASKED IF WE NOTICED THE OIL LEAKING, WE SAID NO. THEY SAID IN SITUATIONS LIKE THESE WE DOCUMENT THE MILEAGE AND TOP THE OIL OFF AND HAVE YOU COME BACK UP TO 1000 MILES LATER. SO WE DID. WE DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THIS SHOULDN'T BE OCCURRING AND THE VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY BURNING TOO MUCH OIL. THEY KEPT THE VAN MADE A CLAIM WITH NAC OUR VAN WARRANTY COMPANY TO PAY FOR EXPENSES OF REPAIR, AND NAC SENT BACK A REPORT SAYING CHRYSLER VEHICLES ARE EXPECTED TO BURN UP TO A QUART TO A QUART AND A HALF OF OIL FOR EVERY 750 MILES DRIVEN. SO THEY SENT US AWAY WITHOUT REPAIRS. LITERALLY LESS THAN A WEEK AND ABOUT 550 MILES LATER WE WERE BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH MORE THAN 2 QUARTS OF OIL DOCUMENTED BEING BURNED. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT OUR VAN FOR REPAIRS AGAIN...THE WARRANTY REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AND WE ARE DRIVING THE VAN AS IS...IM NOT SURE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES BUT IM SURE THERE ARE MANY THAT CAN BE ASSESSED. I'VE SEARCHED THE WEB AND WE ARE NOT THE ONLY CONSUMERS WHO ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WE CARRY OUR FAMILY OF SEVEN TO AND FROM SCHOOL ETC AND THE PURPOSE OF NEWER VEHICLES ARE TO ENSURE SAFETY AND ELIMINATE WORRIES OF PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10448979February 22, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY
ON 4 OCCASIONS OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS GONE INTO A MODE WHERE THE LIGHTS FLASH, THE HORN HONKS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON, WASHER FLUID SQUIRTS OUT, AND THE DOORS LOCK. WHEN MOVING, IT ALSO APPEARS TO DOWNSHIFT TO LOWER GEAR. ONCE IT STARTS, IT APPEARS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO LET IT RUN ITS COURSE WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO 10 MINUTES (DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY DID NOT MAKE IT STOP). DURING THE TIME IT IS HAPPENING THE KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK. OF THE 4 TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED, IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING AND TWICE WHILE SITTING STILL (ONCE WITH KEY IN IGNITION AND ONCE WITHOUT). I HAVE IT AT THE DEALER AND SO FAR IN 2 DAYS THEY HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING WRONG. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS WHO HAVE THIS EXACT SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE MOVING WHEN IT HAPPENS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10448989February 22, 2012AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON NOW AND THE HORN DOES NOT WORK WHEN PRESSED, BUT WILL WORK WHEN THE PANIC BUTTON IS PRESSED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10448870February 21, 2012SEAT BELTS
INVOLVED IN A NEAR HEAD ON COLLISION. BACK THIRD SEAT, SEAT BELT (LAP AND SHOULDER) FAILED TO TIGHTEN ON IMPACT. VICTIM THEN PROCEEDED TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE DVD OPTION CASE THEN WHIPLASHED FRONT X2 AND BACK X2. LATER IT WAS DISCOVERED MOST OF THE SEAT BELTS IN THIS VEHICLE DO NOT PROPERLY SECURE ANYONE IN POSITION DUE TO NOT TIGHTENING UP WHEN LATCHING OR ON IMPACT. THE SEAT BELT LATCH BUT DOES NOT PULL BACK TO TIGHTEN AND ON IMPACT IT DID NOT TIGHTEN TO SECURE THE PERSON ON IMPACT. THIS PERSON IS NO DIAGNOSED WITH POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME OR MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. HAD THE CAR VEERED IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND ROLLED, HIS DIAGNOSIS COULD OF BEEN MORE SEVERE OR DEATH. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10448544February 20, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN EARLY DECEMBER. DEALER RESET THE ERROR CODE AND SAID IT WAS PROBABLY NOTHING. LIGHT CAME BACK ON A FEW DAYS LATER SO WE BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER - THE CONSULTED WITH CHRYSLER AND REPLACED THE CAM PHASERS AND SAID THAT SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BOTH CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70MPH, GAS PEDAL TO THE GROUND DID NOTHING AND CAR COASTED TO 50MPH BEFORE IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND COAST BACK DOWN AND EVENTUALLY CORRECTED ITSELF BUT LIGHTS REMAINED ON. DEALER CONSULTED WITH CHRYSLER AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE CAM PHASER SENSORS AND SAID THAT SHOULD FIX IT. WITHIN A FEW DAYS SAME THING HAPPENED, DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNED ON AND CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND COASTED DOWN TO 50MPH AND WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND THEN COST DOWN - RPMS WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 1300RPM AND COULDN'T GET ACCELERATION BACK. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER (FORTUNATELY WAS ONLY A FEW MILES FROM THE DEALER) AND THEY HAD IT FOR 2 WEEKS AND CHRYSLER RECOMMENDED REPLACING BOTH WIRING HARNESSES AND THAT SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WITHIN A WEEK, SAME PROBLEM, DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70MPH - CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED, CAR COASTED DOWN TO 50MPH AND WOULD LURCH FORWARD AND COST BACK DOWN. RETURNING CAR TO DEALER AGAIN (MID FEBRUARY). QUITE DANGEROUS TO (REPEATEDLY) LOOSE ACCELERATION AND WITH NO ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED WHEN DRIVING AT 70MPH ON A HIGHWAY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10448330February 17, 2012STEERING
I NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND UPON STARTING THE ENGINE AND THEN WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IT WAS A LOW WHINE. I ALSO NOTICED UPON LEAVING THE VAN AFTER DRIVING A STRONG ODOR OF SOMETHING LIKE OIL ON A HOT ENGINE. I WAITED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND FINALLY TOOK IT TO BE CHECKED OUT BECAUSE NONE OF THE GAUGES WERE SHOWING A PROBLEM AND NOTHING ELSE SEEMED WRONG. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A RACK AND PINION PROBLEM AND SEEMED TO BE COMMON WITH THIS MODEL. INSTEAD OF SPENDING THE $1,200 I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR WOULD BE, I HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY CHECKING THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND MAKING SURE IT IS FULL. WHY, IF THIS IS A "COMMON PROBLEM" (WHICH SEEMS TO BE TRUE ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET) HAS THIS NOT BEEN A RECALL? OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, I LOVE THE GRAND CARAVAN. IT JUST DOES NOT SEEM THAT AT 41,000+ MILES THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10448105February 15, 2012EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WOULD NOT TURN ON. ONLY MY PARKING LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON. AFTER SEVERAL DOZEN ATTEMPTS AT TURNING ON THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS THEY WOULD FINALLY TURN ON. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAVE ALSO FAILED AT NIGHT WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM HOME. THE LIGHTING SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE IS NOT RELIABLE AND I WOULD HOPE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD EXAMINE THIS MATTER CLOSELY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10447893February 14, 2012EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE THE FOG LIGHTS HAVE RANDOMLY CYCLED ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON. HOWEVER LAST SUMMER THE MAIN HEADLIGHTS STARTED RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN ADDITION TO THE FOG LIGHTS CYCLING ON AND OFF DESPITE THE SWITCH FOR THE FOGLIGHTS BEING OFF. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. USUALLY TOGGLING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF CAN GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO TURN BACK ON. RECENTLY I WAS UNABLE TO GET THEM TO COME BACK ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE. I WAS IN A WELL LIT AREA AT THE TIME, BUT THIS IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE. SOMETIMES AFTER I TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE THEY CYCLE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES, BUT I HAVE BEEN LUCKY THEY HAVE NO STAYED ON AND DRAINED MY BATTERY. I SEARCHED FOR THE ISSUE ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RESOLUTION AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS SITES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE 2005 GRAND CARAVAN AS WELL AS THE ISSUE I HAVE WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCKS THAT IS RESOLVED BY REMOVING THE IOD FUSE AND PUTTING IT BACK IN. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS GONE UNADDRESSED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10447748February 13, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK. POWER ON SIDE DOORS DOES NOT OPEN DOORS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10447861February 13, 2012POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FOUR SEPARATE INSTANCES OF AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITHIN 5 MINUTES WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS (5 - 15 MPH). EACH OF THESE INSTANCES IS DESCRIBED BELOW: 1. WHILE TURNING RIGHT OUT OF A GAS STATION AT ABOUT 5-10 MPH, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM SEEMED TO FAIL (I.E., THE CAR WAS STEERING RIGHT AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP FROM CONTINUING RIGHT INTO A CURB). THE BRAKES WORKED FINE AND PREVENTED A COLLISION WITH THE CURB. I HEADED FOR A FRIEND'S HOUSE LOCATED NEARBY. 2. APPROXIMATELY 500 - 1000 FEET LATER, WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 15 MPH ONTO A SIDE STREET, THERE WAS ANOTHER UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS 'LOCKED' LEFT (I.E., THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM AGAIN SEEMED TO FAIL). THE BRAKES ON AND THE CAR COLLIDED WITH THE CURB AT A LOW SPEED (1-3 MPH). HAD TRAFFIC BEEN COMING DOWN THE ROAD, A CAR HEADING TOWARD ME WOULD HAVE HIT THE SIDE OF MY CAR. 3. APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET DOWN THAT STREET, WHILE TURNING LEFT ONTO ANOTHER SIDE STREET, THE ENGINE REVVED AGAIN FOR A SECOND, AND RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE STEERING AND BRAKES WERE NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED. 4. I PROCEEDED SLOWLY DOWN THAT STREET FOR A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 200 FEET AND WAS SLOWING DOWN TO PARK ALONG THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE STREET. WHILE GOING ONLY ABOUT 2 MPH, THE CAR REVVED HARD AGAIN, AND LURCHED FORWARD ABOUT 3 FEET UNTIL I COULD STOP THE CAR. I STAYED AT THE FRIEND'S HOUSE FOR 3 HOURS. 5. A SERVICE STATION WAS NEARBY AND I DROVE SLOWLY TOWARD IT. THE CAR MADE A TOTAL OF 3 RIGHT TURNS AND 2 LEFT TURNS WITHOUT INCIDENT. HOWEVER, WHEN JUST STARTING TO MAKE A 4TH RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO FAIL AGAIN. I STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I PROCEEDED A HALF MILE TO THE REPAIR STATION (WITH 3 LEFT TURNS AND 1 RIGHT TURN), WITHOUT INCIDENT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10447866February 13, 2012STEERING
IMMEDIATELY AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE LOWER SPEED AND ADEQUATE SHOULDER ON THE ROAD ARE THE ONLY THINGS THAT KEPT ME FROM GOING INTO THE DITCH. IT ENDED UP BEING A STEERING GEAR THAT WAS REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT HAS WENT BAD 3 MORE TIMES SINCE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0