Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints

13,518 consumer complaints on file.

#10342056July 8, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN OCTOBER 2009, ALL OF THE GAUGES AND LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO FAIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT DIAGNOSTIC CODE P1689 CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT DODGE IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. CHRYSLER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IT WAS "NOT THEIR PROBLEM, BUY A NEW CAR." THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342069July 8, 2010
STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 3.3L. SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF PULLEYS WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS, EVEN SLIGHTLY. THIS PRODUCES AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP, ETC., AND WITHIN 15-20 SECONDS THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS. THIS CREATES SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD WITH IMPAIRED STEERING ABILITY ALONG WITH ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE VEHICLE FROM TRAFFIC BEFORE IT OVERHEATS, STALLS, OR ENGINE CATCHES FIRE. THIS SLIPPAGE OCCURS CONSISTENTLY TO THE POINT WE MUST AVOID DRIVING WHEN RAINING (EVEN DRIZZLING) OR EVEN IF ROADS ARE STILL MOIST AFTER A RAIN. WE FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT AFFECTING NUMEROUS MODEL YEAR DODGE CARAVANS, AS WELL AS CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VAN. TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS STATED THE CAUSE IS POOR DESIGN OF THE PULLEY SYSTEM. TWO OF THE PULLEYS ARE SMOOTH-SURFACED AND ONE SIDE OF THE SERPENTINE BELT IS SMOOTH. WHEN A LIQUID (RAIN/SNOW/LUBRICANT, ETC.) IS INTRODUCED TO THE PULLEY SYSTEM, THESE SMOOTH SURFACES ALLOW THE BELT TO EASILY SLIP OFF. DODGE OFFERS TO REPLACE THE TWO SMOOTH PULLEYS WITH GROOVED PULLEYS, AS WELL AS PROVIDE A SERPENTINE BELT WITH DUAL SIDED GROOVES FOR AROUND $400. THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BUT RATHER A POOR DESIGN THAT HAS CONTINUED FOR OVER A DECADE DESPITE EARLY COMPLAINTS. CONSUMERS HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS IN TOWING AND REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY TO FIX THE MANUFACTURERS' SAFETY DEFECTS AND ADD TO THEIR PROFITS IN DOING SO. WAS IT AN INTENTIONAL DEFECT TO BOOST SERVICE DEPT PROFITS? THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL TO REPLACE THE TWO PULLEYS AND SERPENTINE BELT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342080July 8, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NO EVENTS LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE OF THE AC UNIT. FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER FIRST ATTEMPTED USE OF AC FOLLOWING WINTER OF 2010. REAR AC UNIT FAILURE. CORROSION OF THE REAR EVAPORATOR UNIT AND EARLY FAILURE OF THE REAR EXPANSION VALVE. FAILURE BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO POOR PLACEMENT AND OF THE LINES BEHIND THE R/REAR WHEEL AND LACK OF PROTECTION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT OF ROAD SALT, SAND, DEBRIS, ETC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342099July 8, 2010
POWER TRAIN, VISIBILITY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER WINDOWS & POWER LOCKS DON'T WORK ON KEY OR DOORS AND HAVE NOT FOR THE LAST YEAR. NOW TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEARS, I'VE GOT 67,000 MILES AND LUCKILY IT CAME WITH A 7 YEAR 70,000 DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY, THIS THING IS AN ELECTRONIC NIGHTMARE !!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341758July 7, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE BELT TENSIONER ON MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE 3.3L ENGINE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT HAS A DESIGN FLAW, THE BELT COMES OFF WHEN THE VAN IS DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES. I HAVE OWNED MY VAN FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT AND COORDINATING PARTS ABOUT 7 TIMES. I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN AROUND DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS NOR DO I FEEL COMFORTABLE SELLING THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FAMILY AND PASSING THIS SEVERE PROBLEM ON TO THEM. PLEASE COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS DESIGN DEFECT AND DO A RECALL!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341536July 6, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NOISE STARTED AT 13,188 MILES WITH 2008 CARAVAN. TOLD TO FIX FRONT BRAKES, I DID. STILL A NOISE. AT 30K MILES THEY FINALLY FOUND THAT 1 REAR BRAKE CALIPER WAS STICKING THE OTHER WAS FROZEN. I BELIEVE THIS LED TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE REAR BRAKES ARE ALSO A PROBLEM ON THIS CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341538July 6, 2010
WHEELS
DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2008. LEFT FRONT HUB/BEARING ASSEMBLY BAD AT ~38,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341576July 6, 2010
VISIBILITY
2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DESIGN FLAW CAUSES LINES TO CORRODE DUE TO EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS CAUSING THE AIR CONDITIONING TO FAIL. THE FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITIONING DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW ALSO CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HAVE NOT WINDOW DEFOGGING CAPABILITIES, THUS IMPAIRING THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE THE ROAD. INSTEAD OF HAVING THE REAR AND FRONT WINDOWS DEFOGGED USING THE AC VENTS YOU MUST STOP AND WIPE WITH A CLOTH OR JUST CEASE DRIVING ALTOGETHER; THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE DURING WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN. THE DESIGN FLAW CAUSING THE AIR CONDITIONING TO FAIL ALSO POSES A HEALTH RISK TO THOSE TRAVELING WITHIN THE VEHICLE IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES SUCH AS ARE NOW BEING EXPERIENCED THROUGHOUT THE NORTHEAST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341575July 6, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED FIVE TIMES. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED ONCE AND REPLACED TWICE TWO MONTHS AGO. WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED, THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY "FAULTY" DRIVING. CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED THREE TIMES AND WAS REPAIRED. EVERY SEASON THE AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONS. THE REAR HOSES WERE REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH THE COMPRESSOR. THE POWER LOCKS ON ALL OF THE DOORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE PASSENGERS WERE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR ALTHOUGH THE DOOR LOCKS WERE IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION. THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOWS STARTED MAKING A CLANGING NOISE WHEN IT WAS OPENED AND THAT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341591July 6, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1998 DODGE CARAVAN STRUT TOWERS RUSTING THROUGH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341306July 3, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE. MY LOCAL DEALER SAY THERE IS NOTHING FOR THE DEALER TO LOOK AT. IN BOTH CASES THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED RIGHT AFTER I ACCELERATED ON THE INTERSTATE TO PASS A CAR. EVERYTHING GOES DEAD JUST LIKE I TURNED THE CAR OFF. I PUT THE VAN INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IT IS GOING. PULLED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY TO RESTART VAN. NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. IT MAY BE IMPORTANT TO GET ON THE RECORD BECAUSE THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION DEPENDING ON WHERE AND WHEN IT HAPPENS. IF IT RESULTS IN AN ACCIDENT I'LL FILE LEGAL ACTION. DODGE SHOULD KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND PROVIDE FIX IT. BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341317July 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTING OUT NEAR ABS CONTROL AT THE STAINLESS STEEL LINE CONNECTIONS.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340912July 1, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
AIR CONDITIONER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340564June 29, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE AUTO DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING IN MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT WITH KIDS TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR AS ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR HAS A KEY ENTRY. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THE TIME IT TAKES TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR. WE RISK CAR JACKING OR INABILITY TO LEAVE THE CAR QUICKLY IF THERE WAS DANGER. THIS IS A PROBLEM WIDELY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET. YET, DODGE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND IS GOING TO CHARGE $100 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340597June 29, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE LENS COVERS ON THE HEADLIGHTS FOG UP AND LOOKS LIKE THEERE IS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL TAKE NOTE OF IT AND CALL HER BACK. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT SHE HAVE THEM COMPOUNDED. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NEW ONES . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 205000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340702June 29, 2010
PARKING BRAKE
MY WIFE RELEASED THE PARKING BRAKE ON A 2006 DODGE CARAVAN, GETTING READY TO DRIVE IT. THE PARKING BRAKE FOOT PEDAL FLEW UP VERY HIGH, HITTING MY WIFE'S HAND, BREAKING A FINGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10340352June 28, 2010
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON 6/27/2010 MY FAMILY AND MYSELF WERE TRAVELING TO HACKENSACK MN ON HWY 371 AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE MY MINI VAN KEPT INCREASING IN SPEED. NO INJURIES HAPPENED I CALMLY GOT IT TO STOP BUT I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CRUISE WAS ON BUT NOT ACTIVATED. I TRIED TO HIT THE CANCEL SWITCH HIT THE ON OFF SWITCH ALL THE TIME PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE SKID PROTECTION LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES HEATED UP REALLY BAD BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP RACING AND THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OUT UNTIL I SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE THEN CONTINUED OUR TRIP WITH NO MORE INCIDENTS AND I DID TRY TO GET IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN WITH NO LUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340397June 28, 2010
STRUCTURE
2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR OPENS APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES; THEN STOPS. MUST MANUALLY OPEN THE REMAINING DISTANCE. SAME INCIDENT WHEN CLOSED. DOOR AUTOMATICALLY CLOSES UNTIL ABOUT 8 INCHES FROM "FULLY CLOSED". MUST MANUALLY CLOSE DOOR REMAINING DISTANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340322June 27, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHILE THE REAR HATCH OF OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS CLOSING, OUR DAUGHTER WALKED BEHIND THE VAN. THE REAR HATCH CAME DOWN ON HER AND DID NOT STOP. I HIT THE REMOTE FOR IT TO GO BACK UP AND IT BOUNCED ON OUR DAUGHTER AND BEGAN COMING DOWN AGAIN ON HER. I TRIED TO LIFT IT UP WHILE PULLING MY DAUGHTER OUT AND IT CONTINUED TO COME DOWN. THIS VAN HAS BEEN TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK DODGE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR THE POWER SIDE DOORS FAILING. THE SIDE DOORS BOUNCE OPEN UPON CLOSING AND WE FIND ONE OR BOTH DOORS OPEN WHEN RETURNING TO THE VAN FROM A STORE, ETC. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED AS A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO CHRYSLER. WE GET THE SAME RESPONSE EACH TIME, WHICH IS THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE MANY WITNESSES WHO HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN, INCLUDING OUR SALESPERSON. UNFORTUNATELY, INSTEAD OF RECTIFYING THE PROBLEM, OUR DAUGHTER NOW HAS A SERIOUS, COMPLICATED NECK INJURY. SHE IS BEING FOLLOWED BY A PEDIATRIC NEUROSURGEON AT PRESENT. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HER PROGNOSIS WILL BE. TO DATE, SHE HAS HAD X-RAYS AND AN MRI AND REMAINS IN A CERVICAL COLLAR. SHE WILL HAVE MORE X-RAYS IN 2 WEEKS. SHE IS A COMPETITIVE GYMNAST WHO NOW HAS NO ACTIVITY. THE POWER DOORS TO THESE VANS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10340331June 27, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
REAR SIDE POWER DOORS BEGAN TO NOT OPEN, CLOSE OR LOCK PROPERLY. IT STARTED OUT AS INTERMITTENT AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BUT WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. CURRENTLY THE DOORS ONLY OPEN, CLOSE AND LOCK UNLOCK MANUALLY. WITH THE STUCK AUTOMATIC DOOR - THE DOOR REQUIRES EXCESS FORCE TO MANUALLY OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR. AT TIMES, THE DOOR CAN BE OPEN AND THE DOOR OPEN LIGHT DOES NOT REGISTER IT TO BE OPEN. THE CURRENT SITUATION STILL EXISTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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