Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints

13,518 consumer complaints on file.

#10245544October 15, 2008
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED, THEN BRAKES. SERPENTINE BELT WET FROM RAIN CAUSED POWER STEERING & BRAKES TO FAIL RESULTING IN VEHICLE FLIPPING ON ITS SIDE ON I-75. SERVICE DEPT SAID THAT THE POWER STEERING, ETC WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN WHEN BELT GOT WET. THIS WAS A NORMAL RAIN. VEHICLE WAS NOT IN HIGH WATER. VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY TOTALED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10245582October 15, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POOR TRANSMISSION DESIGN ROBERT C HODGKISS GENTLEMEN: I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND WHILE GOING DOWN A LONG STEEP SECTION OF ROADWAY I DOWN SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLOW THE VAN DOWN BUT BEING SUCH A STEEP GRADE THE VAN INCREASED SPEED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR, ENDING UP FREE WHEELING, LEAVING ONLY THE BREAKS TO SLOW THE VAN DOWN. (IF YOU ARE GOING TO FAST TO START WITH IT WON?T EVEN DOWN SHIFT). NOW I ASKED THE MECHANIC, WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOOSE MY BRAKES, THE ANSWER HE HAD WAS IT?S A DESIGN FEATURE, SO I CONCLUDED THAT IF I WOULD PUSH ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK, WHICH LOCKS, THAT WOULD PUT ME INTO AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE WHICH MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. WHAT IF YOU ARE COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, YOU WOULD HAVE TO APPLY THE BREAKS TO KEEP THE TRANSMISSION IN A LOWER GEAR. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR BREAKS FAIL, THAT?S RIGHT THE VAN SHIFT UP TO FREEWHEELING? LEAVING YOU TO DO WHAT, USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK WHICH LOCKS YOU INTO A SKID. BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED THE SECOND TIME TO UNLOCK. NOW I ?AM SURE EVERYBODY CAN REMAIN CALM AND REMEMBER TO DO ALL THIS WHILE TOWING A TRAILER WITH YOUR WIFE AND SIX CHILDREN IN THE BACK OF THE VAN, SCREAMING WHAT IS THE MATTER? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245389October 14, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I OWN A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING FOR SECOND TIME . PARTS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER WORKED FOR A WHILE AND THEN STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAIN EVENT. WINDOW DOES NOT WORK CURRENTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245395October 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THE CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING,OCCASIONALLY WON'T SHIFT AFTER DYING AND RESTARTING. ALL WARNING LIGHTS GO ON AND SOMETIMES STAY ON OR FLASH ON AND OFF. HAVE RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ALSO HAD SLIDING DOORS OPEN ON THEIR OWN HAD THAT FIXED THEN THEY WOULDN'T CLOSE WITH BACK ACCESS BUTTON, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A LOOSE WIRE HAD THAT REPAIRED, THEN REAR BUMPER WARPED SO BACK DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN, HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO HAVE THAT FIXED, BASICALLY MY CAR IS IN FOR REPAIR MOST OF THE TIME AND I HAVE A SMALL RENTAL OF WHICH THIS TIME I HAD TO PAY FOR A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND IT COSTS ME 50.00 EVERY TIME I HAVE TO RENT ONE. I HAVE 4 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN WHO HAVE APPOINTMENTS UP TO 300 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND TRAVELING ALONE WITH MY CHILDREN AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH THEM FOR THESE DISTANCES. THE LAS TIME THE CAR DIED I ALSO HAD TWO FOSTER CHILDREN WITH ME, SIX KIDS AND THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING IT AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT SO I BRING IT HOME SOMETIMES WITH 200 MILES ADDED ON IT AND AN EMPTY GAS TANK. I THINK IT'S TIME CHRYSLER CORP. TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF MY HANDS SO I CAN PURCHASE A RELIABLE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245437October 14, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SOMETIMES THE FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO EMPTY SUDDENLY, AND A LITTLE LATER, IT WILL GO BACK TO THE ACTUAL READING. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT COULD BE REPORTED. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245282October 13, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THIS MORNING (WELL BEYOND HOME AND THE POINT WHERE THE AUTOLOCKS SUPPOSEDLY ENGAGED) WHEN MY 2-YEAR OLD MANAGED TO PUSH THE SIDE DOOR RELEASE BUTTON WITH A TOY AND THE DOOR STARTED TO SLIDE OPEN. THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK INDICATOR TAB ON THE DOOR INDICATED THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS ENGAGED. UPON ARRIVAL AT WORK, I GOOGLED THIS AND FOUND MULTIPLE REPORTS OF FAILING LOCKS. I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR TO FIND IT UNLOCKED, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE HORN HAD SOUNDED INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO LOCK THE LIFT GATE, SO IT APPEARS TO ME AS IF MY CAR IS PERMANENTLY UNLOCKED. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN THE DOOR CAN BE TRIGGERED IN MOTION OR SOMEONE COULD ENTER MY CAR THROUGH THE LIFT GATE. WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS OUT THERE - HOW IS THERE NOT AT LEAST A TSB ON THIS ITEM? THIS IS DISGRACEFUL GIVEN THE DEMOGRAPHIC DRIVING THE GRAND CARAVAN. I GUESS WE WANT TO WAIT FOR A CHILD TO FALL OUT IN TRANSIT OR SOMEONE TO BE CARJACKED, RAPED, OR KILLED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245169October 12, 2008
AIR BAGS
MY 2001 GRAND CARAVAN 'S AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS ON APPEARING INTERMITTENTLY. I'VE HAD THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACED WHICH FAILED TO END THE CONDITION. I'M AWARE THAT IF THE LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. I'M ALSO AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH ENDED WITH THE 2000 MODELS. SO, I GUESS THAT A PERSON OR PERSONS IN A COLLISION IN A 2001 OR GREATER CARAVAN MAY OR MAY NOT BE PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAGS. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HOPE IT WILL BE AND THAT NO ONE DIES OR IS CRIPPLED FOR LIFE AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY AIRBAG SYSTEM!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245192October 12, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY 2005 GRAND CARAVAN HAD THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE 2 FRONT SENSORS, EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CORROSION (SAME AS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05061). HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS WITH THE RECALL, THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT A COVERED VEHICLE. NOTE THIS IS A HIGH ROAD SALT USAGE AREA. AFTER READING THROUGH SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHERE THERE WERE INJURIES DUE TO NON-AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, I WORRY FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. IT MAKES ME WONDER IF THE MANUFACTURER CARES IF PEOPLE ARE INJURED DUE TO SAFETY FEATURE MALFUNCTIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245165October 11, 2008
STEERING
I SUBMITTED THIS COMPLAINT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT SERVICED MY VEHICLE. I WORRY THAT THERE COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I OWN A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT. IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE BROUGHT IT INTO DODGE CITY OF MILWAUKEE FOR TWO SERVICE APPOINTMENTS, ONE IN WINTER 2007 AND ANOTHER IN SPRING 2008. DURING BOTH VISITS, I COMPLAINED OF AN PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. ON SHARP LEFT TURNS, THE VAN OFTEN MAKES A "PULSING" OR "HOWLING" SOUND. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, DODGE CITY OF MILWAUKEE FIXED SOMETHING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM, BUT THE SOUND NEVER WENT AWAY. EARLIER TODAY, AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE ALLEY BEHIND MY HOUSE, THE CAR'S STEERING SUDDENLY FROZE AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I AM NOT SURE OF THE REASON FOR THIS, BUT IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY TRAFFIC, OR IF I WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I CHECKED THE OIL, WHICH WAS A BIT LOW BUT STILL IN THE NORMAL RANGE (I ALSO COMPLAINED ON BOTH VISITS THAT THE CAR LOSES OIL QUICKLY AND WAS ASSURED BY DODGE CITY OF MILWAUKEE THAT THIS IS NORMAL). I SHUT OFF THE CAR, TURNED IT ON AGAIN, AND IT SEEMED TO WORK NORMALLY. SINCE THE STEERING WAS AFFECTED, I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT THIS INCIDENT IS SOMEHOW RELATED TO THE PROBLEM THAT YOUR TECHNICIANS NEGLIGENTLY FAILED TO ADDRESS. WHEN I PURCHASED A NEW DODGE VAN IN 2006 FOR MY FAMILY OF SIX, I NEVER IMAGINED THAT IT WOULD CAUSE ME TO FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY WITHIN TWO YEARS. THIS IS AN ENTIRELY UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS LARGELY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF DODGE CITY OF MILWAUKEE'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS THAT I REPEATEDLY MENTIONED. I AM COPYING MY LAWYER ON THIS MESSAGE, ALONG WITH THE WILDE DODGE SALESMAN WHO ORIGINALLY SOLD ME THE CAR, AND I ALSO PLAN TO INFORM THE NATIONAL CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. IF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IS TOO OBSCURE TO IDENTIFY, THEN I SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW VEHICLE THAT WILL NOT PUT MY FOUR SMALL CHILDREN AT RISK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244980October 9, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STOPPED WORKING. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS MY WIFE COULD GET CAR-JACKED AND NOT BE ABLE TO LOCK THE DOORS TO PREVENT IT. CHRYSLER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE IN THE "BODY CONTROL MODULE" AND CAN BE FIXED WITH A SOFTWARE UPGRADE (TSB 08-040-04). THE CHARGE FOR THIS FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244738October 8, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. CAR WAS LEFT UNLOCK OVERNIGHT. LOCK ONLY WORKS ON DRIVER SIDE AND LOCKS DON'T RESPOND TO REMOTE OR MANUALLY. JUST BOUGHT USED 2005 DODGE CARAVAN SXT A FEW WEEKS. IT CAN BE UNSAFE IF YOU AR TRYING TO LOCK THE DOORS WITH KIDS IN THE CAR OR UNLOCK. DISAPPOINTING THAT IT IS NOT THAT OLD AND AFTER GOOGLING, FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. DODGE, AN AMERICAN MADE PRODUCT, IS DISAPPOINTING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE SO WE CAN ALL HAVE LOCKS THAT ACTUALLY WORK AND SAFE FOR OUR CHILDREN. CHECK OUT THIS SITE FOR MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE LOCKS AND DOORS. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/CARAVAN/2005/ELECTRICAL/POWER_DOOR_LOCKS_QUIT_WORKING.SHTML THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244677October 7, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HEADLIGHTS TURN ON AT OFF RANDOMLY. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW THE FIX, OR THE CAUSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244691October 7, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN CAR ACCELERATES AFTER BEING PARKED. THIS CREATES A HAZARD FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE RIDING IN VEHICLE. *TR REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK FUNCTION ALSO INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN USING REMOTE KEY FOB TO LOCK VEHICLE AFTER PARKING, IT RESPONDS WITH A HORN HONK INDICATING THAT DOORS HAVE BEEN LOCKED WHEN IN FACT THEY DO NOT LOCK. ISSUE CAN BE CORRECTED BUT IT WILL RETURN WITHIN HOURS TO WEEKS LATER. INTERNET SEARCHES SHOW THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY FREQUENT AND COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244485October 6, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION. DRL ONE ON ONE OFF, HEADLIGHTS OPPOSITE ON/OFF, HI-BEAMS OPPOSITE ON/OFF. REPLACED FCM, WORKED OK FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT IS MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244490October 6, 2008
STEERING
TWICE EARLIER THIS YEAR I HAD TWO POWER STEERING HOSES BLOW OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING. HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY PULL-OVER AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244512October 6, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE RISK OF A CRASH OR SERIOUS INJURY WERE INCREASED. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. AS OF OCTOBER 6, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244358October 4, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE OIL LIGHT WENT ON. I CONTACTED DEALER, THEY ADVISED ME I NEED AN OIL CHANGE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT AVAILABLE TIME WHICH WAS A WEEK AWAY. I CALLED BACK NEXT DAY COMPLAINING OF A KNOCKING I HEARD. THEY FINALLY ADVISED ME TO GET THE VAN TO DEALER AND THEY WILL RENT A CAR FOR ME. I CHECKED THE OIL. IT WAS FULL. MY WIFE DROVE IT TO DEALER IN THE MORNING. THERE WAS NO OIL IN MOTOR. THE DEALER CLAIMS I AM RESPONSIBLE SINCE I DID NOT CHANGE THE OIL IN 6 MONTHS AND 7000 MILES. CHRYSLER RUDELY DENIES COVERAGE EVEN THOUGH I AM UNDER WARRANTY, I PURCHASED THE CAR MARCH 2008 WITH 35000 MILES OR SO..IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE BEFORE FOR A REPLACEMENT OF RACK AND PINION SYSTEM AND AN ENGINE LIGHT INCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244086October 1, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER LOCKS WON'T WORK FROM EITHER WITHIN VEHICLE OR BY THE REMOTE. JUST OVER 61,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. ONE TIME OWNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244095October 1, 2008
AIR BAGS
THE VAN'S AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THEN STAYED LIGHTED FROM THEN TO DATE. BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244110October 1, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
ONE DAY THE POWER LOCKS JUST STOPPED WORKING WITH BOTH THE KEY AND DOOR BUTTONS. IT IS PERMANENT AND BECAUSE THIS IS A KEYLESS ENTRY VEHICLE THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED VIA THE KEYHOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. DOORS MUST BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR MY SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN TO UNLOCK THEIR OWN DOORS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY CHILDREN IF THEY NEEDED TO QUICKLY EXIT THE VEHICLE. DODGE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SAYS IT NEEDS A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THEY ARE NOT COVERING THIS DESIGN FLAW/FAILURE AS IT IS NOT A POWERTRAIN PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 62000 MILES ON IT. A SEARCH OF THE WEB YIELDED MANY OCCURRENCES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM :HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/CARAVAN/2005/ELECTRICAL/POWER_DOOR_LOCKS_QUIT_WORKING.SHTML. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED YET. I WAS NOT EXPECTING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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