Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints

13,518 consumer complaints on file.

#10208632November 11, 2007
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
VAN HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR STEERING PROBLEM WHINING NOISE RACK WAS REPLACED ONCE AND PUMP WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208527November 9, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS ISSUE OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT IS A CHRYSLER FINANCIAL LEASE VEHICLE, AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 9,200 MILES. THE PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING AT APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES. I AM AN ENGINEER ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMPLAINT IS TO PROVIDE NHTSA AND THE MANUFACTURER WITH ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF AN ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE COMMON WITH THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION/VEHICLE. THE DODGE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED. ISSUE ? THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS AN EXTREMELY HARSH 21 DOWNSHIFT. IT ALSO EXHIBITS A MILDLY HARSH 12 UPSHIFT. I SUSPECT SOLENOID AND/OR VALVE BODY DEBRIS IS PRESENT CAUSING DELAYED/HARSH SHIFTS. THERE IS ALSO A MODERATE AMOUNT OF TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP CLUTCH SLIPPAGE IN THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN THIRD GEAR UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. DURING THIRD GEAR TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK-UP MODE, ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATIONS ARE VISIBLE ON THE TACHOMETER. THE ENGINE SPEED CHANGES ARE AUDIBLE AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN MONITORING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) LEVEL AND COLOR. THE LEVEL IS CORRECT AND THE FLUID DOES NOT SMELL OR APPEAR BURNT (FLUID IS RED IN COLOR). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208401November 8, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V099000). THE DEALER MADE THE RECALL REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NEVER PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 164,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207952November 5, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON 8/4/07, MY 2007 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY, IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. I PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THE CAR WENT DOWN THE HILL, INTO OUR WOODS, AND HIT A TREE. THE CAR WAS IN PARK THE ENTIRE TIME. AFTER THIS, I HAVE SPENT NUMEROUS HOURS CONTACTING CHRYSLER. CHRYSLER DID SEND OUT A MECHANIC AND THEY DID ADMIT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS MECHANICAL - TRANSMISSION DID NOT HAVE THE 'PARKING PIN'. I WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ANYWHERE. AT THIS POINT, CHRYSLER WANTS TO REPLACE MY OLD VAN WITH A NEW ONE AND ME TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE. I AM NOT AGREEING TO THIS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207911November 5, 2007
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, A VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER LUNGED FORWARD AND STRUCK HER FOREHEAD ON THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MUSCLE AND BACK INJURIES. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED FOREHEAD, NECK, AND EYE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WORKED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED OVER $7,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE REAR END. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,385 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10207854November 4, 2007
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
THE KNEE BLOCKER AIRBAG IN MY 05 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN OPENED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE AIRBAG IS BEHIND A STEEL PLATE HINGED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DASH. ATTACHED TO THIS PLATE IS THE HARD PLASTIC PANEL. THE AIRBAG PROPELLED THIS PLATE AND PANEL INTO MY SHINS, DISABLING ME, AND WHEN I BROUGHT MY LEGS BACK FROM THE PAIN, THE HARD PLASTIC PANEL DROPPED IN FRONT OF MY LEGS AND PREVENTED ME FROM RETURNING MY FEET TO THE BRAKE. HAD I BEEN SUFFERING FROM OSTEOPOROSIS MY LEGS WOULD HAVE BEEN SHATTERED AND I COULD NOT HAVE STOPPED MY VAN, HAD IT CONTINUED TO ROLL AFTER THE INITIAL COLLISION. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10207752November 2, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL SLOWLY EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP THREE SECONDS LONGER THAN USUAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY DIRTY REAR BRAKE SHOES. THE KNEE PADS, ROTORS, SHOES, DRUMS, AND MASTER CYLINDER WERE REPLACED. THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS CHECKED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,198.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207659November 1, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO LOCK HER VEHICLE WITH THE POWER LOCK FUNCTION, ALL THE DOORS LOCK EXCEPT THE REAR PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE HER WITH A RENTAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,541 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207122October 28, 2007
STRUCTURE
ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER WE NOTICED THE PASSENGER FLOOR AREA BEGAN TO HAVE WHITE SPOTS. I TRIED VACUUMING THE AREA BUT THE SPOTS QUILKY REAPPEARED AND GREW LARGER. THEN I REALIZED THE SPOTS WERE MOLD. YESTERDAY, I PULLED BACK THE CARPET. TO MY HORROR, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARPET WAS ENGULFED IN A WHITE FUZZY MOLD. THE MOLD WAS GROWING IN THE CARPET, THE UNDERLAYMENT AND UP THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DASH TO A ROUND PLASTIC AREA. I BELIEVE THIS IS EITHER FOR THE AC OR HEATER OR BOTH. I'M SURE THIS IS FROM SOME TYPE OF WATER LEAK AS FROM TIME TO TIME PASSENGERS WOULD SAY THE FLOOR AREA WAS WET. FOR SOME TIME, MY FAMILY HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT GETTING SICK EVERY TIME THEY RIDE IN THE VAN. I BELIEVE THE MOLD IS THE CULPRIT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10207084October 27, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OCT 17 2007 MY VAN STARTED ACTING LIKE THIS. THE VAN WILL NOT START BUT EVERYTHING WORKED THAT NEEDING THE BATTERY. WHEN DROVE FOR 2SEC THE VAN JUST LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT START. I CHECKED THE BATTERY, FUSES, AND RELAYS. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY CAN NOT FINED OUT. THEY WAS THINKING THE COMPUTER AND KEYS NEED TO REDONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206973October 26, 2007
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, EQUIPMENT
FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR A WINDOW HAS EXPLODED ON MY 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT POSTED SPEED, LIGHT TRAFFIC, SUNNY DAY, WINDOWS DOWN, AND POP, THE PASSENGER SLIDER WINDOW SHATTERED. IT LOOKED LIKE IT POPPED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VAN. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO PULL OVER AND WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. ONCE I STOPPED THE WINDOW JUST FELL OUT. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND WAS ADVISED BY MS. J TO PROCEED TO THE DEALER THAT I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR FROM TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. I WENT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT THE WINDOW. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT THIS YEAR WHERE A WINDOW HAS EXPLODED, AND HE TOLD ME SINCE HE DIDN'T SEE THE FIRST ONE THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. NO DOCUMENTATION, NOT EVEN A DRIVE IN THE CAR. NOW IN ADDITION TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOWS, THE VAN HAS A FRONT END PROBLEM, A REAR END PROBLEM, AND A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE FRONT TIRES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE FALLING OFF THE VAN WHILE DRIVING, WHEN TURNING RIGHT THE REAR END FEELS LIKE IT IS TILTING AND THE LEFT TIRE SQUEALS, AND THE CAR SHIFTS IMPROPERLY, OR HESITATES IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206855October 25, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
1) NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. 2) REAR LIFTGATE ELECTRIC LATCH FAILS TO ACTUATE. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE AS THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE IN MINIVANS, THE REAR PASSENGERS ARE NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE VIA THE SLIDING SIDE DOORS. IN OUR CASE, CHILDREN IN CHILD-RESTRAINT SAFETY SEATS ARE IN ALL REAR SEATS OF THE VEHICLE (MIDDLE AND REAR, I.E. 4 KIDS). THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS REAR PASSENGERS IS TO EITHER CRAWL OVER THE MIDDLE SEATS TO THE REAR OR VIA THE LIFTGATE. HOWEVER...THE LATCH FAILS AND THE GATE DOES NOT OPEN. 3) ACTUATOR SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED (APPROX COST $90.00). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207219October 25, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN RECALL ON THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. CONSUMER STATES HE HAS HAD HIS BRAKES REPAIRED TWICE FOR THE SAME RECALL PROBLEM. MECHANIC WANTS THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. ABS HAS FAILED SEVEN TIMES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PUMP, MOTOR ASSEMBLY, ACCUMULATOR DUAL PRESSURE SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206761October 24, 2007
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HE HAS YET TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN MAKING A TURN. UPDATED 12/13/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206776October 24, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ON THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. MANY TIMES, WHEN IT IS SWITCHED ON, THE OPPOSITE TURN SIGNAL TURNS ON (IE. THE SWITCH IS FLIPPED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, BUT THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHTS). SOMETIMES IT WILL COME ON FOR THE PROPER DIRECTION, BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTS FLASHING TO THE OTHER SIDE. SOMETIMES THE SIGNAL TURNS ON PROPERLY BUT THEN JUST STOPS DOING ANYTHING, EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH IS STILL "ON". AND YET OTHER TIMES, THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT TURN ON AT ALL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST MONTH OR SO, BUT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD, BUT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, DODGE IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THIS WITHOUT A CHARGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206518October 22, 2007
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 71,000 MILES, AIR CONDITIONING STOP PUTTING OUT COLD AIR - NO LEAKS BUT COMPRESSOR STARTED TO MAKE NOISES AND SEIZED, SHUT A/C OFF JUST IN TIME BEFORE THE COMPRESSOR PULLEY BURNED THRU THE ONE BELT THAT DRIVES EVERTHING - THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206394October 20, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE LEFT ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING AFTER THE DOOR OPENS. THE PROBLEM EVENTUALLY FIXES ITSELF SEVERAL ENGINE STARTS LATER. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION THAT COULD LEAD TO OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURES. MANUALLY CLOSING THE DOOR AFTER IT IS STUCK OPEN DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. DRIVING TO A DEALERSHIP WITH THE DOOR STUCK OPEN IS UNSAFE. THE DEALER WILL NOT VISIT THE VEHICLE TO VIEW THE PROBLEM. IF THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM GOES AWAY, THE DEALER WILL TAKE NO ACTION TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206356October 19, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT IS NOT WORKING PROPELY AT DAYTIME LIGHT ONLY THE LEFT SIDE WORKING AND AT NIGHT WHEN I TERN THE SWICH ON THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT WORK AND THE LEFT SIDE IS NOW OF!!! CHANGED THE BULB BUT THE PROBLEM STILL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206234October 18, 2007
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
IN FEBRUARY 2007 NOTED HIGH PITCHED NOISE - PARTICULARLY AT IDLE. SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING. FELT LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. WARRANTY EXPIRED IN AUGUST AND NOTED THE SAME NOISE IN SEPTEMBER. TOOK VAN BACK INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR. PARTS AND LABOR NEARLY $600. I FEEL THE REASON THE PUMP FAILED THE FIRST TIME WAS OVERWORK DUE TO THE GEARS AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED I CONTACT CHRYSLER WARRANTY. I AM STILL INVESTIGATING HOW TO REDUCE/ELIMINATE THE CHARGES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205834October 16, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
OUR BRAKES HAVE FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. I TOOK MY VAN BACK TO THE SHOP THAT REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS IN MAY. THEY TOLD ME THE CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE, AS THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THE NEW ROTORS THAT WERE PUT ON IN MAY WERE DEFECTIVE, THEY REFUSED REPAIRS AND CHARGED ME $50. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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