Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints

13,518 consumer complaints on file.

#10148388January 23, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
I HAVE A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN FEBRUARY 2005 WE HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED, AND ALL PARTS RELATED TO IT ADJUSTED AND CLEANED. THIS WAS DONE DUE TO A HORRIBLE SCREECHING SOUND. IN NOVEMBER OF THAT YEAR THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF DURING A PERIOD OF COLD & RAINY WEATHER, AND LEFT ME WITHOUT STEERING OR COOLING FANS. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULD NOT STEER. THE BELT WAS REPLACED. SIX WEEKS LATER, AGAIN-IN COLD AND RAINY WEATHER. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND TODAY, 3 WEEKS LATER, YES, COLD AND RAINY WEATHER IT HAS HAPPENED FOR A THIRD TIME. MY GARAGE IS SET TO REPLACE THE STEERING FLUID PUMP, THINKING IT MIGHT BE LEAKING ON IT, THE BELT, TENSIONER AND A PULLEY. HOPING IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS WILL BE A $500 BILL AT LEAST. HOWEVER, AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A REGULAR PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL, CROSSING SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. I CONTACTED DODGE, WHO TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT WITHOUT A RECALL, BUT AGREED THERE HAVE BEEN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS) REGARDING THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM I DID RESEARCH ON THESE TSBS, AS WELL AS VARIOUS WEBSITES WHERE AUTO MECHANICS POST, AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SINGLE REPAIR THAT WORKS IN EACH VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. THIS BELT CONTROLS THE STEERING, THE ALTERNATOR AND THE FANS. THIS IS A MINI-VAN, MADE FOR FAMILIES. I AM FEARFUL OF ALLOWING MY THREE CHILDREN TO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE NOW, KNOWING THAT EVEN AFTER THE REPAIRS COMING UP THIS WEEK, THE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE FIXED. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE DANGER WHICH COULD OCCUR , LOSING STEERING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN POOR CONDITIONS, I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BECOME A RECALL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148211January 20, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS, DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND DOME LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FLICKER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, BODY CONTROL MODULE, ALTERNATOR, INSPECTED AND CLEANED THE GROUND CIRCUITS. THESE MODIFICATIONS AND REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148083January 19, 2006
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION JERKED THE VEHICLE AS IF IT WERE STALLING. AFTERWARDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE ANY FURTHER. IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED, ALTHOUGH REGULARLY SERVICED, DUE TO AN UNKNOWN INTERNAL PROBLEM, NOT IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *NM UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147832January 16, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: EACH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED AFTER OR DURING A SUMMER VACATION TRIP THAT INCLUDED 700+ MILES. USE OF THE AC USUALLY CONTINUES ON LOW FAN SPEEDS (1 OR 2). 2) FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES: FIRST FAILURE WOULD BE THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD BEGIN NOT TO WORK. SECOND A RELAY FUSE WOULD GO BAD. THEN THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE FAN SPEEDS WOULD SHORT OUT ONLY ALLOWING FOR HIGH FAN SPEED ONLY. 3)HAVE NOT BE ABLE TO FIX THE SWITCHES DUE TO DEALER CHARGING HIGH RATES JUST TO LOOK FOR THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITH NO GUARANTEE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND THE FAULT AND STILL WANTING $70+/HOUR BEFORE ANY REPAIR WORK IS STARTED. WE HAVE OWNED A 1996 CARAVAN AND 2001 GR CARAVAN AND THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH VEHICLES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147861January 16, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
I PURCHASED A 93 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN 8/05. ON 8/29 I HAD TO EVACUATE KATRINA (BILOXI,MS) TO NC. I PARKED THE VAN AND WENT TO WORK ON NORWEIGAN CRUISELINE IN HAWAII. I RETURNED TO NC LAST WEEK. UPON STARTING THE VAN TODAY, GASOLINE WAS LEAKING OUT ONTO THE MANIFOLD FROM THE FUEL RAIL O RING. I CALLED DODGE ABOUT A RECALL AND WAS TOLD IF IT WAS A 1996 THEY WOULD FIX IT, BUT EVEN WITH THE THREAT OF A ENGINE FIRE IF DRIVEN, THEY WOULDNT HELP ME. I AM WAITING (LIKE MANY OTHERS) FOR FEMA $ AND NOW HAVE NO VEHICLE TO DRIVE. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM, THEREFORE WHY I AM SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT. DO I HAVE ANY RIGHTS OVER THIS????? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147697January 13, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (3.3 L ENGINE VIN: [XXX] ), THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN, OR WHEN DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLE. WHEN THIS HAPPEN, THE VEHICLE LOSE POWER BRAKES POWER STEERING, CAUSING VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES DURING THE LAST 18 MONTHS OUT OF WHICH 2 WERE ON FREEWAY AT 60MPH. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. REPLACED THE BELT, TENSIONER ETC, STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. TOOK IT TO DODGE DEALER (DAYTON DODGE, DAYTON, NJ) ON 01/10/2006, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX, SITING "CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT HAS NO FIX" A SEARCH ON GOOGLE SHOWS NUMEROUS HITS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON CHRYSLER MINIVANS. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER HAS A TSB FOR THIS, BUT HAS NOT A RECALL. SEE BELOW LINKS BELOW. HTTP://WWW.DODGETALK.COM/FORUMS/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-4450.HTML HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_30931.HTML. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147707January 13, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THIS THE SECOND TIME THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR CAME OPEN WHEN DRIVING THE FIRST TIME WAS 2 SEPT.05 I REPORTED TO YOUR AGENCY IT SHOULD BE ON FILE VEHICLE #[XXX] 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147749January 13, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - 41TE TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT AFTER 64,000 MILES WITH NO WARNING. GO TO THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES FOR TRANSMISSION DEFECT INFORMATION: HTTP://WWW.ALLPAR.COM/FIX/TRANS.HTML HTTP://WWW.GEOCITIES.COM/PLUMRAPTOR/ HTTP://WWW.DAIMLERCHRYSLERVEHICLEPROBLEMS.COM/. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147504January 12, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
MY LOCAL AUTO SERVICE SHOP RECENTLY IDENTIFIED A CORROSION CRACK IN THE LEFT STRUT HOUSING OF MY VAN. I WENT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY INDICATED THE STRUT COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK THROUGH THE HOOD ALLOWING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE. THEY CONTACTED A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY HAD A CORROSION KIT FOR THAT PROBLEM. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT CHRYSLER HAD A PROGRAM TO HELP PAY FOR REPAIRS BUT THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NEAR 100,000 MILES AND IT MIGHT NOT QUALIFY. HE PURSUED IT AND CHRYLSER DID PROVIDE THE KIT AND $200 TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP, WHICH JUST PAID FOR THE KIT AND A SMALL BIT MORE. THE TOTAL BILL WAS $555.00 OF WHICH I PAID $355.00. THE BODY SHOP INDICATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE CHRYSLER INSTRUCTIONS, IF THE PROBLEM GOT MUCH WORSE BEFORE IT WAS CAUGHT, THE ENTIRE STRUT HOUSING MIGHT HAVE TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $2,000 OR MORE. IN TALKING TO THE ORIGINAL SERVICE SHOP, THEY HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF THIS APPARENT DEFECT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PROBLEM APPARENTLY GETS WORSE WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND SINCE CHRYSLER VANS ARE SO POPULAR THIS COULD BE A LIFE SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THOSE NOT AWARE OF THE CORROSION DEFECT, ESPECIALLY SECOND OWNERS (LIKE ME). IF THIS IS A KNOWN POTENTIAL LIFE SAFETY MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WHY ISN'T THE REPAIR COST TOTALLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER AND SHOULDN'T OWNERS BE NOTIFIED EVEN IF THEY BOUGHT IT AS A USED CAR? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147428January 11, 2006
AIR BAGS
CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY WOUND INCORRECTLY IN AIR BAG AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO RECTIFY THIS VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE IN THE AUTOMOBILE. THEREFORE, I WAS CHARGED NEARLY $200 TO REPAIR THEIR FAILURE TO PROVIDE A SAFE CAR. THE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN THE YEARS 1995-2000 WERE ALL RECALLED FOR THIS SAFETY FAILURE, IT SEEMS THEY NEVER ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS STILL CONTINUING IN MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147330January 10, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED THE ANNUAL INSPECTION. BOTH FRONT STRUT TOWERS WERE RUSTED AND WORN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147343January 10, 2006
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN OUR 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS DEFECTIVE AND, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $300.00. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147387January 10, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS IN THE DATABASE ABOUT HEADLIGHTS GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THEN AFTER 1 OR 2 SECONDS COMING BACK ON AGAIN. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, ALSO SOMETIMES WHILE STOPPED. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS, THE DATE I ENTERED IS THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147055January 6, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER DRIVING AND SUSPECTED THERE WAS A LEAK. BUT WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE SOURCE. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V268000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147102January 6, 2006
AIR BAGS
I OWN A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION. NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10147113January 6, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE 2003. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS HEATED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON JULY 1, 2003 BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEREFORE NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. ON DECEMBER 27, 2004 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A FAILED CLOCK SPRING BUT THE REPAIR WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147124January 6, 2006
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TWO YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT DUE TO ITS SLACK NATURE. THE CHILD WAS LOCATED IN A BOOSTER SEAT SECURED BY THE SEAT BELT IN THE SECOND ROW SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN CHECKING THE OWNER'S MANUAL THE CONTACT DISCOVERED IT IS A STANDARD FEATURE WITH THE VEHICLE FOR THE SEAT BELT TO ALLOW SOME SLACK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146858January 4, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY. THERE WAS CONCERN THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED OR, CONVERSELY, IT WOULD DEPLOY WITHOUT ANY WARNING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, HE INDICATED THAT A SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS I WAS LOOKING INTO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM, I NOTICED THAT, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO RECALL, THERE WERE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS. WHY IS THIS DEFECT ALLOWED TO CONINUE TO GIVE CONSUMERS PROBLEMS, BUT THERE IS NO ACTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX VIA A RECALL? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146645December 31, 2005
STEERING
POWER STEERING WAS LOCKING IN COLD WEATHER DURING INITIAL START UP. FIRST REPORTED 4/05, DEALER STATED IT WAS CAUSED BY PROBLEM WITH HOSES WHICH HAVE A RECALL, RECALL PERFORMED, AND VEHICLE RETURNED. (NOT FIXED), RETURNED VEHICLE AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER, THEY VERIFIED PROBLEM STILL AND REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP *DUE TO LOW PRESSURE". I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, SINE THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED IN COLD WEATHER THROUGH THE SUMMER IT WAS FINE UNTIL EARLY DECEMBER AGAIN THE PROBLEM WAS BACK BUT EVEN WORSE, THIS TIME IT WAS ALSO HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER "OF COURSE IT WAS NOW OUT OF MANUFACTURE WARRANTY", HOWEVER DEALER AGREED TO FIX PROBLEM SINCE IT HAD PRIOR HISTORY. THEY VERIFIED PROBLEM BY SERVICE MANAGER AND MECHANIC THE DAY I BROUGHT IT IN, HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AGAIN. THEY HAD MY VAN FOR 3 WEEKS, DURING THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO WITH IT BUT WERE NOT GOING TO GIVE IT BACK TO THE SAFETY ISSUE. I EVEN TRIED TO GET CHRYSLER INVOLVED AND THEY NEVER CALLED ME BACK EVEN THOUGH I LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES AND WAS PROMISED A CALL BACK. FINALLY THE DEALER DECIDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT STEERING RACK. I GOT IT BACK, IT WAS FINE FOR 4 DAYS AND PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, AND WOULD LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO WAS HANDLING MY CASE. IT HAS NOW BEEN 4 DAYS AND NO RETURN CALL. MEANTIME IM DRIVING AROUND AND UNSAFE CAR, PAYING OVER $600.00 A MONTH. IM VERY UPSET THERE ISN'T MORE THAT CAN BE DONE AGAINST THESE COMPANIES PUTTING LIVES AT RISK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146329December 29, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
I PURCHASED A 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN AUGUST OF 2005 WITH 73K MILES. VEHICLE SMELLED MUSTY (STAGNANT WATER). THREE TRIPS TO SHOP TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX SWAY BAR LINK, BUSHING, STRUT AND STRUT MOUNT PROBLEM TO CURE A CLUNKING SOUND ON FRONT END. TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR TO NEUTRAL AT WHIM. ALSO, SHIFTS THROUGH FIRST 3 GEARS (AUTOMATIC) AT WHIM CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH. HOWEVER, SHOP CANNOT DUPLICATE THESE PROBLEMS OR THE PROBLEM WITH MY NON WORKING CRUISE CONTROL. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FOR NON-DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES EVERYTIME FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY IT IS FINE. I TELL THEM THAT IT IS NOT FINE THAT THEY JUST CAN'T FIND IT. I AM DISTURBED BY THE NUMBER OF POSTS RE: TO SWAY BAR PROBLEMS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THE FACT THAT NO ONE IS HOLDING CHRYSLER/DODGE ACCOUNTABLE. WILL IT TAKE A NUMBER OF DEATHS TO DETERMINE THAT THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE? I IMPLORE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THESE PROBLEMS ALONG WITH THE WATER ISSUE. SO FAR IT CAUSED MY BLOWER RESISTOR TO SHORT OUT AND NEED REPLACING. I HAD NO HEAT IN BELOW ZERO WEATHER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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