Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints

13,518 consumer complaints on file.

#10138490October 4, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR (1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE) AND IT INITIALLY WOULDN'T START. THERE WAS JUST A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STARTER BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I TRIED IT A COUPLE MORE TIMES AND IT FINALLY STARTED. BUT THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL RATTLING NOISE. I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND THE ENGINE STOPPED BUT SOME PART ON THE CAR KEPT RUNNING. I HAD MY FIANCE LOOK AT IT - HE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON EITHER. IT DROVE OK AROUND THE BLOCK BUT IT SOUNDED HORRIBLE. HE COULDN'T GET IT TO TURN OFF COMPLETELY EITHER. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. MY FIANCE COULD SEE IT WAS IN THE AREA OF THE STARTER. INITIALLY, IF THE CAR WAS LEFT IDLING, THE SMOKE LESSENED BUT IF THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF THE SMOKE GOT WORSE. SO WE LEFT IT IDLING WHILE WE LOOKED FOR POSSIBLE WAYS TO SHUT IT OFF COMPLETELY. AFTER A FEW MORE MINUTES, THE SMOKE BEGAN AGAIN AND THERE WERE FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD AROUND THE STARTER. I CALLED 911 TO GET THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HERE WHILE MY FIANCE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO TRY TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AFTER WE WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH THE EXTINGUISHER AND THEY HELPED US DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE IN A SAFE MANNER SO THAT EVERYTHING SHUT OFF. THE FIREMAN SUGGESTED WE CHECK FOR POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH OTHER VANS LIKE OURS AND TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING OUR EXPERIENCE. THEY TOOK DOWN MY INFORMATION AND FILED A REPORT FOR THEIR RESPONSE TO THE FIRE. WE REPLACED THE STARTER AND CHECKED ALL THE CONNECTIONS FOR FIRE DAMAGE. THE OLD STARTER WAS TAKEN BY THE AUTO PARTS STORE SO IT IS NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE. THE MECHANIC AT THE STORE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE SOLENOID ON THE STARTER WAS STUCK IN THE "ON" MODE AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE ODD NOISE AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE. SINCE THEN, EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE RUNNING JUST FINE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138326October 3, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
MY CAR IS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE. IT HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE. FAILURE DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. DISSIMILAR METALS (STEEL AND STAINLESS STEEL) USED ON A JOINT (FLEXIBLE COUPLING) ON REAR BRAKE LINES. DISSIMILAR METALS JOINT CAUSED ELECTROLYTIC CORROSION AND FAILURE (RUPTURE) OF BRAKE LINE. THE BRAKE LINE JOINT WITH DISSIMILAR METALS DESIGN FLAW IS A TIME BOMB WAITING TO HAPPEN IN MANY OF THE DODGE AND CHRYSLER. THE POTENTIAL FOR A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF DEATHS AND MAJOR INJURIES DUE TO THIS DESIGN FLAW IS HUGE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138244September 30, 2005
AIR BAGS
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN-SPORT EDITION. THE VEHICLE HAD AN AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING REPLACED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 25,000 MILES. TODAY THE VEHICLE HAS 48,600 MILES ON IT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON ONCE AGAIN JUST LIKE THE FIRST TIME THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN WARM WEATHER THE LIGHT GOES OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER THAT REPAIRED IT, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND A RECALL FOR MODEL YEARS 1998-2000 THAT DESCRIBES THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CLOCK SPRING. I FEEL THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AS WELL. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138081September 29, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1995 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WENT TO FULL THROTTLE AND NO BRAKES DUE TO A PLASTIC BREAK IN RESTRICTOR JAMMING IN THROTTLE BODY HOLDING VALVE OPEN. RESULT WAS FULL THROTTLE AND NO VACUUM FOR BRAKES. CAR WAS FINALLY STOPPED BY TURNING OFF IGNITION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138185September 29, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
(1)DURING A ROUTINE HOME MAINTENANCE, I NOTICED THERE IS A BUILD UP OF SOOT ON TOP OF THE INTAKE ASSEMBLY. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS CRACKED AND THE FLUID IS NEAR THE LOW LEVEL. (2) POWER STEERING FLUID AT LOW LEVEL (3) PART REPLACED AT DEALER, NO I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PART. I PAID OUT OF POCKET AS CHRYSLER WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER PARTS DEEMED DAMAGED BY OUTSIDE FORCE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138838September 28, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER DASH LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTAINING THE CLUSTER OF THE ENGINE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, RPM GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, GAS TANK AND DIGITAL ODOMETER BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF AND COME BACK ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO EFFECT THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GAS THAT WAS LEFT IN THE TANK, IT ALSO EFFECTED THE DOOR LOCKS WHICH DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATE AS THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH WAS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PROCESSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CONSUMER PICK THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER,WITHIN 20 MINUTES, THE CONSUMER SAW A THIN BLUISH SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT SAW NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO ANYTHING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137881September 27, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DT: THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A SAFETY EMISSION TEST. THEY SAID THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED AT THE TOP. FOUND THIS OUT ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ( TSB) 2304402, THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER, THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT, BUT THAT WAS BASICALLY IT. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING AND NO NOISE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137687September 26, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1994 DODGE CARAVAN LE, V6, 3.8 L. LEAKING FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKS WHEN VEHICLE??S TANK IS FILLED. FUEL RUN OFF FROM THE TOP SIDE OF FUEL TANK BETWEEN THE FLOOR AND TOP OF GAS TANK. VEHICLE FUEL DOES NOT LEAK AFTER 2-4 GALLONS OF FUEL IS BURNED. VEHICLE HAS NO ACCIDENT HISTORY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137793September 26, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TWO INCIDENTS: IN FEB 05, DAYLIGHT DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MINUTES @45 MPH DURING RAINFALL, ALL THE DASH INFORMATION LIGHTS CAME ON AND WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN ON. PULLING OFF THE ROAD TO ASSESS THE SITUATION WITH THE VAN STILL RUNNING ALL THE DASH LIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND 1 MINUTE LATER ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. AFRAID TO GO ON, PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, PLACED VAN IN PARK AND DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OUT. TURNED OFF ENGINE, TRIED TO RESTART CAR. FIRST FEW TURNS OF KEY, NOTHING HAPPENED AND THEN THE CAR FINALLY TURNED OVER WITHOUT ANY DASH LIGHTS. DRIVING HOME IN RAIN, TURNED ON HEADLIGHTS/WIPERS AND MOMENTS LATER ALL DASH LIGHTS AGAIN CAME ON. AT THAT SAME TIME, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT/WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED UNCOMMANDED. MADE IT HOME/TURNED OFF ENGINE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART ENGINE FAILED, NO DASH INFORMATION LIGHTS DURING START SEQUENCE, HAD TO HAVE VAN TOWED TO DODGE DEALER. THE DEALER DISCOVERED MAIN COMPUTER WAS FRIED. AFTER MANY HOURS/DAYS OF TROUBLE SHOOTING, WE WERE TOLD THE WIRING HARNESS TO COMPUTER WAS CHAFFED CAUSING THE PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE WIRING HARNESS AND REPLACED THE COMPUTER WITH A REBUILT ONE. IN EARLY AUGUST 05 WHILE DRIVING IN DARKNESS, THE DASH LIGHTS/HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO CYCLE ON AND OFF UNCONTROLLED, ALL GAUGES WENT TO ZERO AND ALL SQUARES AROUND THE TRANSMISSION STATUS LIGHTS (P,R,N,D,L) WOULD ALL LIGHT UP. THE FAN WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN TURN ON UNCOMMANDED AND NOT GO OFF UNTIL THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. TOOK VAN UNDER OWN POWER TO DEALER. DETERMINED WIRING HARNESS BAD. TOOK ABOUT 3 WEEKS FOR HARNESS TO ARRIVE (9/23/05). EXPECT WORK TO BE COMPLETED BY 30 SEPTEMBER????? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137527September 25, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION. 1 DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I TURN ON HEADLIGHTS, THE ONE THAT IS ON DURING DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT OPERATION TURNS OFF, AND OTHER LIGHT TURNS ON. WHEN I SWITCH LIGHTS INTO HIGH BEAM MODE, THE LIGHTS REVERSE TO THE WAY THEY OPERATE WHILE IN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT OPERATION. I'VE ALREADY INVESTED $200 INTO THE DIAGNOSIS OF THIS PROBLEM. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE LIGHT SWITCH AND TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WHICH DID NOT CORRECT ISSUE. SHOP SPENT TWO DAYS CHECKING ALL CONNECTIONS, LEADS AND GROUND AND THEY CAN NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137425September 23, 2005
SEAT BELTS:INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT
WE OWN A STOW AND GO GRAND CARAVAN, WHILE STOPPING SUDDENLY MY TWO YEAR OLD WENT FLYING FORWARD STILL STRAPPED IN HIS 5 POINT CAR SEAT AND STILL STRAPPED TO THE VEHICLE SEAT USING THE LATCH SYSTEM. HE HIT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHERE HE REST SCREAMING TILL I COULD PUSH THE SEAT BACK IN PLACE. HE HURT HIS CHEEK AND NOSE! I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF WARNING THAT THE SEAT WAS NOT ENGAGED, SEEINGS I NEVER USE THIS SEAT TO ENTER THE BACK SEAT I'VE NEVER THOUGHT TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE CHAIR! NOW HE IS AFRAID TO GET INTO HIS CAR SEAT AND I'M AFRAID THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AS WELL. I'M SO GLAD IT WASN'T AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I'M AFRAID HE WOULDN'T BE WITH US TODAY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP THIS TO NEVER HAPPEN TO US OR ANYBODY ELSE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10137198September 21, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
DT: NOTICED THERE WAS A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ON JULY 1, 2005. WAS ON VACATION, AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE THE GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE ARM, AND IT FELT LIKE DRIVING IN A RUT. A BOLT IN THE CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE; IT WAS TIED TO THE BUSHING. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136894September 19, 2005
TIRES:SIDEWALL
2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN...14500 MILES ON VEHICLE ALL TIRES ROTATED ACCORDINGLY. THE SIDEWALL ON ALL FOUR GOOD YEAR TIRES HAVE GIVEN WAY. THE MECHANIC SAID ALL THE TIRES MUST BE REPLACED, AS IT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO DIVE THIS VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136902September 19, 2005
PARKING BRAKE
THE PARKING RELEASE BRAKE ON MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS VERY CLOSE TO THE LEVER ONE STEPS ON TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE. WHEN RELEASING THE PARKING BREAK THE LEVER HAS HIT MY HAND SEVERAL TIMES. THE LAST TIME MAY HAVE BROKEN MY MIDDLE FINGER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130138September 16, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM FUEL TANK, AND HAS ALREADY HAD THREE FUEL RELATED RECALLS. THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE ROLL OVER VALVE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE NOT STATED WHY THE PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING. ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE FUEL LEAKED WHEN THE TANK WAS RELATIVELY FULL. THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AGO. ON JULY 21, 2005 THERE WAS FUEL UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED IT WAS HIS WIFE'S VEHICLE.*AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136527September 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND THE CONSUMER HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD. THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 AND IT VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A DEALERSHIP. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WAS ONLY DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121461September 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN METAL BRAKE LINE BURST AND THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED A REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR COSTS.*MR WHEN PARKED CONSUMER'S WIFE PUT FOOTON THE BRAKE AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE WAS LEFT WITHOUT BRAKES. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY AND /OR HEAVY TRAFFIC IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHRYSLER EALERSHIP, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BRAKE LINE BURST. CONSUMER'S REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136298September 13, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I HAVE A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I FOUND THAT I HAVE SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINES. (I JUST HAPPENED TO LOOK MY SELF) THEY LOOK LIKE THEY WILL BURST ANY MINUTE. I HAVE DETAILED PICTURES. SEEMS WRONG TO ME THAT A CAR MANUFACTURER WOULD BE SO CHEAP AS TO USE BRAKE LINES THAT RUST. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136300September 13, 2005
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
I REACHED IN THROUGH THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR TO GET A BLANKET THAT WAS STUCK IN THE BACK SEAT, AND I PULLED THE #1 STRAP ON THE BACK SEAT WITH MY LEFT HAND, THE BACK OF THE SEAT SLAMMED DOWN ONTO MY RIGHT HAND, HYPEREXTENDING MY THUMB, FRACTURING IT AND CAUSING A PARTIAL TEAR IN THE LIGAMENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10136185September 12, 2005
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
DT: THE CALLER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT 25 MPH AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD HER CHILD. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WILL NOT CATCH. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO IT. THE DAUGHTER CHIPPED A TOOTH AND WHERE IT HIT HER HEAD, THERE WAS A BRUISE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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