Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints

13,518 consumer complaints on file.

#10133409August 18, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BOUGHT A 1996 CARAVAN NEW, IN AUGUST 1999 THE TRANSMISSION WENT WITH ABOUT 36,000 MILES AND REBUILT PUT IN - LASTED TILL JAN 2005. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT JAN 2005 AND A REBUILT WAS PUT IN AND LASTED UNTIL JULY 2005 AND ANOTHER REBUILT WAS PUT IN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133143August 17, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IN FEBRUARY 2004, WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ON THE INTERSTATE IN KNOXVILLE, TN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. AT THAT TIME, WE HAD JUST OVER 34,000 MILES ON THE VAN. THESE WERE NORMAL MILES WITH NO HEAVY TOWING OR OTHER ABUSIVE DRIVING. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO JIM COGDILL DODGE FOR REPAIR. THIS REPAIR WAS STILL COVERED UNDER OUR WARRANTY. WE WERE TOLD AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR THAT IT ONLY REQUIRED THE TRANSMISSION BE ??REFURBISHED?? AS THE WARRANTY DID NOT REQUIRE THEM TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AT JUST OVER 60K MILES. THIS TIME THERE WAS A LOUD POP, A HARD JERK OF THE VAN AND THEN IT CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AS I WAS CROSSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I AM VERY LUCKY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE INTERSTATE AS MYSELF, AND OTHERS, WOULD SURELY HAVE BEEN ENDANGERED BY THIS PRODUCT FAILURE. I ASKED TO SPEAK IMMEDIATELY TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, MR. LARRY DAUGHTRY. HE PROCEEDED TO INFORM ME THAT EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION WAS FIXED PREVIOUSLY BY A DODGE DEALER, I WOULD BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS . HE ALSO INFORMED ME HE HAS NEVER SEEN SUCH DAMAGE IN A TRANSMISSION THAT IT WAS OBVIOUSLY A PRODUCT DEFECT. I COULD UNDERSTAND THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY IF THE SERVICE HAD BEEN PERFORMED BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN A DODGE DEALER, BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE! HE THEN OFFERED TO CONTACT THE DISTRICT MANAGER, WHOSE NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION SEEMS TO BE HELD IN THE UTMOST SECRECY AS HE WILL ONLY ACCEPT CALLS FROM THE DEALER, BUT HE MAY BE WILLING TO PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE. UPON CALLING FOR A STATUS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRETY AT A COST OF ALMOST $3000.00! THE DISTRICT MANAGER DID OFFER TO TAKE CARE OF 50% OFF THE TOTAL COST. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO ARGUE THIS WITH THE DEALER AND THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE. THEY GAVE US A CONTINUOUS RUN AROUND OF CALLING ONE ONLY TO BE TOLD WE HAVE TO SPEAK WITH THE OTHER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133178August 17, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS FROZEN AND SEAT BELT CANNOT BE WORN. MADE REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT GETTING THE BELT TO LOOSEN UP AND ALL ATTEMPTS FAILED. DEALER TELLS ME THE REPAIR WILL COST $328 TO REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING THE VEHICLE ILLEGALLY AND I'M LAUGHABLY SURPRISED THAT THE NHTSA, GIVEN THAT THERE ARE 13 COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME COMPONENT ISSUE ALREADY FOR THIS MODEL YEAR ALONE, HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL. ARE SEAT BELTS NO LONGER A SAFETY COMPONENT OR CONCERN FOR THE AGENCY THAT FIRST MANDATED THEIR USE? CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132958August 15, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MY THREE YOUNG CHILDREN WERE BURNT ON THE EXHAUST PIPE OF OUR 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN W/STO & GO SEATS. WHILE REACHING THEIR LEG UNDER THE VAN, TO RETRIEVE A QUARTER THEY DROPPED, THEY EACH RECEIVED 1ST & 2ND DEGREE BURNS ON THEIR LEGS. THE COIN WAS ONLY A FEW INCHES UNDER THE VAN; YOU COULD SEE IT BY STANDING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. WHEN STANDING ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE YOU CAN PLAINLY SEE THE EXHAUST PIPE JUST SEVERAL INCHES UNDER THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10128112August 12, 2005
TIRES
DT: CONSUMER OBSERVED DEEP IMPRESSIONS ON THE TREAD ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE DEFLATED BECAUSE OF A NAIL IN THE EDGE OF THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TIRE TO VEHICLE DEALER AND BOUGHT A NEW TIRE AND RECEIVED AN ADJUSTMENT OF $30 FROM GOODYEAR FOR THE DEFECT. THERE WAS ABOUT 25-30,000 MILES ON THE TIRE WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURRED. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER FRONT. THE TIRE DEVELOPED A LARGE BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL. CONSUMER STOPPED DRIVING THE SECOND IT WAS NOTICED. AND OVERNIGHT IT WENT FLAT. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AFTER EXPERIENCING STEERING DIFFICULTIES AND AN ABNORMAL SHIMMY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY PAVED ROAD IN RAINY CONDITIONS. THE MILEAGE ON TIRE AT THIS TIME 30-35,00 0. CONSUMER TOOK THE TIRE OFF VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE VEHICLE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT ANOTHER TIRE TO REPLACE IT WITH SO VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING A SPARE, THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME AS WELL. NO REPLACEMENTS AT THIS TIME. GOODYEAR MAKE, MODEL EAGLE, SIZE 215/65/R16. EAGLE MS. *JB *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128121August 12, 2005
TIRES
DT: THE CONSUMER OBSERVED DEEP IMPRESSIONS ON THE TREAD OF TIRE LOCATED ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. THE TIRE DEFLATED BECASUE OF A NAIL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO BUY A NEW TIRE. GOODYEAR DID ALLOW A $30 ADJUSTMENT FOR THE DEFECT. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE TIRE HAD 25000-30,000 MILES ON IT. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A PAVED HIGHWAY ROAD IN RAINY CONDITIONS WHEN SHE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE STEERING DIFFICULTIES AND A SHIMMY IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTED THERE WAS A LARGE BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN AFTER THIS WAS NOTICED. OVERNIGHT THE TIRE WENT FLAT. THERE WAS 30-35,000 MILES ON THE TIRE AT TIME OF FAILURE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TIRE OFF THE VEHICLE AND TOOK THE TIRE TO DEALER. DEALER DID NOT HAVE ANOTHER TIRE TO REPLACE WITH SO THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING A SPARE. CONSUMER HAD TO AWAIT FOR A TIRE FOR THE FIRST FAILURE AS WELL. GOODYEAR, EAGLE, SIZE 215/65R16. EAGLE LS. THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124555August 12, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
DT: CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING NEAR HOME AND LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY STANDING ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED AND THEY PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THEY REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLEY. A YEAR LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLEY HAD BROKEN AGAIN. IT WAS REPAIRED. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. NO MORE PROBLEMS AS OF YET. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131874August 8, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE HAS NO SHIFT LOCK. 2 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. $1800 DAMAGE TO CARAVAN AND $2300 TO ANOTHER CUSTOMIZED VAN; ALL IN THE EXPANSE OF 50 FEET AND 1 MINUTE IN A FLAT AND LEVEL PRIVATE SCHOOL PARKING LOT. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131913August 8, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE FRONT UPPER DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT MOUNT IS BULGING UP, OUT OF SHAPE, MAKING THE VEHICLE 1/2 INCH OUT OF LEVEL AND HAS ALLOWED WATER TO UNDERCUT THE MOUNT. THIS IS IN AN AREA THAT IS UNDER THE HOOD AND NOT ACCESSIBLE TO WATER. OUR MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE STRUT WHICH SUPPORTS THE CORNER OF THE CAR COULD RUPTURE THE MOUNT AND GO THROUGH THE HOOD RESULTING IS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DANGER TO OUR LIVES. THE MOUNT IS PART OF VEHICLE BODY AND SUPPORTS THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S MISTAKE IS THAT THEY BADLY ENGINEERED THIS COMPONENT OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM . THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS NO PROBLEM CHRYSLER SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THEIR VEHICLE (1999 GRAND CARAVAN) AT THEIR EXPENSE. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE HAS SEEN OTHER GRAND CARAVANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT CHRYSLER FIXED THEM AT CHRYSLER'S EXPENSE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131643August 4, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ON SAT, 07-30-2005, MY THREE CHILDREN(AGES 9, 7, 5) EACH RECEIVED 1ST & 2ND DEGREE BURNS ON THEIR LEGS (AND WENT TO THE LOCAL EMERGENCY ROOM) WHILE REACHING UNDER OUR 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN W/ STO & GO SEATING. APPARENTLY THE EXHAUST PIPE RUNS JUST BELOW THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10132371August 2, 2005
EQUIPMENT
2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHILE DRIVING THE A/C LINES BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AIR AND HEAT. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FIXED BECAUSE THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130602July 29, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, SUSPENSION:FRONT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A RACK AND PINION STEERING AND OTHER PROBLEMS. CONSUMER DROVE OVER A ROUGH POTHOLE WITH A METAL FLATBED ON TOP AT A LOW SPEED. WHILE DRIVING AT A STREET AT 25 MPH CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THERE WAS POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE NOISE WAS EVIDENT ONLY WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHO SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FRONT ALIGNMENT , BUT THAT WAS ALL. HOWEVER, INSURANCE COMPANY NOTED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING /FRONT ALIGNMENT/ RADIATOR, AND THE TRANSMISSION PAN. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON AND IT SMOKED AFTER DRIVING A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. OIL WAS CHANGED REGULARLY. VEHICLE HAS HAD A RECENT FRONT END ALIGNMENT BUT NO OTHER REPAIRS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130453July 28, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: DT: THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DEEMED TOTALED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF TWO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, ONE FOR THE FUEL RAIL AND ONE FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS CONFLICTING INFORMATION ON THE LETTER SENT TO CONSUMER. THIS HAPPENED ON JANUARY 17, 2005 . *AK *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10129739July 22, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THE BACK END OF THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTING DROPPED. CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS EN ROUTE TO AN EVENT WHEN THE PARKING LOT ATTENDANT THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT BECAUSE THE WAY THE CAR WAS PULLING IN A JERKING MOTION. UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION FLUID AT THAT TIME. LATER THAT EVENING THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID THAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AAA CAME AND TOWED VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP BUT WAS LATER TOWED VEHICLE TO A SERVICE REPAIR SHOP. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS OF YET. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. CONSUMER CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CHRYSLER, WHO INQUIRED IF SHE NEEDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND THEN BEING ON HOLD THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127268July 22, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
DT: 2000, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, THERE WAS A FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. CONSUMER NOTICED ON WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN 00V268000, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER SERVICE WHO REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER. DIAMLER CHRYSLER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. CONSUMER COULD SMELL GASOLINE WHEN SHE TURNED THE IGNITION ON. THE SERVICE DEALER MECHANIC CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE, AND TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. THE LETTER STATED THAT IF THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND SHE DID NOT TAKE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THERE WERE NO OTHER KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125512July 22, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE DECEMBER 2003 AND HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2004, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE SERVICE DEALER IN MARCH 2005, AND SHE HAD THE PUMP REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES WHEN TURNING THE CORNER OR WHEN PARKING. IT WOULD HUM ANYTIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED.*AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129622July 21, 2005
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. FIRST ATTEMPT AT REPAIR IN 2004 RESULTED IN NO PROBLEM FOUND, BUT THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM PERSISTED. SECOND ATTEMPT AT REPAIR SHOWED A BAD CLOCK-SPRING FOR THE AIRBAG THAT COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE TO OPERATE PROPERLY DURING A COLLISION (ESPECIALLY IF THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ACTIVE). OTHER MODELS OF DODGE PRODUCTS HAVE HAD RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THERE IS NOT CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THE 200 GRAND CARAVAN EX (NOTE THAT MY VEHICLE IS HIGH MILAGE WITH OVER 50K MILES).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129282July 19, 2005
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK ON EITHER DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS SIDE. WINDOWS WILL GO DOWN BUT NOT UP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129194July 18, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT 9,000 MILES, TOOK VAN TO DEALER COMPLAINING OF THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMING INTO GEAR. DEALER PERFORMED A "QUICK LEARN" ON THE TRANS. AND IT WAS FINE. AT ABOUT 27,000, PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PUMP. AT 30000, SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, REPLACED TRANSMISSION PUMP A SECOND TIME AND ALSO REPLACED SEALS AND GASKETS. BACK IN DEALER NOW FOR SAME PROBLEM BUT DELAER IS CLAIMING THAT CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129211July 18, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
AT 500 MILES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED LEADING TO LOSS OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AC, AND POWER SLIDING DOORS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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