Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints
13,518 consumer complaints on file.
- #10095758November 30, 2004STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
INCIDENT #1: 1. WE WERE RETURNING HOME FROM A WEEKEND VISIT TO IOWA. WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING ABOUT 5 HOURS. WE WERE SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT OFF HIGHWAY 212 NEAR GLENCOE, MN. 2. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED AT ABOUT 4:00 PM AS WE WERE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE OUR TURN. GLASS WAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE (2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN) AND CHIPPED THE PAINT ALONG THE SIDE OF THE VAN. 3. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACE BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY (PROGRESSIVE) AND THE VAN WAS REPAINTED AND DETAILED (VACUUMED) TO REMOVE THE GLASS INSIDE THE VAN. INCIDENT #2: 1. ON THE SAME VEHICLE (2003 GRAND CARAVAN) A SECOND WINDOW EXPLODED ON OCTOBER 7, 2004. THIS TIME IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WINDOW. I WAS ACCELERATING INTO A PASSING LANE EAST OF COKATO, MN. 2. THE WINDOW EXPLODED AT 6:45 AM. GLASS CHIPPED THE PAINT ON THE SIDE OF THE VAN AND WAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE OF THE VAN - AGAIN. 3. THE SIDE WINDOW ON THE SLIDING DOOR WAS REPLACE BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY (PROGRESSIVE) AND THE VAN WILL BE PAINTED AGAIN SOON. *AK *SC
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10095284November 30, 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE TIME BELT COVER WAS A PROBLEM. *SC
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10100618November 27, 2004STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING SYSTEM IS MAKING EXTREME AMOUNTS OF NOISE. THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF PREMATURE FAILURE CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IF IT HAPPENS DURING A CORNERING MANEUVER. DEALER(S) ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A DEFECT ON THIS MODEL AND GET MANY COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REFUSES TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10100625November 27, 2004SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEATBACK SNAPPED AND THEN COLLAPSED ONTO THE REAR SEAT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS SIMPLY REACHING INTO MY FRONT POCKET FOR MY KEYS. I WAS NOT INJURED AND FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE BACK SEAT AT THE TIME THE SEAT FAILED. I WENT TO WHITE BEAR DODGE AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE SAID THAT CHRYSLER DOES NOT SUPPLY PARTS FOR SEATS, AND THAT A NEW SEAT WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT THAT THE MANUFACTURER MUST FIX, AND I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PROCEED. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10101654November 26, 2004ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATED EVERYTIME IT RAINED THE OIL SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10100522November 25, 2004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE TAKEN TO FIRESTONE. PROBLEM DUE TO BAD LEAK DETECTION PUMP. LDP ON ORDER BUT VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN THREE DAYS. THE DAY LDP ARRIVES SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER QUITS. COMPUTER BURNED OUT. ORDERED REBUILT COMPUTER, SINCE NO NEW COMPUTERS AVAILABLE, FROM DODGE. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN 14 DAYS WAITING FOR COMPUTER. FIRESTONE INSTALLS COMPUTER. THREE DAYS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. FIRESTONE SAYS PROBLEM DUE TO BAD LDP. OBTAIN NEW LDP FROM DODGE BUT INSTALLED BY FIRESTONE. TWO DAYS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. FIRESTONE RESETS COMPUTER BUT CODES KEEPS DISPLAYING. FIRESTONE SAYS PROBLEM BEYOND THEIR EXPERTISE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DODGE. DODGE INSPECTS VEHICLE SAYS COMPUTER BURNED OUT. DODGE HAS VEHICLE FOR 10 DAYS WAITING REPLACEMENT COMPUTER UNDER WARRANTY. DODGE REPLACES COMPUTER AND CHECKS WIRING HARNESS FOR LOOSE CONNECTIONS. TWO DAYS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. DODGE SAYS COMPUTER BURNED OUT. DODGE REPLACES AND THIRD COMPUTER WHICH BURNS OUT. DODGE SUSPECTS BAD LDP, BUT RULES OUT WHEN INFORMED LDP WAS REPLACED LESS THAN ONE MONTH. DODGE REPLACES AND BURNS OUT FOURTH COMPUTER. 26 DAYS AND FIVE COMPUTERS LATER, DODGE SAYS VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS PROBLEM. DODGE CONSULTS WITH CHRYSLER TECHNICAL WHO RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS. WE DECLINE BECAUSE NOT A SURE FIX AND HAVE DODGE PUT THE VEHICLE BACK TOGETHER. DODGE DISCONNECTED WIRE BETWEEN LDP AND COMPUTER TO PREVENT COMPUTER FROM BURNING UP. UPON TAKING VEHICLE HOME RADIATOR LEAK DISCOVERED WHICH WE REPLACE. WIRING HARNESS INSPECTED BY INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL EXPERT WHO SAID VEHICLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS TOO MUCH TROUBLE TO TRACE.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10100524November 25, 2004AIR BAGS
WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER. WE CONTACTED THE CLOSEST SERVICE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER INFORMED US BECAUSE WE HAVE OVER 70,000 MILES ON OUR VEHICLE THEY WOULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL UNLESS THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. WHAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY THE NOTICE SAYS THAT IF THE VEHICLE HAS 70,000 OR LESS MILES TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED EVEN IF APPEARS THE CLOCKSPRING IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. BUT IF THE VEHICLE HAS MORE THAN 70,000 MILES TO WAIT UNTIL THE CLOCKSPRING FAILS. SINCE THE CLOCKSPRING IS A KNOWN DEFECT. WHO WILL BE LIABLE IF THE CLOCKSPRING FAILS ON OUR VEHICLE AND WE DON'T GET IT REPLACED IN TIME BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG IS NOT DEPLOYED RESULTING IN INCREASED INJURY TO THE DRIVER IN A FRONTAL CRASH? *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10101628November 24, 2004SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELT AND ALL THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELTS WOULD COME UNDONE WHILE DRIVING OR NOT DRIVING. THE RELEASE BUTTON STICK TOO HIGH UP, ANY PRESSURE CAUSES THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE CLAPS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10101585November 23, 2004AIR BAGS
THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED 4 DAYS BEFORE SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THAT CHANGED FROM PAVEMENT TO GRAVEL, WHEN THE PAVEMENT ENDED, SHE STARTED TO FISH TAIL, SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, WHICH SENT HER INTO A SPIN TWICE. *JB
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10100418November 23, 2004SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE:TORQUE ARM
I TOOK MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN ON A FRIDAY TO THE DEALER FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL (CLOCKSPRING) AND PICKED UP MY VAN UP ON FRIDAY EVENING AFTER WORK. SATURDAY MORNING I RAN A COUPLE OF ERRANDS AROUND TOWN AND AT 12:30 P.M. BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I PROCEEDED OUT OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE AND ONLY MADE IT AS FAR AS THE STREET BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CALLED FOR A TOW. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT MY WHEEL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE COMPLETE ATTACHED TO THE AXLE. HE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY INFORMED ME THAT MY AXLE HAD BROKEN. A BROKEN AXLE ON A 2000 THAT HAS 18,222 MILES ON IT. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS? I WAS VERY LUCKY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON A BUSY STREET OR FREEWAY. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10101817November 22, 2004STEERING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED. THE POWER STEERING LEAKED AND REPLACED UNDER RECALL 037. *BF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING HOSE BLEW OFF THE RACK CLAMP WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE GARAGE WAS SMOKE-FILLED AND A POOL OF FLUID WAS ON THE FLOOR. THE REMOTE WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10100323November 22, 2004STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
POWER STEERING HOSE CONTINUALLY COMES OFF--HAD IT REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN A 9 MONTH PERIOD. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10101336November 19, 2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN BRAKING CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER REPAIRS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10100135November 18, 2004SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE BOLT ATTACHING THE HANDLE TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINING MECHANISM BROKE. HERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO EVENTS LEADINGUP TO THE FAILURE.SEAT WILL NOT STAY UPRIGHT.VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED, I WILL RETAIN DEFECTIVE PARTS.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10101162November 17, 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
AFTER OVERFILLING THE FUEL TANK GAS FUME WERE COMING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSES. ALSO, IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10100096November 17, 2004AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. DRB III SCAN TOOL INDICATED DRIVER'S SQUIB CIRCUIT #2 FAILURE. CLOCK SPRING REPLACED, CORRECTING THE FAILURE. FAILED PART RETAINED BY DEALER.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10100110November 17, 2004FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING OVERFILL OF GAS TANK. GAS TANK SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR CAPTURE AND EVAPORATION OF OVERFILL. VENTS FOR AIR FLOW IN VEHICLE ALLOW GASOLINE FUMES/VAPORS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF VEHICLE. THIS CREATES A PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE PASSENGERS OR NEED TO USE THE VEHICLE. ALL OCCUPANTS ARE FORCED TO SIT INSIDE OF AN ENCLOSED VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE VAPORS. BROUGHT CONCERN TO DEALER AND DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WITHIN DESIGN PARAMETERS AND ADVISED NOT TO OVERFILL TANK. OVERFILL WAS NOT INTENTIONAL AND DEALER ADVISE DOES NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THAT THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM WAS MANDATED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT ALL NEW CARS HAVE SIMILAR SYSTEMS AND IF THEY ARE OVERFILLED FUMES/VAPORS WILL BE PRESENT IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AS WELL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN/MANUFACTURE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. DEALER WILL NOT WORK WITH ME BUT ONLY STATES THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE PUTTING MY FAMILY/CHILDREN INTO THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING IT WHILE IT IS FULL OF GASOLINE FUMES/VAPORS. AS A CAREER FIREFIGHTER I RECOGNIZE THAT GASOLINE IS MOST VOLITILE IN THE VAPOR STATE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURERS/DEALERS ATTENTION AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN/WILL DO.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10100112November 17, 2004TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL, EQUIPMENT
I OWN 8 MX4 MICHELIN TIRES I ROTATE AND USE 4 IN THE WINTER AND FOUR IN THE SUMMER. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC BLOW-OUT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER AND HAVE LOGGED OVER 1.5 MILLION MILES IN COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL VEHICLES AND I UTILIZE THE SMITH SYSTEM .THE ROAD WAS CLEAR WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC AND NO ROAD HAZARDS PRESENT. TWO WEEKS LATER ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. ANOTHER MASSIVE BLOW-OUT LEFT REAR BOTH TIMES LARGE HOLES IN THE SIDEWALLS ONE TIER MANUFACTURED IN 2000 THE OTHER IN 1999 MILES ON BOTH TIRES 17K TIERS INSPECTED AND CONFIRMED BLOWOUT ORIGINATED FROM THE INSIDE .SIMILAR OCCURRENCES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. MY REMAINING SIX TIRES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED FOR SIDE WALL DAMAGE OR UNUSUAL WEAR AND NONE FOUND VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AND NO DEFECTS FOUND.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10101246November 17, 2004AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10097043November 17, 2004ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
A METAL HOSE UNDERNEATH THE VAN RUSTED THROUGH AND EXPLODED. THIS RESULTED IN ALL THE COOLANT LEAKING OUT. THIS CAUSED THE VAN TO IMMEDIATELY OVERHEAT AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP PEFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DISCOVERED THE HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB *SC
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0