Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (2006)

286 consumer complaints on file.

#10462219June 19, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AS I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE ACCELERATOR STICKS, AND I CAN'T UNDO IT. THE VAN STARTS SLOWING DOWN I HAVE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AND TO TRY AND GET THE ACCELERATOR UNSTUCK . THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUTS DOWN ON ITS OWN WHEN THIS HAPPENS. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO STOP THE ENGINE TO GET THE ACCELERATOR TO UNSTICK. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME THAT THIS HAPPENS IS WHEN I'M DRIVING IN BETWEEN 55 TO 60 MPH. IT HAPPENS SO FREQUENTLY THAT I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IN MULTIPLE LANE TRAFFIC IN FEAR THAT IT WILL STICK WHEN I'M IN A MIDDLE LANE AND START SLOWING DOWN AND SOMEBODY HIT ME FROM BEHIND OR BE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH NO WAY OUT BECAUSE IT WONT START. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR STICKS THE VEHICLE STARTS SLOWING DOWN AND I START TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND START TO TRY AND STOP IT. IF I DON'T PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND POSSIBLY SHUT DOWN. I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING WITH THE SAME MODEL. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE KILLED. THANKS. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462106June 18, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STRUCTURE
AIR CONDITIONING FAILED AROUND 50,000 MILES. HAD SYSTEM RECHARGED AND STARTED TO FAIL AGAIN IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. BY THAT TIME, WEATHER STARTED TO BECOME COLD. BY 80,000 MILES (FOLLOWING SUMMER), TOLD THAT THE REAR AIR EVAPORATOR PART WAS LEAKING AND WHILE DODGE DID NOT "RECALL" THE PART, THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANT TO I THINK - 75,000 MILES. THE PART TOOK ABOUT 2 MONTHS TO COME IN AND COST OVER $1,600 TO INSTALL. I WAS NEVER GIVEN NOTICE OF THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY." DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR NO LONGER WORKS FOR THE SECOND TIME (FIRST AROUND 50,000 SECOND TIME AROUND 75,000). RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACEMENT AROUND 90,000 MILES. THAT COST AROUND $1,500. FUEL GAUGE IS ABOUT 1/4 TANK OFF IN THE BAD DIRECTION. CAN NO LONGER TRUST GAUGE UNDER HALF A TANK. PAINT STARTED TO PEEL AND METAL UNDERNEATH RUST AROUND 50,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455832April 20, 2012
STEERING, POWER TRAIN
THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE SIX MONTHS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. ANY TIME IT RAINS, ESPECIALLY IF MY VEHICLE GOES THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE POWER STEERING IS GREATLY AFFECTED. THE MOST RECENT TIME, THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY LOST AND I HAD TO USE ALL OF MY STRENGTH TO MANEUVER THE CAR INTO A SAFE LOCATION, OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. THE BELT SQUEALED AND THEN EVERYTHING RESUMED... UNTIL I HIT ANOTHER PUDDLE. IN THE TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, IT WAS NOT NEARLY AS LONG OF A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, NOR DID THE BATTERY LIGHT COME ON; THE BELTS SQUEALING ALWAYS SIGNALS THAT THE STEERING HAS RESUMED. MY MECHANIC IS BAFFLED AND WE ARE SCARED TO DRIVE OUR VEHICLE, SPECIFICALLY IN THE RAIN. FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455730April 19, 2012
TIRES
1- PRIOR TO FAILURE WAS JUST DRIVING @ 65MPH ON INTERSTATE 89. CLEAR/CLEAN ROADS. CLEAR SUNNY DAY. THIS TIRE WAS FOUND TO HAVE LOST SOME AIR 2 WEEKS AFTER INSTALL BUT HAD MAINTAINED REGULAR PRESSURE SINCE THEN. PRIOR TO TRAVEL ON DATE OF FAILURE, ALL TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND PSI WAS CHECKED. 2- FAILURE WAS A REAR TIRE BLOW OUT. THIS TIRE WAS ONE OF A FULL SET RECENTLY INSTALLED APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AND 445 MILES EARLIER. BLOWOUT WAS NOT THE RESULT OF RUNNING OVER ANY ROAD HAZARD, BUMP OR OBJECT. ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF TIRES THIS INCIDENT DISTURBS ME AND THE SAFETY OF THE TIRE IS SUSPECT. SINCE THE TIRE WAS DESTROYED, EVIDENCE OF SIDEWALL FAILURE WAS ABSENT, BUT THE TREADS WERE NOT PUNCTURED OR CUT AND WERE FREE OF ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS. THE BLOWOUT INFLICTED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL LINING BY CAUSING A CRACK AND A HOLE MEASURING APPROX 1' X 2". 3- THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE OF THE SAME MODEL. COOPER TIRES REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, POINTING OUT THAT THE SIDEWALLS WERE DESTROYED THEREFORE SO WAS ANY EVIDENCE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT COOPER HAS HAD SOME HISTORY OF VERY SIMILAR FAILURES IN THE PAST AND THAT MAY EXPLAIN THE UNWILLINGNESS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS PREMATURE FAILURE OR TO OFFER ANY KIND OF FINANCIAL ADJUSTMENT OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. BESIDES THE LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE TIRE AND THE LACK OF CONCERN FROM THE MANUFACTURER, I WORRY THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE HERE. I AM THANKFUL THAT THERE WAS NO INJURY IN THIS INCIDENT. I AM HOPING THAT THIS COMPLAINT AND MY ADDITIONAL EFFORTS WILL RAISE AWARENESS OF THIS POTENTIAL DANGER AND PROMPT CONSUMERS TO CAREFULLY MONITOR ANY COOPER CS4 TIRES. I URGE ANY CONSUMER WHO MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED AN UNUSUAL OR PREMATURE FAILURE OF ANY COOPER CS4 TIRE TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO ASSIST IN DISCOVERING ANY TRENDS AND PERHAPS AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE TIRE INVOLVED IN THIS FAILURE WAS DISPOSED OF. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451773March 15, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY STOP ILLUMINATING AT NIGHT AND WOULD NOT BEGIN FUNCTIONING AGAIN FOR A FEW HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CONSUMER STATED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON WHEN SHE USED THE SWITCH TO TURN THEM ON. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SHE NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ON, BUT WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THEY CAME BACK ON. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON AT ALL AFTER TOGGLING THE SWITCH. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA11-010) UPDATED 03/29/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448330February 17, 2012
STEERING
I NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND UPON STARTING THE ENGINE AND THEN WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IT WAS A LOW WHINE. I ALSO NOTICED UPON LEAVING THE VAN AFTER DRIVING A STRONG ODOR OF SOMETHING LIKE OIL ON A HOT ENGINE. I WAITED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND FINALLY TOOK IT TO BE CHECKED OUT BECAUSE NONE OF THE GAUGES WERE SHOWING A PROBLEM AND NOTHING ELSE SEEMED WRONG. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A RACK AND PINION PROBLEM AND SEEMED TO BE COMMON WITH THIS MODEL. INSTEAD OF SPENDING THE $1,200 I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR WOULD BE, I HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY CHECKING THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND MAKING SURE IT IS FULL. WHY, IF THIS IS A "COMMON PROBLEM" (WHICH SEEMS TO BE TRUE ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET) HAS THIS NOT BEEN A RECALL? OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, I LOVE THE GRAND CARAVAN. IT JUST DOES NOT SEEM THAT AT 41,000+ MILES THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446845February 6, 2012
STRUCTURE, STEERING, AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2006 GRAND CARAVAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS ALMOST SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2007 (IT HAD 18,000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT). IT NOW ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT. MY DRIVERS SIDE ELECTRIC DOOR DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN IT IS WARM OUTSIDE (29,000 MILES). THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED (65,000 MILES). WHEN IT RAINS MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT PERIODICALLY (65,000 MILES) . MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON (HAVEN'T TAKEN IT IN TO CHECK IT YET) (66,000 MILES) AND NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON (68,000 MILES). ALSO I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STILL HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING IT. IT CLICKS CLICKS CLICKS LIKE A HUNDRED TIMES THEN EVENTUALLY IT STARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446902February 6, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VAN STALLS A FEW MINUTES AFTER RE-FUELING TANK TO FULL LEVEL. TANK IS NOT TOPPED OFF BEYOND WHAT AUTO SHUT-OFF NOZZLE AT STATION ALLOWS. STALLING QUITE OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING BACK ONTO MAIN STREETS FROM GAS STATION. ALL POWER BRAKING AND STEERING IS LOST WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHICH PRESENTS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. VAN MUST BE COMPLETELY STOPPED AND RESTARTED. ONCE RESTARTED, VEHICLE DOES NOT EXHIBIT PROBLEM UNTIL NEXT FILL UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441760December 30, 2011
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED AND THE BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH BUT THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10439778December 13, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN I GOT TO WORK AND WENT TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF. THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF BUT IT KEPT DINGING LIKE THEY WERE STILL ON. I TURNED THE SWITCH ON THEN OFF AGAIN AND IT STILL KEPT DINGING AND THE SMALLER HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AND DIDN'T SHUT OFF AFTER I HAD SHUT OFF LIGHTS. I HAD TO GO BACK AND DO THE SAME THING WITH THE LIGHT SWITCH AND THEN THEY FINALLY SHUT OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438777December 6, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER LOCK AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHILE DRIVING. THEY HAVE TO BE LOCKED MANUALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WITH CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT, THEY CAN NOW OPEN THE DOORS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING IF AN ADULT FORGETS TO LOCK THEM. THE LIFT GATE IN THE BACK NO LONGER CHIMES WHEN OPENING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. SOMEONE CAN GET WHACKED WITH THE DOOR, NOT KNOWING THAT IT IS ABOUT TO OPEN. THE PARKING LIGHTS STAY ON OR COME ON SPONTANEOUSLY AFTER THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN TURNED OFF. THIS IS A PROBLEM. VERY EASY FOR THE OWNER TO COME OUT IN THE MORNING TO A DEAD BATTERY AND A CAR THAT WON'T START. SOME OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE HEADLIGHTS CUTTING OUT WHILE DRIVING, A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10433455October 28, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AUTOMATIC LOCK DOES NOT WORK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429419October 11, 2011
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STUDS ON THE WHEELS WERE FRACTURING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE STUDS WERE FRACTURED BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO SOFT AND WEAKENED OVER TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE STUDS AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10429379October 10, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
PRESS DOWN ON TURN SIGNAL STALK AND THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL COMES ON. PRESS UP ON TURN SIGNAL STALK AND LEFT BLINKER COMES ON. SOMETIMES NEITHER TURN SIGNAL WILL WORK AT ALL WHEN TURN SIGNAL STALK IS PUSHED UP OR DOWN. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427486September 26, 2011
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED EACH WINDOW WAS INOPERABLE AND ONLY THE MASTER SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS ABLE TO ACTIVATE THE OTHER WINDOWS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC CHECKED TO SEE IF THE SWITCH ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAD ANY POWER AND IT DID NOT. THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH CAUSED OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION AS WELL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SWITCH BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC THEN REPLACED THE ESM MODULE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS HAD MALFUNCTIONED, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. KMJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424534September 9, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OUR REAR EVAPORATOR DOES NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK. WE ONLY HAVE 48,000 MILES ON OUR VAN AND I HAVE READ A ALOT OF SIMILAR STORIES REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424320September 8, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. IN ORDER TO RELEASE BOTH REAR DOORS AN OCCUPANT MUST MANUALLY OPEN THEM FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422308August 28, 2011
STEERING
WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT I FELT A SNAP IN THE STEERING. COMPLETED THE TRIP WHILE FEELING HEAVY STEERING TO THE RIGHT. STEERING SEEMED OK. GOT HOME AND TRIED THE STEERING FULL LEFT TO FULL RIGHT AND THE STEERING LOCKED IN THE LEFT TURN POSITION. THOUGHT THE PARKING STEERING LOCK WAS THE PROBLEM AND WHILE TRYING TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER IT LOCKED IN THE D2 POSITION AND AFTER MORE JIGGLING THE LEVER LOCKED IN THE LO POSITION. THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING ALL OF THIS TIME. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10419340August 14, 2011
STEERING
IN 2008, THE RACK/PINION/STEERING COMPONENT HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN 2011, THE SAME COMPONENT AGAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS ALSO CREATED A NEED TO REPLACE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10418464August 10, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ON 6/27/11 THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN OUR 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FOR NO REASON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ABOUT 25 MPH. THE DRIVER HAD MINOR INJURIES. CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR COST AND HAVE GIVEN US A REPAIR QUOTE OF ABOUT $4000.00. CHRYSLER TOLD US THAT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON FOR 250 DRIVING HOURS BEFORE THE INCIDENT, BUT THAT IS COMPLETELY FALSE. THEY WILL NOT RELEASE THE REPORT TO US. AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. AFTER THE INCIDENT, WE WERE TOLD ABOUT A PREVIOUS AIRBAG RECALL ON SOME 2006 GRAND CARAVANS. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE 2008 GRAND CARAVANS WERE ALSO RECALLED FOR UNEXPECTED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ALSO THE STEERING GEAR WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/25/11 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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