Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (2000)

443 consumer complaints on file.

#10163048July 21, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAD TO BE FIXED WITHIN 3 YEARS OF HAVING THE CAR- WHICH WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 2000. WE SPENT OVER 2K DOLLARS TO FIX A HUGE LEAK AND REPAIR THE TWO SYSTEMS IN THE CAR. I (SINCE 2005) AM NOW SEEING THAT THE AIR STOPS COOLING IF I IDLE OR WE DRIVE FOR TOO LONG, IT WILL NO LONGER BLOW OUT THE FRONT NOR BE COOL...IT BLOWS OUT THE TOP (LIKE THE DEFROSTER) AND IS NOT COOLED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159965June 15, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL PERIODICALLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY UN-LATCHED. IT JUST COMES UN-LATCHED ON ITS OWN - WITHOUT MOVING IT OR TOUCHING IT. VERY DANGEROUS!!!! IF I GET IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT, AND THE SEAT BELT BECOMES UN-LATCHED, NOT ONLY WILL I PROBABLY GET KILLED, BUT IT WILL LOOK LIKE I WASN'T WEARING MY SEAT BELT. PLEASE HAVE CHRYSLER RECALL THE MODELS PRONE TO THIS!!! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157907May 20, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
A RATTLING NOISE WHEN CAR IN USE, ESPECIALLY WHEN POWER USED FROM AIR CONDITIONING AND DEFROSTER. DIAGNOSIS FROM DODGE DEALER WAS A CRACKED FLEX PLATE. TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE PART. 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO BRINGING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE UPON ACCELERATION (ESPECIALLY UP HILL), FELT VERY UNSAFE DRIVING. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER THEY DIAGNOSED THE SHAKING PROBLEM TO BE THE FLEX PLATE. DEALER REPLACED THE FLEX PLATE AT MY COST, BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. VERY EXPENSIVE WORK BECAUSE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE LIFTED. AFTER REPAIR THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. REMARKED THE RATTLING NOISE IS GONE, BUT FRONT END SHAKE REMAINED. RE-EXAMINED CAR AND SAID THE FRAME WAS BENT ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THAT THE CAR MUST HAVE BEEN HIT AND TO CALL A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF ANY DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR. THE VAN IS GARAGED AND AT MOST DRIVEN APPROX 75-100 MILES P/WK. I DRIVE SAFELY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND HAVE NOT HIT EVEN SO MUCH AS A CURB OR JACK RABBIT. HOW CAN THE FRAME OF A CAR BE DAMAGED IN SUCH A WAY, WITHOUT ANY MISUSE OR ACCIDENT. IT IS NOT A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOSING CONTROL AT ANY TIME AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157769May 17, 2006
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
AIR BAGS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED ON 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157138May 9, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS RUSTING AT THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWERS ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT FAILURE IS IMMINENT. HAD A NOTICE BEEN GIVEN I COULD HAVE PROBABLY GOT DODGE TO WORK ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. AS IS IT IS 10,000 OVER WARRANTY, BUT THE PROBLEM HAD TO HAVE EXISTED BEFORE THE WARRANTY ENDED. NO DEATHS OR INJURIES YET. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157024May 8, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
LOCK CYLINDER ENGAGES COLUMN LOCK AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE. ONGOING PROBLEM THAT HAS GOTTEN INCREASING HARDER TO GET THE COLUMN TO RELEASE. PER DEALER TSB ON PROBLEM. WILL HAVE TO HAVE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155492April 17, 2006
PARKING BRAKE
PARK BRAKE ASSY SLIPS ON ACTIVATION AND WILL NOT HOLD 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES WHEN APPLIED LEAVING POOR PARK BRAKE HOLDING POWER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155244April 12, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
I HAVE A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE AND WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED LAST SATURDAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE "STRUT"" HOUSING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS RUSTING, FLAKING OFF. I COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALLS OR SAFETY ISSUES NOTED, BUT, APPARENTLY, I AM NOT THE FIRST ONE TO COMPLAIN OF THIS PROBLEM. PLUS, NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CORRECTIVE KIT...SINCE IT'S BACK ORDERED. THE AREA CHRYSLER/DODGE DEALER STATED THAT DODGE DID NOT MENTION THIS UNTIL THE WARRANTY WAS COMPLETED ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE MY WIFE NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SINCE IF THE HOUSING BREAKS, THE STRUT WILL COME THRU THE HOOD OF THE CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153599March 24, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO ITS DESTINATION AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE DIFFERENTIAL CROSS PIN CAME LOOSE, LOGGED INTO THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153618March 24, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE STRUT TOWERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN A SALT BELT STATE. UPDATED 5/2/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151433February 28, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I AM A DAY CARE PROVIDER AND WHILE I WAS TRANSPORTING FIVE SMALL CHILDREN, MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN'S TRANSMISSION BLEW ON THE INTERSTATE WITH NO WARNING. I WAS HORRIFIED AND WE WERE LEFT STRANDED FOR NEARLY AN HOUR. I RECENTLY HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED, AND OIL CHANGED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. MY VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 80 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FINDING OUT IT WAS GOING TO COST OVER $2000 TO FIX, I MADE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS. I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL LOCAL SERVICE SHOPS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND THAT ON AN AVERAGE THEY SEE THIS HAPPEN ON A WEEKLY BASIS. ONLINE RESEARCH TURNED UP THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THIS HAPPEN. THE TRANSMISSION BLOWS, SOMETHING ABOUT A PIN FLYING THROUGH THE CASE AND THE VEHICLE IS RENDERED USELESS UNTIL A $2000 PLUS REPAIR IS MADE. CONTACTED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY AND THEY STATED THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS, YET THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT WHETHER THIS WILL OCCUR WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION, I WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WOULD BE CORRECTED, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM TO CORRECT ...THEN CHRYSLER SHOULD FIX IT TO BEGIN WITH. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AND I STRONGLY FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR AT LEAST PART OF IT SINCE IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS IN THE 97-2002 MODELS FROM THE INFORMATION I GATHERED ONLINE. THE TRANSMISSION FAILS AND THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE OR PROCEDURE THAT A CUSTOMER CAN DO TO PREVENT IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150987February 23, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE SLID OFF OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED A PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION CAME OUT, CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PIN BROKE THROUGH THE HOUSING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THEY NOW HAVE A RETROFIT KIT TO LOCK THE PIN IN. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150298February 15, 2006
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN DRIVING MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN. THE LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, BUT AT TIMES IT STAYS ON FOR A WHILE, THEN GOES OUT; THEN AT TIMES IT STAYS ON FOR A WHILE, AND THEN GOES OUT. NO SET PATTERN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150344February 15, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE OXIDIZING CAUSING ONLY 40 PERCENT OF THE NORMAL LIGHT OUT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM
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
#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
#10145652December 19, 2005
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE AT A CHRYSLER DEALER THE SERVICE ADVISOR NOTED ON THE REPAIR ORDER AND TOLD MY WIFE THAT THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS WERE RUSTING OUT AND THAT THE STRUT COULD BREAK THOUGH THE TOWER CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VAN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143749November 28, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
I BROUGHT MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN IN FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. SERVICE MGR. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY LEFT STRUT TOWER/STRUT SEATING WAS BEGINNING TO RUST AND THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $700 TO REPAIR. STATED IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED SOON OR COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT FAILS. THE RIGHT ONE IS PERFECTLY FINE. I PROCEEDED TO DO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON "FAILURE". WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED OTHER THAN TSB 2304402? ISN'T THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL? WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE BEFORE I SPEND THIS MONEY THAT I DON'T FEEL IS MY FAULT OR CAUSE? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142910November 16, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT ON DODGE CARAVANS HAVE A TENDENCY TO COME OFF IN HEAVY RAIN AND/OR SNOW. IT HAPPENED ON OUR VEHICLE THE OTHER DAY WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND NARROWLY MISSED GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. DODGE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE THEY HAVE ISSUED A TECH BULLETIN ABOUT IT AND HAVE A KIT THAT THEY FEEL WILL REMEDY THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER NO RE-CALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY $150 TO $200 TO REMEDY THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141380November 1, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, SEATS, STRUCTURE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, TIRES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH RESULTED IN THE DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WAS A LEAK WITHIN THE ROOF, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE CARPETING. THERE IS A SLASHING SOUND WITHIN THE ROOF COMPARTMENT AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. THE CARPET HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES, AND THE TELEVISION WAS REPLACED ONCE AS A RESULT OF THE LEAK. *AK. UPDATED 11/30/2005 - GLAZED SERPENTINE BELT CAUSED GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. THE LEFT MIDDLE SEAT HEAD REST CAME LOOSE FROM THE GUIDE ROD. THE DOOR STICKS AND THE SIDING DOOR MAKES NOISE WHEN OPENING. THE REAR WINDOW RATTLES WHEN OPENED. THE FOG LIHJT ARE IONPERTIVE. THE HORN SPUNDED WEAK BECAUSE THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE TAIL LIGHT HAD MOISTURE IN IT. THE LOCKING GAS CAP WAS HARD TO OPEN. THE REAR TIRE HAD A SLOW LEAK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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