Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (1997)

583 consumer complaints on file.

#10238432August 15, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE PROBLEM IS WITH A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, THE ACCESSORY BELT KEEP COMING OFF IF YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE THROUGH WATER. IT HAS HAPPEN A LEAST 20 TIME IN THE LAST YEAR WHICH LEAD TO POWER STEERING FAILURE AND OVER HEATING AND BATTERY FAILURE. I TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY CHANGING THE TENSIONER THE BELT ALSO THE IDLER PULLER ALL ABOUT TWICE WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237378August 7, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, VISIBILITY, SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHIFTS, THE VEHICLE MAKES AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IT OPERATES NORMALLY. THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND WILL START BACK UP, BUT IT IS UNRELIABLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REV AND HAVE TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE REVVING TO STOP. IF THERE IS A POWER FLUCTUATION, THE REAR WIPERS WILL TURN ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. THE HIGH BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK, BUT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE PARKING LIGHT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED. HE REPLACED THE BULB, BUT IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IS CONSTANTLY REPLACING THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS. THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF; HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND THERE IS A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY IS RUSTING AND ROTTING. THE ROCKER PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,766. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234964July 20, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 GRAND CARAVAN SE - REPEATED INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF DASH GAUGES. WHEN THIS OCCURS, NO FEEDBACK FROM CAR ON SPEED OR GAS LEVEL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS OCCASIONAL STALLING. MULTIPLE OTHER CONSUMERS APPEAR TO HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. SEE HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T220421.HTML FOR POSTINGS. THE MECHANIC DID NOT FIX, WOULD APPARENTLY HAVE TO THROW PARTS AT IT (LIKE MANY OF THE CONSUMERS DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE POSTING WITHOUT SUCCESS). THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235056July 20, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING
I HAVE A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LAST YEAR ON DECEMBER 2007 MY SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT ON ONE STREET UNDER THE RAIN, I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OFF MY CAR BUT I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO CARS WERE AROUND. IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO DRIVE MY CAR BUT I CALLED THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME NOT WORRY THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET SAFE TO THE SHOP. THAT INCIDENT BROKE MY WINDSHIELD HOSE WATER, MY AIR CONDITIONER AND MY STEERING WHEEL HOSE AND HEAT IT UP THE CAR SO I HAD TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I GOT TO THE MECHANIC SHOP. I WAS SO AFRAID BUT I GOT SAFE. THEN IT HAPPEN AGAIN A WEEK LATER, I WAS SO ANGRY WITH THE MECHANIC BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT HE DIDN'T DO NOTHING TO MY CAR AND THAT HE WAS TAKING MY MONEY ONLY, SINCE I WAS AROUND THE CORNER I WAS ABLE TO GO BACK TO HIM. WITHIN THE LAS 7 MONTHS, MY SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF AROUND 5 TIMES AND EVERY TIME THAT IT CAME OFF IT BROKE SOMETHING, SO I HAD TO PAY THE MECHANIC MORE MONEY. I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO TRY TO CONTACT CHRYSLER AND TRY TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO, UNLESS THEY ARE EXPENTING FOR SOMEONE TO GET KILL BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MANEUVER THE WHEEL. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME MONICA HUAMAN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234137July 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE ALL WHEEL DRIVE. MY VAN HAS 185,000 MILES ON IT APROX. AND HAD 149,000 WHEN PURCHASED IN 2004. I AM HAVING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VAN FROM THE GET GO TO CURRENT. MY FRONT WIPERS WILL COME ON BY THEM SELF AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND THEY REFUSE TO SHUT OFF. I HAVE TO PULL MY CAR OVER AND SHUT IT DOWN AND HOPE WHEN I START IT NEXT THAT THE WIPERS WILL STAY OFF. JUST RECENTLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS POPPING OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. MY REAR A/C AND HEATER BLOWER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. I GO THROUGH HEADLIGHTS LIKE IM DRINKING WATER AND MOST RECENTLY MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER NO LONGER HAS POWER TO IT. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE MY CELL PHONE IN THE VAN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN TO MY MECHANIC AND HAVE HAD REPAIRS DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUES BUT THEY SEEM TO BE UNREPAIRABLE. I ALSO OWN A 1996 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER THAT HAS THE SAME VERY WIPER ISSUE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233618July 9, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FLUID ON THE GROUND. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, INSPECTED THE FLUID, AND DISCOVERED THE PUDDLE WAS BRAKE FLUID. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND CRAWLED UNDERNEATH TO DISCOVER THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 168,680.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227775May 14, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCHBACK LIFTGATE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL APART. THE HATCHBACK PUSHED A PORTION OF THE SUPPORT BRACKET INTO THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED INTERIOR DAMAGE. THE ARM OF THE LIFTGATE SNAPPED AND FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD. SHE CHECKED THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE TO FIND OUT IF HER VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V079000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE). SHE DISCOVERED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 218,523 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 217,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10227559May 13, 2008
AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CLOCK SPRING, BUT HE DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED BECAUSE THE DODGE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223686April 8, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220976March 12, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILS FREQUENTLY (ONCE OR TWICE WEEKLY) WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAY CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TO SEVERAL HOURS. WHEN IT OCCURS, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES ON WHILE THE GAUGES ARE OFF. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR SPEED, RPM'S, FUEL LEVEL ETC. ETC. ON OCCASION, HITTING THE DASH WILL CAUSE THEM TO COME BACK ON, BUT NOT ALWAYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220764March 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TWICE IN THE LAST 6 YEARS THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT IN OUR 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DUE TO FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME, IN 2002, OCCURRED AS THE TRANSMISSION PERMANENTLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. THE SECOND TIME, MARCH 2008, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN-SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR - AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT OUT OF GEAR BEFORE DOWN-SHIFTING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE HIGH. THE VAN IS NOT USED FOR ANYTHING BUT PASSENGER TRAVEL NOR IS IT USED FOR TOWING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215626January 22, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. SHE MANAGED TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE A CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210183November 28, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FLUID HAS DRAINED INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER MONTHS LATER AND THEY STATED THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V215000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY DISCOVERED FLUID LEAKING INTO THE RESERVOIR OF THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER; HOWEVER, NO FLUID WAS LEAKING. AS A RESULT, THE FLUID BEGAN TO ENTER INTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 12/31/07 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, HE REALIZED HE DIDN'T HAVE NORMAL BRAKING POWER. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202862September 13, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
DIGITAL DAHBOARD DISPLAY GOES BLANK WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER CANNOT READ ANY GAUGES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202737September 12, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE GAUGE CLUSTER ON OUT 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS FAULTY. WE CANNOT TELL HOW FAST WE ARE GOING, WHAT GEAR THE CAR IS IN,ETC. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE MADE TO FIX! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199544August 14, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FLAMES TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BEFORE EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 176,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196812July 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS THAT MY SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF WHILE TURNING A CORNER. I HAVE A 97 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT SE (3.3). THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT WAS RAINING AND THE SECOND TWO TIMES WERE IN GOOD WEATHER. EACH TIME IT WAS QUITE A JERK WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE TURN. WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE??? OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS QUITE A HASSLE HAVING TO GET THE CAR TOWED EACH TIME AND HAVING THE MECHANIC PUT THE BELT BACK ON AND LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TRUST MY VEHICLE ANYMORE. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE TENSIONER,BELT, AND PULLEYS WITH THE GATES MV CONVERSION KIT. HE WAS AWARE OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM. I ALSO READ ONLINE ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HOW THIS SEEMED TO BE THE ONLY FIX THAT WORKED. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP HERE SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY CHRYSLER. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE CHRYSLER WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW AND PROVIDE THIS FIX FOR EVERYONE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192747June 8, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT SMELLS SOMETHING BURNING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STOP NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ABS WIRES WERE TOUCHING. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192328June 3, 2007
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRES WORE OUT WITHIN 40,000 MILES AND THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE AN 80,000 MILE TIRE. I KEPT THE TIRES ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES, WAL-MART WOULD NOT HONOR THE 80,000 TREAD WEAROUT WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190703May 14, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ON THE 1997 GRAND CARAVAN WERE FROSTED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE LIGHTS DID NOT SHOWING UP AS BRIGHT. THEY APPEARED LOW LIT ALL THE TIME AS IF THE LIGHT COULD NOT FILTER THROUGH BECAUSE OF THE FROSTED LOOK ALL THE TIME. THIS WAS A HAZARD. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE HEADLIGHT COVERS LOOKED LIKE THEY DID. THIS WAS A REAL PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED HORRIBLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Dodge Grand Caravan