Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (1999)

432 consumer complaints on file.

#10505590April 8, 2013
SUSPENSION
STRUT BROKE ,STARTED TO RUB ON TIRE ,MADE IT TO REPAIR SHOP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE STRUT HOUSING IS ALL RUSTED OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493435January 18, 2013
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. RETURNED BY USPS. 2ND ATTEMPT ON 2/13/2013 FAILED. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462415June 20, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS COMING AROUND A TURN AND SAW A CAR MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ME. I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN BY BRAKING AND THE VAN APPEARED TO ACCELERATE. I BARELY AVOIDED RUNNING INTO THE TURNING CAR BY SWERVING AROUND IT. I THEN FOUND THAT ONLY MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORKING. I GOT HOME AND MY NEIGHBOR HELPED LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT THROUGH THE BRAKE LINE. THERE ARE 6 CONNECTIONS TO THE CAB. TWO ARE FOR LINES RUNNING TO THE REAR OF THE VAN. THEY HAVE 6 INCH SECTIONS OF FLEX TUBING BETWEEN THE SOLID TUBING. THE LEAK IS AT THE REARWARD CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE SOLID AND FLEX TUBING. BOTH REARWARD CONNECTIONS HAVE THE CORRODED SOLID METAL FOR THE FIRST FEW INCHES AFTER THE FLEX TUBING. I NOTED THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION OF BRAKE LINES ON THE 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CARAVAN ON THE INTERNET. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10427561September 27, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THAT IT DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424202September 7, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1999 AWD ABS GRAND CARAVAN, PERSONAL USE ONLY , NO TOWING, MILD NJ WINTER CONDITIONS. CAR PARKED FOR THREE DAYS AFTER EXTENDED TRIP (2,880 MILES OVER 3WEEKS)AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH NO PROBLEMS.ON SECOND LEG OF K-TURN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPOSITION CAR IN DRIVEWAY (SPEED LESS THAN 5MILES/ HR) BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY DEPRRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. INSPECTING BELOW THE VAN SHOWED BRAKE FLUID LEAK FROM A RUPTURED REAR BRAKE LINE CLOSE TO BRAIDED FLEX LINE CLOSE TO ABS MODULE. ALL STEEL LINES FOUND TO BE EXTENSIVELY CORRODED /RUSTED UP TO AND INVOLVING FIXTURES AT ATTACHMENT TO INNER BRAKE HOSES AT THE REAR, UP TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE FRONT WHEEL LINES AT THE ATTACHMENT TO FRONT HOSES. DODGE DEALERSHIP (AUTOLAND) TOTALLY HANDS-OFF IN TRYING TO ADDRESS THIS GLARING SAFETY ISSUE - "NO RECALLS, NO MECHANISMS TO REPORT THIS ISSUE TO CHRYSLER", MORE INFURIATING IS THAT NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS, THEY HAVE ALL BEEN DISCONTINUED....RIGHT AT THE TIME THAT MOST OF THESE CARS WILL BE NEEDING THE BRAKING PLUMBING CHANGED!!! MEANWHILE THERE ALL THESE TICKING TIME BOMBS OF CARAVANS OUT THERE WITH TENUOUS BRAKING ABILITY ONCE THESE DEFECTIVE LINES RUPTURE. PLEASE RECALL THESE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES, BEFORE SOMEBODY'S FAMILY CRIES!!! I SHUDDER TO THINK THIS COULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING MY LONG ROAD TRIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416919August 3, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
!999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. ONE GAS TANK SUPPORT STRAP FELL OFF DRIVING ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT, 2ND STRAP DISINTEGRATED WITH SLIGHT MANUAL TWIST, GOT IT BACK ONTO DRIVEWAY & SUPPORTED TANK BEFORE REPLACING BOTH. HAVE BOTH PARTS SAME AS REPORTED; FORD PICKUPS RECALL. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397883April 25, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY STATE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN AND DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE. THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF AND I LOST THE POWER STEERING, AIR CONDITIONING, WATER PUMP. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT THE OTHER DRIVER WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393502March 28, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
AS MY FRIEND WHO BORROWED MY VEHICLE APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION IN ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED, CAUSING HER TO COLLIDE INTO A VEHICLE WHICH CONSEQUENTLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE REPORT CORRECTLY INDICATES NO OPERATOR FAULT, BUT RATHER A FAULTY BRAKE LINE WHICH BURST, LEAVING A POOL OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. MOST VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKING SYSTEM THAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES TO FAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY. UNFORTUNATELY THE 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DOES NOT HAVE SUCH A SYSTEM. ALL BRAKES WERE LOST, MY VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE (WHICH WAS TOTALED AND RESULTED IN AN INJURED DRIVER) WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THE BRAKES THEMSELVES WERE INSPECTED WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT BUT THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND CREATED THE INCIDENT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10392841March 25, 2011
STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF PULLEYS WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN. LOST ABILITY TO STEER VAN. HEADED DIRECTLY FOR ANOTHER CAR AND COLLISION NARROWLY AVOIDED. BELT COMING OFF WHEN WET APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES VAN, AND WOULD SEEM TO BE A VERY SERIOUS HAZARD. IT IS BEYOND ME WHY DODGE IS NOT REQUIRED TO RETROFIT A BETTER BELT/PULLEY SYSTEM (WHICH DOES EXIST AND IS ON THE MARKET). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380065February 3, 2011
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH GOODYEAR ALLEGRA TIRES, LINE SIZE P205 75/R14 DOT PJKC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE TIRES FAILED BETWEEN 12,000 AND 26,000 MILES. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SEVERAL SMALL CRACKS ON THE TIRES PRIOR TO THE THEM FAILING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE DISTRIBUTOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. THE DISTRIBUTOR ALSO ADVISED THAT THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,499 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,819.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375560January 11, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER HITTING APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES OF SNOW/SLUSH IN THE ROAD THE SERPENTINE BELT SLID OFF CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID ACCIDENT AND PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. THIS IS THE 5TH SUCH INCIDENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359910October 10, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAVE 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND NOTICED RUST BUBBLES AT THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER MOUNTS WITH A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. I KNOCKED ON THE AREA WITH MY HAND AND ABOUT HALF OF THE STRUT TOWER METAL SUPPORT FELL APART! THE STRUT SUPPORT IS NOW JUST BEING HELD IN PLACE WITH ONE NUT AND MINIMAL METAL. I WENT ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER MINIVANS AND THAT CHRYSLER HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SALES BULLETIN BACK IN 2002 ON THIS STRUT TOWER RUST PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A WARRANTY ISSUE AND CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL YEARS AGO. CONSIDERING THAT THESE MINIVANS ARE USED PRIMARILY AS A FAMILY TRANSPORT VEHICLE, THIS RUST PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALLED ASAP! THIS IS THE FIRST I HAVE EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS VEHICLES INCLUDING AN OLDER CAR DRIVING IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352155August 26, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE LEFT FRONT SPRING TOWER RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE BODY TO DROP ON THE WHEEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351707August 25, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER WINDOWS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND CRUISE CONTROL WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE RADIO HAD ALSO FAILED IN ADDITION TO THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINING ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS IN 2008 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS) WHERE THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIR CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH BEFORE RECURRING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10348445August 10, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER DOOR LOCK ON DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TO OPEN THE REAR SLIDING DOOR ON MY VAN AND REACH AROUND TO UNLOCK MANUALLY. IT DOESN'T LOCK AFTER BEGINNING TO MOVE EITHER. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10342069July 8, 2010
STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 3.3L. SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF PULLEYS WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS, EVEN SLIGHTLY. THIS PRODUCES AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP, ETC., AND WITHIN 15-20 SECONDS THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS. THIS CREATES SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD WITH IMPAIRED STEERING ABILITY ALONG WITH ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE VEHICLE FROM TRAFFIC BEFORE IT OVERHEATS, STALLS, OR ENGINE CATCHES FIRE. THIS SLIPPAGE OCCURS CONSISTENTLY TO THE POINT WE MUST AVOID DRIVING WHEN RAINING (EVEN DRIZZLING) OR EVEN IF ROADS ARE STILL MOIST AFTER A RAIN. WE FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT AFFECTING NUMEROUS MODEL YEAR DODGE CARAVANS, AS WELL AS CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VAN. TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS STATED THE CAUSE IS POOR DESIGN OF THE PULLEY SYSTEM. TWO OF THE PULLEYS ARE SMOOTH-SURFACED AND ONE SIDE OF THE SERPENTINE BELT IS SMOOTH. WHEN A LIQUID (RAIN/SNOW/LUBRICANT, ETC.) IS INTRODUCED TO THE PULLEY SYSTEM, THESE SMOOTH SURFACES ALLOW THE BELT TO EASILY SLIP OFF. DODGE OFFERS TO REPLACE THE TWO SMOOTH PULLEYS WITH GROOVED PULLEYS, AS WELL AS PROVIDE A SERPENTINE BELT WITH DUAL SIDED GROOVES FOR AROUND $400. THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BUT RATHER A POOR DESIGN THAT HAS CONTINUED FOR OVER A DECADE DESPITE EARLY COMPLAINTS. CONSUMERS HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS IN TOWING AND REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY TO FIX THE MANUFACTURERS' SAFETY DEFECTS AND ADD TO THEIR PROFITS IN DOING SO. WAS IT AN INTENTIONAL DEFECT TO BOOST SERVICE DEPT PROFITS? THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL TO REPLACE THE TWO PULLEYS AND SERPENTINE BELT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341317July 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTING OUT NEAR ABS CONTROL AT THE STAINLESS STEEL LINE CONNECTIONS.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339547June 22, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. REAR BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WERE SOLID LINE MEETS BRAIDED LINE UNDER DRIVER SIDE OF CAR AND NEAR ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE. LOSS OF BRAKING FORCED ME TO DRIVE VEHICLE ONTO SOMEONE'S LAWN TO AVOID A REAR END IMPACT OF A CAR MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A SINGLE LANE ROAD. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. FAILURE WAS ABRUPT WITH NO PRIOR VISUAL EVIDENCE OF LEAKING ON MY DRIVEWAY OR IN THE PARKING SPOT OF MY WORKPLACE. RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER IT WAS TOO LATE. REAR BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED WITH SOLID LINES AT A COST OF $290.00. REPAIR WAS COMPLETED ON 06/21/10. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339029June 18, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY 1999 CARAVAN HAS THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK TOWER RUSTED OUT. THE IS A COMMON FLAW AND A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THEY'VE HAD SO MANY VANS DO THIS, THEY CREATED A REPAIR PART KIT. IF THE SHOCK BREAKS THROUGH WHILE DRIVING, SEVERE INJURIES DUE TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WILL LIKELY OCCUR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328741May 4, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED FOR RECALL 04V480000 (AIR BAGS). A MONTH AFTER BEING REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED THE SAME FAILURE WHICH WAS THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL, WINDOWS, RADIO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HORN, LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS AND RADIO DID NOT FUNCTION ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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