Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints

13,518 consumer complaints on file.

#10484544November 13, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE BOTH FEET TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,480.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483910November 10, 2012
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, VISIBILITY/WIPER
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN A LOCKED GARAGE. NO IMPACT, TEMPERATURE ABOVE FREEZING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483601November 7, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL A NOISE BEING EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483351November 5, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES
JUNE 2012, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM A RESTAURANT FROM DINNER, THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A POWER FAILURE WHICH IMMEDIATELY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO POWER DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE A BEST ATTEMPT TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH WAS MADE DIFFICULT BY THE FACT THAT THE BRAKES WERE POWERED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AS WAS THE STEERING. I SUBSEQUENTLY CALLED A MECHANIC WHO CAME AND CHECKED OUT THE MINIVAN BUT, NO WORK WAS PERFORMED BECAUSE WHEN THE MECHANIC ARRIVED, THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE PERFECTLY AND ALL OF THE VOLTAGES FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TESTED OKAY. A MONTH LATER, AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND PARKING MY CAR, I NOTICED THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS STILL OPERATING ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHUT OFF. I THEN IMMEDIATELY STARTED THE CAR AND DID EVERY CHECK POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAD NOT LEFT ANYTHING ON. AFTER CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD AND CLOSING THE HOOD ITSELF, THE FAN SHUT OFF ON ITS ON.WITHIN A MATTER OF WEEKS, THIS SAME PROBLEM BEGAN REPEATING ITSELF AND WOULD ONLY STOP ONCE THE BATTERY RAN DOWN. I EVENTUALLY HAD THE FAN RELAY/STARTER REPLACED AFTER A MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THIS WAS THE ISSUE. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND THAT THE FAN NO LONGER STAYS ON. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EITHER SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE AND I AM STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY DRAINING, ALTHOUGH NOTHING APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN LEFT ON. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAVE CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL DODGE DEALERSHIPS TO SPEAK WITH MECHANICS. TO GENERALIZE, A MAJORITY OF THE MECHANICS HAVE DEALT WITH OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE SOME OR ALL OF THE SAME ISSUES AND SUGGEST THAT THE TIPM IS FAULTY AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON CHRYSLER AND DODGE MINIVANS OF THE SAME YEAR AND BEING THAT THIS IS THE CASE THAT THEY EXPECT TO SEE A RECALL ISSUED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483414November 5, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
RECEIVED "SAFETY RECALL L01" TO REPLACE THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER MODULE (ORC). THE L01 RECALL WAS PERFORMED AT DODGE DEALERSHIP IN DAYTONA AUTO MALL, DAYTONA BEACH FLORIDA WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE ORC, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY DYNAMIC SENSOR (ESP) HAD TO BE REMOVED AND RE-INSTALLED AS PART OF THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE ORC. VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AND DRIVEN HOME THAT DAY. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE ESP, BAKE ASSIST SENSOR (BAS), AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASH. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DODGE DEALER TO VERIFY THAT THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE RECALL PROCEDURE. DODGE DEALER CHECKED ABS CODES AND SAID THE STEERING ANGLE CONTROL /CLOCK SPRING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, AND WOULD COST $500 PLUS TO FIX. ALL THESE COMPONENTS ARE CONNECTED TO THE ABS SYSTEM. I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THAT ONE DAY AFTER THE L01 RECALL WAS DONE, THAT ANOTHER COMPONENT OF THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483160November 2, 2012
ENGINE
THE REAR HEATER DIVERTER VALVE HAS A LARGE CRACK IN IT AND WHILE SEARCHING I SEEN MANY OTHERS THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. IT CAUSES COOLANT LEAKS AND OVERHEATS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482582October 29, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS 3 TIMES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS AND I NOW HAVE TO BRING IN MY VAN TO HAVE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED YET AGAIN. CHRYSLER SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE, HOWEVER THEY HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB PLUS THEY DID ONE RECALL WHERE ALL THEY DID WAS REPLACE THE PADS. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE PADS ON MY VAN SINCE I HAD ALREADY DONE SO. THE PADS HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VAN ALSO. I HAVE ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON MY VAN AND THIS WILL BE THE FIFTH OR SIXTH SET OF BRAKE PADS ON THIS VAN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482217October 25, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE CABIN AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOSIE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECCURRED APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482060October 24, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT BY THEMSELVES DURING NIGHT HIGHWAY DRIVING AT ~64MPH! THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I HAD MY WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN IN THE VAN. COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND CYCLE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH 6-10 TIMES TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE AGAIN. EVEN AFTER THAT, THEY WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT/COME ON FOR THE DURATION OF OUT TRIP HOME. THIS IS A SERIOUS VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10481561October 23, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
UPON ENTERING VEHICLE PRESSING KEYFOB TO UNLOCK ANY DOOR OR HATCH THE HORN WOULD START TO SOUND, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS (FRONT AND REAR) WOULD START TO GO ON ITS ON INCLUDING WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID AS WELL, LIGHTS WOULD START TO FLASH AS WELL. I WOULD HAVE TO OPEN UP THE HOOD AND HIT THE FUSE BOX LOCATED NEXT TO THE BATTERY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FIREWALL JUST TO GET IT TO STOP. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCASSIONS TO NO AVAIL BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NOW I AM OUT A DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $94.00 X2 AND THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR BOTH TIMES FOR MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN BECAUSE MY 100% FULL WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE COST OF THE RENTAL BECAUSE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. AFTER SEARCHING AND READING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT MY WIFE AND I ARE HAVING WITH THIS CARA VAN I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED BY THE CARAVAN DOING SOMETHING THAT IT WAS NOT ASKED TO DO!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10481281October 21, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY FROM BOTH INTERIOR SWITCHES AND KEY FOB. WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK ANY OF THE 5 DOORS FROM INTERIOR. MANUALLY ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK DOORS INDIVIDUALLY. UNABLE TO LOCK BACK HATCH WITH KEY OR FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. SAFETY PROBLEM WITH 1 AND 3 YEAR OLD THAT NEED TO HAVE DOORS LOCKED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ALSO UNSAFE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN TO BE STANDING OUTSIDE VEHICLE WHILE UNLOCKING DRIVER'S DOOR WITH KEY THEN MANUALLY D/S REAR DOOR. CHILDREN ARE UNNECESSARILY STANDING OUTSIDE VEHICLE WHILE DOORS ARE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10480098October 15, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY FROM AN OFF RAMP, THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE FRACTURED. THE FUEL TANK THEN DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO A SAFE LOCATION WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10480591October 15, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE BRAKE LIGHTS, INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE CLUSTER ABOVE HER HEAD ALL FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED SEVERAL LIGHT BULBS BUT ALL OF THE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. ..UPDATED 12/06/12 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479886October 12, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS BRAKE FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER ENGAGING THE BRAKES IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V099000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479773October 11, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479844October 11, 2012
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
THERE IS A HEATER HOSE ASSEMBLY LEADING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE TO THE HEATER CORES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. A HOSE COMES OUT OF THE ENGINE AND INTO A Y-COUPLING, WHERE IT SPLITS INTO TWO HOSES. ONE HOSE LEADS INTO THE FIREWALL AND THE FRONT HEATER CORE. THE SECOND GOES UNDER THE VEHICLE TO THE BACK HEATER CORE. A COOLANT LEAK DEVELOPED IN THE Y-COUPLING, LEAKING COOLANT ONTO THE EXHAUST. AFTER LEAKING FOR SOME TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TO INDICATE LOW COOLANT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, AS A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH TURNS UP MANY RESULTS LIKE THIS: HTTP://DODGEFORUM.COM/FORUM/DODGE-CARAVAN/275625-2008-GRAND-CARAVAN-COOLANT-LEAK-3.HTML EITHER THE Y-COUPLINGS ARE DEFECTIVE, OR ARE NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE STRESS AND HEATING/COOLING CYCLES INHERENT IN CARRYING HOT COOLANT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479847October 11, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO ON AND OFF AT ANY TIME. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE PARKED FOR THE NIGHT. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON THREE OCCASIONS, FIRST ONLY THE SWITCH, NEXT THE SWITCH AND BATTERY, AND THEN FINALLY THE SWITCH AND ALTERNATOR. EACH REPAIR LASTS FOR A FEW MONTHS THEN THE PROBLEM RETURNS. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION AS IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT DRIVING. AS THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE I CANNOT GET A TRUE DIAGNOSIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479543October 10, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHENEVER IT RAINS. I HAVE HAD THE BELT, HARMONIC BALANCER AND THE TENSIONER ARM (2 X'S) REPLACED BUT IT STILL COMES OFF IN THE RAIN. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR MOMENTARILY EACH TIME AND HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS. LUCKILY I WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO STEER THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. BUT A SMALL WOMAN WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE ABLE TO. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL NOT SOMETHING THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479565October 10, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
PURCHASED USED 2008 GRAND CARAVAN 2/12/10 WITH 29,695 MILES, ALL FOUR ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY 39,471 MILES ON 03/23/11. NOW AT 52,500 MILES AND 10/10/12 ALL ROTORS AND PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. BRAKES SHOULD NOT WEAR LIKE THIS. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479675October 10, 2012
STEERING, SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN AUGUST, AFTER READING REVIEWS I DISCOVERED THE RACK AND PINION WAS AN ISSUE ON THIS VAN, SO I ASKED THE PREVIOUS OWNER WHETHER THEY HAD ANY ISSUES AND THEY REPLIED THEY HAD JUST REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION DUE TOO A SEVERE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. AFTER HEARING THIS I FIGURED THAT MEANT PROBLEM SOLVED. UNFORTUNATELY ITS NOW NOT EVEN A MONTH AND A HALF LATER AND AM NOTICING A SEVERE POWERSTEERING LEAK, MY MECHANIC IS TELLING ME THE RACK AND PINION HAS FAILED ONCE AGAIN AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. USUALLY THIS PART LAST THE LIFETIME OF ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED AND VERY DISPLEASED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY AND I AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORIST ON THE ROAD. I ALSO SUSPECT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS REPEATEDLY. IS THERE A RECALL IM UNAWARE OF, WHAT CAN I DO? I WAS QUOTED BETWEEN $700-800 FOR THIS JOB BY THREE MECHANICS. IS THIS SOMETHING DODGE MAY BE LIABLE FOR? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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