Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (2005)

996 consumer complaints on file.

#10219710February 29, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ON OR AROUND FEB 26 I DISCOVERED THAT THE AUTO DOOR LOCKS WERE NOT WORKING NOR WAS I ABLE TO UNLOCK OR LOCK MY DOORS FROM THE INSIDE WITH THE INSIDE LOCK SWITCH. IF MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO OUTRUN AN ASSAILANT SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO UNLOCK OR LOCK THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN SECONDS COULD BE CRUCIAL. NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT THE LIGHTS FLASH WITH USING THE REMOTE ERRANTLY INDICATING THAT THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. AT THIS POINT I HAVE'NT FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT DODGE HAS AN UPDATE FIX. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219722February 29, 2008
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
SPORADIC NOISE COMING FROM CAR ENGINE, AND SOME DIFFICULTY TURNING AT TIMES. AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION, A MECHANIC FOUND THAT IT IS A FAULTY RACK AND PINION. SUBSEQUENT, HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, INCLUDING AT FOLLOWING SITE: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-TOWN-AND-COUNTRY/T4ICMKSNNRM7AJFIE/ THIS HAS POTENTIAL SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH REGARD TO STEERING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THANKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219122February 25, 2008
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
I HAVE HAD MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS IT HAS ONLY 64, 000 MILE ON IT. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO WE STARTED HEARING A SOUND WHEN STARTING THE VAN AND WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, USUALLY LASTS UNTIL YOU DRIVE FOR A AWHILE THEN IT COMES AND GOES. WE TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE RACKET PINION GEAR AND WOULD COST A LITTLE OVER $900 TO REPAIR. I CALLED AROUND TO A FEW OTHER CAR REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY ALL SAID ARE YOU SURE THAT IS THE PROBLEM, THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A VEHICLE NEEDING THAT REPLACED THAT EARLY. SO I GOT ONLINE AND DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALL OCCURRING WITH MILES RANGING FOR 15,000 TO 75,000. I CAME ACROSS YOUR WEB SITE AND SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED BEFORE. THIS I A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED, IT IS NOT JUST SOME RANDOM MALFUNCTION. I REQUEST THAT YOU REOPEN THIS INVESTIGATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218755February 21, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218617February 20, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V192000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) FOR THE 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218627February 20, 2008
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON MY 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND WAS UNABLE TO GET ACCESS TO THE SPARE TIRE, STORED UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE SYSTEM TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE ONLY LOWERED IT A FEW INCHES AND THEN THE PIECE THAT YOU TURN WITH THE HANDLE ASSEMBLY ONLY WOULD JERK AROUND IF YOU TURNED THE HANDLES EXTREMELY HARD. I TRIED DOING ABOUT 30 TURNS THOUGH TO NO EFFECT. THE MECHANISM IN THE FLOOR WAS TURNING WITH ALOT OF EFFORT BUT THE TIRE WAS NOT BEING LOWERED. THIS WAS ON A COLD SNOWY DAY AND I WAS ON A SIDE ROAD WITH LITTLE ROOM TO LAY DOWN ON THE PAVEMENT AND REACH UNDER TRYING TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. I SPENT 3 HOURS WAITING FOR AAA AND THEN GAVE UP AND TOOK THE DAMAGED TIRE TO A WALMART LEAVING MY WIFE IN THE CAR ON THE JACK - MY ONLY CHOICE. WHILE I WAS GETTING THE TIRE PATCHED, WHICH WAS LUCKY, AAA ARRIVED AND REFUSED TO WORK ON THE SITUATION AS THEY SAID IT MIGHT END UP WITH EQUIPMENT DRAGGING UNDERNEATH THE CAR. SO IF THERE HAD NOT BEEN A TIRE CENTER NEARBY WE WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY STUCK WITH NO WAY TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN - THERE WAS ICE ALL OVER THE RELEASE MECHANISM AND IT WAS BROKEN. HE SAID HE SEES THIS ALOT ON FAIRLY NEW CARS LIKE MINE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY FOR THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR, WHICH I WILL HAVE TO DO TO SELL THE CAR. I TRAVEL IN REMOTE NORTHERN PARTS OF NEW ENGLAND AND NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS MY SPARE COULD COST ME MY LIFE. I AM NOW STORING THE SPARE DANGEROUSLY IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE, BUT IF ITS GOING TO WEAR OUT AGAIN, I HESITATE TO HAVE THE SPARE DOWN THERE. THIS IS A HORRIBLE, DANGEROUS DESIGN AND I THINK THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND A DIFFERENT SYSTEM DEVELOPED. IT IS ALSO RIDICULOUS TO HAVE TO HAVE SEVERAL FEET ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR TO KNEEL AND PULL THE SPARE OUT. THAT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ON MANY ROAD SITUATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE MANUFACTURER SUGGEST I DO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218670February 20, 2008
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
PREMATURE STEERING RACK SEAL WEAR AND LEAKS RESULTING IN FLUID LOSS AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES, 70% OF WHICH WAS FREEWAY USE. DEALER CALLED THE PROBLEM A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, ALSO VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTOR ALSO MENTIONED KNOW PROBLEMS WITH THIS CRITICAL VEHICLE SYSTEM. DEALER QUOTED $1000 TO REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218690February 20, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE - 5TH OCCURRENCE. JUST TOOK VEHICLE TO CAR WASH AND WITHIN 1 HOUR THE LOCKS STOPPED RESPONDING TO REMOTE AND DOOR SWITCHES. CAR HAS EXHIBITED POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE TWICE EACH YEAR SINCE PURCHASED BY CURRENT OWNER. DEALERS HAVE REPROGRAMMED/REPLACED BCM A COUPLE OF TIMES. ON THIS OCCASION, THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW THE LOCKS WERE RESET OTHER THAN TO SAY THE LOCKS WERE RESET. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW PROCEDURE TO SAVE ON FURTHER TRIPS TO DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE CAR IS ONLY EQUIPPED WITH KEY LOCKS ON DRIVER'S DOOR AND REAR LIFTGATE. ANY TYPE OF FIRE, FLOOD, OR EMERGENCY REQUIRING QUICK EVAC WOULD RESULT IN TRAGIC LOSS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216978February 5, 2008
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
WHINING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING UNIT. MINIMAL POWER STEERING FLUID LOSS. FIRST DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, THEN MISDIAGNOSED. SECOND DEALER DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING NEW RACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216629January 31, 2008
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE NOISE HAS GROWN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216149January 26, 2008
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
STEERING FLUID LEAK AT RACK AND PINION (STEERING);DEALER SAYS THAT UNIT NEEDS REPLACED. FLUID LOSS COULD RESULT IN LACK OF STEERING CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215981January 25, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HEARS A THUMPING AND KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED INTO DRIVE. THERE IS ALSO TAPPING IN THE ENGINE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. ON JANUARY 15, 2008, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIFTERS FAILED AND ALL OF THEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE LIFTER AND DECLARED THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,128 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,287. UPDATED 02/11/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216038January 25, 2008
STEERING:COLUMN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE REPAIR WILL COST $550. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215885January 24, 2008
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
IN 2005 WE PURCHASED A NEW DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND HAD IT MODIFIED FOR MY HUSBAND TO DRIVE FROM HIS WHEELCHAIR, SPENDING $50,000 TOTAL FOR THIS VEHICLE/MODIFICATIONS. IN THE SPAN OF TWO YEARS, WE'VE HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES ' DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING PART OF THE TIME, BATTERY DRAIN THAT CAN'T BE LOCATED, BAD DOOR SENSORS, ETC. WE ALSO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION UNIT (UNDER WARRANTY). JUST 18 MONTHS LATER THE RACK AND PINION UNIT WAS BAD AGAIN. SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, WE SPENT $1,129 TO FIX IT. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THIS PART WENT BAD AGAIN SO SOON. DO WE HAVE TO SPEND $1000 EVERY YEAR TO REPLACE THIS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART? THE DODGE DEALER MY HUSBAND WORKED WITH INFORMED HIM THAT THE RACK AND PINION UNIT NOW COMES WITH A COOLER TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE, SO OBVIOUSLY DODGE IS AWARE THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS A SHORT LIFESPAN. IF THIS IS THE CASE, WHY WASN'T A RECALL SENT OUT TO ADD THE COOLER TO THIS UNIT. I'M VERY DISSATISFIED WITH OUR DODGE VAN AND WILL PROBABLY NEVER PURCHASE FROM DODGE/CHRYSLER/JEEP AGAIN! SHOULDN'T A RECENTLY INSTALLED PART LAST LONGER THAN 18 MONTHS? ISN'T THAT REASONABLE? WE'VE GONE THROUGH TWO RACK AND PINION UNITS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS FOR A 2005 VEHICLE ' THAT'S RIDICULOUS! SHAME ON DODGE FOR NOT ASSISTING CUSTOMERS WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART! ON TOP OF YOUR AVERAGE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CUSTOMER, THERE ARE A LOT OF DISABLED CUSTOMERS OUT THERE WHO HAVE SPENT ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT IT SHOULD COST TO DRIVE AND TO HAVE THAT VEHICLE BREAK DOWN CONTINUOUSLY SUCKS!! MY HUSBAND CAN'T JUST HITCH A RIDE WITH A NEIGHBOR OR EVEN RENT A CAR FOR THAT MATTER. HE HAD TO MISS WORK WHILE DODGE SPENT AN ENTIRE DAY REPLACING A PART THEY JUST REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AGO. I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT WILL BREAK NEXT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215902January 24, 2008
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RACK IN 2005 GRAND CARAVAN TWICE NOW. THE FIRST TIME WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT 32,000 MILES. THE LATEST FAILURE IS NOW AT 75,000 MILES. THE 5 STAR DEALER REPLACED THE RACK BOTH TIMES. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE BY THE DEALER AND ON SCHEDULE. I THINK THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT I AM ON MY 3RD POWER STEERING RACK IN LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. THIS HAS TO BE A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FLAW AND SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215701January 22, 2008
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
POWER STEERING RACK / GEARBOX DEFECT. 2ND. TIME NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. ON MANUFACTURERS BACK ORDER. DEALERSHIP SAID 10,000 ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215394January 18, 2008
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OVER TEN TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE ISSUE OCCURRED WHENEVER THERE WAS AN INCLINE IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED EXTREME CONCERN FOR THE DEFECT AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 100. UPDATED 05/13/08 *BF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, T WENT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF REVERSE. THE RATTLING NOISE WAS DUE TO THE SWAY BAR BEING BROKEN. UPDATED 05/13/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215261January 17, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN I BELIEVE HAS A DEFECT IN THE CLOCK SPRING. I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THERE HAS BEEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE FRONT AIR-BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE. TWO WEEKS AFTER I RECEIVED THIS LETTER THE AIR-BAG LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON THE HORN STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER STEERING WHEEL COMPONENTS (CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO CONTROL). I TOOK MY VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY , THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAD CORRODED AND BROKE AND THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING THIS DEFECT. MY VAN'S MILEAGE JUST TURNED 70,000. I USE MY VAN TO TRANSPORT MY 3 KIDS IN AND FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY. NOT ONLY DO THE STEERING WHEEL COMPONENTS NOT WORK BUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG IS DISABLED AS WELL DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. DUE TO THIS DEFECT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS AND THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE CLOCK SPRING FOR THE MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VAN FOR YEARS 96-98 AND FEEL THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT IS HAPPENING TO MY 05 VAN. PLEASE HELP BEFORE ANYONE GETS HURT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214878January 15, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE PNEUMATIC DEVICE USED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS WOULD NOT WORK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO PURCHASE SOFTWARE TO INSTALL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,514. UPDATE 05/13/08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214683January 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ALL INSTRUMENT GAUGES WERE INOPERABLE ACCOMPANIED BY A RAPID "CLICKING" NOISE FROM CENTER DASH CONSOLE UPON START-UP IN HEAVY SNOWSTORM. DASH LIGHTS REMAINED LIT AND FLASHING WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY, DRIVER'S SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK, POWER SLIDING DOORS, POWER LIFTGATE AND RADIO WERE ALL INOPERABLE. SERVICING DODGE DEALER FOUND FAULT CODES FOR LOSS OF COMMUNICATION BUT BUS WIRES AND COMM WIRES CHECKED OUT OK. INOPERABLE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM). DEALERSHIPS "ON STAR ONLINE" SYSTEM CONTAINED A REPORT FOR SIMILAR INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS, WIPERS, ETC. RESULTING FROM BCM FAULTS. BCM WAS REPLACED. ALL PARTS RETAINED BY SERVICING DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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