Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints

13,518 consumer complaints on file.

#10243589September 26, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
RADIO WAS REPLACED. INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING STARTED AFTER REPLACEMENT. THE ONLY PATTERN TO EVENTS IS THEY START WITH APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. ALL OF THE GAUGES GYRATE POST TO POST, THE RADIO SHUTS OFF AND RESTARTS AND THE DASH LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FLICKER. THE CAR EVENTUALLY DIES AND WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL SEVERAL MINUTES HAVE PAST. AFTER RESTARTING , THE DASH LIGHTS CONTINUE TO FLICKER FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN TO THE RADIO INSTALLER, TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND A DODGE DEALER. NO ONE CAN DUPLICATE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED MY WIFE WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN AN INCIDENT STARTED. IT CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS SHE TRIED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. SHE WAS ABLE TO EXIT, BUT THE VAN DIED ON THE OFFRAMP AND BLOCKED TRAFFIC. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VAN STARTED AND SHE WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE EXITING THE FREEWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243304September 24, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE STRUT TOWER ON THE 1997 DODGE CARAVAN, THAT HAS 99,500 MILES RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. DODGE ADMITTED TO A DESIGN FLAW FOR THE PREMATURE RUSTING STRUT TOWERS. A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN FROM CHRYSLER DATED OCTOBER '02 EXPLICITLY STATED THAT ALL '1996 TO 19'99 CHRYSLER VANS PLYMOUTH, DODGE, AND CHRYSLER, HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE STRUT TOWERS. ALL OF THEM WILL EVENTUALLY RUST FROM THE BOTTOM UP. AS I STATED, THE STRUT TOWERS WERE DEFECTIVE IN THERE DESIGN. CLEARLY, WHEN THE RUSTED STRUT TOWER GIVES, THE STRUT WILL COME UP THROUGH THE HOOD. AT THAT POINT, LIVES WILL BE IN DANGER, AS THE PROBABILITY OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS INEVITABLE. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS MY FORMAL COMPLAINT. WILL CHRYSLER LIVE UP TO THE RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAIR THIS KNOW DEFECT FOR THOSE OF US OUT OF THE WARRANTY TIMELINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243239September 23, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT SPORADICALLY SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS BETWEEN $312- $700. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242675September 17, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL THE DOORS COULD NOT BE LOCKED WITH THE POWER LOCKS. THE ONLY DOOR HE IS ABLE TO LOCK WITH THE POWER LOCK FEATURE IS THE REAR MIDDLE DOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER LOCK MODULE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE COMPUTER MODULE AT THE COST OF $450. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242509September 16, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR NEARLY 12 HOURS. A FIRE STARTED NEAR OR BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242361September 15, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT IN 3/2008. FROM THE START, I FELT THE VAN WOULD NOT START PROPERLY. THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO TURN OVER EVEN AFTER I HAD LET GO OF THE KEY AND IT TAKES AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF TIME TO COMPLETE START CYCLE. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THIS WA COMMON IN NEWER VEHICLES. ANOTHER PROBLEM WAS THAT THE INSIDE WINDOW,DOOR LOCK,AUTO DOOR OPENERS ONLY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. LAST MONTH, WHILE DRIVING, THE DASH LIGHTS ALL LIT UP AND THE VAN DIED IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE SEPARATE TIMES SINCE THEN. EACH TIME, THE VEHICLE RAN FINE ONCE RESTARTED BUT IT HAS BEEN SHEER LUCK IT HASN'T RESULTED IN N ACCIDENT. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, A NEW PROBLEM AROSE. I NOTICED THAT WHEN I STARTED THE VAN, ALTHOUGH IT WAS RUNNING, NONE OF THE SYSTEMS UP FRONT WERE WORKING. THE AIR CONDITIONING, RADIO, OR POWER WINDOWS AMONG OTHER THINGS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. THE VAN NEEDED TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO GET IT TO WORK PROPERLY. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED REPEATEDLY SINCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242047September 13, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
WHILE ON A TRIP TO ATTEND A WEDDING IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, WE EXPERIENCED A SIDEWALL BLOWOUT OF A BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 (21565R16 98T) ON OUR 2006 DODGE CARAVAN. THE BLOWOUT OCCURRED PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE AT A LOW ANGLE, AT A LOW SPEED, AND WITH A RELATIVELY LOW CURB HEIGHT' JUST PULLING IN AT WALKING SPEED. THIS IS THE SECOND BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED ON A CAR THAT HAD 13,278 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE LAST ROUTINE SERVICE (12,000 MILES) WAS AT 10,970 MILES. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS ON 5 NOVEMBER 2007 WITH 7,107 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS TIRE HAD A PRONOUNCED SIDEWALL BUBBLE AND WAS CLEARLY 'AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.' IT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER, MARTY CANCILA DODGE, AT OUR EXPENSE DESPITE THE 'TIRES FOR LIFE SERVICE PLAN' AND EXTENDED WARRANTY WE HAVE ON THE AUTOMOBILE. AT THIS POINT, WE PURCHASED A TIRE SAFETY WARRANTY EXPECTING, OF COURSE, MORE DIFFICULTIES WITH THESE TIRES. UNWILLING TO TRUST NEITHER MY SAFETY NOR THE SAFETY OF ANY OF MY PASSENGERS, I PROCEEDED TO PURCHASE TWO NEW TIRES. I COULD NOT OBTAIN TWO BRIDGESTONE TURANZA TIRES IN THE GRAND RAPIDS, MI, AREA SO I PURCHASED TWO MICHELIN'S OF THE SAME SIZE AND SIMILAR TREAD PATTERN. I DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH THE TURANZAS ON THE FRONT BUT WILL HAVE THE MICHELIN'S SWITCHED TO THE FRONT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF DEATH, DISMEMBERMENT, OR OTHER PAIN AND SUFFERING DUE TO TIRE FAILURE. TO GET SOME SENSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE TURANZA TIRE, I HAVE INCLUDED A RECALL NOTICE THAT I FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE: HTTP://WWW.USAUTOINJURYLAW.COM/CASES/TIRES/FAILUREFIRESTONE.HTM: BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL41, P19565R15. THE EL42 MAY BE A RENAMED EL41 WHICH WAS NOTORIOUS FOR BLOWOUTS AND IS NOW A SUBJECT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. IN OTHER WORDS, LIPSTICK MAY NOT TRANSFORM A PIG IT TO A PRINCESS. I KEPT THE FAILED TIRE AND ACTUALLY CARRY THE OTHER TIRE IN THE CAR TO HAVE A REPLACEMENT READILY AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242017September 12, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THIS PROBLEM IS WITH THE AUTO DOOR LOCKS ON DODGE GRAND CARAVANS AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE ON THIS SITE. THE DOORS CAN'T BE LOCK WITH THE REMOTE(EVEN THOUGH THE HORN BLOWS TO SIGNAL IT LOCKED) OR THE AUTO LOCK SWITCH ON THE DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH KIDS RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ISSUED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241267September 8, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC EVENT THAT LEAD TO THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS WITH THE POWER LOCK SYSTEM ON THE 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ONE MANUAL ENTRY POINT ON THE DRIVERS DOOR . IF THE DOOR IS DAMAGED IN AN ACCIDENT EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE COULD BE IMPEDED AND RESULT IN ADDITIONAL INJURIES OR DEATHS. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. ALLEGED SOFTWARE PROBLEMS THAT REQUIRE THE SYSTEM TO BE "RESET". THIS DOES NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, IT JUST RESETS THE SYSTEM UNTIL IT FAILS AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241325September 8, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. PULLED THE IOD FUSE TO RESET THE LOCKS AND IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I'M NOW PULLING THIS DAILY TO GET IT TO WORK PROPERLY. A DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY AS IT LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN AT TIMES AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO LOCK THE BACK DOOR WHEN IT FAILS (THERE IS NO MANUAL LOCK FOR THE BACK). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241342September 8, 2008
SUSPENSION, STEERING
BAD NOISES FROM STEERING COLUMN AND RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241209September 6, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF DURING MY EVACUATION FROM HURRICANE GUSTAV IT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BRIDGE AT NIGHT IS THE 6TH TIME THAT THIS OCCUR I JUST HAD THIS REPLACE HOW COME THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL TO SOLVE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241070September 5, 2008
STEERING
RACK AND PINION ON 2005 DODGE CARAVAN - NOTICED MANY OTHERS HAVE SAME COMPLAINT. INTERNAL SEAL ON ASSEMBLY IS WEARING OUT AROUND 65000. MUST REPLACE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. HOW MANY BEFORE RECALL? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241105September 5, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO OPERATE. REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY FAILS TO OPERATE. POWER LIFT DOORS FAIL TO OPERATE. SIMPLE DISCONNECT OF BATTERY FIXES ISSUE TEMPORARILY. KEYLESS ENTRY HONKS HORN AS IF IT'S LOCKING, BUT NO DOORS LOCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240943September 4, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS 77000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK I FOUND OUT THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DOES NOT WORK. BY DOING AN ONLINE SEARCH IT SEAMS LIKE A LARGE NUMBER OF DODGE GRAND CARAVAN OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS NOT EASY TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOORS SPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240875September 4, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE LOCKS ON MY 2005 DODGE CARAVAN STOP WORKING. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOR A FIX OR OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM, THEY SUGGESTED PULLING THE IOD FUSE FOR 20 SECONDS AND REPLACING THE FUSE. I DID SO AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR TODAY. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WILL CONTINUNE TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR NOT BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT SO A RECAL WILL BE ISSUED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. JUST PULLING THE FUSE WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY. THANK YOU
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240772September 3, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE POWER LOCKS AND REMOTE LOCK ON MY 2005 GRAND CARAVAN QUIT WORKING. I WENT TO A PARTS STORE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A FUSE. I CALLED CAR DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD POWER LOCK SWITCH PROBABLY NEEDED REPLACING AND WOULD RUN OVER $100.00. I GOOGLED MY PROBLEM AND READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF MY EXACT PROBLEM. TRIED THEIR SOLUTION AND IT WORKED PERFECTLY AND WAS FREE! I LOCATED THE IOD 20 AMP FUSE IN MY CAR'S FUSE BOX AND UNPLUGGED IT FOR FIVE SECONDS. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO RESET LOCKS. IT WORKED PERFECTLY AND NOW ALL MY LOCKS WORK GOOD AS NEW! THIS WAS A VERY ANNOYING PROBLEM AS MY CARAVAN ONLY HAS ONE KEYED LOCK ON DRIVER'S DOOR. I THINK THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IF IT IS SUCH A PROBLEM FOR SO MANY CAR OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240784September 3, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN EVER IT RAINS OR SNOWS AND A LIL BIT OF MOISTURE GETS UP IN THE ENGINE THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF AND I LOSE EVERYTHING, POWER STEERING, FAN, YOU NAME IT ITS GONE, AND I HAVE ALMOST WRECKED 5 OUT OF 8 TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED..2 TIMES I FOUND MYSELF HAVING GOING IN TO A FIELD TO STOP DUE TO STEERING WAS GONE, AND POSSIBLE BURN/ FIRE COULD HAVE RESULTED FROM ENGINE OVER HEATING AND LIQUIDS BOILING/ AND STEAM RISING. LEADING TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM TO ANYONE NEAR THE VEHICLE, I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND THEY WERE WITH ME 3 OF THE 8 TIMES THE BELT CAME OFF. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND APPARENTLY IM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.. THERE IS ALOT MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THIS COMPLAINT. I DID HOWEVER REPLACE THE BELT ONCE AGAIN, ALONG WITH PULLEY/ TENSIONER ITS GETTING TO BE QUITE EXPENSIVE FOR ME AS A SINGLE MOM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240852September 3, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN VAN HAS A RUSTED SHOCK TOWER ON DRIVER SIDE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. THIS ISSUES HAS BEEN REPORTED ON MANY DODGE BLOG SITES.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240713September 2, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
ELECTRIC LOCKS ON 2005 DODGE CARAVAN QUIT WORKING. AFTER READING FORUMS, FOUND OUT THAT IF YOU PULL A FUSE AND REPLACE IT AFTER FIVE SECONDS, IT WORKS AGAIN. FOR MOST THE PROBLEM RETURNS WITHIN DAYS. READ THAT THEIR WAS A FIRMWARE PROBLEM IN THE VEHICLES COMPUTER THAT NEEDED TO BE UPGRADED FOR A PRICE. WITH THE ELECTRIC LOCKS NOT WORKING, AND WHEN DRIVING, THE LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK AT 19 MPH AS DESIGNED, CAUSING WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE AN UNSAFE CONDITION. I BELIEVE IT IS UNFAIR, AND NOT TO MENTION UNSAFE, FOR THE CONSUMER TO HAVE TO PAY FOR A SERVICE THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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