Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints

13,518 consumer complaints on file.

#10199630August 15, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM PUMP HAS BEEN SHORT CYCLING AND MAKING A NOISE. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SENT HIM A LETTER REGARDING THE COMPLAINT HE FILED. THE LETTER STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT AND THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 225,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199738August 15, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
IN FEB 2007, A NEW MOPAR SERPENTINE BELT WAS INSTALLED ON MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (89,000 MILES) BY A LOCAL DODGE DEALER. AFTER ONE WEEK BELT STARTED A LOUD SQUEAL. AT THE SUGGESTION OF MECHANICS I TRIED BELT DRESSINGS, SPRAYS AND WIRE BRUSH, ALL WITH NO HELP TO THE PROBLEM. ONE MECHANIC SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE PLASTIC PULLEY ON MY PROPERLY WORKING TENSIONER WITH A METAL PULLEY. THIS I DID WITH NO HELP. ALL PULLEYS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND O.K. DEALER INSTALLED ANOTHER BELT IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR. SAME PROBLEM AFTER ONE WEEK. ENDED UP GOING TO LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP (NOT DEALER) AND THEY INSTALLED "KIT", WHICH CORRECTED PROBLEM. "KIT' CONSISTED OF BELT WITH GROOVES ON BOTH SIDES AND IDLER PULLEY AND TENSIONER PULLEY WITH GROOVES. PROBLEM SOLVED. THE DODGE DEALER NEVER HEARD OF THIS "KIT"....COME ON DODGE BOYS, GET WITH IT!!!! *JB
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
#10198939August 9, 2007
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
MY VANS POWER STEERING STARTED TO WHINE AND VIBRATE DURING THE COLD DRIVING UNTIL IT WARMED UP A YEAR AGO, CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THE POWER STEERING FOR MY VAN. TOOK THE CAR IN BUT BY THE TIME I HAD DRIVEN THERE IT WAS NOT MAKING ANY NOISE SO NOW THEY ARE ACTING AS IF THE SOUND IS ALL IN MY HEAD. LOOKED UP RECALLS ON YOUR WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE HOSES BUT THE DEALERSHIP STILL SAYS NO RECALL. THE NOISE IS WORSE AND SO IS THE VIBRATION I FEAR A FAILURE BUT NO ONE WILL FIX WHAT ISN'T HEARD. AFTER READING SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198861August 8, 2007
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE HAS GOOD RIDE TIRES, SIZE 225/60R/16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VERY BADLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRES HAD A ROUND IN THEM AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198625August 6, 2007
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT AN IMBALANCE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND PULL OVER, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED AND ROLLED DOWN THE ROAD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. HE STATED THAT THE LUG STRUTS FRACTURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 5,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198276August 2, 2007
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STRUT TOWER IS RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IS IDENTIFIED IN CHRYSLERS TSB 23-044-02. THIS DEFECT APPEARS TO BE COMMON ON ALL MODELS IN THOSE YEARS. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT IT IS A LATENT DEFECT. THE TOWER HAS BEEN RUSTING FOR MANY YEARS AND I NEVER NOTICED IT BEFORE. NOW I OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY AND I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. IF THE STRUT TOWER BREAKS I COULD LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198177August 1, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO ENGAGE LOCKS. LOCK VERIFICATION SIGNALED LIGHTS AND HORN INDICATING THE LOCKS WERE ENGAGED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE THE VAN WAS ENTERED ILLEGALLY AND PROPERTY WAS STOLEN. THIS WAS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE ELECTRONIC LOCKING SYSTEM DID NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE CONTROLS IN THE VAN. THIS RESULTED IN THE INABILITY TO REMOVE 3 CHILDREN FROM THE VAN QUICKLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) HAS BEEN RESET SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE RESET ONLY LASTS FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198006July 31, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF FOUR TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. AFTER THE FOURTH TIME THE GARAGE ORDERED A CONVERSION KIT FROM THE GATES CORPORATION THAT REPLACED THE IDLER PLUS THE TENSIONER. THE KIT ALSO INCLUDED A NEW DOUBLE SIDED RIBBED BELT. THEIR PART NUMBER IS 38,342 K. IT CAN ALSO BE ORDERED THROUGH CAR QUEST AUTO PARTS STORES. THEIR PART NUMBER IS THE SAME. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197806July 30, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
SHORTLY AFTER GETTING VEHICLE INSPECTED THERE WERE SEVERE TEMPERATURE CHANGES IN OUR AREA. WITH THE TEMPERATURE BOTH OF OUR FRONT HEADLIGHT LENS CRACKED, THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE WERE IT WILL NOT PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION THIS YEAR. THE LENS THEMSELVES RUN ABOUT 250.00 EACH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197807July 30, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR CANNOT OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WIRE HARNESS HAS FAILED. THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,183 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197901July 30, 2007
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
MY DAUGHTER'S FIVE YEAR OLD FRIEND GRABBED THE SHOULDER BELT TO FASTEN HER SEAT BELT WHEN THE BELT CAME LOOSE FROM THE SIDE OF THE VAN. SHE WAS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE THIRD BENCH SEAT. FORTUNATELY, THE VAN WAS PARKED AT THE TIME, BUT I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD SHE BEEN WEARING THE BELT AND WE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197416July 25, 2007
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
IN THE 05 AND NEWER DODGE/CHRYSLER CARS AND MINIVANS, THERE IS A "KNEE BLOCKER" AIRBAG SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN, THAT IS DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN AND IN IT'S INTENDED USE. THE LOWER DASH PANEL IS ATTACHED TO A METAL FRAME THAT IS HINGED AT THE BOTTOM AND BEHIND THAT IS THE AIRBAG THAT DEPLOYS AT JUST UNDER 200 MPH. WHEN THE AIRBAG INFLATES IN AN ACCIDENT, THIS HARD PLASTIC REINFORCE PANEL WILL SLAM DOWN ON A DRIVER'S LEGS CAUSING INJURY. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL... WHEN THE DRIVER'S LEGS ARE STRUCK, THE FIRST INSTINCT IS FOR THE DRIVER TO RECOIL AND BRING THEIR LEGS AWAY FROM THE CAUSE OF THE PAIN. WHEN THEY DO THIS, THIS PANEL DROPS IN FRONT OF THE LEGS AND NOW THE DRIVER CANNOT GET THEIR FEET BACK TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IF THEIR VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ROLL, THERE IS A DANGER OF A FURTHER COLLISION WITH THE DRIVER HAVING LITTLE CONTROL. ONE LAST CONSIDERATION, IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO DIABETICS (LOWER LIMBS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOWER LEG PROBLEMS, AND THOSE WITH OSTEOPOROSIS WHO LIKELY WOULD HAVE BROKEN LOWER LIMBS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10198043July 24, 2007
SEAT BELTS
2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH SEAT BELTS CONCERNS **NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SEAT BELTS HAVE A SAFETY DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197286July 23, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1. NORMAL DRIVING 2. RUSTING DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER 3. HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET, BUT HAVE BEEN QUOTED $600 - $1000 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
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
#10196836July 19, 2007
TIRES:VALVE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN X RADIAL TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE VALVE STEM AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY OTHER FAILURES SINCE THAT TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196878July 19, 2007
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, PARKING BRAKE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
CATHEDRAL CITY DODGE REFUSED TO WORK ON THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED. THE RECALL PROBLEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MODIFICATIONS BUT CATHEDRAL CITY DODGE REFUSED TO WORK ON IT.. AFTER SEVERAL HEATED CONVERSATIONS WITH MANAGEMENT CATHEDRAL CITY DODGE RETURNED MY VEHICLE WITH A DEAD BATTERY, AND A LEAK IN MY ENGINE AND DID NOT FIX THE RECALLED ITEM. AFTER I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE NEW PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MODIFICATIONS BUT WERE INDEPENDENT FROM ANY MODIFICATIONS PREVIOUSLY MADE TO MY VEHICLE. AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE DODGE CORPORATION I WAS REFERRED TO THE DODGE SERVICE CENTER IN LAQUINTA. THERE MY CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND THE RECALL ITEM WAS NOT FIXED BECAUSE THE MANAGER REFUSED TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE MODIFICATIONS. I CALLED LAQUINTA DODGE TO COMPLAIN AND MY VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THE ENGINE LEAK, THE UNSERVICED RECALL ITEM AND NOW IN DOESN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CATHEDRAL CITY SERVICE CENTER AND THE LAQUINTA SERVICE CENTER DIDN'T EVEN CHECK TO SEE IF THE PROBLEMS WERE IN ANYWAY WAY CONNECTED TO THE MODIFICATIONS. THEY JUST REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT IT. NOW THERE IS ANOTHER RECALL ON MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE AIRBAGS AND LAQUINTA IS REFUSING TO WORK ON IT. IN SUMMARY MY VEHICLE ARRIVED IN PALM SPRINGS FULLY OPERATIONAL IN JUNE 2006 AND EVER SINCE THE FIRST CONTACT WITH CATHEDRAL CITY SERVICE CENTER MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INOPERABLE. BETWEEN THE CATHEDRAL CITY AND LAQUINTA DODGE SERVICE CENTERS MY CAR NOW HAS AN ENGINE LEAK, A BAD HEATING COIL, DEFECTED AIRBAGS PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND DOES NOT START. MY VEHICLE WAS FULLY OPERATIONAL AND HAD 80 MILES ON IT WHEN IT ARRIVED AT CATHEDRAL CITY DODGE IN 2006 AND NOW HAS 87 MILES ON IT AND IS IN OPERABLE. THAT?S 87 MILES NOT 8,700 OR 87,000 MILES. IT HAS ONLY 87 MILES BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN RUNNING SINCE CATHEDRAL CITY AND LAQUINTA DODGE HAVE DAMAGED MY VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196693July 18, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I HAD RECENT RECALL REPAIRS ON THE AIR BAG SENSORS COMPLETED AND IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM CURRENTLY WILL NOT OPERATE. THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE EXTENSIVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196734July 18, 2007
STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER. THE RUST HAS WORSENED OVER TIME. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP SO THEY COULD WELD A PIECE OF METAL TO THE STRUT TOWER. THE BODY SHOP STATED THAT WOULD NOT SOLVE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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