Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints

13,518 consumer complaints on file.

#10173677November 16, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
THIS LETTER IS IN REGARDS TO A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, WHICH WAS RECENTLY SERVICED BECAUSE OF A FAILED POWER STEERING RACK. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS DIAGNOSED AS LEAKING DUE TO BAD SEALS AND THE UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE OF A RESTRICTION OF FLOW. ACCORDING TO DIALOGUE WITH THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SCREEN IN THE RESERVOIR WAS PLUGGED, WHICH CAUSED THE SQUEAKING SOUND I WAS HEARING. I BELIEVE THE SCREEN WAS PLUGGED WITH DEBRIS GENERATED BY THE FAILING SEALS IN THE POWER STEERING RACK, SINCE THIS IS A RECIRCULATION HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 38,256 MILES, AND I BELIEVE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WAS PREMATURE. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES HAD I INDEED LOST ALL THE FLUID FROM THE SYSTEM PRIOR TO MY DISCOVERY OF THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED ON MY 2001 DODGE CARAVAN THIS YEAR, BUT THE MILEAGE WAS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER, AROUND 80,000 MILES. NEITHER THE PREVIOUS OWNER NOR I INFLUENCED THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING RACK, NOR THE PLUGGED SCREEN IN THE RESERVOIR; EVEN THOUGH THE MECHANICS ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE BLAME ON ME STATING THAT THE RESERVOIR FAILURE WAS DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ON A 2001 CARAVAN, I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND SHOULD WARRANT A DESIGN CHANGE TO AVERT FUTURE HARDSHIPS BY CARAVAN OWNERS. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE INTERVAL SPECIFIED FOR THIS SYSTEM AT THIS MILEAGE. POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURES ARE PREVALENT ACROSS THEIR ENTIRE MODEL LINEUP. I BELIEVE THIS STEERING PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173521November 14, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH OUT CRASH/IMPACT. DRIVER PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. WHEN THE KEY WAS MOVED INTO THE OFF POSITION THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173183November 11, 2006
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
THE WIPER BLADES WILL TURN ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING. TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF YOU MUST TURN THE IGNITION SYSTEM OFF THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE. IF YOU TURN ON THE WIPERS WHILE DRIVING THEY WILL NOT GO BACK OFF UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED ALSO. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173185November 11, 2006
AIR BAGS
AT 42K MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT TURNING ON AND OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SAID "DRIVER SQUIB CIRCUIT OPEN" AND CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING. PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE. BUT NOW AT 72K MILES, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. WHY AREN'T THE 2002'S COVERED IN THE RECALL? MY SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THAT LISTED ON THE RECALL (WHICH ONLY COVERS UP TO 2000). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173167November 10, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
LOST BRAKES ON 2000 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 58K MILES. ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE BADLY CORRODED AT THE JUNCTURE OF THE FLEX TUBING AND THE SOLID TUBING. IT LOOKS LIKE DISSIMILAR METAL TO ME. THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD NOT RUST OUT IN THAT SHORT OF A TIME AND LOW MILEAGE ALL LINES WERE REPLACED. NOT BY A DODGE DEALER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173078November 9, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN KEEPS COMING OFF. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS. THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE BELT TENSIONER HAS BEEN REPLACED. AN ENGINE BRACKET FOR THE IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN REPLACED. WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF , POWER STEERING IS LOST WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VAN. IF I WAS NOT A FAIRLY STRONG PERSON I WOULD HAVE HIT A SEMI-TRUCK AT THE LAST INCIDENT. MY WIFE COULD NOT HAVE CONTROLLED IT. THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET FIX FOR THE PROBLEM THROUGH GOODYEAR OR GATES. CHRYSLER DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR IT. BELOW IS THE LATEST INCIDENT. IT HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173088November 9, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THE FAILURE OF THE JOINTS PREVENTS A VEHICLE FROM PASSING INSPECTION AS IT IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172924November 8, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS CRACKING ON THE ROOF WHERE THE FRONT DOORS MET THE ROOF AND BODY. THE FRONT DOORS WERE OFF ALIGNMENT AND IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THE ROOF WAS PULLING UP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172761November 6, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE RPMS ROSE TO 4500, AND DROPPED BACK DOWN TO 2000. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172615November 4, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
DEAR SIRS: 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE . IT HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, FEW OF WHICH WERE FIXED PROPERLY WHEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. FINALLY, ON OCTOBER 04, 2006, WITH 29000+ MILES ON THE VEHICLE, AN AXLE BROKE AS MY SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, AND TWO GRANDCHILDREN UNDER TWO YEARS OLD PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO THE ROAD. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE, WITH THE VEHICLE MOVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THERE IS EVERY LIKELIHOOD THAT A FATAL ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. AXLES DO NOT BREAK EXCEPT UNDER EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES OR WHEN THERE IS SOME FATAL FAULT WITH THE MANUFACTURE ITSELF. THIS IS NOT A VEHICLE WHICH HAS BEEN ABUSED. IT HAS BEEN USED TO TRANSPORT HOUSEWIVES AND SMALL CHILDREN BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL, TO GROCERY, ETCETERA. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AT ALL PROPER INTERVALS AT THE MECHANICSVILLE, VA DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. EXCEPT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE SO AS TO AVOID STORAGE CHARGES, I WILL NOT HAVE ANY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY TRANSPORTED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MECHANICSVILLE DODGE CLAIMS TO HAVE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT IS SAFE. THEY HAVE ALL ''' DRIVEN IT AND IT DRIVES FINE!'' THAT IS ILLOGICAL FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. FIRST, IT ''DROVE FINE'' RIGHT UP UNTIL THE MOMENT THE AXLE BROKE, EVEN THOUGH NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL AND OTHER PROBLEMS EXISTED WHICH WERE NOT FULLY REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. SECOND, I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO REASON, BASED ON MY PAST EXPERIENCES WITH SHODDY WORK AND OUTRIGHT FALSEHOODS AT THIS STORE, TO BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOP IS CAPABLE OF PROPERLY REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THIRD, THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT OTHER LIFE THREATENING PROBLEMS DO NOT EXIST, LURKING IN THIS VEHICLE TO STRIKE MY FAMILY IF WE WERE TO TRUST IT OR MECHANICSVILLE DODGE ONCE AGAIN WITH OUR LIVES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172633November 4, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULD START AND DIE ABOUT 3 TIMES AND THEN NOT START AT ALL. REPLACE PCM. WORKED A COUPLE DAYS AND THEN STARTED AGAIN. READ ON WEB BOARDS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AND IF THEY HIT THE DASH IT WOULD START AND WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN I HIT THE DASH AND IT WOULD START. WHEN IT WOULDN'T START ALL THE GUAGES ON THE DASH WOULD NOT WORK. THIS SEEMED TO WORK. THEN WHEN I WENT OVER A BUMP AND TURNED AT THE SAME TIME THE VAN WOULD DIE. I COULD PUT IT IN "N" AND GET IT STARTED AGAIN WHILE I WAS STILL TURNING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECASE YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER. HEARD ON MESSAGE BORAD IF YOU TOOK THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OFF AND CHECK THE SAUDERING THAT THIS WOUDL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. DID THIS BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD STOP READING WHEN IT DID HAVE GAS IN IT. THEN THE FUEL GUAGE WOULD START DINGING EVEN THOUGH IT READ FULL. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. BELOW IS ONE SUCH WEBSITE. HAVE DONE ALL KINDS OF DIAGNOSTICS ON IT AND CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IT STILL LOOSES GUAGES AND WILL NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/DODGE-GRAND-CARAVAN/TPC8IH1LI2S41I22D/P5. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173294November 2, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2002 GRAND CARAVAN BRAKES FAILED. *TS THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR THE FLAWED BRAKING SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND ONLY BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AFTER THE DAMAGE HAD ALREADY OCCURRED. THE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED BACKING PLATE ALLOWED WATER AND SNOW TO ENTER THE BRAKE DRUM ENCLOSURE AND WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO FREEZING THE BRAKE SHOES FROZE TO THE DRUM. THE SITUATION MOST LIKELY OCCURRED WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173263October 30, 2006
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING RECALL. THE VEHICLES CLOCKSPRING FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER PAID CASH FOR THE REPAIR AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *TS *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172081October 29, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
STRUT TOWERS FAILING DUE TO CORROSION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171954October 27, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BOUGHT VAN USED ABOUT A YR AGO - IS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN- ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE NOT SATIFYINGLY DEALT WITH ARE ( BETWEEN END DEC 05 TO MID NOV 06- NOTICED BRAKES NOISES SINCE BOUGHT IT - SEVERAL CALLS AND A CHECK THEY SAID THERE WAS DUST MAKING THE NOISE - LESS THAN 9 MO LATER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTARS - THEY MADE EXCUSES THEY WEAR OUT - HAD THEY INFORMED ME THEY WERE WEARING OUT WHEN THEY FOUND DUST ID HAVE HAD THEM IN LONG BEFORE NEEDING ROTARS FIXED - SINCE NEW BRAKES AND ROTARS IN OCTOBER HEAR SAME NOISE AND THEY DISMISS IT. ALSO - HAVE TROUBLE WITH LIGHTS AND HEAT AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DIMMING AND SEEMING TO DIE OUT WHEN DECELERATING A LOT SINCE I BOUGHT IT - HAD IT IN AD CALLED SEVERAL TIMES - THEY SAY THEY CANT SEE ANYTHING WRONG ADN THAT DODGE WAS MADE TO DO THAT ? . NOT HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE AND FEEL I AM OUT NEAR 20,000 - ALSO ABS LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER BRAKES REPAIRED THIS MONTH- COVERED ITEM BUT LESS THAN DEDUCTIBLE SO STUCK WITH NEAR 85 DOLLAR BILL - THEY SAID AGAIN THIS JUST HAPPENS - SEEMS THAT IS STANDARD ANSWER TO TROUBLE IT JUST HAPPENS - I DONT FEEL THE BRAKES JUST HAPPENED AND I AM SURE THE LIGHT TROUBLE COULD BE A HAZARD IF IT STALLED COMPLETELY ON A BUSY ROAD. DODGE SHOULD LOOK CLOSER AT THIER VEHICLES. AM ALSO GONNA CHECK OUT VEHICLE FOR THE OTHER TROUBLE STATED HERE IN REGARDS TO SEATBELTS AND CRACKS - HAVE CHILDREN AND THAT IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE - IF IT HAPPENS AND ANYONE IS HURT YOU CAN BET ILL BE RUNNING TO A LAWYER - SAME WITH THE DOWN IDLE WITH BRRAKEING AND ABS GOING OUT - JUST PRAYING FOR NO INJURIES - NOTE THAT PRINTOUT I RECIEVED TODAY HAS OLD OWNERS STUFF ON IT AND NOTICED THAT THE NOISE FROM TIRES AND FRONT IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM THAY HAD IT IN SEVERAL TIMES ALSO FOR IT. OH - AND GUESS WHAT THEY CHARGE FOR A 2 INCH TRAILER HITCH BALL - 89.00!!! HAD I KNOWN THAT ID HAVE GONE TO WALMART AND PAID WAYYYY LESS. ALL FOR THE CASHOLA AN NOT THE GOOD OF TH CUSTOMER I SUPPOSE HUH? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171970October 27, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
PREMATURE FRONT BRAKE FAILURE-- WE PURCHASED OUR 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN NEW, IN LATE SPRING 2004. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES TWICE, ONCE AT 18,000 MILES, AND NOW AT 35,000 MILES. OUR DRIVING HABITS HAVE NOT CHANGED AND PREVIOUSLY (FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS, WITH 5 DIFFERENT CARS) WE HAVE GONE 30,000 - 40,000 MILES BETWEEN BRAKE JOBS. THIS VEHICLE REPLACED A 10-YEAR OLD PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER WHICH HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE WEAR. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAYS HE HAS SEEN 2005 GRAND CARAVANS COMING IN NEEDING BRAKE JOBS AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES, BUT NOT 18,000 MILES. YET, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR CHRYSLER ADMITS THAT THERE IS A SYSTEM OR COMPONENT PROBLEM. I SPOKE WITH CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE, AT BEST, RELUCTANTLY HELPFUL. THEY HAVE AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PARTS, BUT NOT THE LABOR. SO, I HAVE NOW HAD TO PAY, IN PART, FOR FRONT BRAKE JOBS TWICE IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS, AVERAGING LESS THAN 18,000 MILES BETWEEN THE REPAIRS. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IF CHRYSLER DOESN'T DO SOMETHING ELSE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHRYSLER PRODUCT I WILL OWN...AND I WILL NOT BE KEEPING THIS MINIVAN MUCH LONGER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171996October 27, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE IN OCTOBER AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10172008October 27, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING IN LIGHT RAIN, MY SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF AGAIN. THIS BELT CONTROLS THE POWER STEERING, ETC. IT ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE WRECK. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE GRAND CARAVANS OF THE LATE 90'S AND EARLY 2000'S. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. WE HAVE HAD THE TENSIONER REPLACED, INSTALLED A SNOW SHIELD, ETC. TO TRY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, ALL TO NO AVAIL. THE BELT HAS COME OFF 4 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, EVEN IN VERY LIGHT RAIN AND VERY SHALLOW PUDDLES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171799October 25, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS ON 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN OPERATE ERRATICALLY OVER THE PAST MONTH. WHEN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE ON ONLY LEFT HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATES. WITH HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON ONLY RIGHT HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATES. WHEN HIGH BEAM IS SELECTED, ONLY LEFT HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATES. WIRING AND SWITCHES HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED AS POSSIBLE FAULTS, CONTROL MODULES ARE SUSPECTED. INTERNET FORUM AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/DODGE-GRAND-CARAVAN/TFGKS9O3LLH1ABOBM SUGGESTS OTHER ARE EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL ISSUES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171744October 24, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE EMISSION GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR) HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO COINCIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINATION. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE EGR VALVE WAS PART OF THE EMISSION CONTROL. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - THE CONSUMER PURCHASED AND INSTALLED THE PART HIMSELF. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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