Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (1996)

1,157 consumer complaints on file.

#10046000November 11, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
UR 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN'S FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONE DAY WENT ON, AND STAYED ON WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS ON {NO MATTER WHAT WE DID, NOTHING WOULD SHUT THE WIPERS OFF -- NO WAY -- NO HOW ! WE TRIED EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF.}. I HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR DAYS/WEEKS WHILE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON AND COULDN'T BE TURNED OFF, AND NEARLY GOT IN TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I WAS SO DISTRACTED. THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS WHILE I WAITED FOR THE PROBLEM TO AUTOMATICALLY CEASE OF ITS OWN ACCORD, WHICH IT NEVER DID. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE WITH TIME. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT ON OF THEIR OWN ACCORD INTERMITTENTLY IN THE BEGINNING, THEN AFTER DAYS/WEEKS, WE COULD NOT SHUT THEM OFF AT ALL. I WAS FORCED TO BRING THE MINIVAN TO A CHRYSLER AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE BCM (BODY CONTROLLER OR BODY CONTROL MODULE) AT A COST OF $574 AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. I HAVE ASKED CHRYSLER CORPORATE TWICE IF THEY WILL REIMBURSE US; BOTH TIMES THEY REFUSED. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT WAS NOT IN ANY WAY CAUSED BY US. CHRYSLER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF THIS DEFECT, AND DOING THE RIGHT THING BY REIMBURSING US THE $574. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. A PERSON CAN NOT DRIVE WHILE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON WHILE IT IS NOT RAINING!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046485November 6, 2003
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE RACK AND PINION. ALSO, THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING OVER A MINOR BUMPS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042378November 3, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE GETTING HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BODY STRUT MOUNT TOWER HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT AFTER A FEW MORE MILES THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION WOULD COLLAPSE. *AK *SCC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046281October 29, 2003
AIR BAGS
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL CLOCKSPRING REPAIR ON DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *MR THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCED CLOCK SPRING FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT AND RECEIVED IT BUT THE CONSUMER ALSO WANTS TO BE COMPENSATED FOR OTHER EXPENSES. *TS *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044235October 17, 2003
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE JUST FELL DOWN. FORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT BREAK, BUT IT DISTRACTED FROM DRIVING. DRIVER HAD TO HOLD WIDOW UP SO IT WOULD NOT FALL ON ANYONE IN VEHICLE. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD BY THAT HE COULD NOT REPAIR THE INDIVIDUAL WINDOW, BUT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE WINDOW ASSEMBLY, AND SUCH REPAIRS WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PAY FOR IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044106October 16, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE FUELING GASOLINE SPILLED OUT FROM THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE O-RING SNAPPED OFF, CAUSING THE GASOLINE TO LEAK. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041802October 14, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED (PARKED AND RUNNING IN DRIVEWAY) WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING. 81,000 MILES, METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. DIAGNOSED AS A LOOSE PIN WHICH WORE A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE. A HOLE THE SIZE OF A FIST WAS BLOWN THROUGH THE TOP OF THE CASE WHEN IT FINALLY FAILED. ALSO, THIS PART IS IN SUCH DEMAND DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES WITH THIS MODEL THAT A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS ALMOST $2000. CHRYSLER'S CHAIRMAN'S OFFICE WAS CONTACTED (CASE #11518366) AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041806October 14, 2003
AIR BAGS
1996 GRAND CARAVAN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO RECALL NOTICE . FUEL RAIL AND AIR BAGS. AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON CONTINUOUSLY, TECHNICIAN REPLACED CLOCKSPRING BUT AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO BE ON. IT WAS THAT THE SAID AIR BAG MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. APPARENTLY, THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. AIR BAG MODULE REPLACEMENT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $400.00. THIS SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED BY RECALL, AS MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10012351October 12, 2003
SUSPENSION
THE SHOCK TOWERS, WHICH HELD THE SHOCKS TO THE VEHICLE'S BODY, RUSTED EXCESSIVELY. *KG *SCC *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042158October 1, 2003
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE'S AIR BAG FAILED ON 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN.*MR IN APRIL 2001 THE VEHICLES AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG ALONG WITH THE CLOCKSPRING. THE CONSUMER PAID $842.92 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IN JANUARY 2001 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER $152. WHICH THEY DEEMED WAS ENOUGH TO COVER THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER CONTESTED THE AMOUNT OF THE REIMBURSEMENT BUT HAS NOT HEARD FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE MATTER. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10032012October 1, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE FAST LANE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10040950September 30, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
I OWN A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIPERS (FRONT AND REAR) ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THE WIPERS COME ON "MAGICALLY" WHILE DRIVING. THE REAR WIPER SOMETIMES COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR PROLONGED PERIODS, ESPECIALLY IF THE REAR DEFROSTER IS ON. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THREE TIMES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE DEALER NOW TELLS ME THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER OF THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED....A $700 REPAIR!!! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! I CAN NOT AFFORD $700 FOR THIS REPAIR, OR SHOULD I HAVE TO. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WIPERS LIKE THIS. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THERE IS A FLAW IN DODGE'S DESIGN. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN. I KNOW OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND SOMETIMES THEIR WIPERS JUST STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR SNOW. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ME....ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN A RAINSTORM! WHY HAVEN'T THESE VEHICLES BEEN RECALLED FOR THESE PROBLEMS? WILL IT TAKE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF FATALITIES BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? IF DODGE DOES NOT DO SOMETHING TO FIX MY PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE, THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHYRSLER PRODUCT I WILL EVER OWN. PAUL BAZIL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10038510September 9, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED WITHOUT DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. IT WAS VERY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AFTER IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10037465September 8, 2003
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
BODY MODULE FOR 96 GRAND CARAVAN PART # 04686930 FAILED. *AK THIS MODULE CONTROLS BODY ELEMENTS: POWER WINDOWS, POWER LOCKS, A/C, INTERIOR FEATURES, INSTRUMENTS (ODOMETER SPECIFICALLY) AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS CEASE TO OPERATE UPON FAILURE OF THIS MODULE. THIS CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME, AT ANY PLACE (PARKED OR DRIVING) UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITIONS (SUNSHINE OR HURRICANE). I SEE THIS AS A CRITICAL DESIGN FLAW. FUNCTIONALITY OF A VITAL SAFETY COMPONENT, WINDSHIELD WIPERS,IS TIED TO A PART THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED EASILY. ACCODING TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, THE PART IS NOT PRODUCED ANY MORE, IT IS NOT STOCKED. THE ORDER WILL NOT BE FILLED. THE PART IS NOT READILY REPAIRABLE. THE MODULE MUST BE PROGRAMMED WITH VEHICLE INFORMATION (FEATURES, ODOMETER READINGS) SO THE PART IS NOT STOCKED BY DEALERS OR DISTRIBUTORS. CUSTOMERS MUST WAIT FOR OLD PART TO COME IN AND BE RECONDITIONED. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CANNOT DELIVER PARTS TO BE PROGRAMMED AND RESTORE FUNCTIONALITY AND SAFETY TO VEHICLES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10030125August 15, 2003
STEERING
CONSUMER STATED BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. *AK CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 1991 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - TENSIONER PULLEY. *PH *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026705August 15, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER STRUT TOWER HOUSING RUSTED SEVERELY, THERE WAS NO OTHER RUST ON THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10031120August 8, 2003
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TIRE BLOWOUT AT 30MPH, BRAND NEW GOODYEAR AQUATRED 3, INSTALLED 2 DAYS EARLIER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10031889August 1, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
CONSUMER HEARD NOISE FOM RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT STRUT TOWER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10029061July 24, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ROCKER ARM PEDISTAL SHEARED OFF CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. MULTIPLE REPAIR CENTERS BELIEVE CAUSE IS DESIGN FLAW OF CYLINDER HEAD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10030097July 24, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILED RIVING AT NORMAL SPEED FRONT LEFT AXLE BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHOUT WARRANTY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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