Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (2003)

219 consumer complaints on file.

#10157061May 9, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY PLACED IN DRIVE, THERE WAS A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE IN THE AREA OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE SAME CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFTED AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER NO FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156062April 25, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTERWARDS, WHEN THE ROADS DRIED OFF THE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED AND STATED THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE SENSOR WAS WET. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IF THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES THE ABS IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155466April 17, 2006
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
PURCHASED NEW 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 1-14-2003. ON 12-8-2003 AND 24638 MILES DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. POWER WINDOW FAILED AGAIN AROUND 4-1-2006 AND 54400 MILES, WHICH IS ABOUT 30000 MILES LATER. WIFE BEING HANDICAPPED PERSON NEEDS THE WINDOW TO WORK AND EXPERIENCE MASSIVE BRUISING ON LEFT ARM DUE WHEN GOING THROUGH DRIVE THROUGH AT BANK AND POST OFFICE DUE TO TROUBLE REACHING AROUND DOOR TO DROP OFF AND DEPOSIT BOXES. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE RHUEMATOID ARTHRITIS AFFECTS HER HANDS, WRISTS AND ARMS. SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BREAK OPEN A WINDOW IN AN EMERGENCY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10152563March 13, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER 2 1/2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 49,00 MILES HEADLIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS SEEMED TO FLICKER. OCCASIONALLY INTERIOR LIGHTS DO THE SAME. DEALER SUGGESTS REPLACING SEVERAL MODULES AT SIGNIFICANT COST. I SEE FROM NHTSA WEB SITE THAT A RECALL IS/WAS TO BE ISSUED FOR 2000-2002. BASED ON NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN SYSTEMS SEEMS IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO 2003. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152144March 7, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
MY WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN, IN A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WERE HIT IN THE REAR WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE, AND COLLAPSED TO THE FULL RECLINE POSITION DURING THE WRECK. THIS HAS CAUSED MY WIFE TO HAVE BACK, NECK, HEAD, AND A LEFT KNEE INJURY. I TOLD DODGE ABOUT THIS SEAT, SO THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT, THEN WROTE ME BACK SAYING THE SEAT WAS NOT BROKE BUT BENT, AND THAT I HAD NO CLAIM. WHEN I WENT TO PICK THE CAR UP FROM THE BODY SHOP, THE OWNER SHOWED ME THE SEAT, PULLED THE COVER DOWN TO SEE THAT THE METAL TUBE WAS SPLIT IN TWO. I TOOK THE SEAT TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOO AGREED THE SEAT BROKE. NOW, I HAVE THE SEAT AND PICTURES. THE ONLY WAY TO ACTUALLY SEE THE SEAT BACK IS BROKEN, IS TO PULL THE CLOTH MATERIAL AWAY TO SEE IT. THE BODY SHOP OWNER SAID THE DODGE INVESTIGATOR NEVER LOOKED INSIDE THE SEAT. ALTHOUGH, I COULD TELL IT WAS BROKEN WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE ACCIDENT, BY THE WAY THE SEAT BACK WAS KIND OF TWISTED, AND TWEAKED OVER TO ONE SIDE. THERE HAVE BEEN LAWSUITS IN THE PAST ON CHRYSLER/DODGE BECAUSE THESE SEAT HAVE KILLED BABIES IN A BABY CARRIER BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT BECAUSE OF THESE SEAT RECLINING BACK, AND YET DODGE IS IN DENIAL. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10151931February 24, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKE FAULT LIGHT INT HE CONSUEMR'S 2003 GRAND CARAVAN ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER HAD TEH FRONT BRAKES REPLACED BUT THAT DID NOTRESOLVE THE BROBLEM. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. *TS *NM***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150528February 17, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A COW. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS PRIOR BRAKING AND THE IMPACT WAS ON THE GRILL. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149630February 7, 2006
STEERING
I HAVE A 2003 GRAND CARAVAN THAT I PURCHASED NEW. THERE WAS SPORADIC SHUDDERS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM WHEN NEW AND AT LOW(PARKING LOT) SPEEDS. NOW AT APPROX 62000 MILES I HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK AND POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE TUNE OF APPROX $1100 (NOT COMPLETED AT THIS TIME) THERE IS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THIS FAILURE. THIS FAILURE AT THIS LOW MILEAGE CANNOT BE NORMAL WARE AND TEAR. THANK YOU. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145799December 21, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT
VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN STEERING MY VEHICLE, WHEN BACKING UP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145417December 15, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
MORE AND MORE OFTEN HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OR GO OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. IT IS VERY UNNERVING AND UNSAFE SINCE SOMETIMES I DON'T REALIZE THEY ARE OFF EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH IS IN THE ON POSITION. SOMETIME THEY COME BACK ON, OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND ON QUICKLY. NOBODY CAN TRACE THE PROBLEM SO FAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144536December 6, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DRIVING - HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM. REPLACED ALTERNATOR BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PURCHASED IN JANUARY, 2004. PURCHASE & INCIDENT DATES ARE APPROXIMATE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142334November 9, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE I AM DRIVING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141307October 31, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTED SHUTTERING AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS FIXED. THEY REPLACED A HOSE, AND ADDED AN ADDITIONAL COOLER. HE STATED THERE WAS A TECHNOCAL SERVIC EBULLETIN (TSB) FOR THIS. IT WOULD NOT COMPLETELY CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE HAS A RELATIVE WHO WORKS FOR CHRYSLER, AND HE STATES THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THE 2003-2005 MODELS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132991October 18, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AT LOW SPEED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND EXPERIENCED UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. THE CAR JUMPED THE CONCRETE BARRIER AND HIT 2 POLES THAT WERE IN THE PARKING STALLS IN FRONT OF IT AND ONE ON THE RIGHT. TOWED TO A DODGE DEALER, AND IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED CHRYSLER, WHO SENT OUT AN INSPECTOR. CONSUMER ALONG WITH THE INSURANCE AGENCY AWAITED THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE EXCEPT THE REPAIRS FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE ONLY DAMAGE OCCURRED WAS ON THE VEHICLE.*AK *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138745October 5, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DT: 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK DURING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WAS A REAR IMPACT CRASH. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND TRAFFIC HAS JUST STARTED TO MOVE, AND VEHICLE IN FRONT STARTED A CHAIN REACTION OF STOPPING. THE VEHICLE IN THE REAR DID NOT STOP, HITTING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, CONSUMER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE OTHER CAR WENT UNDER THE REAR OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER'S WIFE HIT HER FACE ON THE DASHBOARD, AND CONSUMER HIT THE SIDE OF HIS FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SINCE THE ACCIDENT NO ONE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHY THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK DURING THE IMPACT. CONSUMER HAD THE VAN FOR FIVE WEEKS. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND THERE TWO PERSONS WERE INJURED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10136527September 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND THE CONSUMER HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD. THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 AND IT VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A DEALERSHIP. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WAS ONLY DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134079August 24, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, TIRES
DT: THE CONTACE OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. THE THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THAT ONE OF THE TIRES HAS LESS THAN TREAD, THE OTHER THREE HAVE APPROXIMATELY TREAD. THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE IN THE SNOW AND RAIN. VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE WHILE IN REVERSE OR WHEN SLOWLING. HE HAS NOTICED THE SOUNDS BECAUSE OF THE VIBRATION. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER MAY HAVE TOWED SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE TIRES TO WEAR, BUT THE CONTACT SAID THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY USED UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE CONTACT FELT IT MAY BE FROM THE FRONT END BEING OUT OF ALIGNMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED RACK AND PINION STEERING WASA REPLACED. THE DEALER WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE TIRES, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE TIRES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133852August 23, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
PREMATURE FRONT BRAKE WEAR,FIRST SET OF BRAKES FAILED AT 12,046 MILES. THE LOW BRAKE SQUEELERS NEVER MADE NOISE AND THE BRAKES WORE METAL TO METAL INTO THE ROTORS. I REPLACED BOTH BRAKES AND ROTORS MY SELF AS THEY FAILED ON A FRIDAY NIGHT JUST BEFORE A 150 MILE DRIVE.I NOW HAVE 33,450 MILES AND THIS IS THE THIRD SET OF BRAKES AND ROTORS.I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED TECH. THIS TIME I INVESTIGATED THE SYSTEM AND FOUND THAT THE SQUEELER TABS HAD BROKEN OFF FROM OVERHEATING.FURTHER THE LOWERCALIPER BOLTS ON BOTH SIDES SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT DISCOLORATION. IN LOOKING FOR THE CAUSE I BELIEVE IT IS CAUSED BY LACK OF AIR FLOW TO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE CALIPER AND BRAKES. LOOKING AT THE AIR FLOW SYSTEM TO THE BRAKES THE AIR IS TUNNELED VIA CUTS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT SKIRT AND TRAVELS BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE INNER PLASTIC WHEEL WELL.THERE IS AN ANGLED PROTRUSION IN THE INNER WHEEL WELL THAT DIVERTS THE AIR TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE WHEEL. IT APPEARS THE THIS PROTRUSION IS TO FAR BACK AND THE AIR IS NOT FLOWING OVER THE BRAKES AND CALIPER. AS A NOTE THE REAR BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED AND THE SELF ADJUSTERS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.PLESE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. I HAVE SEARCHED TSB'S,IATN (SPONSORING MENBER),RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS. IN TALKING TO CHRYSLER TECH'S THEY SAID THIS IS COMMON AND THE BRAKES AVERAGE 10 TO 12 THOUSAND MILES.THE PROBLEM CAN BE DUPLICATED EVEN AFTER NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED AND TRAVELING DOWN AN EXTENDED STEEP ROAD WITH BRAKING. THE BRAKES EMIT AN OBVIOUS ODOR OF OVER HEATING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FADES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133348August 18, 2005
SEAT BELTS:INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT, CHILD SEAT
DT: THERE IS AN INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT MADE INTO THE VEHICLE. IF THE SEAT IS NOT CLICKED IN PROPERLY IT WILL ALLOW THE ENTIRE SEAT TO TILT FORWARD. CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS INJURED WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING AT 15 KM. HOSPITAL REPORTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF RESTRAINT TO KEEP THE SEAT FROM MOVING FORWARD OR IF THERE COULD BE SOME TYPE OF WARNING SYSTEM ON THE DASH FOR EXAMPLE A CHECK CHILD SEAT LIGHT. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY WERE INDUSTRY STANDARDS. THE CONSUMER WAS LOCATED IN ONTARIO, CANDA. THE CHILD SEAT IS A DODGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10125512July 22, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE DECEMBER 2003 AND HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2004, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE SERVICE DEALER IN MARCH 2005, AND SHE HAD THE PUMP REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES WHEN TURNING THE CORNER OR WHEN PARKING. IT WOULD HUM ANYTIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED.*AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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