Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (1998)

559 consumer complaints on file.

#10218236February 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SERPENTINE BELT FLIES OFF WITH A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF MOISTURE. BOTH WIFE AND I HAVE DRIVEN OUR 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN WET WEATHER AND THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T EVEN NEED TO HIT A PUDDLE, THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF WATER SPLASHING FROM ANOTHER CAR WILL CAUSE IT TO COME OFF. BELT FALLING OFF CAUSES POWER STEERING, COOLING, AND CHARGING TO FAIL RESULTING IN SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AS CAR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218238February 17, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER, STRUCTURE
SHOCK ABSORBER TOWER ON DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE IS SERIOUSLY DETERIORATING. RUST IS PENETRATING INNER AND OUTER PORTIONS OF TOWER CAUSING SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT STABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF VEHICLE SUSPENSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218277February 17, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONSTANTLY SHORTS OUT, CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT RUN . WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO NUMEROUS SERVICE CENTERS AND DEALERS, NONE OF WHICH COULD DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. WE DEMAND A RESPONSE FROM THEM AND THEY DO NOT RETURN OUR CALLS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217190January 31, 2008
AIR BAGS
1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RECALL STATED IF THE PROBLEM WASN'T ACKNOWLEDGED THEN, AND DID HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE TO TAKE IT TO GET IT FIXED FREE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD NO ABOUT GETTING REIMBURSED FOR REPAIR. KB THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE SHOP INSTEAD OF THE DEALER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215414January 19, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1) DEFECT DISCOVERED ON VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION 2) CORROSION ON DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER 3) VEHICLE OPERATION IS UNSAFE, CORROSION COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF STRUT FROM STRUT TOWER CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, POTENTIAL COLLISION, VEHICLE DAMAGE AND INJURY TO OCCUPANTS. REPAIR TO STRUT TOWER IS REQUIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211399December 10, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE ONLY HAS PARK INTERMITTENTLY, MUST USE PARKING BRAKE TO INSURE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205597October 14, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - CORROSION IN DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER RESULTED IN A CRACKED STRUT TOWER AND INSECURE STRUT MOUNT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205056October 4, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT, STRUCTURE:BODY
MY CAR FAILED ITS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE STRUT TOWERS. WHEN INFORMED I ASKED THE SHOP IF THEY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY REFERRED ME TO A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 23-044-02 ISSUED IN OCT OF 2002 WHICH AFFECTED MY MINIVAN WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF STATING THAT MINVANS BUILT BETWEEN 1996-2000 HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED. I WENT TO A CHRYSLER DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF 1300 DOLLARS AND THAT SINCE NO RECALL HAD EVER BEEN ISSUED THAT THEY WOULDN'T COVER THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD ISSUED THE BULLETIN. IF THE REPAIR ISN'T MADE THE CAR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PASS THE PA STATE INSPECTION AS THE INSPECTOR HAS DEEMED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. I HAVE LOOKED AT YOUR DATA BASE AND SEEN MULTIPLE EXAMPLES OF THIS COMPLAINT REGISTERED AS WELL AS ON MULTIPLE CAR BOARDS DISCUSSING THIS AND NHTSA'S REFUSAL TO ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD RESULT IN PHYSICAL INJURY AND IN MY CASE HAS LEAD TO AN UNSAFE CAR THAT CANT BE DRIVEN IN PA. I AM PART OF THE SAE CORROSION COUNCIL LOOKING INTO CORROSION PRACTICES IN THE HEAVY TRUCKING INDUSTRY AND I KNOW THAT IF THIS HAPPENED IN THE HEAVY TRUCKING INDUSTRY THERE WOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL. WHY HASN'T THIS HAPPENED HERE WHEN THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS ABOUT THAT AFFECTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES? *TR *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203080September 15, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN MY SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF THE PULLEYS AND RESULTED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN I LOST MY STEERING WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM ON THE EARLIER (1997 THROUGH THE EARLY 2000S MODELS) DODGE CARAVAN 3.0, 3.3, AND 3.8 ENGINES. THERE ARE MANY POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME THING HAPPENING DURING RAIN STORMS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VAN ONLY HAS 61,686 MILES ON IT. AT 43,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT, TENSIONER, AND PULLEY IDLER. I ALSO HAVE HEARD THAT DODGE DID A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM IN AT LEAST ONE OTHER COUNTRY. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE MANDATED TO OFFER A FIX FOR THIS HERE IN THE USA. I TEMPORARILY FIXED MY PROBLEM BY PUTTING THE OLD SERPENTINE BELT BACK ON THE PULLEYS. THIS IS NOT AN EASY TASK AND TRYING TO DO IT ALONG THE ROAD IS HAZARDOUS. BUT FOR MOST PEOPLE THIS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO DO. *JB
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
#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
#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
#10192742June 8, 2007
AIR BAGS, SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AT 5 MPH. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT CAME OFF TRACK DURING THE CRASH. DUE TO THE SEAT POSITION, THE CONTACT COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR CONTROL THE STEERING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186211March 26, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF IN WET WEATHER, AND IT MADE STEERING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THERE WAS NO LONGER POWER STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. *AK CONSUMER STATES DEALER MADE ADDITIONAL INSTALLATION OF THE BELT 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPDATE *4/23/07 **TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184118March 3, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AFTER HAVING CLOCK SPRING CHANGED FROM RECALL, VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND AUTOMATICALLY START BACK UP ON ITS OWN. IT WILL DO THIS FROM A COASTING SPEED TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 70 MPH. THERE IS NO WARNING!! I DON'T KNOW IF ITS FROM THE CLOCK SPRING OR ANOTHER ISSUE. HAD TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALS AND PERSONAL FRIEND THAT HAS THE OBDII COMPUTER AND IT DOES NOT KICK OR STORE A CODE, EVEN WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER! I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 3.3L WITH THE FLEXFUEL ENGINE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180591January 24, 2007
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE BLOWOUT ON HIGHWAY 505. THE TREAD CAME OFF THE BACK LEFT TIRE OF MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WE PULLED OVER AND GOT AAA TO COME. THERE IS $1967.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WHICH INCLUDES DAMAGE TO FENDER, GAS COVER AND CAP, AND PAINT DAMAGE. JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10179286January 21, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE GOING 60 ON INTERSTATE. POWER WOULD COME AND GO LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTING TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT. THE ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON UNTIL I WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD. NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE PENDING FAILURE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177093December 27, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR BUT EVERYTHING AROUND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO WORK NORMALLY (NO SMOKE OR OVERHEATING PRESENT). LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AFTER THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS BURNED, THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. EXPERTS THAT LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OFF SUGGEST A FAILURE IN THE GAS HOSE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO CATCH FIRE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176045December 13, 2006
PARKING BRAKE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE AND ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175442December 7, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, WHEN I WENT TO MOVE FORWARD, IT CLUNKED, AND DID NOT MOVE FOR 1-2 SECONDS, THEN JUMPED FORWARD. TOOK TO TRANNY SHOP AND WAS TOLD I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE SHOP INDICATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COMPLETELY DAMAGED AT THE TIME, BUT RECOMMENDS THAT IT BE REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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