Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (1996)

1,157 consumer complaints on file.

#10238559August 17, 2008
VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. 1. THE WINDSHIELD AND REAR WIPERS WILL GO ON AN OFF WHEN THEY WANT TOO. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TURN THEM ON YOU CAN'T TURN THEM OFF. THE BACK ONE WILL COME ON SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING THE CAR. 2. THE HORN ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED WORKING. 3. WHEN MY VAN HIT AROUND 80,00 MILES THE AIR COND. STOPPED WORKING AND DOESN'T GET COLD. TOOK IT TO A PLACE TO CHECK AND THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH DODGE. AND THAT IT WOULD COST AROUND 1,500.00 TO REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238043August 13, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, STEERING
STRUT TOWER, DRIVER'S SIDE IS EXTREMELY RUSTED - A HARD BUMP WILL CERTAINLY PUSH THE SUSPENSION SPRING ASSEMBLY THROUGH THE TOP CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234207July 14, 2008
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR TAILGATE GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 07/29/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233766July 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE VAN WILL START THEN IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF. IT DOES THIS MORE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. IF YOU LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE SHADE IT WILL START AND GET YOU TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION. IF THE WEATHER IS TOO HOT IT WON'T START UNTIL THE WEATHER CHANGES TO COOLER. I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER, TWO COMPUTERS, GOT THE CIRCUIT BOARD COLD SOLDERED. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND CAN'T REMEMBER ALL THE REST. IT STILL HAS THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON. THERE IS A WEB SITE TOPIX.COM THAT HAS A FORUM JUST FOR THIS PROBLEM. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT COMPLETELY. SOME ONE SOME WHERE HAS GOT TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THE CLOCK SPRING IS UNDER RECALL. ONCE YOU GET THE RECALL DONE AFTER A FEW YEARS THE SPRING BREAKS AGAIN AND THEY DON'T FIX IT AGAIN. SO I NO LONGER HAVE A HORN OR AIRBAGS THAT WORK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232744June 30, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT, STRUCTURE:BODY
1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CORROSION PERFORATION CONDITION AT THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTED. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT END WILL COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED IF THEY DON'T RECALL THESE AND FIX THEM. APPARENTLY CHRYSLER WANTS TO BE NAMED AFTER SOMEONE ELSE ONCE SOMEONE GETS KILLED AND THEN THEY SUE CHRYSLER AND WIN FOR CHRYSLER BEING CARELESS AND CHEAP WHEN BUILDING A VEHICLE. I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1200 TO FIX MY DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE RUST MY KIDS RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE AND I DIDN'T BUILD IT I THINK THE PEOPLE WHO DID SHOULD RECALL IT AND FIX IT FOR US, MINIVANS ARE KID VEHICLES WE DON'T BUY THEM JUST TO RIDE AND LOOK COOL IN THEM THEY TRANSPORT PRECIOUS CARGO OUR KIDS I HAVE THREE AND IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO THEM BECAUSE OF A BAD COMPANY MAKING CHEAP STUFF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO ANSWER TO ME FOR IT. I BOUGHT THE MINIVAN THINKING DODGE WAS A RESPONSIBLE COMPANY AND GOOD COMPANY BUT I AM NOW HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT IT WITH THIS HAPPENING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228430May 16, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH LEAKING FUEL TANK. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE DID A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS AND FOUND SEVERAL FOR HER VEHICLE. SHE STATES THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPERWORK FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE RECALLS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224278April 12, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE SERPENTINE BELT CHRONICALLY HAS FALLEN OFF AND BEEN REPLACED ON THE CAR. IT HAS FALLEN OFF TWICE IN THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. WHEN IT FALLS OFF, THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. FORTUNATELY UP TO THIS TIME MY WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS A FATALITY WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS DESIGN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223788April 9, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) IN 2005. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, HE SMELLED A MILD BURNING ODOR. MINUTES LATER, HE NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MAJORITY OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND IT WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN NEAR THE FUEL LINES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221428March 17, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH DOWNHILL IN THE SNOW, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE REAPPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY LOCKED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STRUCK A TREE HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE, BUT WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE ERROR CODES REVEALED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN A CRASH, WHICH IS POSSIBLY WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,552 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,500.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220956March 12, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SERPENTINE BELT FALLS OFF DURING RAIN/SNOWY WEATHER ON 1996 DODGE GRANDE CARAVAN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208966November 14, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SLIDING DOOR LOCK MECHANISM FAILURE, ONE LOCK BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE RESTRICTING ALL INGRESS OR EGRESS FROM THAT DOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207752November 2, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL SLOWLY EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP THREE SECONDS LONGER THAN USUAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY DIRTY REAR BRAKE SHOES. THE KNEE PADS, ROTORS, SHOES, DRUMS, AND MASTER CYLINDER WERE REPLACED. THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS CHECKED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,198.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203152September 17, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
MILKY HEADLIGHT LENS COVERS. DISTANCE AND CLARITY GREATLY AFFECTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177640January 3, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
TL* - THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL 00V268000 REPAIRS. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE ON THE VEHICLE PER RECALL REQUIREMENTS. THIS REPAIR WAS DONE ON DECEMBER 11, 2006. ON JANUARY 2, 2007 AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATE 6 MILES THE DRIVER SMELLED GAS FUMES SO HE DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS FUMES KILLED 14 OF THE BIRDS THAT WERE HOUSED IN HIS GARAGE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND GAS WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS USING MORE GAS THAN IT HAD PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL SLOWLY LEAKING GAS 24 HOURS AFTER HE ORIGINALLY NOTICED THE LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND HE HAS NOT YET CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. *AK UPDATED 2/6/2007 - *NM UPDATED 03/21/07
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177453January 1, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BROKE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN JUST 30,000 MILES, THIS TIME MY WIFE AND 4 KIDS WERE NEARLY KILLED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE BECAUSE WE WERE ALMOST HIT . THIS VEHICLE IS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164647August 6, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE HAVE HAD THE CAR APPROX 6 YEARS AND HAD TO PUT IN FIVE TRANSMISSIONS. THEY KEEP BURNING UP AND NOBODY CAN TELL US WHY. WE USE THE VEHICLE FOR VERY LITTLE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL MOSTLY APPROX 2 AND 1/2 MILES EACH WAY. THE VAN CONSTANTLY BUCKS WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS TO LOW SPEEDS AND WILL OFTEN DIE DOING THE SAME THING. THE TRANSMISSION ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE MAKING A SOUND THAT INDICATES IT IS BEING STRESSED WHILE IN 2 TO 3 GEARS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158773June 1, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
SHOCK TOWER ON DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE IS RUSTING THROUGH. IF RUSTS THROUGH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS,WOULD MAKE RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE FALL AND SEND SHOCK THROUGH HOOD POSSIBLY CAUSING A SEVERE ACCIDENTALLY DODGE DEALER IN MY TOWN THEY SAID THERE WAS TWO OTHER VEHICLES THAT CAME IN SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL BUT NO RECALL. CHRYSLER DEALER TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS TEN YEARS OLD AND I LIVE IN A SALT STATE SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IF IT WERE ONE VEHICLE OK BUT I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN AND IF THERE WERE THREE THAT'S TO MANY. AND ALSO ITS NOT SOMETHING YOU NOTICE EASILY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153882March 28, 2006
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED 4-5 TIMES. THE REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE UNKNOWN. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153490March 23, 2006
STRUCTURE
THE CUP HOLDER IN SOME VEHICLES IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS, BEVERAGE SPLASHES ONTO THE DASH, IN THIS CASE INTO A COMPUTER BOARD IN THE DASH THROUGH SLOTS IN THE DASH FOR THE HEATER CONTROLS. THE RESULT IS TOTAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER, WINDSHIELD WASHER AND WIPERS, FRONT AND REAR HEATERS, AND AIR CONDITIONING. THE LACK OF ABILITY TO CLEAR THE FRONT AND REAR GLASS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE [XXX]. POSSIBLY SEVERAL BRANDS OF VEHICLE HAVE THIS ENGINEERING DESIGN PROBLEM. THE RESPONSE THAT I GOT FROM CHRYSLER WHEN I ASKED ABOUT REPLACEMENT PARTS IS THAT THE WARRANTY IS FOR THREE YEARS, AND AFTER THAT "TOUGH." THEIR E-MAIL RESPONSE IS ATTACHED. AT A MINIMUM, REPLACEMENT PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR A REASONABLE TIME AFTER PRODUCTION STOPS, AND THIS VEHICLE IS STILL IN PRODUCTION. SINCE IT IS A DESIGN ERROR, I FEEL THAT THIS FIELD FAILURE SHOULD BE CORRECTED WITHOUT CHARGE. IF THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE, THEN I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL THIS $20 COMPUTER BOARD MYSELF. IT REQUIRES REMOVAL OF FOUR SCREWS. --->SNIP<--- YOUR VEHICLE WAS PROVIDED WITH A WARRANTY AGAINST DEFECTS FOR A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. YOUR CONCERNS, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE EXPENSE AND INCONVENIENCE INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE, ARE UNDERSTANDABLE. HOWEVER, YOUR REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER MUST BE DECLINED. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152043March 6, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURES GRADUALLY BECAME WORSE AND OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRING IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING A FUSE BOX REPLACEMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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