Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (2008)

1,293 consumer complaints on file.

#10272544June 1, 2009
SEATS
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE CARAVAN AND DISCOVERED THAT I COULDN'T GET ALL THE CAR SEATS IN. WE CALLED SEVERAL FRIENDS TO SEE WHAT THEY DO, AND THEY SAY THAT THEY GAVE UP AFTER GETTING BLOODY KNUCKLES TRYING TO PUT THE SEATS IN AND NOW DON'T USE ONE. THE CAR MANUFACTURERS CLAIM THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE 7 SEAT-BELTS THAT IT IS A SEVEN PASSENGER VEHICLE. THIS LEADS TO PARENTS GETTING FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIT THE CAR SEATS, SO THEY LET THEIR CHILD GO WITHOUT. THE BACK SEAT HAS 3 SEAT BELTS BUT IT IS IMPRACTICAL TO GET 3 CAR SEATS, OR BOOSTER SEATS IN. THERE IS A GAP IN WHAT THE SAFETY GUIDELINES REQUIRE AND WHAT THE MANUFACTURERS ARE SELLING. THIS LEADS TO PARENTS GIVING UP AND CHILDREN SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES. I AM A FIREMAN AND EXPERIENCE WON'T LET ME GIVE IN TO LETTING MY CHILDREN TRAVEL UNSAFELY. SURELY, THE MANUFACTURERS CAN ADD 4-5 INCHES OF HIP ROOM, ALLOWING 3 CHILD SEATS TO FIT WHERE THERE ARE 3 SEAT BELTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269299May 18, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT
GRAND CARAVAN , ~15,500 MILES, FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE WORN, AND NEED REPLACED. OCCURS WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES CAN HEAR SCREECHING SOUND AND GRINDING. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE TSB# 05-006-08. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268210May 8, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THERE WEREN'T ANY SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE DEVICE FAILURE. DROVE INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND INTO A PARKING SPOT WHERE I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER KNOB WHEN THE WHOLE KNOB POPPED OF INTO SEVERAL PIECES LEAVING ME STUCK IN DRIVE AND FORCED TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TURNED OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK. VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT. VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE, BUT TRICKY WHEN DEALING WITH THE SHIFTER KNOB. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE READ ELSEWHERE OF THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266724April 25, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
02/23/2009- PURCHASED 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN- ON DAY OF PURCHASE I ASKED WHY BRAKES MADE A BARKING SOUND,WAS TOLD BECAUSE IT SAT IN PARKING LOT FOR A WHILE. ODOMETER-19230THE NEXT DAY THE VAN SHUT ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I COULD STEER AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND ALL INSTRUMENT LIGHTING WAS OFF.I CALLED SALE AUTO MALL THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID CALL BACK IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. SOMETIME IN MARCH TOOK IT BECAUSE THE STEERING KEEP PULLING ME TOWARDS THE CURB. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF SALE AUTO MALL TEST DROVE IT WITH ME IN IT AND DETECTED NOTHING WRONG. 4/01/2009- TOOK IT IN FOR OIL CHANGE. 04/06/2009 BRAKES FAILED COMING BACK FROM MOOREHEAD. CALLED SALE AUTO MALL, THEY REFERRED ME TO DODGE DEALERSHIP IN GREENVILLE, CALLED THEM AND ASKED FOR TOW, THEY REFUSED, THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT AS FAR AS I COULD. WHEN I GOT THERE THEY SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT IT WOULD BE $370 TO FIX, I REFUSED AND THEY CHARGED ME $35 FOR LOOKING AT IT. 04/08/2009-TOOK IT TO BOYD'S HE REPAIRED BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR $150. 4/20/2009- BRAKES SPONGY AND SINKING CALL BOYD'S REFERRED ME TO DODGE DEALERSHIP IN NEW BERN, SEE THEM, SERVICE MANAGER STARTS THE TEST DRIVE WITH ME GOES TEN FEET AND HITS BRAKES,STOPS CAR SAYS I KNOWWHATS WRONG IT'S THE MASTER CYLINDER,ASKED ME TO GET OUT,SAYS HE WANTS HIS BRAKE MAN TO CHECK IT OUT. THEN THIRTY MINUTES LATER SENDS A MAN TO TELL ME THE PART HAS TO BE ORDER, HE GIVES ME MY KEYS AND TELLS ME THEY'LL CALL ME WHEN THE PART IS IN.4/23/09- DEALERSHIP CALLED ME SAID PART WAS IN, COULD I COME IN TODAY, TOLD HIM I WAS AT WORK, WHEN COULD I COME IN HE ASKED,I TOLD HIM MONDAY, HE SAID FINE. 04/24/2009- COMING HOME FROM WORK GOING 40 ON ARRLINGTON BLVD.SEE A LINE OF CARS IN FRONT OF ME START TO SLOW DOWN, SUDDENLY ALL CARS IN FRONT SLAM ON BRAKES TO A DEAD STOP,I SLAM ON MY BRAKES,BUT THEY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF FLOOR AND THE RATE OF SPEED DOESN'T CHANGE.I HIT THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME AT FULL SPEED. HELP! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10266063April 20, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A STRIP MALL, MY DRIVERS SIDE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CONTACT OF ANY KIND WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT ON THE PAVEMENT. MY RIGHT ARM WAS INJURED WITH LACERATIONS AND CONTUSIONS, ALTHOUGH NOT SERIOUS ENOUGH TO SEE A DOCTOR. THE NEXT DAY, I TOOK IT INTO THE DODGE DEALER FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE A WARRANTY REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT LOOKED TO HIM LIKE IT HAD A FRONT IMPACT. I COULDN'T SEE ANY DAMAGE OR INDICATION OF AN IMPACT , BUT HE WAS QUITE SURE AND SUGGESTED I CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID THERE HAD BEEN A FRONT IMPACT. I HAVE NOT HAD AN IMPACT OF ANY KIND SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE APPROX. 6 MONTHS AGO. I, OF COURSE, CAN NOT SAY IT WAS NEVER HIT WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. I CAN SAY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LEFT UNATTENDED IN A PARKING LOT FOR 48 HOURS BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I AM CONCERNED THAT AN AIR BAG CAN DEPLOY, WITHOUT WARNING, SEVERAL HOURS, DAYS, OR WEEKS AFTER THE IMPACT. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE BAG DEPLOYED THERE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN FATALITIES. BY THE WAY, THE DODGE DEALER CHECKED THE COMPUTER CONTROLLER AND SAYS THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ON IT. I HAVE ORDERED A NEW AIR BAG AND CONTROLLER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10264921April 10, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED AT 13,000 MILES. ONLY MADE SOUND FOR ONE DAY GRINDING. NEVER HAD BRAKES ON ANY CAR I HAVE OWNED GO OUT WITH THAT FEW OF MILES. ESPECIALLY A NEW CAR. BATTERY WAS ALSO LEAKING AND INSIDE FUNCTIONS LIKE RADIO AND WIPERS, LOCKS , WINDOWS... SOMETIMES JUST DON'T WORK. IT ALSO FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DRAGGING. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY , I HAD TO PAY FOR THE BRAKES AND NOTHING WAS FOUND FOR ANY OF THE OTHER STUFF.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263921April 1, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I AM WRITING TO CHRYSLER CANADA BECAUSE WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY WITH OUR 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, ONE THAT I WOULD CLASSIFY AS A RUNAWAY VEHICLE CREATING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. CURRENT ODOMETER READING 25347 THIS VEHICLE WENT FOR ITS FIRST SERVICE FEBRUARY 9, 2009 TO A VEHICLE CHECK-UP PEACE OF MIND INSPECTION. PRIMARILY WITH AN INQUIRY TO CHECK THE BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOMEWHAT SPONGY WHEN APPLIED. THE INSPECTION INDICATED THE BRAKES PULSATED BECAUSE OF A WARPED DISK. THE WARPED DISK IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY HIGH HEAT GENERATED FROM PROLONGED BRAKING. THIS APPEARS TO BE IN CONTRADICTION WITH THE INSTRUCTION IN THE 2008 DODGE OWNER'S MANUAL PAGE 334 UNDER NOTE: TO SELECT THE PROPER GEAR POSITION FOR MAXIMUM DECELERATION (ENGINE BREAKING), SIMPLY PRESS AND HOLD THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER TO THE LEFT (-). THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT TO THE RANGE FROM WHICH THE VEHICLE CAN BEST BE SLOWED DOWN. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT PROVIDING THE DESIRED RESULT. TO ASSIST THE VEHICLE IN MAINTAINING CONTROL DOWNHILL, SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO 3RD GEAR (AT 60 KPH.) SHOULD ENABLE THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WITHOUT HAVING TO 'RIDE THE BRAKES'. THIS IS NOT THE CASE; THE ELECTRONICS CONTROLLING THE SHIFTING SYSTEM IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DROPS OUT OF LOW GEAR (3RD) INTO HIGH GEAR (D) UNDER THE SLIGHTEST DOWNHILL MOMENTUM, THUS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. PAGE 337 IN THE 208 DODGE OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY WARNS THAT RIDING THE BRAKES CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE AND POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT. AS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED TO OUR HORROR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DRIVING ON THE WEST COAST (VANCOUVER ISLAND), WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL ON A DOWNHILL STRETCH OF PAVED ROAD, THIS 4 SPEED ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS INCAPABLE OF PROVIDING ANY ENGINE BRAKING ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO RIDE THE BRAKES TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258905February 17, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 3.3 V6 ENGINE. I HAVE A HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION ON MY MINIVAN. MY HEADLIGHT WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS AND SOMETIMES WHILE WAITING FOR A STOP SIGN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT WHEN YOU NEED YOUR HEADLIGHT FOR VISIBILITY. HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE BUT THE HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. MY VEHICLE HAS 35,600 MILES AND THE FIRST TIME THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WAS AT 33,100 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258930February 17, 2009
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND ROW BENCH SEAT HAS A LOCK IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT, BUT IT IS NOT LOCKING PROPERLY. THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MANUAL THAT STATE HOW THE SEAT SHOULD LOCK IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE DOING IT INCORRECTLY AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE CORRECT WAY TO LOCK THE SEAT IN PLACE. HE CALLED DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEATS SHOULD BE LOCKED IN A DOWNWARD POSITION. THE PICTURE IN THE MANUAL DOES NOT EFFECTIVELY ILLUSTRATE HOW TO LOCK THE SEATS. SIX DIFFERENT MECHANICS COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PICTURES IN THE MANUAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,963.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253408December 31, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE AT A STOPLIGHT IN SMALL CITY TRAFFIC IN CONNELLSVILLE, PA, ON 31DEC2008, I DECIDED TO SEE HOW MY ENTERPRISE RENTAL VEHICLE, A 2008 DODGE GRANDCARAVAN, WOULD ACCELERATE. PULLING AWAY FROM THE LIGHT, I FLOORED THE PEDAL AND GOT UP TO ABOUT 45 MPH, THEN LET UP. NO REDUCTION IN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. I TOOK MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. I WAS STILL GATHERING SPEED, SO I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH LOTS OF GUSTO. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES THEN WORKED AGAINST THE ENGINE FOR PERHAPS A QUARTER MILE. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS REDUCED TO ABOUT 20 MPH, BUT WHEN I DID A TEST LIFT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN STARTED TO ACCELERATE. BACK ON THE BRAKE, I SWERVED INTO A LARGE, EMPTY PARKING LOT. I TRIED NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE THEN TOOK OFF WILDLY, SO I SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITION. PAUSING A FEW SECONDS, I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND EVERYTHING BACK TO NORMAL, EXCEPT THAT THE ESP WARNING LIGHT THAT HAD COME ON WITH MY INTENSE BRAKING WAS STILL ON. I DROVE A FEW MINUTES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I THEN RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE ENTERPRISE AGENCY, WHERE I SHARED MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE MANAGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251214December 9, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DODGE CARAVAN ALL THE DOOR LOCK STOP WORKING AND IS A VEHICLE SUBSTANDARD MANUFACTURING ISSUE. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH ALL OTHER VANS IS ALREADY REPORTED ON THE WEB AND POOR MANUFACTURING IS THE RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. IT IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR AND IS AN ISSUE WHICH DODGE IS WELL AWARE OF IT AND HAS DONE NOTHING SO FAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250961December 6, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SXT WITH 28,612 MILES (MOSTLY INTERSTATE). ON NOVEMBER 23, 2008 I WAS GOING EAST ON INTERSTATE 70. A FEW MILES FROM HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND THE CAR'S FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE. I CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN HAGERSTOWN. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CAR'S RIGHT FRONT AXLE HAD SNAPPED. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK AND HAD TO ORDER IT. WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP ONE WEEK LATER THE SERVICE MANGER TOLD US THE CAUSE OF THE FAILED FRONT END AXLE HUB WAS DUE TO THE NUTS BEING LOOSE, THUS ALLOWING THE AXEL TO DISENGAGE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT DODGE HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THEIR OTHER VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO EDMUNDS INSIDE LINE, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2008 DODGE CHARGER, MAGNUM, AND CHRYSLER 300. THE ARTICLE ON EDMUNDS INSIDE LINE STATED, 'THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS 5,509 2008 DODGE CHARGERS AND MAGNUMS, ALONG WITH SOME 2008 CHRYSLER 300 VEHICLES, ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A PROBLEM THAT WAS FIRST SPOTTED IN MARCH ON A 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER PILOT VEHICLE UNDERGOING PRELAUNCH EVALUATION AT CHRYSLER'S CHELSEA PROVING GROUNDS. THE TORQUE RETENTION CRIMP FEATURE "WAS MISSED" DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF ONE LOT OF REAR AXEL HUB NUTS ON THE AFFECTED CARS. 'THIS COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE HALF-SHAFT TO DISENGAGE FROM THE WHEEL HUB,' SAID THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) IN ITS RECALL SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM. 'THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.' *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249974November 26, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN MARCH 2008, I PURCHASE A NEW 2008 DODGE CARAVAN. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN. WHEN DRIVING, ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE VAN WILL STALL. IT WILL IMMEDIATELY RESTART. HOWEVER, NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WILL WORK. IE: HEADLIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BLOWER MOTOR, RADIO ETC. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE CAR AND ON OCTOBER 3. 2008. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE THE SAME DAY AND STATED THEY RECALIBRATED THE COMPUTER AND THAT SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ON OCTOBER 15, 2008, THE VAN WAS BACK AT THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME THEY KEPT THE VAN UNTIL OCTOBER 29,2008 AT WHICH TIME THEY STATED THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND AGAIN STATED WE SHOULD BE FINE. ON APPROXIMATELY NOVEMBER 13TH, 2008 WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE THIRD TIME. WE TOOK THE VAN INTO THE DEALER AND ALSO CALLED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY. WE WERE TOLD THAT A CHRYSLER ENGINEER WOULD GET INVOLVED AND WE WOULD GET THE PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF. IT IS NOW NOVEMBER 26,2008 AND THE DEALER CALLED AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO. THEY STATED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN AND THEN RATHER THAN RESTART THE VAN, HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY HUSBAND SPOKE WITH THE DISTRICT MANAGER OF CHRYSLER, BRANDIE WAGNER, AND SHE TOLD HIM THAT THERE IS NOTHING SHE CAN DO. MY HUSBAND ASKED HER TO PUT HER FAMILY IN THIS SITUATION AND HOW WOULD SHE FEEL. SHE RESPONDED THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO WAY TO CONVINCE HER SUPERVISORS TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE UNTIL SHE OR CHRYSLERS TECHNICIANS SEE THIS PROBLEM OCCUR FOR THEMSELVES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF DRIVING THE VAN AT NIGHT AND THIS HAPPENS AND WE HAVE NO WORKING LIGHTS, THIS NOT ONLY PUTS MY FAMILY IN JEOPARDY BUT ALSO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT IS DRIVING AROUND US. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249000November 17, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LEFT FRONT BRAKE GRINDING DURING LOW SPEED STOPS. STARTED ALL OF THE SUDDEN ONE EVENING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE A WARRANTY COVERED REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS PAST THE 12,000 MILE LIMIT ON BRAKE REPAIR. THIS IS 15,000 HIGHWAY MILES AFTER ONLY 6 MONTHS. THE DODGE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE COVERED BY THE STANDARD WARRANTY OR THE 100,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS WAS A "NORMAL" WEAR ITEM AND WOULD BE $270 TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND TO TURN BOTH FRONT ROTORS. I FIND IT SHOCKING THAT A MANUFACTURER WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS THEY HAVE ON THIS EXACT ISSUE STILL FAILS TO EVEN GIVE "GOODWILL" COVERAGE ON SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247202October 30, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
THE BRAKES GET REALLY HOT AND OVERHEAT ALL THE TIME. GAS MILEAGE VERY LOW 13 MILES TO THE GALLON HIGHWAY. AT 6800 MILES FRONT BRAKES WENT INTO ROTORS WITHOUT ANY WARNING, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED PADS AND RESURFACED ROTORS. THEY GAVE ME KNOW EXPLANATION WHAT CAUSED THIS. STILL HAD PROBLEMS TOOK IT IN AGAIN IN JUNE TOLD THEM SOMETHING WAS STILL WRONG THEY SAID THEY CHECKED NOTHING WRONG. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO NOISE FROM BACK BRAKES TOOK IT IN GOT A ESTIMATE THEY SAID SOMETHING REALLY MESS UP IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEED WHOLE BRAKE JOB CALIBERS ETC. BACK TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED RADIATOR CAP LEAKING 3500.00 TO FIX. 15200 MILES ON CAR DECLARED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP TODAY THEY SAID MY 12000 MILE BRAKE WARRANTY WAS UP I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. LEFT CAR THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THE BACK BRAKES WHERE GETTING REALLY HOT BURNED UP STATED I MUST BE DRIVING WITH PARKING BRAKE ON NEED NEW PADS FRONT AND BACK IT WAS GOING TO COST LIKE 600 DOLLARS. SAID DON'T KNOW WHY FUEL MILEAGE WAS SO POOR THAT MY DRIVING HABITS WHERE CAUSING BRAKES TO WEAR OUT FAST. THE RADIATOR CAP WAS LEAKING BAD REPLACED THAT. TOLD THEM I WAS GOING TO GET A THIRD OPINION BECAUSE I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS DUE TO MY DRIVING HABITS. SUPPOSED TO PICK UP TODAY CAME HOME RESEARCH COMPLAINTS ON DODGE CARAVAN 2008. WAS LOOKING TO FILE COMPLAINT ON DEALERSHIP AND CAR AND TO SEE WHAT MY OPTIONS WHERE SINCE I FELT I WAS GETTING MISTREATED AND WHAT THE LAWS WHERE SINCE I FELT THE CAR WAS A LEMON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246909October 28, 2008
POWER TRAIN
GEAR SHIFT INTERLOCK DOES NOT DISENGAGE PROPERLY WHEN PUTTING GEAR SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION CAUSING KEY FOB FROM NOT RELEASING FROM IGNITION SWITCH. IN ORDER TO RELEASE KEY PROPERLY THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE MUST BE PUSHED UP WITH FORCE UNTIL A CLICK IS AUDIBLE THEN INTERLOCK ENGAGES AND KEY THEN CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS QUITE OFTEN AND IS MORE OF A NUISANCE AND HEADACHE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT THEY STATED THAT GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM NEEDED REPLACED AFTER ADJUSTING GEAR SHIFT CABLE. PART WAS LABELED AS RESTRICTED BY CHRYSLER AND DID NOT HAVE A EAT FOR PART AVAILABILITY. CALLED BACK DEALER AFTER A FEW DAYS AND THE SERVICE TECH STATED THAT PART WAS TO SHIP ON OR AFTER 11/1/08. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246564October 23, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BRAND NEW 2008 GRAND CARAVAN SXT ENGINE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND IS THREE WEEKS OLD. TOTAL MILES ON VEHICLE 834. ENGINE FIRE ENGULFED WHOLE VEHICLE FOR A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245582October 15, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POOR TRANSMISSION DESIGN ROBERT C HODGKISS GENTLEMEN: I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND WHILE GOING DOWN A LONG STEEP SECTION OF ROADWAY I DOWN SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLOW THE VAN DOWN BUT BEING SUCH A STEEP GRADE THE VAN INCREASED SPEED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO THE NEXT HIGHER GEAR, ENDING UP FREE WHEELING, LEAVING ONLY THE BREAKS TO SLOW THE VAN DOWN. (IF YOU ARE GOING TO FAST TO START WITH IT WON?T EVEN DOWN SHIFT). NOW I ASKED THE MECHANIC, WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOOSE MY BRAKES, THE ANSWER HE HAD WAS IT?S A DESIGN FEATURE, SO I CONCLUDED THAT IF I WOULD PUSH ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK, WHICH LOCKS, THAT WOULD PUT ME INTO AN UNCONTROLLED SLIDE WHICH MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. WHAT IF YOU ARE COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD WHILE TOWING A TRAILER, YOU WOULD HAVE TO APPLY THE BREAKS TO KEEP THE TRANSMISSION IN A LOWER GEAR. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR BREAKS FAIL, THAT?S RIGHT THE VAN SHIFT UP TO FREEWHEELING? LEAVING YOU TO DO WHAT, USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK WHICH LOCKS YOU INTO A SKID. BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED THE SECOND TIME TO UNLOCK. NOW I ?AM SURE EVERYBODY CAN REMAIN CALM AND REMEMBER TO DO ALL THIS WHILE TOWING A TRAILER WITH YOUR WIFE AND SIX CHILDREN IN THE BACK OF THE VAN, SCREAMING WHAT IS THE MATTER? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245395October 14, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THE CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING,OCCASIONALLY WON'T SHIFT AFTER DYING AND RESTARTING. ALL WARNING LIGHTS GO ON AND SOMETIMES STAY ON OR FLASH ON AND OFF. HAVE RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ALSO HAD SLIDING DOORS OPEN ON THEIR OWN HAD THAT FIXED THEN THEY WOULDN'T CLOSE WITH BACK ACCESS BUTTON, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A LOOSE WIRE HAD THAT REPAIRED, THEN REAR BUMPER WARPED SO BACK DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN, HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO HAVE THAT FIXED, BASICALLY MY CAR IS IN FOR REPAIR MOST OF THE TIME AND I HAVE A SMALL RENTAL OF WHICH THIS TIME I HAD TO PAY FOR A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND IT COSTS ME 50.00 EVERY TIME I HAVE TO RENT ONE. I HAVE 4 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN WHO HAVE APPOINTMENTS UP TO 300 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND TRAVELING ALONE WITH MY CHILDREN AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH THEM FOR THESE DISTANCES. THE LAS TIME THE CAR DIED I ALSO HAD TWO FOSTER CHILDREN WITH ME, SIX KIDS AND THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING IT AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT SO I BRING IT HOME SOMETIMES WITH 200 MILES ADDED ON IT AND AN EMPTY GAS TANK. I THINK IT'S TIME CHRYSLER CORP. TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF MY HANDS SO I CAN PURCHASE A RELIABLE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244086October 1, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
POWER LOCKS WON'T WORK FROM EITHER WITHIN VEHICLE OR BY THE REMOTE. JUST OVER 61,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. ONE TIME OWNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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