Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (1998)

559 consumer complaints on file.

#10140260October 19, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AT 20 MPH AND SOMEONE WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. WHEILE SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL CAME ON, AND HIT THE VEHICLE SITTING AT THE RED LIGHT FROM BEHIND WHEN WAS NORMAL BRAKING. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. THE ROAD WAS DRY AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. HAD NOT YET CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER. CALLED THE POLICE, AND THEY TOOK A BREPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES IN THE ACCIDENT. THE ONLY DAMAGE MADE WAS TO THE VEHICLES. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139776October 15, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH CONTROLS THE STEERING AND OTHER ACCESSORIES SLIPS OFF. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. WENT TO DEALER HE INSTALLED TSB BULLETIN 07-02-99 THAT CONSISTS OF A BRACKET TO STOP THE BELT FROM COMING OFF, BUT AFTER I DROVE 7 MILES IN THE RAIN IT CAME OFF AGAIN. WHILE AT THE DEALER THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER CARAVANS TOWED THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, EVEN A 2005. THE DEALER REP SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WATER IS SPLASHED ONTO THE BELT TENSIONER AND IDLER PULLEYS WHICH ARE NOT GROOVED AND JUST SLIPS OFF. I DID A WEB SEARCH AT ALLPAR.COM, EDMUNDS.COM, ETC. AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONDITION, PEOPLE CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED WHEN THEY LOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL UNEXPECTEDLY. I CAN'T BELIEVE CHRYSLER CORP. HAS ALLOWED THIS CONDITION TO GO UNRESOLVED FOR SO LONG. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138326October 3, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
MY CAR IS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE. IT HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE. FAILURE DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. DISSIMILAR METALS (STEEL AND STAINLESS STEEL) USED ON A JOINT (FLEXIBLE COUPLING) ON REAR BRAKE LINES. DISSIMILAR METALS JOINT CAUSED ELECTROLYTIC CORROSION AND FAILURE (RUPTURE) OF BRAKE LINE. THE BRAKE LINE JOINT WITH DISSIMILAR METALS DESIGN FLAW IS A TIME BOMB WAITING TO HAPPEN IN MANY OF THE DODGE AND CHRYSLER. THE POTENTIAL FOR A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF DEATHS AND MAJOR INJURIES DUE TO THIS DESIGN FLAW IS HUGE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138838September 28, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER DASH LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTAINING THE CLUSTER OF THE ENGINE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, RPM GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, GAS TANK AND DIGITAL ODOMETER BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF AND COME BACK ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO EFFECT THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GAS THAT WAS LEFT IN THE TANK, IT ALSO EFFECTED THE DOOR LOCKS WHICH DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATE AS THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH WAS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PROCESSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CONSUMER PICK THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER,WITHIN 20 MINUTES, THE CONSUMER SAW A THIN BLUISH SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT SAW NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO ANYTHING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135689September 7, 2005
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
FLAT TIRE REQUIRING NEED FOR USE OF COMPACT SPARE TIRE. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SPARE TIRE REMOVAL DO NOT SHOW A RELEASE MECHANISM THAT IS CRITICAL FOR LOWERING OF THE SPARE TIRE. THE RELEASE MECHANISM IS REQUIRED TO LOWER A NYLON FIXTURE THAT SECURES THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE THE INSTRUCTIONS DID NOT MENTION THE RELEASE MECHANISM, AND THE RELEASE MECHANISM WAS NOT VISIBLE, I HAD TO CUT THE NYLON FIXTURE (SUGGESTED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF A DODGE DEALERSHIP I CONTACTED), WHICH THEN CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL DOWN. I WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED BUT IF SOMEONE HAD THEIR HEAD UNDERNEATH THE SPARE TIRE WHEN IT DROPPED DOWN, THEY COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE NYLON FIXTURE IS NOW RUINED. THE ORIGINAL DESIGN IS POOR AND THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE CLEARLY LACKING IN THE USE OF THE RELEASE MECHANISM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10135724September 7, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON REVEALING A PROBLEM. COMPUTER DIAG SHOWS THAT THERE IS A MISFIRE ON #6. OPENING THE VALVE COVER REVEALED THAT THE CAMSHAFT IS DEFECTIVE - METAL PIECES HAVE FALLEN OFF OF IT. REPLACEMENT OF CAMSHAFT AND ALL OTHER PARTS (ROCKER, LIFTERS ETC.) INCLUDING LABOR WILL COME TO A TOTAL OF CLOSE TO $1800. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134446August 28, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
LOWER BALL JOINT OF DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL FAILED WHILE TRAVELING IN STRAIGHT LINE ON EXPRESSWAY. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE TO STEERING, DRIVE TRAIN AND BODY. FAILURE OCCURRED 450 MILES FROM HOME. DECIDED NOT TO REPAIR VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PARTS AVAILABILITY AND COST. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133688August 22, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WINDSHIELD WIPPERS SOMETIMES STOP WORKING WHEN IN THE INTERMITANT MODE.HAD MODULE IN STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. STILL HAPPENS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130602July 29, 2005
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, SUSPENSION:FRONT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A RACK AND PINION STEERING AND OTHER PROBLEMS. CONSUMER DROVE OVER A ROUGH POTHOLE WITH A METAL FLATBED ON TOP AT A LOW SPEED. WHILE DRIVING AT A STREET AT 25 MPH CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THERE WAS POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE NOISE WAS EVIDENT ONLY WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHO SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FRONT ALIGNMENT , BUT THAT WAS ALL. HOWEVER, INSURANCE COMPANY NOTED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING /FRONT ALIGNMENT/ RADIATOR, AND THE TRANSMISSION PAN. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON AND IT SMOKED AFTER DRIVING A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. OIL WAS CHANGED REGULARLY. VEHICLE HAS HAD A RECENT FRONT END ALIGNMENT BUT NO OTHER REPAIRS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126919June 28, 2005
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
DT: CONSUMER HAS A DODGE CARAVAN. HAD A FLAT TIRE, AND THE SPARE WOULDN'T COME OUT. CONSUMER HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, AND THEY TOLD HIM THERE WERE A LOT OF PROBLEMS. HAD TO VEHICLE TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE SPARE TIRE OUT. CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE OF REMOVING THE SPARE TIRE. WHEN HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THEY ALSO TOLD HIM THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126272June 22, 2005
TIRES, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE. VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE, AND CONTACT USED THE SPARE TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES IT DONE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IT BROKE SOME OF THE GEARS IN THE TRANSFER CASE, AND POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE VISCOUS COUPLINGS. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DISTRICT MANAGER WAS GOING TO CONTACT HIM. HOWEVER CURRENTLY THEY WERE TELLING HIM THAT THE CASE HAD BEEN CLOSED BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE WARRANTY WAS NOT AN ISSUE BECAUSE THE SPARE TIRE WOULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IF USED ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124552June 8, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
REFERENCE DEFECT INVESTIGATION EA05009: I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE ON MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CEASED TO WORK. A LOCAL MECHANIC (NOT DEALER) TRACED THE PROBLEM TO A SINGLE BROKEN CONDUCTOR IN ONE OF THE WIRING HARNESSES, AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. CAN AND WILL THIS INVESTIGATION BE EXPANDED TO COVER EARLIER MODEL YEARS? THANK YOU. INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121555May 13, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, AIR BAGS
1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN. *MR THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FILLER NECK ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THE HORN DID NOT OPERATE. THE AIR BAG HAD NEVER DEPLOYED. IN 2002 THE CLOCK SWITCH FOR THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE TO HELP AGAINST THE CHARGE OF THE HORN REPAIR. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120273May 9, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
VEHICLE: MAKE : DODGE MODEL : GRAND CARAVAN YEAR : 1998 BULLETIN NUM : 98771 DATE OF BULLETIN: MAY 01, 1998 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 601474 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN SUMMARY: THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY MAY NOT TURN ON THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. *AK ================ THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEP 2004. THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE PART AND CHARGED ME OVER $200. THIS PROBLEM REOCURRED AGAIN IN MAY 2005. THIS DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A FACTORY RECALL AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116682April 10, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
A BODY SHOP TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE STRUT TOWERS WERE SO SERIOUSLY RUSTED AS TO PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD. HE RECOMMENDED EITHER REPLACING THE VEHICLE OR REPAIRING THE DAMAGE IMMEDIATELY, AS ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS FOR US TO HIT A POTHOLE AND HAVE THE SUSPENSION FAIL COMPLETELY EASILY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (#23-044-02) REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF REPORTS OF THIS DEFECT IN YOUR DATABASE, CHRYSLER ARE UNWILLING TO REIMBURSE ME TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116535April 7, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I TOOK MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AFTER HEARING NOISES. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODING AND THE UNDER BODY WAS SHIFTING. FURTHER CORROSION AND MOVEMENT COULD COLLAPSE THE HOUSING AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TWO TSBS WERE ISSUED ON THESE PROBLEMS, 23-044-02 AND 23-01-97. DODGE SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE SAFETY ISSUES, SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. EVEN THE PRESIDENT OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER CLAIMS HE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE MY REQUEST FOR A RESOLUTION OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I GUESS I HAVE TO WAIT TO GET INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH BEFORE THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117199March 31, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. THEY FLICKERED ON AND OFF WHILE ENGAGED. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE ON THESE VEHICLES. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117220March 31, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED POWER STEERING FAILED. DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING AND THE POWER STEERING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114246March 17, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST BECAME LOUD AND YOU CAN SMELL IT COMING THROUGH TO CABIN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CROSSOVER PIPE. DOING RESEARCH ON THE WEB, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM CITING THAT THEY WERE TOLD BY DEALERS IT WAS A BAD DESIGN. THE REPAIR COSTS IN EXCESS OF $900 AND THERE IS A CHANCE IF NOT REPAIR FOR CARBON MONOXIDE TO LEAK INTO CABIN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113691March 8, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE DIFFERENTIAL CAME APART,RESULTING IN VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. DRIVER HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. ALSO, THE BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BROKE APART. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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