Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (1996)

1,157 consumer complaints on file.

#10029981July 23, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE FAILED. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT ENGINE'S MAIN COMPUTER WOULD NOT FIRE THE #2 AND #5 SPARK PLUGS, RESULTING IN FAILURE. CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 OTHER MAIN ENGINE COMPUTER FAILURES SINCE VEHICLE OWNERSHIP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10028717July 21, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
CAMSHAFT ON 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FAILED (BROKE INTO TWO PIECES) WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE OHIO TURNPIKE WITH FAMILY (TWO YOUNG CHILDREN) IN THE VAN - FAILURE OF ALL POWER ASSIST AND FOWARD MOTION (OTHER THAN COASTING) WAS IMMEDIATE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT THE TIME AND IF THE ROAD HAD BEEN BUSIER THE POTENTIAL EXISITED FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY/DEATH. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 98,100 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME (3.3L ENGINE). THIS FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO CHRYSLER TSB 09-008-01 WHICH DISCUSSES CAMSHAFT FAILURE WITH CAMSHAFT BEARING WEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DAIMLER/CHRYSLER "STEP UP TO THE PLATE" ON THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OCCURING. I WILL BE CONTACTING D/C TO PURSUE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE NEW ENGINE AS AN EVENT LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10028349July 15, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CHRYSLER'S IMPROPER ACTION ON AIR BAG RECALL #02V293000 . WHEN SYMPTOMS APPEARED 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS RECALL, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH THE CLOCK SPRING AND AIR BAG, BASED ON CHRYSLER'S BEST SERVICE INFORMATION. AT THE TIME I COMPLAINED TO A REGIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATING THAT AIR BAGS RARELY GO BAD AND ONLY NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER ACTIVATION. HE AGREED BY COMPENSATING HALF OF THE TOTAL REPAIR COST. LO AND BEHOLD THIS RECALL SHOWS UP IDENTIFYING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I SUBMITTED THE PROPER PAPERWORK TO CHRYSLER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECALL AND THEY DENIED THE AIR BAG PORTION OF MY REPAIR STATING IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I FEEL TOTAL CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE ENTIRE REPAIR AS THIS WAS THEIR ORIGINAL SOLUTION TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I FELT MY HANDS WERE TIED AT THE TIME OF REPAIR BECAUSE I WANTED THE SAFETY OF HAVING THE AIR BAG FOR MY FAMILY AND WAS ACTUALLY AFRAID OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT. YOU SHOULD DIRECT CHRYSLER TO PROVIDE FULL REMEDY QUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROGRAM. DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO SHIRK THIS OBLIGATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10027213July 14, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DEALER HAS REPLACED 3 TIMES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER STATES HAS TO BE REPLACE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION, AND VEHICLE IS NOT ANY LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10029554July 11, 2003
STRUCTURE
THE BODY STRUCTURE WHICH HELD THE STRUT TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS BADLY RUSTED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IF HE DROVE OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE STRUT COULD GO COMPLETELY THROUGH THE BODY STRUCTURE IT'S CONNECTED TO AND HE COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PH *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10029603July 10, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT.*MR. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LEAK UNDER THE VAN, AND SEEING THE LEAK BECOME WORSE AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VAN WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. *TS *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10024716July 10, 2003
SUSPENSION
THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT STRUT TOWER RUSTED THROUGH, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF A FRONT SUSPENSION DROP.*AK *TS *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026687July 7, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT STRUTS AND SPRING TOWER ARE RUSTED, AND RECOMMENDED THAT CONSUMER TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 7/7/2003.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10025525July 7, 2003
SUSPENSION
CAR TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS FOR FRONT END NOISE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. DEALERSHIP FAILED TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. UPSOLD OTHER SERVICE REPAIR WORK AS "NEEDED" BUT NOT RELATED TO FRONT END NOISE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO OUTSIDE SERVICE STATION FOR NOISE AND TOLD NEEDED STRUTS (PREVIOUSLY DONE EARLIER IN THE YEAR ALREADY) MECHANIC UNABLE TO PERFORM REPAIR DUE TO RUSTING OF BOTH FRONT STRUT TOWERS. VEHICLE BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER FOR FURTHER INQUIRY REGARDING RUST OF TOWERS. SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM WHEN I POINTED IT OUT. HE HAD NO EXPLANATION WHY HIS TECHNICIANS FAILED TO INDENTIFY ON PRIOR SERVICE VISITS. CHRYSLER CONTACTED AND WILLING TO OFFER GOODWILL OF 1/2 COST FOR BODY SHOP REPAIRS. NO LOANER CAR PROVIDED. WAITING FOR ADHESIVE NEEDED TO COMPLETE WORK, PARTS ORDERED 6/24/03, CAR LEFT WITH DEALERSHIP FOR 1 WEEK. NO REPAIR DONE, NO NOTIFICATION OF DELAY. CAR PICKED UP UNREPAIRED ON 7/1/03 AND FORCED TO NOW DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE UNTIL SUCH TIME THEY RECEIVE PARTS TO DO REPAIRS. UNABLE TO OBTAIN WHEREABOUTS OR SHIPPING INFO ON PARTS STILL NEEDED AS OF 7/7/03. *AK CONSUMER CALLED ON 7/21/2003 TO SAY THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED BY THE DEALER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026178June 30, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF WITHOUT TOUCHING THE SWITCH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10024767June 23, 2003
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 50 TO 55 MPH, WHEN VEHICLE HIT A DEER. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10024200June 17, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF WHEN WITHOUT WARNING, THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022737June 10, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022622June 9, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE TRAVELING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10021121June 5, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE STRUT MOUNTS THOROUGHLY RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE BODY WHICH THEN CAUSED A DRIVING HAZARD. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MOST COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG THE CHRSYLER/DODGE MINI-VANS OF 1996. CHRYSLER WILL NOT EXTEND GOOD WILL OR ASSISTANCE EVEN THOUGH THE FAULT LIES WITH THEM IN ITS POOR DESIGN THAT WAS SOON AFTER REVAMPED. WHAT IS REALLY DISTRESSING IS THAT CHRYSLER RAISED THE COST OF THE STRUT MOUNTS RECENTLY, WHICH ARE DEALER PARTS ONLY, BY ABOUT 84% AS THEY REALIZE MORE AND MORE CONSUMERS NEED TO MAKE THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022154June 3, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
FRONT RIGHT SIDE STRUTS ARE RUSTING OUT. THIS RESULTS IN SUSPENSION AND STEERING LOSS. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10021521May 30, 2003
AIR BAGS
THE VEHICLE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (NOTIFICATION # B24). THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED AND CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *MR *SCC *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020702May 29, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1ST DATE OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WAS IN APRIL 1999. STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. STILL UNDER WARRANTLY, STILL HAD TO PAY DEDUCTIBLE. MILEAGE WAS 35,000. NOW 2ND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 96,000 STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. TRANSMISSION STUCK AND LEAKING FLUID. WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. FOR A WOPPING COST OF $2700.00
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020645May 28, 2003
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS A LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER THAT IS CRACKED AROUND THE TOP WHERE THE SPRING SITS. THERE ISN'T A SPOT OF RUST OR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ON THIS VEHICLE EXCEPT THAT STRUT TOWER. FROM MY DISCUSSION WITH A CHRYSLER BODY SHOP MANAGER, IT APPEARS THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THESE STRUT TOWERS. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IF ONE OF THESE LETS GO AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT WILL IMMEDIATELY IMPACT STEERING AND DRIVEABILITY POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A CRASH. I KNOW MY WAY AROUND A CAR SO I WAS ABLE TO SPOT THIS PROBLEM AND RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL DANGER. I THINK WITH MOST DRIVERS THIS PROBLEM WILL GO UNRECOGNIZED AND THAT IS WHY I AM WRITING YOU TODAY. PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT. I CALLED CHRYSTER AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT, BUT I DON'T EXPECT THEM TO INFORM ANYONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10017884April 30, 2003
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHILE TRAVELING, THE DASH BOARD INDICATION LIGHTS FLASHED THROUGHOUT TRAVEL. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL HEADS CONTAINED A SHORT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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