1997 Dodge Caravan complaints

IN VEHICLE, REAR 3RD ROW PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER RESTRAINT/SEAT BELT DEVICE FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS THAT AT ROOF ANCHOR POINT, THE BOLT ASSEMBLY "UNSCREWED" AND FELL OUT WHEN DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO SECURE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THERE WAS NO INJURY, BUT SHOULD THIS BOLT BE ABLE TO DO THIS? THERE HAD BEEN NO PHYSICAL CONTACT OUTSIDE OF NORMAL SEATBELT USE. IF A COLLISION HAD OCCURRED AT THE TIME THIS BOLT WAS FAILING, THE RESTRAINT SAFTEY SYSTEM COULD HAVE FAILED CAUSING INJURY AND/OR DEATH WHEN IT OUGHT NOT BE POSSIBLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO CHRYSLER DEALER FOR REINSTALLATION. ALSO, ALL OTHER ANCHORS OUGHT BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED TO INSURE NO OCCURRANCES OF SAME.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS SELF ACTIVATE WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM WILL BE REPAIRED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL COME ON THE DASHBOARD RED.*AK

DEAL SAID CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT I NOTICE THERE IS A DIFFERENCE LACTH MECHANISM BETWEEN THE RIGHT AND LEFT DOORS. THE RIGHT DOOR HAS ONE LATCH AND THE LEFT HAS TWO LATCHES. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS OCCASSIONALLY COME ON BY THEMSELVES (EVEN WHEN THE WIPER SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION) AND RUN UNTIL THE DRIVER JIGGLES THE SWITCH A LITTLE TO STOP THEM. *AK

AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WON'T GO OFF. ALSO, IT AFFECTED CRUISER CONTROL. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT COULD BE A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. *AK

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCATIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. ALSO, BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED THROUGH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

SPARE TIRE CARRIER CONTINUALLY BECAME LOOSE AND MADE A CLUNKING SOUND. DEALER NOTIFIED AND TIGHTENED IT. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK *ML

I FEEL THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON SOME OF THE PROBLEMS IT HAS. THEY ARE DEFENITELY A MAJOR FACTOR IN SAFETY. I HOPE THESE PROBLEMS ARE FIXED IN THE NEWER MODLES BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE PURCHASE MINI-VANS FOR THEIR FAMILY OR COMPANY VEHICLE. THEREFORE, THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE I FEEL COULD PROBABLY FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW. OR, MANUFACTORS ARE JUST MAKING A BIG PROFIT AND ARE NOT CONSIDERING THE SAFETY OF THEIR DRIVERS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM PUT THEIR FAMILY IN A VEHICLE WITH THE PROBLEMS MINE HAS AND QUARANTEE THEIR SAFETY.*AK

I CONTACTED DODGE AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM, HOWEVER SINCE MY TRANSMISSION FAILED, I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT DODGE HAS THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR MINIVANS BETWEEN 75,000 AND 85,000 MILES. I EVEN SPOKE TO A MECHANIC AT A DODGE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THAT IT IS FAIRLY COMMON.

COOLING FAN MODULE WAS BAD, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE WELL MAINTAINED, WAS REPORTED TODAY TO NEED MAJOR TRANSMISSION SEALS AND GASKETS REPLACED DUE TO LEAKS AND STRESS CRACKS. WITH ONLY 44,300 THIS REPAIR BILL WILL COST AROUND $700.SEEMS DODGE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS BECAUSE OF THE 5 OTHER ISSUES 5 OF OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES HAD WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DO YOU HAVE OTHERS WHO HAVE CONTACTED YOU WITH SIMULAR PROBLEMS? *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE WILL TOP OUT AT 30 MPH AND NOT ACCEL AND CONTINUE WITH LITTLE POWER UNTIL VEHICLE "WARMS UP". CHRYSLER CONTACTED BUT LITTLE HELP. TRIED TO GET PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME AT LEAST $200 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM WITH TORQUE CONVERTER SHAVING OFF METAL AND DISTRIBUTING IT THROUGHOUT ENGINE CLOGGING ENGINE AND CAUSING PROBLEM.

DEALER SAID SEAT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRENTY WILL NOT FIX IT. *AK

ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, CLAIM 35-W410-264. *SLC

THE COIL PACK CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED. *ET

VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, THERE WAS A FLAME BURNING IN THE ENGINE, CLAIM 33-0204-047. *SLC

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR ON 3/6/00-DEALER COULD NOT EVEN DIAGNOSIS PROBLEM FOR 5 DAYS. FINALLY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. DID REPAIRS WHICH TOOK A TOTAL OF 8 DAYS AND CHARGED ME ALMOST $2300.00. I REAS IN CONSUMER REPORT RE: THE DODGE CARAVAN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT WAY BEFORE ITS TIME, AND THAT THE 97 CARAVANS MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE TRANIS-SO I FOLLOWED UP WITH A CALL TO THE MAIN OFFICE AND SPOKE TO SOMEONE NAMED COLEEN PHELPS TODAY AT 800-992-1997 AND SHE SAID SHE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THAT, AND THESE SORT OF OUT OF WARRANTY ISSUES ARE DEALT WITH ON A INDIVIDUAL BASIS- SHE PUT ME ON HOLD FOR A COUPLE MINUTES AND CAME BACK AND SAID THAT-SINCE MY VEHICLE IS WAY OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME WITH ANY OF THE COST THAT I HAD TO ENDURE. I EXPLAINED THAT IT IS STILL NOT EVEN 100%-IT STILL DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR 8 DAYS OF A RENTAL CAR LAST TIME IT WAS IN-DO YOU GUYS COMPENSATE WITH A VEHICLE WHILE RE-LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM-SHE SAID THAT IT IS DOUBTFUL. BUT I CAN ASK THE DEALER-IN OTHER WORDS THEY ARE NOT BIG ON KEEPING CUSTOMERS. MY COMPANY PURCHASED 4 1997 DODGE CARAVANS AND ALL OF THEM HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION JOBS AT LEAST ONCE-SOME TWICE-WE WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE ANY MORE DOGE VEHICLES FOR THIS COMPANY. *AK

ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT A DOOR IS OPEN. THE PASSENGER'S DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE HAD NEARLY COME OPEN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

FUEL TANK LEAKING GASOLINE NEAR LEFT REAR TIRE. *AK

THE POWER STEERING FAILED DURING EMERGENCY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH. YH

CAME HOME FROM A LONG TRIP, PULLED UP IN THE DRIVEWAY, PUT GEAR IN REVERSE AND IT MADE A LOUD BANG NOISE. KEPT FOOT ON GAS PEDAL, AND TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT. TRIED IT IN DRIVE AND SAME THING HAPPENED. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR PARTS ONLY. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

FIRST IN JULY THE MASTER CYLINDERS ON OUR BACK BRAKES WERE SHREDDED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING ON A BRIDGE WITH A CAR FULL TO TEEN AGE GIRLS. IN DECEMBER, I NOTICED A HESITATION AND SEEMINGLY "JUMPING INTO GEAR" ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND ALTHOUGH WAS 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY DECLINED TO PAY FOR IT. THE JOB WAS TO COST ABOUT $1500. IN FEB, WE BROUGHT THE VAN TO A INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDER, AND AS HE WAS LOOKING AT THE ENGINE, HE SAW THE BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WE DID CONTACT CHRYSLER AND WERE TOLD TO BRING IT TO A DEALERSHIP IN OUR AREA. TODAY, WE DID FIND OUT THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE HEAD GASKET BUT NOT THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE VOLUMES OF INTERNET SITES THAT SITE SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH 90-98 CARAVANS. THESE STORIES COULD BE RUBBER STAMPED. DURING THIS TIME, I FOUND ABOUT 15 PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING OR HAD TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THEIR VANS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE CHRYSLER RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCTS. PLEASE HELP. *AK

A PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION CAME LOOSE AND MOVED FORWARD INTO THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY, MAKING A HOLE THE SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR IN THE TRANSMISISON. THIS VAN IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, AND 75,000 MILES IS NOT A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT ON TODAY'S ENGINE'S & TRANSMISSIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS PIN THAT CAME LOOSE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ANY OTHER OWNERS. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF $2000.00.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE/STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. *AK

BAD DESIGN, VERY POOR PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY. ROTORS WARP AND PADS FALL APART. *AK

BLOWN HEADGASKET IN REGULARLY MAINTAINED VEHICLE. NO KNOWN CAUSE. *AK

SNOW BUILD-UP UNDER FRONT-END CAUSED STEERING LINES TO LEAK LEADING TO FIRE AND DAMAGE TO LOWER ENGINE COMPONENTS. ONLY 6INCHES OF SNOW ON GROUND.LINES POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TO GROUND. *AK

CONSUMER DRIVING AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING NOISE AND IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, AND WOULDN'T GO INTO 3RD GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO FIX IT. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED AFTER 48,000 MILES. WE PURCHSED THE CAR USED IN AUGUST OF 1999, AND IT FAILED 6 MONTHS LATTER AFTER WE HAD DRIVEN ONLY 10,000 MILES. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED IT AND SAID THAT ( I THINK)THE DRIVE PIN HAD BROKEN AND TORN OUT PART OF THE CASING OF THE TRANSMISSION. WE COULD NOT AFFORD THE EXTENED WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE DEALER STATED THAT CHRYSLER WOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISION IF WE WOULD PAY FOR THE LABOR. I EXPECTED A TRANSMISSION TO LAST FAR LONGER THAN 48,000 MILES. AM I WRONG IN MY ASSUMPTION?WE WILL HAVE TO USE MOST OF OUR MEAGER SAVINGS TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, BUT WE ARE GREATFUL TO STILL HAVE A VEHICLE TO GET AROUND IN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME AND EFFORT. *AK

RELAY IS RECALL ITEM ON 96 MODEL NOT 97 SAME PART WONDER WHY? *AK

STARTER CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE STARTED IN THE ALTERNATOR/IGNITION SYSTEM, CLAIM 18-0315-533. *SLC

DEALER SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THEY (DODGE) HAVE HAD MANY FAILURES OF THE HEAD GASKETS ON THE CARAVAN 4 CYLINDER. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, DODGE AGREED TO FIX THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. THIS IS THE SECOND HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THANK GOD THAT I NOTICED THE SMALL OIL LEAKS IN THE CARPORT. IF I HADDN'T THE ENGINE COULD HAVE LET GO ON THE HIGHWAY. SOMETHING IS VERY, VERY, WRONG WHEN YOU HAVE TO GET A HEAD GASKET REPLACED EVERY 10-30K MILES. *AK

FOR NO APPARENT REASON, WHILE THE VAN WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE IGNITION OFF, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VAN HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT THE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. VAN WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAR STARTED TO FEEL AS THOUGH IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. CAR WOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE, BUT ONLY AT ABOUT 25MPH. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THERE WERE OTHER CARS PRESENT. *AK

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY COME ON WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD. THEY WOULD COME ON FOR TWO TO FOUR WIPES AND THEN STOP. THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WAS RARE AT FIRST, THEN STARTED TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY. WE FINALLY TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH AT NO COST TO US. (ONLY BECAUSE WE WERE UNDER THE 36MO./36,000MI. WARANTY.) THE NEXT PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY WENT DEAD. WE TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY AT NO COST TO US. (ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER THE 36MO./36,000MI. WARANTY) . THE OTHER PROBLEM WAS THAT THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR BECAME UNGLUED FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I WENT TO A AUTO REPAIR STORE AND PURCHASED A REAR VIEW MIRROR GLUE KIT. I GLUED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ON MYSELF. ( I DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE DEALERSHIPS GLUE) THANK YOU ........ RICHARD MALDONADO. *AK

CONUSMER HAS AN INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT AND THE BELT TIGHTENED UP AROUND THE CHILD'S NECK WHEN TRYING TO GET HER OUT. CONSUMER WAS GOING TO CUT IT, BUT MANAGED TO SLIDE CHILD'S HEAD UNDERNEATH THE BELT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT DESIGN OF THE YOLK/CABLE JOINT IS WEAK, RESULTING IN BREAKAGE, THIS PART ACTUATES THE LOCKING MECHANISM, WHEN BROKEN THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. MJS

WHEN TRAVELING 30 MPH VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

INTREGRATED CHILD SEAT WHICH FOLDS OUTOF EITHER SEAT DOES NOT WORK DUE TO A BROKEN CABLE WHICH PREVENTS THE SEAT FROM LOCKING, AND CAUSING THE CHILD TO SLIDE FORWARD. PARTS HAVE YET TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NO SUMMARY

AT 57,048 MILES, THE HEAD GASKET BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT ON THE DRIVEWAY. DEALER STATED THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO WAY THESE VEHICLES LEAK FORM THE HEAD GASKET THIS SOON.

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. BOTH DRIVER/PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

THE BUILT-IN CHILD SEAT SHIELD STRAPS NEED TO BE PULLED HARD TO BUCKLE. THE BUCKLE WOULD FAILED TO RELEASE. SOMETIMES AFTER TUGGING ON BELT, IT WOULD REWIND BY ITSELF. THE STRAPS PUT PRESSURE AGAINST CHILD'S CHEST. THE BOTTOM HOOKS ATTACHED TO BELT, CAN COME OUT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SPORADICALLY STALLS OUT . DEALER HAS VEHICLE, AND CANNOT FIND A SOLUTION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR SITTING AT STOP THE VAN JUST QUITS. SOMETIMES ENGINE CHECKLIGHT WILL COME ON. THE OXGYEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. OWNER KEPT EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. ON NOV 3, 1999, THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER COULD NOT FIND WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *AK

ROTORS PITTED AND RUSTED PREMATURELY DUE TO INFERIOR MATERIALS USED TO CONSTRUCT THEM. NLM