1998 Dodge Caravan complaints

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL KEEPS GOING DEAD, NO GAUGE READINGS AT ALL. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE GAS,TEMP, SPEEDOMETER,MILEAGE AND GEAR LIGHTS DON'T WORK, THEY JUST GO OUT. SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR SPEED IS WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WE HAVE CHECKED ALL THE CONNECTIONS. I HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN CARAVANS AND OTHER MODELS THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AS WELL. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION BECAUSE I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITH NO NOTICE AT ALL. I LOVE MY CARAVAN WHAT I DON'T LOVE IS ALL THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH IT. YEAH, IT MIGHT BE 10 YEARS OLD BUT I HAVE ONLY OWNED IT FOR 5 MONTHS AND IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THESE THINGS WERE KNOWN TO HAPPEN TO THE CARAVANS I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE VAN CARAVAN. INTERMITTENTLY THE CRUISE CONTROL STAR TO FAIL, SOME TIME WOULD TURN ON OTHER TIMES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL AND THEN DIED THEN THE HORN QUIT WORKING AND THEN E FEW WEEKS LATER THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT THE VAN AT PARKED WOULD START THEN SHUT OFF; START SHUT OFF. IT DOES THAT FIVE TIMES AND THEN IT DIES. 20 MINUTES LATER IT WOULD START JUST FINE. A FRIEND OF MINE CALL TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE WERE A FEW RECALLS ON THIS VAN. ONE OF THEM WAS THE CLOCK SPRING AND THE REAR SOUND BARRIER/OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS. THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE HORN AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STATS OFF BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON BY IT SELF AND THE SHUTS OFF BY IT SELF. THE CRUISE CONTROL STILL NO ENGAGING. THE OTHER PROBLEM WITH ENGINE NOT STATING, IT WAS GOOD FOR A WHILE AFTER THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED BUT AFTER FOUR WEEKS IS DOING IT AGAIN ALONG WITH WHEN I AM DRIVING IT WONT BE NO FUNCTION ON THE PANEL. IT BLACKS OUT AND NO GAUGES ACTIVITY ( SPEEDOMETER,RPM :PANEL LIGHT: TEMP;GAS;ETC;ETC. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THESE PROBLEMS ARE RELATED TO ANY RECALLS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

OUR MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELTS STOP WORKING. THEY DON'T RETRACK ON THEIR OWN. THIS IS ABOUT THE 4TH WE HAVE TO REPLACE THEM BOTH. WE JUST REPLACED THEM IN JANUARY OF 07 AND THEY DON'T RETRACK AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE PIN OR I FORGET WHAT THEY CALLED IT SNAPPED AGAIN. WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE THEY WERE REPLACED IN JANUARY. WE ARE AFRAID THAT EVEN AFTER REPLACING THEM THAT THEY WILL NOT PROTECT OR KIDS IF GOD FORBID WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT. THEY KEEP BREAKING WITH JUST EVERYDAY USE. EACH SEAT BELT COST AROUND $200.00 JUST FOR THE PARTS AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY ON BACKORDER FOR A MONTH AND NOW MY KIDS CAN'T SIT IN THE MIDDLE ROWS. *TR

1998 DODGE CARAVAN SE FRONT STRUT COVERS ARE COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH AND I CAN VIEW THE GROUND BENEATH. NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE MATERIAL USED IN SUCH A CRITICAL LOCATION TO THE VEHICLE'S STRUCTURE. I AM CONCERNED THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE AND SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF OF ACCESSORY PULLEYS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OTHER VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, POSSIBLY AT ANY SPEED. WET WEATHER IS A CONSTANT CONTRIBUTING FACTOR, ALTHOUGH IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS DEFECT TO OCCUR. *TR

MY DAUGHTER'S VAN WITH 2 KIDS INSIDE. (1) NO CAUSE. FOUR FAILURES OF SAME PARTS. BELT AND RELATED PULLEYS. DEALER(S) CAN'T REPAIR PROPERLY. (NUMEROUS SIMILAR PROBLEMS NOTED ON THE NET.) (2)REPEATED SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE - 98 DODGE CARAVAN, 3.0L ENGINE. CAUSES INSTANT POWER STEERING LOSS, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND MORE. COULD EASILY LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL, INJURY OR DEATH. (3) PARTS REPLACES 4 TIMES. NOT FIXED, BELTS STILL SQUEAL AND WILL COME OFF AGAIN.(JUST FOUND OUT AFTERMARKET GOODYEAR AND GATES KITS ARE AVAILABLE WITH REDESIGNED PULLEYS AND BELT TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. CHRYSLER DEALER MENTIONED NOTHING ABOUT THEM) IF ONLY SOME OF WHAT I HAVE READ IS CORRECT, THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY-RELATED RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE DRIVER FELT HEAT UNDERNEATH HER FEET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND LABELED AS DESTROYED. THE FUEL PUMP AND RADIATOR WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 148,000.

LENS ON HEADLIGHTS FOG UP WITH TEXTURED SURFACE ON OUTSIDE. UNABLE TO GET LIGHT THROUGH. *JB

1998 DODGE CARAVAN WITH STRUT PROBLEMS CONCERNING RUST. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE STRUTS MOUNT TOTALLY RUSTED OUT. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THIS PROBLEM GOES UN-REPAIRED. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC, THAT THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH CARAVANS. THE MECHANIC WENT ON TO SAY THE STRUTS WERE MOUNTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED SEVERAL OPINIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT EVENTUALLY THE STRUTS WILL FORCE THEIR WAY INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND PROVIDED DEALERS WITH A REPAIR KIT WHICH WELDS A NEW STRUT OVER THE OLD ONE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY AN AMBULANCE. THE CRASH CAUSED HIM TO LIE FLAT ON HIS BACK AND THE SEAT TO BEND BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. HE ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE SEAT UPRIGHT, BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE THE SEAT FAILED IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, NERVE DAMAGE TO THE LOWER BACK, WALKING IMMOBILITY, AND SHOOTING PAINS UP AND DOWN HIS LEFT SIDE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT UNLESS HE HAS THE DAMAGED SEAT TO BE REPAIRED, THEY HAVE NO WORDS OR ASSISTANCE FOR HIM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 165,000.

DASHBOARD DISPLAY INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, AND FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN 20 TIMES. THE MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 153,242 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. SHE NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM DUE TO THE PLASTIC COVERING OF THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED YELLOW. SHE STATED THAT EVEN WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON IT IS HARD FOR HER TO SEE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO ESTIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT HAS CHANGED THE VEHICLE'S SERPENTINE BELT EIGHT TIMES. THE BELT HAS EITHER DETACHED, SHREDDED, OR BECOME WORN WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE'S PULLEYS AND BELT ACCESSORIES HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. SHE BELIEVES THAT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW DUE TO THE NUMEROUS REPAIRS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. SHE ALSO FEELS THAT THE FAILURE IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE ONCE THE BELT DETACHES, THE ALTERNATOR BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,351. UPDATED 06/08/07.*JB

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 130,000 FAILURE MILEAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING MAKE A STOP THE CONTACT PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT STARTED PUMPING THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, BUT IT DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE ROLL TO A STOP. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CALLED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE INTERRUPTER VALVE ON THE VEHICLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT COVERS WERE TARNISHED AND DECREASED VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH CONTROLED THE ENGINE BECAME DETACHED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE BELT FAILED WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH. THE BELT DETACHED ONCE DURING RAINY CONDITIONS , AND SEVERAL TIMES DURING FAVORABLE CONDITIONS. WHEN THE BELT DETACHED THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,811. *AK

TL*- CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND SAID THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT LEAKED AND IT CAUSED BRAKE FAILURES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56400, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56500.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND APPEARED READY TO FAIL. THE CONTACT DIDN'T PROVIDE ANY MORE INFORMATION. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 56,234.*AK

MATERIAL ON HEADLAMPS OF 1998 DODGE CARAVAN IS FOGGING OVER AND IS OBSTRUCTING THE HEADLIGHTS. CONDITION HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVLY WORSE OVER TIME.*AK

CLOCK SPRING WENT OUT WITH 113,000 ON VEHICLE. WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT NO CHARGE IN ABOUT AN HOURS TIME. *JB

WE HAD A EURO TOUR TIRE FROM BIG O (SERIAL #U9YTT2N3903 PRODUCED BY COOPER TIRES SIZE 205/70R15 [THIS SIZE IS NOT LISTED ON THE TIRE SECTION]) ON THE FRONT OF OUR DODGE CARAVAN. MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THAT HAD BEEN COMPLETED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR BEFORE SO THE FREEWAY WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. MY SON SAID THAT WHILE THEY HAD OUR VAN THEY HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING NOR WAS THERE ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. THE COP WHO HELPED MY SON CHANGE THE TIRE SAID MY SON HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING. BOTH STEEL BELTS BLEW OUT. MY SON SAID THE TIRE EXPLODED! IT BLEW OUT THE WHEEL WELL, BLEW OFF THE BUMPER,BLEW OUT THE HEADLIGHT, BLEW OUT SOME OF THE WIRING AND BROKE THE BOTTLE FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS & GAVE THE FENDER A FAT LIP. MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WAS THE VEHICLE AHEAD & LOOKED BACK JUST IN TIME TO SEE PIECES OF TIRE & VAN FLYING EVERYWHERE. LUCKILY THE VAN DID NOT ROLL. THERE WAS $1800-$1900 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO OUR VAN. BIG O REPLACED THE TIRE BUT WHEN WE SENT IT COOPER, THEY SAID THEY BELIEVED THE TIRE FAILED BECAUSE OF A PROBABLE IMPACT. A COOPER TIRE DEALER & THE BIG O DEALER IN POCATELLO BOTH TOLD ME THEY FELT THE TIRE WAS FAULTY. THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE RESULTED FROM IMPACT. EVERYONE EXCEPT COOPER THINKS DAMAGE TO THE TIRE INDICATES IT ACTUALLY EXPLODED. *JB

MATERIAL HEADLAMPS ARE MADE OF IS YELLOWING/DULL TO THE POINT THAT IT INTERFERES WITH YOUR VISION AT NIGHT. WE HAVE TRIED TO CLEAN AND BLUFF THEM. THEN WE WERE TOLD TO TRY WET SANDING AND CLEANING THEM. THIS HELPED SOMEWHAT FOR AWHILE. REPLACEMENT FOR BOTH HEADLAMPS COST OVER $700 TO REPLACE. THE VEHICLE RUNS OKAY AND WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT FOR AWHILE LONGER, BUT NIGHT DRIVING IN IT IS REALLY BECOMING A PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH VEHICLES IN THAT AGE MODEL THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *JB

SUBJECT: DEFECTIVE SERPENTINE BELT DESIGN I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT A RECENT MALFUNCTIONING SERPENTINE BELT IN MY 1998 CARAVAN. THE BELT HAS SLIPPED OFF TWICE LAST MONTH WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. THE FIRST INCIDENT LEFT ME STRANDED OFF THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT ON DAMP PAYMENT (NO STANDING WATER) WHILE AT A REST STOP MANY MILES FROM HOME. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON NORMAL PAVEMENT AND DRIVING DURING RAINY DAYS, AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VAN HAS THE STANDARD 3.0 LITER V6 ENGINE WITH 88K MILES, BUT THE SERPENTINE BELT INSTALLED WAS LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD. TWO SETS OF PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS FOUND THE BELT, THE BELT TENSIONER, AND ALL RELATED PARTS OF THE SYSTEM IN GOOD WORKING ORDER (INCLUDING THE ENGINE MOUNTS). IN SUMMARY, THE SYSTEM WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE CONCERN WE HAVE IS THE DESIGN OF THIS SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY RELIABLE DURING THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. BUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS GREATLY DISTRESSING. NOT ONLY IS THE RANGE OF THE VEHICLE LIMITED TO A COUPLE OF MILES WITH A STRONG BATTERY, THE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING MAKES THIS BOTH A SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUE. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN, AND HAD TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT 8 TIMES SINCE 05/06. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS ON 01/25/07. WHILE MAKING A 10 MPH TURN THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CONTACT TOWED VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TIGHTENED THE SERPENTINE BELT, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF THE SERPENTINE BELT COMING LOOSE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD'T FIND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT HAPPENED ON ALL TYPES OF ROADS AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. *AK UPDATED 2/27/2007 - *NM

DRIVING 20 MPH ON LOCAL ROAD, HAD FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES INCUR BLOWOUTS WITHOUT ANY APPARENT CAUSE. TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 6,000 MILES AND INFLATION CHECKED AT LEAST MONTHLY. TIRES WERE 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 22,000 MILES OR WEAR.*JB

HEADLAMPS ON 1998 DODGE CARAVAN HAVE CLOUDED OVER SO MUCH THAT IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. RECEIVED TWO ESTIMATES ON REPLACEMENT OF HEADLAMPS. BOTH WERE BETWEEN 600 & 700 DOLLARS. INFORMED BY BOTH MECHANICS THAT REPLACEMENT LAMPS WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY DO THE SAME THING AFTER A NUMBER OF YEARS BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON PART IN QUESTION FOR THAT YEAR VEHICLE. *NM

98 DODGE CARAVAN, PURCHASED FROM DEALERSHIP: SECURITY SYSTEM LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START. I WAS INFORMED BY AN OLDER MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS COMMON TO ALL DODGES WITH SECURITY SYSTEMS BUILT SINCE 91. IF THIS IS SO COMMON WHY HAVE THEY NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AT THE SOURCE? I TOOK MY VAN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SOME MINOR BODYWORK, WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP, IT WOULD NOT START. THEY TORE IT APART FOR TWO DAYS AND BASICALLY SAID, "GOSH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG." I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED (15 MINUTES TO 5 HOURS) ABOUT 15 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IN MY JOB I TRANSPORT DISABLED CLIENTS SO THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *NM

MY 98 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT IS HAVING REPEATED PROBLEM WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER. FROM A QUICK SEARCH ON THE WEB IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, THAT THE BELT WOULD SLIP OFF WHEN IT GETS WET. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES SO FAR, TWICE IN JAN 2006 AND ANOTHER ONE JUST TODAY (NOV 06). I CANNOT TRUST THE VAN ANYMORE, I CANNOT TELL WHEN THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND WHEN IT DOES, THE VAN LOST POWER STEERING AND WOULD OVERHEAT. LOST OF POWER STEERING CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING ON A FREEWAY, AND BEING EASILY OVERHEAT WOULD LEAVE ME STRANDED AT POSSIBLY ISOLATED PLACES. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT TAKES REPEATED FIXING YET WOULD NOT RESOLVE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NHTSA RECALL LETTER #02V293000, PERTAINING TO THE AIRBAG:FRONTAL, WAS RECEIVED AFTER HAVING THE PART REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE MANUFACTURER ONLY AGREED TO REIMBURSE FOR PARTS NOT LABOR. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL AS PROMISED IN THE RECALL LETTER RECEIVED. UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB

HEADLIGHTS ARE CLOUDED OVER, LIGHTS ARE DIM, CAN'T SEE WELL AT DARK. POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT LENSES WERE CLOUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER.

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN THAT THE GAUGES DO NOT REGISTER OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, THE LIGHTS, HORN, TURN SIGNALS AND ACCESSORIES STILL WORK, ON THE CAUTION PANEL THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON, THE DODGE DEALER(OZARK, ALABAMA) HAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE COMPUTER, AND ELECTRICAL BLOCK UNDER THE HOOD IT WORKS FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS THEN GO DEAD AGAIN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP DETACHED, FELL INTO THE TANK ASSEMBLY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE A FILM OVER THEM WHICH MAKE IT HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 05/22/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN LEAKING FLUID. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A PIN LOST INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN WET CONDITIONS, THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED AND SLIPPED OFF. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED 5 TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR.

MY 1998 DODGE CARAVAN (CURRENT MILEAGE 108,000 MILES) HAS SEVERE CORROSION AROUND THE TOP TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED BY A MECHANIC LAST SUMMER, BUT HAS SINCE ACCELERATED QUICKLY AND LOOKS LIKE A SAFETY RISK SHOULD THE TOWER COLLAPSE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ANY SUDDEN FAILURE. THERE IS VERY MILD CORROSION IN THE SAME TOP AREA OF THE OTHER STRUT TOWER. I WAS TOLD BY A DODGE DEALER IN ST. PAUL THAT CHRYSLER WAS COVERING ALL OR PORTIONS OF SELECT TOWER REPAIRS. WHEN I CONTACTED CHRYSLER TODAY I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT A SUBJECT OF RECALL AND, THEREFORE, NOT COVERED WHATSOEVER. I DID FIND CONSIDERABLE INFO ON THIS PROBLEM AT AN INTERNET SITE CALLED ALLPAR.COM WHICH WAS QUITE HELPFUL. *JB

WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE BECOME INTERMITTENT AND GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT OF NOT COMING ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON FOR A HALF HOUR. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE PANEL LIGHTS SUCH AS FOR THE AC UNIT ETC BEGAN TO BLINK AT A CONSTANT RATE AND THEN THEY STEADY OUT AFTER 20 MINUTES. HAVE GONE TO TWO DODGE DEALERSHIPS. FIRST ONE HAD ME PAY FOR AND REPLACE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. SECOND DEALER SAID I HAVE TO ORDER A $500 BODY CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER PLUS LABOR AND IT MAY NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID IT IS A NON-REFUNDABLE EXPENSE EVEN IF THEY CANNOT FIX THE WIPERS. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO NOT HAVE WIPERS WORKING AND I FEEL IRRESPONSIBLE THAT A COMPUTER IS NECESSARY FOR THE WIPERS TO WORK. THE NTSB SHOULD HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER DODGE TO FIX THIS SITUATION AT DODGE'S EXPENSE SINCE IT IS AN OBVIOUS SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO OPERATE . HE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY SAID THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

CONSUMER FENDER/BUMPER HANGS PULLING IT LOWER TO THE GROUND. *TS THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED WHEN BEING TOWED BY A TOW TRUCK. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATE THAT 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WAS HAVING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH STARTING AND STOPPING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. THE VEHICLE ONLY DID THIS WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START IT. THIS HAPPENED EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR OR FIVE TIMES. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND HIS COWORKER WAS THE PASSENGER, AND HE WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH OCCUPANTS WHERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS AND WHERE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE IN JULY 2005, AND HORN WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED THE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING TO BOTH OCCUPANTS. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO BOTH OCCUPANTS. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY TOLD HER THEY WOULD SEND HER FILE OFF TO SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND SHE MAY HEAR FROM BACK FROM THEM, AND SHE MAY NOT. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. T A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MILEAGE AND THE GASOLINE INDICATORS WERE NOT WORKING SO ONE CANNOT SEE IF VEHICLE IS RUNNING LOW ON FUEL. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT BECAUSE OF THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. SERPENTINE BELT FAILED FIVE TIMES. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS THE CHARGING OF THE BATTERY. THIS ONLY HAPPENED IN WET OR RAINY CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO SAID THEY COULD AGAIN REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT, BUT IT WOULD FAIL AGAIN IN WET CONDITIONS OR RAINY WEATHER. THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE. THE LAST TRIP TO THE DEALER RESULTED IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SERPENTINE BELT. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY WAS REPORTED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT ALSO. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT. *AK UPDATED 02/07/06. *JB

THE LENSES ON THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY DODGE CARAVAN (1998) HAVE BECOME ALMOST FROSTED DURING THE PAST 3 OR 4 YEARS, WHICH CAUSES INADEQUATE LIGHTING OF ROADS AND INCREASED GLARE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT BOTH ENTIRE HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $500-600 PLUS LABOR. HE SAID THAT SOME CARAVANS HAVE THIS HAPPEN AND OTHERS DON'T. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS A RECALL. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED ON 3-20-05 ANOTHER VAN VEERED INTO CONTACT'S VEHICLE LANE AND HIT IT AND RAN IT INTO A CEMENT POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. CONTACT NOT YET TALKED TO DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 8-8-05 REGARDING THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE AIR BAG. SHE DID NOT THINK THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. CONTACT OWNED THE CAR FOR 14 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATES THERE IS A PIN LOCATED IN THE HUB THAT SEPARATES THE DRIVESHAFT FROM THE AXLE. THIS PIN CAUSED THE HUB TO BUST THE CASING ON THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE CONSUME BELIEVES THE SMALL PIN IS NOT LARGE/STRONG ENOUGH FOR ALL THE PRESSURE. *NM

DT: FRONT SUSPENSION: STRUT RUSTED. THERE IS NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, BUT THE CONSUMER IS NOT SURE IF THIS WAS RELATED TO THE CORRODED STRUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE STRUTS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE DEALER WAS GOING TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *AK THE RUST WAS ON TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER WHICH WAS WEAKENING THE STRUCTURE SO THAT THE STRUT SPRING BEGAN TO PROTRUDE THROUGH THE SUPPORT. *SC *JB