1998 Dodge Caravan complaints

I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VAN IN 1998 WITH THE INTENT OF RESEARCHING THE VALUE FOR A TRADE IN. FIRST ITEM THEY LOOKED AT WAS THE SHOCK TOWERS IN THE FRONT OF THE VAN. SHOWED ME HOW THEY HAD ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH, EXPLAIND TO ME HOW THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS VAN, THUS LOWERING THE TRADE IN VALUE AND ALSO INFORMING ME AS TO THE DANGERS INVOLVED. WHICH WER SUBSQUENTLY CONFIRMED MY A MECHANIC. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CHRYSLER BLEW ME OFF. THERE IS NO OTHER RUST ON THE VAN IN THIS MAGNITITUDE. HELP PLEASE.*AK

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STRUT TOWER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VINE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $500 FOR THE REPAIRS. *NM

I STARTED OUT IN THE MORNING TO TAKE MY SON TO SCHOOL, AND WE HAD TO MAKE A STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE. WHEN I GOT TO THE STOP SIGN TO TURN INTO THE GROCERY STORE I HEARD THIS CLANKING SOUND. THE CAR HAD STOPPED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION BROKE INTO PIECES AND FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VAN. HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED BEING THAT I ONLY HAD 67,000 MILES ON THE VAN. HE COULD NOT FIX IT SO I HAD TO GET A NEW ONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE WHOLE PROCESS COST ME $2400.00 (OUTRAGEOUS). BEFORE THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED THERE WAS LEAKING COMING FROM UNDER THE VAN. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION I CANNOT BELIEVE DODGE/CHRYSLER HAS NOT DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.*AK

WE SMELLED COOLANT, AND BROUGHT OUR VAN TO A MECHANIC. HE TOLD US WE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. HE SAID OUR ENGINE WAS FAULTY. WE HAD 48,300 MILES ON THE ENGINE. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPAIRED, DON'T KNOW IF OUR MECHANIC KEPT THE OLD GASKET. *AK

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WITH ONLY 66,332 MILES THE PROBLEM'S THAT HAVE COME UP IS FIRST THE TRANSMISSION HAD A INTERNAL PIN BUST WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL PARTS TO COME APART. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSIONTO BREAK, IT HAD TO BE REBUILT ON 2-17-04 WITH 61995 MILES AT THE COST OF $1685.25. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAD A FAILURE WITH THE EVAPORATOR WHICH SEEMS TO BE VERY COMON ACCORDING TO SEVERAL SERVICE CENTERS THAT I HAVE CONTACTED OUTSIDE THE CHRYSLER COMPANY. WHICH SPITZER DODGE WANTED TO CHARGE $1100.00 TO REPAIR. I KNOW THE VEHICAL IS 6 YEARS OLD BUT WITH THE LOW MILAGE I THINK THIS IS A LITTLE UNCALLED FOR AND THOUGH IT SHOULD BE REPORTED.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON, THE HORN DID NOT WORK, AND CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. RECALL 02V950000 CONCERNING CLOCK SPRING FAILURE WAS ISSUED. *AK

PREPARING FOR TRIP, NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST/CORROSION ON DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER. LARGE CHUNCKS OF RUSTED METAL LOOSENED WHEN LIGHTLY TOUCHED. THIS WAS WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF AN OIL CHANGE, LUBE AND FILTER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED IN 1999. HAD CHECKED BY LOCAL MECHANICS, ALL SAID, "GET RID OF THE CAR". DID RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP STATED "NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. *AK .

BRAKE LINE ERUPTED BECAUSE OF CORROSION. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. *AK

WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE TO LEAVE FOR WORK, I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. AS I LET THE VAN RUN, THE NOISE SLOWLY STOPPED BUT THE VAN WOULDN'T MOVE. I TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH CARAVANS TO SEE IF THIS WAS COMMON. AND TO MY SURPRISE, EVERYONE SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE/OVERHAUL THEIR TRANSMISSION. I WAS INFORMED TO LOOK AT THIS SITE TO SEE IF ANY COMPLAINTS MATCHED MINE AND THERE WAS AT LEAST TEN WHEN I STOPPED COUNTING. I NOTIFIED DODGE AND THEY WERE OF LITTLE HELP BECAUSE THEY SAID MY VEHICLE HAD 77,000 MILES.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STRUTS RUSTED.*AK

CONSUMER HAD THE POWER STEERING BELT REPLACED FOUR TIMES. EVERY TIME IT RAINED THE BELT FELL OFF. CHRYSLER REPAIRED FOUR TIMES AT NO COST TO CONSUMER. THE BELT FELL OFF AGAIN YESTERDAY WHEN IT RAINED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND WASS AWAITING REPAIR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HEARD A GROANING NOISE.. THE DRIVER STARTED TO PULL OF F TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. WHEN THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND CHECKED THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR HE NOTICED IT WAS DRY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD CORRODED THROUGH AND THE FLUID LEAKED OUT THROUGH THE HOUSING. *AK *NM

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE HYDRO-PLANED,STRUCK THE MEDIUM, WENT OVER 5 LANES AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES INCLUDING A SORE NECK AND BURIES. *NM THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE LIGHT ON THE DASH ALWAYS INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE ENABLED. *SC *JB

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WOULD STALL WHEN STARTING UP, IT HAS A REOCCURING AIRBAG LIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL MISFUNCTIONING AND HORN STALLING ISSUES. I CURRENTLY HAD TO TAKE IT TO CHYRISTLER FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DODGE CARAVAN 1996-1998 RE:CLOCKSPRING. MY VEH. WAS NOT LISTED WITH THIS RECALL AND I'M CONCERNED THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE DODGE CARAVANS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAIN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V293000 CONCERNING AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE IN MOTION, ALSO, HORN WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL GAVE OFF AN CONSENT ALARM SOUND WHEN ENGAGED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING,THE THERMOSTAT LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE JUNCTION BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REWIRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, WITHOUT ANY WARNING CONSUMER LOST THE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. DUE TO ONE SECTION OF THE STEERING PUMP IS RUSTED AND LEAKING FLUID. DEALER NOTIFIED. *LA

ON AUGUST, 1, 1998, ALLEN AND ANNE MAZEROLLE PURCHASED A NEW 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE MANUFACTURED BY CHRYSLER FROM LEE DODGE IN WESTBROOK, MAINE. AT THE TIME OF THEIR PURCHASE, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR CHRYSLER PROVIDED ANY DISCLOSURE TO THE MAZEROLLES CONCERNING THE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSMISSION DEFECT. IN 2001, ANNE MAZEROLLE WAS OPERATING THE CHRYSLER MINIVAN WITH HER CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING, A THUNDEROUS NOISE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED IN TRAFFIC. MRS. MAZEROLLE TELEPHONED CHRYSLERS AUTHORIZED DEALER, LEE DODGE, FROM THE HIGHWAY SEEKING ASSISTANCE. MRS. MAZEROLLE WAS INFORMED THAT, WHILE IT WAS WITHIN THREE YEARS OF THE VEHICLES PURCHASE, THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE 36,000 MILE LIMITATION AND THE MAZEROLLES WERE OUT OF LUCK AS TO ANY WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE MAZEROLLES THEN INQUIRED AS TO WHETHER THERE WAS ANY RECALL OR PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE CHRYSLER TRANSMISSION. THEY WERE INFORMED BY THE CHRYSLER DEALER THAT NO SUCH PROBLEMS HAD BEEN REPORTED BY CHRYSLER AND THERE WAS NO RECALL CONCERNING THE TRANSMISSION. IN THE EMERGENCY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, A&M TRANSMISSION, IN SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE. MRS. MAZEROLLE WAS INFORMED BY TECHNICIANS THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE PINION GEAR HAD SEIZED TO THE PINION SHAFT AND PENETRATED THE BELL HOUSING OF THE TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN THE COMPLETE LOCK-UP OF THE VEHICLES DRIVE TRAIN AND COMPLETE FAILUR

I WAS FORCED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY AND THE CAR SEAT MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS BUCKELED INTO WENT FLYING INTO THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SEAT BELTS IN THE 1998 DODGE CARAVAN ARE EASILY DEPRESSED BY A GAME BOY, DOLLS OR MY OLDER DAUGHTER EITHER BUCKELING OR UNBUCKELING HER BOOSTER SEAT. I'VE FOUND MY 4 YEAR OLDS STRAP IN CAR SEAT UNBUCKELED AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS. HAD WE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RATHER THAN JUST A SUDDEN BRAKING MY DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERLY INJURED.*AK

THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH GEN3 SEAT BELTS WHICH HAS A RELEASE BUTTON WHICH PROTRUDES FROM THE REST OF THE BUCKLE. THE BUTTON CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY Y BUMPED WHICH CAUSES THE BUCKLE TO RELEASE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE BUCKLE BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN THE RAIN, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF. THE BELT DISCONNECTED FROM THE PULLEY FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST FIVE MONTHS. THE CONSUMER EXAMINED THE PULLEY AND FOUND THAT IT WAS SMOOTH AND DID NOTR HAVE A LIP TO HOLD THE BELT ON. *AK *SC *JB

MY CASE IS ABOUT WHAT THE CALL THE " CLOCKSPRING" I AM VERY CONCERN ABOUT THIS, I THINK DODGE SHOULD LOOK AT THIS LIVES COULD BE LOST. BECAUSE OF THIS.......

WHILE PLACING KEY IN THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO WORN PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER SAW THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CRACKED. PLEASE PROVIDE TIRE INFORMATION. *JB

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN BECAME DISABLED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I HAVE 2 CHRYSLER MINI VANS ONE 1997 & 1998. WE RECEIVIED A RECALL REGARDING DEFECTS WHICH RELATED TO MOTOR SAFETY RECALL IN SOME 1996 THROUGH 1998 MINIVANS. SINCE MY 1998 WAS EXPERIENCING THE DEFECT LISTED FAILED CLOCKSPRING ALLOWING AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED AND SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM TO BE INOPERATIVE WE TOOK THE VAN TO A NEARBY CHRYSLER DEAR TO BE REPAIRED ONLY TO FIND OUT OUR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT THE ONE LISTED TO BE RECALLED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHEN THE RECALL STATES SOME 1996 THROUGH 1998 MODEL YEAR MINIVAN'S HOW DO THEY DETERMINE WHICH VIN NUMBER TO BE RECALLED. MY 1997 WAS THE VIN NUMBER TO BE RECALLED HOWEVER MY 1998 VAN IS EXPERIENCING THE RECALL PROBLEM. MY 1998 VAN ALSO HAS 78,000 MILES THE RECALL STATES IF MIMIVAN HAS 70,000 OR LESS CLOCKSPRING WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE EVEN IF IT APPEARS TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. MY 1998 IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. CHRYSLER HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM STATES MY AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH. ARBITARY MILAGE AND VIN NUMBER DECEISIONS BY THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD NOT CAUSE THE CONSUMER TO HAVE DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATING PARTS IN THEIR VIEHICALS. *AK

WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL A GASOLINE ODOR ENTERS THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, AND GASOLINE LEAKS UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL TANK SEAL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK WHEN CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE COLLAR ON TOP OF THE TANK SHAPED LIKE AN EGG INSTEAD OF THE CIRCULAR SHAPE; HOWEVER, CONSUMER REFUSED BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT RENDERED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE. RECALL 02V290000 WAS ISSUED FOR THE AIR BAG, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

CONSUMER WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY.*AK *LA

AFTER STARTING MY VAN, WHETHER I HAVE IT IN PARK, DRIVE, NEUTRAL, OR REVERSE, I AM ABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION. ALSO, IF I AM TURNING MY VAN OFF, AND I ACCIDENTALLY TURN IT TO AUXILLARY, I AM STILL ABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION.*AK THIS ISN'T SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN, IS IT?

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 115,000 MILES. *NM

ALL SEAT BELTS IN 1998 DODGE CARAVAN POPPED OUT WHEN LATCHED.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON WHICH RENDERED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN INOPERATIVE. THERE WAS AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING RECALL 02V293000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK *JB

I OWN A 1998 V6 DODGE CARAVAN. MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE TRANSMISSION LITERALLY BLEW APART. IT WAS NOT MERELY A TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION CASE WAS DESTROYED ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION MONTHLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VAN IN 1999, AND I HAVE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND CHANGED THE FLUID. THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WAS $2,511.00.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. LOST USE OF HORN. REPLACED TRANSMISSION IN FEBRUARY 2003, THIS CAR IS TERRIBLE. MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE CLOCK SPRING IS OFF, SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I WILL DO SO AND AM PURCHASING A NEW CAR. DO NOT FEEL SAFE RIDING WITH KIDS IN CAR.

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. DEALER DETERMINED CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 80,000 MILES. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED TWO MONTHS AGO.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HEAD LIGHTS BECAME DIM AND PROVIDED POOR VISIBILITY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NM THE HEAD LIGHT LENSES WERE ALSO FOGGED. *NM

CONSUMER NOTICED GRINDING SOUND IN FRONT END. REPLACED BRAKE PADS, NOISE STILL EXIST. SERVICE MANAGER FOUND THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION, AND WAS REPLACED BECAUSE INSPECTION REVEALED THAT NUMEROUS PARTS HAD BEEN DAMAGED. *LA *MR

MY 1998 DODGE CARAVAN HAS A FAILED CLOCKSPRING, WHICH HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY ON AND THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO NOT WORK. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY VAN IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL FOR THE CLOCKSPRING BECAUSE OF THE MANUFACTURE DATE, WHICH IS TO LATE. THE BILL FOR THE REPAIRS IS APPROX $210.00 (CURRENTLY AT THE DEALSHIP). PLEASE INCLUDE ALL 1998 CARAVANS IN THE RECALL. *AK

EMERGENCY BRAKES INOPERABLE, AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON, HORN DOES NOT WORK, HARD TIME REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION AND I CAN GO FROM "P" TO "R" OR "D" WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES (EVEN IF THERE IS NO KEY IN THE IGNITION). *JB

AT ANY SPEED AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. ALSO, HORN IS INOPERABLE, AND CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. THERE IS RECALL 02V293000 CONCERNING CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED A FRONTAL CRASH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH JUST UNDER 71,000 MILES ON IT. WE FIRST NOTICED SOME ANTI FREEZE ON THE GROUND AND COULD SEE IT LEAKING THINKING IT WAS A HOSE OR SOMETHING. I WENT UNDER TO TAKE A LOOK AND IT WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. I BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND IT TURNS OUT THE HEADGASKET SPRUNG A LEAK. I GAVE THEM THE GO AHEAD TO FIX IT. HE TOOK IT APART AND SAID THEIR WAS A 2 INCH PIECE MISSING FROM THE GASKET. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. IT COST ME $1000+ TO HAVE IT REPAIRED .WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP.*AK

DEALER REPLACED THREE TIMES THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE LAST PAST TWO YEARS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

TRANSMISSION NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING IN 2 ND GEARS. AIR CONDITIONING STILLS BLOWS SEMI-WARM AIR. SWAY BARS REPLACED.

5 BATTERIES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. THREE WERE NOTED AS HAVING LEAKED BATTERY ACID. IN MAY/JUNE 2003, THE WIRING HARNESSES (MAIN ONES) HAD BEEN EATEN BY BATTERY ACID CAUSING ALL SORTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE HARNESSES ARE ROUTED UNDER THE BATTERY PAN. STUPID PLACEMENT. DEALER SPLICED WIRES TOGETHER TO GET IT RUNNING AT HIS COST, AT MY INSISTENCE. VAN CONTINUES TO START INCONSISTENTLY. HORN DOESN'T WORK SINCE DEALER SPLICED WIRES. TURN IGNITION KEY - CLICK, REPEAT 10-20 TIMES, STARTER WILL CATCH ON ONE. DESIGN DEFECT IS ROUTING OF HARNESSES AND LACK OF SHIELD TO PROTECT THEM.

TRANSMISSION ------------ SUDDEN FAILURE OF ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS. KEY OFF-ON BRINGS BACK FORWARD DRIVE FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS THEN FAILS AGAIN. NO REVERSE GEAR AT ALL. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC INDICATES 3 TRANSMISSION ERRORS RELATED TO SHIFTING. SENSORS LOOK OK. SHOP HAD TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF OVER $2,000. BRAKES ------ EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS. MUST BE REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR NOW. FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED IT DESTROYED ONE BRAKE ROTOR -- HAD TO REPLACE THAT. NOW, AT THE FIRST SIGN OF BRAKE SQUEAL I MUST CHECK AND REPLACE THE PADS AS THEY ARE CLOSE TO WEARING OUT. GENERALLY GET LESS THAN 15,000 MILES PER SET.

MY A/C STOPPED WORKING RIGHT AFTER MY 3 YEAR 36 MILE WARRANTY RAN OUT. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE EVAPORATOR COIL. COSTS ME $400. RIGHT NOW MY A/C JUST QUIT. MY VAN HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT. I GO THROUGH BELTS LIKE CRAZY. MY MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. AND OTHER MECHANICS SAY IT'S AN EPIDEMIC WITH CARAVANS. PLEASE HELP.