1998 Dodge Caravan complaints

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE SURPENTINE BELT FELL OFF THE MOTOR PLEASE FILL N ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PLANETARY GEARS FAILED. *TS *NLM

I ONLY HAVE 35,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND OF COURSE THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT. THIS HAS ALREADY COST ME OVER $200 TO REPAIR BRAKES BECAUSE OF ROTORS, NOT BAD BRAKES. NOW I NEED $1000 HEAD GASKET WORK. STARTER ONLY SEEMS TO START WHEN IT WANTS TO. VERY TEMPORAMENTAL. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE THAT A 35,000 MILE CAR WOULD HAVE SO MUCH WRONG SO SOON. DT

CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER 50% OF THE COST OF THE REPAIR. TS *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON FLAT SURFACE AND NO WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS ON THE BACK. ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE RIPPEN FROM THE FABRIC AND IS NOW ALSO HAPPENING WITH THE ONES ON FRONT TOO. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. MR

THE VEHICLE HAD SIGNIFICANT RUST ON STRUT TOWERS, SO MUCH THAT IT WOULD MOT PASS INSPECTION AND SEVERLA MECHANICS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE SUSPENSION FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *YH

CONSUMER RECIEVED A RECALL NOTICE(00V268000) REGARDING THE FUEL RAIL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO HAVE THE WORK DONE AND WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WEREN'T IN. A SECOND NOTICE WAS SENT, STILL NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE THIRD NOTICE WAS RECEIVED AND THE VEHICLE STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL. *JG

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG SENOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON ALONG WITH THE HORN BEING INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. CONSUMER TURNED THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, A ND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEIR WERE NO PROBLEMS OR WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS *DT

WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER PULLED INTO A ROAD SIDE REST AREA AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. *JG

ON GOING PROBLEM WITH DODGE/CHRYSLER TRANSMISSION. MINE FAILED AT 17,200 MILES AND I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE HEAD GASKET LEAKS FUEL, CONSUMER ALMOST FELL FROM THE FUEL SPILL. DEALER CONTACTED. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT THEIR CHILD WAS ABLE TO SWITCH GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITH VEHICLE TURNED OFF. VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE HILL. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE CONSUMER CAN STRONGLY SMELL GAS IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS TO MUCH RUST ON THE STRUT BARS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO FALL DOWN. CONTACTED DEALER PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING ALL THE VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING WHEEL GOT REALLY HARD TO TURN. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD FALLEN OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY IS INOPERATIVE, A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDE DUE TO VIN. *AK *YH

OUR MECHANIC ALERTED US TO AN ABNORMAL, EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST ON STRUT TOWERS. HE INDICATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WILL FALL OUT IF NOT REPAIRED IN NEAR FUTURE. ADDITIONALLY, HE INDICATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION. WE CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THEY SUGGESTED THAT WE HAVE OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP INSPECT THE PROBLEM (PRESTON DODGE-BUTLER, PA). THE AUTOBODY MANAGER THERE CONCURRED WITH OUR MECHANIC'S OPINION AND INDICATED BECAUSE OF THE ABNORMALITY, THAT DAIMLER CHRYSER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT DO SO. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH ANOTHER CAR HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM BEHIND AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR AND SEAT BELT DID NOT CATCH, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO DRIVER. *AK

WHIELE DRIVING 25MPH ANOTHER CAR HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM BEHIND AND SEAT BELT DID NOT CATCH ,CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO DRIVER. *AK

WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED CAUSING DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS TO SNAP BACKWARDS. VEHICLE SUSTAINED BODY DAMAGES AS WELL. MANUFACTURER NOT YET NOTIFIED. *TT *TS

THE CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORM ON THE VEHICLE.*JB

WHEN IT RAINS SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. CONSUMER LOST POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY PUT IN AN IDLER PULLEY. NEXT TIME IT RAINED IN IT FELL OFF AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN ON A EXIT RAMP GOING DOWNHILL, BRAKE PEDAL WENT CLEAR TO FLOOR, NO SLOWING. CAR TOTALED TRYING TO SLOW DOWN BY HITTING GUARD RAIL AND DUMP TRUCK. SAFETY CHECK BY AUTO SHOP SAID FAILED MASTER CYCLINDER. TWO OTHER DRIVERS DROVE CAR THAT DAY WITHOUT NOTICING ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS. NO FORWARNING SUCH AS SQUEAKY OR GRATING SOUND ON BRAKING OR SQUISHY BRAKING BEFORE. SINCE THEN HAVE HEARD OF TWO OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS WITH FAILED MASTER CYCLINDER WITHOUT ANY FORWARNING. VERY DANGEROUS. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.*SCC

TRIM MATERIAL ON THE SEAT BELT IS LOOSENING, AND IS CAUSING IT TO BE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE IN MOTION, THE GLUE HOLDING THE REARVIEW MIRROR IN PLACE WEAKENED. CONSUMER WISHES TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MONIES PAID OUT FOR REPLACEMENT GLUE. *JG *TS

THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT CATCH. IT HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW FOOT PEDAL.

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERATIVE.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

SERPENTINE BELT RIPPED, CAUSING ENGINE TO CUT OFF.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN TURNING ON CAR.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH KEY IN IGNITION. 2 YEAR OLD CHILD GOT INTO VEHICLE, TURNED THE KEY ONE NOTCH,AND SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND VEHICLE MOVED. BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED. VEHICLE HIT 2 PARKED VEHICLES, CHILD WAS NOT INJURED. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $3800.00. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, AND IT CAN BE USELESS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK A FAULTY COIL IN THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO STAY ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL TO FAIL. *YH

INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE. ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND TIGHT TURNS, LIKE ENTERING/EXITING PARKING SPOTS.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIR 00V-268 IN REFERENCE TO THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE O-RINGS, AFTER WAITING AT THE DEALER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL AND THEY WERE NOT SURE WHEN PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. NLM

PROBLEM IS WITH A COMPONENT CALLED A "CLOCK SPRING CONNECTOR". IT CONTROLS NOT ONLY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM BUT ALSO CONTROLS THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN OPERATION. I HAVE BEEN OUT ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL DODGE CARAVANS DATED FROM 1994-2000. I HAVE ALSO SPOKE WITH NUMEROUS REPAIR SHOPS STATING THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES A WEEK. THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME AND CONSIDERATION TO THIS MATTER.*AK

DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. SINCE THEN THE BELT HAS COME OFF THE PULLEY TWICE DUE TO THE WATER GETTING ON THE PULLEY, CAUSING THE BELT TO SLIP. *YH

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED TO APPEAR IN VEHCLE AND ALL AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER THOUGHT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED EVAPARATOR SWITHCH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT IS SHOWING ACTIVE ON DISPLAY. THIS COULD RESULT IN INAPPROPRIATE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OR POSSIBLY NO DEPLOYMENT IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK *SCC

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, CAUSING HORN AND FLASHERS NOT TO WORK.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND HORN IS NOT WORKING, LEADING CONSUMER TO BELIEVE THAT CLOCK SPRING MATERIAL WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN CONTACTING DEALER. DEALER NOTED THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

EA 01 007/AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING: AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING, AND HORN/CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERATIVE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *JG

06/00 FRONT CARRIER CAME APART, 07/01 TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING, DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEMS, 05/02 COMPLETE FAILURE OF PLANETARY GEAR MECHANSIM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.*AK *SLC

VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING WHINING SOUNDS AND STARTED TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER WAS ADVISED IT NEEDED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER HAD THE WORK PERFORMED, ONLY TO HAVE IT GO OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME A FACTORY REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED ALSO. A TOTAL OF FOUR (4) TIMES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JG

THERE IS A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK DEALER TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TT

VEHICLE HESITATES AND JERKS BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE OVERHAULED. *AK PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THEN IT WOULD JERK INTO GEAR. THE ENGINE LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY INDICATION OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM UNTIL TWO WEEKS BEFORE TAKING TO THE DEALER. THE RUBBER SEALS IN THE TRANSMISSION GOT HARD AND NEEDED REPLACING. *JG