1998 Dodge Caravan complaints

AFTER GETTING INTO VEHICLE AND LOCKING DRIVER AND PASSENGER POWER DOORS, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK MANUALLY. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE DOORS WILL ONLY UNLOCK AND LOCK ELECTRONICALLY, ONCE THE DOORS LOCK WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER CAN NOT OPEN DOORS WITH HER HANDS OR MANUALLY LIFT UP THE LOCKS, DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEYS.*JB

SEATBACK BOLTS KEEP GETTING LOOSE FROM JOLTS DUE TO SEATS BEING FLIPPED FOREWARD TO EXIT REAR 3RD ROW SEAT,SEATBACK WILL BECOME UN ERECT AND NOT LATCH IN UPRIGHT POSITION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH DRIVER HEARD A LOUD BOOM JUST BEFORE STALLING OUT. DRIVER HAD DIFFICULT TIME STEERING VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC SAID A PIN BROKE INSIDE OF TRANSMISSION, CAUSING IT TO FAIL. OTHER DEALERS STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM REGARDING TRANSMISSION.*AK *YH

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER DETERMINED CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER STATES THAT BOTH DEALER AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PART AS A WARRANTY ITEM.(CUSTOMER CARE AT DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAD BECOME VERY BELLIGERANT AND ABUSIVE OVER THE PHONE) PLEASE SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR A CONTINUANCE OF ABUSE. CONSUMER IS FEARING THE SAFETY OF HIS FAMILY. WIFE IS MAIN DRIVER, AND FEELS THAT HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSE OF THE DEFECTIVE PART.(AFTER BEING OVERCHARGED FOR THE REPAIR DESPITE HAVING A VERBAL QUOTE BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR) APPEL DODGE HAS FAILED TO RETURN CONSUMERS CALLS TO SETTLE THE DISCREPANCY IN PAYMENT. THE VAN IS SHOWING NO INDICATION OF AIRBAG/CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *AK *SCC

CONSUMER STATES THE SCREWS THAT HOLD UP THE TAILGATE HAS CRACK.*JB DEALER REPLACED RIGHT AND LEFT REAR HATCH SUPPORT RODS AND BOTH REAR HATCH STRUTS. *TT

FUEL LINE LEADING TO THE FUEL TANK WAS BROKEN AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAKAGE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN SITTING IN PARK OR REVERSE CAN HEAR METAL KNOCKING. WHEN TURNING ON AIR CONDITIONING NOISE IS REALLY LOUD. MECHANIC STATED IT WAS FLYWHEEL THAT CAUSING THE NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE VAN STARTED ACTING LIKE IS NOT GETRTING GAS ON MARCH 11. IT STALLED AND WOULDN'T START AGAIN SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE GARAGE BY MY HOUSE. THEY COULD'T FIND THE PROMBLEM. SO I TOOK IT HOME AFTER A WEEK. IT DIID IT AGAIN SO I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE GARAGE AND THEY STILL COULDN'T FIND IT. SO I DROVE IT TO A DEALER AND THEY HAD IT FOR A WEEK. THEY FOUND NO REASON FOR IT TO STALL OR ACT LIKE IT HAD NO GAS. SO I TOOK IT HOME AND IT DID IT AGAIN SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY STATED I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY AND FUEL THOTTLE AND A FEUL PURGE AND NEW FUEL FILTER SO I PAID 438.00 FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE AND TOOK IT HOME AFTER A WEEK. THEN I HAD IT FOR 2 DAYS AND IT ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T GET GAS AND STALLED AGAIN. SO I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT FOR 2 WEEKS AND THEY STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROMBLEM IS. I AM NOT TAKING IT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM BUT ONE CHRYSLER SAID WAS A FIVE STAR AND IN MY CITY. EVERYONE IS BEEN REAL NICE BUT THEY PROMBLEM IS STILL THERE. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT MAY DIE WHILE DRIVING . I HAVE HAD IT TOWED 5 TIMES SINCE 3/11. I MAY HAVE GOTTEN ONE WEEK WORTH OF DRIVING OUT OF IT FOR THIS MONTH AND A HALF. IT STILL HAS THE PROMBLEM. *AK

VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING AND BURNING OIL. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER INDICATED HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN.*AK

VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO THIRD GEAR. AFTER VEHICLE WARMS UP IT WILL NOT SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR, STAYS IN SAME GEAR.*AK

WHILE PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE PASSED THE INSURED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT THE INSURED'S VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO SPIN AROUND, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE PASSENGER WAS THROWN TO THE FLOOR, THE SEAT BELT WAS STILL AROUND THE PASSENGER WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A REST, THERE WERE 3 INJURIES.(CLAIM#52-2474-339)*JB

CLOCKSPRING HAS FAILED RENDERING THE AIRBAGS AND HORN UNUSABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND OTHER YEAR DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. MY DEALER SAID THAT MY YEAR MINIVAN IS NOT PART OF THOSE RECALLED. I BELIEVE THIS SAFETY COMPONENT FAILURE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND REPLACED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WILL HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATEING, AND THEN WILL SHUT OFF. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE. *AK

A CRACK IN EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSED FUMES TO COME INTO VEHICLE.*AK DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN. CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE JERKS WHEN IN CRUISE. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. *TT

ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LEAK OIL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND WELDED. *YD

WHILE TRAVELING 30-40MPH AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON/OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR A FEW WEEKS. IT FINALLY REMAINED ON, AND HORN ALONG WITH CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK. DEALERSHIP REPLACED WIRES AND A STICKY CLOCKSPRING UNIT.*AK *TT

TRANSMISSION GEARS CAN BE CHANGED WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH PLASTIC SOUND BURIER PATCH CAME LOOSE AND DROPPED INTO REAR OUT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING SEAT BELT NOT TO WORK. CONTACTED DEALER, RECALL ON THIS PART DOESN'T AFFECT CONSUMER DUE TO VIN. *AK

CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH KEY NOT TURNING AFTER IT WAS PUT INTO IGNITION. SHE HAS TO PLAY WITH IT FOR A LONG WHILE.*AK

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL AT 60K MILES. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM HAS SERVICE BULLETIN ON HEAD GASKET LEAKS. OIL LEAK CAUSING POLLUTION, ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, MAY RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE OR FIRE. CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPAIR, ESTIMATES MY COST $300 TO FIX. MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NLM

WHILE DRIVING TRIED TO USE HORN AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DID NOT GO OFF.ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

IN OCT I REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYAPX SPEED 30-35 , WE GOT THE REAPIRS DONE AND 8 DAYS AFTER I GOT IT BACK THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED ME TO REAR END ONTHER CAR WHICH CAUSED INJURY TO ME AND ITHERS ASD WELL AS MAJOR DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. AND FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD THERE HAS BEEN SOME RECALLS ON THE CARAVANS AIRBAGS I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS WHERE I NEED TO BE TO REPORT THIS ANS TO ALSO GET MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM OR EVEN WHERE ANS WHAT DO I DO FROM HERE??? *AK

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC INDICATED EXTERNAL CYLINDER GASKET WAS GONE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VAN HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, POWER STEERING LOSS, BACK WHEELS ON FIRE, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND ENGINE WOULD SEIZE AND STOP. *YH

FAILED TRANSMISSION - AFTER TO TALKING TO SEVERAL DODGE OWNERS IT IS QUITE APPARENT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. OUR FAMILY VEHICLE NORMALLY CARRIES PRECIOUS CARGO OF THREE SMALL CHILDREN. HAVING A VEHICLE WITH A POOR TRANSMISSION AND A COMPANY THAT DOES NOT BELIEVE IN STANDING BEHIND THERE PRODUCT COULD BE VERY LIFE THREATENING TO OUR FAMILY AS WELL AS OTHERS. IT IS AT POTENTIAL RISK OF CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT FAILS AT THE WRONG TIME. PRIOR TO THE 1998 PRODUCTS AND CURRENTLY DODGE STANDS BEHIND THEIR DRIVE TRAIN BUT FOR MANY YEARS THAT STOPPED. WHICH MAKES ME WONDER DID THEY HAVE A TEMPORARY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHICH MADE THEM TEMPORARILY DISCONTINUE WARRANTING THEM FOR 100,000 MILES. AS FOR THE CAR SEATS I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE AS WELL AS THE NHTSA ABOUT THE DEFECT IN THE CHEST CLIP. THE CHEST CLIP SHOULD SNAP SAFETLY AND NOT BE ABLE TO BE PULLED APART BUT I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND ALL OF THEM WITH A LITTLE PRESSURE CAN BE PULLED APART. I HAVE HAD THEM INSPECTED BY SEVERAL LOCAL OFFICERS AND THERE HAS BEEN PAPERS FILLED OUT FOR THE DMV BY A LOCAL CAR SEAT CHECK NOTIFYING THEM OF THE DEFECT ALSO. I HAVE A BUCKLE IN MY VEHICLE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT ONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!*AK

THERE IS A LEAK UNDER VEHICLE. DRIVER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

I HAVE HAD A RECENT PROBLEM WHERE I JUST THOUGHT THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I LATER LEARNED THAT NOT ONLY IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON BUT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF N ACCIDENT OCCURS. IN ADDITION THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. BY SEARCHING ON THE WEB I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THEIR VEHICLES. IT WILL COST ME OVER 250 DOLLARS TO CORRECT. HOW CAN DODGE KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AND DOES NOT TELL ANYONE OR HAVE A RECALL. THIS IS DEPLORABLE. I AM SURE THAT DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS AND DODGE KNOWS THIS TOO. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE. THANK YOU. VINCE FILLIBEN 610-361-8921.*AK

AFTER SHIFTING VEHICLE INTO GEAR TO DRIVE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICED METAL INSIDE TRANSMISSION BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

MAIN TRANSAXLE SHAFT WENT THROUGH BODY OF TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

CONSUMER FOUND FUEL IN DRIVEWAY. THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM HIS AUTOMOBILE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS RECALL OOV268000 ON FUEL LEAKAGE.*AK

AT LEAST A YEAR AGO, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME, I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CRIUSE CONTROL. IN ADDITION, MY HORN HAS QUIT FUNCTIONING. I CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED IT SOUNDED LIKE THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING HAD GONE BAD. THE PART ALONE WAS ESTIMATED TO COST $250. I RECENTLY CHECKED THE NHTSA SITE, AS SEE THAT MY VAN IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK

ENGINE ASERVICE AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS INDICATE A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP /MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

THE ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL FROM ENGINE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

I AM GETTING IT REPAIRED TODAY AND SAID IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID NO. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

THE CONSUMER IS AWARE OF A FAULT IN THE 1996-2000 MINI-VANS, IN THE GAS LINE, AND IS VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. (IS AFRAID OF FOR HER FAMILY AND HOME, IF THE VEHICLE CATCH'S FIRE) THE CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR NHTSA FOR HELP IN CORRECTING THE DEFECT-CAMPAIGN#00V-268. *SCC

AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN, WHO HANDLES THE FLEET FOR A STATE AGENCY, I UNHAPPY THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FROM THE MANUFACTURED AS RECALLS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WHICH SEEMS TO HAPPEN AROUND 35,000 MILES OR IF THE VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE PARKED FOR ANYTIME OVER TWO WEEKS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH ALL OF THE GUAGES AND LITES CAME ON AND THEN IMMEDIATELY WENT OFF. NOTICED ALL OF THIS WHEN A LEFT HAND TURN WAS MADE, RESULTING IM NO CONTROL. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. SERPENTINE BELT STRETCHED BUT THE BELT TENSIONER WAS ALMOST TOTALLY USELESS.

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE WARMING UP THE VEHICLE, NINE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO GARAGE DOOR CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE, CONSUMERS RESEARCH FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A SAFETY FEATURE REQUIRING THE OPERATOR TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO SHIFT THE CAR FROM PARK INTO DRIVE/REVERSE. *TT

AIBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED CLOCKSPRING WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM MY DAUGHTERS HOME WHICH IS ABOUT 3 MILES DISTANCE. ON THE WAY HOME THER IS A ONE MILE STRETCH THAT HAS A 50 MILE SPEED LIMIT. MY WIFE SAID THAT THE VAN NEVER GOT OUT OF LOW GEAR ON THAT STRETCH. WHEN SHE GOT HOME ,I IMMEDIATELY WENT AND TOOK THE VAN FOR A TEST DRIVE, AND FOUND THAT WHAT SHE HAD TOLD ME WAS IN FACT CORRECT. THE VAN DOES NOT WANT TO KICK INTO HIGH GEAR .SHE DROVE IT HOME IN 2ND GEAR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 22-V563-088. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE LOST POWER AND MADE A FUNNY NOISE, VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING AND WHEN CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD THERE WERE FLAMES, BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT TO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, CLAIM 08-5050-945. *SLC

WHILE VEHICLE WAS INSIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY BACKING OUT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILURE (LEAK BAD) HIGH RPM. *AK

AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSOR FROZEN. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOSS OF OIL. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DEALER/MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP STATED HEAD GASKET SEAL WAS LEAKING OIL SEVERELY. *SLC

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHEN DRIVING THROUGH DEEP SNOW. BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. *AK *YH