1999 Dodge Caravan complaints

THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT OUT OF OVERDRIVE. AT 43-47 MPH, THE CAR LURCHES AND ACCELERETION IS IMPOSSIBLE. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED ON APRIL 14 WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UP A HILL. EVERYTIME THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN FROM 50 MPH WHILE GOING UP A HILL, THE CAR WOULD LURCH AND ACCELERATION WAS IMPOSSIBLE. THE CAR CAME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE WEEK OF APRIL 23RD BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. A MONITOR WAS PLACED ON THE CAR OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND BUT NOTHING SHOWED UP. AGAIN, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. JUNE 18TH I DROVE WITH A MECHANIC AND REPRODUCED THE PATTERN WITHIN TEN MINUTES AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. THE CHIEF MECHANIC FOR PALMEN SAID IT DEFINATELY WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED THE FOLLWING WEEK WHEN WE WERE ON VACATION. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN AND THE MANAGER KEPT IT FROM JULY 3RD THROUGH THE 5TH. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT THE PUT ON OVER 100 MILES CONFIRMING THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL. I WAS TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM ON MONDAY, JULY 9TH BUT I HAD TO GO IN JULY 11TH TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAD NO RESULTS. IN THE MEANWHILE, I HAD DRIVEN TO LOUISVILLE AND BACK IN THE CAR ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS CONTINUE WHILE I WAS STUCK IN A DANGEROUS WEATHER SITUATION(HIGH WINDS AND RAIN). THE CAR BUCKED AT 42 MPH AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I CANNOT GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE WH

I HAD BEEN TO A FUNERAL AND WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MILES PER HOUR ONLY MINUTES BEFORE THE FAILURE OF THIS PART. I HAD TURNED INTO THE RESIDENTIAL SECTION AND HAD GOTTEN TO MY HOUSE AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR OR LESS TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE PART BROKE AT THIS TIME AND ALL THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I COULD NOT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME WHAT PART HAD BROKEN. IT ALSO HIT THE PULLEY WHEN IT BROKE AND THE PULLEY AND BELT BROKE ALSO. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS A DEALER ITEM; HOWEVER, THEY STOCK IT BECAUSE IT BREAKS ALL THE TIME ON THE 1999 MODELS AND OLDER MODELS ALSO. IF THIS PART HAD BROKEN ONLY MINUTES EARLIER WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVING AT THE HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MILES PER HOUR AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY, I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER IN MY VAN AND MYSELF COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED AND IT COULD HAVE INVOLVED OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO MY LACK OF STEERING ABILITY. I HAVE NOT CALLED DODGE TO SEE IF THIS PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED FOR THE NEWER MODELS OR NOT. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM DUE TO THE IMMINENT DANGER IMPOSED BY THIS FAILURE AND THE FACT THAT IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN.*AK

THREE TIRES HAVE NOW BEEN REPLACED WITH BUBBLES ON THE SIDE, INCLUDING THE ONE THAT BLEW. *AK (TIRESIZE: 14)

IN HEAVY SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND AIR CONDITIONING ON I LOST THE POWER STEERING WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL.JERRY ULM CHRYSLER DEALER CHARGED ME $208. AND TOLD ME SOMEONE INSTALLED THE WRONG FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR WHICH ISN'T TRUE ANYWAY THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE DEALER SAYS HE CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.I'M WONDERING IF ANY OTHER COMPLAINT OF THIS NATURE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE FOR VACATION IN THE VERY HOT WEATHER.

THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT ON MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 35908 MILES AND ONLY 17 MONTHS OLD. IT WAS THE SPEED SENSOR. THE SECOND TIME WAS AT 40,100 MILES AND LESS THAN 20 MONTHS OLD. I WAS TOLD THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAME APRART!! THIS TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED BY DODGE BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE 36,000 MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS LESS THAN 2 YEAR OLD CAR, BUT THE MOST WORRISOME HAS BEEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES BECAUSE THEY HAVE OCCURED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONE AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, LEAVING HER STRANDED. *AK

AFTER THE LAST FIX TRANSMISSION STILL DOESN'T BEHAVE RIGHT, ESPECIALY UNDER LOAD OR EVER WITH A/C ON - IT SLIPS IN GEAR CHANGE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED FRONT WHEELS WILL LOCK UP CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO A PIN WITHIN TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY THAT JAMS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. ONCE ANOTHER CAR ALMOST REAR ENDED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE.*AK

WHENEVER TRYING TO PUT VEHICLE INTO GEAR VEHICLE WILL, WITHOUT NOTICE, ACCELERATE EVEN WHILE CONUSMER HAS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AK INTERLOCK SYSTEM WAS NEVER INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES HE CAN MOVE THE GEAR LEVER AT ANY TIME. *SLC

CONSUMER IS ABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. *AK *JB

WITH NO WARNING AND IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP WHILE APPLYING BRAKING PRESSURE. BRAKING FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND ONLY ALLOWS FOR ABOUT A 20% BRAKING FUNCTION EVEN WHEN APPLYING FULL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. NO CODES ARE STORED (AS PER THE DEALER) AND AFTER AN INCIDENT, THE BRAKE WILL FUNCTION NORMALLY. DEALER HAS LOOKED THE THE BRAKE SYSTEM TWICE AND CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION OCCURS RANDOMLY. DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE ANY PARTS BECAUSE NO CODES HAVE BEEN SAVED IN THE COMPUTER. *AK

VEHICLE DOES NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM. THUS,VEHICLE IS CAPABLE OF BEING REMOVED FROM PARK WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES OR USING A KEY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

WE WERE INVOLVED IN A MILD ROLL-OVER ON I-94 NEAR TOMAH, WIS. WE SLID ON BLACK ICE AND UPENDED INTO THE SNOW BANK. NO INJURIES. MY WIFE WAS RESTRAINED IN MID SEAT, R SIDE. AS CAR ROLLED SHE SLID OFF END OF SEAT OUT OF LOCKED SEAT BELT SYSTEM ENDING UP UNRESTRAINED ON THE ROOF. WE HAVE CONTACTED TANNER MOTORS AND WILL BE TALKING TO. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60- 70MPH AND VEHICLE STARTED SHIMMYING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER CHANGED ROTORS/SHAVED/ ROTOR/ CHANGE PADS, AND ALIGNED VEHICLE. ALL 4 THINGS WERE DONE TO RECTIFY PROBLEM, NO REMEDY.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND A GASOLINE SMELL WAS COMING FROM INSIDE OF VENT AREA. ALSO THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, CLAIM 22-V529-255. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH, A NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD STARTED DRAGGING A METAL CAN. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. AFTER INSPECTION OF PROBLEM, A PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID BEGAN FORMING UNDER VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT A PIN IN DIFFERENTIAL BROKE, WHICH RUINED TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

TOOK VEHICLE 5 TIMES TO DEALER . WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT 55-60 MPH THEY PULSATE, BRAKING DISTANCE NORMAL. *AK

ON DEC 8,2000 MY WIFE,FOUR CHILDREN AND MYSELF WERE IN SPRINGFIELD MO, APPROX 80 MILES FROM OUR HOUSE SHOPPING AT THE MALL. WHEN WE FINISHED OUR SHOPPING AND LEFT THE MALL,WE WERE IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC AT APPROX. 30 MPH THE VAN SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING OR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, THE ABILLITY TO PROPERLY STEER THE VAN WAS LOST AND I LUCKILY CAME TO A STOP AT THE RED LIGHT ALMOST HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ON DEC 30 WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO SPRINGFIELD MO, WE PULLED OFF OF THE INTERSTATE TO USE THE RESTROM IN THE MCDONALDS. WHILE PULLING IN THE PARKING AREA THE VAN ONCE AGAIN SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING OR INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. ONCE AGAIN I LOST ALL CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENTATION TO INCLUDE THE LOSS OF PROPER STEERING ABILITY. I ALMOST HIT THE PARKED CAR TO THE RIGHT OF ME. CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE OR TO REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE, SO HERE I AM WITH A $ 20,000 UNRELIABLE VEHICLE THAT WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE. I AM CURRENTLY A SENIOR NON COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN THE U.S. ARMY, I'VE BEEN ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR 18 YEARS, THIS IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO DEFRAUD CHRYSLER OR AN ATTEMPT TO GET OUT OF A DEBT, THIS IS AN HONEST SITUATION THAT IS HAPPENING TO HONEST, LAW ABIDING, HARD WORKING AMERICANS, WHOM STRONGLY BELIEVE IN OUR COUNTRY AND OUR WAY OF LIFE.*AK

PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND CALIPERS. HOWEVER, PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY; BRAKES AT FIRST WERE JUMPING, THEN BRAKES WERE WEARING OUT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS CHANGED BRAKE PADS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

THE TIRE WAS TORN COMPLETE OFF THE RIM, THE TREAD WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, PHOTO AVAILABLE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: PDKC HKDR2 TIRESIZE: 205/75-14)

MY MINI VAN WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT AND THE IMPACT WAS WAS HARD AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DIPLOY.I AM VERY THANKFULL THAT NO ONE WAS HURT BUT MY CAR IS NOW TOTAL.I AM VERY CONSERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS.

THE RIGHT REAR GOODYEAR TIRE WAS TORN COMPLETELY OFF THE RIM (GOODYEAR CONQUEST 205/75-14 DOTPDKCHKDR239). NLM

HEAD GASKET STARTED LEAKING IN OCTOBER 2000. CURRENTLY, IT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK THE DEALER HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. *YH

HORN INTERMITTENTLY WORKS WHEN NEEDED. IT WON'T DUPLICATE SO DEALER CANNOT FIND ITS CAUSE. COMPONENTS THAT RUN HORN ARE LOCATED NEAR FRONT TIRE.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT HORN HAS FAILED A FEW TIMES WHEN WEATHER WAS PARTICULARLY COLD OR WE. *SLC

WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED NOTICED THAT LEFT BRAKE PADS WERE OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS IN FOR OTHER SERVICES, WAS ADVISED BY TECHNICIAN THAT VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE TIRE, CONSUMER IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TIRE. *JB

FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPING DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR, AND CAUSING PROBLEM WITH BRAKING PROPERLY OR DELAYED STOPPING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL, AND VEHICLE WASOUT OF ITS WARRANTY. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 48,000 MILES/NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY??!?!*AK

CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND WAS HIT FROM REAR. FRONT DRIVER SEAT BROKE, CAUSING HIM TO SUSTAIN NECK INJURIES. *AK

WHILE STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT THE BRAKES FAILED, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVER SUSTAINED LEFT LEG INJURIES AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED COLLAR BONE INJURIES. NLM

THE SPEED SENSOR HAS FAILED TWICE IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS, CONSUMER STATES WHEN THIS FAILS, THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN ABOVE 45 MPH. *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VAN VIBRATES AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT, VIBRATION STARTS AT 40 MPH AND GETS WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES, DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT VIBRATION PROBLEM. *CJ

ENGINE PRESSURE BUILT UP DUE A FAULTY PCV VALVE, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK , ALSO, CRANKSHAFT AND VALVE COVER TO BLOW OUT. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK

AT 15,000 MILE CHECK I REQUESTED THE TRANSMISSION BE CHECKED, IT FELT AS THOUGH IT MAY BE SLIPPING. SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND NOTHING WRONG AT THAT TIME. TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED IN 1999 CARAVAN WITH ONLY 43000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE NEVER TOWED ANYTHING WITH THE VAN AND ARE SHOCKED THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT. SURELY THERE MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION FOR IT TO HAVE GONE OUT SO SOON AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

I WAS STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND WAS REAR-ENDED. THE POLICE ESTIMATED THAT HE WAS DOING ABOUT 25 WHEN HE HIT ME. I WENT FORWARD AND CUT MY NOSE ON THE SUNVISOR AND THEN SLAMMED MY HEAD BACK IN TO THE HEADREST. I THINK I WENT FORWARD AND BACK AGAIN, AND THEN THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED AND I WENT DOWN.*AK

I WAS STOPPED, WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, WHEN I WAS REAR ENDED BY A 95 PATHFINDER. POLICE ESTIMATED THAT HE WAS DOING ABOUT 25 WHEN HE IMPACTED ME. MY SEAT BELT/SHOULDER STRAP HELD, BUT I WENT FORWARD AND CUT MY NOSE ON THE SUN VISOR, THEN MY HEAD SLAMMED BACKWARD IN TO MY HEADREST. I THINK I WENT FORWARD AND BACK AGAIN, AND THEN THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED AND I FELL IN TO THE MIDDLE SEAT.

WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE PIVOT WORKS ERRATICALLY, WIPER MOVES HALFWAY BEFORE IT STARTS BUMPING INTO OTHER WIPER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM RACK AND PINION STEERING. TECHNICIAN TOLD CONSUMER THAT RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT DID NOT POINT TO STATUS, JUST AS DETERIORATION. *AK *SLC

HORN DOES NOT WORK. FUSE AND RELAY WORKING.*AK

MY DODGE CARAVAN HAS 47,000 HIGHWAY MILES ON IT AND IS TWO YEARS OLD. I JUST BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDS A NEW HEAD GASKET. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THAT HE HAS SEEN AT LEAST TWENTY OTHER CASES OF THIS PROBLEM IN CARS WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS IS WORTHY OF REVIEW FOR A RECALL IF IT CAN BE ASSUMED THAT EVERY MECHANIC HAS SEEN TWENTY SUCH INSTANCES. *AK

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON OUR 1999 DODGE CARAVAN WHILE TRAVELING 50-60 MPH IN A REMOTE AREA. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. THE FIRST WAS A SENSOR THAT WENT BAD, AND NOW THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VAN HAS BEEN WITH THE DEALER FOR 5 DAYS.*AK

VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, RESULTING IN A COLLISION.*AK

SPEED SENSORS HAVE FAILED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 12 WEEKS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY AND VIOLENTLY. ALL DASH GAUGES ALSO GO DEAD INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES IN THIS SAME TIMEFRAME. (JULY 21- OCT 16) CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER TILL THE VEHICLE BREAKS AGAIN. (CHRYSLER FILE # 7858395)

CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE SHOULD GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE, IT CURRENTLY GETS 16 MPG IN TOWN AND 22 HIGHWAY. NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOISE AND IT IDLES ERRATICALLY, VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE TRAVELLING 60 MPH, ON ONE OCCASION, DEALER FOUND THAT A PISTON HAD FAILED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. BRAKES SQUEALED, DEALER CLEANED AND SANDED PADS AND ROTORS. VEHICLE SHOOK AT SPEEDS ABOVE 70 MPH, DEALER BALANCED AND ROTATED TIRES. CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG ODORS THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR INOPERABLE. ALTERNATOR BELT CAME APART. ACCELERATOR RATTLES. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES DECELERATION. CARPET BUCKLES. *SLC

EXPERIENCING LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN ALL FOUR TIRES ON A 1999 DODGE, CARAVAN; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, P205/75R14, DOT # UNAVAILABLE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, AND GOODYEAR CENTER, AND BOTH REFUSES TO HELP CONSUMER ON THIS MATTER. *AK

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK REAR BRAKE DRUMS ALSO ARE RUSTING. THE RUST THAT IS DISLODGED IS FOULING THE SELF-ADJUSTER MECHANISMS, AND MANUAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE REAR BRAKES IS PERIDICALLY NEEDED. *YH