1999 Dodge Caravan complaints

VEHICLE SHOCK TOWERS RUSTING AWAY. FAILURE OCCURS IN MOST OF THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLE IS RENDERED UNSAFE AND COULD CAUSE BODILY HARM TO OCCUPANTS IF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURS. *TR

FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BREAKING CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *TR

WE OWN A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THREE WEEKS AGO WE TOOK IT IN FOR A CHECK UP AT A CERTIFIED MECHANICS SHOP. THEY INFORMED US THE TENSIONER WAS BENT AND SERPENTINE DRIVING BELT NEEDED REPLACING. WE AUTHORIZED THEM TO MAKE THE REPAIR. WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 1994 WITH NO INCIDENT. LAST MONDAY WE DROVE THROUGH STANDING WATER AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS THROWN. WE LOST POWER STEERING NOT TO MENTION THAT THE DRIVING BELT POWERS EVERYTHING ELSE FOR THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY WE WERE ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE OUT OF TOWN AND WERE ABLE TO DRIVE BACK TO THE MECHANICS SHOP. THEY INFORMED US THAT INDEED THIS IS A PROBLEM DODGE MINIVANS HAVE. IN THE LAST 2 DAYS WE HAVE GONE ONLINE AND FOUND MANY WEB FORUMS WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 1,000'S OF DODGE/CHRYSLER OWNERS GOING BACK AS FAR AS 2002. DODGE HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY FLAW IN THEIR ENGINE PULLEY DESIGN. WE CAN BUY AN AFTERMARKET NEW DESIGNED TENSIONER AND BELT AT OUR EXPENSE MANUFACTURED BY 2 SEPARATE COMPANIES, BUT DODGE OFFERS NOTHING TO CONSUMERS WHO BOUGHT THEIR VEHICLES THINKING THEY ARE SAFE. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE DODGE/CHRYSLER ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT AND RECALL THESE POTENTIAL DEATH TRAPS OFF THE ROAD TO FIX THIS NEGLIGENCE ON THEIR PART. JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT DYING IN CRASHES BECAUSE OF THIS (OR ARE THEY AND WE JUST NEVER FIND OUT THIS WAS THE CAUSE) DOESN'T MEAN THEY SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED TO OPERATE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT CARD IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200,000.

I HAD A CLOCK SPRING REPLACED IN MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THIS WAS A RECALLED PART REPLACEMENT. AFTER THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED THE COOLING FAN WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE REPAIR FOR THIS WAS $590.30 TO ME. PARTS REQUIRED TO FIX THE COOLING FAN:1.BATTERY, 2.RELAY MINI, 3.RELAY PKG, 4.RELAY. *TR

THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN. UNABLE TO START THE CAR. NOT AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE KEY PHYSICALLY DOES NOT TURN. HAPPENED COMPLETELY RANDOMLY. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED TAPPING THE END OF THE KEY WITH A RUBBER MALLET, BUT I DO NOT TRUST THIS FIX. I NOW HAVE A FAMILY VEHICLE THAT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE BRINGING MY FAMILY ANYWHERE FAR AWAY IN. TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY WAS THE ONLY REASON I BOUGHT A MINIVAN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEPARATING FROM THE STRUT MOUNTS. HE FEELS THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS WILL DETACH SOON AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 155,000. UPDATED 06/08/09 *BF UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

THE STRUT TOWER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE STRUT TO BURST THROUGH INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BELOW THE WINDSHIELD. A AUTO BODY REPAIR MAN SAID THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS STRUCTURAL AND SAFETY ISSUE. IN RESEARCHING A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED THAT HUNDREDS OF DODGE CARAVAN, TOWN AND COUNTRY, AND PLYMOUTH VOYAGER MODELS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS DANGEROUS ENGINEERING FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE MAKES CONTACT WITH WATER, THE SERPENTINE BELT, WHICH CONTROLS THE STEERING, DETACHES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WILL CHARGE A SERVICE FEE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 6/4/09 *CN UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

FRONT TWO (2) RUSTED STRUT TOWERS. *TR

A SALE OF A TIRE IN MARCH 2009 FROM A LOCAL DEALER THAT FAILED AFTER TWO WEEKS IN WHICH IT WAS MADE IN JULY 2001. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS BEING WARMED UP, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT. SINCE THEN, THE HEATER AND POWER WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 10/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/08/09

RUSTING STRUT TOWERS CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NO SHOCK RESISTANCE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SUSPENSION HOUSING THAT COVERS THE SHOCKS WAS CORRODING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT END SUSPENSION HOUSING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 03/18/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/19/09. *JB

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR ROAD (M-59) AND MY MINIVAN MADE A POPPING NOISE (MY INITIAL REACTION WAS MY TIRE BLOWN) AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND ENGINE CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT NEAR BY. I NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING(WHICH LEFT A TRAIL AND A DECENT PUDDLE WHEN STOPPED). AFTER SPEAKING TO 6 DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS THEY ALL STATED THAT THERE IS A PIN THAT IS KNOW TO SLIP AND SHOOT OUT CAUSING THE GEARS TO SLIP OUT THAT HAS BEEN KNOW WITH THE 99 DODGE CARAVAN .TWO MECHANICS BELIEVED THERE HAD BEEN A SILENT RECALL BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND DODGE WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER REVIEWING ONLINE IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS THE BIGGEST COMPLAINT. THERE IS A BRACKET THAT NOW FIXES THIS PROBLEM. I AM GRATEFUL WHAT HAPPENED DIDN'T CAUSE MY 6 YR OLD DAUGHTER AND I TO GET INTO A COLLISION. I TALKED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE LADY, SAMANTHA, I TALKED TO WAS AWARE THAT THIS ISSUE DOES EXIST. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE CONSUMER HAS TO EXPERIENCE THIS EXPENSIVE, DANGEROUS EVENT AND BE LEFT TO BEAR THE COST TO FIX THIS. ALL OF THE REPAIR SHOPS STATE THERE ARE BRACKETS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURRING AGAIN, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T OCCUR IN THE FIRST PLACE! THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS ABOUT TO FALTER. THE CONSUMER SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCE OF A FAULTY DESIGN. IF THERE IS SOLUTION THEN DODGE SHOULD HAVE/OR BE FIXING THIS NOT THE CONSUMER! *

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH I HEARD A LOUD THUMP. A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE VAN STOPPED PULLING ITSELF. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT A PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD BROKE AND TORE UP THE HOUSING OF TRANSMISSION CAUSING ALL OF THE FLUID TO POUR OUT ONTO THE ROAD. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THINK THAT IF IT IS COMMON DODGE SHOULD HELP PAY FOR SOME OF THE DAMAGE. *TR

OUR BELTS SIPS OFF DURING WET WEATHER"FIVE TIMES WE REPLACED THE "S" BELT AND THE TENSIONERS,WATERPUMP,OVERHEATING OUR 2ND YR OF OWERSHIP.NOW THE 3RD YR OF TRANSMISSIONS LEAKING,THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH W/CHILDREN IN CAR ,STARTING TO BRAKE CAUSING TO SLOW WAY DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND MADE A CHIME SOUND,THE HORN WENT OFF AND IT GOT HOT FAST CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. THANK GOD THERE WAS ROOM TO GET OVER. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR JUST LEAKS EVERYWHERE,WATER,OIL,TRANS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE CARS. I CANT EVEN GET MINE SMOG BECAUSE I HAVE TO KEEP UNPLUGGING MY BATTERY BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SOMEWHERE. I BROUGHT A LEMON.....OH YEAH! I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY CANT REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL UNLESS THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. I HOPE I DON'T DIE CAUSE THE AIRBAGS WONT WORK BECAUSE I HAVE A ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. 2 BATTERIES WERE REPLACED,ALTERNATOR TOO. THE CLOCKSPRING WONT WORK FOR MY CAR ONLY THE CRUISE CONTROL SO SAID THE DEALER. I WOULD FEEL BAD SELLING THIS CAR TO A FAMILY ,CAUSE WHAT IF THEY WERE KILLED. I COULDN'T DEAL WITH THAT. THE DAY THAT HAPPENED WAS ON MY DAUGHTER 16TH BIRTHDAY. I HAD TO STOP EVERYWHERE ALL DAY TO PUT WATER IN THE RADIATOR JUST TO KEEP IT COOL ENOUGH NOT TO RUIN HER DAY. I HATE HOT DAYS,I FEAR THE RAINY DAYS, I CANT SEE AT NIGHT CAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE BURNED OUT AND THE COVERS HAS A GLASS OVER THEM. *TR

1999 DODGE CARAVAN WITH APPROX 195,000 MILES. PLASTIC FUEL LINE ATTACHED TO GAS TANK EXPERIENCED SPONTANEOUS RUPTURE AND SPEWED GASOLINE ONTO MUFFLER. I NOTED A TRAIL OF LIQUID COMING FROM VEHICLE WHEN BACKED OUT OF DRIVE. STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE TO SEE GASOLINE POURING OUT AND ONTO HOT MUFFLER. CAR TURNED OFF IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND EMERGENCY EXITED VEHICLE TO BEGIN REMOVING CONTENTS IN FEAR OF EXPLOSION. DODGE REPORTS NO RECALL AND TO REPLACE FUEL LINE ENTIRE GAS TANK NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT COST OF $530 FOR JUST THE PART. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT IF I HAD NOT NOTED THE LIQUID TRAILS BEFORE THE MUFFLER HEATED UP MORE. WHEN MOVING THE CAR OUT OF THE STREET, THE DRIVER DOOR WAS DAMAGED AS THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND CONTROL WAS DIFFICULT. *TR

1. VEHICLE: 1999 DODGE CARAVAN SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPAGE WHEN ROAD IS WET. 2. THE BELT SLIPS OFF THE PULLEYS, STEERING POWER IS LOST AND I GET STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY STREETS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! (I WONDER IF I WOULD HAVE MADE IT OUT ALIVE IF I WAS DRIVING ON I-95!) ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE 100S - IF NOT 1000S - OF STORIES/COMPLAINTS: WIVES STRANDED IN THE SNOW WITH CHILDREN, ELDERLY PEOPLE STUCK IN A STREET IN A RAINY NIGHT, AND CARAVAN /VOYAGER OWNERS CHANGING BELT AND PULLEYS 2 OR 3 TIMES, WITHOUT THE PROBLEM BEING CORRECTED. IT SEEMS THAT THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS WILLINGLY IGNORED THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1996! I AM READING OF MISALIGNED PULLEYS AND MOTOR MOUNDS. THIS ISSUE NEEDS A RESOLVE AND A RECALL! AND.... THERE IS A FIX!!! PLEASE CHECK GATES PART #38379K AND GOODYEAR PART #49215K. SO, THERE IS A PROBLEM WHICH IS TOTALLY IGNORED BY CHRYSLER IN A FINAL NOTE, I AM GOING TO BUY "THE FIX" IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE WITH NO FEAR OF GETTING STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN A RAINY DAY OR NIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER CORPORATION SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS - NOT MY FAULT- THEIR SCREW UP! AND JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I CALLED CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO FIND OUT IF THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME. I CALLED THE WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE AND MY CALLED WAS ROUTED TO A CALL CENTER IN INDIA (!). I ASKED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUPERVISOR AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE IN THE US, WHICH I WAS. I SPOKE TO A SUPERVISOR, WHO TOLD ME "I AM SORRY. YOUR VEHICLE IS

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS. I REPLACE PULLEYS BELTS SEVERAL TIMES THIS HAS HAPPEN SINCE THE VAN RAN OUT OF WARRANTY. FINALLY I TOOK TO CHRYSLER AND THEY PUT DOUBLE PULLEYS ON AN A DOUBLE SIDE BELT COST WAS AROUND $300.00. CHRYSLER KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS IN WINTER TIME ALSO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL RAIL PREVIOUSLY LEAKED ON THE VEHICLE. ON DECEMBER 26, 2002, THE FUEL RAIL WAS REPLACED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT WOULD CONSTANTLY SMELL GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. CHRYSLER INITIALLY STATED THAT THERE WAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. THEY LATER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

BELT COMES OFF IN WET WEATHER. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HAVE REPLACED TENSIONER 4 TIMES. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN WET WEATHER CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

CORRODED STRUT TOWER ON DRIVER'S SIDE 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 1998-1999 MODEL YEARS. BULLETIN 23-044-02 DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM AS "COSMETIC." MECHANIC SAYS REPAIR (USING CHRYSLER REPAIR KIT) SHOULD RUN $350-450 USD. IF CHRYSLER IS AND HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS "SAFETY RELATED" ISSUE FOR SO LONG, WHY ARE THEY NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM FOR THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF PULLEY. OCCURRED FOUR (4) TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. TWICE DURING WINTRY CONDITIONS OF LESS THAN THREE (3) INCHES OF SNOW AND TWICE DURING NORMAL RAINFALL. MOST RECENT OCCURRED JUNE 29, 2008. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. ON APRIL 24, 2008, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL ILLUMINATED, AND THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE INCREASED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO COOL. HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN DRIVING CONDITION AND NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,929. UPDATED 07/07/08.*LJ THE FAN RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. THE HEADLIGHT HAD CONDENSATION ON THEINSIDE. UPDATED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT EVALUATED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW; HOWEVER, THE LOW OIL INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

SERPENTINE BELT HAS FALLEN OFF ON MANY OCCASIONS. USUALLY WHEN IT IS WET OUT. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE TO THE GARAGE ABOUT 12 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND SPENT ALOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX THIS. I KNOW THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE. I FEEL SINCE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO BE DRIVING AND LOSE ALL CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID WET WEATHER. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN IN WHICH THE STRUT HOUSING IS RUSTING OUT. I INQUIRED ABOUT IT SOME TIME AGO BUT DODGE DID NOT HAVE A FIX. THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE . IT IS NOW AT THE POINT WHERE IT WILL PUNCH THROUGH AND CAUSE THE CAR TO CRASH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER HAS RUST, WHICH EVENTUALLY COULD RESULT IN SUSPENSION-STRUT FAILURE AND LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. PICTURES AVAILABLE. *TR

99 DODGE CARAVAN IN REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE 4TH OR 5TH BELT TENSIONER & 7TH SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED LOSS OF POWER STEERING RENDERED VEHICLE DANGEROUS, BARELY AVOIDED ACCIDENT DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS PART UNTIL, AFTER SECOND CALL & DEMANDING TO SPEAK WITH MANAGER, I DIRECTLY ASKED: 'ARE THERE ANY PUBLICLY AVAILABLE NOTICES, WARNINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS, ETC, RELATED TO THE 99 DODGE CARAVAN AND SERPENTINE BELTS OR BELT TENSIONER'. FINALLY, THIS 'MANAGER' TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN (AVAILABLE TO REPAIR SHOPS, NOT CAR OWNERS) WHICH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN HEAVY SNOW (DEEPEST SNOW IT'S EVER BEEN IN WAS 3-4"). IF THE CO. HAD NO IDEA, THEN WHY IS THERE A FACTORY-MADE PART TO CORRECT IT? AND WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? WHY IS THIS INFORMATION SO DIFFICULT TO GET FROM THE COMPANY, AS THEIR CUSTOMER? THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAILURE BOTH ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY (FOR HIDING, NOT REPAIRING THIS SERIOUS FLAW) AND THE GOVERNMENT (FOR NOT FORCING A RECALL, THEREBY PUTTING THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH). *TR

TWICE THIS YEAR MY IGNITION BROKE AND I HAD TO HIRE A LOCKSMITH TO REPAIR IT. THE LAST TIME THE LOCKSMITH TOLD ME THERE IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT WITH THE IGNITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE HORN NO LONGER WORKED. ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,500.

ENGINE DEVELOPED A MASSIVE HIGH PRESSURE OIL LEAK CAUSING NEAR FLAME CONDITIONS, LOSS OF OIL AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THE DIFFICULTY IS DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEAD/ CYLINDER HEAD GASKET FAILURE SPRAYING A MIST OF HOT OIL ONTO THE HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REMAINING EXHAUST SYSTEM. VAPORIZED OIL SUBJECTED TO THESE CONDITIONS CAN EXPLODE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLACED OUT OF SERVICE. THE COST OF REPAIRS (NEW ENGINE) EXCEEDS THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. RESEARCH PROVED CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE PRIOR TO 1994 AND HAS ATTEMPTED TO PATCH THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN REPAIR IT CORRECTLY IN THOUSANDS OF CASES TO DATE. MY CONTENTIONS IS THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION KNOWING SOLD ME AN UNSAFE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE TO ME AND MANY OTHERS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH THE LOCAL MEIJER'S PARKING LOT WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE. THIS WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE A CATACLYSMIC EVENT BUT THIS TIME THE STRUT TOWER COLLAPSED ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO HIT THE INNER FENDER. I WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 10 MPH SO THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT IF THIS WERE TO HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DEATH WOULD BE GUARANTEED. THERE IS NO REASON FOR ANY VEHICLE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD TO HAVE THE DEGREE OF STRUCTURAL RUST THAT THIS VAN HAS. I HAVE SINCE SEEN MANY MORE VANS WITH THE SAME STRUCTURAL ISSUES AS MINE. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF OF NUMEROUS TIMES, BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. WHENEVER THE TENSION WHEEL GETS SPLASHED WITH WATER THE BELT POPS OFF. YOU IMMEDIATELY LOSE POWER STEERING, IT IS SO DANGEROUS!! THE CAR OVERHEATS. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY MECHANICS AND THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I HAVE SPENT MUCH MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED AND NOT TO MENTION THE STRESS. I HAVE ALSO RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THEY HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES IN BRAZIL BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES AT THE TIME. AFTER THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR, HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT MOVING UP AND DOWN AND HE HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN WITHOUT A SERVICE CHARGE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 11/21/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT THEN REMAINED LIT. ON JULY 3, 2006, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V480000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO REPAIR THE AIR BAGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. AFTER THE CONTACT HAD THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WIPERS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

STRUT TOWERS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. WHY IS SUCH A CRITICAL AREA ONLY GOOD FOR 9 YEARS? IS VEHICLE NOW IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION? WILL CHRYSLER PAY FOR REPAIRS. THEY SHOULD! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THROUGH PUDDLES IN THE ROAD, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE MODEL. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED, SHE CONDUCTED RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED A TSB. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON HER VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

WE HAVE HAD 5 GOODYEAR ALLEGRA TIRES BLOW OUT THERE SIDEWALLS WITHIN 14 MONTHS. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN A 45 MPH ZONE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED FOR ALIGNMENT AFTER EACH INCIDENT MECHANICAL SAYS VEHICLE HAS NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. *TR

ON 1999 AND POSSIBLY 2000, OR OTHER MODELS, DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN THE TOP OF THE DRIVERS SIDE & POSSIBLY PASSENGERS SIDE 'STRUT TOWER' RUSTS OUT. MOST BODY SHOPS AVOID MESSING WITH THIS DUE TO LIABILITY ISSUES. *JB

CORROSION OF LEFT FORWARD STRUT TOWER. DURING SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE, SAW EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON LEFT SHOCK TOWER IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CORROSION APPEARS TO HAVE DEVELOPED FROM INSIDE THE SHOCK TOWER AND ONLY BECAME APPARENT RECENTLY. CORROSION IS AFFECTING THE OUTBOARD HALF OF THE SHOCK TOWER AND AFFECTS TWO OF THE THREE BOLTS HOLDING THE STRUT TO THE TOWER. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERS BODY SHOP. THEY SAID THERE IS A FACTORY KIT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT IMPRESSED WITH ITS STRUCTURAL STRENGTH OR APPEARANCE. SUGGESTED REPLACING STRUT TOWER AS A BETTER OPTION AT THE COST OF $1300.00. SAID DODGE WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS 116K MILES. ASKED SERVICE MANAGER IF THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, SAID THEY HAD REPAIRED A FEW, AND THIS DEFECT SEEMS ALWAYS TO BE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF CARAVANS. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE HAD NOT SEEN ANY STRUT TOWERS FAIL, BUT RESEARCHING THIS WEB SITE THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FAILURES AND CONSTITUTES A SAFETY DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO CORRECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN FAILED TO WORK AT THE SAME TIME. SHE BELIEVES THE FAILURES ARE RELATED. INITIALLY, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND OFF, FOLLOWED BY A CHIME TO ALERT THE DRIVER. CURRENTLY, IT IS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED AND NO LONGER CHIMES. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED IN APRIL OF 2007 AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 93,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER IN THE VEHICLE AND ITS POWER STEERING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SNOWY OR WET EACH TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000.

PAINT STARTED TO WEAR OFF THE VEHICLE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED, AND THE MECHANIC AND THE BODY REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. DIAMLER-CHRYLSER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT COST TO THE CONTACT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 67000. *AK

THE RECLINER HANDLE FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BROKE OFF. *JB

UPON TAKING OUR 1999 DODGE CARAVAN IN FOR REPAIRS WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR LIVES WOULD BE AT RISK IF WE CONTINUED ON DRIVING OUR VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THAT THE UPPER STRUT MOUNTING HOUSE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF OUR VEHICLE IS SEVERELY CORRODED AND READY TO CRACK, THE SAME HOLDS TRUE ABOUT THE RIGHT SIDE BUT AT THIS TIME NOT AS SEVERE. WHEN ASKED HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH THEY HAVE WITNESSED BEFORE IN CHRYSLER VEHICLES. HOW HORRIBLE TO KNOW I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE WITH NOT ONLY MY CHILDREN BUT OTHERS IN IT. I WAS PUTTING ALL OUR LIVES AT RISK AND DID NOT EVEN KNOW IT. I CAN NOT BEGIN TO TELL YOU OF THE GREAT ANXIETY I HAVE SUFFERED OVER THIS SITUATION. WE WERE TOLD FOR OUR OWN SAFETY TO GET RID OF THE VAN, EASY FOR PEOPLE TO SAY WITH ONLY 2 PAYMENTS LEFT I MUST TAKE A GREAT LOSS OR FEAR FOR OUR LIVES. I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS A DEFECT OF THEIRS, I HAVE SEARCHED AND FOUND NO RECALL DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE INFORM ME WHAT TO DO I NEED YOUR HELP. *JB