2000 Dodge Caravan complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IN MAY OF 2003, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND IN JANUARY OF 2004 THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. IN MAY OF 2004, THE STEERING WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE AGAIN REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2004. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 04V480000, CONCERNING THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRINGS, HOWEVER WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2004 IT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. ALSO ,COMPLAINED ABOUT CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING, AND REPLACED CCLOCKSPRING . IN ADDITION, REPLACED CANISTER DUE TO LEAKING. *AK

BOUGHT NEW IN 2000 (FAILURE)SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED @ 39199 4-12-02 (FAILURE)SERPENTINE BELT & TENSIONER REPLACED @ 64389 8-20-03 (FAILURE)SERPENTINE BELT REPLACEDLATE SUMMER 2004 (FAILURE)SERPENTINE BELT & TENSIONER REPLACED @112,000 JAN 2006 TIMING BELT REPLACED @ 64389 8-20-03 TIMING BELT & TENSIONER REPLACED @110,646 11-25-05 MULTIPLE SENSOR FAILURES PAST 4 YEARS, AS WELL AS VALVE COVER GASKETS, CAM SEALS,CAM PACKINGS, CRANK SEAL, OIL PAN LEAKING. NOV 2005 ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON,& A SLIGHT KNOCKING, DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANY REAL REASON, BUT LUGGING WAS PRESENT DURING DRIVES. HAD TO REPLACE LEAKY TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK & SENSOR 11-25-05 ONLY TO TURN AROUND AND REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION 9 WEEKS LATER DUE TO MULTIPLE ENGINE FAILURES,@114,043 1-30-06 (WITH ANOTHER SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO TRANNY REPLACEMENT. 3 TOWS IN 2 MONTHS!( AND OVER $6,000 OUT OF POCKET) VIRTUALLY ALL REPAIR WORK DONE AT DEALER TOW TRUCK DRIVER NOTED THAT HE HAULS CARAVANS IN THE MOST OF ANY VEHICLE , AND MOSTLY FOR THE SERPENTINE BELTS, MANY TIMES A "REPEAT CUSTOMER IN NEED OF ANOTHER BELT" I WAS ONE OF HIS MANY! HOW MANY PROBLEMS HAVE TO BE REPORTED BEFORE ANY ACTION IS TAKEN? *JB

ONE DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK (ABOUT 10 MILES FROM MY HOUSE) I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO SECOND GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR. I HAD MY VAN TOWED TO A SHOP AND IT WAS TWO SENSORS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VERY NEXT DAY I WENT TO GET MY VAN I WENT TO WORK THE VAN SEEMED TO RUN LIKE NEW, AND THEN WHEN I GOT OFF OF WORK I ROLLED DOWN MY POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL BACK UP! TO HAVE THE TWO SENSORS FIXED WAS AROUND TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS AND TO GET THE WINDOW FIXED WAS ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS AND THAT PART FOR THE WINDOW WAS THE REGULATOR AND THE MOTOR, FOR A NEW PART WAS LIKE THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS, I GOT ONE USED. IT HAS BEEN SIX MONTHS SINCE I GOT THESE THINGS REPLACED AND NOW THEY ARE BOTH BROKE AGAIN! THE SENSORS AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR AND REGULATOR. I DO HAVE THE PARTS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE NOW BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS FROM BEFORE. *NM

2000 DODGE CARAVAN WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A TOTAL OF $$2250.00. THEN ON 1/11/06 IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE HAD TO HAVE A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER PLUS ALL THE OTHER PARTS REPLACED AGAIN. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL AND IT HAD TO BE FIXED AT THE CLOSEST TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE ABOUT THIS, AND THEY HAVE DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSED TO HEAR OF THIS COMPLAINT. THE MECHANIC RUTLAND TRANSMISSIONS (281) 350-1365 TOLD US THAT HE SEES MANY OF THESE DODGE CARAVANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HE TOLD US THAT HE SEES MANY OF THESE VANS WITH SIMILAR TRANSMISSIONS NEEDING REPLACEMENTS THAT GO BAD AROUND THE TIME THAT MINE DID. THIS IS REALLY A HORRIBLE PROBLEM THAT DODGE WILL NO REALIZE. WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO HAPPEN RIGHT AFTER THE VAN IS PAID FOR. WE DID NOT GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THINKING THAT NOTHING LIKE THIS WOULD EVER HAPPEN. *AK CAN YOU HELP? I WOULD APPRECIATE THIS VERY MUCH. I CAN FAX THE REPAIR INVOICES IF YOU NEED THEM. THIS IS WHY PEOPLE ARE GOING WITH JAPANESE CARS WHICH PROVE THAT AMERICAN ISN'T AS DEPENDABLE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FAN BELT WAS MAKING NOISES, AND THEN IT CAME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE FAN BELT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR ONE MONTH; THE BELT STARTED MAKING NOISES AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THIS TIME THEY PUT THE FAN BELT BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AGAIN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BELT REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING FINE. UPDATED 02/09/06. *JB

2000 DODGE CARAVAN HAD LOSS OF SERPENTINE BELT. THIS CAUSED LACK OFF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. *TS THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIME AND HAPPENED MOSTLY DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE DEALER INSTALLED A PULLEY SHIELD TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. EVEN AFTER THE SHIELD WAS INSTALL THE BELT SLIPPED OFF AGAIN. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT/TENSIONER 5 TIMES. THE BELT SHREDS WHILE DRIVING - THE BANGING SOUNDS LIKE A BRANCH OR SOMETHING IS STUCK UNDER THE HOOD. THE BANGING NOISE WILL EVENTUALLY STOP WHEN THE SHREDDED PIECES FALL OFF. I HAVE HAD THIS TAKEN CARE OF BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC ONCE BUT NOW TAKE IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD PAY FOR THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO REPLACE IT. MY VAN IS DRIVEN A LOT - HAS OVER 115,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN IT I AM AFRAID OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN SHOULD THE ENTIRE THING FAIL AND WE LOOSE ALL POWER. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RECALLED? *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION PIN FELL OUT AND TRANSMISSION LOCKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED REGULAR AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR WITH NO ROAD HAZARDS OR DEBRIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION PIN FELL OUT WITHOUT INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT, 3.3 L ENGINE DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTING AT ALARMING RATE, WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT OR REINFORCED OR STRUT AND SPRING ASSEMBLY WILL EVENTUALLY NOT BE SUPPORTED RESULTING IN FRONT WHEEL NOT BEING SUPPORTED. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 75K MILES.*JB

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 35 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. HOWEVER, SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES WHEN HER CHEST STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING GARAGE. AN INSURANCE ADJUSTOR HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE HOLIDAY. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

THE DIFFERENTIAL DRIVE PIN IN THE 41TE MODEL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FALLS OUT , LOCKING UP THE FRONT WHEELS. AND STALLING MOTOR. THEN TRANSMISSION WILL BLOW APART SENDING PIN AND FLUID GEARS RANDOMLY. *NM

2000 DODGE CARAVAN IGNITION FAILURE , DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE REPLACED 4 WITHIN A WEEK OR SO . *JB

DT: CONTACT STATES VEHICLE CAN BE CHANGED FROM ANY GEAR WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE. THE CONTACT'S SON GOT INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS RUNNING. TOOK IT OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT HOLDING THE BRAKES, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE CRASHING THROUGH A GARAGE DOOR. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED TO SEE WHY THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO GEAR WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKES.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR LOCKED. THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED. THE AIR CONDITIONER NO LONGER WORKED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

I OWN A DODGE BRAUN ENTERVAN.IN THE DESIGN OF THIS VAN BRAUN CUTS OUT THE FLOOR TO LOWER IT 10 INCHER.THE BRAKE LINES ARE REPLACED AND ARE LOCATED UNDER THE LOWERED FLOOR.THE QUALITY OF THE NEW BRAKE LINES ARE INFERIOR AND RUST THROUGH CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. I TRIED TO TELL BRAUN OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WOULD NOT RETURN MY PHONE CALLS. *NM

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. TODAY I SAW THAT THE TOP OF BOTH STRUT TOWERS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ARE RUSTING OUT. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF READING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AND CHRYSLER IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FAILURE AS OF YET, BUT IF NOT ADDRESSED QUICKLY THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT!!! *NM

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING. HE SMELLED A GAS ODOR COMING FROM THE VAN AND HAD IT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE LEAK. IT HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR THE PAST FOUR WEEKS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VAN TO A MECHANIC FOR SERVICE AND REPAIRS. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HE DISCOVERED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL AT THIS TIME.*AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL EACH TIME THE IGNITION WAS TURNED. *NM

I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTER TIE ROD BROKE. THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE STOP AS THE WHEEL TURNED IN. THE VEHICLE STEERING WAS LAST INSPECTED IN JULY 2005 (VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION) AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE TIE ROD BROKE AT THE TAPERED STUD. THIS DID RESULT IN A LOST OF STEERING. THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED. THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE UNBROKEN DRIVERS SIDE OUTER TIE ROD.*JB

DT: CONTACT STATES THE LEVER ON THE SEAT THAT IS USED TO RECLINE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. THIS HAPPENED ON 8-16-05. THE DEALER WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *AK THE CONSUMER COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE SEAT LEVER FIXED. *NM

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A LOCAL MARKET PARKING LOT, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE WITH THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE LEFT FRONT AXLE HAD FAILED. I REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER REPLACE THE FAILED COMPONENT AND HAD THE DEALER HOLD ONTO THE FAILED PART. WHEN I PICKED UP THE REPAIRED VEHICLE, I LOOKED AT THE FAILED COMPONENT AND SAW THAT IT HAD SHEARED COMPLETELY INTO TWO PIECES. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE. I CONSIDER THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

MY MECHANIC WHILE REPLACING THE FRONT BRAKES POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRONT LEFT TOWER WHICH HOLDS THE SHOCK. HE INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HE SEES WITH THE DODGE CARAVAN. I HAVE A 2000 SPORT MODEL. HE INDICATED THAT FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE SHOCK TO POP OUT, BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD AND POTENTIAL RESULT IN LOSS CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER HAVE BEEN UN COOPERATIVE IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. DEALER OR CHRYSLER WOULD NOT HELP IN TELLING ME HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT. *NM

I AM WRITING TODAY BECAUSE I PURCHASED A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN IN FEBRUARY 2005. EVERY MONTH SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES SERVICED. IN MARCH THE BRAKES WERE DUSTED OFF. AGAIN IN APRIL THE BRAKES AGAIN WERE DUSTED OFF ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. IN MAY THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE BRAKES I BELIEVE BOTH FRONT AND BACK. IN JUNE I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT GARAGE AND PAID TO HAVE THE BREAKS REPLACED AGAIN. THEN IN JULY THE CALIPERS AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED. IN AUGUST THE SAME GARAGE STATED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ABS NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I COULD ONLY HAVE THE BRAKES DONE AT THIS TIME. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1000 MINIMUM SO FAR REPAIRING MY CAR. AT THIS POINT I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE ABS DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS. ALSO I WAS TOLD THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AN ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE DONE, REAR SHOCKS, AND NEW TIRES. I NEED SOME ONE TO PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS CAR. *JB

THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF MY VAN 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THIS IS A FAMILY VAN AND DRIVEN DAILY WITH 5 CHILDREN IN IT. THIS IS A COMPLAINT OF MANY CARAVAN OWNERS. THERE ARE SITES ALL OVER THE INTERNET COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK FOR MAINTENANCE. HER HUSBAND JUST PUT NEW BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THEM AND EVERYTHING WAS GREAT. SHE LEFT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND NOW THE MASTER CYLINDER MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT SUGGEST HER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT SHE HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON HER VEHICLE FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF IT HAS BEEN COMING ON RANDOMLY. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON WHILE THEY WERE TEST DRIVING IT AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THE BRAKE FAILURE HAPPENED THE DAY AFTER SHE PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS JULY 8 AND THAT THE SOONEST THEY COULD GET HER VEHICLE IN WAS JULY 15, 2005. SHE HAD A RECALL ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , AND THEY WOULD NEVER CHECK THIS. BUT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE INSIDE LIGHT, STEREO, WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN, AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED. WHEN SHE WENT BACK ON JULY 15TH THEY DID NOT EVEN TEST DRIVE VEHICLE BECAUSE MILEAGE WAS THE SAME WHEN SHE LEFT AS IT WAS WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

DT: CALLER HAD TO HAVE THE MAIN BELT ON THE ENGINE FIXED 6 TIMES. WHEN THE BELT CAME OFF SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING, AND THE ENGINE BECAME RED HOT. CALLER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE BELT CAME OFF THE STEERING AND FROZE. THE CONSUMER COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. DEALER SAID EVERY TIME CALLER BROUGHT IN THE VAN, THE BELT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING SO MANY TIMES. MANUFACTURER SAID DEALER WAS DOING ALL THEY COULD, AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THE MANUFACTURER COULD DO. CALLER HAD IT TOWED 5 TIMES. A FEW TIMES THE BELT WAS JUST SLIPPED BACK ON UNTIL THEY GOT TO DEALER. DATES OF TOWING ERE: 11-19-02, 2-19-03, 4-15-04, 6-19-04, AND 6-30-05. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY VAN THEY SAW WITH THIS PROBLEM. CALLER STATED THE SPEED VARIED WHEN THE BELT CAME OFF.*AK

LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER RUSTED AWAY, NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME.

WITH 79,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO SAFE MODE AND LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR. REPAIR SHOP HOOKED VEHICLE UP TO DIAGNOSTICS AND VEHICLE WILL NEED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION LEAKS AND TRANSMISSION LINES LETTING GO DATING BACK TO FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. A TRANSMISSION SERVICE (AT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS) WAS COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY AT 74,000 MILES. OWNED 96 CARAVAN -TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 51,000 MILES. WAS ASSURED BY SALESPERSON AND SERVICE MANAGER THAT TRANSMISSION ON 2000 WAS A COMPLETE REDESIGN OR I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED A SECOND CARAVAN.

DT: CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH HER 2 LITTLE GIRLS. STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BRAKES FAILED AND STEERING LOCKED UP. WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT AND HIT TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE NO BRAKES IN THE VAN. *AK VAN. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM

PURCHASED A DODGE CARAVAN NEW, DELIVERED 03/19/00. 12/21/00 LEAKING TRANS SOLENOID PACK (NOT SURE IF THAT WAS RELATED TO CONSEQUENT FAILURES OF THE SERPENTINE BELT). THE SERPENTINE BELT, WHICH, ACCORDING TO DODGE MECHANICS SHOULD LAST 70,000 MILES, HAS FAILED FOUR TIMES ALREADY; MILEAGE AT LAST FAILURE: 68,145 MILES. THE BELT BREAKS WITH VERY LITTLE WARNING AT ALL, AND ALL POWER IS LOST, BRAKES, STEERING - WHICH COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, CAUSING MY DEATH OR THE DEATH OF OTHERS. FORTUNATELY, AFTER THE FIRST TIME, I RECOGNIZE THE SOUNDS - LIKE A TWIG BEING CAUGHT IN THE ENGINE - AS THE BELT SUDDENLY FRAYS, AND PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FAULT. DATES AND MILEAGE OF FAILURES: 04/19/01 18,456 - I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRING THE VEHICLE THAT I "HAD A BETTER CHANCE OF WINING THE LOTTERY THAN THIS HAPPENING AGAIN!" 05/18/02 32,229 MILES 02/17/03 40,349 A SHIELD, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN PUT ON THIS YEAR'S MODEL, WAS PUT ON BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE SHIELD WAS ON MODEL YEARS BEFORE AND AFTER 2000, BUT WAS OMITTED FROM THE 2000 LINE. THE SHIELD STOPPED RAIN AND SNOW FROM GOING INTO THE ENGINE, FREEZING THE BLOCK, AND/OR MIXING WITH THE OIL WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE BELT TO SLIDE ON THE PULLEYS AND THE BELT TO BRAKE. IF THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THIS FAULT, SURELY THE MANUFACTURER IS. WHILE THERE IS A LONGER TIME PERIOD BETWEEN THE BELT BRAKING AFTER THE SHIELD WAS PUT ON, IT STILL BROKE AGAIN IN UNDER 20,000 MILES. 05/21/05 68,149 INTERNET SEARCHES HAVE REVEALED AN

WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT, THE TIRE PEOPLE SHOWED ME A LEAK ON BOTH REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS. THE FRONT BRAKE CYLINDER NOW ALSO HAS A SMALL LEAK FROM THE GASKET. THE MINIVAN HAS 25,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED DECEMBER 2000. IT IS DRIVEN ON GOOD SUBURBAN ROADS.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, RING AND PINION SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COAST. THERE WAS NO POWER TO GENERATE GEARS FOR MOVING.THE TRANSMISSION LET GO AT THE SAME TIME. ALL THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK TRANSMISSION BLEW A HOLE INTO AND THROUGH ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. *BF *NM

WHILE VISITING A FAMILY FRIEND CONSUMER DISCOVERED A WATER LEAK T IN HIS CARAVAN. THIS LEAK RESULTED FROM WATER RUNNING DOWN THE EXTERIOR ROOF GROOVES AND DOWN TO THE BACK OF THE VAN. IT HAD A CRACK IN THE WELD THAT WAS FOUND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE UPPER PORTION OF THE VAN BODY, WHERE THE REAR HATCH WAS LOCATED. THE WATER ENTERED THE CRACK AND RAN DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE VAN . ALSO, PUDDLES WERE FOUND UNDERNEATH THE CARPET, WHICH RESULTS IN A MILD WET CARPET, BUT EVEN WORSE, RUST.*AK I LIFTED THE REAR CARPET IN MY VAN AND THERE WAS WATER AND THE CARPET PAD WAS WET. I HADN'T NOTICED IT BEFORE BECAUSE WE HAVE A PLASTIC LINER TRAY IN THE BACK. I BELIEVE MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM BUT ARE UNAWARE OF IT.

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER ONLY POWER STEERING FAILED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT POWER STEERING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS CHANGING THE OIL ON THE VEHICLE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE SPRING ON THE MCPHERSON STRUT WAS BREAKING OFF. THIS COULD CAUSE THE HOOD ON THE VEHICLE TO POP OFF, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. *AK

SUN VISOR WAS DEFECTIVE WHILE IN USE, THE SUN VISOR BROKE OFF ITS ASSEMBLY, PREVENTING THE BLOCKING OF SUNLIGHT WHILE DRIVING. *AK WHEN REPOSITIONING THE SUN VISOR TO BLOCK THE SUN, THE SUN VISOR BROKE OFF IN CONSUMER'S HAND. MANUFACTURE NOTIFIED. *TT

SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT TIMES MY VAN (AUTOMATIC 4-CYLINDER 2000 CARAVAN), IT WILL CONTINUOUSLY SHIFT, MAKING THE VAN FELL LIKE ITS PULLING AND GIVING/JERKY (**SCARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS**). THE VAN WILL SHAKE(VIBRATE). THE GAS PEDAL EVEN VIBRATES. THE VAN SOUNDS LOUD(FRONT AREA OF CAR), MY SON SAYS IT SOUNDS LIKE A RACE CAR.HE GETS SCARED. THE WHEELS SEEMS TO BE HUGGING/GRIPPING THE GROUND( ANOTHER WAY TO DESCRIBE IT, IT FEELS AS IF GRAVITY WAS PULLING THE CAR DOWNWARD). THE VAN SEEMS TO LOSE POWER, AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL MAKES THE RUMBLING NOISE (ENGINE?) LOUDER.*AK

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. DRIVER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *AK

SEPT. 7, 2001, THE BATTERY IN MY ONE YEAR OLD DODGE CARAVAN DIED. I ASKED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE BE INVESTIGATED. I WAS BLOWN OFF. APRIL 29, 2003, THE SECOND BATTERY DIED. I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AT THIS TIME AND AGAIN I ASKED THAT THIS ISSUE BE INVESTIGATED. NOTHING WAS DONE. EACH TIME BEFORE THE BATTERY DIED, THE ALARM SYSTEM ON MY CAR WOULD ACT FLAKEY. WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN, I ASKED LANDERS CHRYSLER TO LOOK AT IT. THEY FOUND NOTHING. A FEW WEEKS LATER, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL WITH A CURVE WHEN THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND NEARLY HIT A MAIL BOX. I WAS ABLE TO START MY CAR AND CONTINUED BUT NEARLY HIT A CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN SHARP ENOUGH. I WAS LUCKY IN BOTH CASES THAT I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR ANY ONE. LANDERS EVENTUALLY LOCATED THE PROBLEM, A FAULTY EVS MODULE. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REPAIR THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT BECAUSE I NOW HAVE 63,800 MILES ON MY CAR EVEN THOUGH EVIDENCE INDICATES THE PROBLEM EXISTED WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. LANDERS TOLD ME I COULD DISABLE THE DEVICE BY PUSHING A BUTTON ON THE DASH THAT DEACTIVATES THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, CERTAINLY THE POTENTIAL WAS THERE. I DID A SEARCH ON SOME AUTO FORUMS AND FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO DESCRIBE VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS TO MINE AND OTHERS WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT SUDDENLY STALLING. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW WIDESPREAD THIS PROBLEM IS. I DO KNOW TH

WE HAD 3-TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN OUR 1990 GRAND CARAVAN AT <72K MILES, WHICH DODGE HANDLED REASONABLY WELL. OUR 2000 GRAND CARAVAN SPORT HAD TO HAVE ITS SOLENOID PACK REPLACED TODAY AT ~50K MILES, SO I SUSPECT A TRANSMISSION IS IN ITS SHORT TERM FUTURE AS WELL. IV'E READ ALL SORTS OF HORROR STORIES REGARDING SAFETY ISSUES DURING THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES, I.E., DRIVE LINES PUCHING THROUGH CASES, ETC.. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS? ISN'T A COMPANY EVERY LIABLE FOR ITS PRODUCTS? MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS WERE FIXED, OR I NEVER WOULD HAVE BOUGHT ANOTHER CARAVAN, ESPECIALLY IF A SAFETY ISSUE WAS INVOLVED. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSSUE OR NOT?*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 65,000 MILES. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. *AK

RECALL CAMPAIGN: CLOCKSPRING RECALL. *NM RECALL# 04V480000. *SC THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD OVER 70,000 MILES, AND THE RECALL WAS ONLY FOR VEHICLE WITH 0-70,000 MILES. *JB

OVER THE PAST YEAR THE DRIVEBELT HAS FALLEN OFF THE ENGINE PULLEYS THREE TIMES DURING HEAVY RAIN. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. *AK

DURING A 35 MPH FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED NECK INJURES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTS OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT THE FOOT BEHING ON THE BRAKE. 4 YEAR OLD HIT THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND ACROSS THE STREET. *TC

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. AS A RESULT, WHEN KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. *AK

THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, THE BRAKE LINE LEAKED, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, THE FRONT AXLE AND CALIPER PADS/ROTORS BROKE SPILLING BALL JOINT INTO THE STREET. *BF THERE WERE ALSO SCREECHING SOUNDS, ODOR(S), VIBRATIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND THE A/C FAILED.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

PART IN QUESTION WAS A CROSS OVER MANIFOLD PIPE; IT CONNECTED TWO MANIFOLDS TOGETHER ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK. *SC *JB

THE REAR END PIN SNAPPED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB