2003 Dodge Caravan complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT; A WHINING AND GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. THE WATER PUMP, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 2/24/2006 - *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, WHICH FIXED THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY. THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED A SECOND TIME A MONTH AFTER THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE BRAKES FAILED A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE AUTO TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN THE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT THE DEALER REPLACED IT IN AN EFFORT TO ALLEVIATE THE BRAKING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES FAILED ONCE AGAIN. IN FOUR INCIDENTS OF BRAKE FAILURE SPEED OR ROAD CONDITIONS DID NOT APPEAR TO PLAY A PART.*AK

PURCHASED 2003 DODGE CARAVAN AUGUST 10, 2003. JUNE 9, 2004 - 11,438 MILES - BRAKES REPLACED, ROTORS RESURFACED. OCTOBER 23, 2004 - 16,533 MILES - ROTORS RESURFACED. MARCH 5, 2005 - 21,887 MILES - FAULTY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, ROTORS REMOVED AND REPLACED. SEPTEMBER 24, 2005 - 29,609 MILES - ROTORS RESURFACED JANUARY 4, 2006, 33,071 MILES - RECOMMENDED BRAKES REPLACEMENT AND ROTOR RESURFACING, DEALERSHIP REFUSING TO HONOR WARRANTY FOR BRAKES WITH LESS THAN 12 MONTH OR 12K MILES. *JB

MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN MAKES A LOT OF NOISE WHEN YOU GO OVER A BUMP WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SWAY BAR LINK BUSHINGS WERE BAD. CONVENIENTLY MY EXTENDED SERVICE AGREEMENT DID NOT COVER THIS AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE EVERY CARAVAN THAT COMES IN HAS NEEDED THESE AND HE WAS SURPRISED IT WAS NOT COVERED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IF THESE BREAK IT COULD COMPROMISE THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON THIS VEHICLE TWICE AND IT HAS ONLY 59,000 MILES I HAVE ALSO HAD COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE COMPONENTS ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE MOTOR LEADING TO REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR, POWER STEERING PUMP, WATER PUMP, AC, AND THE MAIN DRIVE PULLEY OF THE MOTOR ALONG WITH THE LIGHTS RADIO,HEATER FAN AND TRANSMISSION ALL HAVING PROBLEMS. WHEN I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE SWAY BAR LINKS THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS. *JB

TOOK MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN IN FOR AN OIL CHANGES AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP (AFTER HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE) THAT THE FOLLOWINGS THINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED ON THE VAN THAT ON HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT: STEERING RACK AND FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHINGS ALONG WITH THE ALTERNATOR AND BELT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE AND THE NOISE WAS INSPECTED. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR, RACK AND PINION STEERING, AND SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. DUE TO THE LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT WAS SEEKING A SECOND OPINION BEFORE MAKING ANY REPAIRS. *AK

1. OVER THE WEEKEND DRIVERS SEAT BELT FAILURE (FEMALE CLASP) UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS 2. DRIVER OF VEHICLE WAS NOT COMPLIANT WITH OHIO STATE SEAT BELT LAWS AND NOT RESTRAINED IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT 3. I PURCHASED A NEW SEAT BELT PART FROM THE PARTS DEPARTMENT ASAP. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED EVERY TIME THA HE APPLIED THE BRAKES IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A GROWLING NOISE. ON COLDER DAYS ONE COULD HEAR NOISE MORE OFTEN. IN WARM WEATHER ONE WOULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE AS OFTEN. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY SUGGESTED HE CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V386000 CONCERNING THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THE SOLUTION CALLED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE STEERING WHEEL MADE NOISE WHEN TURNING. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT MAKE THIS NOISE BEFORE THE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED. *AK UPDATED DEC 7 2005. *JB

MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN, WITH 40K MILES, WENT TO THE SHOP TODAY FOR NEW TIRES. AT THAT TIME I ALSO ASKED THAT THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT BE CHECKED AND CORRECTED, IF NECESSARY. A SHORT WHILE LATER I WAS CONTACTED BY THE MANAGER STATING THAT THEY COULD NOT DO A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DUE TO THE TIE ROD ENDS BEING SO LOOSE AND WORN OUT. WE LIVE ON A PAVED ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN A FRONT COLLISION OR EVEN HIT A CURB, TO MY KNOWLEDGE. THE VEHICLE IS NOW PARKED AWAITING NEW TIE ROD ENDS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER WOULD PUT SUCH JUNK ON A CAR IN SUCH A CRITICAL SAFETY AREA. I WONDER HOW MANY MORE DODGE CARAVAN'S HAVE A SIMILAR SERIOUS PROBLEMS? *JB

2003 DODGE CARAVAN BRAKES GO TO FLOOR WHEN STOPPED CAUSING LOST OF BRAKING. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES INCLUDING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT DISCOVERED THERE WAS AN INCORRECT ALIGNMENT OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. AFTER THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW BRAKE SYSTEM THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. *AK

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. OVER A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR HAS HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A WHINING NOISE THAT APPEARS TO COME FROM THE STEERING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND CONTINUES FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MINUTES. THE NOISE GETS LOUDER AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED, AND FEEL A SLIGHT VIBRATION UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. THIS IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN HE TURNS THE WHEEL. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED TWO POWER STEERING PUMPS, AND PROVIDED A REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK AND PINION, THE LAST TIME AT THE SERVICE DEALER THEY REPLACED A POWER STEERING HOSE AND INSTALLED AN NC FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. NONE OF THE REPLACEMENTS OR REPAIRS HAS REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. THE COST OF REPAIRS HAS BEEN COVERED 50/50 BY THE CONSUMER AND THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HIM TO THE LOCAL SERVICE DEALER. AS OF THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2005, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES TO WHERE MY WIFE AND I WERE TO DROP OFF OUR DAUGHTER AT A FRIENDS HOUSE. UPON ARRIVING AT MY FRIENDS HOUSE, MY SON AND 3 OTHER PASSENGERS REMAINED IN THE VEHICLE AND DUE TO THE WEATHER, THE CAR REMAINED RUNNING WITH THE AC ON. WHEN WE ENTERED OUR FRIENDS HOUSE, WE OBSERVED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. WE IMMEDIATE RAN TO THE VEHICLE TO GET OUR SON AND THE OTHER PASSENGERS OUT. WE ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AND PLACED A 911 CALL TO THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. *NM

HEADING OFF TO THE MALL ONE EVENING, I DROPPED OFF MY WIFE AND MY SON, KEEPING MY OTHER SON AND HIS FRIEND WITH ME. AS I PULLED AWAY, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I COULD SEE MELTING PLASTIC AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE SMALL FIRE BALLS DROPPING TO THE GROUND UNDER THE HOOD. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND GOT THE KIDS OUT OF THE CAR . CALLED 911 AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE FLAMES WERE 10-15 FEET IN THE AIR. THERE WAS A RE-CALL ON THIS CAR ABOUT A STEERING HOSE I BELIEVE THAT I HAD DONE. OTHER THAN THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. IT WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND HAD ONLY 17,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED.*JB

GRINDING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING SYSTEM. *JB

CONSUMER REQUEST CHRYSLER CONTACT QUADRIPLEGIC CUSTOMERS & COMPANIES THAT MODIFY VANS RE AIR CONDITIONER LUBRICATION DEFECT, WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR HIS 2003 DODGE CARAVAN EX. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL IN RE TO A/C LUBRICATION PROBLEM. IT ALSO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 70000 MILES. THE CONSUMER DECIDED TO WAIT TO HAVE THE A/C REPAIRED. WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY HE DECIDED TO TURN ON THE A/C. WHEN HE DID THE COMPRESSOR LICKED UP AND RIPPED OFF THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ALTERNATOR AND BRAKES, ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOED TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE THEY REPLACED THE BELT. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR TOWING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. SECONDLY THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE ANY OF THE COMPONENTS WHICH WERE DAMAGED S A RESULT OF THE A/C FAILURE NOT REPAIRED BY A CHRYSLER. (THE VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED BY BRAUN CORPORATION). *NM

DT: NOTICED THAT AROUND SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 THAT THE DESIGNED SEAT OF THE SECOND ROW SEATS HINGE IN THE FRONT SEAT LOCKS ON THE BACK. WHEN LOCKING THE SEAT IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE LOCK. BUT, IN REALITY, THEY ARE NOT LOCKING IN THE BACK OF SECOND ROW SEAT. THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY LOCKED. WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN THE SEAT AND ITS IS NOT LOCKED IT WILL ROTATE FORWARD. THE ROW IN FRONT FEATURES A HARD PLASTIC HANDLE THAT IF THE CHILDREN WOULD HIT WOULD CAUSE EVEN MORE DAMAGE WHEN NOT PROPERLY LOCKED DOWN. THIS HAPPENED WITH THE CONSUMER'S CHILD IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE ENTIRE WEIGHT OF THE SEAT WAS ON HIM. HE HIT THE BACK FRONT SEAT, AND THIS BROKE TEETH. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND THEY JUST COMPLAINT. *AK

2003 DODGE CARAVAN ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK WIDE OPEN.*MR THE DEALER EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE LINKAGE HAD BEE COMPROMISED DUE TO VARNISH. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS COULD HAS RESULT FROM BAD GAS OR AN UNCLEAN AIR FILTER. *NM

APPROX. 10:30 ON SAT. AUG. 27TH, 2005 I DROVE MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN TO WAL-MART ON BLEACHERY BLVD TO GET MY SON A HAT FOR THE PARADE HE WOULD BE IN AT NOON THAT DAY. AS I PARKED MY VAN AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND TURNED TO LOOK FOR MY PURSE ON THE BACK SEAT, I DECIDED TO GET OUT AND OPEN THE LEFT BACK SLIDING DOOR. AS I TURNED GETTING OUT OF THE VAN THE DRIVERS AIRBAG EXPLODED IN MY BACK AND PUSHED ME THE REST OF THE WAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE. MY FATHER AND SON WERE WITH ME AND MY FATHER CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPT. CAME AND MADE A REPORT BECAUSE THE AIRBAG CAUSE WHELPS AND BURNS ON MY BACK AND I LATER WENT TO THE ER AFTER MY SON FINISHED HIS EVENTS FOR THE DAY. THE FIRE DEPT. CALLED APD(POLICE)AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT... THE OFFICER (KEITH MCCULLOCH #2600) SAID THAT BECAUSE I WAS SITTING STILL AND HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING AND NOTHING HIT ME, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT NEEDED.. HE THEN GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER TO THE NHTSA AND SAID TO FILE A COMPLAINT.... SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET CHRYSLER TO RESOLVE THE MATTER QUICKLY SO I CAN GET MY VEHICLE BACK. THEY HAVE DRUG THEIR FEET ON THE MATTER AND SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEY MADE A DECISION IN ABOUT 10 WORKING DAYS. THE INCIDENT IS A CLEAR DEFECT AND THEY ARE TRYING MAKE IT OUT TO BE MY FAULT. *JB

BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE, NOVEMBER OF 2004, AND AUGUST OF 2005. *JB

DT: CONTACT OWNED A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRYING TO GET INTO VEHICLE A FEW WEEKS AGO REALIZED THAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR THERE WAS NO KEY LOCK TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM WHICH UNLOCKS ALL OF THE DOORS. HE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS THE ONLY DOOR THAT HAS THE ACTUAL KEY LOCK. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO STATED IT WAS THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

DT: THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE, REVERSE, AND ALL THE WAY TO PARK. IT WOULD FINALLY GO INTO DRIVE AFTER IN WAS IN PARK FOR A FEW MINUTES. HAD NOT CONTACTED DODGE DEALER YET, BUT THIS STARTED HAPPENING LAST SATURDAY JULY 16, 2005. NOTICED SINCE THEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP IT MADE A CLINKING NOISE LIKE IT WAS TRYINGTO SHIFT DOWN. *AK

I HAVE A 2003 CARAVAN AND A 2004 RAM AND HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES. I BELEIVE THAT THE FACTORY MUST HAVE USED FAULTY ROTORS. LAST AUGUST, TO MY AMAZEMENT I HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED WHEN THE DEALER PUT NEW PADS ON MY CARAVAN (26,000 MILES). I BEGRUDGINGLY PAID OVER 200 DOLLARS FOR THIS. 9 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL ARE PULSING AGAIN AND THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THE ROTORS MUST BE TURNED AGAIN EVEN THOUGH THE PADS ARE FINE. I EXPECTED THAT THE DEALER WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS SINCE THEY WERE JUST SERVICED 9 MONTHS AGO BUT THEY SAID I WAS 200 MILES OVER THE LIMIT. I ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY RAM AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD MORE THAN 50% OF MY PADS LEFT I HAD WARPED ROTORS AND HAD TO PAY THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM TURNED. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT LITHIA DODGE IN OMAHA, PREVIOUSLY JIMS DODGE, AND HE HAD THE AUDACITY TO TELL ME IF I REPLACE THE ROTORS THE NEW ONES WILL BE GUARANTEED FOR LIFE NOT TO WARP! WHY WOULD YOU GUARANTEE THE AFTERMARKET ROTORS BUT NOT THE ROTORS FROM THE FACTORY??!

THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2003 DODGE CARAVAN; SUCH PROBLEMS WERE A KNOCK IN THE TRANSMISSION AND 2 BRAKE JOBS. *JB THE TWO BRAKES JOBS OCCURRED WITHIN ONE YEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL KNOCKED (RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V386000), THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN DOWN AT 8K MILES, THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS OFF, THE GEAR PANEL ILLUMINATED, AND THE WINDOW HAD BECOME LOOSE. 80% OF THE VEHICLES PROBLEMS WAS UNDER 10K MILES. THE ROTATION NOISE CONTINUED AND THE RUBBER LINING AROUND THE SLIDING DOOR WAS COMING OFF. OTHER PROBLEMS: WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK TO DRIVE, ALL OF THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE, THE FRONT RIMS/HUB CAPS WERE DIRTY DUE TO EXCESSIVE LEAKAGE AROUND THE BRAKES, EVEN DURING NORMAL WASHING, THERE WAS A MILD RINGING NOISE IN THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DOOR RATTLED, THE REAR TAIL LAMP WAS DAMAGED, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND BACK-UP LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT, THE BRAKES WERE GOING BAD AGAIN, THE ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER DUE TO NO FUEL PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT, WHEN THE DRIVER DOOR WAS SHUT IT MADE A LOUD RATTLE SOUND, THERE WOULD BE A DELAY IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN GOING UPHILL, WHEN SITTING AT IDLE, THE ENGINE WOULD SOUND AS IF IT WERE REVVING BUT THE GAUGE DID NOT DISPLAY THIS. *SC *JB

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHEN TAKING OFF VEHICLE HESITATES SHIFTING INTO GEAR. WHEN COMING TO A STOP HARD DOWNSHIFT AND FEELS LIKE BEING HIT IN REAR END. ON ONE OCCASION RECENTLY GOING UP HILL VAN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL FOR NO REASON. FIRST TIME FIXED AT 4493 MILES 9/10/04, MILEAGE 2ND TIME PROBLEM APPX 5850 MILEAGE TODAY 5950 AS OF 6/17/05 REPORTED TO DEALER 6/14/05 5908 MILES APT FOR FIXING 6/29/05

TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THERE WAS A JERKING AND CLICKING NOISE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WENT UP A HILL. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 279 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. AT 1829 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CYLINDER NUMBER 4 WAS MISFIRING. THE DEALER REPLACED A SPARK PLUG. AFTER 13,301 MILES THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. AT 14,456 MILES THE REAR WHEELS MOVED BUT THE FRONT WHEELS WOULD MOVE ALONG WITH BIG NOISE. THERE WAS HESITATION AND RUMBLING WHEN IN DRIVE. TOOK TO DEALER AND FOUND FRONT PUMP IN TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED. ON APRIL 4-7, 2005 AGAIN TO DEALER WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG. ON APRIL 28, 2005 HESITATION ALONG WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. APRIL 29 CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. MAY 2, 2005 WAS TOLD NEED REPLACEMENT OF VALVE BODY AND TRANSMISSION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES. ALL THIS OCCURRED AS CAR HAS YET TO HAVE 15,000 ACTUAL MILES. *NM *NM

I AM LEASING A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS UNUSUALLY HIGH. AT THE END OF A TWO YEAR PERIOD I HAD OVER 33000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I DRIVE 40 MILES PER DAY ROUND TRIP TO WORK 5 DAYS A WEEK MINUS 2WEEKS VACATION. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN NO MORE THAN 50 MILES ON THE WEEKENDS. WE PREVIOUSLY LEASED A VEHICLE FOR 18 MONTHS A KIA SPORTAGEAND DUE TO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS CANCELLED THE LEASE FOR THE CARAVAN. WHEN WE MADE THE TRADE THE KIA HAD 22000 MILES ON IT AND OUR DRIVING HABITS HAVE NOT CHANGED. IS THERE A WAY TO CHECK THE ODOMETER FOR ACCURACY? I BELIEVE THE DEALER HAS MODIFIED THE ODOMETER TO GET PENALTY MILEAGE AT THE END OF THE LEASE.

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LOCKED UP.*MR THE VEHICLE STEERING LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT A BELT HAD SHEARED OFF AND CAUSED A LEAK. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE UPPER POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE AND BELIEVES THAT THIS RECALL IS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM HER VEHICLE HAD. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *NM

MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN WILL NOT START, SINCE FRI. MAY 20,2005. IT IS NOW AT SUPREME CO. 281-996-7888 FRANK FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION SWITCH DESTROYED THE STARTER AND RELAY AND THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED THRU THE DEALER. WHY IS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM? HAS SUCH A PROBLEM BEEN REPORTED? WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR SUCH DEFECT?

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED IT WAS A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT RUPTURED. *JB

DT CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING HOSE IS CROSSING OVER THE WATER LINE AND THE CLAMPS LEADING TO THE RADIATOR. HE STATES THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *JB *SB

DT CONSUMER STATES THE HEADLIGHTS ON HER VEHICLE GOES OFF AND ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ON TEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TT

THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN 50000 MILES OF DRIVING. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC EVENT LEADING TO THESE COMPONANT FAILURES. THE DEFECT CAUSES ROUGH VEHICLE HANDLING I.E. ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE, FACTORY INSTALLED AND TWO REPLACEMENTS. ORIGINALLY INSTALLED ASSEMBLY WAS DISCARDED. THE TWO REPALCEMENTS WERE PERFORMED BY THE ORIGINAL SELLING DEALERSHIP, MONROE CHRYSLER SUPERSTORES, USING MOPAR REPLACEMENTS.*AK

2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE MADE A LEFT TURN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. *JB

STREERING WHEEL NO LONGER LOCKS WHEN KEY IS REMOVED. WE HAVE SEVERAL DODGE MINI VANS (YEARS 03,04) IN OUR WORK FLEET AND 4 OF THE 5 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

I MANAGE A FLEET THAT CONTAINS 13, 2003 DODGE CARAVANS. SO FAR 5 OF THE 13 VANS HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OIL SENSOR. ALL THE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 16,000 AND 18,000 MILES. THE DEALER DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING PROACTIVE ABOUT CHANGING OUT THE OTHER SENSORS ON THE OTHER 8 VEHICLES. I CALLED CORPORATE AND THEY TOOK THE SAME STANCE, AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT NHTSA. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WILL COME ON. THE DRIVER DOESN'T KNOW IF THE ENGINE IS GETTING OIL OR NOT. SOMETIMES SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNING IT BACK ON TURNS OFF THE LIGHT, AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF MY FLEET, I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.*AK

VEHICLE IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME STOPPING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY CONSUMER.*AK THE VEHICLE NEEDED TWO FRONT ROTORS. *TC

THE ROTOS AND BRAKES WORN AT 15,000 MILES. CONTACTED THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REMAINED. *AK

WAS DRIVING THE VAN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE RADIO AND HEAT CONTINUED TO GO ON AND OFF, THEN THE WIPERS AND LIGHTS WENT. ONCE THE VAN SLOWED DOWN AND CAME TO A STOP EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. WAS LOOKED AT BY A DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER MODULE. ONE MONTH WENT BY WITH NO PROBLEM THEN IT REPEATED ALL THE ABOVE. BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY SAID THAT THEY THOUGHT IT MAY BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEY REPLACED SWITCH AND I DROVE THE VAN THEN WHEN RETURNING FROM MY DESTINATION IT REPEATED THE PROBLEM AGAIN. DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT IT AGAIN RAN ALL THE TESTS THEY COULD THINK OF AND COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE. THEY SAID BRING IT BACK WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY SOMETHING COULD BE PICKED UP ON THE MACHINE. *JB

THE DRIVER WAS FILLING UP THE GAS TANK AT A GAS STATION AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT RECALL NOTICE 02V274000 FUEL TANK CONTROL VALVE WELD WAS ISSUED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS DISCUSSION WAS HELD WITH VEHICLE SAFETY HOT LINE OPERATOR. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES. THE GARAGE THAT DID THE WORK STATED THAT 1ST BRAKES SHOULD LAST APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. DODGE/CHRYSLER WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM TOLD ME THAT THEY ONLY COVERED BRAKES FOR 12,000 MILES. I'VE NEVER REPLACED BRAKES AT 12,000 MILES.... *NM

WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED VEHICLE 5 TIMES, BUT THE THE SAME PROBLEMS RECURRED. *AK

MY 2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAD A FAULTY BEARING IN THE ALTERNATOR WHICH REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I AM A LONG-TIME DODGE OWNER, HAVING OWNED AND DRIVEN TWO DODGE OMNIS, TWO DODGE DAKOTA PICK-UPS AND THIS IS MY SECOND CARAVAN, THE FIRST WENT 110,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE AN ALTERNATOR, AND I DRIVE MOST OF MY VEHICLES UNTIL THEY HAVE 150,000 TO 200,000 MILES. *NM

LOUD VIBRATION TYPE RATTLE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE, OCCURS MOSTLY AT AROUND 30 TO 40 MPH WHEN DRIVING SLOW WITH VEHICLE UNDER SLIGHT STRAIN IN GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). BEEN TO DEALER +- 6 TIMES, ONE DEALER CHANGED EXHAUST SYSTEM TO NO AVAIL. ITS GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. CHRYSLER HAS NO CLUE WHAT IT IS.? *JB

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS RUBBING THE WHEEL WELL. *NM THE INNER FENDER WHEEL COVER HAD BEEN MODIFIED FOR THE HANDICAP WHEEL CHAIR CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND HOSES TO BE OFF CENTER. MODIFICATIONS WERE NOT MADE BY CHRYSLER. *TC

RECALL 04V386000/POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE: DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR CONSUMER'S RECALL NOTICE.*AK

WHEN DRIVING ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERRTAINED TO POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK