Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1992 record →
TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST SAID LIFE EXPECTANCY IS 50,000 - 70,000 MILES. MADE HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISE GOING UP A HILL AND THEN WOULD NOT GO VERY FAST(APPROX 15 MPH) SPECIALIST SAID OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSIONS ARE RATED ON CUNSUMER REPORTS WEBISTE AS NOT VERY GOOD. CHRYSLER NOTIFIED AND NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING REGARDING PROBLEM. LOCAL DEALER STATES REBUILD A LOT DUE TO SEALS HARDENENNG AND NOT FLEXIBLE.
THE AIR CONDITIONER/ HEADLIGHTS & RADIO FAILED TO WORK DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL HARNES SHORTING OUT. HAD IT REPAIRED AT DEALER. ALSO THE ELECTRIC MIRROR FELL OUT OF THE VISOR ONTO THE DRIVER'S LAP. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON TRANSMITION SLIPED COUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE SPEED AND COME TO A STOP.
ABS RECALLED BUT ABS CONTINUES TO FAIL DESPITE REPLACED CONTROLLER MODULE X2, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SWITCHES. UPON BRAKING THE PEDAL VIRBRATES FOLLOWED BY ABS & BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TURN ON. ALSO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER RELEASED BRAKE PEDAL OR ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE ( DEALER FOUND NO DEFECT ON NUMEROUS OCCASION )
PEELING AND CHIPPING PAINT SINCE THE FIRST DAY THAT WE BOUGHT THE VAN THE VAN IS IN PERFECT CONDITION OTHER THAN THE PEELING AND FLAKING PAINT WHICH FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH DODGE VANS OF THE SAME YEAR AND COLOR. THE DEALER HAS BEEN ASKED TO CHECK TO SEE IF CHRYSLER TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTTING A NEW PAINT JOB BECAUSE WE ARE PLEASED WITH THE VAN IT SUITS ALL OUR NEEDS.
CONSUMER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, HIT AN OBJECT PUT A 1 1/2 IN HOLE AND RUPTURED THE GAS TANK, THE DESIGN DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHIELD PROTECTION. *ET
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
NO SUMMARY
VEHICLE NOW ON THIRD TRANSMISSION. THE 604 OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSION EVIDENTLY HAS A MAXIMUM LIFE OF ABOUT 70,000 MILES, IF THAT MUCH. THE 604 IS PRONE TO FAIL AT ANY TIME. CHRYSLER/DODGE KNOWS THIS. THE DEALERS KNOW THIS. THE REPAIR SHOPS KNOW THIS. THE NHTSA SHOULD KNOW THIS. OUR BANK ACCOUNT CERTAINLY DOES. THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A SAFETY DEFECT ALTHOUGH A COMPLETE FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION WHEN NONE SHOULD REASONABLY BE EXPECTED COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF LIFE AND/OR PROPERTY. YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN US TRY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN OUR TRANSMISSION FAILED. IN THIS RESPECT, WE WERE LUCKY.
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE 2ND FAILED WHILE DRIVING, WENT FROM 35 TO 15 AND RPM WENT FROM 2 TO 5. HAD TO BE COAXED TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. THE 3RD, AT 113,500, IS PRESENTLY NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY, BUCKING, AND CUTTING OUT WHILE DRIVING, ALTHOUGH NOT ALL THE TIME. HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE 3RD. *AK
FUEL RAIL PIPE THAT JOINS FUEL INJECTORS TO BOTH SIDES OF THE ENGINE STARTED SPRAYING FUEL ON VALVE COVERS. USED PARTS DEALERS IN THE PHOENIX AREA TELL ME THEY RECEIVE 3-4 CALLS PER WEEK FOR THIS PART. IT IS AVAILABLE NEW FROM THE DEALER ONLY AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $500 WITH ALL SEALS. SINCE SO MANY CARAVAN OWNERS SEEM TO BE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, THE NHTSA SHOULD LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE PROBLEM. *AK
OVERDRIVE "O" RING BREAKS, CAUSES VEHICLE TO GO INTO LIMP MODE. REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT 85000, CURRENT TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AT 110000 MILES (25000 CURRENT MILES ON TRANSMISSION)- SAME CAUSE
HARNESS STRAPS ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT NO LONGER FUNCTION. THE LOCKING MECHANISM NO LONGER LOCKS THE HARNESS STRAPS IN PLACE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT. THE BENCH SEAT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
I BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS RUNNING EXCESSIVELY, THEY CHECK IT OUT AND SAID THEY WASN'T ANYTHING ABNORMAL. ON 4-13-1995 MY BRAKES FAILED AND I BARELY AVOIDED A COLLISION. I BROUGH MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT 2 SWITCHES ON MY ABS SYSTEMS FAILED. IN JANUARY 1997 I RECEIVED RECALL 685 FROM CHRYSLER SAYING BRAKE FAILURE MAY OCCUR AND A SUBSTANTIAL INCRESE IN BRAKE PEDAL FORCE IS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS IS NOW THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT OF COURSE IT'S NOW PAST THE 100,000 MILES OF COVERAGE THAT CHRYSLER WOULD COVER THE REPAIRS.
MY WIFE, TERRIE WAS DRIVING EB ON A LOCAL INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN THE SPARE TIRE FELL ONTO THE ROADWAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VAN. THE SPARE WAS ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM REAR OF THE VAN. SHE DID NOT HIT ANY BUMPS OR DEBRI ON THE ROADWAY. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE DEVICE THAT HELD THE SPARE, IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SPARE, WAS FRAYED AND BROKEN. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS TRAVELING IMMEDIATELY BEHIND HER, OR THE TIRE MAY HAVE "CRASHED" INTO THEIR VEHICLE OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. *AK
RECALL 97V079000; THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE AIR CYLINDER FOR THE HATCHBACK SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE DOOR TO FALL ON TOP OF CONSUMER. *AK
ON 12/27/98 MY ANTI-LOCK LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ON. BRAKES HAD MINIMAL POWER AND STOPPING. NO DEALERS OPEN ON SUNDAY. MONDAY WENT TO NEAREST SERVICE CENTER, FIRESTONE MASTERCARE, 1/2 MILE FROM HOTEL IN PALM HARBOR, FL. AFTER DIAGNOSTICS OF ABS FAILURE, FIRESTONE CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS FOR THE PARTS. NO DEALER WOULD RELEASE THE PARTS TO A 'RESELLER'. NEAREST PART COULD BE SHIPPED FROM ATLANTA. I AGREED TO OVERNIGHT SHIPPING. NEXT DAY, NO PART. CHRYSLER WOULD NOT SHIP TO A 'RESELLER'. ONLY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER CAN MAKE THE REPAIR. I WAS HEADED BACK HOME TO ATLANTA, SO I DROVE WITHOUT THE ABS AND ONLY MINIMUM BRAKING. ON 12/31/98 TOOK VAN TO DEALER. ON 1/4/99 DEALER ORDERED PARTS. BY 1/8 NO PARTS AVAILABLE. PARTS FINALLY AT DEALER ON 1/14 OR 15. VAN FIXED AND RETURNED. MY CONCERN IS THAT 1) THE PARTS FOR THE BRAKE RECALL #685 WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO A RESELLER, AND THEN NOT AVAILABLE FOR 2 WEEKS TO THE DEALER. THEN ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, MY SERVICE RECORD INDICATED THAT THIS RECALL WAS SERVICED ON 08/11/97 AND 12/17/97. I DO NOT REMEMBER A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES AT EITHER OF THOSE TIMES, NOR DO I REMEMBER HAVING THE BRAKES FIXED. HOWEVER, IF THE ABS WAS FIXED, IT HAS NOW FAILED FOR A 2ND TIME!!
VEHICLE RECALL WORK ON ABS SYSTEM NOT COMPLETED DUE TO DEALER PROBLEM.
COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKING OCCURRED W/O WARNING. SECOND FAILURE SINCE OWNING CAR. FIRST FAILURE HAD NO WARNING LIGHTS, BUT BRAKING TOOK APPROX. 100 FT. TO STOP CAR FROM 25 MPH. LATEST FAILURE OCCURRED 425 MILES FROM HOME IN PARKERSBURG, WVA. RENTED A CAR TO RETURN TO RICHMOND. TOOK LOCAL DEALER 14 DAYS TO GET PARTS FROM CHRYSLER. RETURNED RENTAL CAR TO PARKERSBURG ON DEC. 3, 1998 AND DROVE VAN BACK TO RICHMOND. CHRYSLER REIMBURSED US FOR RENTAL EXPENSES AND TOWING. REQUESTED THAT CHRYSLER REMOVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING AND INSTALL STANDARD BRAKING, BUT THEY REFUSED. TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND ALL CONFIRMED MY OPINION THAT THIS PARTICULAR SYSTEM USED BY CHRYSLER IN '91, '92, & '93 IS FLAWED IN DESIGN AND IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I OR A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY WILL BE FACED WITH COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AGAIN. THE NEXT TIME WE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY! I FEEL THAT I CANNOT EXPOSE MY FAMILY TO THIS DANGER ANY LONGER, & THEREFORE MUST DISPOSE OF THIS VAN. SINCE THE NHTSA IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE SAFETY IMPACT OF BRAKE FAILURE, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A COMPLETE RECALL ON ALL CHRYSLER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THIS SYSTEM. YOUR COMMENTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. YOU MAY CONTACT ME AT ANY TIME TO DISCUSS THE MATTER FURTHER. REGARDS, R. C. POAGE, JR.
THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION DROPPED INTO LOW GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND WOULD NOT SHIFT AGAIN. AT THE TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD 62500 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITY DIAGNOSED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND ORDERED AN ENTIRE NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED ($1550.00). THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS AN ORIGINAL EQUIMENT REPLACEMENT FROM DODGE AND WAS WARRANTEED FOR 12 MONTHS / 12000 MILES. 35000 MILES LATER (VEHICLE READING 98000 MILES) THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AGAIN AND REQUIRES A REPLACEMENT.
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE CYLINDER BODY BROKE, CAUSING THE REAR WINDSHIELD TO BREAK AND DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES. RECALL 97V079000 ON THE EARLIER MODELS, BUT NOT FOR THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
SLIDING DOOR BEGAN STICKING IN OPEN POSITION/SAGGING ON ITS HINGE.
WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVE THROUGH LINE THE REAR WINDOW JUST SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND REFERRED CONSUMER TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE WINDOW HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOW WAS FIXED ON OCT 8, 1998.*JB
VEHICLE IS IN INVOLVED UNDER RECALL 96V099 (ABS SYSTEM). INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL BECOMES HARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, THE ABS PUMP RUNS DURING NORMAL BRAKING. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY WILL NOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR OF THE ABS SYSTEM. *AK
POOR SUSPENSION CAUSING VIBRATION.
VEHICLE SHAKES AT TIMES NO MATTER WHAT SPEED. WHEN MAKING TURNS, THE VEHICLE WILL SHAKE AND CONTINUES TO SHAKE UNTIL DECIDES TO STOP. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED, AND PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED BY MECHANICS. *AK
WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. A RECALL WAS ORDERED ON MAKE AND MODEL YEAR. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT , OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE ABS SYSTEM, AND THE MASTER CYLINDER BECAUSE ABS LIGHT REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER INFORMED OWNER THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW BECAUSE THE PADS WERE LOW. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
REAR GLASS SHATTERED. *SLC
BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY OVER SEVERAL DAYS UPON IGINITION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED IN TRAFFIC.
INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE.
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE.
UNSPECIFIED.
STEERING COLUMN DOES NOT LOCK AFTER ENGINE IS OFF AND KEY IS REMOVED ALLOWING STEERING WHEEL TO BE TURNED EVEN WHEN CAR IS PARKED. KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION SWITCH REGARDLESS OF GEAR,SHIFT POSITION, KEY LOCK POSITION, OR IF CAR IS RUNNING. OCASIONALLY, WHEN IS PARKED AND KEY REMOVED, THE CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN AND APPEAR DEAD UNTIL KEY IS INSERTED AND TRANSMISION HANDLE IS MOVED BACK AND FORTH UNTIL IT IS PROPERLY IN PARK POSITION. KEY REMOVAL PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO ODI ID:823214
HYDRAULIC STRUT AND OR BOLT WHICH SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE HAS SHEARED OFF FROM THE VEHICLE , CAUSING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL WHEN OPENING THE GATE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, PARTS WERE WELDED. CONSUMER STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE.
ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASE THIS VAN THE PAINT BEGAN TO CHIP. THE WARRANTY INFO SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED. THE CHRYSTLER PEOPLE SAY IT IS NOT THERE PROBLEM. THE PAINT OBVIOUSLY IS DEFECTIVE. IT JUST CONTIUES TO PEEL OFF IN CHUNKS. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VAN THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE STARTED REPLACED, THE ENGINE REPLACED, THE RADIO REPLACED, AND SPEAKER STOPPED WORKING. NOT TO MENTION NUMEROUS RECALLS. I HAD HEARD THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON DEFECTIVE PAINT AND I AM JUST TRYING ALL MY OPTIONS.
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 36 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
LIFTGATE BOLTS FAILED CAUSING LIFTGATE TO FALL ON CONSUMERS HEAD,PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
REAR HATCHBACK FAILED.
DRIVER IS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VAN IS IN ANY GEAR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VAN IS RUNNING OR NOT RUNNING. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF PROLBEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH ENGINE STARTED SHAKING DUE TO FAULTY ENGINE MOUNTS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP WITH OUT WARNING. PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED. *AK
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.
STEERING COLUMN BROKE DUE TO A WORN OUT PIVOT PIN. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH ABS--OWNER RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL. AFTER HAVING THE BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED, 2 MORE FAILURES OCCURED.
DOOR HINGES BROKE AWAY FROM BODY.
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1992 Dodge Grand Caravan → · Every Grand Caravan year → · How the figures are calculated →