1996 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

I WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE JACK HAS BEEN USED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON, THE JACK TWISTED AND COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE LURCHED SLIGHTLY. THE SURFACE THE VEHICLE RESTED ON WAS PERFECTLY FLAT SO THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A STRESS DEFECT IN THE JACK. I HAD TO BORROW THE JACK FROM MY BUICK TO COMPLETE THE TIRE CHANGE.

LIKE 1,000 OF OTHERS, OUR ENGINE CUTS OUT ANY ANY SPEED CAUSES LOSE OF STEERING.

BELT TENSIONER BOLT SNAPPED OFF. THROWING OF BELT, BREAKING ANOTHER PULLY. HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE TOO. RECALL TIME DODGE.

SERPENTINE BELT SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE AT 554MPH, CAUSING ENGINE TO LOCK UP. DELAER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDNET.*AK

PE96-008; AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER WARD LOST HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. AT THAT POINT, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT CAUSE WAS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CLOCK.*AK

REPORTING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHEN A/C OR DEFOGGER ARE USED. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON SIX OCCASIONS, AND DEALE R INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES. THESE ARE THE SAME ROTORS THAT ARE ON THE JEEP THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT WHICH WAS DENIED FOR RECALL REPAIR (00V-136). *MJS

HEADING OUT ON VACATION, CRUISING ALONG THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. CROSSED MULTIPLE LANES OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER. STOPPED, INSPECTED, RESTARTED ALL WAS WELL FOR ABOUT TWO HUNDRED FEET. CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE". LIMPED BACK TO THE DEALER. VERDICT: NEW TRANNY REQUIRED. COST: $2475 (NOT INCLUDING THE 8.5% SALES TAX). AFTER MOMENTS ON THE INTERNET, DISCOVERED THIS IS A RAMPANT PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. WE'RE ANGRY THAT WE WERE ENDANGERED BY A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. *AK

THE HEADLIGHT PLASTIC COVER HAS BECOME "FOGGY" ON THE OUTSIDE WHICH IS DISTORTING THE ACTUAL HEADLIGHT COVERAGE. *AK

HORN WILL NOT WORK AT TIMES, AND AIR BAG LIGHT WILL STAY ON. A SPRING CAME OUT FROM THE INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

THE VEHICLE LOST ITS POWER STEERING, COOLING SYSTEM, ETC. WHEN THE TENSIONER WENT BAD AND THE ENGINE BELT CAME OFF. MY LOCAL SERVICE STATION ADVISED THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE NUMEROUS TENSIONERS ON THIS MAKE/MODEL, AND THEY'RE SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL - ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE DANGER INVOLVED. THE DEALER (HERB GORDON DODGE) ADVISED THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TENSIONER, AND THAT IT IS "NORMAL WEAR" FOR IT TO GO BAD AT 76,000 MILES. IN CASE THE PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE, I WANTED TO REPORT IT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.

PART BREAKS OFF AT SHOULDER. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PART WAS CRACKED IN THE HEAT TREATING PROCESS WHEN IT WAS MADE BASED ON THE DISCOLORATION IN THE AREA WHERE THE CRACK WAS LOCATED. FAILURE OF THE PART , WHICH IS SUDDEN, DISSABLES THE POWER STEERING AND THE WATER PUMP. ENGINE FAILURE WILL FOLLOW. *AK

THE TACKOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER FLATLINED TO 0 THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL, THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL, HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME. THE TRANSMISSION HAD A TOTAL FAILURE IN THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE REBUILT. THE WIPERS OCCASIONALLY COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND CYCLE A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THEN STOP AND OCCASIONALLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD (THIS HAS BEEN TOTHE DEALER IN MADISON HEIGHTS, VA SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE LEFT SPEAKERS ON THE SOUND SUYSTEM PERIODICALLY GO OFF AND ON WHILE THE SYSTEM IS ON. THE STARTER WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED THE END OF JUNE, 2000.

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF . TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CONTROL MODULE & KICK SPRING ARE BAD . CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPAIR IT UNLESS PAY I FOR IT . MY QUESTION IS HOW CAN SOMETHING GO BAD THAT HAS NEVER BEEN USED. NOT TO MENTION THE HORN DOESN'T WORK EVEN THOUGH THE FUSE IS GOOD AND MY WIPERS COME ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. THIS IS ALL IN THE STEERING COLUM, HOW IRONIC. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON AUTOMATICALLY. *AK

LOST POWER STEERING. COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS AT HIGHER SPEED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE TACKOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER FLAT LINED TO ZERO. ALSO, TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OUT. CONSUMER SHUT ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED VEHICLE. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED/ HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

TRANSMISSION LOCKED INTO 2ND GEAR. I WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEREFORE ALL REPAIRS WERE OUR RESPONSIBILITY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INCIDENTS ON THE INTERNET THAT POINT OUT THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR.*AK

ONCE VAN IS STARTED, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON PLUS THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A DEALER YET. I HAVE POSTED THIS PROBLEM ON THE CHRYSLER INTERNET NEWSGROUP WEBSITE AND IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER MINIVAN OWNERS ARE HAVING OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING. WILL NHTSA FORCE CHRYSLER TO DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? THANKS

VEHICLE STOPS WITHOUT WANDERING FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. MANY OCCURRENCES BUT DEALER CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM AND DENIES ANY REPORTS OF SIMILAR OCCURENCES WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE WAITING FOR AN INCIDENT TO HAPPEN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THERE ARE SEVERAL NOTICES OF THIS PROBLEM TYPE UNDER EDMUNDS.COM. THANK YOU.*AK

FUEL ROLLER VALVE THAT SHUTS THE FUEL OFF IN CASE OF AN ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IS LEAKING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CALLED THEM THE VALVE RETAINER SEALS. I HAVE HEARD REPEATEDLY THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 3.0 L ENGINES, AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE PERSON THAT CHOSE TO PUT THESE ENGINES IN, KNOWING THEY WOULD HAVE THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM DOWN THE ROAD, TO PAY FOR IT. I WAS ASSURED THAT I WAS GETTING A GOOD VAN WHEN I BOUGHT IT USED AND IT HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I HAVE 3 KIDS TO WORRY ABOUT, I DON'T NEED TO FORK OUT $500 TO FIX A "COMMON PROBLEM". AND I ALSO HATE TO THINK THAT I'M POLLUTING THE ENVIRONMENT IMMENSLEY IN THE MEAN TIME.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAGS LIGHT WILL COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND STAY ON. TECHNICIAN TOLD CONSUMER TO FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT IT.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

04/1997 - WINDSHIELD WIPERS RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF. INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO GO ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. DEALER SAID, "COULDN'T DETERMINE CAUSE." 01/1999 - CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN STOPPED WORKING. AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON. MECHANIC SAID, "DUE TO AIR BAG PROBLEMS"

REPORTING A DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE SWAY BAR LINK ALIGNMENT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAIL. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT THE SEAMS ON THE TOP OF THE TANK (NO PREVIOUS WRECKS AT ALL) OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STILL ENGAGE BY THEMSELVES ORIGINALLY REPAIRED 05/99. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT30904 MILES. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HORN STOPPED WORKING HAD TO REPLACE CLICK SPRING. CAR STALL WHILE DRIVING SAID IT NEEDED TUNE-UP. WHEN USING AC OR DRIVING IN RAIN AND MAKING A TURN STEERING GETS STIFF AND CANNOT CONTROL. INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES. HAD TO REPLACE AXLE DUE TO IT BEING BENT WHEN NEW TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN. HAD TO GET NEW TIRES BECAUSE AXLE THREW OFF BALANCE. KEEP REPLACING BATTERIES. DROVE CAR FOR 10 MINUTES AND FAN CAME ON AND STAYED ON AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK SOME OF THE TIME. SWITCH REPLACEMENT BY DEALER DID NOT YET FIX PROBLEM. CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALER FOR 2 WEEKS. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER/EVAPORATOR/CONDENSOR FAILED. EST COST TO FIX $1000. TRANSMISSION FAILED. WAS FIXED. COST $2,300. *AK

NHTSA RECALL 99V216000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 845/ FUEL PUMP. IT WAS REPAIRED ON 8 JUNE, 2000 AND STILL IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON.CONSUMER SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET 16-17 GALLONS IN GAS TANK, INSTEAD, IT ONLY TAKES 10 GALLONS. *AK

CHILD SHIFTED GEAR OUT OF PARK WITHOUT ENGINE RUNNING OR APPLYING BRAKES, AND VEHICLE RAN OVER ANOTHER CHILD. *AK THE VEHICLE WENT INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SAFETY FEATURE TO PREVENT IT. *YH

UPON APPLYING GAS FROM A DEAD STOP, VAN BEGAN MAKING A HARSH GRINDING SOUND AND WOULDN'T MOVE. VAN WAS TOWED TO CHRYSLER DEALER WHO SAID THE OUTPUT SHAFT HAD SNAPPED. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO ACTIVATE WHILE ON "OFF" POSITION/ TAIL LIGHTS TO FAIL, AND PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NOTICED HESITATION DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. MECHANIC REPORTS TRANSMISSION IS PULLING APART AND WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACE W/IN 6 MOS. *AK

FUEL LEAKED FROM VENT TUBE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER COST.*AK.

INTRGRATED CHILD SEAT BUCKLE BROKE, PREVENTING BELT FROM LOCKING IN THE HOUSING MECHANISM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER STATED THAT ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

AIR BAG DISABLED DRIVERS SIDE, HORN DISABLED, CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED. *AK

THIS IS MY SECOND DODGE GR. CARAVAN TO DROP A TRANSMISSION AT 71,000 MILE MARK AND I INSIST THAT DODGE REIMBURSE ME THE $1711.82 IT COST ME TO REPAIR IT......I HAVE ALL INVOICES ON THE REPAIRS. *AK

THE FUEL RAIL STARTED LEAKING AFTER REMOVAL; TRYING TO CHANGE VALVE COVER GASKETS & USING A CERTIFIED AUTO MECHANIC, HE VERIFIED THE PROPER INSTRUCTIONS FOR REMOVAL W/ THE MITCHELL'S SERVICE MANUAL & NOW THEY ARE LEAKING FUEL THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE; TALKED TO DODGE PARTS COUNTER & THEY ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM & SAID THEY HAVE MODIFIED THE PART BUT WILL COST ME $160 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THEIR POORLY DESIGNED PART. NO RECALLS ARE LISTED AND NOW A SMALL JOB HAS TURNED INTO AN EXPENSIVE ONE. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 7567/ FUEL PUMP. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE, AND CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF GARAGE. SMELL IS STILL THERE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT TWICE. *AK *ML

HESITATES WHEN PUT INTO GEAR, ALSO SLIPS WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING MUCH FEAR. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO GOES UP AND DOWN AT WILL, EVEN WHEN DRIVING A STEADY SPEED. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES NOW, AND THEY HAVE YET TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS CAUSING MUCH AGGRAVATION FOR OUR FAMILY. *AK

CLOCK SPRING IN STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN (EST $250). THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 18 MONTHS. THIS SWITCH CONTROLS CRUISE CONTROL, HORN, AND AIR BAG FUNCTIONS. WHEN IT FAILS, THOSE FUNCTIONS DON'T WORK. PARTICULARLY THE AIR BAG AND HORN ARE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES. THE FRONT WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE FOR NO REASON (STARTLING DRIVER) - REPAIRED AT OWNERS EXPENSE BY DEALER. DOOR LOCKS HAVE ALWAYS ACTED SPOOKY. IMMEDIALTLEY LOCKING AFTER UNLOCKING WITH FOB OR WITH KEY. DEALER FOUND DOOR DRIVERS DOOR SWITCH SHORTED. REPAIRED AT OWNERS EXPENSE (EST $160). LOCAL DEALER NOTIFIED OF ALL PROBLEMS - HAVE NOT CONTACT MANUFATURER DIRECTLY.

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, AND IT WOULDN'T CHANGE GEARS. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER WAS VERY RUDE AND OF NO ASSISTANCE. *AK

WHILE PULLING DRIVER'S SEAT UP TO DRIVE AND ONCE VEHICLE IS IN ROUTE, SEAT SLIDES BACK,CAUSING POOR DRIVING. SEAT DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

FUEL LINE THAT GOES INTO FUEL INJECTOR TUBE, WAS LEAKING. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE. ALSO, FRONT BRAKE PADS BROKE OFF INSIDE OF BRAKE HOLDER, AND CONSUMER HAS NO FRONT BRAKES.*AK

RECALL 99V216000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FUEL PUMP; AFTER HAVING RCALL WORK PEFORMED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. OWNER DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT UNTIL RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON THE DAY AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT A PART OF RECALL, AND WOULD NOT BE SERVICED FREE. *AK