1996 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

BOUGHT A 1996 CARAVAN NEW, IN AUGUST 1999 THE TRANSMISSION WENT WITH ABOUT 36,000 MILES AND REBUILT PUT IN - LASTED TILL JAN 2005. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT JAN 2005 AND A REBUILT WAS PUT IN AND LASTED UNTIL JULY 2005 AND ANOTHER REBUILT WAS PUT IN. *NM

MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WIPERS GOES ON AND OFF AS THEY PLEASE. I WAS TOLD IT COULD EITHER WIPER MOTOR OR COMPUTER BRAIN BOX OR BOTH THAT COST UPWARDS OF $500. I DIDN'T REPAIR DUE TO COST. I THINK THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL WHEN IT'S DISTRACTION ON THE WINDSHIELD AND A SAFETY PROBLEM. GM RECALLED THIER WIPER PROBLEMS ON THE CHEVY TRUCKS.

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN . IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004 THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF IN THE RAIN CAUSEING LOSS OF STEERING AND OVERHEATING ALARM. I REPLACED THE TENSIONER AND BELT AND THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED .TO DATE I HAVE HAD TO PUT THE BELT BACK ON AT LEAST 7 TIMES AND REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE THREE TIMES .BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE WET ROADS OR RAIN AND THE BELT COMES OFF.LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM .IVE WORKED ON CARS MOST OF MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM.HAVE YOUR EXPERTS LOOK AT THE TENSIONER AND IDLER PULLEY DESIGN THEY ARE SMOOTH WITHOUT SIDES TO KEEP THE BELT ON THEM.THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR RECALL.

THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT END WILL COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. *AK DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. *BF

- 96 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN W/3.8 V6 AND 41TE 4SPD TRANSMISION - 2 TRANSMISSION FAILURES - 1ST WENT TO ABOUT 125000, THEN KEPT HITTING THE "LIMP HOME MODE" - 2ND HAS "TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKUP" PROBLEM, SHOPS SAY REBUILD AGAIN, AFTER ONLY 38000 MILES. - FAN RELAY WENT OUT BEFORE RECALL WAS ISSUED, HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR OUT OF POCKET. - HAD CLOCK SPRING REPLACED AFTER COMPONENT FAILURE RELATING TO IT (HORN, CRUISE ETC) - UNION CITY GA DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE FUEL RETURN LINE ISSUE, BOTCHED IT UP AND CAUSED MAJOR LEAK WHEN REFUELING. THEY RE-FIXED IT AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING. *AK

TOOK MY 1996 DODGE CARAVAN IN FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR. SHOP WOULD NOT REPAIR AND SAID THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO RUSTING OUT OF STRUT MOUNT TOWER. HAVE NOT SEEN THIS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE. *JB

MOTHERBOARD HAS STOPPED WORKING AND HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. IT FAILED A THIRD TIME A WEEK AGO; LAST TIME THE MOTHERBOARD WAS REPLACED WAS OCT 2003. WHEN MOTHERBOARD FAILS, ALL DISPLAY ITEMS CEASE TO WORK - NO SPEED INDICATOR, NO FUEL GAUGE, NO TEMP GAUGE, NO MILEAGE. THIS IS A $700 REPAIR AND SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. HAVE NOT REPLACED PART A THIRD TIME, AM CONSIDERING REPLACING THE VEHICLE. *NM

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE MAKING THE ABILITY TO SEE THE ROAD DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER DIFFICULT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER. *JB

1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CAUGHT ON FIRE. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR FEUL RAIL LEAK CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *NM

AS I BROUGHT DOWN SPEED OF MY VEHICLE FROM 65 MPH TO STOP TODAY, JUST STOPPED DEAD AT THE STOP SIGN AND THE TRANSMISSION OF MY VEHICLE FAILED. WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET, I FOUND A TONS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK WITH SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THERE HAS TO BE A RECALL OR A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT .

WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL INCREASED THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM. VEHICLE WENT IN ACCESS OF 85 MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES WAS REQUIRED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE OVER A DISTANCE OF ONE MILE. A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. *TC

CONSUMER PURCHASED BRIDGESTONE BT70Z TIRES, ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE TIRES WERE ALREADY CRACKED. SPECIFICALLY, DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE. IT HAD A CRACK THAT WAS ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES LONG LOCATED ON THE TIRES TREAD.*AK

AROUND APRIL 2004 CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TIRE PROBLEMS. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY TOOK BOTH FRONT WHEELS OFF AND PUT THEM IN THE BACK. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH REAR LEFT TIRE BLEW OFF. THERE WAS NO REPORT OF INJURY. CONSUMER TOOL VEHICLE TO DEALER TO GET TIRES SERVICED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY DID NO LONGER HAVE THIS VEHICLE'S SPECIFIC TIRES, THEY WERE DISCONTINUED. *AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE TIME BELT COVER WAS A PROBLEM. *SC

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONSUMER HIT A DEER. WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE OWNER NOTICE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NO REPORT OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND. NO INJURIES REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1996 DODGE CARAVAN QUIT WORKING. IT WILL NOT WORK ON ANY MODE. WHEN I PRESSED THE WIPER WASHER, IT SQUIRTED WATER AND THE WIPERS CYCLED ONCE. I TRIED IT AGAIN ONE TIME AND IT DID NOT WORK AT ALL. IT WORKED ONE TIME BUT IT CYCLED VERY FAST. ALSO, IT TURNS ON ANYTIME IT WANTS TO. IT IS SO UNRELIABLE THAT I DO NOT THINK THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE CAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO RAIN.*AK

WHEN THE HEAT WAS ON SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND OUT OF THE VENTS UNTIL THE CONSUMER SHUT OFF THE HEAT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD RIDE ROUGHLY. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A BULGE WAS LOCATED IN THE HOUSING STRUTS AREA, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON MAJOR HIGHWAY MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SHUT DOWN, AND LOST ALL POWER. SAME THING OCCURRED 1 MONTH LATER. I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH 4 CHILDREN ABOARD. MECHANIC HAS CHANGED 2 RELAY SWITCHES. DO NOT KNOW IF AND WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

I BOUGHT A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 3 YEARS AGO. THIS PAST JULY I HAD TO TAKE A LOAN OUT TO PAY $2000 FOR A TRANSMISSION. AFTER SPEAKING TO QUITE A FEW MECHANICS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE DODGES THAT HAVE THE 3.3 LITER ENGINES IN THEM HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS. THE MECHANICS STATED THAT HAVE HAD A LOT OF DODGES THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN AND THE DODGE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE OWED 2 OTHER VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT DODGES AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION AT ALL AND THEY ARE OLDER THAN MY VAN. I HAD TO PURCHASE MY VAN, SO I COULD PUT MY HUSBAND'S WHEELCHAIR IN IT. IT IS EASIER TO GET IT IN AND OUT OF THE VAN. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME DUE TO MY HUSBAND BEING DISABLED AND WE HAVE SON IN SCHOOL. SO MONEY IS VERY TIGHT. I WAS LUCKY I QUALIFIED FOR THE LOAN TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION, OR I WOULD BE UNABLE TO TRANSPORT MY HUSBAND BACK AND FORTH TO DOCTOR APPTS AND SHOPPING. I HAVE SPOKE WITH OTHER DODGE OWNERS WHO HAVE ALL TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN THEIR DODGE 3.3 LITER VEHICLES. BUT WHAT GETS ME IS THAT ALL THE TRANSMISSION EXPERTS THAT I SPOKE WITH SAID, THEY CHANGE AT LEAST 2 -3 TRANSMISSION A WEEK IN THESE DODGES. AND THAT DODGE IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT DODGE DOESN'T MIND FIXING THE SMALL PROBLEMS, BUT OVER LOOK THAT FACT THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECT THAT CAUSING A TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT AND IT COSTING THE BUYER AT A MINIMUM OF $2000 TO REPLACE. THIS HAS TO BE STOPP

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, VIN NUMBER [XXX]. A WEEK AGO FRIDAY I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE THAT I HAVE NEEDED TO CHANGE A FLAT TO MY SPARE TIRE AND ALSO USE THE SCISSOR JACK THAT THE FACTORY SUPPLIED WITH MY VEHICLE. I WAS USING YOUR FACTORY SUPPLIED JACK TO RAISE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE JACK APPARENTLY SLIPPED AND THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. I PROCEEDED TO EXTRICATE THE JACK AND LOOKED IT OVER AND IT APPEARED TO BE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE WITH NO INDICATIONS OF ANY DAMAGE; I CONCLUDED THAT THE JACK SOMEHOW SLIPPED. I AGAIN INSERTED THE JACK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO AGAIN JACK UP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE JACK COLLAPSED AGAIN. UPON GATHERING UP MY THINGS I NOTED THAT THE JACK DID NOT SLIP, BUT FAILED AND THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE JACK FAILURE WAS IN THE UPPER INSIDE SUPPORT WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT AND INSERT THE SCISSOR JACK UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SCISSOR JACK LIFTS THE JACK UP. I SHOWED THE FAILED JACK TO A WELDER FRIEND OF MINE WHO KNOWS ABOUT METALS, AND HE STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS METAL FATIGUE AND THAT THAT PART OF THE JACK WAS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED BECAUSE THE METAL WAS NOT CURED AND HARDENED PROPERLY TO ACQUIRE ITS NEEDED STRENGTH. FIRST I EXPECT A NEW REPLACEMENT JACK THAT WILL FIT INTO THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT MADE FOR IT SO THAT I WILL HAVE A FACTORY JACK WHENEVER I DECIDE TO GET A NEW VEHICLE AND THE PERSON WHO BUYS MY VEHICLE NEXT WILL HAVE A GOOD, SAFE

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. FIRST THERE IS A SERIOUS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT WHEEL/TIRES. I HAVE REPLACED 8 TIRES (IN 30000 MILES!), BOTH FRONT AXLES, ALL THREE MOTOR MOUNTS, AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED, AS WELL AS HAVING THREE ALIGNMENT CHECKS. THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE. THE SECOND PROBLEM INVOLVES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE FRONT WIPERS WERE, FOR A TIME, COMING ON ANY TIME THEY FELT LIKE IT; THIS WAS REMEDIED BY REPLACING THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH ON 09/21/01. SINCE THEN, THE REAR WIPER WILL OCCASIONALLY COME ON FOR ONE SWIPE WHEN I FIRST START THE VEHICLE - ANNOYING, BUT NOT AN IMMEDIATE HAZARD. BUT TODAY, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING AT ALL. THEY WILL ONLY WORK IF I PUT THE WIPERS ON INTERVAL - IN WHICH CASE THEY DO NOTHING FOR A TIME, THEN MAKE TWO TO FOUR SWIPES, THEN WAIT A WHILE, MAKE ONE OR TWO SWIPES, WAIT A WHILE, ETC. THEY WILL MAKE ONE HIGH SPEED SWIPE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD IF I PRESS THE WASHER BUTTON IN. I SPENT $80 TODAY SO THE DODGE DEALER COULD TELL ME THIS WAS CAUSED BY A BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THIS REPAIR COSTS OVER $400...AND RESEARCHING A USED PART ONLINE, I LEARNED THAT BOTH THE WHEEL SHIMMY PROBLEM AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS ARE NOT UNIQUE TO MY CAR BUT ARE VERY COMMON ISSUES WITH THE DODGE CARAVAN/CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY/PLYMOUTH VOYAGER FAMILY. LOSING YOUR WIPERS, HAVING THEM COME ON AT RANDOM WHEN THEY TAKE A NOTION TO, AND A NON-STOP SHIMMY IN THE FRONT ARE EACH, BY THEMSELVES, SERIOUS

WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS LENS FOGGED UP, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE DURING NIGHT HOURS. AK THE CONSUMER WAS AWARE THAT THIS WAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH DODGE PER DODGE DEALERS. THE ENTIRE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. THE DRIVER TRIED TO SHIFT GEARS NUMEROUS TIMES BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AT ALL. *JB

1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED. THIRD OWNER AT 155,000 MILES. HAPPENED TO FIRST OWNER AS WELL. LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERYWHERE, REAR GATE WAS COVERED WITH FLUID. WENT THROUGH OVER 2 QUARTS OF FLUID A DAY FOR A 5 MILE DRIVE TO WORK. DIAGNOSED AS A LOOSE PIN WHICH WORE A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE. COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. A HOLE THE SIZE OF A FIST WAS BLOWN THROUGH THE TOP OF THE CASE WHEN IT FINALLY FAILED. ALSO, THIS PART IS IN SUCH DEMAND DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAILURES WITH THIS MODEL THAT A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS ALMOST $2000. CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. WAS ON THE ROAD IN A SNOW STORM WHEN TRANSMISSION FAILED, WHICH COULD HAVE IN TURN CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHILE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *JB

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE THAT HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT AND THE STRUT TOWERS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. I HAVE CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE GRAND CARAVANS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF CHRYSLER HAS TO STAND BEHIND THE REPAIR OF THESE AS THEY HAVE IGNORED THE FACT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

AT 130000 MILE A PIN WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION BROKE OFF/OR GOT LOOSE AND WORE THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK. THERE IS NO WAY TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION, SO IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH FRONT END FAILED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED,BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING. TRANSMISSION FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS AND WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 62,0000 MILES. THEN, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.*AK

SERPENTINE BELT OR TENSIONER CLIP HAS HAD TO BE REPAIRED 4 TIMES (TOWED EVERY TIME) ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE BEGINNING; TURN THE KEY AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START GOING, TURN THE KEY OFF AND THE WIPERS "KEEP" GOING, TAKE THE KEY TOTALLY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE WIPERS GO AND THE "DINGING" ALARM THAT TELLS YOU THE LIGHTS ARE ON OR THE KEY IS IN, STARTS.(I SERIOUSLY THOUGHT THE CAR WAS POSSESSED) OR TURN THE KEY AND "NOTHING" COMES ON EXCEPT THE ENGINE. I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY 5 TIMES AT LEAST - IT'S USUALLY BETTER W/ A NEW BATTERY FOR A LITTLE WHILE. HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WINDOW MOTOR AND ASSEMBLY REPLACED ON DRIVERS SIDE TWICE AND 5 TIMES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MOST RECENT WAS 4/04, WHICH WAS REPLACED 7/04 AGAIN. THE SIDE SLIDING DOORS ON BOTH SIDE DO NOT LOCK, IF YOU PUSH THE BUTTON DOWN, YOU CAN'T GET IT BACK UP. THE REAR HATCH IS DAMAGED FROM CLOSING THE DOOR, LOOKS LIKE I WAS HIT IN THE REAR, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR MONTHS IN FALL '03, NO MECHANIC COULD SAY WHY. WANTED TO GET THE A/C CHARGED BUT IT WOULDN'T HOLD A CHARGE. DEALER COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SAID THE A/C UNIT WAS TOTALLY MELTED. HAD IT REPLACED AND THEN THE COMPUTER RESET. REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 100000, THE "PLANTATARY GEARS" WERE CRACKED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN IN 7/04, FAILED EMISIONS, REPLACED O2 SENSOR, LIGHT STILL ON, TACK STICKS AND CAR WON'T ACCELERATE AT TIMES - I CAN PUSH IT TO THE FLOOR AND IT WON'T GO?? FEELS LIKE IT'S

THE STRUT TOWER ASSEMBLY WAS RUSTED ON VEHICLE. *MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL USED IS THE PROBLEM. *NM

WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED FUNCTIONING REGARDLESS THE TIME OF USAGE. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AFTER THE DODGE CARAVAN SUSTAINED A HEAD ON COLLISION. 96 DODGE G. CARAVAN. *AK

THE STRUT TOWER RUSTED . AS A RESULT THE STRUT PUSHED THROUGH THE HOOD, AND THE FRAME COLLAPSED. *AK

DEALER REPLACED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AT 37,000 MILES. THEN, TRANSMISSION FAILED, AGAIN, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I OWN A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH SEVERAL ELECTICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT RESET. ALL OF THE FANS FOR THE HEATER AND A/C DOESN'T WORK. THE REAR WIPER IS CONTINUOUSLY WORKING. WE HAVE HAD THE VAN TO THE MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES(TOO MANY TO COUNT) AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE COMPANY REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ISSUE.*AK

I OWN A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH THE MILEAGE AROUND 128,000 MILES. STARTING IN APRIL , WE SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD . WE TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AT THAT TIME USING THE DIAGNOSTICS. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON STEADILY AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN AT THAT TIME EITHER . THE *CODE* THEY FOUND SAID *OXYGEN SENSOR* BUT THEY RESET IT . FOUR DAYS LATER, WE WERE HEADING BACK TO CHARLESTON (100 MILES) AND HAD MADE IT AROUND 40 MILES ON INTERSTATE GOING AROUND 65-70 MILES AN HOUR WHEN, WITHOUT NOTICE, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER . WE HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAIT UNTIL A TOW TRUCK COULD TOW US BACK TO LEXINGTON ... THE VAN WAS TAKEN AGAIN TO NASCO WHERE THEY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRING SO THEY CHANGED ALL THAT OUT TO THE TUNE OF $400.00 PLUS THE $80.00 FOR TOWING... THEN....TWO DAYS LATER THE VAN WAS DRIVING AGAIN TO CHARLESTON ON INTERSTATE AND AT ALMOST THE EXACT SAME SPOT --IT CUT OFF AGAIN !! THE VAN HAD TO GET TOWED YET AGAIN TO ORANGEBURG ( CLOSER TO WHERE IT CUT OFF ) AND THE MECHANICS THERE COULD FIND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN !!! IN TOWN, THE VAN DOES FINE ...BUT WHEN YOU ARE ON INTERSTATE AND GOING A HIGH RATE OF SPEED FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME ...AND IT CUTS OFF ---SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THE

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THEY EITHER QUIT WORKING, WORKED ONLY IN ONE SPEED OR ENGAGED BY THEMSELVES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, WHICH PROVIDED A TEMPORARY SOLUTION, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STOPPED BUT ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT PIN SLIPPED OUT AND BROKE THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION CASING. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NUMEROUS REPAIR SHOPS REPORT THAT PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS A NEAR-CERTAINTY ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE DIFFERENTIAL GEAR LUBRICATION SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DENIES RESPONSIBILITY. *LA

FRONT STRUT TOWERS RUSTING THROUGH. TOLD BY SERVICE 'VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE'. TOLD TO REPLACE VEHICLE. *NM

WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. ALSO, HORN DIDN'T NOT WORK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINS ABOUT A HEADLIGHT PROBLEM. THE LENS IS NOT GIVING OFF ENOUGH LIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. IT APPEARS THAT THE LENS IS FILLED WITH CONDENSATION, AND LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT BEING PROJECTED DURING NIGHT DRIVING.*AK

WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *JB

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOING 65 TO 70 MPH, THE CAR LOSES RPM'S, BACKFIRES, JERKS, LOSES SPEED. I AM UNABLE TO GIVE IT GAS. I HAVE TO PULL OFF INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND IT SLOWS TO A STOP AND STALLS. I CANNOT START IT BACK, HOWEVER IF I SET FOR A FEW MINUTES, OPEN AND SLAM THE HOOD, IT WILL START BACK. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CODE THAT WAS FOUND SAID THAT A MISFIRE WAS FOUND IN CYLINDER 6. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE FIXING THAT PROBLEM, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO TRY TO FIX MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS BUT NO ONE, NOT EVEN THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP CAN TELL ME FOR SURE WHAT IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS IS AMAZING TO ME, BECAUSE I CAN FIND MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND NOT ONLY WITH 1996 GRAND CARAVANS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN STALLING AT SUCH HIGH RATES OF SPEED. IF SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE RECALLED AND FOUND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW FOR SURE WHAT TO DO TO FIX IT BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE AND I LOVE THIS VAN (LESS THIS MAJOR PROBLEM). PLEASE HELP.*AK

AT 72,691 MILES, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. AT 120,000 MILES TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND NOT MOVE. *AK *JB

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. CONSUMER MANAGED PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE DIFFERENTIAL PIN CAME LOOSE MAKING A HOLE THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION CASE. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TORQUE CONVERTOR AREA AND THEN ONTO MY GARAGE FLOOR. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 74,789 MILES. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. HE SAID IT OCCURS WHEN ONE WHEEL SPINS WHILE THE OTHER WHEEL IS STOPPED. IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU LIVE IN A CLIMATE WITH SNOW OR ICE, THIS FAILURE CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME TO YOUR VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY TELL ME THIS IS NOT A DEFECT AND THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR DIFFERENTIAL PINS. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HE SAID THAT HE HAS CERTAINLY SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, BUT SINCE IT OCCURED OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY, I AM ON MY OWN. THE MINIVAN HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT SINCE THE REPLACEMENT DIFFERENTIAL IS THE SAME AS BEFORE, A SERIOUS DEFECT STILL EXISTS IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE RETAINED THE WORN/BROKEN DIFFERENTIAL UNIT IN CASE DODGE ENGINEERS WANT TO INSPECT IT.