1996 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST BRAKE POWER, AND SOMEHOW THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. CONSUMER DETERMINED THAT A HOLE IN THE BRAKE DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT VALVE WAS WELDED IN THE WRONG SPOT, CAUSING THE VALVE TO WEAR OUT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. BRAKE DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE WAS REPLACED . *AK

"AIR BAG" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED (KNOWN PROBLEM), THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL ACTIVATE UPON PUSHING THE BUTTON, BUT THE CANCEL BUTTON WHEN PUSHED DOES NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL...THE DEACTIVATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL REQUIRES THE BRAKE TO BE APPLIED. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON WET ROADS, USING CRUISE CONTROL, AND HAVING TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL VIA THE BRAKES....CAN BE A BIT OF A CHALLENGE...THANKS!! - STEVE DOWLING. *JB

FUEL RAIL LEAKED. RECALL 00V26800 REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED; HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SC

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH WATER SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF FROM THE ENGINE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

HAD THE 1696 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS , ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I THINK. THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, GEAR SELECTOR, WATER COOLANT GAUGE, FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I SHUT CAR OFF THE GEAR SELECTOR AND ODOMETER STAYS ILLUMINATED EVEN WITH THE CAR OFF AND LIGHTS OFF , OR ON.. ALSO THE TACHOMETER FREEZES UP ON A CERTAIN RPM . DEPENDING WHAT THE RPM WAS WHEN EVERYTHING STOPED WORKING RIGHT.. WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON AUTOMATICALLY BUT 99.9% OF THE TIME THEY WONT SHUT OFF EVEN IF I SELECT IT TO SHUT OFF , THEY KEEP GOING AND GOING EVEN ON DRY DAYS AND NO RAIN .TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND THEY CANT FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND THEY CHARGE ME 60 TO 90 DOLLARS JUST TO TEST IT AND THEY NEVER COME UP WITH A SOLUTION UNLESS THEY DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES SO THE COMPUTER OR SOMETHING RESETS, BUT THIS HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS AND ALSO BEFORE THIS HAPPENS THE CAR RUNS ROUGH AT IDLE OR SITTING AT A RED LIGHT OR AT A STOP . THE DRIVER SEAT BUCKLE SOMETIMES DONT UNLATCH, I HAVE TO USE EXTRA FORCE TO UNLATCH THEM, SOMETIMES I DONT EVEN WEAR A SEAT BELT CAUSE I AM SCARED THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY THAT I WONT BE ABLE TO. THE MIDDLE BENCH SEAT SEEMS LOOSE , EVERYTHIME I COME TO A STOP OR I TAKE OFF A CLUCKING SOUND COMES FROM THE MIDDLE ROW SEATS, I CHECKED IT AND IT SEEMED LIKE ITS ALL LOCKED IN BUT I DONT TRUST IT.. I WOULD NEVER PURCHASE A CHRYSLER PRODUCT EVER AGAIN EVEN IF IT IS GIVEN

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT GAS FUMES. WHILE DRIVING THE SMELL OF GAS FUMES WAS STRONG, AND WAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK

WHILE STOPPED THE BELT TENSIONER SNAPPED AND CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *NM

TRANSMISSION FAILURE 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR, WILL NOT DRIVE OR GO IN REVERSE. LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND CAR JERKED. COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT. *JB

THE VEHICLE DIDN'T PASS THE STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF POOR LIGHTING. THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST WAS $300 EACH PLUS LABOR. *AK THE OUTSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT LENSES WERE COVERED WITH FROSTED LIKE COVERING OVER THE LENSES. THIS ALSO CUT THE VISIBILITY AT NIGHT TO AN UNSAFE LIGHTING. *SC *JB

A/C INTERNAL FAN SWITCH FAILS IN AT LEAST TWO POSITIONS AND HAVE HAD SMOKE ENTER INSIDE THE VAN WHILE DRIVING, FROM I THINK THE FAN. ONCE THE FAN IS TURNED OFF THE SMOKE GOES AWAY.

WE TOOK OUR 1996 GRAND CARAVAN IN FOR RECALLS THAT DODGE SENT US. THEY CALLED MY WIFE BACK AND TOLD HER IT WAS CONDEMNABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BECAUSE THE STRUT TOWER WAS VERY BADLY RUSTED. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CHANCE TO CALL THEM, BECAUSE I WAS AT WORK, THE PERSON SHE TALKED TO HAD LEFT, HOWEVER I DID TALK TO ANOTHER PERSON ACQUAINTED WITH THE VEHICLE. HE SAID BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE AND THAT I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER DODGE WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR US. HE ALSO SAID IT WOULD COST $2000.00 PER SIDE TO FIX AND THE VAN WASN'T WORTH IT. I SAID THIS IS A SERIOUS THING AND IT SHOULD BE FIXED BY CHRYSLER BECAUSE THEY OBVIOUSLY USED INFERIOR MATERIALS ON THAT PART OF THE VAN. HE SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT, AND THE WEATHER WHERE WE LIVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. I SAID SO I AM JUST OUT OF A VEHICLE TO DRIVE?, AND HE SAID YOU CAN DRIVE IT BUT IT'S NOT SAFE. NOW THE OTHER MAN TOLD MY WIFE THAT IF SHE HIT A HOLE OR WENT OVER RR TRACKS IT COULD COME COMPLETELY THROUGH AND SHE WOULD LOSE TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AUTO BODY MAN WE TOOK IT TO SAID THAT THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN GALVANIZED WHEN THEY MADE IT AND THIS WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. ANOTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE IS THAT OUR 1994 CARAVAN DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAD OVER 270,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO THIS 1996 DOES NOT HAVE RUST ANYWHERE ELSE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED IF THEY DON'T RECALL THESE AND FIX THEM. THEY RECALLED A CLOCK SPRING FOR THE AIRBAG, AND THEY DIDN'T ASK THE MILEAGE OF OUR VEHIC

FOR 3 SUMMERS IN A ROW, WE HAVE HAD TO RECHARGE THE AIR CONDITION SYSTEM FOR IT TO ONLY WORK 3-4 WEEKS AT A TIME. OUR MECHANIC SAYS THAT IT ISN'T THAT THE AIR CONDITING UNIT HAS FAILED IT SEEMS TO BE LOOSING THE FREON SOME WHERE.THE LOCKS ON THE VAN TO THE TAIL GATE DOESN'T SEEM TO WORK CORRECTLY, 90% OF THE TIME YOU HAVE TO BEAT ON THE LOCK FROM THE OUT SIDE FOR IT TO UNLOCK. WE HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKE PAD APPROX 3 TIMES AND THEY STILL SQUEAK AND SEEM TO GRAB AT TIMES.

THE SERPENTINE BELT THAT RUNS THE CAR JUMPED OFF TRACK THE FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER WHEN IT WAS RAINING. I FIRST NOTICED MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT OVER HEATED. SO WHEN I GOT UNDER THE HOOD TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, IT WAS THE BELT IT WAS NOT BROKEN JUST OFF TRACK. HAD IT FIXED. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 25, 2003 SOME 3-4 WEEKS LATER. AGAIN IT WAS RAINING. THE PERSON WHO FIXED IT THE 2ND TIME STATES THAT EVERY TIME IT RAINS AND IF I GET WATER IN MY UNDERCARRAIGE IT IS GOING TO POP OFF. THIS IS VERY DISCOURAGING, I AM THE SINGLE MOTHER OF FOUR YOUNG GIRLS AND I SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VAN WHEN IT IS RAINING. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE SOME SENSE OUT OF THIS FOR ME.

OUR 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN'S FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONE DAY WENT ON, AND STAYED ON WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS ON {NO MATTER WHAT WE DID, NOTHING WOULD SHUT THE WIPERS OFF -- NO WAY -- NO HOW ! WE TRIED EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF.} I HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR DAYS/WEEKS WHILE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON AND COULDN'T BE TURNED OFF, AND NEARLY GOT IN TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I WAS SO DISTRACTED. THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS WHILE I WAITED FOR THE PROBLEM TO AUTOMATICALLY CEASE OF ITS OWN ACCORD, WHICH IT NEVER DID. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE WITH TIME. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT ON OF THEIR OWN ACCORD INTERMITTENTLY IN THE BEGINNING, THEN AFTER DAYS/WEEKS, WE COULD NOT SHUT THEM OFF AT ALL. I WAS FORCED TO BRING THE MINIVAN TO A CHRYSLER AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE BCM (BODY CONTROLLER OR BODY CONTROL MODULE) AT A COST OF $574 AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. I HAVE ASKED CHRYSLER CORPORATE TWICE IF THEY WILL REIMBURSE US; BOTH TIMES THEY REFUSED. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT WAS NOT IN ANY WAY CAUSED BY US. CHRYSLER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF THIS DEFECT, AND DOING THE RIGHT THING BY REIMBURSING US THE $574. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. A PERSON CAN NOT DRIVE WHILE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE PERMANENTLY ON WHILE IT IS NOT RAINING!

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND IT HAS HAD 4 TRANSMISSION FAILURES. CURRENTLY, THE 5TH TRANSMISSION IS IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE OWNED THE CARAVAN SINCE 1/97 WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED WITH ABOUT 50K MILES ON IT. IT WAS A LEASE TURN IN VEHICLE USED BY A SALESMAN NOT HAULING HEAVY LOADS BUT MAKING TOBBACCO SALES CALLS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLE OWNERS AND THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. I FEEL THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL THE TRANSMISSION FOR REPLACEMENT WITH A SATISFACTORY ONE.*AK

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL HAS GONE OUT. I HAVE 3 OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FIX IF SO MANY OTHER SAME YEAR VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I EVEN FOUND A WEBSITE WITH MANY OTHERS LISTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RECENTLY RETURNED FROM KUWAIT IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND WHEN I BEGAN DRIVING MY VAN AGAIN THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN TAKE TO A DEALER NEAR ME TO HAVE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE? *LA

WHILE DRIVING, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN OVERDRIVE AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED FROM THE IDLE POSITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD/STALLED OUT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.*AK AT 60,000 MILE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CHRYSLER WOULD NOT HONOR ANY WARRANTY.*CB *JB

I WAS TRAVELLING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THE TREAD BLEW OFF THE LEFT REAR TIRE. IT HAPPENED WITH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO THE SAME WAY. THE TREAD WAS NOT WORN, THE TUBE WAS INTACT, BUT THE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE FIRST TIME IT BROKE MY BRAKE LIGHT AND DENTED MY REAR FENDER AND BUMPER. THIS TIME THE DAMAGE WAS MUCH WORSE. IT CAUSED THE FUEL TANK CONNECTION TO BECOME LOOSE, TORE THE FENDER ON EITHER SIDE OF THE TIRE AND RIPPED THE BUMPER OFF OF THE CAR.

UR 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN'S FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONE DAY WENT ON, AND STAYED ON WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS ON {NO MATTER WHAT WE DID, NOTHING WOULD SHUT THE WIPERS OFF -- NO WAY -- NO HOW ! WE TRIED EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF.}. I HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR DAYS/WEEKS WHILE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON AND COULDN'T BE TURNED OFF, AND NEARLY GOT IN TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I WAS SO DISTRACTED. THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS WHILE I WAITED FOR THE PROBLEM TO AUTOMATICALLY CEASE OF ITS OWN ACCORD, WHICH IT NEVER DID. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE WITH TIME. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT ON OF THEIR OWN ACCORD INTERMITTENTLY IN THE BEGINNING, THEN AFTER DAYS/WEEKS, WE COULD NOT SHUT THEM OFF AT ALL. I WAS FORCED TO BRING THE MINIVAN TO A CHRYSLER AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE BCM (BODY CONTROLLER OR BODY CONTROL MODULE) AT A COST OF $574 AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. I HAVE ASKED CHRYSLER CORPORATE TWICE IF THEY WILL REIMBURSE US; BOTH TIMES THEY REFUSED. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT WAS NOT IN ANY WAY CAUSED BY US. CHRYSLER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF THIS DEFECT, AND DOING THE RIGHT THING BY REIMBURSING US THE $574. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. A PERSON CAN NOT DRIVE WHILE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ON WHILE IT IS NOT RAINING!*AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE RACK AND PINION. ALSO, THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING OVER A MINOR BUMPS. *AK

WHILE GETTING HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BODY STRUT MOUNT TOWER HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT AFTER A FEW MORE MILES THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION WOULD COLLAPSE. *AK *SCC *JB

REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL CLOCKSPRING REPAIR ON DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *MR THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCED CLOCK SPRING FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT AND RECEIVED IT BUT THE CONSUMER ALSO WANTS TO BE COMPENSATED FOR OTHER EXPENSES. *TS *NLM

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE JUST FELL DOWN. FORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT BREAK, BUT IT DISTRACTED FROM DRIVING. DRIVER HAD TO HOLD WIDOW UP SO IT WOULD NOT FALL ON ANYONE IN VEHICLE. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD BY THAT HE COULD NOT REPAIR THE INDIVIDUAL WINDOW, BUT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE WINDOW ASSEMBLY, AND SUCH REPAIRS WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PAY FOR IT. *AK

WHILE FUELING GASOLINE SPILLED OUT FROM THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE O-RING SNAPPED OFF, CAUSING THE GASOLINE TO LEAK. *AK

1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED (PARKED AND RUNNING IN DRIVEWAY) WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING. 81,000 MILES, METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. DIAGNOSED AS A LOOSE PIN WHICH WORE A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE. 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'S CHAIRMAN'S OFFICE WAS CONTACTED (CASE #11518366) AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. *LA

1996 GRAND CARAVAN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO RECALL NOTICE . FUEL RAIL AND AIR BAGS. AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON CONTINUOUSLY, TECHNICIAN REPLACED CLOCKSPRING BUT AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO BE ON. IT WAS THAT THE SAID AIR BAG MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. APPARENTLY, THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. AIR BAG MODULE REPLACEMENT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $400.00. THIS SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED BY RECALL, AS MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *LA

THE SHOCK TOWERS, WHICH HELD THE SHOCKS TO THE VEHICLE'S BODY, RUSTED EXCESSIVELY. *KG *SCC *NLM

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE FAST LANE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *NLM

VEHICLE'S AIR BAG FAILED ON 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN.*MR IN APRIL 2001 THE VEHICLES AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG ALONG WITH THE CLOCKSPRING. THE CONSUMER PAID $842.92 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IN JANUARY 2001 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER $152. WHICH THEY DEEMED WAS ENOUGH TO COVER THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER CONTESTED THE AMOUNT OF THE REIMBURSEMENT BUT HAS NOT HEARD FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE MATTER. *NLM

I OWN A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIPERS (FRONT AND REAR) ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THE WIPERS COME ON "MAGICALLY" WHILE DRIVING. THE REAR WIPER SOMETIMES COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR PROLONGED PERIODS, ESPECIALLY IF THE REAR DEFROSTER IS ON. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THREE TIMES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE DEALER NOW TELLS ME THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER OF THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED....A $700 REPAIR!!! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! I CAN NOT AFFORD $700 FOR THIS REPAIR, OR SHOULD I HAVE TO. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WIPERS LIKE THIS. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THERE IS A FLAW IN DODGE'S DESIGN. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN. I KNOW OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND SOMETIMES THEIR WIPERS JUST STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR SNOW. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ME....ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN A RAINSTORM! WHY HAVEN'T THESE VEHICLES BEEN RECALLED FOR THESE PROBLEMS? WILL IT TAKE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF FATALITIES BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? IF DODGE DOES NOT DO SOMETHING TO FIX MY PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE, THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHYRSLER PRODUCT I WILL EVER OWN. PAUL BAZIL

CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED WITHOUT DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. IT WAS VERY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AFTER IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK

BODY MODULE FOR 96 GRAND CARAVAN PART # 04686930 FAILED. *AK THIS MODULE CONTROLS BODY ELEMENTS: POWER WINDOWS, POWER LOCKS, A/C, INTERIOR FEATURES, INSTRUMENTS (ODOMETER SPECIFICALLY) AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS CEASE TO OPERATE UPON FAILURE OF THIS MODULE. THIS CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME, AT ANY PLACE (PARKED OR DRIVING) UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITIONS (SUNSHINE OR HURRICANE). I SEE THIS AS A CRITICAL DESIGN FLAW. FUNCTIONALITY OF A VITAL SAFETY COMPONENT, WINDSHIELD WIPERS,IS TIED TO A PART THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED EASILY. ACCODING TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, THE PART IS NOT PRODUCED ANY MORE, IT IS NOT STOCKED. THE ORDER WILL NOT BE FILLED. THE PART IS NOT READILY REPAIRABLE. THE MODULE MUST BE PROGRAMMED WITH VEHICLE INFORMATION (FEATURES, ODOMETER READINGS) SO THE PART IS NOT STOCKED BY DEALERS OR DISTRIBUTORS. CUSTOMERS MUST WAIT FOR OLD PART TO COME IN AND BE RECONDITIONED. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CANNOT DELIVER PARTS TO BE PROGRAMMED AND RESTORE FUNCTIONALITY AND SAFETY TO VEHICLES.

THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER STRUT TOWER HOUSING RUSTED SEVERELY, THERE WAS NO OTHER RUST ON THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB

CONSUMER STATED BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. *AK CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 1991 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - TENSIONER PULLEY. *PH *JB

TIRE BLOWOUT AT 30MPH, BRAND NEW GOODYEAR AQUATRED 3, INSTALLED 2 DAYS EARLIER.

CONSUMER HEARD NOISE FOM RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT STRUT TOWER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

ROCKER ARM PEDISTAL SHEARED OFF CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. MULTIPLE REPAIR CENTERS BELIEVE CAUSE IS DESIGN FLAW OF CYLINDER HEAD. *AK

WHILED RIVING AT NORMAL SPEED FRONT LEFT AXLE BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHOUT WARRANTY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE FAILED. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT ENGINE'S MAIN COMPUTER WOULD NOT FIRE THE #2 AND #5 SPARK PLUGS, RESULTING IN FAILURE. CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 OTHER MAIN ENGINE COMPUTER FAILURES SINCE VEHICLE OWNERSHIP.*AK

CAMSHAFT ON 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FAILED (BROKE INTO TWO PIECES) WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE OHIO TURNPIKE WITH FAMILY (TWO YOUNG CHILDREN) IN THE VAN - FAILURE OF ALL POWER ASSIST AND FOWARD MOTION (OTHER THAN COASTING) WAS IMMEDIATE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT THE TIME AND IF THE ROAD HAD BEEN BUSIER THE POTENTIAL EXISITED FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY/DEATH. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 98,100 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME (3.3L ENGINE). THIS FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO CHRYSLER TSB 09-008-01 WHICH DISCUSSES CAMSHAFT FAILURE WITH CAMSHAFT BEARING WEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DAIMLER/CHRYSLER "STEP UP TO THE PLATE" ON THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OCCURING. I WILL BE CONTACTING D/C TO PURSUE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE NEW ENGINE AS AN EVENT LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR.

CHRYSLER'S IMPROPER ACTION ON AIR BAG RECALL #02V293000 . WHEN SYMPTOMS APPEARED 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS RECALL, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH THE CLOCK SPRING AND AIR BAG, BASED ON CHRYSLER'S BEST SERVICE INFORMATION. AT THE TIME I COMPLAINED TO A REGIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATING THAT AIR BAGS RARELY GO BAD AND ONLY NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER ACTIVATION. HE AGREED BY COMPENSATING HALF OF THE TOTAL REPAIR COST. LO AND BEHOLD THIS RECALL SHOWS UP IDENTIFYING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I SUBMITTED THE PROPER PAPERWORK TO CHRYSLER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECALL AND THEY DENIED THE AIR BAG PORTION OF MY REPAIR STATING IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I FEEL TOTAL CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE ENTIRE REPAIR AS THIS WAS THEIR ORIGINAL SOLUTION TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I FELT MY HANDS WERE TIED AT THE TIME OF REPAIR BECAUSE I WANTED THE SAFETY OF HAVING THE AIR BAG FOR MY FAMILY AND WAS ACTUALLY AFRAID OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT. YOU SHOULD DIRECT CHRYSLER TO PROVIDE FULL REMEDY QUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROGRAM. DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO SHIRK THIS OBLIGATION.

DEALER HAS REPLACED 3 TIMES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER STATES HAS TO BE REPLACE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION, AND VEHICLE IS NOT ANY LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

THE BODY STRUCTURE WHICH HELD THE STRUT TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS BADLY RUSTED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IF HE DROVE OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE STRUT COULD GO COMPLETELY THROUGH THE BODY STRUCTURE IT'S CONNECTED TO AND HE COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PH *JB

THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT STRUT TOWER RUSTED THROUGH, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF A FRONT SUSPENSION DROP.*AK *TS *JB

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT.*MR. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LEAK UNDER THE VAN, AND SEEING THE LEAK BECOME WORSE AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VAN WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. *TS *JB

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT STRUTS AND SPRING TOWER ARE RUSTED, AND RECOMMENDED THAT CONSUMER TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 7/7/2003.*AK

CAR TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS FOR FRONT END NOISE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. DEALERSHIP FAILED TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. UPSOLD OTHER SERVICE REPAIR WORK AS "NEEDED" BUT NOT RELATED TO FRONT END NOISE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO OUTSIDE SERVICE STATION FOR NOISE AND TOLD NEEDED STRUTS (PREVIOUSLY DONE EARLIER IN THE YEAR ALREADY) MECHANIC UNABLE TO PERFORM REPAIR DUE TO RUSTING OF BOTH FRONT STRUT TOWERS. VEHICLE BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER FOR FURTHER INQUIRY REGARDING RUST OF TOWERS. SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM WHEN I POINTED IT OUT. HE HAD NO EXPLANATION WHY HIS TECHNICIANS FAILED TO INDENTIFY ON PRIOR SERVICE VISITS. CHRYSLER CONTACTED AND WILLING TO OFFER GOODWILL OF 1/2 COST FOR BODY SHOP REPAIRS. NO LOANER CAR PROVIDED. WAITING FOR ADHESIVE NEEDED TO COMPLETE WORK, PARTS ORDERED 6/24/03, CAR LEFT WITH DEALERSHIP FOR 1 WEEK. NO REPAIR DONE, NO NOTIFICATION OF DELAY. CAR PICKED UP UNREPAIRED ON 7/1/03 AND FORCED TO NOW DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE UNTIL SUCH TIME THEY RECEIVE PARTS TO DO REPAIRS. UNABLE TO OBTAIN WHEREABOUTS OR SHIPPING INFO ON PARTS STILL NEEDED AS OF 7/7/03. *AK CONSUMER CALLED ON 7/21/2003 TO SAY THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED BY THE DEALER.

THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF WITHOUT TOUCHING THE SWITCH. *AK