Page 4 of 24 · complaints 151–200 of 1,157

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

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 1996 record →

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jun 23, 200386,000 milesWI

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 50 TO 55 MPH, WHEN VEHICLE HIT A DEER. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Jun 17, 2003PA

VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF WHEN WITHOUT WARNING, THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jun 10, 2003UT

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 9, 2003MD

WHILE TRAVELING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 5, 200376,100 milesOH

THE STRUT MOUNTS THOROUGHLY RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE BODY WHICH THEN CAUSED A DRIVING HAZARD. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MOST COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG THE CHRSYLER/DODGE MINI-VANS OF 1996. CHRYSLER WILL NOT EXTEND GOOD WILL OR ASSISTANCE EVEN THOUGH THE FAULT LIES WITH THEM IN ITS POOR DESIGN THAT WAS SOON AFTER REVAMPED. WHAT IS REALLY DISTRESSING IS THAT CHRYSLER RAISED THE COST OF THE STRUT MOUNTS RECENTLY, WHICH ARE DEALER PARTS ONLY, BY ABOUT 84% AS THEY REALIZE MORE AND MORE CONSUMERS NEED TO MAKE THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *AK

Suspension › Front › Macpherson Strut
Filed Jun 3, 200379,000 milesOH

FRONT RIGHT SIDE STRUTS ARE RUSTING OUT. THIS RESULTS IN SUSPENSION AND STEERING LOSS. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK

Air Bags
Filed May 30, 2003VA

THE VEHICLE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (NOTIFICATION # B24). THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED AND CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *MR *SCC *NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 29, 200335,000 milesCA

1ST DATE OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WAS IN APRIL 1999. STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. STILL UNDER WARRANTLY, STILL HAD TO PAY DEDUCTIBLE. MILEAGE WAS 35,000. NOW 2ND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 96,000 STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. TRANSMISSION STUCK AND LEAKING FLUID. WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. FOR A WOPPING COST OF $2700.00

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed May 28, 2003116,552 milesMI

MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS A LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER THAT IS CRACKED AROUND THE TOP WHERE THE SPRING SITS. THERE ISN'T A SPOT OF RUST OR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ON THIS VEHICLE EXCEPT THAT STRUT TOWER. FROM MY DISCUSSION WITH A CHRYSLER BODY SHOP MANAGER, IT APPEARS THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THESE STRUT TOWERS. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IF ONE OF THESE LETS GO AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT WILL IMMEDIATELY IMPACT STEERING AND DRIVEABILITY POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A CRASH. I KNOW MY WAY AROUND A CAR SO I WAS ABLE TO SPOT THIS PROBLEM AND RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL DANGER. I THINK WITH MOST DRIVERS THIS PROBLEM WILL GO UNRECOGNIZED AND THAT IS WHY I AM WRITING YOU TODAY. PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT. I CALLED CHRYSTER AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT, BUT I DON'T EXPECT THEM TO INFORM ANYONE.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Apr 30, 2003OH

WHILE TRAVELING, THE DASH BOARD INDICATION LIGHTS FLASHED THROUGHOUT TRAVEL. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL HEADS CONTAINED A SHORT. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 29, 2003CT

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A RECALL THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING NOISE AND WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR. *NLM

Electrical System
Filed Apr 26, 200327,900 milesCA

RE:DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE, L996 CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SUDDEN LACK OF POWER WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY, NARROWLY AVOIDING SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. IN RESEARCHING ON VARIOUS WEB SITES, THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS AS WELL. THE DEALER HAS KEPT THE CAR TWICE SO THEY COULD 'DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM', THEY REPLACE ONE SENSOR OR ANOTHER. LAST REPLACEMENT SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED BUT STILL DON'T TRUST THE CAR AND WON'T DRIVE ON FREEWAY OR FAR FROM HOME. NOW HAVE TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR, THE DEALER SAID IT'S PROBABLY THE CRANK SENSOR. THEY SAY SINCE I ONLY HAVE 33,000 MILES ON THE CAR, IT SHOULDN'T BE THE STARTER. ALSO, I HAVE HISTORY OF THE WIPERS TURNING ON AND OFF WHENEVER THEY FEEL LIKE IT. THEY ALSO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN RHYTHM WHEN WORKING. THE WIPER SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE COMPUTER NEVER SHOWS AN ERROR CODE SO OBVIOUSLY, IT ISN'T WORKING EITHER. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL FLOAT AND SOMETIMES WILL SHOW 0 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I'M MOVING. THEY REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER SENSOR TWICE AND NOW IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING. I HAVE SEEN ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS LISTED ON VARIOUS WEB SITES. THE DEALER ACTS LIKE I'M CRAZY AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE SUDDEN LACK OF POWER, THE ENGINE JUST TURNS OFF, NO POWER STEERING EITHER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT... AS SOON AS I CAN AFFORD IT, I WILL BE REPLACING THIS VAN WITH A NON-DODGE VEHICLE. *NLM

Air Bags
Filed Apr 22, 2003IL

THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED ONE YEAR PRIOR TO RECALL# 02V293000. THE CONSUMER FILED FOR A REFUND WITH CHRYSLER WHICH HE HASN'T RECEIVED. *MR *SCC *NLM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring
Filed Apr 21, 200374,800 milesVA

THE COMPUTER MODULE FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 21, 2003CA

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 18, 2003TX

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NLM

Electrical System
Filed Apr 14, 2003TN

STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSES VARIOUS ELECTRICAL INPUTS SUCH AS TURNING ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HONKING HORN, CAUSING THE ABS FAILURE LIGHT TO COME ON AND CAUSING ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO SHORT OUT INCLUDING ALL GAUGES AND EVEN CAUSING THE ENGINE TO TURN OFF. *NLM

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Apr 9, 2003NJ

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS INTERMITTENT. MR THE PROBLEM WITH THE WIPERS OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE WIPERS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD THEY WORKED FINE. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT AS WELL. SCC *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Mar 30, 2003120,000 milesOH

HEADLIGHTS HAVE STEADILY BECOME FOGGED/ DISCOLORED. BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSED BY SOME KIND OF OXIDATION OF THE MATERIAL FROM BEING EXPOSED TO THE SUN AND OTHER ELEMENTS. REPLACED ONE HEADLIGHT WITH USED PARTIALLY CLEAR UNIT 2 YEARS AGO. IT TO NOW IS FOGGED TO THE POINT I CAN DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON AND NO ONE KNOWS IT. MY CARAVAN HEADLIGHTS ON BRIGHT ARE CONSIDERABLY LESS BRIGHT THAN MY 10 YR OLD CIVIC ON NORMAL SETTING. LUCKILY I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT FROM THIS INADEQUACY BUT ONLY BECAUSE I DRIVE AROUND WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON TO HELP PROJECT SOME LIGHT ON THE ROAD DUE TO THESE DEFECTIVE LENSES.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 27, 2003MI

NAR 03-27-2003 MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS, AND THE TRANSMISSION DIED OUT. *CB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Mar 22, 2003163,451 milesNY

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT, WHEN IT RAINS THE BELT COMES OFF THE PULLEY SYSTEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, AND IS BECOMING COSTLY, SO NOW I AM CONSIDERING THE HONDA ODYSSEY!. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 21, 2003132,000 milesNC

TRANSMISSION LOCKED-UP ON 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHEN WE CONTACTED SOMEONE ABOUT OBTAINING A TRANSMISSION, WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD ALREADY SENT LETTERS TO DODGE DEALERSHIPS TO EXPECT TO BE CONTACTED ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON THE 1996 & 1997 GRAND CARAVANS; THE DEALERSHIPS WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE VEHICLES WERE DEFECTIVE, BUT THAT THEY(MANUFACTURER) WOULD NOT HAVE THEM REPAIRED. MY HUSBAND WAS TRAVELING ON I-40 BUSINESS OUTSIDE OF WINSTON SALEM, NC, WHEN THIS HAPPENED. HE HAD WITH HIM OUR 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND MY STEP-DAUGHTER, THEY WERE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR OVER 4 HOURS, AND AT NIGHT. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD A "PIN" OF SOME SORT IN THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND THE VAN SEEMED TO BE FINE AFTER THAT; WE HAD NO OTHER INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM--THE VAN'S TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED ON A VERY BUSY PART OF THE INTERSTATE; IT JUST SHUT DOWN AND COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THEY HAD BEEN TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE OF TRAFFIC. DUE TO BEING IN THE RIGHT LANE, THEY WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING HIT BY OTHER TRAFFIC. WE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED OVER 60 MILES TO GET IT HOME. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO. OR ASSISTANCE YOU CAN OFFER. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF OTHER INFO OR QUESTIONS ARE NEEDED. THANK YOU. *NLM

Seat Belts › Integrated Child Seat
Filed Mar 19, 2003CA

THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT,IN WHICH THE STRAPS WERE LOOSE, AND DID NOT RETRACT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. *JB SCC

Air Bags
Filed Mar 17, 200382,649 milesMD

RE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V293000. CONSUMER STATES HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERTAIVE, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER REPLACED CLOCKSPRING PER RECALL 02V293000. CONSUMER STATED CHRYSLER HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS WHICH WERE PAID AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TT *NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 13, 2003MD

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ON ITS THIRD TRANSMISSION.*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 9, 2003100,000 milesFL

DODGE '96 MINIVAN STALLING PROBLEM WHILE IN OPERATION. START UP TIME 5-10 MINUTES LATER (VERY DANGEROUS). TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR; PROBLEM ESCALATED TO FULL REPLACEMENT. NOT SATISFIED WITH REPLACEMENT -"BUMPS" ON SECOND AND THIRD GEARS UP AND DOWN. THESE HAVE BEEN COSTLY REPAIRS. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT NO MATTER WHAT REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED - FULL FUEL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. RPS RACED TO 15K. REPLACED CAM SENSOR, HARNESS, HOSES ETC. *NLM

Air BagsCrashFire2 injured
Filed Mar 4, 2003120,000 milesWI

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION YET THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *NLM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OPENED BUT WAS DEFLATED. CONSUMER RECEIVED LETTER REGARDING FAULTY AIR BAGS AFTER ACCIDENT. *TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 20, 2003MA

WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Feb 20, 2003NE

AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED REGARDING THE FUEL RAIL SEAL, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MISFIRE, THE DEALER REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGING CONSUMER. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Feb 20, 2003CO

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. FAULTY CIRCUIT ON BODY CONTROL MODULE.*JB *TS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2003VT

THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO PULL OVER ABRUPTLY.*JB

Power Train
Filed Feb 14, 2003ME

THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING.*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 12, 200384,000 milesNY

THE METER READ LESS THAN HALF A TANK OF GAS, THE VAN RAN OUT OF GAS, THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE WHEN SOON AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS A MISFIRED CYLINDER, THE FUEL FUEL PUMP WAS BURIED INSIDE THE GAS TANK, AND WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL DROPPED BELOW THE FUEL PUMP, THE PUMP HEATED UP AND SUCKED IN AIR INSTEAD OF THE GASOLINE. *SCC *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 12, 2003111,000 milesVA

CAR SUDDENLY BEGINS TO IDLE VERY IRRATICALLY & ROUGHLY WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN EVEN WHEN FULLY WARMED UP. THE IDLE AIR CONTROL WAS REPLACED ON 1-30-02, BUT CAR STARTED STALLING AGAIN ON 2-11-03.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Feb 10, 200355,000 milesIL

THE FUEL TANK CRACKED AND LEAKED FUEL. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WHICH HAD ADDITIONAL BRACKETS. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW. SCC

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 4, 2003VA

I RECENTLY REPORTED THE FOLLOWING DEFECT TO DODGE: "THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON MY 1996 GRAND CARAVAN HAVE BECOME FOGGED OVER. I'VE NOTICED REDUCED NIGHT VISIBILITY AS A RESULT. I'VE NOTICED THE SAME DEGRADATION IN HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLIES ON OTHER CARAVANS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL DEALER WHO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM BUT SAID DODGE HADN'T ISSUED ANY RECALL AS OF YET. THIS LOSS OF CLARITY IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY MATERIAL WILL LEAD TO NIGHT TIME ACCIDENTS IF NOT CORRECTED. IS DODGE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND IF SO ARE THERE PLANS TO CORRECT THIS MANUFACTURING SHORTCOMING IN THE SAME MANNER YOU CORRECTED THE RECENT CLOCKSPRING DEFECT?". DODGE REPLIED: "THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECENT E-MAIL TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION REGARDING THE HEADLIGHTS ON YOUR 1996 GRAND CARAVAN." THERE ARE NO INCOMPLETE RECALLS OR PENDING RECALLS INVOLVING YOUR VEHICLE FOR THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE DESCRIBED. YOUR CONCERNS, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE EXPENSE AND INCONVENIENCE INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE, ARE UNDERSTANDABLE. HOWEVER, YOUR REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER MUST BE DECLINED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAS EXCEEDED THE TIME OR MILEAGE LIMITATIONS OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY AT THE TIME THE EXPENSE WAS INCURRED. ALTHOUGH A MORE FAVORABLE REPLY COULD NOT BE PROVIDED, SHARING YOUR CONCERNS WITH US IS APPRECIATED. SINCERELY, NICOLE KALISH SENIOR STAFF REPRESENTATIVE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER I FEEL THE RESPONSE IS IN ADEQUATE AND DOES NOT ADDRE

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 1, 200382,890 milesMN

SUPPORT FOR ROCKER ARM BROKE OFF AT 82,890 MILES. FROM REVIEW OF THE NHTSA RECORDS, THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. AS THIS IS PART OF THE HEAD CASTING, I WOULD EXPECT IT TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. TS

Air Bags
Filed Jan 22, 2003OH

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR NO REASON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS ON. TS

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jan 22, 2003PA

CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER'S SIDE MANUAL SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. CONSUMER'S ADVISE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH DOOR THAT HAVE PROGRESSED TO IT NOT WORKING AT ALL. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF CHILDREN IS DOOR NEEDED TO BE OPENED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 21, 2003CA

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CLOCK SPRING. TS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jan 17, 200393,662 milesMA

CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC DETERMINED A FLEXIBLE FUEL LINE IS POROUS FROM FRAME TO FUEL RAIL, SPRAYING FUEL OVER ENGINE. TS

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jan 15, 2003154,000 milesNY

THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON AND STAYING ON. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AFTER WORKING INTERMITTENTLY FOR A MONTH. THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED. THIS WAS RECALLED ON MANY 1996 BUT NOT OUR SERIES. *PH **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770848

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Jan 14, 2003MA

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE'S HORN IS NOT WORKING DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DEALER WON'T REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jan 13, 2003CT

WHEN CONSUMER WAS FILLING UP THE GASOLINE TANK, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Jan 10, 2003NH

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM INSIDE OF THE VENTS, AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. BUILT IN CHECK ON TOP OF FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING. .*JB. *AK

Child Seat
Filed Jan 3, 2003FL

INTERNAL MECHANICAL FAILURE OF INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT, RIGHT HAND SIDE. THE CABLE ASSEMBLY IN THE SEAT MODULE HAS FAILED. THIS CABLE ASSEMBLY LOCKS THE RETRACTABLE SHOULDER BELTS. THE CABLE HOOKS DIRECTLY TO THE LATCH PLATE AND WHEN THE BELT BUCKLE IS CONNECTED TO THE LATCH PLATE THE PLATE'S FORWARD MOVEMENT PULLS THE CABLE CAUSING THE SHOULDER BELT'S RETRACTOR TO LOCK. THIS CABLE CONNECTION HAS SEPARATED FROM THE LATCH PLATE (CABLE END IS ALSO FRAYED WITH THREE STRANDS LEFT ON IT'S END), RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELTS, RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY UNLOCKABLE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION FOR ANY CHILDS LIFE IF VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT RESTRAIN THE CHILD IN THE SEAT LIKE IS SUPOSSED TO. LEFT HAND ICSS ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT CUSHION PIVOT FRAME WHICH IS TWISTED AT LEFT ATTACHED POINT. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. THAT THE SEAT MODULES NEED TO BE REPLACED AND COSTS ON AN ESTIMATE OF $1,300+. I, REFUSE TO PAY ANY AMOUNT WHEN MY GUT FEELING IS THAT CHRYSLER HAS PUT OUT THESE ICSS WHICH ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I'M HAVING NOW FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. CHRYSLER ON 01/02/03 TOLD ME THAT IF I PAY THE FIRST $800+ THAT THEY WOULD PAY THE REMAINING DIFFERENCE. NOW, TO ME THIS IS LIKE SAYING YES, WE KNOW WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THESE ICSS SO WE ARE WILLING TO HELP. WELL, AFTER READING SO MANY LIKE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE ICSS, I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD REALIZE THAT EVERY TIME A CHILD IS PLACED IN THEIR "CHRYSLER" ICSS THAT THE CHILD'S LIFE IS

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Dec 31, 200260,000 milesWI

FRONT STRUTS ARE RUSTING THROUGH, RESULTING IN WINDSHIELD CRACKING. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS...*AK

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 31, 2002PA

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Dec 28, 2002OH

AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANTLY INDICATING CLOCK SPRING FAILURE ACCORDING TO DEALER. WANTS TO BE PAID FOR FIXING THIS DEFECTIVE PART. SCC **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770792***

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsFire
Filed Dec 15, 2002190,000 milesGA

ON DECEMBER 05/2002 MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS JUST WARMING UP PRIOR TO BEING USED TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA FIRE DEPARTMENT. I LEARNED AFTER THE FIRE THAT CHRYSLER HAD A RECALL RELATED TO A FUEL RAIL/SYSTEM DEFECT. I HAVE ALL MAJOR MECHANIC WORK DONE AT THE AUTHORIZED CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND WAS NEVER TOLD OF THIS RECALL.

Reading these

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.

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