1996 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

CONSUMERS DAUGHTER INFORMED HER THAT VEHICLE WAS SMOKING, CONSUMER WALKED OUT TO SEE VEHICLE SMOKING AND IN FLAMES, PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD COMPLAINED THAT VEHICLE IDLED FAST AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE, CLAIM 52-2509-400. *SLC

CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CLAIM 35-W700-085. *SLC

CONSUMER WAS DROPPING OFF NIECE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY, AFTER DRIVING PAST 4-5 HOUSES, CONSUMER SAW ORANGE AND STOPPED, VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, CONSUMER HAD HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL LINE, CLAIM 49-3238-941. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN CARPORT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 03-3171-084. *SLC

CONSUMER TOOK CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND COULD SMELL GAS, CONSUMER HAD RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALER HE DID NOT BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH THE RECALL, AFTER PACKAGE, VEHICLE WENT INTO HOUSE, NEIGHBOR CALLED HER AND STATED HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED, CLAIM 20-5211-880. *SLC

WHILE LEAVING HOME, CONSUMER HEARD A POFF, WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, IT WAS SMOKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE MAIN HARNESS IS MELTED, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF A FIRE, CLAIM 25-5394-275. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 04-1215-889. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WAS FLAGGED DOWN BY A PASSING MOTORIST AND WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE FAN BELT CAUSED THE FIRE, CLAIM 17-9113-989. *SLC

AIRBAG LIGHT , HORN,AND CRUISE DOESN'T WORK

WHEN DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD NOT TRAVEL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS NOW ON 3RD TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED WIPER MOTOR. A YEAR LATER, WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.. WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED TECHNICIAN NOTICED SWAY BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 3O-35MPH AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT CAME UNBUCKLED DURING IMPACT. SEAT BELT RETRACTED AND WAS CAUGHT AROUND PASSENGER'S NECK. CHRYSLER HAS VEHICLE CURRENTLY.*AK

WATER GETS ON POWER STEERING BELT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CLOCK SPRING HAS FAILED CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY ABS LIGHT WILL STAY ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. DELAER HAS NOT BENE ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT CARRIES POWER TO THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG INSTALLED IN THE STEERING WHEEL IS BROKEN AND THUS THERE IS NO ELECTRIC CONNECTION TO THE AIRBAG. THE FAILURE IS DUE TO THE WAY THE CONNECTING WIRE, CONSISTING OF A FOIL ON A FLEXIBLE BELT, IS WOUND INTO "CLOCKSPRING". THE BELT MAKES TWO BENDS WHICH CAUSES STRETCHING PRESSURE TO THE FOIL AND IN THE LONG RUN WEARS THE FOIL AND BREAKS THE CONNECTION. THE SAME CONFIGRATION CARRIES ALSO THE SIGNAL HORN CONNECTION AND WHEN THE PARALLEL RUNNING FOILS BREAK ALSO HORN FAILS TO WORK. *AK

THERE IS A GAS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHCLE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE GAS IS LEAKING ALL OVER ENGINE AND COULD CATCH ON FIRE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL RAIL, HOWEVER CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. *AK *YH

VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL CAN SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT FUEL RAIL NEEDED TO BE FIXED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

FUEL LEAKAGE VIA CRACKED FUEL RAIL AND O RINGS. DEALER STATES "NO RECALL" SO NO "FREE" REPAIRS.*AK

CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO FIX PROBLEM UNDER RECALL EVEN THOUGH AWARE RECALL NOTICE COMING OUT IN JANUARY. DUE TO EXTREME HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WITH PLANNED TRIP OF BOY SCOUTS IMMEDIATE REPAIRS NECESSARY BY LOCAL MECHANIC.

THE CLOCKSPRING WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES, WHICH CAUSED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO BE INOPERATIVE. TS *JB

THIS COMPONENT HAS A RECALL AT NHTSA SITE BUT CHRYSLER HAS NOT RECALLED, IT WILL COST 443.00 TO FIX, I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY THIS CLOSE TO CHRISTMAS. WHEN IS CHRYSLER REQUIRED TO RECALL. *AK

PLASTIC FUEL TANK RUPTURED FOR NO APPARENT REASON-GASOLINE LEAKED INTO GARAGE. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, HORN FAILED TO OPERATE, AND CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY, AND HAD TO REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

HAD DEALER COMPLETE RECALL # 99V216000 IN EARLY 2000, UPON DRIVING HOME AND FILLING THE FUEL TANK NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING UNDER VEHICLE. DEALER TOWED VEHILCE BACK TO DEALERSHIP (THEIR EXPENSE), AND REPLACED "CRACKED" ATTACHING NUT FROM RECALL WORK. DROVE HOME (70 MILES) AND DISCOVERED SMALL QUANTITY OF FUEL STILL LEAKING FROM TANK FITTINGS. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER (MY EXPENSE). SHOP ADVISED THEY TIGHTENED LOOSE ATTACHING NUT FROM PREVIOUS RECALL. STILL NOTICED ODOR OF FUEL CONSISTANTLY BUT COULD NOT SEE ANY LEAKS AS PREVIOUS. DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT FIRE SAFETY (I'M THE FIRE CHIEF IN HOMER) I TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL GARAGE (MY EXPENSE). THEY FOUND THIS SAME ATTACHING NUT AND FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLE LEAKING AND REFERRED ME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ON NOVEMBER 27, 2001 AND PICKED IT UP ON DECEMBER 5 AFTER THEY "REPLACED" SEALING O-RING AND ATTACHING NUT FROM PREVIOUS RECALL (ALMOST $100.00 OF MY EXPENSE). FILLED FUEL TANK ON DEC. 6 AND DISCOVERED LARGE QUANTITY OF FUEL LEAKING FROM SAME AREA UNDER VEHICLE. REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALSHIP AND THEY ADVISED TO RETURN VEHICLE TO THEM FOR FURTHER REPAIR, WITH THEM RECOMMENDING AND ORDERING REPLACEMENT FUEL TANK. I SUSPECT A COMBINATION OF POOR QUALITY WORK AND POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAWS WITH THE TANK AND FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY, NUT AND O-RING.*AK

WHENEVER IT STARTS TO SNOW OR RAIN WOULD TURN ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD SOMETIMES WORK, AND OTHER TIMES WOULD STOP WORKING AFTER BEING ON FOR A WHILE. SOMETIMES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TURN OFF. THIS CAUSES HAVOC WITH DRIVER'S VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLETO DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER NO PROBLEM FOUND. TOLD TO BRING VEHICLE BACK WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *AK

WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY GAVE OUT. THE VEHICLE DROPPED IN SPEED FROM 65 TO UNDER 40MPH IN LESS THAN TWO SECONDS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NEARLY BE INVOLVED IN A CATASTROPHIC REAR END ACCIDENT WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK FOLLOWING BEHIND MY VAN. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER VEHICLES PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT SINCE THEY ARE NOT. THANK YOU. *AK

THE AIR BACK INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ILUMINATED. WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT CLOCK SPRING WAS FAILING AND THAT THIS CONTROLS THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL AND AIRBAG. EVENTUALLY THIS WOULD FAIL COMPLETELY AND WE WOULD LOSE THE PROPER FUNCTION OF THESE COMPONENTS (WHICH IN MY MIND IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED/FIXED FREE OF CHARGE BY CHRYLSER. *AK

READ IN NEWSGROUPS THAT CLOCK SPRING FAILURES SHOULD BE REPORTED; CONCERNED ABOUT AIRBAG VIABILITY AS WELL. *AK

TREAD IS SEPARATING IN CHUNKS AND EXPOSING STEEL BELTS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: T2749938 TIRESIZE: P215/65R15)

CHRYSLER CORP NOTIFIED ME TO RETURN MY DODGE VAN FOR FUEL FILLER TUBE RECALL SERVICE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ARRIGO DODGE, AN AUTHORIZED DODGE DEALER, TO PERFORM THE SERVICE. AFTER THREE MONTHS WAITING, MARK NORMAN SCHEDULED MY RECALL SERVICE. MECHANIC NUMBER 269 PERFORMED THE RECALL SERVICE ON 6/7/2000. I RECEIVED MY VAN ON 6/7/2000 AND PROCEDED TO FILL UP AN EMPTY FUEL TANK. WHEN THE PUMP'S AUTO SHUTOFF ENGAGED, HEAVY FUEL OVERFLOWED UNDER MY VAN. I LOOKED UNDER AND SAW FUEL SPILLING FROM A JUNCTURE OF THE FUEL TUBE AND TWO CONNECTING LINES FROM THE FUEL TUBE TO THE MAIN GAS TANK. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE DURING MY OWNERSHIP. I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO ARRIGO DODGE'S MARK NORMAN TO COMPLAIN. HE ALLABIED WITH "...LET EVERTHING SEAT INTO PLACE. DRIVE IT FOR SEVERAL TANKS OF GAS." THE LEAKING NEVER CORRECTED ITSELF AND THE FUMES RADIATING FROM THE FUEL FILLER VALVE CONTINUED. EXCUSES HAVE CONTINUED FOR 17-MONTHS. I HAVE BEEN PASSED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN ARRIGO DODGE AND CHRYLER CORP'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS FOR MONTHS AFTER I REALIZED ARRIGO DODGE WAS STONEWALLING. ARRIGO DODGE ALSO FIRED MY FIRST SERVICE WRITER, MARK NORMAN. I WENT AND PAID FOR AN INDEPENDENT CHRYSLER DEALER TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM AREA, JUST TO HAVE CONFIRMATION WHERE THE LEAK WAS ORIGINATING. I HAVE DATES & SUMMARIES OF MY HONEST EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THIS SERVICE FAULT. ON 11/8/2001, I WAS BLATANTLY LIED TO BY SERVICE MANAGER, ORLANDO FERRER, AND DECIDED TO USE OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO CORRECT THIS SERVICE B

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ALL KINDS OF TROUBLES WITH THE RADIO SINCE I BOUGHT IT,,,, NO BIG DEAL,,, UNTILL TODAY WHEN COMING HOME FROM MY PARENTS SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CONTROL. *AK

THE ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP FAILED. REPLACEMENT OEM PUMP LEAKED GAS OUT OF DEFECTIVE SEAL WHEN TANK WAS FILLED, RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT GAS SPILL AND FIRE HAZARD. DEALED EXPLAINED THAT WHEN PUMP IS REPLACED THEY DO NOT CHECK FOR TANK SEAL INTEGRITY. REPLACEMENT PUMP REPLACED AT NO ADDITONAL CHARGE. *AK

WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATES FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, 6-30 SECONDS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN STEERING IS TURNED HARD TO RIGHT AND, CORRECTS ITSELF WHEN TURNED TO LEFT. DEALER HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. NOTICED FLAMES INSIDE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A DECLINE, FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT WHEN IT WAS FULL OR 3/4 FULL. MECHANIC INDICATED BALL UNIT THAT PREVENTS FUEL FROM LEAKING OUT OF THE TANK CONVERTOR WAS FAILING AND NOT SEALING IT OFF.*AK *JB

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON PERMANENTLY ON 10/10/01. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, DISCOVERED BOTH HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL INOPERABLE. REMEMBERED INTERNET REPORT ABOUT NHTSA STEPPING UP PROBE OF CHRYLSER MINIVANS FOR CLOCKSPRING FAILURE COMPLAINTS (INTERNET REPORT FROM 3/2000). MENTIONED REPORT TO DEALER PERSONNEL WHEN TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DODGE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY INDICATED NO FORMAL RECALL ON THIS PART YET, BUT SAVE RECEIPT IN EVENT FUTURE RECALL REQUIRED. SENDING THIS INFORMATION AS FURTHER EVIDENCE TO NHTSA THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART ON THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES.*AK

I PURCHASED MY MINIVAN FROM BEDARD BROS. ON FEB. 21, 2000. ON APRIL 3, 2000 IT HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN BY BEDARD BROS. BECAUSE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT SUDDENLY DROPPED INTO A LOWER GEAR. THEN IT STARTED LEAKING FLUID. BEDARDS SAID A PIN CAUSED A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE. ON MAY 10, 2000, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION DROPPING INTO A LOW GEAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. A MECHANIC AT BEDARD BROS. HOOKED HIS COMPUTER TO THE VEHICLE AND RESET THE CODES NOT BEING ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IN OCT. 2001 I AGAIN FELT A "CLUNK" AND IT DROPPED INTO A LOWER GEAR BUT THAT SOMEHOW CORRECTED ITSELF. BUT, NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT TO BEDARD BROS. ON 10/15/01 AND THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PUMP SEAL. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 10/17/01. ON 10/18/01 I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STILL LEAKING SO I DROVE IT BACK TO BEDARD BROS. THE PUT SOME TYPE OF DYE INTO THE SYSTEM THAT WILL HELP THEM LOCATE THE SOURCE. HE STATED IT MAY BE A CRACK OR SOMETHING BUT IT HAS TO GO BACK FOR A LOOK ON 10/22/01. MY CONCERN IS THAT THESE ARE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. I TALKED TO A PERSON FROM FENN ST. TRANSMISSION WHO SAID THESE VEHICLES ARE KNOWN FOR THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT THERE IS A PIN THAT BREAKS LOOSE AND OFTEN GOES THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION CASE. *AK

THE AIBBAG LIGHT IS ON, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK.*AK

THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND HAS CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE GASKETS ARE NOW BAD AND LEAKING OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER (MOSER DODGE) THAT THIS IS AFFECT AND A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS 3.0 ENGINE. THIS ALSO CREATES A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. HOWEVER DODGE SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO WITH ME TO REPAIR THIS OR SHARE THIS COST. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF DODGE AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COULD SMELL GASOLINE, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND HEARD A FUNNY NOISE, SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CLAIM 35-W757-894. *SLC

FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES, WITHIN A PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES IT WILL SHOW 1/2 A TANK, THEN ALMOST EMPTY.*AK

CLOCK SPRING CONNECTOR PROVIDING VEHICLE WITH HORN, DRIVER AIR BAG, AND CRUISE CONTROL HAVE WORN OUT PREMATURELY LEAVING VEHICLE WITH NO HORN, DRIVERS AIR BAG, AND CRUISE CONTROL.

NO SUMMARY LISTED IN ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING A MOVE FROM MARYLAND TO GEORGIA, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS DURING RAINSTORM. ARRIVED AT DEALER ONLY 451 MILES AFTER EXPIRATION OF 75K WARRANTY. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR CHRYSLER WOULD ASSIST IN REPAIR COSTS. HAVE SUBMITTED TWO LENGTHY VOQ'S TODAY AS I AM FINALLY FED UP WITH THIS CHRYSLER PRODUCT AND THE FAILURE OF CHRYSLER AND THE NHTSA TO ENACT ADDITIONAL FORCED RECALLS OF THESE VEHICLES. THE TRANSMISSION, FUEL TANK, BODY CONTROL MODULE, CLOCK SPRING (WHICH RESULTED IN INOPERATIVE AIRBAGS), AND SUSPENSION PARTS ALL FAILED LONG BEFORE THEY SHOULD HAVE. ADDITIONALLY, A CURSORY SEARCH OF BOTH NHTSA AND OTHER WEB SITES REVEALS THAT THESE PARTS HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE. DESPITE BEING REPLACED BY A DEALER ONLY TWO YEARS AGO, THE STEERING RACK ON MY MINIVAN IS ALREADY FAILING AGAIN. I AM EXTREMELY UNIMPRESSED WITH BOTH THE QUALITY OF THIS VEHICLE AND THE LACK OF SUPPORT FROM CHRYSLER IN ADDRESSING REPEATED FAILURES.

VEHICLE WAS DRIPPING TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

LEFT AND RIGHT TURNING SIGNALS DO NOT WORK, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF A BUSY STREET WITH OTHER CARS BEHIND. *AK THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES, WHEN THE SIGNAL FAILED THE FOURTH TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE FLASHERS, THE TURN SIGNALS WORK FINE NOW. *NLM

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*AK

A REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A FUEL LEAK ORIGINATING FROM FUEL RAIL. CONSUMER CONTACTED DODGE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY ANY RECALLS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK