1998 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CLOCKSPRING WAS ALSO REPLACED ACCORDING TO A RECALL WITHOUT THE CONTACT'S CONSENT. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE FLASHING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE HORN DID NOT OPERATE AND THERE WERE OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 59,492. UPDATED 08/19/09 *BF UPDATED 08/20/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED TWO FAILURES REGARDING THE SERPENTINE BELT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF BY RE-ATTACHING THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

MY SON STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR UPON INSPECTION THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING RIGHT BEHIND THE BRADED PART ABOUT A FOOT BEHIND THE ABS UNIT THE OTHER REAR LIND IS IN BAD SHAPE AT THE SAME POINT. *TR

I ONLY OWNED THE VAN FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS(IT WAS USED) AND ALL MY GAUGES WENT OUT. THE FIRST TIME I TURNED ON THE MIRROR BUTTON IT CAME BACK ON FOR A FEW DAYS WENT OUT AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I TURNED ON THE WIPERS IT CAME BACK ON FOR ABOUT A DAY, THEN IT WENT OUT COMPLETELY. IT SEEMS ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STRUT TOWERS RUST PROBLEM. THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER IS ABOUT 60% RUSTED OUT. WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE RUST CAN'T HOLD THE STRUT MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. FAILURE COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL, AND PASSENGER INJURY OR DEATHS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR TIRE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER MOUNT WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,000. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 131,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED. AFTER REPLACING THE TIRES, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,015. UPDATED 03/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/24/09.*JB

WHILE DRIVING THE RAIN I WENT THROUGH A MIDSIZE PUDDLE DUE TO STORM DRAINS BEING BLOCKED I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR STOPPED AND STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I WAS THANKFULLY DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT 25 MPH WITH OUT ALOT OF TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER RIGHT AWAY. BECAUSE OF GOING THROUGH THE PUDDLE THE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF. WHEN THE BELT SLIPPED OFF IT BENT THE SUSPENSION AND SPRING THAT HOLD THE BELT TIGHT. THE BELT IS FAIRLY NEW AND THE CAR HAD RECENTLY BEEN IN FOR SERVICE AND CHECKED OVER. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE BELT TO COME OFF. CAN I NOT DRIVE MY CAR IN THE RAIN? IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50MPH OR THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SNOWY OR ICY I MAY NOT BE HERE. *TR

CARAVAN WILL ATTEMPT TO START THEN STALLS OUT. ONCE DONE 3 TIMES IT WILL NOT START FOR HOURS OR DAYS. ALL GAUGES FAIL AT THIS TIME AS WELL. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE SO TRIES TO CHARGE ME FOR REPLACING VARIOUS PARTS. DODGE NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND PLACE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL PEOPLE I COULD REPORT AN ISSUE HERE. I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. ALTHOUGH, THE VEHICLE HAS 185K MILES AND RUNS AWESOME, THE STRUT TOWER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS ALMOST DISINTEGRATED., THE PASSENGER SIDE IIS STILL SOLID AS A ROCK. COME TO FIND OUT, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR ABOUT 6 MODEL YEARS. MY QUESTION IS WHY HAS CHRYSLER NOT MADE AND ATTEMPT TO ASSIST OWNERS WITH THIS FIX. THE CAUSE IS A DUMB ONE AND HAS BEEN ADDRESSED ON 2003 AND NEWER MODELS. THE COST TO FIX ONE SIDE IS ABOUT $400 FOR ONE SIDE AND NEARLY $650 FOR BOTH SIDES. THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND ON SOMEONELSES MISTAKE. METAL ON METAL WILL NOT REMAIN SOLID FOR EVER, MYSELF AS A CHEF KNOWS THIS. WHEN I ASKED AROUND FOR ESTIMATES,. EVERY SINGLE PLACE KNEW THE ISSUE AND THEY ALL KNEW WHAT YEAR MY CAR WAS AND THEY COULD TELL ME HOW SEVERE THE TOWERS WERE BEFORE THEY EVEN LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD!!!!CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME IF CHRYSLER HAS MADE AN ATTEMPT TO ASSIST PAYING FOR THIS BLATANT MISTAKE THEY MADE IN MANUFACTURING? *TR

RANDOMLY WILL START UP AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. AFTER 3 TIMES, WILL NOT START. HAVE HAD IT TAKEN TO 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS. 2 WERE DODGE DEALERSHIPS. ONE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STARTER FOR $440. THE NEXT DEALERSHIP (I WAS OUT OF TOWN FOR CHRISTMAS, SO COULDN'T RETURN TO FIRST DEALERSHIP) REPLACED THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE FOR $800. STILL HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM. THE MESSAGE BOARD IS FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND DEALERS REPLACING THE SAME PARTS THAT I HAVE HAD REPLACED AND STILL NOT GETTING FIXED. IF I CAN LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND SEE WHAT IS WRONG, WHY CAN'T A MECHANIC? I WILL HAVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER CHANGED NEXT AND IT BETTER BE NO CHARGE!! *TR

I OWN A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF DURING MY EVACUATION FROM HURRICANE GUSTAV IT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BRIDGE AT NIGHT IS THE 6TH TIME THAT THIS OCCUR I JUST HAD THIS REPLACE HOW COME THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL TO SOLVE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIE. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT HAS SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CAN'T SEEM TO BE FIXED. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURN OFF AND THE VEHICLE WON'T START AND STAY RUNNING. IT USED TO COME RIGHT BACK ON AFTER TAPPING THE CENTER OF THE DASH, BUT THAT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. IT EVEN HAPPENS NOW WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT, AND AFTER SPENDING A CHUNK OF MONEY TRYING TO GET IT FIXED MANY DIFFERENT TIMES, SO MY WIFE AND CHILDREN FEEL SAFE IN IT I AM DEFINITELY SORRY I EVER BOUGHT IT. THE PROBLEM OCCURS NOW ALMOST EVERY DAY TO EVERY SECOND DAY, AND WILL LAST ANYWHERE FROM A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO COUPLE OF DAYS. *TR

AFTER HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACE I NOTICED EVERYTHING ON MY DASH WAS DEAD, MY ABS AND ALARM SET LIGHT WOULD COME ON. IT ONLY STAYED THAT WAY FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN EVERYTHING WOULD COME BACK ON, BUT THEN THE PROBLEM ONLY GOT WORSE. I WOULD TRY TO START THE VAN BUT WHEN I DID IT WOULD SHUT BACK OFF BECAUSE MY DASH GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING AND MY ABS LIGHT WAS ON. I HAVE 3 KIDS AND I DEPEND ON MY VAN FOR TRANSPORTATION. I WENT ON A WEBSITE " TOPIX" AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALSO THAT IS HOW I GOT THIS ADDRESS. IT SEEMS LIKE NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT SOLUTION, THERE ARE JUST DIFFERENT SUGGESTIONS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL SO THAT WAY EVERYBODY CAN STOP WASTING MONEY ON WHAT REPAIR SHOPS TRY (SAY) AND LET DODGE FIGURE IT OUT AND COMPENSATE FOR ALL OF THE HASSLES, MISSED APPOINTMENTS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ALARM WOULD REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN SHE MANUALLY TURNED IT OFF. THE FAILURE PREVENTED HER FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERIES IN THE REMOTE. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED. THE EQUIPMENT INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN THE KEY THE ENGINE WILL START AND IMMEDIATELY STALL. AFTER THE THIRD TRY, IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. THE GAUGES AND ODOMETER ALSO FAILS AT THIS TIME. AFTER SITTING FOR ANYWHERE FROM 1 HOUR TO 4 DAYS (SO FAR) THE ENGINE WILL START. IT MIGHT BE OK FOR A DAY OR A MONTH AND THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE GAUGES GO OFF, ENGINE FALTERS AND THEN COMES BACK ON. OTHER TIMES ENGINE STARTS AND IDLES ROUGH AS IF THERE IS A VACUUM LEAK THEN IT STRAIGHTENS OUT. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM OFF AND ON FOR AROUND 2 YEARS BUT IS NOW HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. TODAY I WENT TO A STORE AND WHEN I CAME OUT THE CAR WOULDN'T START. IT IS STILL PARKED AT THE STORE. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A VARIETY OF ANSWERS. DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO INSTALL MANY PARTS AT $250 PLUS LABOR EACH TIME AND STILL HAVE THE SAME SITUATION. I KNOW OF THREE PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT SHEET METAL RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TWO FRONT TIRES SUDDENLY LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE SEVERAL FEET. THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING SOUND AND IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, THE TWO FRONT TIRES UNLOCKED AND ALLOWED THE CONTACT TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 266,000.

THE INTERMITTENT FEATURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST QUIT WORKING AS IT SHOULD. IT WOULD SOMETIMES WORK FOR A FEW WIPES, STOP WORKING FOR A WHILE, THEN SOMETIMES IT WOULD START WORKING FOR A FEW MORE WIPES. THE CONTROL MODULE ON THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. IT WORKED FOR ABOUT TWO BLOCKS OUT OF THE SHOP & JUST QUIT AGAIN. SO FAR I HAVE INVESTED OVER $1,000.00 TRYING TO GET THEM TO WORK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT'S CLIENT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT'S CLIENT NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL LOSS. THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SEAM OF THE MUFFLER HAD ROTTED AWAY AND WAS BLOWING HOT AIR DIRECTLY ONTO THE PLASTIC GAS TANK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 129,580.

ENGINE STARTS AND IMMEDIATELY SHUTS OFF. AFTER 3 OR 4 TRIES IT WILL NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. THIS HAPPENS COMPLETELY AT RANDOM AND HAPPENS 3 OR FOUR TIMES A MONTH MINIMUM. AFTER 24 HOURS, ENGINE WILL START NORMALLY. REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE AND CLOCK SPRING. A MECHANIC ALSO CHECKED FOR LOOSE CONNECTIONS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND CORROSION. *TR

THE ABS VALVE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS CLOSING CAUSING BRAKES TO GRAB WHILE DRIVING. SEVERAL MECHANICS WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT AGREE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND RECOMMENDED I CHECK TO SEE IF IT WAS RECALLED. IT IS, BUT NOT FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL. MECHANICS ALSO NOTED THAT THE DASHLIGHT SHOULD HAVE INDICATED A PROBLEM AND DID NOT, NOR WERE THEIR MACHINES ABLE TO DETECT THE EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

OUR DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS IDLING AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT DURING LATE OCTOBER OF 2007. THERE HAD BEEN NO PROBLEMS UP TO THIS POINT. I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE HAD GONE ALL THE WAY TO THE HOT POSITION AND MY HUSBAND GOT OUT TO LOOK. THE COOLING FANS WEREN'T RUNNING. MY HUSBAND OPENED THE HOOD. HE HEARD THE RADIATOR BOILING LOUDLY, AND THEN THE CAP BLEW OFF WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED, GIVING HIM SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO HIS FACE AND CHEST. AFTER AN EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT, WE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE COOLING FAN RELAY SYSTEM IS A FAULTY COMPONENT LISTED AS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR ALL CHRYSLER MINIVANS AND AS A RECALL ITEM ONLY FOR CERTAIN CHRYSLER MINIVANS. THE FUNNY THING IS THEY USED THE SAME CONTROL UNIT ON ALL OF THE CHRYSLER MINIVANS BUT WON'T FIX THEM BECAUSE THEY AREN'T ON THE "OFFICIAL" RECALL LIST. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO THE DODGE DEALER IN PENSACOLA FLORIDA AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT WITHOUT AN $80.00 INSPECTION. THE PROBLEM PART IS A FAN RELAY. IT IS CALLED A SOLID-STATE SPEED CONTROL WHICH IS A COMPUTER UNIT CONTROLLING SEVERAL DEVICES ALTHOUGH DODGE CALLS IT A RELAY. WHEN LOOKING TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE, PART STORES EITHER SAID THAT IT IS A RECALL ITEM OR THAT IT IS ONLY AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH CHRYSLER AS THE ENTIRE COMPUTER SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE "FLASHED" AFTER INSTALLATION AND ONLY A DEALER CAN DO IT. WE CONNECTED A HOT WIRE DIRECTLY TO THE FANS FROM A POWER SOURCE TO RUN THE SYSTEM FULL TIME.

BELT FALLING OFF 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FOR THE 5TH TIME IN 1 1/2 YEARS. RESULTING IN MECHANIC CHARGES AND LOSS OF VEHICLE. WE HAVE REPLACED TENSIONER ON 2 OCCASIONS, BELTS ON 5 OCCASIONS TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. DODGE/CHRYSLER SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT (THIS TIME). THE ADDED EXPENSE IS KILLING US! *TR

THE CLOCK SPRING ON MY DODGE CARAVAN FAILED RENDERING THE AIR BAG, SPEED CONTROL AND HORN USELESS. IT REQUIRED $200 REPAIR TO REPLACE THE SPRING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN COLD WEATHER AND APPROACHING A STOP, THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR DURING THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I OWN 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND I'M 1-ST OWNER. FOR SOME TIME NOW I CAN SMELL GAS FUMES INSIDE OF CAR, IN PARTICULAR AFTER HARDER BREAKING. *TR

I HAVE A 98 GRAND CARAVAN WHEN I BOUGHT IT THE BACK HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN THEN I NOTICED A LOUD HUMMING IN THE TIRES WHEN I BOUGHT IT HAD THE BEARING REPLACED FIXED THAT PROBLEM THEN WHEN CHECKING OIL NOTICED STRUT TOWERS RUSTED DRIVER SIDE ABOUT 5 TO 6 INCH TOTAL SEPARATION PASSENGER ABOUT 3 INCH,NEXT MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AS MY CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN QUIT WORKING,NOW MY INSTRUMENT PANEL DON'T WORK ALL OF IT DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MILES OR HOW MUCH GAS NOR HOW FAST IM GOING HAVE NOT HAD NOTHING FIXED TRYING TO GET A HOLD OF DODGE WILL SOME ONE HAVE TO DIE FROM THE STRUT TOWERS BEFORE THEY RECALL THEM? ALSO WHEN I PUT GAS IN I HAVE TO OPEN WINDOWS A REALLY STRONG SMELL OF GAS FILLS THE VAN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT CONTINUOUSLY DETACHES IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE BELT DETACHES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

RUSTED OUT SHOCK TOWERS. SHOCK COMING OUT OF TOWER AND UP TO BOTTOM OF WIPER COWL. SCARED TO DRIVE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BUT LEFT SIDE IS THE WORST. *TR

SERPENTINE BELT FLIES OFF WITH A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF MOISTURE. BOTH WIFE AND I HAVE DRIVEN OUR 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN WET WEATHER AND THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T EVEN NEED TO HIT A PUDDLE, THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF WATER SPLASHING FROM ANOTHER CAR WILL CAUSE IT TO COME OFF. BELT FALLING OFF CAUSES POWER STEERING, COOLING, AND CHARGING TO FAIL RESULTING IN SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AS CAR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. *TR

SHOCK ABSORBER TOWER ON DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE IS SERIOUSLY DETERIORATING. RUST IS PENETRATING INNER AND OUTER PORTIONS OF TOWER CAUSING SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT STABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF VEHICLE SUSPENSION. *TR

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONSTANTLY SHORTS OUT, CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT RUN . WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO NUMEROUS SERVICE CENTERS AND DEALERS, NONE OF WHICH COULD DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. WE DEMAND A RESPONSE FROM THEM AND THEY DO NOT RETURN OUR CALLS. *TR

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RECALL STATED IF THE PROBLEM WASN'T ACKNOWLEDGED THEN, AND DID HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE TO TAKE IT TO GET IT FIXED FREE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD NO ABOUT GETTING REIMBURSED FOR REPAIR. KB THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE SHOP INSTEAD OF THE DEALER. *JB

1) DEFECT DISCOVERED ON VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION 2) CORROSION ON DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER 3) VEHICLE OPERATION IS UNSAFE, CORROSION COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF STRUT FROM STRUT TOWER CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, POTENTIAL COLLISION, VEHICLE DAMAGE AND INJURY TO OCCUPANTS. REPAIR TO STRUT TOWER IS REQUIRED. *TR

VEHICLE ONLY HAS PARK INTERMITTENTLY, MUST USE PARKING BRAKE TO INSURE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. *TR

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - CORROSION IN DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER RESULTED IN A CRACKED STRUT TOWER AND INSECURE STRUT MOUNT. *JB

MY CAR FAILED ITS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE STRUT TOWERS. WHEN INFORMED I ASKED THE SHOP IF THEY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY REFERRED ME TO A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 23-044-02 ISSUED IN OCT OF 2002 WHICH AFFECTED MY MINIVAN WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF STATING THAT MINVANS BUILT BETWEEN 1996-2000 HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED. I WENT TO A CHRYSLER DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF 1300 DOLLARS AND THAT SINCE NO RECALL HAD EVER BEEN ISSUED THAT THEY WOULDN'T COVER THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD ISSUED THE BULLETIN. IF THE REPAIR ISN'T MADE THE CAR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PASS THE PA STATE INSPECTION AS THE INSPECTOR HAS DEEMED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. I HAVE LOOKED AT YOUR DATA BASE AND SEEN MULTIPLE EXAMPLES OF THIS COMPLAINT REGISTERED AS WELL AS ON MULTIPLE CAR BOARDS DISCUSSING THIS AND NHTSA'S REFUSAL TO ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD RESULT IN PHYSICAL INJURY AND IN MY CASE HAS LEAD TO AN UNSAFE CAR THAT CANT BE DRIVEN IN PA. I AM PART OF THE SAE CORROSION COUNCIL LOOKING INTO CORROSION PRACTICES IN THE HEAVY TRUCKING INDUSTRY AND I KNOW THAT IF THIS HAPPENED IN THE HEAVY TRUCKING INDUSTRY THERE WOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL. WHY HASN'T THIS HAPPENED HERE WHEN THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS ABOUT THAT AFFECTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES? *TR *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED *JB

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN MY SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF THE PULLEYS AND RESULTED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN I LOST MY STEERING WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM ON THE EARLIER (1997 THROUGH THE EARLY 2000S MODELS) DODGE CARAVAN 3.0, 3.3, AND 3.8 ENGINES. THERE ARE MANY POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME THING HAPPENING DURING RAIN STORMS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE VAN ONLY HAS 61,686 MILES ON IT. AT 43,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT, TENSIONER, AND PULLEY IDLER. I ALSO HAVE HEARD THAT DODGE DID A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM IN AT LEAST ONE OTHER COUNTRY. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE MANDATED TO OFFER A FIX FOR THIS HERE IN THE USA. I TEMPORARILY FIXED MY PROBLEM BY PUTTING THE OLD SERPENTINE BELT BACK ON THE PULLEYS. THIS IS NOT AN EASY TASK AND TRYING TO DO IT ALONG THE ROAD IS HAZARDOUS. BUT FOR MOST PEOPLE THIS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO DO. *JB

SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF FOUR TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. AFTER THE FOURTH TIME THE GARAGE ORDERED A CONVERSION KIT FROM THE GATES CORPORATION THAT REPLACED THE IDLER PLUS THE TENSIONER. THE KIT ALSO INCLUDED A NEW DOUBLE SIDED RIBBED BELT. THEIR PART NUMBER IS 38,342 K. IT CAN ALSO BE ORDERED THROUGH CAR QUEST AUTO PARTS STORES. THEIR PART NUMBER IS THE SAME. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. *TR

1. NORMAL DRIVING 2. RUSTING DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER 3. HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET, BUT HAVE BEEN QUOTED $600 - $1000 *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN X RADIAL TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE VALVE STEM AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY OTHER FAILURES SINCE THAT TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AT 5 MPH. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT CAME OFF TRACK DURING THE CRASH. DUE TO THE SEAT POSITION, THE CONTACT COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR CONTROL THE STEERING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,000.

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF IN WET WEATHER, AND IT MADE STEERING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THERE WAS NO LONGER POWER STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. *AK CONSUMER STATES DEALER MADE ADDITIONAL INSTALLATION OF THE BELT 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPDATE *4/23/07 **TR

AFTER HAVING CLOCK SPRING CHANGED FROM RECALL, VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND AUTOMATICALLY START BACK UP ON ITS OWN. IT WILL DO THIS FROM A COASTING SPEED TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 70 MPH. THERE IS NO WARNING!! I DON'T KNOW IF ITS FROM THE CLOCK SPRING OR ANOTHER ISSUE. HAD TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALS AND PERSONAL FRIEND THAT HAS THE OBDII COMPUTER AND IT DOES NOT KICK OR STORE A CODE, EVEN WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER! I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 3.3L WITH THE FLEXFUEL ENGINE. *JB

TIRE BLOWOUT ON HIGHWAY 505. THE TREAD CAME OFF THE BACK LEFT TIRE OF MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WE PULLED OVER AND GOT AAA TO COME. THERE IS $1967.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WHICH INCLUDES DAMAGE TO FENDER, GAS COVER AND CAP, AND PAINT DAMAGE. JB

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE GOING 60 ON INTERSTATE. POWER WOULD COME AND GO LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTING TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT. THE ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON UNTIL I WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD. NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE PENDING FAILURE. *JB

AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR BUT EVERYTHING AROUND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO WORK NORMALLY (NO SMOKE OR OVERHEATING PRESENT). LESS THAN 5 MINUTES AFTER THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS BURNED, THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. EXPERTS THAT LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OFF SUGGEST A FAILURE IN THE GAS HOSE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO CATCH FIRE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE AND ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, WHEN I WENT TO MOVE FORWARD, IT CLUNKED, AND DID NOT MOVE FOR 1-2 SECONDS, THEN JUMPED FORWARD. TOOK TO TRANNY SHOP AND WAS TOLD I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE SHOP INDICATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COMPLETELY DAMAGED AT THE TIME, BUT RECOMMENDS THAT IT BE REPLACED. *NM