1998 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER BEING TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL AT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED A NHTSA RECALL # 00V268000 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS STATED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 02/16/07. *JB

THE WIPER BLADES WILL TURN ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING. TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF YOU MUST TURN THE IGNITION SYSTEM OFF THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE. IF YOU TURN ON THE WIPERS WHILE DRIVING THEY WILL NOT GO BACK OFF UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED ALSO. *JB

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULD START AND DIE ABOUT 3 TIMES AND THEN NOT START AT ALL. REPLACE PCM. WORKED A COUPLE DAYS AND THEN STARTED AGAIN. READ ON WEB BOARDS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AND IF THEY HIT THE DASH IT WOULD START AND WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN I HIT THE DASH AND IT WOULD START. WHEN IT WOULDN'T START ALL THE GUAGES ON THE DASH WOULD NOT WORK. THIS SEEMED TO WORK. THEN WHEN I WENT OVER A BUMP AND TURNED AT THE SAME TIME THE VAN WOULD DIE. I COULD PUT IT IN "N" AND GET IT STARTED AGAIN WHILE I WAS STILL TURNING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECASE YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER. HEARD ON MESSAGE BORAD IF YOU TOOK THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OFF AND CHECK THE SAUDERING THAT THIS WOUDL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. DID THIS BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD STOP READING WHEN IT DID HAVE GAS IN IT. THEN THE FUEL GUAGE WOULD START DINGING EVEN THOUGH IT READ FULL. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. BELOW IS ONE SUCH WEBSITE. HAVE DONE ALL KINDS OF DIAGNOSTICS ON IT AND CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IT STILL LOOSES GUAGES AND WILL NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/DODGE-GRAND-CARAVAN/TPC8IH1LI2S41I22D/P5. *NM

STRUT TOWERS FAILING DUE TO CORROSION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. ALSO, DURING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION FAILURE, THE ENGINE WAS SLUGGISH AND OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 11/21/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER, ILLUMINATION OF ALL WARNING LIGHTS, AND THE RISING OF THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DETACHED DUE TO WATER SPLASHING UP INTO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BELT, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE SERVICE DEALER MENTIONED THAT A SPLASH SHIELD KIT WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/30/06. *JB

DURING A HARD RAIN SHOWER, THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH DRIVES THE ALTERNATOR, A/C, POWER STEERING AND WATER PUMP JUMPED OFF OF THE PULLEYS RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS. REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THE BELT TO JUMP OFF. BELT WAS EXAMINED AND FOUND TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS FIRST OCCURRENCE OCCURRED ON 12/16/2005. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OCCURRED ON 7/28/2006 UNDER THE SAME WET WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP AND CHECKED OUT BY THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS. THE BELT WAS EXAMINED AGAIN AND FOUND NOT TO HAVE ANY SIGN OF DAMAGE. THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS REPLACED THE BELT WITH A NEW ONE AS HE COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THE BELT TO JUMP OFF. STEERING OF THE VEHICLE WAS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO THE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING. I CHECKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID HE HAD NOT HAD ANY SERVICE BULLETINS FROM CHRYSLER ON THIS PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE STRUT TOWERS, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A SERVICE BULLETIN, DESCRIBING HOW TO TREAT THE RUSTED PARTS. UPDATED 8/30/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRAVELS ROUGH AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TOP OF THE MACPHERSON STRUT TOWERS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT REPLACED THE STRUTS.

STRUT TOWER CORROSION-DRIVER SIDE-RUST AND METAL BREAKING UP-1998 GRAND CARAVAN-PURCHASED NEW-HAS 83,500 MILES- HAVE HAD BELT PROBLEMS SEVERAL TIMES-ALSO WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMIT FAILURE -RUSTED OUT POWER STEERING MECH. TOTALLY REPLACED-MANY BRAKE JOBS-AND ALSO HEADLIGHT INTERIOR SWITCH SEEMS TO FAIL AT TIMES. I NEED TO MAKE A DECISSION TO BUY A NEW VAN WITH "HAND CONTROLS" OR HAVE THIS VAN "HAND CONTROLS" INSTALLED. ME THINKS I NEED TO BUY A NEW VAN AND BE LOOKING AT ANOTHER MANUFACTOR. AS IT SEEMS LIKE CHRYSLER/DODGE IS NOT STEPPING UP TO ALL THESE FAILURES THAT ARE SEEN BY TOO MANY OTHER VAN OWNERS;OF THIS 1998 MODEL CARAVAN. SAW ON LINE A NEW REPAIR FOR THE STRUT RUSTING CALLED ""FUSOR #112B/MOPAR 05083855AA. CAN BE USED TO FIX THIS PROBLEMTHE TSB #23-044-02 THRU A COMPANY CALLED LORD CORP. LISTED UNDER THEIR OEM BULLETINS AND REPAIR RECOMMENDATIONS USING FUSOR ADHESIVES. THINK I MAY USE THIS ON MINE. HOPE OTHERS CAN USE THIS ALSO. THANKS. *NM

THIS IS FOR A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 3.0 WE HAD TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER TWICE IN TWO YEARS. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER SO WE WANTED TO ADD THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO OURS. *JB

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - WHEN NEW, RECALLED FOR SAFETY BELT REPAIR/REPLACEMENT AND AIR BAG CLOCK SWITCH REPLACEMENT. FOR ABOUT THE PAST 2 YEARS, THE INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SWITCH FROM DIM TO LIGHT WITH A CLICKING SOUND BUT HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM I FEEL NEEDED IMMEDIATE ADDRESSING. MORE RECENTLY, REAR AIR VENTS BLOW COLD/WARM/HOT AIR WHEN A/C IS TURNED ON. HOWEVER, FRONT VENTS BLOW ICE COLD AIR. REAR AIR VENTS FUNCTION DIFFERENTLY EACH TIME WE START THE CAR. ALL THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSE ME GREAT CONCERN FOR OUR FAMILY OF 5 REGARDING OTHER ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTED IN THE FUTURE. AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS BRAND, I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN WE WILL BE PURCHASING A MORE REPUTABLE BRAND WHEN WE REPLACE OUR CAR. WHAT IS CHRYSLER DOING TO ADDRESS THESE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS? *JB

THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE HORN AND CRUISE DON'T WORK. THEY REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING A FEW YEARS AGO BUT I WASN'T HAVING ANY PROBLEMS THEN BUT I AM NOW. *NM

AFTER I HAD CLOSED THE LIFTGATE ON MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, I HEARD A "POP". I HAD HEARD THIS "POP" BEFORE - I HAD PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1992 PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL. WHEN I RE-OPENED THE LIFTGATE, THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT SHOT THROUGH THE SPACE BETWEEN THE LIFTGATE AND THE ROOFLINE. IT WAS STILL SECURED BY THE LOWER BOLT, BUT THE TOP BOLT HAD SHEARED, JUST AS HAPPENED ON THE 1992 PLYMOUTH MODEL . HOWEVER, DUE TO DESIGN CHANGES IN THE AREA OF THE WHERE THE STRUT IS, THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR THE STRUT TO GO BUT TO SCRATCH THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE. THE 1992 PLYMOUTH HAD A "POCKET" THAT THE UPPER BOLT SAT IN AND IT WOULD FORCE THE STRUT INTO THE AREA BETWEEN THE ROOF AND ROOF LINER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ON THIS 1998 DODGE, I HAD TO FORCIBLY REMOVE THE STRUT FROM THE LOWER BOLT, SINCE IT WAS ATTACHED WITH A STAR DESIGN HEADED BOLT, THEREFORE EFFECTIVELY RUINING THE LOWER PIVOT AREA OF THE STRUT. THIS IS THE FIFTH (5TH) STRUT (1ST ON THE 1998) THAT I HAVE HAD FAILURE WITH, AND ALL HAVE BEEN TO BOLT FAILURE IN THE THREADED AREA OF THE BOLT. I WILL CONTACT LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF FIXING UNDER SAME RECALL AS 1992 RECALL. *NM

SERPENTINE BELT KEEPS COMING OFF. *NM

MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (3.3 L ENGINE VIN: [XXX] ), THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN, OR WHEN DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLE. WHEN THIS HAPPEN, THE VEHICLE LOSE POWER BRAKES POWER STEERING, CAUSING VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES DURING THE LAST 18 MONTHS OUT OF WHICH 2 WERE ON FREEWAY AT 60MPH. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. REPLACED THE BELT, TENSIONER ETC, STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. TOOK IT TO DODGE DEALER (DAYTON DODGE, DAYTON, NJ) ON 01/10/2006, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX, SITING "CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT HAS NO FIX" A SEARCH ON GOOGLE SHOWS NUMEROUS HITS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON CHRYSLER MINIVANS. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER HAS A TSB FOR THIS, BUT HAS NOT A RECALL. SEE BELOW LINKS BELOW. HTTP://WWW.DODGETALK.COM/FORUMS/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-4450.HTML HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_30931.HTML. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I OWN A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION. NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB

CRAZED, FOGGED HEADLIGHT ENCLOSURES BOTH SIDES; FACTORY DEFECT DUE TO LACK OF DURABILITY. *NM

THE INTERMITTENT MODE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DOSE NOT WORK. THE WIPER CONTROL MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE A TOTAL OF FIVE DAYS FOR THE ATTEMPTED REPAIRS. *NM

BESIDES ALL THE 1998 RECALLS ON THIS VAN, I FOUND A PINHOLE LEAK IN THE HEAD ITSELF. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A GASKET LEAK BUT ITS NOT. WHEN IT RAN OUT OF WATER, TEMPERATURE GAUGE DID NOT TELL ME IT WAS HOT BUT INSTEAD REGISTERED COLD. ON TOP OF THE FRONT SPEAKERS GOES OFF AND ON AND THE REAR SPEAKERS DO IT ON OCCASION. STEREO GETS REALLY HOT TO THE TOUCH. TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE DOING STRANGE THINGS LIKE NOT KICKING DOWN WHEN STOPPED AND THEN LUNGING WHILE STOPPED OR ACCELERATING WHEN STOPPED. I THINK THIS WHOLE VAN SHOULD BE ON RECALL. *NM

DT: 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AT 20 MPH AND SOMEONE WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. WHEILE SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL CAME ON, AND HIT THE VEHICLE SITTING AT THE RED LIGHT FROM BEHIND WHEN WAS NORMAL BRAKING. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. THE ROAD WAS DRY AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. HAD NOT YET CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER. CALLED THE POLICE, AND THEY TOOK A BREPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES IN THE ACCIDENT. THE ONLY DAMAGE MADE WAS TO THE VEHICLES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH CONTROLS THE STEERING AND OTHER ACCESSORIES SLIPS OFF. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. WENT TO DEALER HE INSTALLED TSB BULLETIN 07-02-99 THAT CONSISTS OF A BRACKET TO STOP THE BELT FROM COMING OFF, BUT AFTER I DROVE 7 MILES IN THE RAIN IT CAME OFF AGAIN. WHILE AT THE DEALER THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER CARAVANS TOWED THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, EVEN A 2005. THE DEALER REP SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WATER IS SPLASHED ONTO THE BELT TENSIONER AND IDLER PULLEYS WHICH ARE NOT GROOVED AND JUST SLIPS OFF. I DID A WEB SEARCH AT ALLPAR.COM, EDMUNDS.COM, ETC. AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONDITION, PEOPLE CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED WHEN THEY LOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL UNEXPECTEDLY. I CAN'T BELIEVE CHRYSLER CORP. HAS ALLOWED THIS CONDITION TO GO UNRESOLVED FOR SO LONG. *NM

MY CAR IS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE. IT HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE. FAILURE DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. DISSIMILAR METALS (STEEL AND STAINLESS STEEL) USED ON A JOINT (FLEXIBLE COUPLING) ON REAR BRAKE LINES. DISSIMILAR METALS JOINT CAUSED ELECTROLYTIC CORROSION AND FAILURE (RUPTURE) OF BRAKE LINE. THE BRAKE LINE JOINT WITH DISSIMILAR METALS DESIGN FLAW IS A TIME BOMB WAITING TO HAPPEN IN MANY OF THE DODGE AND CHRYSLER. THE POTENTIAL FOR A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF DEATHS AND MAJOR INJURIES DUE TO THIS DESIGN FLAW IS HUGE. *NM

CONSUMER DASH LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTAINING THE CLUSTER OF THE ENGINE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, RPM GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, GAS TANK AND DIGITAL ODOMETER BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF AND COME BACK ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO EFFECT THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GAS THAT WAS LEFT IN THE TANK, IT ALSO EFFECTED THE DOOR LOCKS WHICH DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATE AS THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH WAS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PROCESSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CONSUMER PICK THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER,WITHIN 20 MINUTES, THE CONSUMER SAW A THIN BLUISH SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT SAW NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO ANYTHING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *JB

FLAT TIRE REQUIRING NEED FOR USE OF COMPACT SPARE TIRE. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SPARE TIRE REMOVAL DO NOT SHOW A RELEASE MECHANISM THAT IS CRITICAL FOR LOWERING OF THE SPARE TIRE. THE RELEASE MECHANISM IS REQUIRED TO LOWER A NYLON FIXTURE THAT SECURES THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE THE INSTRUCTIONS DID NOT MENTION THE RELEASE MECHANISM, AND THE RELEASE MECHANISM WAS NOT VISIBLE, I HAD TO CUT THE NYLON FIXTURE (SUGGESTED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF A DODGE DEALERSHIP I CONTACTED), WHICH THEN CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL DOWN. I WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED BUT IF SOMEONE HAD THEIR HEAD UNDERNEATH THE SPARE TIRE WHEN IT DROPPED DOWN, THEY COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE NYLON FIXTURE IS NOW RUINED. THE ORIGINAL DESIGN IS POOR AND THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE CLEARLY LACKING IN THE USE OF THE RELEASE MECHANISM. *JB

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON REVEALING A PROBLEM. COMPUTER DIAG SHOWS THAT THERE IS A MISFIRE ON #6. OPENING THE VALVE COVER REVEALED THAT THE CAMSHAFT IS DEFECTIVE - METAL PIECES HAVE FALLEN OFF OF IT. REPLACEMENT OF CAMSHAFT AND ALL OTHER PARTS (ROCKER, LIFTERS ETC.) INCLUDING LABOR WILL COME TO A TOTAL OF CLOSE TO $1800. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT.*JB

LOWER BALL JOINT OF DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL FAILED WHILE TRAVELING IN STRAIGHT LINE ON EXPRESSWAY. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE TO STEERING, DRIVE TRAIN AND BODY. FAILURE OCCURRED 450 MILES FROM HOME. DECIDED NOT TO REPAIR VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PARTS AVAILABILITY AND COST. *JB

WINDSHIELD WIPPERS SOMETIMES STOP WORKING WHEN IN THE INTERMITANT MODE.HAD MODULE IN STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. STILL HAPPENS.

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A RACK AND PINION STEERING AND OTHER PROBLEMS. CONSUMER DROVE OVER A ROUGH POTHOLE WITH A METAL FLATBED ON TOP AT A LOW SPEED. WHILE DRIVING AT A STREET AT 25 MPH CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THERE WAS POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE NOISE WAS EVIDENT ONLY WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHO SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FRONT ALIGNMENT , BUT THAT WAS ALL. HOWEVER, INSURANCE COMPANY NOTED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING /FRONT ALIGNMENT/ RADIATOR, AND THE TRANSMISSION PAN. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON AND IT SMOKED AFTER DRIVING A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. OIL WAS CHANGED REGULARLY. VEHICLE HAS HAD A RECENT FRONT END ALIGNMENT BUT NO OTHER REPAIRS. *AK

DT: CONSUMER HAS A DODGE CARAVAN. HAD A FLAT TIRE, AND THE SPARE WOULDN'T COME OUT. CONSUMER HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, AND THEY TOLD HIM THERE WERE A LOT OF PROBLEMS. HAD TO VEHICLE TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE SPARE TIRE OUT. CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. DEALERSHIP TOLD HIM HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE OF REMOVING THE SPARE TIRE. WHEN HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THEY ALSO TOLD HIM THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE. VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE, AND CONTACT USED THE SPARE TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES IT DONE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IT BROKE SOME OF THE GEARS IN THE TRANSFER CASE, AND POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE VISCOUS COUPLINGS. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DISTRICT MANAGER WAS GOING TO CONTACT HIM. HOWEVER CURRENTLY THEY WERE TELLING HIM THAT THE CASE HAD BEEN CLOSED BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE WARRANTY WAS NOT AN ISSUE BECAUSE THE SPARE TIRE WOULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IF USED ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK

REFERENCE DEFECT INVESTIGATION EA05009: I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE ON MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CEASED TO WORK. A LOCAL MECHANIC (NOT DEALER) TRACED THE PROBLEM TO A SINGLE BROKEN CONDUCTOR IN ONE OF THE WIRING HARNESSES, AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. CAN AND WILL THIS INVESTIGATION BE EXPANDED TO COVER EARLIER MODEL YEARS? THANK YOU. INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE.

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN. *MR THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FILLER NECK ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THE HORN DID NOT OPERATE. THE AIR BAG HAD NEVER DEPLOYED. IN 2002 THE CLOCK SWITCH FOR THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE TO HELP AGAINST THE CHARGE OF THE HORN REPAIR. *SC *JB

VEHICLE: MAKE : DODGE MODEL : GRAND CARAVAN YEAR : 1998 BULLETIN NUM : 98771 DATE OF BULLETIN: MAY 01, 1998 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 601474 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN SUMMARY: THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY MAY NOT TURN ON THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. *AK ================ THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEP 2004. THE RADIATOR FAN RELAY FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE PART AND CHARGED ME OVER $200. THIS PROBLEM REOCURRED AGAIN IN MAY 2005. THIS DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A FACTORY RECALL AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE

A BODY SHOP TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE STRUT TOWERS WERE SO SERIOUSLY RUSTED AS TO PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD. HE RECOMMENDED EITHER REPLACING THE VEHICLE OR REPAIRING THE DAMAGE IMMEDIATELY, AS ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS FOR US TO HIT A POTHOLE AND HAVE THE SUSPENSION FAIL COMPLETELY EASILY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (#23-044-02) REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF REPORTS OF THIS DEFECT IN YOUR DATABASE, CHRYSLER ARE UNWILLING TO REIMBURSE ME TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY.*AK

I TOOK MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AFTER HEARING NOISES. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODING AND THE UNDER BODY WAS SHIFTING. FURTHER CORROSION AND MOVEMENT COULD COLLAPSE THE HOUSING AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TWO TSBS WERE ISSUED ON THESE PROBLEMS, 23-044-02 AND 23-01-97. DODGE SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE SAFETY ISSUES, SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. EVEN THE PRESIDENT OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER CLAIMS HE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE MY REQUEST FOR A RESOLUTION OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I GUESS I HAVE TO WAIT TO GET INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH BEFORE THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING.*AK

AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. THEY FLICKERED ON AND OFF WHILE ENGAGED. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE ON THESE VEHICLES. *AK *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED POWER STEERING FAILED. DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING AND THE POWER STEERING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

EXHAUST BECAME LOUD AND YOU CAN SMELL IT COMING THROUGH TO CABIN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CROSSOVER PIPE. DOING RESEARCH ON THE WEB, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM CITING THAT THEY WERE TOLD BY DEALERS IT WAS A BAD DESIGN. THE REPAIR COSTS IN EXCESS OF $900 AND THERE IS A CHANCE IF NOT REPAIR FOR CARBON MONOXIDE TO LEAK INTO CABIN.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE DIFFERENTIAL CAME APART,RESULTING IN VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. DRIVER HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. ALSO, THE BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BROKE APART. *AK

CLEAR COAT PAINT BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF ENTIRE VAN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM AND CLOUDED. THE CONSUMER'S VISIBILITY BECOMES IMPAIRED . *AK *SC *JB

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE STRUTS. THE STRUT TOWERS RUSTED, CAUSING THE STRUTS TO PUSH THROUGH THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SUSPENSION EVENTUALLY WILL DROP DOWN. *AK

WE HAVE REPLACED OUR STRUTS 2 TIMES ALREADY IN THE 4 YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, AND THEY ARE GETTING READY TO FAIL AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *JB

THE SERPENTINE BELT FALLS OFF WHEN IT GETS WET. DEALER HAS REPLACED IT TWICE, AND A SHIELD ONCE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED DURING A FRONT END COLLISION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG OVER INFLATED CAUSING MORE SEVER INJURIES THAN THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS WERE FOUND OVER-INFLATED WHEN THEY DEPLOYED. *SC *JB

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A LOW SPEED TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP BEING SERVICED. *AK THE UPPER AND LOWER PLANETARY ASSEMBLY FAILED. *NM

WHILE DRIVING SERPENTINE BELT DISENGAGED, CAUSING POWER STEERING TO FAIL, AND WATER PUMP TO OVERHEAT. THIS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK

THE CROSS OVER MANIFOLD WAS RECALLED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR EIGHT MONTHS. AS A RESULT, FUMES SEEPED THROUGH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS INSPECTION. *AK

THE DRIVE BELT HAS REPEATEDLY COME OFF RESULTING IN THE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP EACH TIME, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. FINALLY A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A FLEXING ENGINE MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THERE IS A CHRYSLER SERVICE BULLETIN #07-02-99. THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED AS A SAFETY RECALL. *JB