1999 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

I HAVE A 99 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WHEN I FIRST GOT IT EVERY THING WAS WORKING FINE. I HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND NOW THE HORN DOESN'T WORK, THE BLINKERS ONLY WORK SOMETIMES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON WHICH MEANS IT ISN'T WORKING. THESE PROBLEMS ARE DANGEROUS IN ALOT OF WAYS AN AIRBAG FAILING CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. ALSO MY BLINKERS ONLY WORKING SOMETIMES HAVE CAUSED ME TO GET A TICKET AND THE HORN NOT WORKING MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE RELATED TO THE WIRING IN THE DASH. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE THE WHOLE THING REWIRED SO I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO IT YET. *TR

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HEADLIGHTS TURN ON AT OFF RANDOMLY. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW THE FIX, OR THE CAUSE. *TR

KEYSWITCH WILL NOT TURN... SOMETIMES IT DOES FINE, OTHER TIMES IT LOCKS UP. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. FIDDLING WITH IT, OR HITTING IT, WILL SOMETIMES CAUSE IT TO UNLOCK. *TR

1- NOISE SERPENTINE BELT. 2- SUDDEN TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. OCCURS EVERYTIME IT RAINS. RESULTING IN TEMPORARY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I AM UNABLE TO STEER EVEN THOUGH I AM A STRONG 350LBS. 3- HAVE CHANGED SERPENTINE BELT SEVERAL TIMES BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 1999, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLAMPS WERE DIM. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY LAUGHED AT HER. THE FAILURE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. SHE HAD THE BULBS REPLACED AND RECENTLY HAD THE HEADLAMPS POLISHED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IS THE CONTACT'S PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 280,000. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ THE TAILGATE WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE CRYSTALLIZED TO THE POINT IT CREATES SHADOWS ON THE ROAD. UPDATED 09/012/08. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 70K MILES. OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO, THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED, USUALLY THE LEFT SIGNAL. SOMETIMES THE SIGNALS WON'T WORK WHEN FIRST APPLIED, BUT THEN SUDDENLY START WORKING AGAIN. I FINALLY TRACED THE PROBLEM TO THE "TURN SIGNAL/EMERGENCY FLASHER" MODULE, CHRYSLER PART # 4686190. THE MODULE ITSELF IS FINE, BUT THROUGH ROAD VIBRATION THE MODULE LOSES FULL CONTACT WITH ITS RECEPTACLE. BECAUSE THE MODULE IS PLUGGED INTO A FUSE BLOCK SIDEWAYS, THE PART IS FAIRLY LARGE, AND NOT BALANCED, THE DESIGN CONTRIBUTES TO THE MODULE BREAKING CONTACT WITH ITS RECEPTACLE. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER CHRYSLER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS TRYING TO INSTALL MY CARSEAT WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE REAR THREE POINT SEATBELTS DON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. YES, YOU CAN BUCKLE UP AND FEEL SECURE BUT WHEN I TESTED THEM I NOTICED THE DON'T LOCK IN PLACE IF JERKED ON OR WHEN PULLED ALL THE WAY OUT. THAT MAKES THEM USELESS TO ME BECAUSE YOU CAN'T USE THEM TO TIGHTEN DOWN A CARSEAT AND THEY WON'T KEEP YOU FROM GOING OUT THE WINDOW IN AN ACCIDENT. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE WOULD PUT INADEQUATE AND NON-FUNCTIONING SEATBELT IN A FAMILY VEHICLE, BUT I GUESS THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET ROBOTS BUILD YOUR CARS. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY RECALL INFO OR ADVICE. *TR

HAVE A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN AND THE STRUT TOWERS ARE RUSTING THROUGH. THEY ARE GETTING TO WHERE THE VAN IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT DODGE KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN BUT THEY DID NOTHING. THEY SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THEIR POOR WORK. IF THEY DON'T FIX THIS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED! *TR

MY CAR WAS JUST IN A MINOR FRONT END ACCIDENT DURING A SNOWSTORM. WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MINOR FRONT END REPAIRS NOW IS RESULTING IN A BIG ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY. MY VAN WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. I AM THE 2ND OWNER. THE MECHANIC, WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, FOUND A BROKEN DRIVERS SIDE SHOCK TOWER. THIS IS DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE SINCE IT IS CAUSED BY RUST AND IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. HAD IT NOT BEEN COMMON, ALLSTATE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS LOOPHOLE AND THE COST TO REPAIR THE SHOCK TOWER WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. I AM FINDING, THROUGH RESEARCH, THAT THIS FLAW IN CHRYSLER VEHICLES IS VERY COMMON, YET HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED BY CHRYSLER. ON THE WEB I SEE BLOG AFTER BLOG ABOUT THIS DEFECT YET CHRYSLER DOES NOT DEEM IT NECESSARY TO RECALL. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS REPAIR IS ROUGHLY $3000 EACH SIDE! THAT IS 3/4 WORTH THE VALUE OF MY CAR. I THOUGHT THIS VAN WOULD BE WITH MY FAMILY FOR A DECADE, BUT I ONLY HAD THE VAN FOR 3 YEARS! DUE TO THIS FLAW IN THE VEHICLE, IT WILL BE SOLD FOR PARTS. I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR COSTS. SINCE I AM A SINGLE MOM OF FOUR, JUST LAID OFF TWO WEEKS AGO, THIS "FLAW" OF CHRYSLER'S DODGE GC WILL COST ME MORE THAN JUST ITS REPLACEMENT VALUE. THIS IS WRONG. KNOW OF ANY CLASS ACTION SUITS AGAINST CHRYSLER FOR THE SHOCK TOWER FLAW? THEY HAVE ISSUED A TSB # 23-044-02 ON OCTOBER 14, 2002. SO THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND YET IT CONTINUES. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. SINCERELY, LAURA HOSKE *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE FAILURE, BUT TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER WAS THE FAILURE.

MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED THE SHIFTING LEVER OUT OF PARK WITH OUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE VAN WENT IN TO NEUTRAL AND CAME DOWN OUR DRIVE WAY AND HIT A SNOWBANK COMING CLOSE TO A FOOT FROM HITTING MY HOME. THE DOOR HIT MY HUSBAND'S TRUCK AND CRUSHED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ON THE VAN INTO THE FENDER. THE LIFT GATE ON THE BACK CAVED IN. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT FROM BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE VAN BEFORE IT ROLLED. IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE SHIFTED WITH OUT THE BRAKE BEING PRESSED. *TR

SERPENTINE BELT FALLS OFF TENSIONER REPEATEDLY AND HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL TENSIONER PULLEYS AND SERPENTINE BELTS WITHOUT ANY REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

SEAT BELTS IN MIDDLE ROW NO LONGER LATCH. TONGUE INSERTS BUT DOES NOT CATCH. RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT OFTEN FAILS TO FEED ENOUGH BELT OUT TO PERMIT BUCKLING. *TR

DRIVING HOME IN ICE STORM OUR 1999 DODGE CARAVAN LOST POWER STEERING, LIGHTS DIMMED, OVERHEATED. APPARENTLY THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE CARAVANS AND THE SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BELT EIGHT TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON JANUARY 25, 2008. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PULLEY BRACKET, THE BOLTS, AND THE SERPENTINE BELT ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON JANUARY 27, 2008. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,669 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 605. UPDATED 02/14/08. *LJ UPDATED

THE SERPENTINE BELT ON OUR 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS SLIPPED OFF SEVERAL TIMES. VISIT CARSURVEY.ORG AND YOU'LL SEE THAT MANY OTHER DODGE OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM REGULARLY. SOME ARE GETTING STUCK IN THE FREEZING SNOW AS A RESULT. WE'VE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS A BURNED OUT COMPUTER BOARD OWED TO A SHORT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW WILL NOT FUNCTION. WE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, AS A JOURNALIST, IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT DODGE HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THE GLITCHES IN THE CARAVAN AND ISSUED ADDITIONAL RECALLS. I'D HAVE MUCH MORE RESPECT FOR THE COMPANY IF THEY DID. WE'VE ONLY HAD ONE RECALL, AND THAT WAS FOR A CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

INSTRUMENTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS BECOME INOPERATIVE WITH NO WARNING. IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, WHILE DRIVING THE 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AND ALL GAUGES WOULD QUIT WORKING. USUALLY, A SMACK ON THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD WOULD BRING IT BACK, HOWEVER, LATELY THIS DID NOT WORK. THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS ON A COLD, DARK, WET EVENING WITH MY WIFE DRIVING AND THE CHILDREN IN THE VAN. THIS PROBLEM RESULTS IN NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER NOR THE GEAR SELECTION. I FEEL THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY THE MANUFACTURER. IN PERFORMING AN INTERNET SEARCH ON THIS SUBJECT, IT APPEARS THERE MAY BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE SOLDERING OF SOME CONNECTORS FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THANK YOU. *TR

THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF THREE TIMES TO DATE. ONCE IN 3 INCHES OF SNOW, ONCE ON A SUNNY DAY AND ONCE WHEN ON SLICK ROADS BUT NO PUDDLES. ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS TWICE WITH THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR! THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED AS HAS THE TENSIONER AND THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR

FRONT STRUT TOWERS OF 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ARE RUSTING THROUGH CAUSING POTENTIAL FAILURE OF FRONT SUSPENSION. CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUSPENSION/BODY - STRUT TOWER CORROSION. NUMBER: 23-044-02 GROUP: BODY DATE: OCT. 14, 2002 SUBJECT: NS STRUT TOWER CORROSION THEY ARE CONSIDERING IT A COSMETIC ISSUE. HOWEVER, IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. CHRYSLER HAS PRODUCED A REMEDY WITH A CAP KIT, AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. NO NOTIFICATION TO PRESENT OWNERS TO INSPECT THIS SAFETY ITEM HAS BEEN PRODUCED. *TR

HELLO, MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A ABOUT WHAT I CONSIDER A DESIGN AND MATERIALS DEFECT ON THE STRUT TOWER MOUNTING ON MY DODGE CARAVAN. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DEFECT ON YOUR WEBSITE AS WELL AS OTHERS AND I FEEL THAT A RECALL IS WAY PAST DUE ON THIS ISSUE. I DID CONTACT CHRYSLER AT THEIR REQUEST AND PROVIDED THE INFORMATION WHICH THEY REQUESTED. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM AND BECAUSE I WAS THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE THAT THERE WAS NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WHICH THEY WERE WILLING TO PROVIDE. I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM IN GETTING A FAIR RESPONSE FROM CHRYSLER. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SHARE MY PAST CORRESPONDENCE WITH CHRYSLER WITH YOU ALONG WITH SOME PHOTOS. *JB

LEFT FRONT STRUT HOUSING RUSTED AND NEED OF REPAIR. DODGE DEALER STATES MY PROBLEM. IS THERE A TSB ON THIS ISSUE? *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE HAS KELLY SPRINGFIELD TIRES, SIZE P21570R15. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD THE TREAD SEPARATING AND STRIKING THE WHEEL WELL. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE HAD PARTIALLY SEPARATED. HE PLACED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE ALSO SEPARATED IN THE SAME MANNER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

THA PASSENGER SEAT ADJUSTMENT BAR IS BROKEN AND THE SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN ONE POSITION... NO ONE CAN USE THE SEAT BECAUSE IT MOVES ALL THE TIME. *TR THE DRIVER SEAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT IT DOES NOT MOVE, I JUST CAN NOT ADJUST THE SEAT AT ALL.

IN FEB 2007, A NEW MOPAR SERPENTINE BELT WAS INSTALLED ON MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (89,000 MILES) BY A LOCAL DODGE DEALER. AFTER ONE WEEK BELT STARTED A LOUD SQUEAL. AT THE SUGGESTION OF MECHANICS I TRIED BELT DRESSINGS, SPRAYS AND WIRE BRUSH, ALL WITH NO HELP TO THE PROBLEM. ONE MECHANIC SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE PLASTIC PULLEY ON MY PROPERLY WORKING TENSIONER WITH A METAL PULLEY. THIS I DID WITH NO HELP. ALL PULLEYS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND O.K. DEALER INSTALLED ANOTHER BELT IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR. SAME PROBLEM AFTER ONE WEEK. ENDED UP GOING TO LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP (NOT DEALER) AND THEY INSTALLED "KIT", WHICH CORRECTED PROBLEM. "KIT' CONSISTED OF BELT WITH GROOVES ON BOTH SIDES AND IDLER PULLEY AND TENSIONER PULLEY WITH GROOVES. PROBLEM SOLVED. THE DODGE DEALER NEVER HEARD OF THIS "KIT"....COME ON DODGE BOYS, GET WITH IT!!!! *JB

MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STRUT TOWER IS RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IS IDENTIFIED IN CHRYSLERS TSB 23-044-02. THIS DEFECT APPEARS TO BE COMMON ON ALL MODELS IN THOSE YEARS. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT IT IS A LATENT DEFECT. THE TOWER HAS BEEN RUSTING FOR MANY YEARS AND I NEVER NOTICED IT BEFORE. NOW I OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY AND I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. IF THE STRUT TOWER BREAKS I COULD LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. *TR

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TAKEN TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP IN MARCH 2007 FOR NORMAL SERVICING , OIL CHANGE/TIRE ROTATION, AND SHOP MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS WERE WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT DO THIS SINCE BOTH FRONT STRUT MOUNTS WERE BADLY RUSTED AND WOULD LIKELY BREAK UPON SERVICING. THE REPAIR SHOP WARNED ME TO IMMEDIATELY GET THE STRUT MOUNTS FIXED FOR SAFETY REASONS. I VISITED A LOCAL 5 STAR DODGE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES OCCUR AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY/RECALL. COST TO REPAIR PROBLEM , NO NEW STRUTS WAS $1300. I CALLED A NUMBER OF BODY SHOPS AND FOUND A LOCAL SHOP WHICH HAS BEEN REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2000! THEY SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS COMMON FOR THESE VEHICLES FOR MODEL YEARS 1996-2000 IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY. THEY HAD DEVELOPED A SYSTEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM INCLUDING REMOVING THE OLD STRUT MOUNTS, MACHINING NEW STRUT MOUNTS FROM ALUMINUM BLOCKS, AND BOLTING/WELDING THEM IN PLACE. REPAIR WAS MADE , EXCLUDING NEW STRUTS FOR $600.*AK

THE FUEL LINE IS NOT SECURED TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. IT CAME OUT OF ITS OPEN U SHAPED HANGER AND FELL AGAINST THE DRIVELINE. THE DRIVE LINE THEN WORE A HOLE IN THE GAS LINE SHUTTING DOWN THE VEHICLE AND SPEWING FUEL ALL OVER. STRANDING EVERYONE. LUCKILY IT DID NOT START A FIRE FROM THE MUFFLER. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND TIED TO THE HANGER SO THAT IT WILL NOT COME OUT AGAIN.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN OCTOBER OF 2006 AND THE SECOND TIME WAS ON JUNE 27, 2007. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BOTH TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,000.

THE SERPENTINE BELT ON THE PULLEY SYSTEM CAME OFF ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THEN ON 6-8-07 THE BELT NOT ONLY CAME OFF AGAIN, BUT THE P/S WHEEL {NOT SURE IF THAT'S THE CORRECT NAME FOR IT} OR PULLEY METAL BRACKET, BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. SO NOW I CAN'T EVEN REPLACE THE BELT THIS TIME, AS THEIR IS NOTHING THERE FOR THE BELT TO MELD/ADHERE TO. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT OR PROBLEM, MANY CONSUMERS ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME TYPES OF PROBLEMS WITH THE BELTS COMING OFF. BEFORE I INVEST ANYMORE MONEY WITH BELTS AND KITS AND SUCH, I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE "TENSIONER PULLEY SYSTEM." PLEASE EMAIL ME REGARDING THE ABOVE MENTIONED. THANKS, R.JONAK [email protected]

CONTINUAL SERPENTINE BELT ISSUES WITH DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 1999, IT HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND HAS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE SERPENTINE BELT AT LEAST 4 TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE BELT HAS COME OFF ON 2 OCCASIONS WHEN VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH A PUDDLE. THIS SEEMS EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE. *TR

FRONT END WAS HITTING HARD ON EVEN MILDLY ROUGH ROADS. UPON INSPECTION BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY SEVERE RUSTING OF THE STRUT TOWER MOUNT ON BOTH SIDES. AT THE TIME OF FILING THIS COMPLAINT REPAIRS, COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF STRUT TOWERS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE DUE TO COST , APPROXIMATELY $2800. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY 3 DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITIES THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE CARAVANS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEARS! BESIDES THE COSTLY REPAIRS, THIS ALSO PRESENTS A POTENTIALLY A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 55,000 MILES.*AK

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STRUT TOWERS RUSTED SIGNIFICANTLY AND MAY BREAK. PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. CHRYSLER SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS UNDER A RECALL PROGRAM. REFERENCE ODI CASES 10185700, 10183434, 10145830, 10132914, 10130797, 10117269, 10106788, 10101334, 10065499, 10048107, 10168557, 10079282. *AK

1999 GRAND CARAVAN - SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHEN IT RAINS OR VEHICLE IS DRIVEN THROUGH WATER, EVEN MINOR AMOUNTS. CAUSES SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY, ESPECIALLY IF IT OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING DURING A TURN. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 6 YEARS AND 125,000+ MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT. DURING THE LAST 25,000 MILES BELT HAS COME OFF UNPREDICTABLY 6-8 TIMES IN WET WEATHER. OCCURRENCES STARTED FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT TIRES AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. DEALERS AND SERVICE STATIONS HAVE BLAMED THE TENSIONEER, A PULLEY, THE BELT ITSELF, AND WATER. REPLACEMENT OF THESE PARTS DOES NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WHICH OCCURS AGAIN WITH THE NEXT RAIN STORM. SOMETHING CHANGED AT 125,000 MILES THAT CAUSES THE BELT TO DISENGAGE THE PULLEYS AND /OR TENSIONER WHEN WATER IS SPRAYED UP BY THE TIRES IN WET WEATHER. I CHANGED TIRES TO A DIFFERENT TREAD DESIGN AND THIS HELPED FOR A TIME, BUT WITH WEAR THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 57000 AT PRESENT. WHEN WE HAD 47000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. UPON TAKING THE VAN TO THE DEALER WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION TO THE TUNE OF $1350.00 DOLLARS WITH OUT ASSISTANCE FROM CHRYSLER. AT PRESENT WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEM SUCH AS THE VAN WONDERS AND HARD TO STEER. IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF AND HAD TO BE REPLACE 5 TIMES AFTER OR DURING A RAIN STORM SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. IT APPEARS A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS, AND ALTHOUGH MY VAN IS A 1999 MODEL I SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH ONLY 57000 MILES, AND CHRYSLER SHOULD CONDUCT A MASSIVE RECALL TO REPAIR AND CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS. *NM

WIPERS NOT WORKING ON 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. SURFING THE WEB AND SAW MANY RELATED ISSUES TO THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THERE WERE ENOUGH REPORTS TO REQUEST A RECALL. I CONSIDER THIS SERIOUS ISSUE DUE TO ROAD CONDITION WHEN THE WIPERS ARE NEEDED AND THE VISION IMPACT ALSO. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT CHRYSLER/DODGE IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE VEHICLE. THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE WAS GRADUAL WORSENING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY CHANGED 3 YEARS AGO.

I PURCHASED 2 BRAND NEW FURTURA 2000 LTE FROM PEPBOYS DROVE THE CAR MAYBE 5 MILES. THEN SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. THE NEXT MORNING I HAD 2 FRONT FLAT- BOTH TIRES WERE LEAKING FROM THE SIDEWALL MEETS THE TREAT. *JB

THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN KEEPS COMING OFF. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS. THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE BELT TENSIONER HAS BEEN REPLACED. AN ENGINE BRACKET FOR THE IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN REPLACED. WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF , POWER STEERING IS LOST WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VAN. IF I WAS NOT A FAIRLY STRONG PERSON I WOULD HAVE HIT A SEMI-TRUCK AT THE LAST INCIDENT. MY WIFE COULD NOT HAVE CONTROLLED IT. THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET FIX FOR THE PROBLEM THROUGH GOODYEAR OR GATES. CHRYSLER DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR IT. BELOW IS THE LATEST INCIDENT. IT HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. *NM

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING RECALL. THE VEHICLES CLOCKSPRING FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER PAID CASH FOR THE REPAIR AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *TS *NM

ON DEC 30, 2004 I PURCHASED 4 NEW COOPER TIRES LABELED SIGMA REGENT (SG00721655). ON JUNE 13, 2006 I REPLACED ONE OF THESE TIRES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION (23,924 MILES). ON OCT 12, 2006 I REPLACED TWO MORE OF THE ORIGINAL FOUR TIRES DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION (28,405 MILES). THAT IS THREE OUT OF FOUR TIRES THAT DEVELOPED TREAD SEPARATION. FORTUNATELY, I NOTICED EACH EVENT BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. NONETHELESS, I THINK YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE TREAD SEPARATION PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD WITH COOPER TIRES. P.S. YOUR FORM DID ALLOW FOR THE ACTUAL TIRE SIZE I PURCHASED. THE TIRES I PURCHASED ARE: 215/65SR15, 9M65. *NM

DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER IS CORRODING AND POPPING THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIRES, VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, AND COULD POSE A SIGNIFICANT DANGER IF IT WERE TO RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH. AS DESCRIBED BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC, THIS ISSUE IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THIS ITEM WERE TO COMPLETELY FAIL SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH COULD RESULT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL # 04V480000 REGARDING AIRBAGS. THE RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT, THEN THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE 2 DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG, THE HORN, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD ALL FAILED. THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. FIRST, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE REASON FOR DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THE SAME OWNERSHIP ANYMORE. THE SECOND TIME, THE GIVEN REASON FOR DENIAL WAS THAT THE RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT OUT IN 2004, BUT THE RECALL REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED IN 2006. THE THIRD AND FINAL TIME, THE REASON FOR DENIAL WAS THAT THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE REASON THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP AS OPPOSED TO A DEALER, WAS THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 11/14/06. *JB

TRANSMISSION BROKE FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. METAL PENETRATED THE CASE, VEHICLE ONLY HAD 38,304 MILES ON IT. IT IS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. DODGE WOULD NOT COVER IT SINCE THEY BELIEVE IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR. FOR ME THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS WAS AN ACT OF GOD THAT MY HUSBAND WAS NOT KILLED WHILE DRIVING 55 MILES PER HOUR ON THE EXPRESS WAY GOING TO A WEAPONS TRAINING SITE ON THE WISCONSIN/ILLINOIS BOARDER. WE HAD AAA MOTOR CLUB BUT THE NEXT DEALERSHIP WAS OVER 35 MILES AWAY AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST. OUR BILL FROM GURNEE DODGE, 7255 GRAND AVENUE (ROUTE 132), GURNEE, IL 60031 WAS $3499.27. AND OUR TOW WAS $125.00. WE NOT ONLY BABY THE CAR, CLEAN IT AND DO PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ON IT EVERY 6 MONTHS, IT SHOCKED THE HELL OUT OF ME TO KNOW MY HUSBAND WAS JUST DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR ON AN OFF RAMP W/ NOTHING BUT A GALLY DROP TO LOOK FORWARD TO. I WAS ANGRY TO SEE THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER WOULD NOT HELP US WITH THIS KNOWING THAT IT HAS A 7 YEAR 70,000 MILES POWER TRAIN WARRANTY (BUMPER TO BUMPER). THIS WAS NOT MY HUSBAND'S FAULT AND HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THANK GOD HE'S A COP AND CAN MANEUVER EVEN FROM THE TOUGHEST SITUATIONS. THE AVERAGE CONSUMER IS NOT MY HUSBAND, SO I WRITE YOU THIS NOTE TO MAKE COMPANIES LIKE DAIMLER CHRYSLER HONOR THEIR WARRANTY AND HELP THE CONSUMER WHEN A FAULTY TRANSMISSION BLOWS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE MECHANISM UP TO THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC AT GURNEE SAID MY HUSBAND WAS LUCKY IT HAD NOT PENETRATED THE F

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A DING DING SOUND WAS HEARD EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT TURN WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE WHERE THE SOUND CAME FROM BUT EXPRESSED THAT NOISE SOUNDED LIKE AN ALARM. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED.

THE REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED ON OUR 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THIS VEHICLE HAS ABS. FROM THE ABS UNIT TO THE REAR BRAKE DISTRIBUTION BLOCK, THE TWIN BRAKE LINES ARE A COMBINATION OF STEEL AND STEEL BRAIDED LINES. THE ENTIRE LINES ARE APPROXIMATELY 8 FEET LONG. OF THE 8 FEET LENGTH, THERE IS A SECTION OF FLEXIBLE STEEL BRAIDED LINE APPROXIMATELY 7 INCHES LONG. AT THE JUNCTION OF THE STEEL LINE AND THE BRAIDED STEEL LINE, THE LINE FAILED. THERE IS NOT EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE OR ABUSE. THE JUNCTION JUST FAILED. LUCKILY WE WERE JUST PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE POWER WAS COMPLETELY LOST. *NM

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN,3.3 LITER ENGINE, STARTED OUT ABOUT ONCE A YEAR THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD SLIP OFF AND HAVE TO BE REINSTALLED. THEN STARTED EVERY 6 MONTHS, USUALLY DURING WET WEATHER, CAME OFF WITH MY WIFE, SHE WOULD LOSE STEERING ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE WORK AND GO WHERE EVER SHE WAS AND PUT BELT BACK ON. FINALLY NOTICED THE TENSIONER PULLEY LEANING TO THE LEFT ALLOWING BELT TO SLIP OFF. REPLACED PULLEY THINKING PROBLEM SOLVED, BUT ONCE AGAIN BELT WOULD SLIP OFF DURING A RAIN AND WIPERS ON. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY WIFE AGAIN, NO STEERING. TRIED A BETTER QUALITY BELT, SAME THING, BELT WOULD SLIP OFF DURING RAIN. 2 WEEKS AGO IT SLIPPED OFF WITH MY WIFE ON MAJOR FREEWAY IN BIRMINGHAM, AL , I HAD TO GO ABOUT 50 MILES AND PUT BELT BACK ON WITH TRAFFIC SPEEDING BY AND ALL DURING A RAIN STORM OF COURSE. YESTERDAY I DROVE THE VAN TO MY JOB AND ON THE WAY HOME RAN INTO A RAIN STORM AND GUESS WHAT, IT CAME OFF AGAIN, LUCKILY ON THE STREET I LIVE ON. I'VE READ ABOUT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VAN. I'VE OWNED THE VAN SINCE THE BEGINNING, LOVED IT EXCEPT FOR THIS PROBLEM, EVEN BOUGHT A NEW 05 GRAND CARAVAN BECAUSE THEY ARE GOOD VANS. I JUST WISH DODGE WOULD ADMIT THE 99 AND SIMILAR YEARS HAD A RECALL ISSUE ON THIS SERPENTINE BELT. OR WHY CAN'T THEY TELL US, THE OWNERS HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? *JB

SHOCK TOWERS ARE JUST ABOUT RUSTED THROUGH ON 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. RUSTING STARTED 3-4 YEARS AGO. *JB

DESPITE REGULAR (3,000-MILE OR LESS) OIL CHANGES AT DEALER OR CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 3.3 LITER ENGINE DEVELOPED SEVERE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS. FIRST INDICATION OF PROBLEM WAS A SOFT CLICKING ENGINE NOISE. CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS OIL SLUDGE, SHOWED US CAKED ENGINE COMPONENTS. REPLACED ROCKERS ARMS AND SOME VALVES AND BEARINGS AND FLUSHED ENGINE. REPAIRS NOT SUCCESSFUL, NOISE CONTINUED. RETURNED TO MECHANIC WHO KEPT THE VAN FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND DID SEVERAL MORE ENGINE FLUSHES AND OIL CHANGES. THIS DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM AND MECHANIC WARNED ME THAT DRIVING WOULD SOON LEAD TO MASSIVE ENGINE FAILURE. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS AN EXPENSIVE OVERHAUL ($7,000-$8,000) OR A NEW/REBUILT ENGINE ($5,000-$6,000) THAT MIGHT STILL HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH, I REALIZED THIS WAS CHRYSLER PROBLEM WITH ENGINE. NOW MY VAN IS AN EXPENSIVE YARD ORNAMENT--AT LEAST UNTIL I DRIVE IT ONE LAST TIME TO TRADE IT IN. I DO NOT CONSIDER IT SAFE TO DRIVE AS MASSIVE FAILURE COULD LEAD TO FIRE OR ACCIDENT. *JB

MY CAR WAS REAR ENDED BY A LARGE PICKUP ON THE FREEWAY. IMMEDIATELY ON IMPACT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK WENT INTO A RECLINED POSITION. THEREFORE, THE ONLY SAFETY DEVICE OPERATIONAL WAS THE LAP BELT AS THE SHOULDER BELT AND HEAD REST DEPEND ON THE SEAT BACK TO BE OF ANY USE AND THE AIRBAG ONLY DEPLOYS IN A FRONT END CRASH. THIS LED TO MY UPPER BODY BEING JERKED ALL OVER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. DODGE'S RESPONSE IS THAT THE SEAT BACK IS SUPPOSED TO DO THIS IN A REAR END CRASH. I FIND THIS RATHER INCREDIBLE AS THAT LEAVES ONLY THE LAP BELT FUNCTIONAL. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE PIN CAME OUT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.