1999 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

I HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT COME OFF WHILE DRIVING IN MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THIS IS UNSAFE. I LOSE POWER STEERING, A/C OR DEFROSTER, THE VAN OVERHEATS UNLESS YOU PARK IT INSTANTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES AND I HAVE REPLACED THE TENSION PULLEY AND IT STILL DIDN'T HELP. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *JB

1) TRAVEL TO LOCAL OIL CHANGE GARAGE. 2) IN PARKING LOT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE WITH DRASTIC LOSS OF BRAKING. 3) VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME (COST $85.00). I REPLACED BOTH RUSTED (ONE RUPTURED) BRAKE LINES (WHICH RAN FROM THE ABS CONTROLLER TO THE REAR BRAKES) WITH AUTO PARTS STORE HARDWARE ($41.00 LINES & FITTINGS, & $5.00 FLUID) AFTER BEING INFORMED THAT RUSTING LINES ARE NOT THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT MANUFACTURER REPLACEMENT LINES ARE NOT STOCKED AFTER 2 OR 3 YEARS. (THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME AS I WOULD EXPECT THAT BRAKE LINE FAILURES WOULD NOT OCCUR IN THE FIRST FEW YEARS OF SERVICE.) I HAVE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE LINES RUNNING TO THE MASTER CYLINDER SHOW SIMILAR DETERIORATION WHICH WILL SOON REQUIRE THEIR REPLACEMENT AS WELL. THE LINES ARE CORRODING IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE STAINLESS STEEL BRAIDED HOSE SECTIONS WHICH APPEAR TO BE OF METAL DIFFERING FROM WHAT THE BRAKE LINE ITSELF IS MADE FROM. GIVEN THAT THE FAILURE IS OCCURRING IN AN AREA WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE DISSIMILAR METALS (AN OBVIOUS FAILURE POINT IN AREAS USING SALT ON THE ROADS DURING WINTER - SEE ARTICLES COVERING "GALVANIC CORROSION") THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE MADE EFFORT TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AND SHOULD OFFER SOME SORT OF REPAIR / RECALL ARRANGEMENT. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT, NOT AT SEVENTY MILES PER HOUR ON AN INTERSTATE OR IN RUSH OUR TRAFFIC, BUT I'M SURE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE RIDING AROUND WITH THIS TICKING TIME BOMB O

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLS. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO TWO DEALERSHIPS, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWS NO CODES.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE SLID OFF OF THE ROAD INTO A SNOW BANK AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED A PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION CAME OUT, CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. THE PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/15/06. *JB

STARTER SOLENOID FAILED, STUCK IN "ON" POSITION. WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WHEN ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. CLOUDS OF ACRID SMOKE POURED OUT FROM UNDER VEHICLE. I REMOVED BATTERY CABLE AND TOWED CAR TO MECHANIC. DEALER REPLACED STARTER. 67,000 MILES SIMILAR TO COMPLAINT #10138490. *NM

ON MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AWD 3.8 LITER 4 SPEED AUTOMATIC THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO LIMP MODE,SPEEDOMETER,ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AND THE GAS GAUGE IS WACKY. HAD THE CODES READ AND THEY CAME BACK AS SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTION AND TCM NOT COMMUNICATING WITH PCM. I CHANGE THE SPEED SENSORS AND THE TCM AND PAID A DEALER TO DO A "QUICK LEARN PROCEDURE"AND DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE PROCEDURE WON'T WORK BECAUSE ONE OF THE COMPONENTS WON'T COMMUNICATE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURED WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH A CANYON IN UTAH ON HIGHWAY 6 KNOWN AS "ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS HIGHWAYS IN UTAH"WHILE MY 4 CHILDREN AND WIFE WERE IN THE VEHICLE.IT HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE DEALER AND I HAVE NO WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO FIX MYSELF IF SOMEONE AT CHRYSLER WOULD AT LEAST TELL ME WHAT TO FIX! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE SPEEDO GOING OUT AND THE TRANNY NOT SHIFTING!!! THIS HAPPENED AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON UNTIL AFTER IT WENT INTO LIMP MODE. *NM

1999 CARAVAN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED. *TS THE AIR BAGS SHOULD ONLY HAVE DEPLOYED DURING A FRONTAL COLLISION, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WROTE THE CONSUMER EXPLAINING, THAT BASED ON THEIR INSPECTION, IT WAS REVEALED THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. *JB

DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, AT 48,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE RACK & PINION REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE AT THE COST OF $1300.00 DOLLARS. CHRYSLER WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT. I HAVE HEARD OF ANOTHER CASE IN POINT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF MILES SINCE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE TO AND FROM WORK ONLY ON STREET SURFACE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED TO SEE HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND REQUIRE CHRYSLER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *JB

MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WARNING LIGHT CAME FOR THE AIRBAG. I ALSO LOST THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN. THIS ALL HAPPENED ON 11/4/05. I STARTED UP THE CAR AND THEN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER BECAUSE THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY FRIENDS DODGE. THE DEALER STATED THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON THIS MODEL AND THE REPAIR IS AROUND 150 DOLLARS. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAD A RECALL OR RECEIVED ANY OTHER COMPLAINT ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU IN ADVANCED. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT'S WIFE DROVE IN THE RAIN AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 96,000 MILES IS BADLY RUSTED AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT STRUT WELLS. EXCESSIVE WATER IS COLLECTING ON TOP OF THE STRUT WELLS AND EATING AWAY AT THE STEEL. I REMOVED THE LOOSE CHUNKS OF RUSTED STEEL AND FOUND HOLES OVER BOTH WHEELS. FIRST NOTICE THE RUST ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRUTS POPPING THROUGH THE HOOD. I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *NM

DT: CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO JACK ELLIS DODGE IN GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA FOR RECALL REPAIR OF THE CLOCK SPRING, D17. CONSUMER HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW NOT ROLLING DOWN OR UP SOMETIMES. CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO RECALL REPAIR. CONSUMER ASKED DEALER IF THIS MAY BE RELATED TO RECALL REPAIR, AND DEALER CHECKED IT AND SAID HE WAS NOT SURE IF IT WAS RELATED. MANUFACTURER SAID IT COULD BE A PART OF THE CLOCK SPRING PROBLEM. CONSUMER SAYS THAT WHEN AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON POWER WINDOW WORKED, BUT WHEN IT WAS OFF WINDOW WILL NOT WORK. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT MOTOR FOR WINDOW WAS ON ITS WAY OUT, AND REPAIR WOULD COST $500. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO CLOCK SPRING. CONSUMER MARKED DOOR PANEL TO SEE IF DEALER WOULD TAKE PANEL OFF TO CHECK MOTOR, AND SAID THAT DOOR PANEL WAS NOT REMOVED TO CHECK MOTOR.*AK *NM

I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR (1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE) AND IT INITIALLY WOULDN'T START. THERE WAS JUST A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STARTER BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I TRIED IT A COUPLE MORE TIMES AND IT FINALLY STARTED. BUT THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL RATTLING NOISE. I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND THE ENGINE STOPPED BUT SOME PART ON THE CAR KEPT RUNNING. I HAD MY FIANCE LOOK AT IT - HE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON EITHER. IT DROVE OK AROUND THE BLOCK BUT IT SOUNDED HORRIBLE. HE COULDN'T GET IT TO TURN OFF COMPLETELY EITHER. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. MY FIANCE COULD SEE IT WAS IN THE AREA OF THE STARTER. INITIALLY, IF THE CAR WAS LEFT IDLING, THE SMOKE LESSENED BUT IF THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF THE SMOKE GOT WORSE. SO WE LEFT IT IDLING WHILE WE LOOKED FOR POSSIBLE WAYS TO SHUT IT OFF COMPLETELY. AFTER A FEW MORE MINUTES, THE SMOKE BEGAN AGAIN AND THERE WERE FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD AROUND THE STARTER. I CALLED 911 TO GET THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HERE WHILE MY FIANCE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO TRY TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AFTER WE WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH THE EXTINGUISHER AND THEY HELPED US DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE IN A SAFE MANNER SO THAT EVERYTHING SHUT OFF. THE FIREMAN SUGGESTED WE CHECK FOR POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH OTHER VANS LIKE OURS AND TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING OUR EXPERIENCE. THEY TOOK DOWN MY INFORMATION AND FILED A REPORT FOR THEIR RESPONSE TO THE FIRE. WE REPLACED THE STARTER AN

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN METAL BRAKE LINE BURST AND THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED A REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR COSTS.*MR WHEN PARKED CONSUMER'S WIFE PUT FOOTON THE BRAKE AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE WAS LEFT WITHOUT BRAKES. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY AND /OR HEAVY TRAFFIC IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHRYSLER EALERSHIP, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BRAKE LINE BURST. CONSUMER'S REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *NM

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I FOUND THAT I HAVE SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINES. (I JUST HAPPENED TO LOOK MY SELF) THEY LOOK LIKE THEY WILL BURST ANY MINUTE. I HAVE DETAILED PICTURES. SEEMS WRONG TO ME THAT A CAR MANUFACTURER WOULD BE SO CHEAP AS TO USE BRAKE LINES THAT RUST. *NM

RIGHT PARK LAMP AND LIGHTED INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE. SHORT LOCATED IN WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH NEAR FIREWALL ON THE INTERIOR SIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER UNABLE TO LOCATE SHORT WITHOUT DISMANTLING VEHICLE. DELEARSHIP BYBASS SHORT BY JUMPING AREA WHERE SHORT WAS FOUND USING A NEW WIRE.

THE FRONT UPPER DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT MOUNT IS BULGING UP, OUT OF SHAPE, MAKING THE VEHICLE 1/2 INCH OUT OF LEVEL AND HAS ALLOWED WATER TO UNDERCUT THE MOUNT. THIS IS IN AN AREA THAT IS UNDER THE HOOD AND NOT ACCESSIBLE TO WATER. OUR MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE STRUT WHICH SUPPORTS THE CORNER OF THE CAR COULD RUPTURE THE MOUNT AND GO THROUGH THE HOOD RESULTING IS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DANGER TO OUR LIVES. THE MOUNT IS PART OF VEHICLE BODY AND SUPPORTS THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S MISTAKE IS THAT THEY BADLY ENGINEERED THIS COMPONENT OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM . THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS NO PROBLEM CHRYSLER SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THEIR VEHICLE (1999 GRAND CARAVAN) AT THEIR EXPENSE. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE HAS SEEN OTHER GRAND CARAVANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT CHRYSLER FIXED THEM AT CHRYSLER'S EXPENSE. *NM

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS GOING FAST, SHE TOOK FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T SLOW DOWN, SHE THEN TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR TO TRY AND SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN THIS ONLY MADE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE FASTER. CONSUMER THEN GOT INTO THE BREAK DOWN LANE AND PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO 65 MPH. CONSUMER FINALLY TURNED THE IGNITION OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CALLED CONCORD STATE POLICE TO ASSIST. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED, AND THE REPAIR MAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FRAYED AND GOT STUCK IN THE HOUSING, AND COULDN'T COME OUT OF HOUSING. THE CONSUMER ACTUALLY STILL HAS THE CABLE.*AK THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED. *TT

STRUT TOWER CORROSION CHRYSLER TSB23-044-02

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. HE STATES THAT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS ALL THE GAUGES WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING. ALSO, WHILE THIS PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING ABS BRAKES FAILED. DEALER SAID THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THEY COULD REPROGRAM OR REBUILD IT. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TABULATE MILES. HE HAS KNOWN 1994'S TO DO THE SAME THING . THEY REPLACED THE BCM, AND A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN. IF CONSUMER TAKES Y FIST AND HITS THE DASH THE LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON. THIS WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN THIS DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM ANYMORE. HE CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND HAS SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED BUT UNDER DIFFERENT COMPONENTS. THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY FALSIFYING MILEAGE BECAUSE IT WILL NOT TABULATE THE MILES CORRECTLY. HE HAD THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE 1994 DODGE OWNER.*AK

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS EXCESSIVE RUST EATING AWAY AT THE INNER STRUT PLATE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.*MR THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN WAS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON STRUT PLATE. *BF *NM

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LOW GEARS. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT VEHICLE WILL BE REAR ENDED IF PROBLEM CONTINUED. *AK

HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE BECOME CLOUDED AND MAKE IT HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT ON UNLIGHTED ROADS. *JB

THE UPPER STRUT TOWER HAD RUSTED OUT. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, HOWEVER THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN GETTING THE REPAIRS COMPLETED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PLEASE PROVIDE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *JB

VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL ON THE FRONT LEFT DUE TO FLAT TIRE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE FELL OFF. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' ISSUED FOR CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY ON GRAND CARAVAN 1999. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS VAN BUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S NAME ON THE NOTICE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC SHOP FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER ENGINE EXHAUST CROSSOVER PIPE CRACKED. *TC *JB

CORROSION ON THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWERS (BOTH SIDES) ON THE 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *TT *NM

THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR ELECTRICAL ACTUATOR UNIT BLEW OUT. CONSUMER DISCOVERED YOU CANNOT OVER RIDE THE DOOR IN ANY WAY TO GAIN ACCESS TO THAT SECTION OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

THE UPPER BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS TWICE. THE CONSUMER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BALL JOINT RECALL 04V596000.*AK

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. A BOLT THAT IS IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BAR CAME OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WE STOPPED AT A GAS STATION DRIVING SOUTH ON 95. WHEN WE STARTED DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT IN ITS NORMAL POSITION WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH NORMALLY HAS THE REMOTE CONTROLS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER (CONTROLS ARE TO BE AT 3:00 ON THE RIGHT AND 9:00 ON THE LEFT), HAD SHIFTED TO ABOUT ALMOST 6:00 FOR THE RIGHT AND 12:00 FOR THE LEFT. I COULD STILL CONTROL THE VAN, SO I PULLED OFF ON THE NEXT EXIT. THE GARAGE MECHANIC CHECKED AND REALIZED THE BOLT UNDERNEATH HAD COME OFF. HE FOUND ANOTHER BOLT THE SAME SIZE AND PUT IT BACK IN. I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION IN FLORIDA THE NEXT DAY AND TOOK THE VAN TO A NTB STORE. THEY CHECKED OUT THE NEW BOLT AND THE ALIGNMENT OF THE VAN AND SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED OKAY. *AK

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, VIN # [XXX] WITH 47,300 MILES. HERE LATELY IT WILL SHIFT ROUGH SOMETIMES AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A SERVICE BULLITTEN CONCERNING THIS SITUATION OR IF IT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED AND WHAT I SHOULD ADVISE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK. I AM NOT SURE THEY SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION AT 25,000 MILES. AS A SERVICE AND TRAINING MANAGER FOR YORK I KNOW THE VALUE OF CORRECT SERVICE. THANKS. *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS

I HAD MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN FOR REGULAR SERVICING AND THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS RUST PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER. THE PERSON FROM THE SHOP WHO CALLED ME SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP TO BE EVALUATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DISCOVERED LATER THAT THE ACTUAL MECHANIC LOOKING AT THE PROBLEM WROTE: "RECOMMEND: GET NEW VEHICLE SOON!"THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT A 1999 WOULD BE SO BADLY RUSTED AND QUOTED ME AN ESTIMATE OF $1300 TO REPLACE THE STRUT TOWER AND TAKE CARE OF THE RUST THAT HAD BEGUN TO EAT AT THE OTHER SIDE. NCE THEY HAD IT IN THE SHOP AND DISASSEMBLED, THEY CALLED TO SAY IT WOULD TAKE AN ADDITIONAL WEEK OF SERVICE SINCE THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP HAD ORDERED THE WRONG PART. THEY SAID THAT, BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS SO SEVERE, THEY WERE NOT COMFORTABLE REASSEMBLING THE VEHICLE FOR ME TO USE WHILE THEY WAITED FOR DELIVERY OF THE PART. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN AND WIDESPREAD. (COMPLAINT NUMBER 10090457 ALSO DOCUMENTS THIS ISSUE.) I AM SURPRISED THAT SOMEONE HAS NOT BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS. MY VAN IS ONLY A 1999 AND THE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED NEARLY HALF WAY THROUGH. I HAD MY VAN IN FOR SERVICE MANY TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND NO ONE HAD NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE UNDOUBTEDLY INNUMBERABLE FAMILIES DRIVING AROUND IN A SERIOUSLY UNSAFE VEHICLE SIMPLY BECAUSE A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. IF THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS

POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE SHORTED TO GROUND MELTING THE INSULATION ON THE CABLE AND NEARLY ALL INTERCONNECTED HARNESS WIRES. TOTAL ESTIMATE TO REPAIR AND REPLACED DAMAGED WIRES, STARTER, SENSORS, CONNECTORS, ETC: $3,000+. INVESTIGATION STILL ONGOING.. FAILURE RESULTED FROM DESIGN PLACEMENT OF POSITIVE CABLE IN PROXIMITY OF STRUT TOWER BOLT. BATTERY LOCATION FOR 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF STRUT ASSEMBLY. THIS CABLE DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY INSULATION SLEEVE (E.G., CONVOLUTED TUBING OR LOOM) AND IS THEREFORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WEAR AND ABRASION FROM VIBRATIONS DURING DRIVING.*JB

THE PLANETARY SET FROM THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS DISCOVERED BROKEN BY THE DEALER AFTER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. *AK HEADLIGHTS WERE TO DIM ON THE VEHICLE. *TC

WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH CONSUMER STRUCK A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK *TC

D/C REFUSED TO PAY FOR MY LABOR ON A CLOCKSPRING REPAIR. *AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS. VEHICLE WAS THEN PULLED OVER ALONGSIDE THE ROAD. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESART THE ENGINE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE STEERING SENSOR.*AK

NHTSA RECALL 04V480000 CONCERNING AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. HOWEVER, MECHANIC CHARGED $74.75 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLOCK SPRING. *AK THE CONSUMER WANTED TO BE REIMBURST FOR THE AMOUT OF SERVICE . *TC

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR CLOCK SPRING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE RADIO CONTROLS WERE FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE CLOCK SPRING WAS NOT IN STOCK. *BF THE HORN WAS PROBLEMATIC AS WELL. RECALL#04V480000. *SC *JB

WE NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE TAKEN TO FIRESTONE. PROBLEM DUE TO BAD LEAK DETECTION PUMP. LDP ON ORDER BUT VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN THREE DAYS. THE DAY LDP ARRIVES SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER QUITS. COMPUTER BURNED OUT. ORDERED REBUILT COMPUTER, SINCE NO NEW COMPUTERS AVAILABLE, FROM DODGE. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN 14 DAYS WAITING FOR COMPUTER. FIRESTONE INSTALLS COMPUTER. THREE DAYS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. FIRESTONE SAYS PROBLEM DUE TO BAD LDP. OBTAIN NEW LDP FROM DODGE BUT INSTALLED BY FIRESTONE. TWO DAYS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. FIRESTONE RESETS COMPUTER BUT CODES KEEPS DISPLAYING. FIRESTONE SAYS PROBLEM BEYOND THEIR EXPERTISE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DODGE. DODGE INSPECTS VEHICLE SAYS COMPUTER BURNED OUT. DODGE HAS VEHICLE FOR 10 DAYS WAITING REPLACEMENT COMPUTER UNDER WARRANTY. DODGE REPLACES COMPUTER AND CHECKS WIRING HARNESS FOR LOOSE CONNECTIONS. TWO DAYS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. DODGE SAYS COMPUTER BURNED OUT. DODGE REPLACES AND THIRD COMPUTER WHICH BURNS OUT. DODGE SUSPECTS BAD LDP, BUT RULES OUT WHEN INFORMED LDP WAS REPLACED LESS THAN ONE MONTH. DODGE REPLACES AND BURNS OUT FOURTH COMPUTER. 26 DAYS AND FIVE COMPUTERS LATER, DODGE SAYS VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS PROBLEM. DODGE CONSULTS WITH CHRYSLER TECHNICAL WHO RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS. WE DECLINE BECAUSE NOT A SURE FIX AND HAVE DODGE PUT THE VEHICLE BACK TOGETHER. DODGE DISCONNECTED WIRE BETWEEN LDP AND COMPUTER TO PREVENT COMPUTER

WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER. WE CONTACTED THE CLOSEST SERVICE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER INFORMED US BECAUSE WE HAVE OVER 70,000 MILES ON OUR VEHICLE THEY WOULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL UNLESS THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. WHAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY THE NOTICE SAYS THAT IF THE VEHICLE HAS 70,000 OR LESS MILES TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED EVEN IF APPEARS THE CLOCKSPRING IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. BUT IF THE VEHICLE HAS MORE THAN 70,000 MILES TO WAIT UNTIL THE CLOCKSPRING FAILS. SINCE THE CLOCKSPRING IS A KNOWN DEFECT. WHO WILL BE LIABLE IF THE CLOCKSPRING FAILS ON OUR VEHICLE AND WE DON'T GET IT REPLACED IN TIME BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG IS NOT DEPLOYED RESULTING IN INCREASED INJURY TO THE DRIVER IN A FRONTAL CRASH? *AK

WHEN BRAKING CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER REPAIRS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

1. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK. 2. MANIFOLD BOLTS RUSTED AND BROKEN, WHICH COULD CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT WITH SUDDEN BREAKDOWN WHILE DRIVING. 3. OVERHAUL COOLANT SYSTEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MUFFLER/INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE MUFFLER AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHEN SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET ITWILL COME OFF OF THE PULLEY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES AND CONSUME RLODT CONTROL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS AS RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL *TC