2002 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY.AIRBAG FAULTY . DEALER REPLACED THEM AT COST $338.00. SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH ONLY 44450 MILES ON 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. VERY DISSAPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE,ALWAYS IN SHOP. ENGINE 4 TIMES,TIE ROD ENDS, BRAKE CALIPERS ,AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP. ETC. *AK

MALFUNCTIONING CLOCKSPRING IN AIR BAG. *NM

REPLACEMENT OF BOTH LINK SWAY ELIMINATORS AND BUSHINGS AND NUTS ALL WERE LOOSE AND WORN, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME REPLACED. *NM

BALL JOINTS ARE BAD LEADING TO A VERY ROUGH RIDE. *NM

1) 2002, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, "SPORT" EDITION WITH V6 3.3L ENGINE, 76,600 MILES. WIFE WENT TO WORK AND PARKED VAN AS USUAL. 2A) CO-WORKERS NOTICED THE VAN'S WIPERS WERE ON; VAN HAD STARTED ALL BY ITSELF AFTER BEING PARKED WITH IGNITION TURNED OFF, KEY REMOVED, AND DOORS LOCKED. TO GET THE ENGINE STOPPED AGAIN, VAN WAS PUT INTO GEAR AND TURNED OFF, THEN PUT INTO PARK TO REMOVE KEY. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THAT DAY. 3A) WIFE TOOK VAN TO CHRYSLER DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. DEALER CHARGED 3 HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTING LABOR AND ONLY FOUND THAT THE ABS CAB WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. DEALER ORDERED ABS CAB. DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE STARTUP/RUNNING WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION. 2B) 6 DAYS LATER (DEC. 21, 2006) VAN WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER DRIVING ~300 MILES. ALSO, THIS TIME ALL THE ACCESSORIES SUCH AS THE CABIN FANS, RADIO, WIPERS, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON EVEN AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. ALL ACCESSORIES EXCEPT INTERIOR LIGHTS COULD BE TURNED OFF WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE SWITCHES. +BATTERY CABLE WAS DISCONNECTED TO GET LIGHTS OFF. VAN WORKED FINE FOR THE NEXT 3 DAYS. DEC. 24, 2006, VAN WOULD NOT STOP RUNNING ONCE ON THE RETURN TRIP AFTER KEY WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND VAN WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF, ALL ACCESSORIES CAME ON, BY THEMSELVES, AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. +BATTERY CABLE WAS ONCE AGAIN DISCONNECTED TO PREVENT FURTHER MALFUNCTION. 3B) ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR JAN. 4, 2007 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND/OR THE KEY CYLINDER SWITCH AT

I BOUGHT A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AT AROUND 87K IN 2004. AT THE TIME I WAS AWARE THAT THERE'S A KNOCKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. I THOUGHT MAYBE DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE. I'VE BEEN A LOCAL DEALER FOR REGULAR SERVICES SINCE THEN AND NO ONE EVER TOLD ME THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THIS. UNTIL AROUND SEPTEMBER I WENT TO THE DEAL HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND A PERSON FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WANTED ME TO REPLACE SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS FOR MY VEHICLE. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS THIS ALL ABOUT SO I ASKED A LIST OF PARTS THAT HE REQUIRED ME FOR REPLACING. I WENT HOME AND DID SOME RESEARCH ON THESE PARTS AND FOUND MANY OWNER OF THIS CARS COMPLAINT ABOUT A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THIS MODEL. AN OWNER WAS TOLD TO REPLACE HIS SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS AND HE DID WHAT WAS TOLD BUT THE NOISE IS COMING BACK AFTER 6 MONTHS. MY CO-WORKER BOUGHT HIS CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY (2002 MODEL), WHICH IS THE SAME MODEL AS DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AROUND THE SAME TIME (2004) I BOUGHT MINE. IT'S MILEAGE IS AROUND 30K. HE GAVE ME A RIDE JUST 2 WEEKS AGO AND I FOUND THAT IT HAS THE KNOCKING NOISE TOO. MY WORRY IS WILL THIS A SAFETY ISSUE OR NOT? I'M SURE THIS IS A MANUFACTURED DEFECT FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND JUST WONDERING WHY DC ISN'T RECALL THIS MODEL FOR HAVING THE PROBLEM FIXED? * THIS SHOULD BE A ALL YEAR ROUND INCIDENT EXCEPTS SUMMER (WHY?). *JB

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ON GARAGE FLOOR. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE POWER STEERING RACK AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHYRSLER AGREED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR. 18 MONTHS LATER THE SYSTEM IS LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE DEALER IS AGAIN SAYING THAT IT IS THE POWER STEERING RACK AND THAT IT NEEDS REPLACED YET AGAIN. CHRYSLER WILL NOT ASSIST IN ANY WAY ON THE $1,100.00 REPAIR. *JB

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH OUT CRASH/IMPACT. DRIVER PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. WHEN THE KEY WAS MOVED INTO THE OFF POSITION THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB

AT 42K MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT TURNING ON AND OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SAID "DRIVER SQUIB CIRCUIT OPEN" AND CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING. PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE. BUT NOW AT 72K MILES, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. WHY AREN'T THE 2002'S COVERED IN THE RECALL? MY SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THAT LISTED ON THE RECALL (WHICH ONLY COVERS UP TO 2000). *JB

2002 GRAND CARAVAN BRAKES FAILED. *TS THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR THE FLAWED BRAKING SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND ONLY BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AFTER THE DAMAGE HAD ALREADY OCCURRED. THE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED BACKING PLATE ALLOWED WATER AND SNOW TO ENTER THE BRAKE DRUM ENCLOSURE AND WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO FREEZING THE BRAKE SHOES FROZE TO THE DRUM. THE SITUATION MOST LIKELY OCCURRED WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMED. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB

POWER WINDOWS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING. PROBLEM HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO AUTHORIZED DEALER WITHOUT REPAIR DUE TO PROBLEM NOT BEING PRESENT WHEN BROUGHT IN. *NM

GRAPHIC ILLUMINATION BULBS ON THE 3 ZONE CLIMATE CONTROLS FOR THE 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN BURN OUT AND ARE NOT REPLACEABLE. THE ENTIRE CLIMATE CONTROL MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $500 BECAUSE A $0.50 BULB HAS BURNED OUT. LOSS OF ILLUMINATION ON THE CLIMATE CONTROLS RESULTS IN NOT BEING ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CONTROL SETTINGS. SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THE INSTRUMENTS ARE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. NOT TOO MANY CONSUMERS ARE GOING TO PAY $500 TO RESOLVE A BURNED OUT INSTRUMENT LAMP. *NM

I OWN A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (WE HAVE HAD THE VAN FOR 3 MONTHS, THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS AN 81 YEAR OLD LADY). OUT OF NOWHERE MY RADIO STARTED HAVING A MAJOR MALFUNCTION. WHEN I TURN ON THE VEHICLE THE RADIO IS AT FULL BLAST IF YOU TOUCH THE VOLUME KNOB IT GOES OFF BUT WHEN YOU TOUCH IT AGAIN I GOES BACK TO FULL BLAST. THERE IS NOTHING ABNORMAL THAT I HAVE DONE OTHER THAN USE IT LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE. I ALSO DISCOVERED A MYSTERIOUS PUDDLE ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD WHICH WHEN IT DRIED IT TURNED WHITE. THE FIRST THING I DID WAS TAKE IT TO THE DODGE DEALER AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST THING THEY ASKED ME WAS IF I HAD A WARRANTY, I SAID NO. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY SAID " WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE HERE THAT CAN LOOK AT IT AND IF WE DID WE COULDN'T FIX IT ANYWAY". THEY SAID " ALL WE CAN DO IS SELL YOU A NEW RADIO FOR $300". SO THEN I CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER, AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING AS THE DEALER. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I WAS GIVEN A RECALL NOTICE FROM AUTOSITE .COM, IT SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL VAN. (CAMPAIGN # 04V531000) I CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER BACK AND ASKED ABOUT RECALL AND REMINDED THEM OF MY PROBLEM. THEY SAID " YOUR SPECIFIC VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IT THAT RECALL AND THERE IS STILL NOTHING THAT WE WILL DO". I HAVE THREE CHILDREN ONE OF WHICH IS A FOUR MONTH OLD BABY THAT RIDE IN THIS VAN. I WOULD HATE TO THINK OF THE POSSIBLE HEARING DAMAGE THAT COULD CAUSE. I HAVE MANY FRIENDS WHO ARE LOOKING AT PURCHASING A NEW

CONSUMER REPLACED RADIO DUE TO MOISTURE DAMAGE WHICH CAUSED THE RADIO TO BURNOUT. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (04V531000) AFTER THE RADIO WAS REPLACED AND SENT THE ORIGINAL BILL TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE RADIO WAS REPLACED WITH AN AFTERMARKET ONE. *NM

ON JULY 4, 2002 MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED ROLLOVER IN WHICH THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. IN THE MINUTES FOLLOWING THE ROLLOVER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY UP. MY WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN WERE TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND ALL 3 BY THE GRACE OF GOD WERE PULLED TO SAFETY BY PERSONS NEAR THE ACCIDENT. TWO MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE VAN FROM THE DEALER INDICATING THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL SYSTEM TO REPLACE A PART THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER. *NM

WHILE VACATIONING IN ATLANTA, GA. WE WERE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND EXPERIENCED A LOUD THUD. WE HAD DIFFICULTY IN GETTING OUR CAR TO GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. WE DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS OUR TRANSMISSION. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAD 64,000 MILES ON THE VAN, AND ALL WORK HAD BEEN KEPT UP ON THE VEHICLE. THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP ESTIMATED THAT THE WORK WOULD COST BETWEEN $2900.00 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION, OR $3500.00 TO REPLACE IT. THEY WOULD DETERMINE WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE WHEN THEY PULLED THE TRANSMISSION. WE DECIDED TO GO DOWN THE STREET ANOTHER 2 MILES TO AN AAMCO TRANSMISSION SHOP. THEY ESTIMATED THE REPAIR TO BE $1400.00 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION, OR $2900.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WE DECIDED TO HAVE THEM DO THE JOB SINCE THE ESTIMATES WERE CONSIDERABLY DIFFERENT. FOUR DAYS LATER THE JOB WAS DONE, AND THE FINAL COST WAS $3000.00! THEY PUT A REBUILT TRANSMISSION IN. WE HAVE APPROACHED DODGE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. THEY WILL NOT GIVE US A PENNY TOWARDS THE JOB. THEY CLAIM THAT HAD WE STAYED AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP, A PARTIAL CONSIDERATION COULD HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT. SINCE WE DO NOT HAVE THE OLD TRANSMISSION, THEY SAY THAT WE CANNOT PROVE WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS VAN ONLY HAD 64,000 MILES ON IT......THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. AND WHY DID THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE TOOK IT TO, NOT TELL US THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED AT A STOP LIGHT WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE HEATING VENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH BOARD. THE SMOKE BEGAN TO TURN BLACK AND FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE DASHBOARD VENT. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING SIMILAR TO PLASTIC BURNING. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE SAME SMELL INTERMITTENTLY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A HOSE LEAKING FLUID AND IT WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT RECALL THE TYPE OF FLUID LEAKING OR THE TYPE OF HOSE THAT WAS REPLACED. THE SMELL CONTINUED HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL. UPDATED ON 05/30/2006. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT OCCASIONALLY GOES OFF, BUT WHEN THE CONTACT HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CLOCK SPRING WAS BAD. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 04V480000, REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT WITH 35,000 MILES. RECALLED TWICE FOR STEERING FLUID HOSE REPLACEMENTS IN 2004. AFTER FIRST HOSE WAS REPLACED, MINIVAN STARTED LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE FOR ANOTHER STEERING HOSE REPLACEMENT. TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THAT REPLACED, TOLD THEM TO LOOK INTO THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, THEY SAID THEY WOULD. THEY FIXED THE RECALL HOSE, MADE NOT MENTION OF LEAKING FLUID. FLUID DID NOT LEAK FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, THEN STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK IN FOR 3RD RECALL (RADIO VENT SLOTS), AS WELL AS SMOKING ENGINE AND AGAIN MENTIONED LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY'D LOOK INTO IT. DEALERSHIP CONDUCTED 27 POINT INSPECTION ON OWN WILL, DID NOT FIND LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID (AUG. 2005). FLUID HAS BEEN LEAKING SINCE THEN. NOISE IN POWER STEERING CONSISTENTLY AUDIBLE, AND INCREASINGLY LOUDER AT ALL TIMES. NOW, DEALERSHIP SAYS THE RACK AND PINION ARE CRACKED AND NEED REPLACING. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS IN NO WAY RELATED TO POWER STEERING HOSE RECALLS OR NEGLECT TO ADDRESS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. AM TAKING MINIVAN TO INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN FOR REVIEW OF RACK AND PINION AND OPINION ON NEXT STEP. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED DOWN HILL THE MANUAL SLIDING DOORS SLAMMED SHUT. THE DOOR GOES INTO THE LOCK POSITION BUT, THE PLASTIC MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE DOOR LOCKED HAS A CRACK WHICH CAUSES THE DOOR TO SLAM SHUT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED.

I TOOK MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE MY BRAKES LOOKED AT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY DID NEED REPLACED AND I AGREED TO THE SERVICE. I MENTIONED TO THEM THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON PERIODICALLY WHEN PUTTING ON THE BRAKE BUT WENT OUT ABRUPTLY AFTER THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THEY WENT AND CHECKED THE BRAKES CAREFULLY AND FOUND NOT ONE BUT TWO BRAKE CALIPERS WERE EITHER CRUSHED IN PIECES OR BROKE COMPLETELY IN HALF. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS AROUND 45,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS TOLD BY THIS SHOP AND THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I CALLED THEM THAT THIS WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL. I WAS GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SAFETY PROBLEM AND WHAT THIS WOULD MEAN TO THE REMAINING TWO CALIPERS. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON IT, IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. I TOLD THEM THIS WENT BEYOND A "WARRANTY" ISSUE INTO A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS PART WAS NOT WORE OUT, IT WAS DEFECTIVE (NOT ONE BUT TWO OF THEM) AND A SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

ACCIDENT, GRAND CARAVAN WAS TOTALED. VAN FLIPPED, EXTENSIVE FRONT END, FRAME, SIDE, ROOF, ETC, DAMAGE. NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, NOR DID THE SIDE AIR BAGS. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENTS, INCLUDING QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS, INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED GIVEN THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT BECAME DISENGAGED DURING THE ACCIDENT (AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN BELT TANG AND ANCHORAGE BUCKLE).*JB

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE EXPERIENCED HEAD LIGHT-INTERIOR FLICKERING TO WHICH THE DEALER CANNOT SOLVE. *JB

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH THE VAN DOWN SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR WITH A JOLT. FOLLOWING THE OWNERS MANUAL I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT THE MINI VAN IN PARK. RESTARTED THE VAN PUT IT IN GEAR AND STARTED TO MOVE AND HEARD AND FELT THE TRANSMISSION GRINDING. CALLED A TOW TRUCK. *NM

I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IT HAD ABOUT 32000 MILES ON IT. AT ABOUT 40000 MILES THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON AND THEN GO OFF ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. AT ABOUT 41500 MILES THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON MOST OF THE TIME. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE DIAGNOSIS COST $88.00. THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT PART COST ABOUT $10.00. THE LABOR TO REPLACE THE PART COST ABOUT $213.00. TOTAL COST ABOUT $310. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM IN THE CHRYSLER/DODGE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SYSTEM, BECAUSE THE PART CARRIED INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 2002-2006 MODEL YEARS. THIS IS NOT A WEAR ITEM, BUT INSTEAD IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE WIRING SYSTEM AND/OR IT'S CONNECTORS. THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE CONSUMER PAYS FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE OF GOOD QUALITY AND EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY SYSTEMS THAT ARE RELIABLE AND WELL CONSTRUCTED. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION JERKED THE VEHICLE AS IF IT WERE STALLING. AFTERWARDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE ANY FURTHER. IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED, ALTHOUGH REGULARLY SERVICED, DUE TO AN UNKNOWN INTERNAL PROBLEM, NOT IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *NM UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM

CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY WOUND INCORRECTLY IN AIR BAG AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO RECTIFY THIS VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE IN THE AUTOMOBILE. THEREFORE, I WAS CHARGED NEARLY $200 TO REPAIR THEIR FAILURE TO PROVIDE A SAFE CAR. THE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN THE YEARS 1995-2000 WERE ALL RECALLED FOR THIS SAFETY FAILURE, IT SEEMS THEY NEVER ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS STILL CONTINUING IN MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *JB

POWER STEERING WAS LOCKING IN COLD WEATHER DURING INITIAL START UP. FIRST REPORTED 4/05, DEALER STATED IT WAS CAUSED BY PROBLEM WITH HOSES WHICH HAVE A RECALL, RECALL PERFORMED, AND VEHICLE RETURNED. (NOT FIXED), RETURNED VEHICLE AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER, THEY VERIFIED PROBLEM STILL AND REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP *DUE TO LOW PRESSURE". I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED. HOWEVER, SINE THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED IN COLD WEATHER THROUGH THE SUMMER IT WAS FINE UNTIL EARLY DECEMBER AGAIN THE PROBLEM WAS BACK BUT EVEN WORSE, THIS TIME IT WAS ALSO HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER "OF COURSE IT WAS NOW OUT OF MANUFACTURE WARRANTY", HOWEVER DEALER AGREED TO FIX PROBLEM SINCE IT HAD PRIOR HISTORY. THEY VERIFIED PROBLEM BY SERVICE MANAGER AND MECHANIC THE DAY I BROUGHT IT IN, HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AGAIN. THEY HAD MY VAN FOR 3 WEEKS, DURING THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO WITH IT BUT WERE NOT GOING TO GIVE IT BACK TO THE SAFETY ISSUE. I EVEN TRIED TO GET CHRYSLER INVOLVED AND THEY NEVER CALLED ME BACK EVEN THOUGH I LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES AND WAS PROMISED A CALL BACK. FINALLY THE DEALER DECIDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT STEERING RACK. I GOT IT BACK, IT WAS FINE FOR 4 DAYS AND PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, AND WOULD LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO WAS HANDLING MY CASE. IT HAS NOW BEEN 4 DAYS AND NO RETURN CALL. MEANTIME IM DRIVING AROUND AND UNSAFE CAR, PAYING OVER $600

2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 69,500 MILES. TRANSMISSION MADE A JERKING AND DID NOT WANT TO SEEM TO SHIFT. TOOK TO DODGE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THEY ALLOWED SERVICE MAN TO DRIVE HOME AND DROVE APPROX. 100 MILES. THEY CONCLUDED NO PROBLEM THEY COULD FIND. 3 MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING SAME SYMPTOMS AND THEN LOUD CLUNK BUT THIS TIME WAS COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CALLED DODGE 800# TO OBTAIN WARRANTY INFO. DODGE INFORMED ME IT WAS IN WARRANTY. CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND SET UP APPOINTMENT TO FIX. THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID DODGE WOULD NOT WARRANTY IT. I THEN CALLED DODGE 800# BACK AND TALK TO THEM. I ASKED WHY LESS THAN 2HR AGO MY VAN HAD A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY ON IT AND NOW IT DOES NOT HAVE A WARRANTY. THEY INFORMED ME THE VAN DID NOT HAVE A WARRANTY AND THAT I HAD NEVER CALLED THEM (THEY RECORD AND COMPUTER SHOWS IF YOU CALL, BUT DODGE CLAIMS THEY HAVE NO RECORD I CALLED). I INFORMED THEM I CALLED THEM LESS THAN 2HR BEFORE AND THEY REPLIED I WAS MISTAKEN. MY PHONE RECORDS INDICATE DIFFERENT THAN THEIRS. ANY WAY THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS TRANSMISSION THAT FAILED. TOOK TO LOCAL TRANS SHOP AND FOUND HE HAD TWO OTHER CARAVANS WITH COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAITING IN LINE TO BE FIXED. THE SHOP OWNER SAID HE HAS FIXED MANY MANY OF THESE TYPE TRANSMISSIONS. HE SAID IN HIS OPINION THAT THESE WERE VERY POOR PERFORMING TRANSMISSIONS AND THAT THEIR TRACK RECORD OF FAILURES SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. *JB

POWER STEERING PUMP MAKING LOAD NOISES AGAIN. HAD HOSES REPLACED DUE TO PREVIOUS RECALL ABOUT A YEAR AGO. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HAVING A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V386000 REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS THERE HAS BEEN A SHUDDER IN THE STEERING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO MOVE THE LEVER A FEW TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM SHE WAS EXPERIENCING COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED IN THE 2 WEEKS THE MECHANIC HAD THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO ONE SIDE AND VIBRATED WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. THE EMISSION HOSE AND GAS CAP WERE REPLACED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE STAYING SHUT. THE OIL PAN GASKET AND AXLE SEAL WERE LEAKING. *JB

DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF. TURNED ON THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO GET HOME. DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THIS APPEARED TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL 02V293000 FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL, BUT NOT FOR THE MODEL YEAR. *AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 - THE HEADLAMPS CUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE FCM WAS REPLACED BUT NOW THE PROBLEM IS MORE CONSISTENT WITH FLICKERING. *NM

DT: CALLER STATED A METAL STRAP RUSTED AND CAUSED THE HEATER HOSE RUST. CALLER SAID HE NOTICED A LEAK AND FOUND THE RUSTED HOSE AND STRAP. CALLER HAD IT REPAIRED UNTIL HE COULD GET HOME TO LET DEALER SEE IT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK *JB

WE'VE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE MIDDLE ROW INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEATS. SEVERAL TIMES, THE TENSIONER ON THE SEAT WOULD NOT WORK, AND I HAD TO POP THE END OF THE SEAT BACK COVER OFF TO ACCESS THE MECHANISM TO FREE WHAT THE BELT WAS CAUGHT ON. I DIDN'T COMPLETELY REMOVE THE COVER SO I COULD SEE EXACTLY WHAT WAS HAPPENING. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE BUCKLE WILL NOT SECURE THE BELT PLATE. IT WILL SECURE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, AND WE'VE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT IT WORKS BETTER IF WE LATCH A PARTICULAR SIDE FIRST, THEN THE OTHER SIDE (5 POINT HARNESS). I DON'T KNOW IF THE MECHANISM STICKS OR IF FOOD OR SOMETHING GOT FORCED INSIDE. THESE HAVE BOTH BEEN RECURRING PROBLEMS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.*JB

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THE BACK END OF THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTING DROPPED. CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS EN ROUTE TO AN EVENT WHEN THE PARKING LOT ATTENDANT THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT BECAUSE THE WAY THE CAR WAS PULLING IN A JERKING MOTION. UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION FLUID AT THAT TIME. LATER THAT EVENING THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID THAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AAA CAME AND TOWED VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP BUT WAS LATER TOWED VEHICLE TO A SERVICE REPAIR SHOP. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS OF YET. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. CONSUMER CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CHRYSLER, WHO INQUIRED IF SHE NEEDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND THEN BEING ON HOLD THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. FIRST ATTEMPT AT REPAIR IN 2004 RESULTED IN NO PROBLEM FOUND, BUT THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM PERSISTED. SECOND ATTEMPT AT REPAIR SHOWED A BAD CLOCK-SPRING FOR THE AIRBAG THAT COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE TO OPERATE PROPERLY DURING A COLLISION (ESPECIALLY IF THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ACTIVE). OTHER MODELS OF DODGE PRODUCTS HAVE HAD RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THERE IS NOT CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THE 200 GRAND CARAVAN EX (NOTE THAT MY VEHICLE IS HIGH MILAGE WITH OVER 50K MILES).

THE AIR CONDITIONER FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY. ALL OF THE USUAL ITEMS WERE CHECKED, I.E. COMPRESSOR AND LINES CHECKED FOR LEAKS, SYSTEM CHARGED. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THE PART THAT THEY NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS, IN HIS WORDS, "ON DOUBLE SECRET BACK ORDER". HE SAID THAT THE STAR MASTER TECHS AT DAIMLER-CHRYSLER WILL NOT RELEASE THE PART YET BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT DONE CHECKING IT OUT TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THEM. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAS A STACK OF WORK ORDERS WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM, ALL WAITING FOR THE A/C CONTROL MODULE (WHICH IS THE PART NEEDED APPARENTLY). NORMALLY IT WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM, BUT MY WIFE DRIVES THE GRAND CARAVAN AND NORMALLY HAS OUR SONS IN THE CAR AND THE TEMPERATURES LATELY HAVE BEEN VERY HIGH CAUSING UNDUE STRESS ON HER AND THE CHILDREN.

DT:CONTACT STATES TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING , THE SERVICE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE SOLENOID PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONTACT HAD THIS COMPONENT REPLACED.*AK

AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE THEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. ONCE I ARRIVED AT THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A TRAIL OF OIL LEADING TO THE VEHICLE. I LOOKED UNDER TO FIND THO PUSH ROD HANGING THROUGH THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP WITH THE MOTOR REPLACED. WHEN THE TEST DRIVE WAS TAKING PLACE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE COMPUTOR CHIP CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DROP DOWN TO LOW GEAR IN WHICH RAN THE RPM'S INTO THE DANGER ZONE WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGINE COMING APART. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 59,000 MILES ON IT. I MADE ATTEMPT AFTER ATTEMPT TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE AT CHRYSLER AND COULD NOT EVEN GET A RETURN CALL FROM ANYONE OTHER THAN A DEALER. I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT A MOISTER LEAK FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER WHICH MAY LEAD INTO A SHORT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. I CALLED THE NUMBER GIVEN ON THE RECALL AND ASKED IF I COULD SPEAK TO SOMEONE AT CHRYSLER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY PHONE #'S. THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO CONTACT THIS DEPARTMENT. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE IS CERTAINLY A RISK AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, AS WELL AS EXPENSES REIMBURESED BY CHRYSLER.

I EXPERIENCED RAMDOM FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY DODGE CARAVAN. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN". I WAS TOLD THE CAUSE WAS PROBABLY THE "FRONT CONTROL MODULE" BUT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT POSITIVE IT WAS THE CAUSE, AND BECAUSE OF THE COST OF THE PART. AFTER THIS OCCURED THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT TO MY OWN MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE MODULE AT A COST OF $307.05. THE REPLACEMENT OCCURED 9/15/2004. I HAVE HAD NO SIMILAT PROBLEMS SINCE THE MODULE WAS REPLACED. I HAD PURCHACED THE EXTENDED WARRENTY WITH THE VEHICLE BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THE MODULE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE POLICY. IT COVERS 7 DIFFERENT NAMED CONTROL MODULES BUT NOT THIS ONE. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT-#12641005.

I HAVE HAD 2 BRIEF HEADLIGHT FAILURES (10 SECONDS OR SO) AND MY HEADLIGHTS OCCASIONALLY FLICKER OR DIM. MY LIGHTSWITCH GETS VERY HOT WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES.

DT: PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AT 60,458 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE MOVING IN REVERSE IN A PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN GARAGE AND KEPT IN GREAT SHAPE. SERVICE RECORDS WERE KEPT UP TO DATE. CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND NO ONE WILL CALL THE CONSUMER BACK. CONSUMER TALKED TO A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FROM CHRYSLER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE COULD NOT TALK TO THE MANAGER AT CHRYSLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY AT HEADQUATERS. AND THE SERVICE MANAGER WILL NOT CALL BACK EITHER. *AK

THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC CLAIMED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD LOW BATTERY. *AK UPON FURTHER QUESTIONING DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AIR BAG INDICATOR LAMP AND CLAIMED FAULT WAS IN AIR BAG MODULE. UPON FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DECIDED TO FIX PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. *BF *NM

HEADLIGHTS ON 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FLICKER. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. *AK

DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR AIR BAG/CLOCK SPRING RECALL 04V480000 ALTHOUGH IT WAS WITHIN THE MILEAGE.*AK

VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR SMOOTHLY. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAKE A SMOOTH TRANSITIONS AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED DEALER, WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE REAR BRAKES RUSTED .*AK

THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED TWICE IN THE PAST MONTH WHILE ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR TESTING, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK