2002 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

POWER STEERING PUMP, RACK AND PINION SEALS, TRANSMISSION SOLENIOD PACK. ON DEC 16, 2003 I TOOK VAN IN FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER DID A RECALL JOB ON THE POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE. 1 WEEK LATER THE POWER STEERING STARTED GROWLING. I CHECKED FLUID AND NOTICED THE PUMP WAS DRY. APPARENTLY THE DEALER DIDN'T TOP OFF THE FLUID. I FILLED RESEVIOR AND DROVE BUT IT STILL HAD A LITTLE GROWL IN THE POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE SAME DEALER ON NOV 19, 2004 FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ANOTHER POWER STEERING HOSE RECALL AND TOLD THEM THE STORY AND TO CHECK OUT PUMP. THEY SAID THE PUMP CHECKED OUT OK BUT THERE WAS A LITTLE NOISE WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS BUT THEY WEREN'T GOING TO REPLACE THE PUMP. I TOLD THEM I WOULD BRING BACK IN COLDER WEATHER BECAUSE IT WAS STIFF TO STEER. I RETURNED ON 2/22/2005 BECAUSE THE PUMP WAS REALLY GROWLING AND IT WAS HARD TO STEER. THE DEALER CHECKED THE PUMP SAID IT WAS LOW BUT THEY DID NOTICE LEAKS FROM THE RACK N PINION AND TRANSMISSION SOLENIOD PACK. I ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THEY SAID NO. I EXPLAIND I PURCHSED THE VEHICLE FROM THEM EXACTLY 2 YEARS AGO AND IT WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND ONLY HAD 20K ON IT. THEY SAID THEY CAN'T WARRANTY IT BUT WOULD FIX IT FOR $1600. I DECLINED AT THIS POINT.*AK

I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN NEW. OVER THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BASICALLY TWO EFFECTS. THE FIRST ONE WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AND EITHER NOT START OR HAVE DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE SECOND WAS THAT EVERY TIME YOU STEP ON THE BRAKES, THE WIPERS, HEAT, AND RADIO WOULD QUIT.AT FIRST THE DEARLER BONNEVILLE & SON COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER PUTTING A SCOPE ON IT AT THE EXACT TIME THE TROUBLE OCCURRED. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THEY FOUND A GROUNDING STUD IN THE DOOR JAM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS VERY LOOSE, $250.00 LATER IT WAS OK. AFTER A MONTH THE TROUBLE CAME BACK. THIS TIME THE DEALER, BONNEVILLE & SON FOUND THAT ONE OF THE WIRES IN THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WAS ROTTED, $215.00 LATER IT WAS OK. ANOTHER MONTH GONE BY, HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE AGAIN. BONNEVILLE SAYS THE ONLY WAY TO BE SURE TO FIX THIS COMPLETELY IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE MAIN WIRING HARNESS AT A MATERIAL COT OF $1400.00. I'VE TRIED TO GET CRYSLER AND THE DEALER TO FIX THIS WITH OUT ME SPENDING MORE MONEY ON ROTTING WIRES IN A VEHICLE THAT'S JUST THREE YEARS OLD. THEY WOULD NOT. I WILL NEVER BY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN!!!*AK

HI, I OWN A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH A 3.8L, I HAVE HAD MY VAN IN ON TWO SEPERATE OCCASIONS TO CENTURY DODGE IN TAYLOR, MICHIAGN. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS THAT APPEAR TO FLICKER ALL THE TIME, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY COULD NOT FIX IT, AMAZING THAT A POSSIBLE RECALL NOW MAY HAPPEN FOR THE EXACT SAME REASON. ON ONE FINAL NOTE, AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME 2004 I THOUGHT I WAS OVER TIRED FROM WORK, I COULD SWEAR MY LIGHTS COMPLETELY WENT ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES (VERY QUICKLY). P.S. I AM A CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE @ TRENTON ENGINE SIGNED, CARRYING A FLASHLIGHT (JUST IN CASE) *AK

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DID NOT TURN ON WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. *AK *SC *JB

PROBLEM WITH STEERING FOR TWO YEARS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE, POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION. *BF THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE TWO UPPER POWER RETURN HOSES AND INSTALL A LONGER POWER STEERING HOSE. *NM

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. AS A RESULT HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL BECOME INOPERABLE. A RECALL FOR THE CLOCK SPRING WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *TC

THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WHICH INCLUDES THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, AND ODOMETER, KEEPS SHORTING OUT. THE TURN SIGNALS ARE ON THE SAME CIRCUIT. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. INITIALLY THE SHOP REPLACED THE FUSE. THE SECOND TIME, THEY STATED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. A NEIGHBOR OF OURS WHO OWNS A TOWN & COUNTRY HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE TURN SIGNALS, NOT TO MENTION NOT KNOWING THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE.*AK *JB

1. POP RIVETS FOR MOUNTING BRACKETS HOLDING TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER BROKE. . LOOSE OIL COOLER RUBBED HOLES IN THE RADIATOR COILS CAUSING LEAKS OF COOLING FLUID. 3. REMOVED OIL COOLER AND RE-RIVETED BRACKETS TO COOLER AND REPLACED DAMAGED RADIATOR. OLD RADIATOR IS AVAILABLE. OIL COOLER REVAMPED ON VEHICLE.*AK

WE OWN A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN WITH A PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR. IN COLD TEMPERATURES (BELOW 40 DEGREES) THE MOTOR FAILS TO OPERATE THE DOOR AND THE DOOR MUST BE OPENED AND CLOSED MANUALLY. DUE TO ITS WEIGHT AND DESIGN THE DOOR IS QUITE DIFFICULT FOR A SCHOOL AGED CHILD TO OPEN. IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET LEVERAGE, OUR SON HAS HAD HIS HEAD BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE FRAME AS HE ATTEMPTS TO SLIDE THE DOOR CLOSED. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENTS HAVE YET RESULTED. HOWEVER, I DO SEE A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION SHOULD A CHILD'S HEAD GET CAUGHT AS THEY PULL THE DOOR SHUT. THERE IS A SENSOR THAT PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM CLOSING ALL THE WAY WHEN THE POWER FEATURE IS USED TO CLOSE THE DOOR BUT I DON'T THINK IT OPERATES WHEN THE DOOR MUST BE SHUT MANUALLY.*AK

THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD WHEN IT IWAS DARK. CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

I OWN A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. IF IT STARTS AGAIN, IT STALLS WITHIN 1/4 MILE. YOU CAN DO THIS ONLY FOR 3 TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY CAN NOT BE STARTED. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER PROGRAM MODULE. THE CAR WORKED FOR 100 MILES, THEN DIED AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP STARTED THE CAR AND RAN A DIAGNOSTIC BUT FAILED TO LOCATE ANY FAULTY CODES. I ASKED THEM TO TAKE IT FOR A TEST RIDE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THEY DID, AND IT DIED ON THEM. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED. THEY REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. AGAIN, LESS THAN 100 MILES LATER, THE CAR DIED. THE DODGE DEALER SEEMS TO BE AT A LOSS AS TO WHY IT IS FAILING AND NOT STARTING. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE THEM STYMIED. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT INDICATIONS PRIOR TO FAILURE. YOU LOSE ALL POWER TO THE CAR. *JB

THE LEFT FRONT STRUT MOUNT OR SWAY BAR ROD BROKE AND CAUSED MY TIRE TO BLOW OUT. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME AND ALMOST WENT INTO A DITCH. IT COST ME $350.00 TO REPAIR. *AK

BRAKE FAILURE EVERY 16000 MILES OR SO. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS 4 TIMES SINCE I HAD THIS VEHICLE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS TWICE SINCE PURCHASE BECAUSE THE ROTORS DELAMINATED. YESTERDAY THE VAN HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING. IT WAS LIKE THE FRONT BRAKES WERE NOT GRABBING. *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. DCX RECALLED 1996-2000 FOR THE SAME DEFECT, BUT IT CONTINUED INTO 2002MY (PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2001). WHY DID NHTSA ALLOW DCX TO ONLY RECALL THE 96 -2000 VEHICLES WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED UNITL EARLY 2002?*AK

POWER STEERING SYSTEM IS MAKING EXTREME AMOUNTS OF NOISE. THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF PREMATURE FAILURE CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IF IT HAPPENS DURING A CORNERING MANEUVER. DEALER(S) ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A DEFECT ON THIS MODEL AND GET MANY COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REFUSES TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS.*AK

THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELT AND ALL THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELTS WOULD COME UNDONE WHILE DRIVING OR NOT DRIVING. THE RELEASE BUTTON STICK TOO HIGH UP, ANY PRESSURE CAUSES THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE CLAPS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

AFTER OVERFILLING THE FUEL TANK GAS FUME WERE COMING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSES. ALSO, IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING. *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. DRB III SCAN TOOL INDICATED DRIVER'S SQUIB CIRCUIT #2 FAILURE. CLOCK SPRING REPLACED, CORRECTING THE FAILURE. FAILED PART RETAINED BY DEALER.*AK

GAS PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING OVERFILL OF GAS TANK. GAS TANK SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR CAPTURE AND EVAPORATION OF OVERFILL. VENTS FOR AIR FLOW IN VEHICLE ALLOW GASOLINE FUMES/VAPORS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF VEHICLE. THIS CREATES A PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE PASSENGERS OR NEED TO USE THE VEHICLE. ALL OCCUPANTS ARE FORCED TO SIT INSIDE OF AN ENCLOSED VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE VAPORS. BROUGHT CONCERN TO DEALER AND DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WITHIN DESIGN PARAMETERS AND ADVISED NOT TO OVERFILL TANK. OVERFILL WAS NOT INTENTIONAL AND DEALER ADVISE DOES NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THAT THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM WAS MANDATED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT ALL NEW CARS HAVE SIMILAR SYSTEMS AND IF THEY ARE OVERFILLED FUMES/VAPORS WILL BE PRESENT IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AS WELL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN/MANUFACTURE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. DEALER WILL NOT WORK WITH ME BUT ONLY STATES THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE PUTTING MY FAMILY/CHILDREN INTO THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING IT WHILE IT IS FULL OF GASOLINE FUMES/VAPORS. AS A CAREER FIREFIGHTER I RECOGNIZE THAT GASOLINE IS MOST VOLITILE IN THE VAPOR STATE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS INFORMATION TO THE MANUFACTURERS/DEALERS ATTENTION AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN/WILL DO.*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY A SCHOOL BUS AND DRIVER'S SEAT DID NOT HOLD. THE RECLINING BACK BROKE.*AK

I HAVE A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2003. IT DID OK FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER THAT IT HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. WHEN I'M WAITING TO GO ON A ROAD IF I TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE IT STARTS ROLLING BACKWARD FAST. YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE BRAKE WHILE PUSHING THE GAS TO KEEP IT FROM ROLLING BACK. IT'S STEERING HAS GIVEN ME TROUBLE, THE GAS GAUGE HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS, ETC.... I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HAVE GOTTEN NO HELP FROM THEM. *JB

DURING A 40 MPH FRONT END VEHICLE COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

PREMATURE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING PUMP ON 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. REPLACED UPPER POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE. *BF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE PRIOR TO THE FIRST RECALL. RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V386000 *TC *JB

AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL FOR THE UPPER POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE, AND CALLING THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MANAGER THAT THEY ONLY HAD THREE PARTS IN AND THEY WERE ONLY FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY ONLY SERVICED CONSUMERS THAT PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLES FROM THEM. NHTSA RECALL 04V386000. *JB

WE HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM COMPLETELY REPLACED ON OUR VEHICLE. IT HAD 26,100 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR. THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS WORK WAS DONE ON 10/05/04.*AK I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR CAR ACCIDENT ON 8/21/04 AND THINK THAT THE FAILING BRAKES HINDERED MY ABILITY TO STOP IN TIME.

WHILE DRIVING AND STEERING VEHICLE WANDERED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT. DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SOLENOID SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

TRANSMISSION WOULD DELAY UP-SHIFT AT APPROX. 25 AND 40 MPH. ACCELERATION IS DELAYED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. NEITHER SPEED NOR RPMS WILL INCREASE BY PRESSING PEDAL. THIS CREATES A HAZARD WHILE TRYING TO MERGE IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE HAD 42,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED, NEW SOLENOID BLOCK AND INPUT/OUTPUT SENSORS.*AK

ON 9/3/04 THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE LEFT SLIDING DOOR OF OUR 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EX (PURCHASED NEW). PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DODGE DEALER WITH COMPLAINTS OF RIGHT & LEFT SLIDING DOORS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. DEALER RELEASED THE CAR STATING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. MY 2 KIDS AND I WERE IN THE CARS MINUTES PRIOR TO IT CATCHING FIRE. MAJOR DAMAGE DONE BUT DODGE WANTS TO REPAIR THE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE AND FOR US TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT HOPING THAT THE RIGHT SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT CATCH FIRE. CANNOT BE SURE THAT THE SMOKE SMELL WILL EVER COME OUT OF THE UPHOLSTERY OR THAT MOLD WILL NOT BUILD UP IN THE SEAT CUSHIONS FROM THE FIRE DEPT PUTTING OUT FIRE. DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE!!! *JB

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE REAR GOODYEAR, WRANGLE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. ALL FOUR TIRES HAD CRACKS AROUND THE SIDEWALLS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP,WHO REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP. EIGHT MONTHS LATER, DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE NEEDEDE TO REPLACE THE STEERING PUMP AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND HIT A POLE. THE IMPACT FROM THE POLE DAMAGED THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS A CONVERSION VAN TO ACCOMODATE A WHEEL CHAIR PASSENGER. BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER WERE INJURED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAST THERE WAS COSMETIC DAMAGE TO THE VAN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ENGINE SHUT OFF. DEALER STATED THAT FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED WHICH ENABLED FUEL TO REACH THE ENGINE.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION ON 1998 GRAND VOYAGER.*MR THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 50045 MILE ON IT WHE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES SHE SHOULD BE CLEAR OF ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND REIMBURSE 100% SINCE THE VEHICLE FAILED AFTER ONLY 2 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. *NM

1998 GRAND VOYAGER WAS TOTALED IN AN ACCIDENT. *MR THE CONSUMER THEN PURCHASED A 2002 GRAND CARAVAN, HOWEVER AT 50,0445 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. EVEN AFTER THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION, THE VEHICLE STILL NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY, IT TOOK THE TECHNICIANS ONE WEEK TO FIND OUT FROM CHRYSLER HOW TO SET THE COMPUTER/ TRANSMISSION. *JB

WHILE TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM *LA

AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING HAS BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES. *MR THERE WAS A LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, A BROKEN CHAIN ON THE DRIVER'S SLIDER DOOR, A HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AND A STALLING PROBLEM (POSSIBLE FUEL FILTER PROBLEM), AND A GRINDING NOISE DUE TO THE IDLER PULLEY BEING FAULTY. THE CONSUMER REQUEST COMPENSATION. *SC *JB

COMING BACK TO OHIO FROM OKLAHOMA ( VACATION ) GOT TO ST. LOUIS AND TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR, ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES. GOT THE VAN SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF INTERSTATE 70, IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 9-9:30 AT NIGHT. SPENT THE NIGHT AT A MOTEL GOT UP IN THE MORNING AND TRIED TO PUT BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESEVOIR, SEEING THAT IT WAS LOW AND HOPING THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THE FLUID WAS COMING OUT AS FAST AS I COULD PUT IT IN. HAD TO CALL CHRYSLER HOTLINE AND HAVE THE VAN TOWED INTO A CHRYSLER DEALER. THERE WERE NO PARTS TO BE FOUND SO WE HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN A MOTEL AND CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY (FRIDAY). WAS TOLD PARTS WOULD NOT BE IN UNTIL MAYBE MONDAY AND ONE PASSENGER HAD A PLANE LEAVING SUNDAY TO GO TO LAS VEGAS AND THE OTHER PASSENGER HAD TO BE BACK TO WORK ON MONDAY MORNING. HAD TO FIND A CAR TO RENT TO COME HOME, RECEIVED A CALL AT 12 NOON ON TUESDAY JULY 13TH AND HAD TO SCHEDULE THE 2 DAYS OFF TO GO BACK AND PICK UP THE VAN AND RETURN THE RENTAL. HAD TO TAKE 2 DAYS OFF WORK, HOTEL BILLS, MEAL BILLS, GASOLINE BILLS, CAR RENTAL BILLS AND MISC.. ASKED FOR THE PART BACK AND WAS TOLD IT WAS SENT BACK TO THE FACTORY. *JB

BRAKES WOREOUT AROUND 23,000 OR 21,000 I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IT HAD 15,000 MILES ALREADY ON IT. THE BRAKES WERE WEARING OUT FASTER AND FASTER EVEN THOUGH I PUT NEW ROUTERS ON THEM. MY MECHANIC SAYS THE CALIPERS ARE DEFECTIVE. I THINK THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRAKES IS NOT EVENLY HANDLE BY THE FRONT AND THE BACK. THE FRONT HANDLES TO MUCH OF THFE WORK AND THERE IS TOO MUCH WEIGHT IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON AFTER THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO IT BEING BURNT OUT. *SC *JB

THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VAN HAD 40K HIGHWAY MILES; THIS IS JUST A FEW K MILES SHY OF THE WARRANTY. AFTER CHECKING THIS WEBSITE I SEE THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL HERE? REMEMBER THESE VANS ARE USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN AND AN EARLY OR LATE FAILURE OF THESE AIR BAGS COULD BE DISASTEROUS. MY FAMILY WILL GET THE $200 BACK IT COST TO REPLACE THE "CLOCKSPRING" BUT I HOPE IT DOES NOT TAKE A DEATH OR FIVE.*AK

MY VEHICLE HAS ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH ABNORMAL BRAKE WEAR. AT 17000 MILES THE BRAKES HUNG UP. THE FRONT LEFT ROTOR WAS COMPLETELY WORN AWAY. NEW PADS AND ROTORS. RIGHT FRONT CALIPER NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND WAS REPLACED. PRIOR TO THIS I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND BRAKES CHECKED 1500 MILES EARLIER--I HAD NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WAS VARYING AND IT WAS TAKING LONGER TO STOP THE CAR. MECHANIC HAD STATED THAT LEFT FRONT HAD A LITTLE OVER HALF OF BRAKE SURFACE LEFT. SECOND BRAKE FAILURE AT 34500 MILES. AGAIN, LEFT FRONT HUNG UP. TOOK THE CAR TO ARRIGO DODGE AND WAS TOLD I WAS LYING ABOUT FIRST INCIDENT EVEN THOUGH I HAD RECEIPTS. SERVICE REP TOLD ME BOTH BRAKES COMPLETELY WORN AWAY, EVEN THOUGH AGAIN THE PROBLEM PRESENTED WITH THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE HANGING UP. WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FAULT BRAKES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. CAR PULLED TO RIGHT AFTER BRAKE REPLACEMENT WHEN I CALLED DEALER AGAIN WAS TOLD IT WAS MY FAULT DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. BRAKES BEGAN SQUEALING - MOST NOTICEABLY LEFT FRONT AGAIN - WITHIN 500 MILES OF REPLACEMENT. LEFT FRONT BRAKE STICKS WHEN STARTING OFF, BRAKES SQUEAL, BRAKE FLUID SEEN LEAKING FROM RIGHT FRONT, BRAKE PEDAL ALREADY HAS A LOT OF PLAY IN IT, TAKES AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DISTANCE TO STOP EVEN WITH STRONG FORCE APPLIED TO BRAKES. I HAVE NARROWLY MISSED HAVING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. CALLED DEALER, AGAIN TOLD IT WAS MY FAULT -- DRIVER HABITS THEY CALL IT. IN THE 25 YEARS I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN VEHICLES, I HAVE NEVER HA

AT 7,600 MILES IN NOVEMBER OF 2002 THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT ONE. SINCE THEN THE SPEEDOMETER READS INCORRECTLY. AT LOWER SPEEDS IT READS UNDER BY 4 TO 7 MPH, AT HIGHER SPEEDS -- 60 MPH IT READS 15 - 20 MPH UNDER. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN ON A ROAD TRIP I WAS STOPPED FOR GOING 85 WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS GOING 68 IN A 70MPH ZONE. I THOUGHT THE POLICE OFFICER WAS CRAZY -- EVEN PROTESTED AND HAD HIM VERIFY THE CALLIBRATION OF HIS RADAR. HIS READING WAS CONFIRMED WHEN I PASSED A ROADSIDE SPEED INDICATOR, AND WAS STOPPED AGAIN. SPEEDOMETER WAS REPROGRAMMED AT A DEALER IN MICHIGAN AFTER WHICH IT READ 4 MPH UNDER FOR THE MOST PART. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY DEALER IN FLORIDA AGAIN IN APRIL 2004, THEY REPLACED A SENSOR. SINCE, IT AGAIN READS 4 TO 10 MILES UNDER AT LOWER SPEEDS -- E.G. WHEN I THINK I'M GOING 35, I'M REALLY GOING 42 OR 43, AT 65 MPH ACTUAL SPEED IS 76MPH. DEALER SAYS ITS "THE WAY YOU'RE DRIVING" -- A POOR EXCUSE FOR SHIFTING THE BLAME AND NOT MAKING THE REPAIR CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD AND SAFETY ISSUE NOT JUST FOR MYSELF BUT FOR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DRIVE THE VAN AND PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. *AK

PULLED VEHICLE INTO PARKING SPOT, TRIED SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND ALTHOUGH HEARD A CLUNK, VEHICLE NOT IN GEAR. COULD NOT GET IT TO GO INTO A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. MARKETPLACE DODGE DEALER IN ROCHESTER, NY STATES A THRUST BEARING IN TRANSMISSION SHATTERED TEARING THROUGH GEARS. COST $2,790 TO REPAIR, MILEAGE 41,000, 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. *LA

1)AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF 2) FAILURE CAN RESULT IN AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING PROPERLY 3)DEALER (DOUGLAS COUNTY DODGE) WANTS TO CHARGE FOR REPAIR. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH DODGE SINCE AT LEAST 1996. *LA

WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE AND IDLING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE, AND SAW THAT FIRE WAS RISING UP FROM BENEATH OF VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.*AK

MY DODGE CARAVAN WORKED WELL UNTIL I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE POWER STEERING HOSES. WHEN THAT REPAIR WAS COMPLETE, THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS RETURNED FROM THAT REPAIR, THE FUEL GUAGE MALFUNCTIONED, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE TRANSMISSION BROKE (AT 46000 MILES). EITHER A VERY BAD VEHICLE OR DEALERSHIP IS CAUSING DAMAGE DURING REPAIR WORK.

POWER STEERING FAILED. *AK

I BROUGHT MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FOR A RECALL REPAIR ON OCT 2003. THE ITEM WAS REPACING A DEFECTIVE LINE IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. AFTER THE REPAIR MY VEHICLE MADE A WHINNING SOUND AND GRUMBLING SOUND AT VERY SLOW SPEED, STOP AND GO, PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I AM HEARING IMPAIRED AND AS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER IT CONCERNED ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALE. THEY SAID THAT THE LINE TO THE HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING WAS TO SHORT AND TO CORRECT IT REQUIRED A LONGER LINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT A BULLITIN FROM DODGE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. IF THE POWER STEERING WOULD HAVE GONE OUT DURING HIGHER SPEEDS INJURIES OR A FATALLITY COULD OCCUR. LOOSING CONTROL AT HIGHER SPEEDS IS VERY DANGEROUS. DEAR WALTER: YOUR RECENT EMAIL TO DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION WAS RECEIVED AND REVIEWED BY THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER REGARDING YOUR GRAND CARAVAN. YOUR CONCERNS, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE EXPENSE AND INCONVENIENCE INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE, ARE UNDERSTANDABLE. HOWEVER, YOUR REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER MUST BE DECLINED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAS EXCEEDED THE TIME OR MILEAGE LIMITATIONS OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY AT THE TIME THE EXPENSE WAS INCURRED.

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING THROUGHOUT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES, REPLACED DISC, PADS, AND SENSORS, AT LEAST THREE TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL RECURRED. ALSO, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *AK