2003 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

NHTSA RECALL 04V386000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE.*AK

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 04V386000. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO GET THE VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE PARTS AND WILL NOT RESPOND TO CONSUMER. *JB

REAR HATCH DOOR NOT OPENING/CLOSING/LOCKING CORRECTLY. THIS IS A DAILY PROBLEM. *JB

I JUST PURCHASED 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN I WAS IN THE EXPRESSWAY AND JUST SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND THE ENGINE WANTED TO DIE OUT. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE EXPRESSWAY THERE WERE SOME TRAFFIC. THEN FINALLY I GOT IT UP TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING MORE THAN HALF TANK OF GAS. TOOK IT IN TO THE DODGE DEALER IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED AND SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK

A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS ISSUED. CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V386000 *TC

INCIDENT #1: 1. WE WERE RETURNING HOME FROM A WEEKEND VISIT TO IOWA. WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING ABOUT 5 HOURS. WE WERE SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT OFF HIGHWAY 212 NEAR GLENCOE, MN. 2. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED AT ABOUT 4:00 PM AS WE WERE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE OUR TURN. GLASS WAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE (2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN) AND CHIPPED THE PAINT ALONG THE SIDE OF THE VAN. 3. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACE BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY (PROGRESSIVE) AND THE VAN WAS REPAINTED AND DETAILED (VACUUMED) TO REMOVE THE GLASS INSIDE THE VAN. INCIDENT #2: 1. ON THE SAME VEHICLE (2003 GRAND CARAVAN) A SECOND WINDOW EXPLODED ON OCTOBER 7, 2004. THIS TIME IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WINDOW. I WAS ACCELERATING INTO A PASSING LANE EAST OF COKATO, MN. 2. THE WINDOW EXPLODED AT 6:45 AM. GLASS CHIPPED THE PAINT ON THE SIDE OF THE VAN AND WAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE OF THE VAN - AGAIN. 3. THE SIDE WINDOW ON THE SLIDING DOOR WAS REPLACE BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY (PROGRESSIVE) AND THE VAN WILL BE PAINTED AGAIN SOON. *AK *SC

THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED. THE POWER STEERING LEAKED AND REPLACED UNDER RECALL 037. *BF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING HOSE BLEW OFF THE RACK CLAMP WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE GARAGE WAS SMOKE-FILLED AND A POOL OF FLUID WAS ON THE FLOOR. THE REMOTE WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE ALL THE GAUGES WORK. AFTER ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES ALL THE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. *JB AS OF 10/22/04, THE PROBLEM HAD GOTTEN WORSE. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL PARTS IN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THERE WOULD BE NO BLINKER. ALL GAUGES IN THE DASH DID NOT COME ON, THE ELECTRICAL PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND THE HATCH STOPPED WORKING. *SC

2003 DODGE CARAVAN HAD INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO START. WOULD START 5-15 MINUTES AFTER NOT CRANKING. ENGINE DIED WHILE IDLING AND WOULD NOT START. CHECKED BATTERY AND IT WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE STARTED NEXT DAY AFTER BEING TOWED. PROBLEM TRACED TO CHAFED INSULATION ON WIRING HARNESS. CORRECTED INSULATION AND VEHICLE STARTED. ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT RESTART IN NEUTRAL. COASTED AND PARKED VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. TWO MINUTES LATER VEHICLE STARTED. TRACED PROBLEM TO IGNITION SWITCH OR COMPUTER. CURRENTLY IN PROCESS OF REPLACING IGNITION SWITCH. ENGINE DYING IN TRAFFIC AND REFUSING TO START IS MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. INCIDENTS OCCURRED 10/31/04 THROUGH 11/9/04.*JB

WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE MORNING FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. *SC

I HAD THE CLOCKSPRING IN MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN REPLACED (AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED) SOMEWHERE AROUND 40,000 MILES. THE CLOCKSPRING CAUSED MY STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHEN TURNING A CORNER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE CLOCKSPRING ALONG WITH A RELATED AIRBAG COMPONENT THEY SAID WAS ALSO NEEDED. THIS REPAIR WORK WAS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY OF 2004. ON SEPTEMBER 29TH,2004 I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A WOMAN WHO RAN A RED LIGHT. I WAS IN MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH MY 4 CHILDREN (14,10,6,AND 5). THERE WAS EXTENSIVE FRONTAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND MY CAR WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE FOLLOWING THE IMPACT. MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT AND I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS AIRBAG (THAT I JUST HAD REPLACED) DID NOT GO OFF DURING THE IMPACT.

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. UPON, IMPACT BOTH PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE PASSENGERS. THIS CAUSED BOTH PASSENGER TO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

AS REPORTED BY THE 3 OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SEAM TEAR/SEPARATION LOCATED ON TOP OF THE ROOF WITHIN THE WATER CHANNEL AND STRIPPING. THERE ARE TOTAL OF 4 DEFECTS EACH RANGING FROM 1 TO 3 INCHES IN LENGTH AND 1/8 IN WIDTH. 3 OF THE 4 DEFECTS SIT JUST OUTSIDE AND PARALLEL TO THE WEATHER STRIPPING. THE DEFECTS ARE NOT PROTECTED AT ALL FROM THE ELEMENTS AND WILL RESULT IN DAMAGE OR FAILURE TO THE INTERIOR AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OVER TIME. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TEAR REVEALED JAGGERED EDGES (TEAR) SUGGESTING SOME SORT OF STRESS IS OCCURRING, WHETHER FROM THE SLIDING DOOR OR EVERYDAY USE. I WILL LEAVE THAT UP TO THE ENGINEERS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OF THE DEFECT, AND SINCE THE DEFECT IS REPEATABLE (ALL FOUR AREAS) AN INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED. THE DEFECT ITSELF IS LOCATED IN AN OBSCURED LOCATION ON THE VAN, WERE MOST CUSTOMERS WOULD NEVER KNOW TO LOOK UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE AND OUT OF WARRANTY, WHICH RESULTS IN ADDITIONAL COST TO THE CUSTOMER. *JB

STARTED THE CAR AND NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHICH INCREASED WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED AND THE CAR ACCELERATED - THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND THE IDLE WAS REALLY LOW. AFTER LETTING THE CAR WARM UP FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR THE SOUND WAS GONE, BUT THE IDLE REMAINED LOW. ABOUT A YEAR AGO SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPEND AFTER STARTUP - WE HAD BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AND THIS TIME THE CAR'S STEERING WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE CAR WOULD STALL - IT WASN'T UNTIL ABOUT AN HOUR OF RUNNING TIME UNTIL THE CAR'S STEERING WHEEL WAS ABLE TO MOVE.*AK

EVENFLO TRIUMPH MODEL # 359128P1, DOM 10/21/2003. THE CHILD WAS CHOKING OFF THE MATERIAL FROM BOTH SIDES OF ARM REST. CHILD WAS ABLE TO PULL UNDERNEATH THE CAR SEAT AND PLACE THE MATERIAL INSIDE OF HIS MOUTH. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. 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 PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. *JB..NUMEROUS OCCASIONS CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD GO BUT WOULD THEN HESITATE, AND ALMOST QUIT RUNNING. AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM STILL THERE. WITH TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WITH CROSS TRAFFIC COMING, AND STILL DISTANCE AWAY THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE, AND ALMOST STOP RUNNING. THIS COULD RESULT VERY BADLY. *AK

WHILE FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK VALVE JOINT SEPARATED FROM GAS TANK, CAUSING GASOLINE TO POUR OUT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE FUEL BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE CONSUMER HEARD A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE SWAY BAR LINK BROKE. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS A PREMATURE FAILURE AND THAT THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. *NM

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DOOR OPENED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING OVER SOME DEBRIS IN THE ROAD, THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED. *AK *SC *JB

WHEN THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HAD NO ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *AK WHEN THE VEHICLE PASSED ANOTHER, IT WOULD SOUND AS IF THE CLUTCH WAS OUT OF GEAR AND THE MOTOR WOULD RACE AND SLOW DOWN. *SC *JB

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A REFLECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT IMPAIRED VISION WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER SPOKE WITH THE DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED HE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT.*AK

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP TRANSMISSION JUMPED AND SLIPPED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS GETS MOIST IT CAUSES THE ABS LIGHT TO STAY ON ,AND THE ABS BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENSIX TIMES IN TWO YEARS. *AK

AFTER MAKING "CLUNKING NOISES FOR APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES MY STEERING RACK WORE OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER 100% WARRANTY, AND NOW MY REPLACEMENT RACK ( A REMANUFACURED UNIT) STARTED MAKING THE SAME NOISES AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4,000 MILES. HEN THE RACK WAS REPLACED I WAS INFORMED THAT I MAY INCUR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REPLACEMENT RACK AS CHRYSLER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THEIR STEERING RACKS. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE AFTER I HAD EXCEEDED THE 3YR./36000 MILE WARRANTY. AS I MISTAKENLY THOUGHT I HAD A 12 MO./12,000 WARRANTY ON THE REPLACEMENT RACK. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ONCE I EXCEED THE 3/36,000 GUARANTY AND AFTER SPEAKING TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE IN DETROIT THE DEALER OFFERED ME A 50/50 GUARANTEE...I AM STILL IN COMMUNICATION W/THE DEALER AND AM WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR DISTRICT MGR. DECIDED ABOUT A POSSIBLE 100% EPLACEMENT. IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME AND WHAT I HEARD ABOUT THIS BEING A MORE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IS TRUE, I FELT I SHOULD BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM A FORMER NEW YORK STATE LICENSED AUTOMOTIVE DAMAGE ADJUSTER/INVESTIGATOR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR WHICH WAS NORMAL. *AK

I PURCHASED MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN NOVEMBER 2002 AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ABS SENSOR REPLACED ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SIX TIMES. DESPITE THE CONTINUOUS PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS STATED THAT THERE CAN BE NO UNDERLYING CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE. *AK

CONSUMER LOSS ALL LIGHTING AND HORN WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. *PH DEALER PULLED THE FUSE OUT, BUT BATTERY DIED EVERY TWO DAYS AND VEHICLE HAS NO HORN FOR 6 WEEKS. CONSUMER ALSO LOST ALL LIGHTS AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. LIGHTS BELLS WAS FIXED BY DEALER BUT STILL NO REMEDY WITH THE BATTERY. *LA

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE SUDDENLY STOPPED DUE TO A MECHANICAL PROBLEM REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENSOR. (NAR) *PH *CB

AT SLOW ACCELERATIONS VEHICLE SHUDDERS/HESITATES TO SHIFT. WHEN DOWNSHIFTING IT "BUMPS" DOWN. AT 35-40 MPH ENGINE RACES WITHOUT ACCELERATING. DEALER SAYS CLUTCH PLATES NEED 5-10,000 MILES TO BREAK IN AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT 2,400 MILES. VEHICLE STILL NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AFTER MANY SERVICE ATTEMPTS AND 11,000 MILES.*AK

WHEN DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON LIGHTS DIMMED, AND THE HEAT FROM THE AIR VENTS TEMPERATURE DECREASED. THIS OCCURRED WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, OR IF CONSUMER REMOVED FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MODULE/ALTERNATOR, TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, AND THE MAIN COMPUTER, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK

WHILE STRAPPED INTO A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN'S MIDDLE CAPTIANS SEAT,MY SON WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT THAT WAS USING THE LATCH SYSTEM. THE MIDDLE SEAT OF THE VAN PIVOT TO GIVE ACCES TO THE REAR SEATS. IN DUING SO THE MIDDLE SEAT COULD SIT BACK IN THE PROPER POSITION WITHOUT LOCKING DOWN INTO THE FLOOR. IT WILL LOOK LIKE IT IS LOCKED BUT COULD NOT BE. SINCE THE ANCOR AND TETHER FOR THE LATCH CARSEAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE SEAT AND NOT TO THE FLOOR OR ROOF OR CAR. WHEN THE MIDDLE SEAT PIVOTS THE CARSEAT GO WITH IT. SO WHEN MY SON WAS STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT AND THE MIDDLE SEAT POVITTED DURING A STOP. MY SON WAS THRUSTED INTO THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. HIS FACE WAS CUT AND BADLY BRUISED DUE TO THE DRIVERS SEAT'S HARD PLASTIC BACK. MY COMPLAINT IS WHY DONT THEY HAVE THE LATCH SYSTEM ATTACHED TO THE CAR AND NOT THE SEAT AND WHY DOES THE MIDDLE SEATS SIT LIKE THEY ARE LOCKED DOWN EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT BE. I DID CONTACT DODGE THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM.*AK

ERRATICALLY, THE REAR TAILGATE DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY AND OPENS WHILE DRIVING. NO AJAR WARNING LIGHT SHOWN ON THE DASH EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE INCIDENTS. THE MECHANISM SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS CLOSED BUT IT IS NOT BECAUSE THE LOCK IN THE TAILGATE HAS ALREADY CLOSED BEFORE IT HAS REACHED THE LATCH, THEREFORE PREVENTING PROPER CLOSURE. I HAVE DUPLICATED THIS ISSUE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH BOTH KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE AND ROOF CONSOLE CONTROL. DEALER REPEATEDLY REPORTS THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE ISSUE, DENIES REPAIR/REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH THE TAILGATE HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BECAUSE OF DAMAGE INCURRED BY THE TAILGATE POPPING OPEN WHILE DRIVING.*AK

GRAND CARAVAN SPORTS ARE EXTREMELY EASY TO BREAK INTO AND EVEN EASIER TO STEAL. A 13-YEAR-OLD WITH A STANDARD SIZED SCREWDRIVER IS ALL IT TAKES TO GAIN ACCESS AND DRIVE OFF WITH YOUR VEHICLE <1 MINUTE. ANY ACCOMPLICES ARE WELL-HIDDEN BY THE PRIVACY GLASS. THERE ARE NO "CARS OF CHOICES" FOR AUTO THIEVES, IT'S WHATEVER IS QUICK AND EASY. THIS ACCESSIBILITY ISSUE IS COMMON TO ALL DAIMLER-CHRYSLER VEHICLES, NOT JUST THE CARAVAN FLEET. D.C. VEHICLES ARE QUICKLY GAINING STATUS AS "EASY TO STEAL, QUICK TO STASH, NOT TO MENTION AN ABUNDANT POOL OF POSSIBILITIES"...EXPECT TO PAY NEARLY $3000.00 (LOW END) FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S JOY RIDE AND WAIT APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR WEEKS WHILE REPAIRS ARE MADE. *JB

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. A REPRESENTATIVE WAS SENT OUT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS NOT HEARD ANYTHING AS OF YET.*AK

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE STEERING, AND THEN HAVING THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED, THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS, I DON'T FEEL THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER ARE LISTENING TO MY CONCERNS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT CHRYSLER HAS IT'S OWN MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION. I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS FAIR, SINCE IN THE LAST 7 MONTHS, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE 15 DAYS.

THE MAIN PROBLEM WAS THE VEHICLE NOT GOING INTO GEAR OR MOVING, PLUS WE NOTICE THAT ON ANY INCLINE THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS IF YOU HAVE TO STOP AT A LIGHT. THE FIRST PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THERE WAS A LEAK AND THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE INCLINE, WHICH THEY SAY IS NORMAL AND THE TRANSMISSION IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. I TOTALLY DISAGREE, I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR A WHILE AND ONLY MANUAL TRANSMISSION REACT THIS WAY ON AN INCLINE. THUS FAR THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE HAS BEEN NO COST. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THESE PROBLEMS.

JUST ABOVE BOTH SLIDING DOORS (LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE) ON THE DRIP RAIL THERE IS APROXIMATELY A 3 INCH CRACK IN THE SEAM OF THE SHEET METAL IN A TOTAL OF 4 SPOTS.THE DEALER STATES I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 11/03/2003 FOR THEM TO HAVE THEIR BODY SHOP WHICH IS NOT ON SITE HAVE A LOOK AT IT. I HAVE MADE KNOWN MY CONCERNS WITH DODGE CORP WHOSE NUMBER WAS SUPPLIED BY THE DEALER AND SPOKE TO TERESA WHOM SAID ALL I HAVE WAS WARRANTY, WELL MY CONCERN IS THE SRTUCTURE OF THE ROOF ONE, TWO IS THE WATER ENTERING THE INNER SHEET METAL PARTS OF THE VEHICLE AFTER ALL AS THEY STATED AFTER THE 7 YEARS THEY ARE DONE WITH THE WARRANTY. IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM AND AS A CUSTOMER WHO STILLS OWNS A 1994 GRAND CARAVAN WITH 155,000 MILES ON IT I WISH TO KEEP MY NEW VEHICLE. I AM NOT ASKING FOR A NEW ROOF AS WAS ASKED BY THE DEALER JUST A LITTLE ASSURANCE THAT IF IN 7 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS ECT. IF THE VEHICLE ROTS FROM THIS FACTORY DEFECT WHY SHOULD I BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR IF IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. AS I ALSO SAID WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE AND SAFETY FROM THIS PROBLEM THERE HAS TO BE A REASON WHY THE SEAM IS OPENING UP.

ON AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS, MY DAUGHTER'S GEN3 SEAT BELT HAS UNLATCHED WITH NO APPARANT CAUSE. MY CHILDREN ARE 2 1/2 AND 4 AND THE SOUL PURPOSE OF BUYING THE VAN WAS TO HELP ENSURE THEIR SAFETY. IF THEIR BELTS ARE UNLATCHING FOR NO APPARANT REASON, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN A CRASH? THEY CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE PROTECTED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SURGES-AT START WHEN I ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE-THEN IT CATCHES AND GOES. AT LOW SPEED IT DOWNSHIFTS HARD AND THEN UPSHIFTS HARD. HAPPENED MANY TIMES-DEALER REPLACED FRONT PUMP IN THE TRANSMISSION-LAST TIME "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE". *LA

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED TWICE SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. ALSO, THERE WAS A PRESSURE LEAK WHICH EFFECTED THE HYDRAULIC AROUND THE BRAKES. *AK

WHEN USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY TO OPEN THE REAR TAILGATE, THE GATE LOCKS SOMETIMES WHILE IT IS OPENED. WHEN YOU THEN CLOSE IT USING THE KEYPAD, THE DOOR LOWERS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT SAYS DOOR IS CLOSED, BUT IT IS NOT REALLY LOCKED AND CAN OPEN WHOLE DRIVING. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN USING OVERHEAD CONSOLE SWITCH. DODGE WAS NOT CONCERNED WHEN I BROUGHT IT FOR WARRANTY AND JUST PUT ON REPAIR ORDER THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT ALTHOUGH I SHOWED THEM THE SAME FAILURE AFTER OPENING AND CLOSING 3 TIMES. *LA

EVEN ON THE SLIGHTEST INCLINE, VAN ROLLS BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE. THIS IS THE FIRST AUTOMATIC THAT I EVER HAD DO THIS. IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND SOMEONE WALKS BEHIND YOU OR ANOTHER CAR IS TOO CLOSE. I NOTICED THIS THE FIRST DAY I DROVE IT. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AT 200 MILES DEALER REPLACED BRAKES AND DIFFERENTIAL. AT 900 MILES DEALER REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, BUT MY STEERING IS UNSAFE. AFTER OVER 5 ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE STEERING PROBLEM, AND 2 NEAR ACCIDENTS, I FEEL CHRYSLER HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS. IF I WAIT UNTIL I DO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THEY TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUSLY, IT WILL BE TO LATE. *LA

WHILE DRIVING, THE TAILGATE LOOSENED AND FLEW OPEN. DRIVER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS AND THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE TIMING INSIDE OF THE LOCK MECHANISM WAS OFF AND CAUSED THE DOOR TO LOCK PREMATURELY. *AK *PH *JB

THE REAR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR PASSENGER SEAT IN A GOLD DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AT ADVANTAGE RENTAL CAR NEAR THE SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AIRPORT HAS THE SEATBELT CONNECTION ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE SEAT. IT LOOKLS LIKE THERE ARE TWO LEFT SEATS INSTALLED. I REPORTED THIS TO THE INSPECTOR AT THE OFFICE AND I'M TOLD HE TRIED TO CHARGE US $150 FOR DAMAGES NOT NOTED DURING PICKUP OF THE VAN.*AK

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND WHEN IN DRIVE EVEN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE CAR ROLLS BACKWARDS. THE LATTER COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR IN BACK IS TOO CLOSE. *LA

ROOF SEAMS ABOVE LEFT AND RIGHT SLIDING DOORS CRACKED AT ALL STRESS POINTS, A TOTAL OF 4 AREAS AT LEAST 3 INCHES EACH CRACK. *LA

ON A 2003, GRAND, CARAVAN JUST ABOVE BOTH SLIDING DOORS ON THE DRIP RAIL SHEET METAL WAS RAISED ,AND THE CHALKING WAS CRACKED WHICH PERMITTED WATER TO ENTER THE INTERIOR SHEET METAL. THIS CAUSED CORROSION. DODGE CORPORATION STATED THEY WOULD ONLY CHALK IT AGAIN, AND WOULD GIVE NO FURTHER WARRANTY FOR CORROSION OTHER THEN WHAT WAS OFFERED. THESE WERE OBVIOUS STRESS POINTS. ALSO, RIGHT SIDE DOOR DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE ALL THE TIME. IT CYCLED 3/4 OF THE WAY AND OPENED AGAIN. DRIVER'S DOOR IF CLOSED AFTER USING THE AUTOMATIC LOCK BUTTON WOULD UNLOCK WHEN CLOSED.*AK