1997 Dodge Caravan Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND SCRATCHES TO THE RIGHT ARM WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON CRASH. ANOTHER DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND NO LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, INCLUDING A BROKEN NOSE AND CHEEK BONES, AND ALSO A SHATTERED RIGHT FOOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND PICTURES OF THE CRASH ARE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V293000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) WAS REFERENCED. THE DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON, THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED AND THE ENGINE REMAINS ON. *TR

WHILE PARKED AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. A FIRE THEN APPEARED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. 911 WAS CALLED AND FIRE SQUAD CAME. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE USED BUT IT COULD NOT PUT OUT THE FIRE. FIRE TRUCK CAME AND BY THIS TIME THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIREMEN USED WATER TO FINALLY CONTROL THE FIRE. FIRE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE PUT OUT AGAIN AND EVENTUALLY THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED. IT WAS PERHAPS ONLY 10 MINUTES FOR THE FIRE TO START, SPREAD, AND COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY DESTROY THE VAN. BECAUSE OF THE INTENSITY, QUICKNESS OF THE FIRE, AND THE DIFFICULTY IN PUTTING IT OUT, IT APPEARS TO BE A FUEL RELATED FIRE. I READ THAT DODGE HAD FUEL LINE "O" RINGS THAT COULD BE DEFECTIVE AND THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE. I CALLED DODGE HEADQUARTERS AND EXPLAINED THE EVENT. I AM STILL WAITING FOR A CALL BACK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY TOOK THREE WEEKS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND, BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, THE NEW TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY NEW REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE AT THE COST OF $900. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THREE WEEKS, SOMEONE IN THE SERVICE CENTER CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. THE MILEAGE INFORMATION AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE O-RINGS ON THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE FAILING. CHRYSLER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 192,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RADIO STOP WORKING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE, AIR BAG AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM WORK, RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC HEAVY BUT MOVING CLOSE TO POSTED SPEED LIMIT (65 MPH). TRAFFIC SLOWED IN FRONT OF ME AND I ALSO SLOWED, THEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP, SO I ALSO INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES. WHILE DOING SO, THE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR, I LOST BRAKE PRESSURE AND STARTED MOVING TO THE LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO. MY VAN HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TIME AND SPACE TO STOP AND NOT COLLIDE IF THE BRAKES WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED, BUT WHEN I LOST BRAKES, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN MY VAN AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME CLOSED TOO QUICKLY FOR ME TO AVOID THE COLLISION. THE VAN WAS DAMAGED ON THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE, BUT WHEN I GOT THE VAN BACK HOME OFF OF THE TOW TRUCK, I SAW BRAKE FLUID ON MY DRIVEWAY FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VAN. A FEW DAYS LATER I GOT THE VAN ON JACKSTANDS TO LOCATE THE FLUID LEAK AND FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE TERRIBLY CORRODED BRAKE LINES RUNNING ALONG THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THERE IS SOME FLEXIBLE STEEL BRAIDED LINE AND WHERE IT JOINS THE RIGID LINE, THERE IS A SO MUCH CORROSION THAT THE LINE IS LITERALLY RUSTING AWAY. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER MINIVANS FROM 1997 TO 2000. I FEEL IT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. I AM 55 YEARS OLD AND HAVE WORKED ON CARS ALL OF MY ADULT LIFE AND HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKE LINES CORRODE LIKE THIS. AS THERE ARE MANY VANS LIKE MINE ON THE ROAD, I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER VANS HAVE BRAKE LINES THAT ARE IN SIMILAR CONDITION AS THE ONES ON THIS VAN? IT WAS SIMPLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THESE LINES WOULD FAIL. NOW WHEN I DRIVE IN TRAFFIC AND SEE A CHRYSLER PRODUCT VAN I ASK MYSELF "DOES THAT DRIVER KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE BRAKE LINE PROBLEM?" I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO BE INFORMED! THERE ARE SO MANY POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN! CHRYSLER NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING! *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED EVEN THOUGH THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ABS SYSTEM PREVENTED THE BRAKES FROM FUNCTIONING AT ALL AND I ROLLED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION EVEN THOUGH I WAS PRESSING FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATES INDICATING SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD HAVE FAILED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PREVENT ANY BRAKING ACTION FROM OCCURRING. THIS PROBLEM HAS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE BUT I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING THROUGH THAT INTERSECTION AT THE SAME TIME THAT THIS PROBLEM CAUSED ME TO ROLL THROUGH IT WHILE THE STOPLIGHT WAS RED FOR ME. *KB

WHILE PARKED AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. A FIRE THEN APPEARED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. 911 WAS CALLED AND FIRE SQUAD CAME. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE USED BUT IT COULD NOT PUT OUT THE FIRE. FIRE TRUCK CAME AND BY THIS TIME THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIREMEN USED WATER TO FINALLY CONTROL THE FIRE. FIRE RESTARTED AND HAD TO BE PUT OUT AGAIN AND EVENTUALLY THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED. IT WAS PERHAPS ONLY 10 MINUTES FOR THE FIRE TO START, SPREAD, AND COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY DESTROY THE VAN. BECAUSE OF THE INTENSITY, QUICKNESS OF THE FIRE, AND THE DIFFICULTY IN PUTTING IT OUT, IT APPEARS TO BE A FUEL RELATED FIRE. I READ THAT DODGE HAD FUEL LINE "O" RINGS THAT COULD BE DEFECTIVE AND THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE. I CALLED DODGE HEADQUARTERS AND EXPLAINED THE EVENT. I AM STILL WAITING FOR A CALL BACK. *TR

FUEL LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM DEGRADING O-RINGS ON FUEL INJECTION RAIL. FUEL DRIPPING ONTO ENGINE FROM FUEL RAIL CLAMP O-RINGS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY ON NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 IN 2002. CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AT 800-853-1403 REQUESTING DANGEROUS REPEAT PROBLEM WITH FUEL O-RINGS BE REPAIRED BY DEALER AT NO-CHARGE.MANUFACTURER DECLINED FREE REPAIR REQUEST STATING MY 1997 VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY MILES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE WINDOWS BECAME FOGGY, CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER THE CONTACT HAD JUST REPLACED THE SERPINITINE BELT 2,000 MILES PRIOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

1997 DODGE CARAVAN. STARTING AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD MYSTERIOUSLY COME ON, MAKE 4 TO 5 WIPES AND TURN OFF. WE MADE JOKES ABOUT THE GHOST RIDING WITH US. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, HAPPENING ABOUT EVERY MONTH OR SIX WEEKS. IT COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED ON DEMAND. FINALLY, AT 72,000, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REFUSED TO TURN ON FROM THE STALK--EXCEPT WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WAS GIVEN A "SQUIRT" OF FLUID BY LIFTING UP ON THE TURN SIGNAL/WIPER CONTROL STALK, THEN THEY GAVE THE REGULAR THREE WIPES AND TURNED OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE SWITCH UNIT. IT DID NOT HELP. THEN THEY CALLED CHRYSLER'S "SUPER TECH 800 NUMBER" AND NO HELP WAS PROVIDED. SINCE THE CAR COULD NOT BE INSPECTED WITH NO WIPER FUNCTION, THE ENTIRE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED (COMPUTER) WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM. COST: $741.00. SINCE ALL OF THE MECHANICAL PARTS OF THE WIPER SYSTEM WORKED, IF THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, I DETERMINED I WOULD SIMPLY PULL A HOT WIRE THROUGH THE DASH TO AN "ON-OFF" SWITCH AND CONNECT THAT UP TO THE WIPER FEED--ESTIMATED COST OF LESS THAN $10.00. *TR

DT: JUST BACK FROM A ROAD TRIP THE VEHICLE STARTED ACTING UP, IT WOULD KEEP SPEEDING LIKE IT WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS ON, HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND PHYSICALLY PUSH THE THROTTLE DOWN ,IT'S LIKE IT GETS STUCK. IT WOULD DO THAT AFTER TURNING ON THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND EVEN AFTER TURNING IT OFF, IT STILL WOULD RUN AWAY. IT WOULD ONLY DO THIS DURING TIME PERIODS OF USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. DURING THAT PARTICULAR TRIP. THIS WOULD HAPPEN REGARDLESS IF THE CRUISE WAS OFF OR ON. HAD TO BRAKE VERY HARD IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN TO PULL OFF. *AK CUSTOMER STATED THE THROTTLE STICKS WITH CRUISE WHEN ON AND AFTER IT HAS BEEN ON DOES NOT HAPPEN UNLESS CRUISE HAS BEEN ON SEEMS LIKE IT WANTS TO DRIVE AWAY. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED A VACUUM HOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 09/14/07. *JB

DT: AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON/THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH DIDN'T WORK, AND THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED. NOTICED THESE FAILURES ON JUNE 1, 2005. HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. HAD CHECKED THE FUSES, THEY WERE STILL GOOD. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO BECOME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE DIFFERENT TIMES WHERE THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS RECONNECTED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE WINDOWS BECAME FOGGY, CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER THE CONTACT HAD JUST REPLACED THE SERPINITINE BELT 2,000 MILES PRIOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

BUILT IN CAR SEAT STOPPED LATCHING WITH NO WARNING. *JB

I OWN A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN, I HAVE TWO CHILDREN THE SEAT BELT CAME UNLATCHED SEVERAL TIMES. TWICE MY 8 YEARS OLD DAUGHTER LEANED TO THE SIDE AND HER ELBO HIT THE RELEASE BUTTON IT UNLATHED, MY OTHER DAUGHTER IS 5 FEW TIMES WE NOTICED HER BOOSTER SEAT IS UNLACHED FOR NO REASON. NEED HELP TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM . *AK

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT WORK. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DIGITAL. BUTTONS FOR AIR CONDITIONER AND REAR DEFROSTER FLASHED CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO GARAGE, AND THEY RECOMMENDED DODGE DEALER. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON THEIR OWN. VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE TO BE ON RUNNING FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO COME ON. THEY CAME ON ABOUT EVERY TWO WEEKS. ALSO, TRAVELING INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. CONSUMER STOPPED LIGHTS FROM COMING ON BY PUTTING TAPE ON DOOR. CONSUMER BELIEVED THESE WERE DIFFERENT ISSUES. HE REPLACED FAN CONTROL MODULE LAST YEAR, AND THAT DID NOT HELP.*AK CONSUMER ADDED THAT POUNDING ON THE DASHBOARD MADE THE DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATE. *TT

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY VEHICLE WAS MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 516, OLD BRIDGE, NJ. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A SCHOOL BUS AND PUSHED INTO A LAMP POLE. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED AS PER STATE FARM INSURANCE. BOTH AIR BAG FAILED TO WORK. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS COLLAPSED BACKWARD INSTEAD OF PROTECTING OUR NECK AND BODY. THE VEHICLE IS WITH STATE FARM INSURANCE. *JB. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN TWO INJURIES. *AK

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN SE PURCHASED NEW. TWO YEARS AGO I NOTICED A SPOT ON THE ROOF, AND ANOTHER ON THE HOOD WHERE THE POLYCOAT WAS BEGINNING TO PEEL. WITHIN TWO YEARS THE CAR LOOKED AS IF IT HAD SOME KIND OF DISEASE. I BEGAN TO NOTICE OTHER CARAVANS OF SIMILAR AGE, AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I SAW OTHER MAKES OF CARS THAT WERE MUCH OLDER WITH ORIGINAL PAINT JOBS AND THEY WEREN'T EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE PAINT JOB AND POLY COAT ON THE DODGE CARAVAN. I FEEL FOR WHAT WE PAYED FOR, AND WITH THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED , SUCH AS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMING ON BY THEMSELVES, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND GOING OFF, THE INTERIOR LIGHT COMING ON OR NOT WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE WARNING BELL NOT GOING OFF WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPEN, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WORKING OR NOT WORKING, THE FOGGING OF THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS - AT LEAST THE PAINT JOB SHOULD HAVE LASTED!*AK

I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF YOUR SERVICES SO THAT IS WHY THIS IS WRITTEN WAY AFTER THE FACT. MAY PROBLEM IS THAT I OWN A 97 DODGE CARAVAN, AT THE TIME IT HAD APPOX. 80,000 MILES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL THAT HOLDS THE STRAT ROTTED TO THE POINT THAT THE STRAT WAS COMING THROUGH. I CALLED DODGE AND THEY SAID THAT PART OF THE BODY WASN'T WARRANTED AGAINST RUST THROUGH. I THOUGHT IT WAS ODD THAT THE DOORS AND HOOD WAS BUT NOT THE UNDER PART. I HAD THE REPAIRS DONE FOR $900 AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE IS ABOUT TO DO THE SAME. WHAT IS IRONIC IS THAT THE BODY IE DOORS AND QUARTER PANELS ARE FINE. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART OF THE CAR AND IF SO DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *CB

MY WIFE PARK THE VAN INSIDE THE GARAGE, TURN OFF THE RADIO, ENGINE AND LIGHTS. SHE OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND SEE FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING BY THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLER. AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE VAN WERE ON. SHE REMOVE THE KIDS FROM THE VAN AND MY SON CALL 911.POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, REMOVE THE VAN FROM THE GARAGE AND CHECK IT AND FOUND POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION .CHECK THE VAN TODAY 8-24 2013 AND FOUND THAT THE FIRE START AT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH. DIM SWITCH OK AND MIRROR SWITCH OK. THE FIRE DAMAGE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD, WINDSHIELD, SUN VISOR AND CELLING. I HAVE THIS VAN SINCE NEW, NEVER HAVE A PROBLEM BEFORE. AND NEVER SEE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

THE STRUT TOWER ON THE 1997 DODGE CARAVAN, THAT HAS ONLY 85,500 MILES RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. DODGE ADMITTED TO A DESIGN FLAW FOR THE PREMATURE RUSTING STRUT TOWERS. A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN FROM CHRYSLER DATED OCTOBER '02 EXPLICITLY STATED THAT ALL '1996 TO 19'99 CHRYSLER VANS PLYMOUTH, DODGE, AND CHRYSLER, HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE STRUT TOWERS. ALL OF THEM WILL EVENTUALLY RUST FROM THE BOTTOM UP. AS I STATED, THE STRUT TOWERS WERE DEFECTIVE IN THERE DESIGN. CHRYSLER HAS A WARRANTY PART NUMBER 05086513AA BUT REFUSES TO FIX A KNOWN DANGEROUS DEFECT, BECAUSE THE VAN IS OVER THE 7 YEAR, 100,000 MILE, WHICH EVER COMES FIRST WARRANTY. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS VAN HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DODGE DEALER FOR ALMOST ALL MAINTENANCE NEEDS AND YEARLY STATE OF MAINE SAFETY INSPECTIONS, AND THIS ISSUE WAS NEVER MENTIONED. CLEARLY, WHEN THE RUSTED STRUT TOWER GIVES, THE STRUT WILL COME UP THROUGH THE HOOD. AT THAT POINT, LIVES WILL BE IN DANGER, AS THE PROBABILITY OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS INEVITABLE. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS MY FORMAL COMPLAINT. WILL CHRYSLER LIVE UP TO THE RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAIR THIS KNOW DEFECT FOR THOSE OF US OUT OF THE WARRANTY TIMELINE.*AK

SUMMARY: CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACKLOG: WIDES-SPREAD OCCURRENCE OF THIS DEFECT INDICATES THE NEED FOR RECALL ON THESE PARTS. DETAILS: OUR DODGE CARAVAN IS IN NEED OF NEW CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, HOWEVER THERE IS A NATIONAL BACKLOG FOR THESE PARTS AND THEY WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR 4-8 WEEKS OR LONGER. WE BELIEVE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT IS A NEEDED AND FAIR WAY TO HANDLE THIS, AS THIS DEFECT IS OBVIOUSLY SO WIDE-SPREAD AS TO BE UNMANAGEABLE UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. WE HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY AND THEY HAVE INFORMED US THAT THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION. VIN: VB482644, MILEAGE: 82,000. *NM

WHILE DRIVING, A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREADS SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. FIRESTONE AFFINITY P205/60R15 #DOTW2VFAIT229/W2VFAIT169. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

LEFT MACON ON I-75 SOUTH, NEARING PERRY GA IN CENTER LANE, CARS ALL AROUND, FRONT, REAR, LEFT AND RIGHT. SPEED WAS SOME WHERE BETWEEN 65 OR 70. FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW. I THANK GOD I HAD ENOUGH SKILL TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. I MANAGED TO SLOW AND OTHER VEHICLES ALLOWED ME TO STEER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. AFTER PUTTING ON MY SPARE I RETRACTED AND LOCATED PARTS OF THE TIRE AND STILL HAVE WHAT'S LEFT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE A MANUFACTURES NAME. THERE ARE SOME NUMBERS THAT CAN BE USED TO IDENTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THERE IS STILL A LOT OF TREAD LEFT AND THE TIRE WAS IN APPARENT GOOD SHAPE. I HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN A MILLION MILES IN THE LAST 45 YEARS. THIS IS MY SECOND BLOWOUT. THIS WAS A BAD TIRE THAT WAS PURCHASED AT BLOOMFIELD TIRE COMPANY IN MACON, GA. THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED SEVERAL VEHICLES TO CRASH AND COULD HAVE KILLED. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS TO POSSIBLY SAVE SOME LIVES. *JB

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT WORK. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DIGITAL. BUTTONS FOR AIR CONDITIONER AND REAR DEFROSTER FLASHED CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO GARAGE, AND THEY RECOMMENDED DODGE DEALER. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON THEIR OWN. VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE TO BE ON RUNNING FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO COME ON. THEY CAME ON ABOUT EVERY TWO WEEKS. ALSO, TRAVELING INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. CONSUMER STOPPED LIGHTS FROM COMING ON BY PUTTING TAPE ON DOOR. CONSUMER BELIEVED THESE WERE DIFFERENT ISSUES. HE REPLACED FAN CONTROL MODULE LAST YEAR, AND THAT DID NOT HELP.*AK CONSUMER ADDED THAT POUNDING ON THE DASHBOARD MADE THE DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATE. *TT

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE THE DEALER. *NM THE A/C WAS INOPERATIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE SES LIGHT. RECALL# 04V480000. *SC *JB

I know it's my solenoid my vehicle won't go out of 2 gear. My name is [XXX].[XXX] my number is [XXX]. I'm not sure if anything can be done being the vehicle is so old but I thought I'd give it a try. Email is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND GEAR AND, ONCE IT STOPPED, IT VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE FOR THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 138,000.

I BOUGHT THIS VAN NEW IN 1997 JUST AFTER BUYING THE VAN THERE WAS TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE I FEEL IT IS THE LIFTERS BUT DEALERSHIP SAYS NO IT WAS THE FUEL PURGE VALVE. THE NOISE COUNTINUES TO GET WORSE AND I AM SURE THE NOISE IS THE LIFTERS WHEN I CHANGE THE OIL TO 10W-30 THE NOISE GOES AWAY. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT APPROX 50K MILES. THE VAN HAS RECENTLY BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE TRANSMISSION TWO OR THREE TIME SINCE NOVEMBER 2003 APROX. 90,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HANGING UP IN SECOND GEAR WHEN DODGE RETUNED TO ME THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE SHOP FOR THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN IT IS LEAKING FROM THE OUTPUT SHAFT SEALS AND WHILE IN PARK WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE VAN JERKS FOWARD LIKE THE TRASMISSION IS STILL ENGAGED. THIS ALL HAPPENS WHILE IN PARK. SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK IF THE ACCELORATOR IS PRESSED THE VEHICLE JUMPS / JERKS FOWARD THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS MY WIFE AND I HAVE THREE CHILDREN THAT SOMETIMES WALK IN FRONT OF THE VAN TO GET IN WHEN WE GO OFF AS A FAMILY. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON JUST HOURS BEFORE I RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION SERVICE AND IT IS THE EGR VALVE FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE CKECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION OFF AS THAT BUT I AM ALSO A MECHANIC THE EGR VALVE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSIONACTING AS IF IT IS ENGAGE ALTHOUGH IT IS ACUALLY IN PARK.THIS IS NOT GOOD PRACTICE TO LIE ABOUT A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION LEAK WAS CAUSED FROM THE FIRST REMOVAL OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CHRYSLER WARRANTY DEPARTMENT SAID THE LEAK WOULD NOT BE COVERED THIS IS ALSO VERY DIGUSTING WHEN YOU REMOVE AN AXLE THE SEAL SHOULD BE REPLACED BEFORE YOU REINSTALL THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER IS STILL TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AND ALSO THE COOLING FAN RELAY FAILED FOR THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM.*AK

ON THE DATE GIVEN, MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A SECONDARY ROAD IN THE TOWN OF PERU, NY, WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT (FACTORY OPTION) CAST ALUMINUM WHEEL SPLIT IN TWO CIRCUMFRENTIALLY, PULLING HER VIOLENTLY INTO A SNOWBANK. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF THE FAILURE, AND THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN ABUSED OR INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LS, AND THE WHEEL IN QUESTION IS THE FACTORY OPTIONAL ALUMINUM CAST ITEM. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS OUR FAULT. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, IT HAD NEVER BEEN ABUSED, THERE WAS NO AIR LEAKAGE OVER TIME TO INDICATE A CRACK OR FAULT, THE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 DEGREES F., AND THERE WAS NO OBSTACLE IN THE ROAD WHICH COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCIDENT. THE WHEEL SIMPLY BROK INTO TWO PIECES. WE FEEL THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS POSSIBLE DEFECT SINCE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF SUCH A VITAL PIECE OF VEHICLE EQUIPMENT COULD OBVIOUSLY PROVE FATAL. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON AN INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, OR IF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAD FAILED, PULLING THE VEHICLE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THE POSSIBLE RESULTS ARE OBVIOUS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT MYSELF OR MY WIFE AT ANY TIME CONCERNING THIS MATTER, AND WE ARE CURIOUS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ASSISTANCE.