1997 Dodge Caravan Transmission Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

10229780

Incident

Feb 23, 2008

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.

NHTSA ID

10196319

Incident

Jul 16, 2005

Mileage

30,000 mi

THE VAN HAS A HARD TIME GOING IN REVERSE WHEN IT IS COOL OUTSIDE. AND WHEN GOING IN DRIVE THE VAN HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING INTO ANY GEAR. SOMETIMES THE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE SPEEDOMETER FLIPS OUT AND SHOOTS TO 0 TO 80 3 TIMES BEFORE IT STOPS AND GOES BACK TO THE RIGHT SPEED THAT I AM GOING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10184909

Incident

Jan 6, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WHEELS LOCKED UP DUE TO A DIFFERENTIAL PIN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILS ON A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, BUT NOT A SERVICE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10168696

Incident

Aug 18, 2006

Mileage

93,402 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILED, VERMONT, 2003. REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION @ 114,152 MILES - WILSON DODGE, VT - AT 134,826 MILES, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING - HAD NOTICED CLUNKING OCCASIONALLY IN REVERSE. COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER -IRA DODGE, MEDFORD MA RE: CLUNKING: WAS INFORMED THAT THE LEAKING OR TEAR DOWN FOR CLUNKING NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - TO BE MY EXPENSE - SOUND NOT EASILY REPEATABLE - DEALER STATED $150 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. ARGUED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER SAYING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS UNDER WARRANTY - HE WAS NOT SYMPATHETIC. CONVINCED HIM TO HAVE HIS MECHANIC TEST DRIVE THE VAN AFTER FIXING THE LEAK (WHICH HE INDEED DID - MILEAGE OUT WAS 134828) AUGUST 2005 - MILEAGE 148781 - LOUD BANG WHILE BACKING UP IN THE HOTEL PARKING GARAGE. CALLED MOPAR CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-992-1997 - DATE 8/20/05 - TOLD THAT WARRANTY WAS GOOD IN CANADA BY REP; GIVEN THE NAME OF THE MONTREAL DEALERSHIP - DROVE TO DEALERSHIP 8/21/05 (WITHOUT INCIDENT); INFORMED WARRANTY NOT GOOD IN CANADA. SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR. UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. DROVE HOME (WORCESTER, MA.) NO PROBLEMS. DROVE TO THE DODGE DEALER IN WORCESTER 8/23/05; TRANSMISSION PERSON WAS ON VACATION. TOLD THAT A DIAG WOULD BE $150, TEARDOWN MY EXPENSE. PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. 10/27 - ENTIRE TRANSMISSION LOCKED - MIDDLE OF BUSY PROSPECT STREET IN CAMBRIDGE. VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. TAKEN TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP, 900 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. IRA DODGE SAID COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT DISCOUNTING THE LABOR. THEY ASKED ME TO CONTACT MOPAR WARRANTY. CALLED MOPAR SERVICE 11/2/05, TOLD MY STORY, NO RECORD OF MY CALL ON 8/20/05. TRANSFERRED TO A "SENIOR STAFF AGENT" (EDDIE - EMPLOYEE #9EW) IN THE BUSINESS OFFICE - HE CALLED THE DEALER WHILE I WAS ON HOLD. WHEN HE CAME BACK TO THE LINE HE WAS NO LONGER FRIENDLY, SAYING I WAS BEYOND MY WARRANTY AND THAT DODGE WOULD NOT COVER ANYTHING. ARGUED WITH "EDDIE", ASKED FOR SUPERVISOR. EDDIE DECLINED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10141584

Incident

Oct 27, 2005

Mileage

151,000 mi

1997 DODGE CARAVAN TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES.*MR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS REMOVED, THE MECHANIC FOUND METAL CONTAMINATION AND BROKEN PARTS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10133426

Incident

Mar 1, 2003

TRANSMISSION IS BEING REBUILT AGAIN THIS IS MY THIRD TRANSMISSION.THE ORIGINAL WAS REPLACED AT 16,500 MILES WITH A REMANUFACTURED FROM CHRYSLER TRANSMISSION,WHICH AN INDEPENDANT SHOP PURCHASED FROM DARROW DODGE AND HAS INSTALLED IT,AND NOW ONLY AFTER 31,000 MILES FIRST GEAR WENT OUT ON IT AND IT IS BEING REBUILT NOW.THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ID

10127429

Incident

May 27, 2005

Mileage

47,500 mi

DT: TRANSMISSION: CONTACT STATES VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, AND AGAIN AT 50,000 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, THE TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN REBUILT. AT ABOUT 70,000 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. TRANSMISSION SERVICE MECHANIC STATED THAT THESE VANS NEEDED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM INSTALLED.*AK ENGINE: CONTACT STATES THE OIL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FULL OF OIL. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS SAID THERE IS NOT ENOUGH OIL PRESSURE TO KEEP OIL ON THE BEARINGS.

NHTSA ID

10124079

Incident

May 30, 2005

1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SUFFERED TRANSMISSION FAILURE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR IN JAN 2005 THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS CHANCE THAT REPLACING THE FLUID AND FILTER MIGHT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM REMAINED AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WOULD BE FOR THE SECOND TIME. *JB

NHTSA ID

10119205

Incident

Jun 1, 2002

Mileage

59,800 mi

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO SECOND GEAR. DEALER STATED TRANSMISSION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10075471

Incident

May 31, 2004

Mileage

113,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10072595

Incident

May 10, 2004

Mileage

90,000 mi

A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD EITHER FROM THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE NOISE OCCURED WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. DEALERSHIP WASN'T PROVIDING ANY ASSISTANCE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE NOISE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10065064

Incident

Dec 23, 2003

Mileage

94,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING OVER WATER PUDDLES CONSUMER NOTICED THE SERPENTINE BELT FROZE, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *AK THE POWER STEERING HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE GEARS WOULD SLIP WHEN SHIFTED, THE WATER PUMP LEAKED, THE BELT TENSIONER FELL APART, THE CONSUMER WOULD LOSE THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER,THE A/C DID NOT BLOW COOL AIR DUE TO A LEAKING EVAPORATOR, AND THE BELT TENSIONER WOULD STICK AND MAKE NOISES WHEN DRIVING THROUGH WATER. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10057730

Mileage

11,475 mi

WE BOUGHT THIS VAN ONE YEAR AGO AND SO FAR WE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OXYGEN SENSOR, SPEED SENSOR, HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHENEVER THEY WANT NOT JUST THE 16 MPH THING, BALL JOINTS ARE CLUNKING, THE CD PLAYER QUIT AND THEN SOON AFTER FM RADIO ONLY AM WORKS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10056554

Incident

Feb 4, 2004

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING GEARS. DEALER'S MECHANIC RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ID

10053730

Mileage

49,500 mi

I CONSIDER OURSELVES FORTUNATE AFTER SCOURING THRU THE NUMEROUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ON THE 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN 1999 WITH 23,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS MAINLY USED TO TRANSPORT MYSELF AND OUR THREE CHILDREN ALL UNDER THE AGE OF 6 AT THE TIME, BUT NOW MY HUSBAND DRIVES IT BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. WE TO HAVE HAD THE INTERMITENT GHOST WIPERS EVER SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICHLE AND WERE CONSTANTLY TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG OR COULD BE FOUND TO BE WRONG. WE HAVE WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS REPLACED THE DRIVE BELT, THE WATER PUMP, & TIMING BELT DUE TO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION AT 123,000 MILES JUST WENT OUT ON MY HUSBAND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WE ARE TOLD THAT IT WILL COST $1,500 TO FIX. WE HAVE CHOSEN TO GET IT FIXED, BUT AT THE TIME OF THAT DECISION DID NOT REALIZE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CHRYSLER TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE VAN LEFT MY HUSBAND STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BEFORE CHRYSLER IS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE DEFECTS? I DO NOT LIKE THE FACT THAT MY HUSBAND WILL BE DRIVING THIS VEHICHLE AGAIN, ONCE THE TRAMISSION IS REPAIRED. AS I STATED ABOVE I CONSIDER OURSELVES ONE OF THE FORTUNATE ONES TO NOT HAVE EXPERIENCED SO MANY PROBLEMS AS OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD WITH THEIR VEHICHLES, BUT WHEN WILL THE TIME COME TO HOLD CHRYSLER RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SHODY WORKMANSHIP? I CAN HONESTLY SAY THIS IS THE FIRST AND WILL BE THE LAST CHRYSLER CAR I EVER OWN. MY OTHER CAR IS A FORD F-150, WHICH I AM VERY PROUD TO DRIVE! *AK

NHTSA ID

10050696

Incident

Dec 13, 2003

Mileage

123,000 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 39,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10050412

Incident

Dec 9, 2003

Mileage

39,000 mi

PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION ON 1997 DODGE CARAVAN.*MR IGNITION TUMBLE WAS REPLACED, FAN ASSEMBLY.*TS

NHTSA ID

10044854

WE HAVE HAD OUR VEHICLE SINCE 1999 AND HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE. THIS IS OUR THIRD CHRYSLER/DODGE VAN AND THIS IS THE SECOND OF THE THREE TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE FIRST HAD THEM AT 37,000 MILES AND THIS ONE IS HAVING THEM AT 71,000 MILES. WE WERE SMART ENOUGH TO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR BOTH VEHICLES, UNFORTUNATELY, ON THE CURRENT VAN THE WARRANTY RAN OUT LAST MONTH...BESIDES THE POOR ENGINEERING OF THE TRANSMISSIONS THIS VAN HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE ROD AND FRONT END NOISE AS WELL AS GOING THROUGH FRONT BRAKES RELATIVELY QUICKLY (WE DO NOT DRIVE IT ROUGHLY AND IT IS MAINLY USED TO TRANSPORT OUR KIDS AROUND OUR COMMUNITY APPROXIMATELY. 12000 MILES OR LESS A YEAR SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT. *LA

NHTSA ID

10043534

Incident

Oct 21, 2003

Mileage

70,502 mi

TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A TRANSMISSION TO BE SERVICED, PICKED MY CAR UP A HOUR LATER.HE TRANSMISSION LOCKED ON ME. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER SHOP. THE TOTAL OST OF REPAIRS WAS $1400.00.*AK

NHTSA ID

10037135

Incident

Aug 16, 2003

Mileage

83,000 mi

CONSUMER STATES THAT TRANSMISSION IS USELESS. TRANSMISSION HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND ANOTHER ONE IS NEEDED. CONSUMER COMPLAINS THAT THERE IS A BURNING RUBBER SMELL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, AND WHEN EVER THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10032053

Incident

May 7, 2003

Mileage

38,200 mi

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING LOST OF ACCELERATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID

10018167

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FOWARD, UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10012452

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FOWARD, UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10012450

TRANSMISSION FAIL TO MOVE VEHICLE, ACCOMPANIED BY WHIRRING SOUND.*PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770862

NHTSA ID

10006831

Mileage

70,200 mi