1999 Dodge Caravan Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the serpentine belt failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer a third time where the serpentine belt was replaced again however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified the third time. Additionally, The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V268000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that a friend had jumped his vehicle due to the battery had failed when gasoline started to spill onto the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times but the contact stated that the service rep disconnected and the call would be redirected. The failure mileage was approximately 202,335.

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to function as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the serpentine belt failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer a third time where the serpentine belt was replaced again however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified the third time. Additionally, The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V268000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that a friend had jumped his vehicle due to the battery had failed when gasoline started to spill onto the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times but the contact stated that the service rep disconnected and the call would be redirected. The failure mileage was approximately 202,335.

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

WHILE DRIVING VAN SPEED WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35MPH, I PULLED OVER TO FIND WIRES BURNING IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTOR HARNESS AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS OF THAT LOCATION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO KNOWN REASON. DODGE TOLD US THAT IT WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE DASH THAT CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO SHUT DOWN. THE TECHNICIANS INSISTED THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT COULD NOT BE REPLICATED ON DEMAND. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY, MOST RECENTLY IN JANUARY 2014, WHEN THE COMPUTER WENT OUT, SHUTTING DOWN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE WHEELS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTINUED FORWARD, WHICH PUSHED THE VEHICLE INTO A CURB, FLATTENING TWO TIRES AND DAMAGING THOSE RESPECTIVE RIMS. ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS INJURED, HAD THERE BEEN A VEHICLE NEXT TO THE VAN, AS OPPOSED TO A HIGH CURB, THE DEFECT IN THE VEHICLES WIRING AND COMPUTER WOULD HAVE CAUSED A COLLISION. THERE IS NEVER ANY WARNING PRIOR TO THE ELECTRICAL AND INSTRUMENT PANEL GOING OUT. THERE IS NO KNOWN TRIGGER THAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NOT TRIGGERED BY GOING OVER A BUMP, DRIVING AT ANY PARTICULAR SPEED, STOPPING OR ACCELERATING. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS, BECAUSE A WITNESS (WHO HAPPENED TO BE A POLICE OFFICER) TO THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT ADVISED US THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND COMMON ISSUE IN DODGE CARAVANS BUILT IN THE LATE 1990S/EARLY 2000S. *TR

REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND BURST WHERE THE STAINLESS STEEL BRAIDED LINES ARE WELDED TO THE REGULAR STEEL LINES ARE CONNECTED, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO DISPERSE AND LOOSE PRESSURE AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD LEAD TO A FATAL ACCIDENT. THANK GOD MY 70 YEAR OLD MOTHER WHO OWNS THE VAN WAS NOT DRIVING IT. *TR

THE FRONT "FLEX" BRAKE LINES ON OUR DODGE CARAVAN APPARENTLY LEAKED BRAKE FLUID WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF MOST OF BRAKING POWER. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN AT SPEED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT CORROSION BETWEEN THE "FLEX" PART OF THE LINE AND THE METAL TUBE PART IS COMMON IN THE 1996 - 2000 YEAR CHRYSLER MINIVANS. TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THOSE LINES WAS $630. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. AFTER SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SPED UP TO 55 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE THEN APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING, THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD ACTIVATE ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRUISE SERVO/ACTUATOR. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED AN ENGAGEMENT SWITCH. UPDATED 09/30/11*JB

MY SUSPENSION BOTTOMS OUT ON ME NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT. MY FRONT SEATS WILL NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH AT DUE TO THE HANDLE MECHANISM BREAKING. MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES DO NOT PUT OUT THE RIGHT BEAM OF LIGHT THE IT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO SEE PROPERLY AT NIGHT. I NEED YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER PLEASE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TOWER STRUT WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MAIN DRIVE BELT WOULD DETACH FROM THE ENGINE AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT BUMPER WOULD SUDDENLY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE AND FALL TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

WHILE REPLACING REAR BRAKE DRUMS IN MY GARAGE, IT BECAME NECESSARY TO JACK THE VEHICLE TO RAISE THE REAR LEFT SIDE AND REMOVE THE REAR LEFT WHEEL. I BROKE THE LUG NUTS LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE GROUND, THEN, USING THE JACK SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE, I FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO POSITION THE JACK IN THE RECOMMENDED LOCATION TOWARD THE LEFT REAR AT THE IDENTIFIED JACKING LOCATION. I RAISED THE VEHICLE JUST ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE WHEEL. AS I WAS SPINNING THE LUG NUTS OFF, THE CAR FELL OFF THE JACK. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE RUST HAD COMPROMISED THE STRUCTURAL METAL AT THE JACKING LOCATION AND THE WEIGHT, WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING RAISED, CRUSHED THE WEAKENED STEEL. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT TOO CLOSE AND WAS NOT CAUGHT UNDER THE WHEEL OR OTHER BODY PART. UPON CLOSE INSPECTION IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR, AT THE RECOMMENDED JACKING LOCATION, HAD BEEN SEVERELY COMPROMISED BY RUST. THE EXTENT OF THE RUST DAMAGE WAS NOT OBVIOUS UNTIL THE CAR FELL OFF THE JACK. AT THAT POINT THE PAINT WHICH HAD BEEN HIDING THE DAMAGE HAD FALLEN OFF AS THE STRUCTURAL STEEL UNDER IT COLLAPSED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR. THERE IS ALSO A RUBBER PAD THAT CONTRIBUTED TO CONCEALMENT OF THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE SINCE IT COVERED MOST OF THE DAMAGED AREA SURROUNDING THE STUD USED TO PROPERLY LOCATE THE TOP OF THE JACK. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY TO ANYONE WHO FOLLOWS THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN CHRYSLER'S OWNER'S MANUAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

"TAKATA RECALL" THGE SERPINTINE BELT KEEPS BREAKING OR COMMING OFF WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. I VE HAD IT REPKACED NUMBEROUS TIMES. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE PULLEY, I CHANGED THAT. AND THE BELT HAS COME OFF AGAIN!

AFTER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR SEAT OF OUR MINIVAN, BEING THAT THEY DON'T' UNLATCH AT CERTAIN TIMES AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT AT TIMES WHEN TRYING TO LATCH THEM, THEY WON'T LATCH UNTIL MUCH DIFFICULTY, I DID A SEARCH FOR INFORMATION ON THEM, AND FIND THAT THESE SEAT BELTS ARE DANGEROUS (GEN 3) I CALLED THE DEALER TO ASK ABOUT HAVING THEM REPLACED AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DO AS THEY WOULD JUST BE THE SAME (VERSION) PUT BACK IN. I WANT THE SEAT BELT REPLACED AS I HAVE 5 CHILDREN AND OFTEN HAVE THEM IN THIS VEHICLE, IT IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT LIKELY THAT WE CAN AFFORD TO HAVE THE CAR REPLACED AT THIS TIME, OR WE CERTAINLY WOULD. *NM

I OWN A DODGE/CHRYSLER CARAVAN. I HAVE GEN3 SEATBELTS WHICH ARE UNSAFE AND I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES, TIRE LINE: ALL SEASON ASSURANCE, TIRE SIZE: 215/65/R15, DOT NUMBER: MD5UJV1R2317. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULL TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TIRE SHOP AND WAS INFORMED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,172.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR THAT TIRE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SYSTEM ON THE OTHER THREE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000.

MY SUSPENSION BOTTOMS OUT ON ME NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT. MY FRONT SEATS WILL NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH AT DUE TO THE HANDLE MECHANISM BREAKING. MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES DO NOT PUT OUT THE RIGHT BEAM OF LIGHT THE IT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO SEE PROPERLY AT NIGHT. I NEED YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER PLEASE. *TR

1999 DODGE CARAVAN DRIVER SEAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the serpentine belt failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer a third time where the serpentine belt was replaced again however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified the third time. Additionally, The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V268000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that a friend had jumped his vehicle due to the battery had failed when gasoline started to spill onto the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times but the contact stated that the service rep disconnected and the call would be redirected. The failure mileage was approximately 202,335.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,875.

OUR BELTS SIPS OFF DURING WET WEATHER"FIVE TIMES WE REPLACED THE "S" BELT AND THE TENSIONERS,WATERPUMP,OVERHEATING OUR 2ND YR OF OWERSHIP.NOW THE 3RD YR OF TRANSMISSIONS LEAKING,THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH W/CHILDREN IN CAR ,STARTING TO BRAKE CAUSING TO SLOW WAY DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND MADE A CHIME SOUND,THE HORN WENT OFF AND IT GOT HOT FAST CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. THANK GOD THERE WAS ROOM TO GET OVER. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR JUST LEAKS EVERYWHERE,WATER,OIL,TRANS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE CARS. I CANT EVEN GET MINE SMOG BECAUSE I HAVE TO KEEP UNPLUGGING MY BATTERY BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SOMEWHERE. I BROUGHT A LEMON.....OH YEAH! I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY CANT REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL UNLESS THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. I HOPE I DON'T DIE CAUSE THE AIRBAGS WONT WORK BECAUSE I HAVE A ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. 2 BATTERIES WERE REPLACED,ALTERNATOR TOO. THE CLOCKSPRING WONT WORK FOR MY CAR ONLY THE CRUISE CONTROL SO SAID THE DEALER. I WOULD FEEL BAD SELLING THIS CAR TO A FAMILY ,CAUSE WHAT IF THEY WERE KILLED. I COULDN'T DEAL WITH THAT. THE DAY THAT HAPPENED WAS ON MY DAUGHTER 16TH BIRTHDAY. I HAD TO STOP EVERYWHERE ALL DAY TO PUT WATER IN THE RADIATOR JUST TO KEEP IT COOL ENOUGH NOT TO RUIN HER DAY. I HATE HOT DAYS,I FEAR THE RAINY DAYS, I CANT SEE AT NIGHT CAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE BURNED OUT AND THE COVERS HAS A GLASS OVER THEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. AFTER THE CONTACT HAD THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WIPERS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

MY SUSPENSION BOTTOMS OUT ON ME NO MATTER WHERE I AM AT. MY FRONT SEATS WILL NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH AT DUE TO THE HANDLE MECHANISM BREAKING. MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES DO NOT PUT OUT THE RIGHT BEAM OF LIGHT THE IT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO SEE PROPERLY AT NIGHT. I NEED YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER PLEASE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO KNOWN REASON. DODGE TOLD US THAT IT WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE DASH THAT CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO SHUT DOWN. THE TECHNICIANS INSISTED THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT COULD NOT BE REPLICATED ON DEMAND. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY, MOST RECENTLY IN JANUARY 2014, WHEN THE COMPUTER WENT OUT, SHUTTING DOWN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE WHEELS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTINUED FORWARD, WHICH PUSHED THE VEHICLE INTO A CURB, FLATTENING TWO TIRES AND DAMAGING THOSE RESPECTIVE RIMS. ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS INJURED, HAD THERE BEEN A VEHICLE NEXT TO THE VAN, AS OPPOSED TO A HIGH CURB, THE DEFECT IN THE VEHICLES WIRING AND COMPUTER WOULD HAVE CAUSED A COLLISION. THERE IS NEVER ANY WARNING PRIOR TO THE ELECTRICAL AND INSTRUMENT PANEL GOING OUT. THERE IS NO KNOWN TRIGGER THAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NOT TRIGGERED BY GOING OVER A BUMP, DRIVING AT ANY PARTICULAR SPEED, STOPPING OR ACCELERATING. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS, BECAUSE A WITNESS (WHO HAPPENED TO BE A POLICE OFFICER) TO THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT ADVISED US THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND COMMON ISSUE IN DODGE CARAVANS BUILT IN THE LATE 1990S/EARLY 2000S. *TR

PREPARING TO EXIT A PARKING LOT, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS ACCIDENTALLY CAUGHT BY MY SLEEVE AND PULLED DOWN TO THE "DRIVE" POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING, BUT IT BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD. BEING ON SOMEWHAT OF A SLOPE, THE VEHICLE PULLED ONTO A BUSY STREET. I GRABBED THE WHEEL TO TURN THE VAN AWAY FROM TRAFFIC, BUT IT HIT AND SCRAPED AGAINST A HIGH CURB, FLATTENING 2 TIRES, DAMAGING THE WHEELS/RIMS OF THOSE TIRES, BENDING A STRUT AND OTHER DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION (I GOT A REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM FIRESTONE, WHICH TOTALED OVER $1,900.00). I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR THE GEAR SHIFT TO MOVE WITHOUT HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT MOVE IT DID AND SO DID THE VAN. OTHER THAN BEING FRIGHTENED AND SHAKEN, WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT NO PHYSICAL INJURIES OCCURRED. HOWEVER, HAD I NOT HAD THAT SPLIT SECOND REACTION TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD COLLISION WITH AT LEAST TWO VEHICLES DRIVING DOWN THE BUSY STREET. WONDERING WHY THE GEAR SHIFT WAS ABLE TO MOVE WITHOUT THE CAR RUNNING AND WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THIS GRIEVOUS OMISSION AND DID NOT WANT TO SPEND THE EXTRA $9.00 PER VAN TO INSTALL A BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. I'M INCREDULOUS! I INTEND TO WRITE TO CHRYSLER IN HOPES OF BEING REIMBURSED FOR THE DAMAGES SUSTAINED TO MY VEHICLE, BUT FIRST WANTED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY. *TR

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAD RECALL IN 2004 TO REPLACE A CLOCKSPRING, BUT DEALER AVOIDED THIS AFTER CUSTOMER'S 3 OR 4 TRIES IN 2004. ON 06-16-2010 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE, (ALL [XXX] BROKE LOOSE!) THE MOTOR HIT HIGH REVOLUTIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY "LOCKED" UP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED AS IT TRAVELED BACKWARDS AND FINALLY HITTING AND TOTALING 2 VEHICLES AT OVER 50 MPH.NOTE: SINCE ABOUT 2007 A BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

PREPARING TO EXIT A PARKING LOT, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS ACCIDENTALLY CAUGHT BY MY SLEEVE AND PULLED DOWN TO THE "DRIVE" POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING, BUT IT BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD. BEING ON SOMEWHAT OF A SLOPE, THE VEHICLE PULLED ONTO A BUSY STREET. I GRABBED THE WHEEL TO TURN THE VAN AWAY FROM TRAFFIC, BUT IT HIT AND SCRAPED AGAINST A HIGH CURB, FLATTENING 2 TIRES, DAMAGING THE WHEELS/RIMS OF THOSE TIRES, BENDING A STRUT AND OTHER DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION (I GOT A REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM FIRESTONE, WHICH TOTALED OVER $1,900.00). I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR THE GEAR SHIFT TO MOVE WITHOUT HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT MOVE IT DID AND SO DID THE VAN. OTHER THAN BEING FRIGHTENED AND SHAKEN, WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT NO PHYSICAL INJURIES OCCURRED. HOWEVER, HAD I NOT HAD THAT SPLIT SECOND REACTION TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD COLLISION WITH AT LEAST TWO VEHICLES DRIVING DOWN THE BUSY STREET. WONDERING WHY THE GEAR SHIFT WAS ABLE TO MOVE WITHOUT THE CAR RUNNING AND WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THIS GRIEVOUS OMISSION AND DID NOT WANT TO SPEND THE EXTRA $9.00 PER VAN TO INSTALL A BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. I'M INCREDULOUS! I INTEND TO WRITE TO CHRYSLER IN HOPES OF BEING REIMBURSED FOR THE DAMAGES SUSTAINED TO MY VEHICLE, BUT FIRST WANTED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY. *TR

I HAVE HAD REPEATED SHREDDING OF THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND SYSTEMS SHUTDOWN (INCLUDING ENGINE) DURING DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. BRAZIL HAS RECALLED THE DODGE MINIVAN FOR THE SAME FAILURES AND DODGE HAS MADE A MODIFICATION KIT (2005) FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DATE TO POST A RECALL IN THE UNITED STATES. I HAVE REPLACED THE BELTS 6 TIMES AND THE TENSIONER 3 TIMES IN 60,000 MILES. I HAVE CALLED DODGE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE CORRECTION OF THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE LAST TENSIONER AND BELT PUT ON AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP ALTHOUGH THEY USED AN OLD STYLE TENSIONER NOT THE NEW KIT EVEN THOUGH THE NEW KIT HAD BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE 2005 AND I HAD THE TENSIONER REPLACED IN 2009. *TR

MY AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING - COMPRESSOR AND EVAPORATOR COIL BOTH WENT OUT ON MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAVE NOT GOT THE MONEY TO FIX IT SO IT IS STILL OUT. IN MY ENTIRE LIFE I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN IN ANY VEHICLE. IT'S RIDICULOUS. *NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK