2000 Dodge Caravan Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH THE CONTACT SUDDENLY NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS HEAVILY LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION PIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT SEEMED AS IF THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE TENSION AND IDLE PULLEY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, SHE NOTICED A SQUEAKING NOISE WHICH SHE PRESUMED WAS IN THE BRAKE AREA WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 138,830. UPDATED 4/30/10 *CN TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 06/28/10*JB

Belt under hood keeps falling off and or breaking car seizes up and locks up almost crashed a few times Also engine problems smokes a lot wipers don’t work windows won’t go down also transmission jerks when driving

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED FOR THE THIRD TIME. AFTER THE PREVIOUS FAILURES, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (EASTCHESTER CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE, 4007 BOSTON ROAD, BRONX, NY) AND A REPAIR APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. AFTER TWO HOURS OF WAITING AT THE DEALER'S, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. ALSO, WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, OIL FUMES WERE NOTICED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,444. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 25 MPH THE DRIVERS SEAT ALL OF SUDDEN FELL BACK (THE TOP SEAT) AND WONT STAY UP IN POSITION. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS FAULTY DUE TO A MECHANISM NOT BEING ATTACH CORRECTLY. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE SEAT FIXED DUE TO HIGH COSTS. ALSO THE REAR CHASSIS BRAKE TUBE SEEM TO RUST EXTREMELY AND CREATE ITSELF A HOLE.

I WAS IN MY DRIVE WAY BACKING OUT TO GET ON THE THE ROAD. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I SAW A TRAIL OF FLUID ON THE DRIVEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND PARK THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK A LOOK UNDER THE CAR I SAW A POOL OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE BREAK FLUID AND FLUID LEAKING FROM THE JUCTION TYPE BOX UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST BEHIND THE FRONT TIRE. UPON FURTHER INVETIGATION VIA THE INTERNET I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL. LUCKY FOR ME IT HAPPENED BEFORE I LEFT THE DRIVEWAY OTHERWISE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN QUITE COSTLY OR EVEN FATAL. *JS

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION- WHILE DRIVING ALONG I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD NOISE (BOOM) FROM REAR OF VEHICLE-VEHICLE THEN SWERVED WILDLY OUT OF CONTROL SPINNING AROUND AND TAKING DOWN SIGNS, MAILBOX-AFTER LOOKING AT VAN IT IS APPARENT THAT THE REAR AXLE SLID BACKWARDS IN WHEEL WELL. WHILE BODY IS RUST FREE, UNDERCARRIAGE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST IN SPRING HANGER AREA-VAN HAS BEEN PARKED ON PAVEMENT ITS ENTIRE LIFE.

STRUT TOWERS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RUSTED THROUGH ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC AND OTHERS THAT THE STRUT TOWER MAY FAIL COMPLETELY AND PUSH UP THROUGH THE HOOD, CAUSING ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO DRIVER (ME).

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED FOR THE THIRD TIME. AFTER THE PREVIOUS FAILURES, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

WHEN I TRIED TO PULL MY DODGE CARAVAN (2000) OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AFTER A HEAVY RAINING DAY, I FOUND THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK. I COULD GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD, BUT COULD NOT TURN, OR COULD TURN ONLY VERY SLOWLY (I COULD HEAR THE WHEEL KIND OF MAKING CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TRIED TO TURN). AFTER DRIVING VERY SLOWLY ON THE PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO TURN SLOWLY SEVERAL TIME, THE STEERING FINALLY GOT BACK. I GOOGLED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, MOSTLY WITH A DODGE, BUT ALSO SOME OTHER CARS. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/DODGE-GRAND-CARAVAN/TC37VJLP6MD4POHVJ SINCE I DON'T DRIVE MUCH AND MOSTLY PARK MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, I DON'T HAVE MUCH PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE MORE TIMES AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, BUT IT USUALLY RETURNS NORMAL AFTER I MAKE SEVERAL SMALL TURNS IN THE PARKING LOT. BUT THIS MORNING, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AFTER I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE WITH AN OVERNIGHT RAIN, AND THE WHEEL WAS STILL KIND OF STUCK AFTER I DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES, MAKING SEVERAL TURNS ON PURPOSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S STILL POURING OUTSIDE, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GET THE STEERING BACK TO NORMAL AFTER WORK. SINCE I AM NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, I HOPE THE MANUFACTURER COULD HELP US SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THANKS!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE AIR BAGS AND THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, NECK, BACK, AND HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO MECHANIC FACILITY WITH PENDING DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 296,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE HORN FAILED, AND THE RADIO FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION- WHILE DRIVING ALONG I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD NOISE (BOOM) FROM REAR OF VEHICLE-VEHICLE THEN SWERVED WILDLY OUT OF CONTROL SPINNING AROUND AND TAKING DOWN SIGNS, MAILBOX-AFTER LOOKING AT VAN IT IS APPARENT THAT THE REAR AXLE SLID BACKWARDS IN WHEEL WELL. WHILE BODY IS RUST FREE, UNDERCARRIAGE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST IN SPRING HANGER AREA-VAN HAS BEEN PARKED ON PAVEMENT ITS ENTIRE LIFE.

9/8/2008 I WAS TRAVELING ON IR80 & I MUST OF SWERVED A BIT & THE VAN STRUCK A DOT PADDLE MARKER @ HUMBOLDT MILE MARKER 45 IN NEVADA. THE VAN BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES & OVERTURNED SIDEWAYS AT LEAST 4 TIMES. MY MOTHER & FATHER PARRISHED AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT, BURNED SO MUCH THEY COULDN'T RECOGNIZE THEIR GENDER. MY WIFE & I ESCAPED WITH HER GETTING SEVERELY BURNED ABOUT 76% & I ABOUT 68%, WE WAS TRANSPORTED TO HUMBOLTD HOSPITAL THEN AIR TRANSPORTED TO U OF U BURN CENTER SALT LAKE CITY UTAH WHERE SHE SPENT ABOUT 7 MONTHS IN CCU BURN UNIT & I ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE MARKER POST WAS UPROOTED & STRUCK THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VAN & DETACHED THE FUEL LINE THEN PUNCTURED THE CROSS MEMBER & DEPOSITING THE FUEL LINE IN THE HOLE THE FIRE STARTED THEN WE OVERTURNED WITH A SERIES OF EXPLOSIONS. A MECHANIC EXPLAINED THE SEVERED FUEL LINE WAS A RETURN LINE FROM THE EVAP.CANISTER TO THE FUEL TANK & THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM STAYED AT 49 PSI BEING FED BY AN ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP I REMEMBER DRIVING SPEAKING WITH MY FATHER, MY WIFE & MOM WAS SLEEPING IN THE BACK SEAT THEN I WOKE UP ON FIRE TRYING TO ESCAPE THE WRECKAGE, I HOLLERED @ MY WIFE & I ROLLED OUT OF THE VAN. MY WIFE CHECKED MOM SHE WAS DEAD THEN ANOTHER EXPLOSION BLEW MY WIFE TO THE FRONT SEAT BETWEEN WHERE MY DAD & I SAT, SHE GRABBED DAD BUT HE WOULDN'T COME CAUSE OF MOM. TWO PEOPLE MOVED MY WIFE AFTER MY FATHER SHOVED HER OUT. I STARTED BACK TO THE VAN WHEN ANOTHER EXPLOSION ENGULFED MY FATHER. I DROPPED TO MY KNEES & TOLD A BYSTANDER I JUST KILLED MY MOTHER & FATHER. MY CHILDREN & FAMILY HIRED A BIG TIME LAWYER & IT WAS LOOKING GOOD UNTIL CHRYSLER FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY & CLEARED THEM FROM ALL LAWSUITS PRIOR TO THEIR BANKRUPTCY. MY LAWYER HAD TO WALK AWAY WITH A $30,000 LOSS, SHE WAS 44 & I WAS 48 YEARS OLD PRIME TIME OF OUR LIFE WE STILL BATTLE HEALTH ISSUES FROM THE BURNS & NEVER GOT A RED CENT FROM CHRYSLER. *TR

THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE CHILD SEAT BELT BECAME JAMMED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET HIS NEPHEW OUT OF THE SEAT. *TR

2000 DODGE MINI VAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT BECAME TOO TIGHT AROUND A CHILD PASSENGER. THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS.*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE BOX MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP TO 3,000 RPMS. *JS

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 25 MPH THE DRIVERS SEAT ALL OF SUDDEN FELL BACK (THE TOP SEAT) AND WONT STAY UP IN POSITION. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS FAULTY DUE TO A MECHANISM NOT BEING ATTACH CORRECTLY. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE SEAT FIXED DUE TO HIGH COSTS. ALSO THE REAR CHASSIS BRAKE TUBE SEEM TO RUST EXTREMELY AND CREATE ITSELF A HOLE.

DT: CONTACT STATES THE LEVER ON THE SEAT THAT IS USED TO RECLINE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. THIS HAPPENED ON 8-16-05. THE DEALER WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *AK THE CONSUMER COULD NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE SEAT LEVER FIXED. *NM

TREAD SEPARATION FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING ON PARKWAY AT ABOUT 58MPH. TIRE BRAND IS COOPER TIRE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CRASH OR INJURIES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WEATHER HANDLER LS TIRES, SIZE: 205/75R14. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER DRIVER INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT THE INNER SIDEWALL WAS PUNCTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND NEW TIRES WERE ORDERED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,813. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,473. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE FOLLOWING REQUEST WAS RECEIVED FROM THE NTSB WEB SITE: MESSAGE: VAN ACCIDENT INCIDENT - 2000 DODGE VAN 2500 ON TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012 AROUND 4PM, I WAS ON MY WAY TO MARYVILLE TO PICK UP A TV. TRAVELING SOUTH ON EBENEZER ROAD, I ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTING IT AT 45 MPH. APPROACHING NORTH SHORE IN THE RIGHT LANE, I SAW 4-6 CARS WAITING AT THE LIGHT. I TAP THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IMMEDIATELY FELT THE VAN ACCELERATION. I TURNED INTO THE LEFT LANE TO MISS THE CARS IN THE RIGHT LANE. I REPOSITION MY FOOT BY LIFTING IT UP THINKING THAT I HAD PRESS BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE, AND PRESS IT BACK ON THE BRAKE. THE VAN WAS STILL ACCELERATING AND I THOUGHT TO MYSELF WHY WAS IT STILL ACCELERATING? BY THAT TIME, I WAS IN THE INTERSECTION AND HAD NO CONTROL. I HIT A POLE AND GUARD RAIL ON THE FAR SIDE OF NORTH SHORE. I DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE. ALL OF THIS TOOK AROUND 10 SECONDS. THE VAN WAS TOTALED! ARE THERE OTHERS REPORTED WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. ONE TIME, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL POLE AND THE SECOND TIME, IT ACCELERATED INTO BUSHES AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A FENSE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES AND THE LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,444. UPDATED 01/06/11*LJ UPDATED 03.28.11

Belt under hood keeps falling off and or breaking car seizes up and locks up almost crashed a few times Also engine problems smokes a lot wipers don’t work windows won’t go down also transmission jerks when driving

TODAY I WAS ON AN URBAN FREEWAY IN HEAVY DOWNPOUR. THE DOWNPOUR WAS SO HEAVY RAIN COULD BE SEEN RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. TRAFFIC WAS WIDE SPREAD, BUT MOVING AT 45-50 MPH, DUE TO THE RAIN. MY WIPERS, AT THE HIGHEST SETTING, SLOW DOWN. CAR DINGS. BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. I TURN OFF THE DEFROSTER (AC AND VENTILATION), REDUCE WIPER SPEED SETTING, SWITCH FROM HEADLIGHTS TO RUNNING LIGHTS, ALL TO REDUCE ELECTRICAL LOAD. I THEN NOTICE THAT THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. IT WAS REALLY SCARY. TRUE FEAR. THE FEAR WHICH WE DO NOT OFTEN ENCOUNTER. I SAFELY GOT THE VEHICLE OFF THE FREEWAY. NO FURTHER FAILURE OF SYSTEMS. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SHOP I KNEW OF, WITH CAUTION LIGHTS ON. I THERE LEARNED THAT THE ACCESSORY BELT HAD COME OFF OF THE ENGINE, DUE TO THE RAIN. THE BELT WAS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION, SO THEY SLID THE SAME BELT BACK ON. I WILL HAVE MY PREFERRED MECHANIC INSTALL AN "ANTI SLIP" TENSIONER, BELT, AND PULLEY THIS WEEKEND. THIS ISSUE, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPING OFF THE ENGINE IN RAIN AND SNOW, IS KNOWN TO CHRYSLER, AND KNOWN TO THE NHTSA. BUT IT WAS NOT KNOWN TO ME UNTIL IT THREATENED MY SAFETY, AND THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORISTS AROUND ME. IF I HAD BEGUN GOING AROUND A CURVE WHILE SWITCHING OFF ACCESSORIES, DRIVING ONE HANDED WITH A FAILED POWER STEERING SYSTEM BEFORE I KNEW IT HAD FAILED, I COULD HAVE WRECKED. WHY ONE HANDED? BECAUSE I WAS TURNING OFF ACCESSORIES BECAUSE I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS WRONG, BECAUSE THE WARNING THE CAR PROVIDED SUGGESTED THAT WAS WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING TO KEEP MY CAR FROM STALLING. I DON'T KNOW WHY NHTSA DECIDED THIS DID NOT MERIT A RECALL. THEY WERE WRONG. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT MONEY (TO IMPLEMENT THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA WON'T SHARE) CAN FIX WHAT WENT WRONG TODAY. DON'T OPERATE A GEN III CHRYSLER MINIVAN WITHOUT A BELT UPGRADE. WE CANNOT CONTROL WHEN IT RAINS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMALLY STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06VE091000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000.

9/8/2008 I WAS TRAVELING ON IR80 & I MUST OF SWERVED A BIT & THE VAN STRUCK A DOT PADDLE MARKER @ HUMBOLDT MILE MARKER 45 IN NEVADA. THE VAN BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES & OVERTURNED SIDEWAYS AT LEAST 4 TIMES. MY MOTHER & FATHER PARRISHED AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT, BURNED SO MUCH THEY COULDN'T RECOGNIZE THEIR GENDER. MY WIFE & I ESCAPED WITH HER GETTING SEVERELY BURNED ABOUT 76% & I ABOUT 68%, WE WAS TRANSPORTED TO HUMBOLTD HOSPITAL THEN AIR TRANSPORTED TO U OF U BURN CENTER SALT LAKE CITY UTAH WHERE SHE SPENT ABOUT 7 MONTHS IN CCU BURN UNIT & I ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE MARKER POST WAS UPROOTED & STRUCK THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VAN & DETACHED THE FUEL LINE THEN PUNCTURED THE CROSS MEMBER & DEPOSITING THE FUEL LINE IN THE HOLE THE FIRE STARTED THEN WE OVERTURNED WITH A SERIES OF EXPLOSIONS. A MECHANIC EXPLAINED THE SEVERED FUEL LINE WAS A RETURN LINE FROM THE EVAP.CANISTER TO THE FUEL TANK & THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM STAYED AT 49 PSI BEING FED BY AN ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP I REMEMBER DRIVING SPEAKING WITH MY FATHER, MY WIFE & MOM WAS SLEEPING IN THE BACK SEAT THEN I WOKE UP ON FIRE TRYING TO ESCAPE THE WRECKAGE, I HOLLERED @ MY WIFE & I ROLLED OUT OF THE VAN. MY WIFE CHECKED MOM SHE WAS DEAD THEN ANOTHER EXPLOSION BLEW MY WIFE TO THE FRONT SEAT BETWEEN WHERE MY DAD & I SAT, SHE GRABBED DAD BUT HE WOULDN'T COME CAUSE OF MOM. TWO PEOPLE MOVED MY WIFE AFTER MY FATHER SHOVED HER OUT. I STARTED BACK TO THE VAN WHEN ANOTHER EXPLOSION ENGULFED MY FATHER. I DROPPED TO MY KNEES & TOLD A BYSTANDER I JUST KILLED MY MOTHER & FATHER. MY CHILDREN & FAMILY HIRED A BIG TIME LAWYER & IT WAS LOOKING GOOD UNTIL CHRYSLER FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY & CLEARED THEM FROM ALL LAWSUITS PRIOR TO THEIR BANKRUPTCY. MY LAWYER HAD TO WALK AWAY WITH A $30,000 LOSS, SHE WAS 44 & I WAS 48 YEARS OLD PRIME TIME OF OUR LIFE WE STILL BATTLE HEALTH ISSUES FROM THE BURNS & NEVER GOT A RED CENT FROM CHRYSLER. *TR

WHEN I TRIED TO PULL MY DODGE CARAVAN (2000) OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AFTER A HEAVY RAINING DAY, I FOUND THE POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK. I COULD GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD, BUT COULD NOT TURN, OR COULD TURN ONLY VERY SLOWLY (I COULD HEAR THE WHEEL KIND OF MAKING CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TRIED TO TURN). AFTER DRIVING VERY SLOWLY ON THE PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO TURN SLOWLY SEVERAL TIME, THE STEERING FINALLY GOT BACK. I GOOGLED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, MOSTLY WITH A DODGE, BUT ALSO SOME OTHER CARS. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/DODGE-GRAND-CARAVAN/TC37VJLP6MD4POHVJ SINCE I DON'T DRIVE MUCH AND MOSTLY PARK MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, I DON'T HAVE MUCH PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE MORE TIMES AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, BUT IT USUALLY RETURNS NORMAL AFTER I MAKE SEVERAL SMALL TURNS IN THE PARKING LOT. BUT THIS MORNING, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AFTER I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE WITH AN OVERNIGHT RAIN, AND THE WHEEL WAS STILL KIND OF STUCK AFTER I DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES, MAKING SEVERAL TURNS ON PURPOSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S STILL POURING OUTSIDE, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GET THE STEERING BACK TO NORMAL AFTER WORK. SINCE I AM NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, I HOPE THE MANUFACTURER COULD HELP US SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THANKS!

THE FOLLOWING REQUEST WAS RECEIVED FROM THE NTSB WEB SITE: MESSAGE: VAN ACCIDENT INCIDENT - 2000 DODGE VAN 2500 ON TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012 AROUND 4PM, I WAS ON MY WAY TO MARYVILLE TO PICK UP A TV. TRAVELING SOUTH ON EBENEZER ROAD, I ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTING IT AT 45 MPH. APPROACHING NORTH SHORE IN THE RIGHT LANE, I SAW 4-6 CARS WAITING AT THE LIGHT. I TAP THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IMMEDIATELY FELT THE VAN ACCELERATION. I TURNED INTO THE LEFT LANE TO MISS THE CARS IN THE RIGHT LANE. I REPOSITION MY FOOT BY LIFTING IT UP THINKING THAT I HAD PRESS BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE, AND PRESS IT BACK ON THE BRAKE. THE VAN WAS STILL ACCELERATING AND I THOUGHT TO MYSELF WHY WAS IT STILL ACCELERATING? BY THAT TIME, I WAS IN THE INTERSECTION AND HAD NO CONTROL. I HIT A POLE AND GUARD RAIL ON THE FAR SIDE OF NORTH SHORE. I DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE. ALL OF THIS TOOK AROUND 10 SECONDS. THE VAN WAS TOTALED! ARE THERE OTHERS REPORTED WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL? *TR

DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM THE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ONTO THE ENTRANCE RAMP OF C270. THE POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP, GENERATOR FAILED. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE. *TR

ON AUG. 19 MY HUSBAND HEARD A VERY FAINT "PING" ABOUT A 2 MILES FROM HOME. NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG AND HE FELT IT MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING MOVING AROUND IN THE CAR. ON AUG. 20, AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING UNDER THE HOOD SELF-DESTRUCTING, THE ODOMETER AND RPM GAUGE WENT WACKY, AND I HAD NO POWER. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE PERHAPS 50 YARDS FROM AN AUTO SERVICE CENTER AND COASTED INTO THE DRIVEWAY LEAKING FLUID AND FLINGING PARTS. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN APART. HAD I BEEN ON A FREEWAY I WOULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE. FROM TALKING TO MECHANICS IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT AND DODGE MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSIONS WERE NOT MODIFIED, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. WE WERE TOLD THAT AFTER MARKET PARTS FROM ANOTHER COMPANY HAD THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED. (WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE. CAN WE EVER EXPECT DODGE TO PAY FOR A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION?) NOTE: THE MILEAGE AND SPEED ARE APPROXIMATE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING WARM AIR WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EVAPORATOR CORD FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 09/18/07. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR LOCKED. THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED. THE AIR CONDITIONER NO LONGER WORKED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE FRONTAL HEADLIGHTS WAS FOGGING CAUSING IT TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO VIEW THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 07/13/16*LJ UPDATED 07/25/16.*JB

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE NOTICED MY HEADLIGHT LENS WERE FOGGING UP TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WERE NOT FUNCTIONING SAFELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY USED AN EMULSIFIER LIQUID TO PARTIALLY RESTORE THE LENSES. THEN I NOTICED THAT OTHER CARS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM WHEN THE MANUFACTURERS USED GLASS LENSES. NOW THEY USE PLASTIC. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE AUTO MANUFACTURERS TO PLACE SAFE NO-FOG LENSES IN THEIR NEW VEHICLES?