1996 Dodge Grand Caravan Airbags Problems

THE VAN WILL START THEN IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF. IT DOES THIS MORE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. IF YOU LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE SHADE IT WILL START AND GET YOU TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION. IF THE WEATHER IS TOO HOT IT WON'T START UNTIL THE WEATHER CHANGES TO COOLER. I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER, TWO COMPUTERS, GOT THE CIRCUIT BOARD COLD SOLDERED. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND CAN'T REMEMBER ALL THE REST. IT STILL HAS THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON. THERE IS A WEB SITE TOPIX.COM THAT HAS A FORUM JUST FOR THIS PROBLEM. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT COMPLETELY. SOME ONE SOME WHERE HAS GOT TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THE CLOCK SPRING IS UNDER RECALL. ONCE YOU GET THE RECALL DONE AFTER A FEW YEARS THE SPRING BREAKS AGAIN AND THEY DON'T FIX IT AGAIN. SO I NO LONGER HAVE A HORN OR AIRBAGS THAT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10233766

Incident

May 6, 2003

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH DOWNHILL IN THE SNOW, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE REAPPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY LOCKED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STRUCK A TREE HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE, BUT WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE ERROR CODES REVEALED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN A CRASH, WHICH IS POSSIBLY WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,552 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,500.

NHTSA ID

10221428

Incident

Mar 7, 2007

Mileage

200,500 mi

- 96 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN W/3.8 V6 AND 41TE 4SPD TRANSMISION - 2 TRANSMISSION FAILURES - 1ST WENT TO ABOUT 125000, THEN KEPT HITTING THE "LIMP HOME MODE" - 2ND HAS "TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKUP" PROBLEM, SHOPS SAY REBUILD AGAIN, AFTER ONLY 38000 MILES. - FAN RELAY WENT OUT BEFORE RECALL WAS ISSUED, HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR OUT OF POCKET. - HAD CLOCK SPRING REPLACED AFTER COMPONENT FAILURE RELATING TO IT (HORN, CRUISE ETC) - UNION CITY GA DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE FUEL RETURN LINE ISSUE, BOTCHED IT UP AND CAUSED MAJOR LEAK WHEN REFUELING. THEY RE-FIXED IT AFTER MUCH COMPLAINING. *AK

NHTSA ID

10110774

Incident

Nov 14, 2004

Mileage

165,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONSUMER HIT A DEER. WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE OWNER NOTICE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NO REPORT OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND. NO INJURIES REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10099186

Incident

Oct 28, 2004

Mileage

130,000 mi

SERPENTINE BELT OR TENSIONER CLIP HAS HAD TO BE REPAIRED 4 TIMES (TOWED EVERY TIME) ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE BEGINNING; TURN THE KEY AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START GOING, TURN THE KEY OFF AND THE WIPERS "KEEP" GOING, TAKE THE KEY TOTALLY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE WIPERS GO AND THE "DINGING" ALARM THAT TELLS YOU THE LIGHTS ARE ON OR THE KEY IS IN, STARTS.(I SERIOUSLY THOUGHT THE CAR WAS POSSESSED) OR TURN THE KEY AND "NOTHING" COMES ON EXCEPT THE ENGINE. I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY 5 TIMES AT LEAST - IT'S USUALLY BETTER W/ A NEW BATTERY FOR A LITTLE WHILE. HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WINDOW MOTOR AND ASSEMBLY REPLACED ON DRIVERS SIDE TWICE AND 5 TIMES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MOST RECENT WAS 4/04, WHICH WAS REPLACED 7/04 AGAIN. THE SIDE SLIDING DOORS ON BOTH SIDE DO NOT LOCK, IF YOU PUSH THE BUTTON DOWN, YOU CAN'T GET IT BACK UP. THE REAR HATCH IS DAMAGED FROM CLOSING THE DOOR, LOOKS LIKE I WAS HIT IN THE REAR, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR MONTHS IN FALL '03, NO MECHANIC COULD SAY WHY. WANTED TO GET THE A/C CHARGED BUT IT WOULDN'T HOLD A CHARGE. DEALER COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SAID THE A/C UNIT WAS TOTALLY MELTED. HAD IT REPLACED AND THEN THE COMPUTER RESET. REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 100000, THE "PLANTATARY GEARS" WERE CRACKED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN IN 7/04, FAILED EMISIONS, REPLACED O2 SENSOR, LIGHT STILL ON, TACK STICKS AND CAR WON'T ACCELERATE AT TIMES - I CAN PUSH IT TO THE FLOOR AND IT WON'T GO?? FEELS LIKE IT'S CHOKING, NO POWER. HAVE A 3.8L, SHOULD HAVE POWER. THERE IS NO PANEL/DOOR FOR PASS. AIRBAG TO COME OUT. IF I EVER GOT IN AN ACCIDENT, WHAT WOULD IT DO...JUST BUST THROUGH MY DASH? OVER TIME, THE DASH ON THAT SIDE HAS GOTTEN SOFT AND MUSHY, WHAT'S THAT ABOUT? MY DAD BOUGHT THE SAME YEAR CARAVAN I DID, BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE THE GRAND CARAVAN LE AND HE DOESN'T HAVE THE 3.8L AND HE HASN'T HAD A SINGLE PROBLEM...I GUESS I GOT ALL OF THEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

10082978

Incident

Jul 1, 2004

Mileage

500 mi

WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10079706

Incident

Jun 17, 2004

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AFTER THE DODGE CARAVAN SUSTAINED A HEAD ON COLLISION. 96 DODGE G. CARAVAN. *AK

NHTSA ID

10078708

Incident

Jun 20, 2004

Mileage

40 mi

WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. ALSO, HORN DIDN'T NOT WORK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10065374

Incident

Mar 31, 2004

"AIR BAG" LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED (KNOWN PROBLEM), THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL ACTIVATE UPON PUSHING THE BUTTON, BUT THE CANCEL BUTTON WHEN PUSHED DOES NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL...THE DEACTIVATION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL REQUIRES THE BRAKE TO BE APPLIED. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON WET ROADS, USING CRUISE CONTROL, AND HAVING TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL VIA THE BRAKES....CAN BE A BIT OF A CHALLENGE...THANKS!! - STEVE DOWLING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10058700

Incident

Feb 17, 2004

Mileage

114,800 mi

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL HAS GONE OUT. I HAVE 3 OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FIX IF SO MANY OTHER SAME YEAR VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I EVEN FOUND A WEBSITE WITH MANY OTHERS LISTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RECENTLY RETURNED FROM KUWAIT IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND WHEN I BEGAN DRIVING MY VAN AGAIN THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN TAKE TO A DEALER NEAR ME TO HAVE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE? *LA

NHTSA ID

10052359

Incident

Jun 1, 2003

Mileage

96,000 mi

REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL CLOCKSPRING REPAIR ON DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *MR THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCED CLOCK SPRING FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT AND RECEIVED IT BUT THE CONSUMER ALSO WANTS TO BE COMPENSATED FOR OTHER EXPENSES. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ID

10046281

Incident

Aug 18, 2002

1996 GRAND CARAVAN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO RECALL NOTICE . FUEL RAIL AND AIR BAGS. AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON CONTINUOUSLY, TECHNICIAN REPLACED CLOCKSPRING BUT AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO BE ON. IT WAS THAT THE SAID AIR BAG MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. APPARENTLY, THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. AIR BAG MODULE REPLACEMENT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $400.00. THIS SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED BY RECALL, AS MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *LA

NHTSA ID

10041806

Incident

Oct 11, 2003

VEHICLE'S AIR BAG FAILED ON 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN.*MR IN APRIL 2001 THE VEHICLES AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG ALONG WITH THE CLOCKSPRING. THE CONSUMER PAID $842.92 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IN JANUARY 2001 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER $152. WHICH THEY DEEMED WAS ENOUGH TO COVER THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER CONTESTED THE AMOUNT OF THE REIMBURSEMENT BUT HAS NOT HEARD FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE MATTER. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10042158

Incident

Apr 1, 2001

Mileage

80,806 mi

CHRYSLER'S IMPROPER ACTION ON AIR BAG RECALL #02V293000 . WHEN SYMPTOMS APPEARED 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS RECALL, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH THE CLOCK SPRING AND AIR BAG, BASED ON CHRYSLER'S BEST SERVICE INFORMATION. AT THE TIME I COMPLAINED TO A REGIONAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATING THAT AIR BAGS RARELY GO BAD AND ONLY NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER ACTIVATION. HE AGREED BY COMPENSATING HALF OF THE TOTAL REPAIR COST. LO AND BEHOLD THIS RECALL SHOWS UP IDENTIFYING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I SUBMITTED THE PROPER PAPERWORK TO CHRYSLER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECALL AND THEY DENIED THE AIR BAG PORTION OF MY REPAIR STATING IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I FEEL TOTAL CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE ENTIRE REPAIR AS THIS WAS THEIR ORIGINAL SOLUTION TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I FELT MY HANDS WERE TIED AT THE TIME OF REPAIR BECAUSE I WANTED THE SAFETY OF HAVING THE AIR BAG FOR MY FAMILY AND WAS ACTUALLY AFRAID OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT. YOU SHOULD DIRECT CHRYSLER TO PROVIDE FULL REMEDY QUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROGRAM. DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO SHIRK THIS OBLIGATION.

NHTSA ID

10028349

Incident

Jul 15, 2003

Mileage

60,000 mi

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 50 TO 55 MPH, WHEN VEHICLE HIT A DEER. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10024767

Mileage

86,000 mi

THE VEHICLE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (NOTIFICATION # B24). THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED AND CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *MR *SCC *NLM

NHTSA ID

10021521

THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED ONE YEAR PRIOR TO RECALL# 02V293000. THE CONSUMER FILED FOR A REFUND WITH CHRYSLER WHICH HE HASN'T RECEIVED. *MR *SCC *NLM

NHTSA ID

10015966

Incident

Feb 1, 2001

RE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V293000. CONSUMER STATES HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERTAIVE, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER REPLACED CLOCKSPRING PER RECALL 02V293000. CONSUMER STATED CHRYSLER HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS WHICH WERE PAID AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TT *NLM

NHTSA ID

10009778

Incident

Aug 7, 2001

Mileage

82,649 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION YET THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *NLM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OPENED BUT WAS DEFLATED. CONSUMER RECEIVED LETTER REGARDING FAULTY AIR BAGS AFTER ACCIDENT. *TT

NHTSA ID

10009828

Incident

Dec 31, 2002

Mileage

120,000 mi

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR NO REASON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS ON. TS

NHTSA ID

10004360

Incident

Sep 20, 2002

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CLOCK SPRING. TS

NHTSA ID

10004202

Incident

Jan 17, 2003

THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON AND STAYING ON. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AFTER WORKING INTERMITTENTLY FOR A MONTH. THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED. THIS WAS RECALLED ON MANY 1996 BUT NOT OUR SERIES. *PH **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770848

NHTSA ID

10006817

Mileage

154,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON CONSTANTLY INDICATING CLOCK SPRING FAILURE ACCORDING TO DEALER. WANTS TO BE PAID FOR FIXING THIS DEFECTIVE PART. SCC **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770792***

NHTSA ID

10006665

AIR BAG LIGHT ON ELECTRICAL FAILURE INTERMITTENT MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO DISCUSS RECALL. DT

NHTSA ID

770099

Incident

Oct 6, 2002

I OWN A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ES. I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 85000 MILES BACK IN 1999. RECENTLY MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE HORN STOPPED WORKING (BUT WOULD SOMETIMES SOUND WHEN MAKING TURNS), THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THIS WAS OVER A FEW 2-3 MONTH PERIOD THIS PAST SUMMER. I ASKED A MECHANIC ABOUT IT, HE SAID IT WAS A RECALL ITEM FROM DODGE. I CALLED THE DODGE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VAN, AND THEY SAID "THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SPRING" IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY CHARGED ME ABOUT 200.00 TO REPLACE THE PART. YESTERDAY I HEARD ON THE RADIO IT IS A RECALL, SO I WANT TO HEAR IT FROM YOU. IS IT A RECALL? IF IT IS, SHOULD THE DEALERSHIP REFUND MY MONEY THAT WAS SPENT REPLACING THE PART. I THINK THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM/DEFECT ALL ALONG! THANKS, LOUIS.--- DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS-----769734. *AK

NHTSA ID

10008551