1996 Dodge Grand Caravan Body & structure Problems

PURCHASED TIRE "AS NEW" FROM GRAVE'S TIRE IN CARTHAGE, TX. COME TO FIND IT WAS 6 YRS OLD WHEN PURCHASED AND DRY ROTTED AS IT BLEW IN 2 MONTHS TIME OF BEING ON THE VEHICLE. TIRE SHOP OWNER (LEO GRAVES) SAYS HE ISN'T HONORING HIS 60,000 MILE/1 YR WARRANTY, THIS HAPPENED TO ANOTHER CUSTOMER OF HIS AND AS FAR AS HE IS CONCERNED, WE BOTH HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. ...UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF UPDATED 11/30/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10735298

Incident

Oct 18, 2013

Mileage

220,300 mi

96 GRAND CARAVAN STRUT MOUNT RUST COULDN'T PASS INSPECTION AND THEY SAID MY KIDS COULD HAVE DIED IF I HAD A ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR RECALL. THE GOVERNMENT INVOLVES IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE UNTIL IT MAKES CORPORATION PAY MONEY TO FIX A KNOWN PROBLEM LET SEE WHAT YOU GUYS DO WITH THIS. SORRY IM UPSET JUST SEEMS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND AS I READ ON THE INTERNET TONS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT IT CAUSED I CALLED THE TO AND SAID IF I HAD A ISSUE TO WRITE TO YOU GUYS BUT MOST LIKELY NOTHING WILL BE DONE. THAT IS A QUOTE FROM A CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10275319

Incident

Jun 28, 2009

Mileage

120,000 mi

STRUT TOWER, DRIVER'S SIDE IS EXTREMELY RUSTED - A HARD BUMP WILL CERTAINLY PUSH THE SUSPENSION SPRING ASSEMBLY THROUGH THE TOP CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10238043

Incident

Aug 13, 2008

Mileage

154,000 mi

1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CORROSION PERFORATION CONDITION AT THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTED. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT END WILL COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED IF THEY DON'T RECALL THESE AND FIX THEM. APPARENTLY CHRYSLER WANTS TO BE NAMED AFTER SOMEONE ELSE ONCE SOMEONE GETS KILLED AND THEN THEY SUE CHRYSLER AND WIN FOR CHRYSLER BEING CARELESS AND CHEAP WHEN BUILDING A VEHICLE. I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1200 TO FIX MY DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE RUST MY KIDS RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE AND I DIDN'T BUILD IT I THINK THE PEOPLE WHO DID SHOULD RECALL IT AND FIX IT FOR US, MINIVANS ARE KID VEHICLES WE DON'T BUY THEM JUST TO RIDE AND LOOK COOL IN THEM THEY TRANSPORT PRECIOUS CARGO OUR KIDS I HAVE THREE AND IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO THEM BECAUSE OF A BAD COMPANY MAKING CHEAP STUFF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO ANSWER TO ME FOR IT. I BOUGHT THE MINIVAN THINKING DODGE WAS A RESPONSIBLE COMPANY AND GOOD COMPANY BUT I AM NOW HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT IT WITH THIS HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10232744

Incident

Jun 30, 2008

Mileage

114,328 mi

THE CUP HOLDER IN SOME VEHICLES IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS, BEVERAGE SPLASHES ONTO THE DASH, IN THIS CASE INTO A COMPUTER BOARD IN THE DASH THROUGH SLOTS IN THE DASH FOR THE HEATER CONTROLS. THE RESULT IS TOTAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER, WINDSHIELD WASHER AND WIPERS, FRONT AND REAR HEATERS, AND AIR CONDITIONING. THE LACK OF ABILITY TO CLEAR THE FRONT AND REAR GLASS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE [XXX]. POSSIBLY SEVERAL BRANDS OF VEHICLE HAVE THIS ENGINEERING DESIGN PROBLEM. THE RESPONSE THAT I GOT FROM CHRYSLER WHEN I ASKED ABOUT REPLACEMENT PARTS IS THAT THE WARRANTY IS FOR THREE YEARS, AND AFTER THAT "TOUGH." THEIR E-MAIL RESPONSE IS ATTACHED. AT A MINIMUM, REPLACEMENT PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR A REASONABLE TIME AFTER PRODUCTION STOPS, AND THIS VEHICLE IS STILL IN PRODUCTION. SINCE IT IS A DESIGN ERROR, I FEEL THAT THIS FIELD FAILURE SHOULD BE CORRECTED WITHOUT CHARGE. IF THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE, THEN I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL THIS $20 COMPUTER BOARD MYSELF. IT REQUIRES REMOVAL OF FOUR SCREWS. --->SNIP<--- YOUR VEHICLE WAS PROVIDED WITH A WARRANTY AGAINST DEFECTS FOR A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. YOUR CONCERNS, PARTICULARLY IN VIEW OF THE EXPENSE AND INCONVENIENCE INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE, ARE UNDERSTANDABLE. HOWEVER, YOUR REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER MUST BE DECLINED. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

10153490

Incident

Jul 25, 2004

ON 12/5/2002, MY HUSBAND & I WERE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT IN OUR 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WHEN WE WERE REAR-ENDED BY A FORD TAURUS. BEING LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN THE CARAVAN, THE TAURUS HIT THE DEALER INSTALLED TOW BAR CAUSING THE FRAME TO BUCKLE ABOVE BOTH AXLES & MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE VAN. THE CASE FOR RECOVERY OF MEDICAL BILLS & WAGES LOST IS NOW COMING UP & WE FOUND OUT THAT THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT WE WERE HIT BETWEEN 8-10 MPH. I TALKED WITH SOMEONE IN YOUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT & SHE TOLD ME TO SEE IF CHRYSLER COULD GIVE ME INFO ON THE STRENGTH OF THAT FRAME & IF NOT, TO FILE A COMPLAINT. WE HEARD BACK FROM CHRYSLER THIS MORNING & THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP US. *NM

NHTSA ID

10145721

Incident

Dec 5, 2002

Mileage

6,400 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

WE TOOK OUR 1996 GRAND CARAVAN IN FOR RECALLS THAT DODGE SENT US. THEY CALLED MY WIFE BACK AND TOLD HER IT WAS CONDEMNABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BECAUSE THE STRUT TOWER WAS VERY BADLY RUSTED. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CHANCE TO CALL THEM, BECAUSE I WAS AT WORK, THE PERSON SHE TALKED TO HAD LEFT, HOWEVER I DID TALK TO ANOTHER PERSON ACQUAINTED WITH THE VEHICLE. HE SAID BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE AND THAT I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER DODGE WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR US. HE ALSO SAID IT WOULD COST $2000.00 PER SIDE TO FIX AND THE VAN WASN'T WORTH IT. I SAID THIS IS A SERIOUS THING AND IT SHOULD BE FIXED BY CHRYSLER BECAUSE THEY OBVIOUSLY USED INFERIOR MATERIALS ON THAT PART OF THE VAN. HE SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT, AND THE WEATHER WHERE WE LIVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. I SAID SO I AM JUST OUT OF A VEHICLE TO DRIVE?, AND HE SAID YOU CAN DRIVE IT BUT IT'S NOT SAFE. NOW THE OTHER MAN TOLD MY WIFE THAT IF SHE HIT A HOLE OR WENT OVER RR TRACKS IT COULD COME COMPLETELY THROUGH AND SHE WOULD LOSE TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AUTO BODY MAN WE TOOK IT TO SAID THAT THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN GALVANIZED WHEN THEY MADE IT AND THIS WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. ANOTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE IS THAT OUR 1994 CARAVAN DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAD OVER 270,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO THIS 1996 DOES NOT HAVE RUST ANYWHERE ELSE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED IF THEY DON'T RECALL THESE AND FIX THEM. THEY RECALLED A CLOCK SPRING FOR THE AIRBAG, AND THEY DIDN'T ASK THE MILEAGE OF OUR VEHICLE, AND THEY PERFORMED ALL THE OTHER RECALLS ON IT THAT DAY SO THEY COULD GET THERE MONEY, BUT THEY WON?T DO ANYTHING ABOUT A SUSPENSION COMPONENT THAT IS LIFE THREATENING. I WOULD LIKE ALSO TO ADD THAT YOUR CAR DOESN'T NEED TO HAVE AN AIRBAG TO BE SAFE OR RUN, BUT IT DOES NEED A SUSPENSION. THIS IS NOT AN ONLY CASE, WE HAVE ANOTHER 1996 GRAND CARAVAN THAT LOOKS LIKE RUST IS BUBBLING UNDER THE PAINT AT THAT SAME SPOT, SO IT IS A VERY EASY THING TO NOT SEE.

NHTSA ID

10070238

Incident

Jun 15, 2003

Mileage

170,000 mi

THE BODY STRUCTURE WHICH HELD THE STRUT TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS BADLY RUSTED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IF HE DROVE OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE STRUT COULD GO COMPLETELY THROUGH THE BODY STRUCTURE IT'S CONNECTED TO AND HE COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PH *JB

NHTSA ID

10029554

THE STRUT MOUNTS THOROUGHLY RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE BODY WHICH THEN CAUSED A DRIVING HAZARD. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MOST COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG THE CHRSYLER/DODGE MINI-VANS OF 1996. CHRYSLER WILL NOT EXTEND GOOD WILL OR ASSISTANCE EVEN THOUGH THE FAULT LIES WITH THEM IN ITS POOR DESIGN THAT WAS SOON AFTER REVAMPED. WHAT IS REALLY DISTRESSING IS THAT CHRYSLER RAISED THE COST OF THE STRUT MOUNTS RECENTLY, WHICH ARE DEALER PARTS ONLY, BY ABOUT 84% AS THEY REALIZE MORE AND MORE CONSUMERS NEED TO MAKE THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ID

10021121

Incident

May 22, 2003

Mileage

76,100 mi

MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS A LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER THAT IS CRACKED AROUND THE TOP WHERE THE SPRING SITS. THERE ISN'T A SPOT OF RUST OR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ON THIS VEHICLE EXCEPT THAT STRUT TOWER. FROM MY DISCUSSION WITH A CHRYSLER BODY SHOP MANAGER, IT APPEARS THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THESE STRUT TOWERS. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE IF ONE OF THESE LETS GO AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT WILL IMMEDIATELY IMPACT STEERING AND DRIVEABILITY POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A CRASH. I KNOW MY WAY AROUND A CAR SO I WAS ABLE TO SPOT THIS PROBLEM AND RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL DANGER. I THINK WITH MOST DRIVERS THIS PROBLEM WILL GO UNRECOGNIZED AND THAT IS WHY I AM WRITING YOU TODAY. PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT. I CALLED CHRYSTER AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT, BUT I DON'T EXPECT THEM TO INFORM ANYONE.

NHTSA ID

10020645

Incident

May 29, 2003

Mileage

116,552 mi

WHEN CONSUMER WAS FILLING UP THE GASOLINE TANK, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB

NHTSA ID

10003663

Incident

Jan 7, 2003

THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED COMPUTER PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP WHILE BEING DRIVEN. NLM

NHTSA ID

567054

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE, HOWEVER PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE. THE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT SHUT PROPERLY. PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK DUE TO DOOR LOCK MOTOR FAILURE. DRIVERS WINDOW MAKES NOISE DUE TO REGULATOR FAILURE. *YH

NHTSA ID

8013344

Incident

Oct 6, 1997

TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 72000 MILES.*AK THE HINGES ON THE DOOR WERE REPLACED AND THE FRONT ROTOR WAS TURNED. *YH

NHTSA ID

8012786

Incident

Feb 24, 2001

SERVICE AGENT DETERMINED/CONFIRMED ANTI-FREEZE COOLANT LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPET AND DOOR SILL AREA. THE LEAK MADE AN OFFENSIVE ODOR, FERMENTING THE CARPET, AND THE RESIDUAL SMELL/ANTIFREEZE FUMES APPEARS UNHEALTHY TO BREATH IN. THE LEAK WAS DETECTED BY VISIBLE SUBSTANTIAL WETNESS OF THE CARPET AREA ABOUT THE SILL AREA. CARPET BECAME SLIGHTLY DISCOLORED/STAINED BY THE ANTI-FREEZE LEAK. THE ACTUAL LOCATION OF THE LEAK COULD NOT BE DETECTED WITHOUT THE COMPLETE DISASSEMBLY OF THE REAR INTERIOR TRIM. A QUOTE OF OVER $230 IN MATERIALS AND $430 IN LABOR WAS GIVEN TO REPAIR THE LEAKING CORE. THIS IS AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF COST, AND OFFERS A POTENTIAL UNHEALTHY SITUATION IF LEFT UNREPAIRED. THE OWNER CANNOT FORESEE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH MAGNITUDE OF COSTS, AND MUST TRY TO SEEK A LESS EXPENSIVE REMEDY. NOTE, THE SERVICE AGENT WOULD NOT DISCONNECT/SHORT CIRCUIT THE HEATER CORE LINES TO DISCONNECT/REMOVE THIS HEATER CORE FROM SERVICE; HENCE AN IMPASSE REMAINS. THE OWNER WILL BE FORCED TO DO SAME TO ELIMINATE THE PERSISTENT LEAK.*AK

NHTSA ID

757520

Incident

Jan 29, 2002

BATTERY CRACKED AND LEAKED ACID INTO WIRING COVER AND AIR CLEANER HOUSING CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START, BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND BEGAN TO LEAK AGAIN APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, SEVEN MONTHS LATER THE BATTERY HAD TO BE BOOSTED TO START VEHICLE, AGAIN DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, BATTERY WAS REPLACED A FOURTH TIME ALONG WITH A FAULTY STARTER. *SLC

NHTSA ID

562605

Incident

Oct 7, 1997

SLIDER DOOR LOCKS FAILURE-LEFT DOES NOT LOCK EVEN MANUALLY; RIGHT WILL NOT UNLOCK EXCEPT MANUALLY. A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED - ALWAYS SMELLED ANTIFREEZE UNTIL FAILURE. DODGE WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP DEFRAY MAJOR COST. WIPERS COME ON/OFF WHENEVER THEY WANT ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. CAN PUT INTO DRIVE/REVERSE W/O BRAKING. NUMEROUS OTHER MISC PROBLEMS-BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, FRONT END.*AK

NHTSA ID

750031

Incident

Oct 1, 2000

THE RIGHT STRUT TOWER TOP RUSTED, THE LEFT SIDE HAS RUSTED AS WELL. NLM

NHTSA ID

785531

Incident

Jul 15, 2001

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ID

561413

THE WINDSHIELD HAS A STRESS CRACK. NLM

NHTSA ID

560543

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, DEALER FOUND CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAD TO MAKE 3 DIFFERENT TRIPS TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE FIRST 2 TRIPS DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BRAKES FAILED. COLLAPSING GAS TANK. DOOR LOCKS INOPERABLE. *SLC

NHTSA ID

883548

Incident

Mar 12, 2001

HAVE HAD LOCK REPLACED (3) TIMES LEFT SIDE, (2) TIMES RIGHT SIDE, CONTACTED CHRYSLER, THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT FOR (6) TIME, SAID QUOTE(" AT SOME TIME THE CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS FOR THE VEHICLE") WHEN IS THE MANUFACTURE RESPONSIBLE FOR FAULTY PARTS? 5 TIMES BROKEN IS DEFECTIVE DESIGN

NHTSA ID

741377

Incident

Dec 18, 1997

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES, ENGINE STALLS WHEN BRAKING, SLIDING POWER DOOR LOCKS REPLACED 4X.

NHTSA ID

740810

Incident

Feb 1, 2001

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS ON PASSENGER SIDE DO NOT WORK LOCKS PROPERLY WHEN BUTTON IS PRESSED. TAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO RELEASE DOOR LOCK. *AK

NHTSA ID

737872

Incident

Jun 1, 2000