1996 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Complaints

Rubber fuel line in main engine bay is leaking fuel and cracked I have seen others that have burned down for this issue. Dodge fiat Chrysler needs to be aware that all 1996 to 2000 dodge caravans and Chrysler town and country’s could burn down if this fuel issue isn’t fixed I have already had to pay out of pocket to fix one vehicle I’m not doing it again.. my phone number if anyone at you’re agency would like to call me my cell is [XXX] thanks PLEASE HELP!! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11459290

Incident

Apr 1, 2022

MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS THE SERPENTINE BELT ISSUE. IT FALLS OF IF IT RAINS. THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW FROM DODGE. THEY USED SMOOTH PULLEYS INSTEAD OF GROVED. IN ADDITION GATES HAD TO MAKE A KIT TO FIX THIS ONE SINGLE ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS SO COMMON. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND CHRYSLER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT (LIKE NORMAL). THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ID

10846038

Incident

Mar 4, 2016

WHEN DRIVING MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THE SPEEDOMETER GOES CRAZY AND THE RPM GAUGE FLUCTUATES A LITTLE AND THE RPMS RAP OUT AROUND 40MPH AND WONT SHIFT ITS LIKE IT HIT SAFETY MODE OR SOMETHING I THINK IT IS MY WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WHAT DO YOU THINK?

NHTSA ID

10787512

Incident

Aug 12, 2015

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND FLUID WAS LEAKING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 3/31/15*CN

NHTSA ID

10691638

Incident

Feb 20, 2015

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 262,747.

NHTSA ID

10616919

Incident

Jan 1, 2009

Mileage

262,747 mi

FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK AND THE INJECTION BASE. START JANUARY 20 ,2014. I AM A NEW OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10562047

Incident

Jan 20, 2014

NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT FEAR OF FRONT END COLLAPSE IS MOUNTING. THE STRUT TOWERS LOOK SEVERELY RUSTED EVEN THOUGH OLDER AND NEWER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL DO NOT DEMONSTRATE THIS POTENTIAL FAILURE. IT SEEMS THAT IF THIS FAILS THAT THE STRUT WOULD PUSH THROUGH THE TOWER CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO MOVE UP AND BACK RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, SUDDEN SWERVE, AND POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10472513

Incident

Aug 26, 2012

Mileage

156,000 mi

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK, THEN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THEY WILL. I HAD THEM CHECKED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDS A 500 DOLLAR BODY CONTROL MODULE. IT SEEMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE, AND IN MY OPINION A DEFECT! *TR

NHTSA ID

10461142

Incident

May 15, 2012

Mileage

97,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT ADDED BRAKE FLUID TO THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED AND THE WHEEL CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND TOLD THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,852.

NHTSA ID

10459460

Incident

May 20, 2012

Mileage

97,852 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EQUIPPED WITH TOYO SPECTRUM TIRES SIZE 215/65/R15 (NA). THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UNDER 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TREAD WAS BEGINNING TO SEPARATE ON ALL FOUR TIRES AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE OTHER THREE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 12,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 163,462. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10415241

Incident

Jun 13, 2011

Mileage

163,462 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A KIT THAT COULD BE INSTALLED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID

10410655

Incident

Jul 6, 2010

Mileage

135,000 mi

WIFE WAS DRIVING 96 GRAND CARAVAN LE TO COLLEGE IN THE RAIN. WHEN SHE ARRIVED IN THE PARKING LOT STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN SO SHE PULLED IT STRAIGHT INTO PARKING SPOT. LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW BELT HAD COME OFF. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE BUT CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AT HOME. AS SHE STARTED TO REVERSE OUT OF DRIVEWAY STEERING BECAME TOUGH AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS ALSO RAINING AT THIS TIME. THIS HAPPENED EARLY JANUARY 2011. AROUND MARCH 2010, AGAIN WHILE IT WAS RAINING, AS MY WIFE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN THE CAR BEGAN TO BECOME UNRESPONSIVE AND SHE HAD TO GUIDE IT TO THE SIDE. SINCE IT WAS BLOCKING THE ROAD POLICE DID COME BY AND HELP PUSH IF OFF THE ROAD UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK CAME TO TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE. NEW BELT, IDLER PULLEY AND TENSIONER WAS INSTALLED BY MECHANIC. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT (APRIL 2011) PULLEY AND TENSIONER WAS REPLACED. DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. LUCKILY THE SPEED WAS SLOW IN ALL INSTANCES AND NO INJURY OR DAMAGE WAS DONE...YET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10395315

Incident

Apr 3, 2011

Mileage

187,090 mi

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE 3.8. IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF 2 TIMES WHEN IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE OR THE VAN GOES THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED TWICE. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER DODGE OWNERS HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE WHEEL CANNOT BE CONTROLLED WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOW. I THINK THAT DODGE HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO DO AS THEY HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, AND ARE NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS REPEATED SERIOUS SAFETY FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10372161

Incident

Dec 21, 2010

FOR SOME TIME NOW MY WIPERS HAD A MIND OF THERE OWN. THEY WORKED WHEN EVER THEY WANTED. NO AS OF 11/29/10 MY WIPERS WILL NOT EVEN COME ON AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10368178

Incident

Jan 1, 2010

1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - LIFETIME LUBRICATED TIEROD END SEPARATED RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING - THE RUBBER SEAL DETERIORATED THE GREASE WAS GONE AND THE BALL JOINT CORRODED TO THE POINT IT FELL APART - WIFE WAS PARKING THE VAN AT THE TIME - COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE SHE WAS 150 MILES FROM HOME AT THE TIME LESS THAN A MONTH LATER I SAW ANOTHER DODGE CARAVAN BROKE DOWN ON A HIGHWAY RIGHT FRONT TIRE NOT FACING AS IT SHOULD - I SUSPECT ANOTHER TIE ROD END FAILURE - NOW I KNOW THESE BEARINGS CAN BE MANUFACTURED SO THEY CAN NOT SEPARATE - AIRCRAFT ROD END BEARINGS COME TO MIND - ISN'T A LOSS OF STEERING A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO MAKE A PART SO IT CANT FAIL? *TR

NHTSA ID

10353220

Incident

Oct 10, 2003

Mileage

90,000 mi

ON JAN 2, 2009 I BOUGHT 4 KENDA TIRES (COOPER TIRE) FROM A DEALER IN WATSONVILLE CA. FIRST, I HAD A BLOWOUT ON ONE. IT WAS REPLACED. THEN A SECOND TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. CLOSE CALL. HIT TREE, TOTALED VEHICLE, AIRBAGS OFF ETC. I AM HOLDING THE TIRE FOR YOUR INSPECTION IF YOU WISH...I HAVE PHOTOS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10276897

Incident

May 6, 2009

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

FRONT STRUT TOWERS RUSTED THROUGH. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE YET, BUT IF IT COMPLETELY RUSTS, I'M SURE AN ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE NOTHING WILL BE SUPPORTING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10258712

Incident

Feb 4, 2009

Mileage

155,200 mi

WHEN EVER IT RAINS OR SNOWS AND A LIL BIT OF MOISTURE GETS UP IN THE ENGINE THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF AND I LOSE EVERYTHING, POWER STEERING, FAN, YOU NAME IT ITS GONE, AND I HAVE ALMOST WRECKED 5 OUT OF 8 TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED..2 TIMES I FOUND MYSELF HAVING GOING IN TO A FIELD TO STOP DUE TO STEERING WAS GONE, AND POSSIBLE BURN/ FIRE COULD HAVE RESULTED FROM ENGINE OVER HEATING AND LIQUIDS BOILING/ AND STEAM RISING. LEADING TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM TO ANYONE NEAR THE VEHICLE, I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND THEY WERE WITH ME 3 OF THE 8 TIMES THE BELT CAME OFF. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND APPARENTLY IM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.. THERE IS ALOT MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THIS COMPLAINT. I DID HOWEVER REPLACE THE BELT ONCE AGAIN, ALONG WITH PULLEY/ TENSIONER ITS GETTING TO BE QUITE EXPENSIVE FOR ME AS A SINGLE MOM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10240784

Incident

Aug 30, 2008

THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. 1. THE WINDSHIELD AND REAR WIPERS WILL GO ON AN OFF WHEN THEY WANT TOO. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TURN THEM ON YOU CAN'T TURN THEM OFF. THE BACK ONE WILL COME ON SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING THE CAR. 2. THE HORN ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED WORKING. 3. WHEN MY VAN HIT AROUND 80,00 MILES THE AIR COND. STOPPED WORKING AND DOESN'T GET COLD. TOOK IT TO A PLACE TO CHECK AND THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH DODGE. AND THAT IT WOULD COST AROUND 1,500.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10238559

Incident

Jul 7, 2007

Mileage

80,000 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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR TAILGATE GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000. UPDATED 07/29/08. *LJ UPDATED 07/29/08

NHTSA ID

10234207

Incident

Jul 11, 2008

Mileage

125,000 mi

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

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