RoadVitals

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
182
Latest Apr 1, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 1,157 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
28
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 182 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 182, in the owner's own words

EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 1, 2022

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
Engine
Filed Mar 10, 2016

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
Engine
Filed Jul 28, 2014

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
EngineSteering
Filed Apr 8, 2011

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
EngineOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Dec 22, 2010

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
Engine
Filed Sep 3, 2008

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
Engine
Filed Apr 12, 2008

THE SERPENTINE BELT CHRONICALLY HAS FALLEN OFF AND BEEN REPLACED ON THE CAR. IT HAS FALLEN OFF TWICE IN THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. WHEN IT FALLS OFF, THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. FORTUNATELY UP TO THIS TIME MY WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS A FATALITY WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10224278
Incident
Mar 5, 2008
Engine
Filed Mar 12, 2008

SERPENTINE BELT FALLS OFF DURING RAIN/SNOWY WEATHER ON 1996 DODGE GRANDE CARAVAN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220956
Incident
Jan 12, 2007
Mileage
96,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 3, 2005

I HAVE A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN . IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004 THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF IN THE RAIN CAUSEING LOSS OF STEERING AND OVERHEATING ALARM. I REPLACED THE TENSIONER AND BELT AND THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED .TO DATE I HAVE HAD TO PUT THE BELT BACK ON AT LEAST 7 TIMES AND REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE THREE TIMES .BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE WET ROADS OR RAIN AND THE BELT COMES OFF.LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM .IVE WORKED ON CARS MOST OF MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM.HAVE YOUR EXPERTS LOOK AT THE TENSIONER AND IDLER PULLEY DESIGN THEY ARE SMOOTH WITHOUT SIDES TO KEEP THE BELT ON THEM.THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10119687
Incident
Sep 13, 2004
Mileage
160,000 mi
AirbagsEngineTransmission
Filed Feb 18, 2005

- 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
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 30, 2004

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE TIME BELT COVER WAS A PROBLEM. *SC

NHTSA ID
10095284
Incident
Dec 20, 2003
AirbagsEngine
Filed Nov 2, 2004
Crash reportedFire reported

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
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension+2 more
Filed Aug 24, 2004

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. FIRST THERE IS A SERIOUS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT WHEEL/TIRES. I HAVE REPLACED 8 TIRES (IN 30000 MILES!), BOTH FRONT AXLES, ALL THREE MOTOR MOUNTS, AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED, AS WELL AS HAVING THREE ALIGNMENT CHECKS. THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE. THE SECOND PROBLEM INVOLVES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE FRONT WIPERS WERE, FOR A TIME, COMING ON ANY TIME THEY FELT LIKE IT; THIS WAS REMEDIED BY REPLACING THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH ON 09/21/01. SINCE THEN, THE REAR WIPER WILL OCCASIONALLY COME ON FOR ONE SWIPE WHEN I FIRST START THE VEHICLE - ANNOYING, BUT NOT AN IMMEDIATE HAZARD. BUT TODAY, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING AT ALL. THEY WILL ONLY WORK IF I PUT THE WIPERS ON INTERVAL - IN WHICH CASE THEY DO NOTHING FOR A TIME, THEN MAKE TWO TO FOUR SWIPES, THEN WAIT A WHILE, MAKE ONE OR TWO SWIPES, WAIT A WHILE, ETC. THEY WILL MAKE ONE HIGH SPEED SWIPE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD IF I PRESS THE WASHER BUTTON IN. I SPENT $80 TODAY SO THE DODGE DEALER COULD TELL ME THIS WAS CAUSED BY A BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THIS REPAIR COSTS OVER $400...AND RESEARCHING A USED PART ONLINE, I LEARNED THAT BOTH THE WHEEL SHIMMY PROBLEM AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEMS ARE NOT UNIQUE TO MY CAR BUT ARE VERY COMMON ISSUES WITH THE DODGE CARAVAN/CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY/PLYMOUTH VOYAGER FAMILY. LOSING YOUR WIPERS, HAVING THEM COME ON AT RANDOM WHEN THEY TAKE A NOTION TO, AND A NON-STOP SHIMMY IN THE FRONT ARE EACH, BY THEMSELVES, SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WARRANTING A RECALL. COLLECTIVELY, THEY SPELL OUT A LACK OF CONCERN THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER HAS FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE WHO DRIVE THEIR PRODUCTS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM MY ONLINE RESEARCH THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS LONG AGO AS 1998 BUT DELIBERATELY IGNORED ITS OWN INFORMATION. IT IS APPARENT THAT THE ONLY WAY THESE SAFETY ISSUES ARE GOING TO BE ADDRESSED IS IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKES THEM TO TASK.*AK

NHTSA ID
10088514
Incident
Aug 24, 2004
Mileage
92,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical+4 more
Filed Jul 29, 2004

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
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 3, 2004

I OWN A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH THE MILEAGE AROUND 128,000 MILES. STARTING IN APRIL , WE SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD . WE TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AT THAT TIME USING THE DIAGNOSTICS. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON STEADILY AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN AT THAT TIME EITHER . THE *CODE* THEY FOUND SAID *OXYGEN SENSOR* BUT THEY RESET IT . FOUR DAYS LATER, WE WERE HEADING BACK TO CHARLESTON (100 MILES) AND HAD MADE IT AROUND 40 MILES ON INTERSTATE GOING AROUND 65-70 MILES AN HOUR WHEN, WITHOUT NOTICE, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER . WE HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAIT UNTIL A TOW TRUCK COULD TOW US BACK TO LEXINGTON ... THE VAN WAS TAKEN AGAIN TO NASCO WHERE THEY THOUGHT THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRING SO THEY CHANGED ALL THAT OUT TO THE TUNE OF $400.00 PLUS THE $80.00 FOR TOWING... THEN....TWO DAYS LATER THE VAN WAS DRIVING AGAIN TO CHARLESTON ON INTERSTATE AND AT ALMOST THE EXACT SAME SPOT --IT CUT OFF AGAIN !! THE VAN HAD TO GET TOWED YET AGAIN TO ORANGEBURG ( CLOSER TO WHERE IT CUT OFF ) AND THE MECHANICS THERE COULD FIND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN !!! IN TOWN, THE VAN DOES FINE ...BUT WHEN YOU ARE ON INTERSTATE AND GOING A HIGH RATE OF SPEED FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME ...AND IT CUTS OFF ---SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THE VAN !! IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING AT SUCH A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND THEN LOSING POWER ..AND MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE A DEATH OCCURS !! LAST WEEKEND , MY HUSBAND TOOK THE VAN ON THE INTERSTATE AGAIN TO TRY IT OUT AND SURE ENOUGH AROUND 50 MILES OUT IT CUT OFF YET AGAIN WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON .I NOTICE THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING TO THE GRAND CARAVANS AND THINK IT SHOULD DEFINITELY BE INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL ISSUED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10074713
Incident
Apr 25, 2004
Mileage
127,500 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 12, 2004

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH WATER SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF FROM THE ENGINE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10058023
Incident
Feb 9, 2004
Mileage
109,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 10, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT GAS FUMES. WHILE DRIVING THE SMELL OF GAS FUMES WAS STRONG, AND WAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10057839
Mileage
149,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 5, 2004

WHILE STOPPED THE BELT TENSIONER SNAPPED AND CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10057596
Incident
Feb 2, 2004
Mileage
98,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

FOR 3 SUMMERS IN A ROW, WE HAVE HAD TO RECHARGE THE AIR CONDITION SYSTEM FOR IT TO ONLY WORK 3-4 WEEKS AT A TIME. OUR MECHANIC SAYS THAT IT ISN'T THAT THE AIR CONDITING UNIT HAS FAILED IT SEEMS TO BE LOOSING THE FREON SOME WHERE.THE LOCKS ON THE VAN TO THE TAIL GATE DOESN'T SEEM TO WORK CORRECTLY, 90% OF THE TIME YOU HAVE TO BEAT ON THE LOCK FROM THE OUT SIDE FOR IT TO UNLOCK. WE HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKE PAD APPROX 3 TIMES AND THEY STILL SQUEAK AND SEEM TO GRAB AT TIMES.

NHTSA ID
10070396
Incident
Sep 15, 2001
Mileage
120,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

A/C INTERNAL FAN SWITCH FAILS IN AT LEAST TWO POSITIONS AND HAVE HAD SMOKE ENTER INSIDE THE VAN WHILE DRIVING, FROM I THINK THE FAN. ONCE THE FAN IS TURNED OFF THE SMOKE GOES AWAY.

NHTSA ID
10068999
Incident
Jun 15, 2003
Mileage
48,650 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2003

ROCKER ARM PEDISTAL SHEARED OFF CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. MULTIPLE REPAIR CENTERS BELIEVE CAUSE IS DESIGN FLAW OF CYLINDER HEAD. *AK

NHTSA ID
10029061
Incident
Jun 22, 2003
Mileage
82,550 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 23, 2003

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE FAILED. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT ENGINE'S MAIN COMPUTER WOULD NOT FIRE THE #2 AND #5 SPARK PLUGS, RESULTING IN FAILURE. CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 OTHER MAIN ENGINE COMPUTER FAILURES SINCE VEHICLE OWNERSHIP.*AK

NHTSA ID
10029981
Incident
May 1, 2002
Mileage
10,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 21, 2003

CAMSHAFT ON 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FAILED (BROKE INTO TWO PIECES) WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE OHIO TURNPIKE WITH FAMILY (TWO YOUNG CHILDREN) IN THE VAN - FAILURE OF ALL POWER ASSIST AND FOWARD MOTION (OTHER THAN COASTING) WAS IMMEDIATE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT THE TIME AND IF THE ROAD HAD BEEN BUSIER THE POTENTIAL EXISITED FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY/DEATH. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 98,100 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME (3.3L ENGINE). THIS FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO CHRYSLER TSB 09-008-01 WHICH DISCUSSES CAMSHAFT FAILURE WITH CAMSHAFT BEARING WEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DAIMLER/CHRYSLER "STEP UP TO THE PLATE" ON THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OCCURING. I WILL BE CONTACTING D/C TO PURSUE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE NEW ENGINE AS AN EVENT LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR.

NHTSA ID
10028717
Incident
Jul 7, 2003
Mileage
98,100 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2003
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF WHEN WITHOUT WARNING, THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10024200
Incident
Dec 13, 2002
Engine
Filed Apr 21, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10017248
Incident
Apr 19, 2003

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .