1996 Dodge Grand Caravan 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

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.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BROKE FOR THE THIRD TIME IN JUST 30,000 MILES, THIS TIME MY WIFE AND 4 KIDS WERE NEARLY KILLED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE BECAUSE WE WERE ALMOST HIT . THIS VEHICLE IS A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *NM

WE HAVE HAD THE CAR APPROX 6 YEARS AND HAD TO PUT IN FIVE TRANSMISSIONS. THEY KEEP BURNING UP AND NOBODY CAN TELL US WHY. WE USE THE VEHICLE FOR VERY LITTLE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL MOSTLY APPROX 2 AND 1/2 MILES EACH WAY. THE VAN CONSTANTLY BUCKS WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS TO LOW SPEEDS AND WILL OFTEN DIE DOING THE SAME THING. THE TRANSMISSION ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE MAKING A SOUND THAT INDICATES IT IS BEING STRESSED WHILE IN 2 TO 3 GEARS. *NM

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

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

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).

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

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).

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.

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?

WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL INCREASED THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM. VEHICLE WENT IN ACCESS OF 85 MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES WAS REQUIRED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE OVER A DISTANCE OF ONE MILE. A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT BRAKES FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. *TC

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SLIDING DOOR LOCK MECHANISM FAILURE, ONE LOCK BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE RESTRICTING ALL INGRESS OR EGRESS FROM THAT DOOR. *TR

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

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

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

THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT,IN WHICH THE STRAPS WERE LOOSE, AND DID NOT RETRACT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY. *JB SCC

INTERNAL MECHANICAL FAILURE OF INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT, RIGHT HAND SIDE. THE CABLE ASSEMBLY IN THE SEAT MODULE HAS FAILED. THIS CABLE ASSEMBLY LOCKS THE RETRACTABLE SHOULDER BELTS. THE CABLE HOOKS DIRECTLY TO THE LATCH PLATE AND WHEN THE BELT BUCKLE IS CONNECTED TO THE LATCH PLATE THE PLATE'S FORWARD MOVEMENT PULLS THE CABLE CAUSING THE SHOULDER BELT'S RETRACTOR TO LOCK. THIS CABLE CONNECTION HAS SEPARATED FROM THE LATCH PLATE (CABLE END IS ALSO FRAYED WITH THREE STRANDS LEFT ON IT'S END), RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELTS, RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY UNLOCKABLE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION FOR ANY CHILDS LIFE IF VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND SHOULDER BELTS DO NOT RESTRAIN THE CHILD IN THE SEAT LIKE IS SUPOSSED TO. LEFT HAND ICSS ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT CUSHION PIVOT FRAME WHICH IS TWISTED AT LEFT ATTACHED POINT. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. THAT THE SEAT MODULES NEED TO BE REPLACED AND COSTS ON AN ESTIMATE OF $1,300+. I, REFUSE TO PAY ANY AMOUNT WHEN MY GUT FEELING IS THAT CHRYSLER HAS PUT OUT THESE ICSS WHICH ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I'M HAVING NOW FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. CHRYSLER ON 01/02/03 TOLD ME THAT IF I PAY THE FIRST $800+ THAT THEY WOULD PAY THE REMAINING DIFFERENCE. NOW, TO ME THIS IS LIKE SAYING YES, WE KNOW WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THESE ICSS SO WE ARE WILLING TO HELP. WELL, AFTER READING SO MANY LIKE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE ICSS, I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD REALIZE THAT EVERY TIME A CHILD IS PLACED IN THEIR "CHRYSLER" ICSS THAT THE CHILD'S LIFE IS IN THEIR HANDS. THEY NEED TO OWN-UP TO FLAWS OF ENGINEERING AND FIX THESE SEATS SO THAT WE THE CUSTOMER CAN TRUST IN THEIR PRODUCT.. ANY INFORMATION YOU COULD PROVIDE, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. RESPECTFULLY, SEVERINO L. RODRIGUEZ

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

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

MILKY HEADLIGHT LENS COVERS. DISTANCE AND CLARITY GREATLY AFFECTED. *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE A PLASTIC AND THEY HAVE CLOUDED OVER SO THAT VERY LITTLE LIGHT PENETRATES. SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING, THE DASH BOARD INDICATION LIGHTS FLASHED THROUGHOUT TRAVEL. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL HEADS CONTAINED A SHORT. *JB

SINCE THE FIRST WEEK THAT I OWNED THIS CAR. WHENEVER I RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE CAR WILL STALL OUT. AT FIRST, I COULD RESTART THE CAR READILY. LATER, IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO RESTART IT. NOW I KNOW THAT I HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES IN ORDER TO RESTART IT. I MUST LEAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF, IF I WANT THE CAR TO CONTINUE RUNNING. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT, AND THEY DID SOME ENGINE ADJUSTMENTS WHICH NEVER SOLVED THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER I'M DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC OR WHETHER I'M AT SPEED. IT WILL HAPPEN. SO, THE WAY TO AVOID THE PROBLEM IS NOT TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER. BUT I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH AIR CONDITIONING, AND I'M ENTITLED TO HAVE WHAT I PAID FOR. MY CONSCIENCE TELLS ME THAT I HAVE TO PROTECT OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, SO I DON'T RUN IT . CHRYSLER HAS A REGISTERED COMPLAINT FROM ME AND OTHER PEOPLE, AS WELL, ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. I HAVE ANOTHER CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE: I'D LIKE TO GET RID OF THIS CAR AND THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM, BUT WHO WILL BUY THIS CAR? I CAN'T SELL IT WITHOUT FULL DISCLOSURE OF THE PROBLEM. AND IF I TRADE IT IN TO CHRYSLER, I'M SURE THEY WON'T DISCLOSE THE PROBLEM TO SOME UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMER. DT

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.

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

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

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, VIN NUMBER [XXX]. A WEEK AGO FRIDAY I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE THAT I HAVE NEEDED TO CHANGE A FLAT TO MY SPARE TIRE AND ALSO USE THE SCISSOR JACK THAT THE FACTORY SUPPLIED WITH MY VEHICLE. I WAS USING YOUR FACTORY SUPPLIED JACK TO RAISE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE JACK APPARENTLY SLIPPED AND THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. I PROCEEDED TO EXTRICATE THE JACK AND LOOKED IT OVER AND IT APPEARED TO BE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE WITH NO INDICATIONS OF ANY DAMAGE; I CONCLUDED THAT THE JACK SOMEHOW SLIPPED. I AGAIN INSERTED THE JACK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO AGAIN JACK UP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE JACK COLLAPSED AGAIN. UPON GATHERING UP MY THINGS I NOTED THAT THE JACK DID NOT SLIP, BUT FAILED AND THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE JACK FAILURE WAS IN THE UPPER INSIDE SUPPORT WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT AND INSERT THE SCISSOR JACK UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SCISSOR JACK LIFTS THE JACK UP. I SHOWED THE FAILED JACK TO A WELDER FRIEND OF MINE WHO KNOWS ABOUT METALS, AND HE STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS METAL FATIGUE AND THAT THAT PART OF THE JACK WAS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED BECAUSE THE METAL WAS NOT CURED AND HARDENED PROPERLY TO ACQUIRE ITS NEEDED STRENGTH. FIRST I EXPECT A NEW REPLACEMENT JACK THAT WILL FIT INTO THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT MADE FOR IT SO THAT I WILL HAVE A FACTORY JACK WHENEVER I DECIDE TO GET A NEW VEHICLE AND THE PERSON WHO BUYS MY VEHICLE NEXT WILL HAVE A GOOD, SAFE, FACTORY JACK WHENEVER NEEDED. SECOND I EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED THE $20.00 I GAVE THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO HELPED ME OUT WHEN THE SCISSOR JACK FAILED AND BECAME BROKEN AND USELESS. THIRD, IT WOULD BE NICE BUT NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME, IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER SOME FAIR COMPENSATION FOR MY BEING LATE, TIRED, DIRTY, SMELLY AND ANGRY WHEN I WAS MEETING MY WIFE FOR DINNER. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS NOT THE MOST PLEASANT PERSON TO HAVE DINNER WITH THAT NIGHT.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM