1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Body & structure Problems

STRUT TOWER ASSEMBLY CORROSION (STRUTS ASSEMBLY COULD COLLAPSE) I AM PROUD OWNER OF DODGE VEHICLES FOR MANY YEARS AND DRIVE A 98 GRAND CARAVAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A STRUT REPAIR THE MECHANIC REFUSED TO REPLACE THE STRUTS AS HE FOUND THE CORROSION AND SAID ITS A SAFETY ISSUE.TO MY SURPRISE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY AMERICAN FAMILIES WHO OWN A SIMILAR MODEL MINIVAN. I WANT THE SAFETY AUTHORITIES TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER IMMEDIATELY. ALL THE VEHICLES WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR GOD FORBIDDEN LOOSES THEIR LOVED ONE IN AN ACCIDENT. CAME TO KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE IN THESE MINIVANS AND SURPRISE THE INSPITE OF KNOWING THE ISSUE THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL ???. I AM A FAMILY PERSON AND CANNOT PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR IN THESE TROUBLE TIME AND REQUEST THE AUTHORITIES TAKE THIS TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND GET A RECALL OUT. HOPEFULLY THIS MAY SAVE SOMEONE. I THINK HAVE DONE MY JOB AND IT IS YOUR TURN NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10449324

Incident

Feb 25, 2012

Mileage

195,612 mi

STRUT TOWER HOUSING ON DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD IS SEVERELY RUSTED. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND HAS TO GO TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 4 OTHER CUSTOMERS COME IN WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME PLACE ON THE SAME MODEL OF VEHICLE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THIS CAUSES A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS THIS HOUSING IS WHAT HOLDS THE STRUT IN PLACE ON THE VEHICLE. IF THE WEAKENED STRUCTURE FAILS, THE PRESSURE OF THE STRUT WILL CAUSE THE STRUT TO FLY OFF AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH GREAT FORCE. THIS WILL NOT ONLY CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO FAIL, BUT THE VELOCITY OF THE STRUT ITSELF WOULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN. DODGE HAS ENACTED RECALLS FOR THE SAME SITUATION ON EARLIER MODELS OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE RECALLS WERE ENACTED AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE INTO SAFE OPERATING CONDITION IS $2000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10410961

Incident

Jul 1, 2011

Mileage

140,000 mi

1998 DODGE CARAVAN STRUT TOWERS RUSTING THROUGH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10341591

Incident

Jul 5, 2010

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE STRUT TOWER IS DEFECTIVE AND FAILS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLE INJURY THIS HAPPENS ON ALL NEW (1995 AND NEWER) BODY STYLE MINIVANS MADE BY CHRYSLER/DODGE AND DRIVEN IN CLIMATE WHERE SALT IS USED ON THE ROADS IN THE WINTER. THE STRUT TOWER REQUIRES PATCHES WELDED TO REINFORCE THE CORRODED AREA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10336656

Incident

Jun 15, 2010

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE STRUT TOWER CAPS ARE RUSTING OUT. THIS CAN PROCEED TO A POINT OF THE STRUTS COLLAPSING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED. SEE EXAMPLE SIMILAR TO WHAT IS HAPPENING ON MY VEHICLE AT HTTP://WWW.LUMUC.COM/FRONTSTRUTTOWER/. CHRYSLER HAS A REPAIR KIT FOR THIS. THIS STRUCTURAL PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10284046

Incident

Sep 15, 2009

Mileage

230,000 mi

FRONT STRUT CONE ON PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED, LEAVING A 3 X 3 INCH GAP BESIDES THE STRUT MOUNT. HAD AN ESTIMATE DONE FOR REPAIR WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 1.3K INCLUDING LABOR ON ONE SIDE. CAR RUNS GREAT AT 157.7K MILES, RECENTLY HAD TO BUY A NEW GAS PUMP, WATER PUMP, ABS SENSOR, AND BRAKE CALIPER ON DRIVERS SIDE. ALL LEADING UP TO 1.2K IN REPAIRS INCLUDING LABOR. CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AS THIS CAN BE A POTENTIAL RISK ON THE ROAD, SPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY COMMUTES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10284016

Incident

Sep 15, 2009

Mileage

157,025 mi

I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL PEOPLE I COULD REPORT AN ISSUE HERE. I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. ALTHOUGH, THE VEHICLE HAS 185K MILES AND RUNS AWESOME, THE STRUT TOWER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS ALMOST DISINTEGRATED., THE PASSENGER SIDE IIS STILL SOLID AS A ROCK. COME TO FIND OUT, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR ABOUT 6 MODEL YEARS. MY QUESTION IS WHY HAS CHRYSLER NOT MADE AND ATTEMPT TO ASSIST OWNERS WITH THIS FIX. THE CAUSE IS A DUMB ONE AND HAS BEEN ADDRESSED ON 2003 AND NEWER MODELS. THE COST TO FIX ONE SIDE IS ABOUT $400 FOR ONE SIDE AND NEARLY $650 FOR BOTH SIDES. THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND ON SOMEONELSES MISTAKE. METAL ON METAL WILL NOT REMAIN SOLID FOR EVER, MYSELF AS A CHEF KNOWS THIS. WHEN I ASKED AROUND FOR ESTIMATES,. EVERY SINGLE PLACE KNEW THE ISSUE AND THEY ALL KNEW WHAT YEAR MY CAR WAS AND THEY COULD TELL ME HOW SEVERE THE TOWERS WERE BEFORE THEY EVEN LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD!!!!CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME IF CHRYSLER HAS MADE AN ATTEMPT TO ASSIST PAYING FOR THIS BLATANT MISTAKE THEY MADE IN MANUFACTURING? *TR

NHTSA ID

10247800

Incident

Mar 11, 2008

Mileage

152,000 mi

SHOCK ABSORBER TOWER ON DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE IS SERIOUSLY DETERIORATING. RUST IS PENETRATING INNER AND OUTER PORTIONS OF TOWER CAUSING SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT STABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF VEHICLE SUSPENSION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10218238

Incident

Mar 23, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

1) DEFECT DISCOVERED ON VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION 2) CORROSION ON DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER 3) VEHICLE OPERATION IS UNSAFE, CORROSION COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF STRUT FROM STRUT TOWER CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, POTENTIAL COLLISION, VEHICLE DAMAGE AND INJURY TO OCCUPANTS. REPAIR TO STRUT TOWER IS REQUIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10215414

Incident

Jan 19, 2008

Mileage

120,000 mi

MY CAR FAILED ITS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE STRUT TOWERS. WHEN INFORMED I ASKED THE SHOP IF THEY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY REFERRED ME TO A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 23-044-02 ISSUED IN OCT OF 2002 WHICH AFFECTED MY MINIVAN WHICH I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF STATING THAT MINVANS BUILT BETWEEN 1996-2000 HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED. I WENT TO A CHRYSLER DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF 1300 DOLLARS AND THAT SINCE NO RECALL HAD EVER BEEN ISSUED THAT THEY WOULDN'T COVER THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD ISSUED THE BULLETIN. IF THE REPAIR ISN'T MADE THE CAR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PASS THE PA STATE INSPECTION AS THE INSPECTOR HAS DEEMED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. I HAVE LOOKED AT YOUR DATA BASE AND SEEN MULTIPLE EXAMPLES OF THIS COMPLAINT REGISTERED AS WELL AS ON MULTIPLE CAR BOARDS DISCUSSING THIS AND NHTSA'S REFUSAL TO ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD RESULT IN PHYSICAL INJURY AND IN MY CASE HAS LEAD TO AN UNSAFE CAR THAT CANT BE DRIVEN IN PA. I AM PART OF THE SAE CORROSION COUNCIL LOOKING INTO CORROSION PRACTICES IN THE HEAVY TRUCKING INDUSTRY AND I KNOW THAT IF THIS HAPPENED IN THE HEAVY TRUCKING INDUSTRY THERE WOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL. WHY HASN'T THIS HAPPENED HERE WHEN THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS ABOUT THAT AFFECTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES? *TR *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID

10205056

Incident

Oct 4, 2007

Mileage

129,000 mi

AFTER I HAD CLOSED THE LIFTGATE ON MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, I HEARD A "POP". I HAD HEARD THIS "POP" BEFORE - I HAD PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1992 PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL. WHEN I RE-OPENED THE LIFTGATE, THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT SHOT THROUGH THE SPACE BETWEEN THE LIFTGATE AND THE ROOFLINE. IT WAS STILL SECURED BY THE LOWER BOLT, BUT THE TOP BOLT HAD SHEARED, JUST AS HAPPENED ON THE 1992 PLYMOUTH MODEL . HOWEVER, DUE TO DESIGN CHANGES IN THE AREA OF THE WHERE THE STRUT IS, THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR THE STRUT TO GO BUT TO SCRATCH THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE. THE 1992 PLYMOUTH HAD A "POCKET" THAT THE UPPER BOLT SAT IN AND IT WOULD FORCE THE STRUT INTO THE AREA BETWEEN THE ROOF AND ROOF LINER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ON THIS 1998 DODGE, I HAD TO FORCIBLY REMOVE THE STRUT FROM THE LOWER BOLT, SINCE IT WAS ATTACHED WITH A STAR DESIGN HEADED BOLT, THEREFORE EFFECTIVELY RUINING THE LOWER PIVOT AREA OF THE STRUT. THIS IS THE FIFTH (5TH) STRUT (1ST ON THE 1998) THAT I HAVE HAD FAILURE WITH, AND ALL HAVE BEEN TO BOLT FAILURE IN THE THREADED AREA OF THE BOLT. I WILL CONTACT LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF FIXING UNDER SAME RECALL AS 1992 RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ID

10158954

Incident

Jun 1, 2006

Mileage

124,000 mi

I TOOK MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AFTER HEARING NOISES. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODING AND THE UNDER BODY WAS SHIFTING. FURTHER CORROSION AND MOVEMENT COULD COLLAPSE THE HOUSING AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TWO TSBS WERE ISSUED ON THESE PROBLEMS, 23-044-02 AND 23-01-97. DODGE SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE SAFETY ISSUES, SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. EVEN THE PRESIDENT OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER CLAIMS HE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE MY REQUEST FOR A RESOLUTION OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I GUESS I HAVE TO WAIT TO GET INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DEATH BEFORE THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING.*AK

NHTSA ID

10116535

Incident

Mar 10, 2005

CLEAR COAT PAINT BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF ENTIRE VAN. *AK

NHTSA ID

10112575

Incident

Dec 7, 2001

THE HATCHBACK DOOR STRUT HINGES FAILED, CAUSING THE DOOR TO FALL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

10089486

Incident

Jul 11, 2004

Mileage

57,000 mi

THE CAR IS ON IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION. WE LIKE THE CARAVAN AS A PACKAGE, BUT QUALITY IS LACKING AND PROBLEMATIC. THE MOST CRITICAL PROBLEM IS BODY RUST THROUGH. THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOCK MOUNT TOWER IS RUSTED THROUGH AND CHRYSLER OWNER RELATIONS REFUSING TO FIX IT. NEVER MIND THAT THE DEALERS SAY THE PROBLEM IS PREVALENT AND CHRYSLER USED TO FIX IT BUT RECENTLY STOPPED PAYING FOR (PERHAPS DUE TO FINANCIAL AND MARKET CONDITIONS).

NHTSA ID

10070507

Incident

Jul 15, 2003

Mileage

95,000 mi

THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER, UNDER THE HOOD, IS RUSTING. I HAVEN'T APPROACHED CHRYSLER, BUT WILL TRY. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON TWO MINIVANS AND AM WONDERING IF CHRYSLER IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT ITL.

NHTSA ID

10068809

Incident

Jul 15, 2003

Mileage

75,000 mi

BOLT HOLDING HATCH STRUT TO SIDE OF VEHICLE SHEARED IN HALF CAUSING THE HATCH TO FALL ON TOP OF THE PERSON ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR HATCH DOOR. PERSON CLOSING DOOR WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. STRUT ARM SCRATCHED REAR BUMPER WHEN HATCH FELL. DEFECTIVE PART WAS SAVED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10023248

Incident

Jun 9, 2003

Mileage

6,200 mi

CONSUMER STATES WINDOW COMES OFF TRACK THE VEHICLE WONT PASS INSPECTION. TS

NHTSA ID

10001811

Incident

Nov 4, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT A PERSON CAN NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY WITH A KEY, THE DOORS CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE BY PULLING UP ON THE LOCKS OR BY TRYING TO PULL OPEN THE DOOR HANDLES, THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT IS BY USING THE REMOTE CONTROL AND BY USING THE LOCK BUTTON, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED IF THE VEHICLE WERE TO LOSE ELECTRICAL POWER, THE POWER LOCKS WOULD BE INOPERABLE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOCK MECHANISMS NEEDED REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID

566848

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, KEY NOT IN IGNITION WHEN IT SUDDENLY STARTED ON ITS OWN. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8014008

Incident

Jun 13, 2002

CONSUMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE 3 MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. A VALVE HAD TO BE CHANGED AT 24,000 MILES LATER WHILE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE EMITTS BLACK SMOKE. THERE HAS BEEN NO REMEDY THUS FAR FOR PROBLEMS. SLIDING DOOR RATTLES, DEALER MADE AN ADJUSTMENT, FRONT PASSENGER DOOR RATTLES WHEN CLOSING. ENGINE HESITATES, MISSES, AND SQUEALS, DEALER REPLACED BELTS FOR THE SQUEALING. WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END, DEALER PERFORMED TSB 19-05-98. SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED DUE TO BEING WORN. GEAR LEVEL WAS HARD TO GET OUT OF PARK. THE LEFT VISOR WOULD NOT STAY UP, DELAER FOUND A BROKEN CLIP. *SLC

NHTSA ID

875435

Incident

Jul 15, 1998

DOOR SEAL.

NHTSA ID

609103

Incident

Feb 1, 1998

REAR HEAT AND AIR LINE RUNNING UNDER FRONT OF VAN CAUSED RATTLE. DEALER HAD VAN FOR OVER 15 DAYS , REPLACED TRANSMISSION, MOST OF THE DASH WAS PULLED OUT, ALL KINDS OF HEAT SHIELDS WERE REMOVED AND PROBLEM STILL RETURNED. FINALLY AFTER OVER 12 RETURN TRIPS TO DEALER THEY REPLACED THE LINES OR CLAMPS AND PROBLEM IS GONE. NOW THE PROBLEMS ARE SHOWING UP FROM THE DASH BEING REMOVE. RADIO,SPEAKERS,DASH LITES & RATTLES.

NHTSA ID

707298

Incident

Jan 20, 1999

REAR DOORS WOULD NO OPEN WHEN BUTTONS PUSHED. YH

NHTSA ID

609279

Incident

Jun 1, 1998

ELECTRIC LOCKS HAVE FAILED, GIVE NOISE WHEN ACTIVATED. YH

NHTSA ID

608737