1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE CAUSED BY FAULTY ENGINE CONNECTING RODS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SWANTYS DODGE (2494 SOUTH HWY 95, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 261,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WITHOUT WARNING, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED OUT OF PLACE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELTS AND THE PULLEYS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN AND RECALL TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/30/17*LJ UPDATED 09/25/2017*JS

THE DRIVER'S HORN DOES NOT WORK AND HASN'T SINCE IT WAS TAKEN IN TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS DONE AS PER A RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA AND DAIMLERCHRYSTLER CORPORATION RELATING TO DRIVER'S AIRBAG BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER. HE ALSO DID NOT HAVE THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK ON THE VAN. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND WHEN I DISCOVERED THE HORN DID NOT WORK. AFTER RESEARCHING AND SUBSCRIBING TO THE THE NHTSA RECALL ALERTS I DETERMINED THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT CLOCK SPRING COULD HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AS WELL, BECAUSE IT WAS DONE SO SOON AFTER THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I LIVE AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUED AND THEY WERE SORRY, BUT THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT AGAIN. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED FROM ORIGINALLY. EVEN WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR, THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO TOUCH IT BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH INVOLVED IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT COULD GO WRONG AND HE DIDN'T HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO DO IT. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND HASN'T BEEN SINCE BEFORE AND AFTER I PURCHASED IT. MY CONCERN IS IF THE HORN DOESN'T WORK'THEN HOW CAN I BE SURE THE AIRBAG DOES. I'M STILL DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I CAN'T SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE IN THIS CONDITION. IS THERE NO RECOURSE IF THE VEHICLE AS NOT REPAIRED AS PER THE NHTSA'S RECALL? THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 91054 MILES ON IT AS OF THIS DATE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH STRUCK THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (THE CONTACT'S SEAT) SEPARATED FROM THE SEAT TRACK. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE SIDE DOOR AND WAS THROWN INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT AND HE WAS THEN STRUCK BY THE SEAT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE ALSO INJURED, AS THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FEET WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND TWO OF THE OCCUPANTS SUFFERED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR ALL THE INJURED OCCUPANTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. SEE ALSO 11004763. *DSY ..UPDATED 08/04/17 *BF UPDATED 10/11/2017*JS *JS *JS

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist and then stalled. Additionally, the odometer failed to display the correct mileage and the speedometer failed to display the correct speed of the vehicle while the engine revved. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT CALLED STEW HANSEN DODGE RAM CHRYSLER JEEP AT (515) 331-2900 (LOCATED AT 12103 HICKMAN RD, URBANDALE, IA 50323) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

VEHICLE ONLY HAS PARK INTERMITTENTLY, MUST USE PARKING BRAKE TO INSURE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE GOING 60 ON INTERSTATE. POWER WOULD COME AND GO LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND ATTEMPTING TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT. THE ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON UNTIL I WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD. NO PRIOR WARNING OF THE PENDING FAILURE. *JB

I'VE HAVE THIS 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, THE STRUT MOUNT HOUSING IS RUSTED SO BAD I'M AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE IT ANYMORE. THE METAL IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THERE IS ONE RUSTED RING THAT HOLDS THE STRUT TO THE BODY. IT STARTED ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO WITH A SMALL RUST HOLE ON BOTH SIDE. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST RUST FROM THE BAD WINTERS WE GET IN THE MIDWEST. WHEN MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED (15-20MPH) THE VAN FEELS LIKE YOUR ON A PITTED DIRT TRAIL AND NOTHING BUT SIDE TO SIDE SHAKING. THIS HAS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. I SEE THESE VANS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!

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

SERVICE BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, DIAGNOSED BY REPAIR SHOP AS A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. INSPECTION OF OTHER BRAKE LINES SHOWED HEAVY CORROSION. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (STRAIGHT LINE) ON A CITY STREET AND RETAINED MINIMAL BRAKING. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT (NO COLLISION) AND 'LIMP' TO THE REPAIR SHOP. REPAIRS CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES.

I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT HIT THE BRAKES. THE CAR DID NOT STOP. I HIT TWO CARS AND THE MEDIAN. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED NUT NOT THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAD MAJOR INJURIES INCLUDING BROKEN ANKLE, HAND, RIBS AND BREATHING. I SPENT 3 MONTHS IN THE HOSPITAL. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. HORN FAILURE/SPEED CONTROL FAILURE. *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED/CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING, AND HORN WON'T BLOW.*AK

THE CAR JUST STOPPED WORKING IT WOULD'T START ANY MORE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S MUFFLER BECAME LOUDER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MUFFLER, FUEL TANK, AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,563.

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

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

THERE ARE AT LEAST 4 RECALL ITEMS LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED? IF YES, WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE AND OBSTRUCTED HER VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CONTROL UNIT, HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH STRUCK THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (THE CONTACT'S SEAT) SEPARATED FROM THE SEAT TRACK. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE SIDE DOOR AND WAS THROWN INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT AND HE WAS THEN STRUCK BY THE SEAT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE ALSO INJURED, AS THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FEET WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND TWO OF THE OCCUPANTS SUFFERED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR ALL THE INJURED OCCUPANTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. SEE ALSO 11004763. *DSY ..UPDATED 08/04/17 *BF UPDATED 10/11/2017*JS *JS *JS

WHILE STOPPING AT A LIGHT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED IN A FIVE CAR COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE REAR SEAT BELT DISCONNECTED, CAUSING THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT TO FLY FORWARD, HITTING THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK *SC *JB

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist and then stalled. Additionally, the odometer failed to display the correct mileage and the speedometer failed to display the correct speed of the vehicle while the engine revved. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

THE BELT CAME UP AFTER HITTING A PUDDLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH STRUCK THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (THE CONTACT'S SEAT) SEPARATED FROM THE SEAT TRACK. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE SIDE DOOR AND WAS THROWN INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT AND HE WAS THEN STRUCK BY THE SEAT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE ALSO INJURED, AS THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FEET WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND TWO OF THE OCCUPANTS SUFFERED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR ALL THE INJURED OCCUPANTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. SEE ALSO 11004763. *DSY ..UPDATED 08/04/17 *BF UPDATED 10/11/2017*JS *JS *JS

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT INCAS IN CAME APART AT THE ADJUSTER TRACKS. THIS CAUSED ME TO BE THROWN INTO THE REAR OF THE VAN MAKING MY INJURES MUCH WORSE. SEE ALSO 11004775. *DSY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TWO FRONT TIRES SUDDENLY LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE SEVERAL FEET. THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANKING SOUND AND IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, THE TWO FRONT TIRES UNLOCKED AND ALLOWED THE CONTACT TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 266,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN X RADIAL TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE VALVE STEM AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY OTHER FAILURES SINCE THAT TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

WHEN I PURCHASED MY VAN AUGUST 21 2009 IT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. THE SALESPERSON SAID IT WAS FROM THE BULBS BEING BURNT OUT. I WENT TO AUTOZONE THAT DAY TO GET THE BULBS REPLACED, AND THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. AUTOZONE TOLD ME IT WAS THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH THAT HAD WENT BAD AND WAS CAUSING MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL NOT TO WORK. I WENT TO GOODYEAR A FEW DAYS LATER TO HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT A GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD HOLD OR WORK FOR A WHILE. SINCE THEN IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES IF I TURNED THE DEFROSTER ON IT WOULD KICK ON, BUT NOW IT WILL TURN ON FOR MAYBE ONE TURN AND TURN OFF RIGHT AND WHEN I GO TO USE IT AGAIN, IT'LL TURN ON THEN CUT OFF AND WONT TURN BACK ON. ALSO MY SLIDING PASSENGER DOORS, THE CHILD LOCK IS STUCK AND NOONE CAN OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. I HAVE TO GET OUT OR THE PASSENGER HAS TO GET OUT TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE DOOR HANDLES ARE HARD TO OPEN ON THE OUTSIDE. EVEN THOUGH THE CHILD LOCK WILL SAY ITS NOT ON, YOU CAN NOT STILL OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. THIS HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VAN. ALSO I HAVE SOME PANS UNDER MY ENGINE THAT LEAKING FLUIDS AND AS FAR AS I KNOW, ITS THE OIL PAN, COOLANT PAN, AND I HAVE METAL SHAVINGS IN SOME OF MY FLUIDS. THIS WAS ALSO LIKE THIS WHEN I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE. *TR

STRUT TOWER CORROSION-DRIVER SIDE-RUST AND METAL BREAKING UP-1998 GRAND CARAVAN-PURCHASED NEW-HAS 83,500 MILES- HAVE HAD BELT PROBLEMS SEVERAL TIMES-ALSO WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMIT FAILURE -RUSTED OUT POWER STEERING MECH. TOTALLY REPLACED-MANY BRAKE JOBS-AND ALSO HEADLIGHT INTERIOR SWITCH SEEMS TO FAIL AT TIMES. I NEED TO MAKE A DECISSION TO BUY A NEW VAN WITH "HAND CONTROLS" OR HAVE THIS VAN "HAND CONTROLS" INSTALLED. ME THINKS I NEED TO BUY A NEW VAN AND BE LOOKING AT ANOTHER MANUFACTOR. AS IT SEEMS LIKE CHRYSLER/DODGE IS NOT STEPPING UP TO ALL THESE FAILURES THAT ARE SEEN BY TOO MANY OTHER VAN OWNERS;OF THIS 1998 MODEL CARAVAN. SAW ON LINE A NEW REPAIR FOR THE STRUT RUSTING CALLED ""FUSOR #112B/MOPAR 05083855AA. CAN BE USED TO FIX THIS PROBLEMTHE TSB #23-044-02 THRU A COMPANY CALLED LORD CORP. LISTED UNDER THEIR OEM BULLETINS AND REPAIR RECOMMENDATIONS USING FUSOR ADHESIVES. THINK I MAY USE THIS ON MINE. HOPE OTHERS CAN USE THIS ALSO. THANKS. *NM

WHILE DRIVING THE RAIN I WENT THROUGH A MIDSIZE PUDDLE DUE TO STORM DRAINS BEING BLOCKED I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR STOPPED AND STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I WAS THANKFULLY DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT 25 MPH WITH OUT ALOT OF TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER RIGHT AWAY. BECAUSE OF GOING THROUGH THE PUDDLE THE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF. WHEN THE BELT SLIPPED OFF IT BENT THE SUSPENSION AND SPRING THAT HOLD THE BELT TIGHT. THE BELT IS FAIRLY NEW AND THE CAR HAD RECENTLY BEEN IN FOR SERVICE AND CHECKED OVER. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE BELT TO COME OFF. CAN I NOT DRIVE MY CAR IN THE RAIN? IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50MPH OR THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SNOWY OR ICY I MAY NOT BE HERE. *TR

BESIDES ALL THE 1998 RECALLS ON THIS VAN, I FOUND A PINHOLE LEAK IN THE HEAD ITSELF. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A GASKET LEAK BUT ITS NOT. WHEN IT RAN OUT OF WATER, TEMPERATURE GAUGE DID NOT TELL ME IT WAS HOT BUT INSTEAD REGISTERED COLD. ON TOP OF THE FRONT SPEAKERS GOES OFF AND ON AND THE REAR SPEAKERS DO IT ON OCCASION. STEREO GETS REALLY HOT TO THE TOUCH. TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE DOING STRANGE THINGS LIKE NOT KICKING DOWN WHEN STOPPED AND THEN LUNGING WHILE STOPPED OR ACCELERATING WHEN STOPPED. I THINK THIS WHOLE VAN SHOULD BE ON RECALL. *NM

I PURCHASED MY 1998 GRAND CARAVAN IN OCTOBER OF 2003. I LOVE THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS EVERYTHING I WANT AND NEED. I PURCHASED THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE AFTER THE OTHER ONE WAS TOTALED BY A DEER. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHY THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE AIR CONDITIONER? I REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR IN MY OTHER VAN AND THIS ONE NEEDS THE SAME THING DONE TO IT. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN THE COOLER MONTH, BUT NOW THAT IT REACHES 100 DEGREES HERE IN FLORIDA, I NEED AN AIR CONDITIONER THAT WORKS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY $1,400 TO FIX THIS ONE, I DID IN MY OTHER VAN AND AM STILL MAKING THE PAYMENTS ON THAT REPAIR BILL. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND CANNOT GO ANYWHERE WHEN THE HEAT IS SO INTENSE. MANY PEOPLE WITH A CARAVAN HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. CAN YOU HELP, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS MALFUNCTIONING PROBLEM? THANK YOU!*AK

THIS WAS SENT TO DODGE'S WEBSITE EMAIL CONTACT. I AM SENDING IT TO YOU FWIIW JUST IN CASE ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS. I REALLY DON'T EXPECT A REPLY. I JUST WANT TO DOCUMENT MY PROBLEMS WHICH ARE: 1. AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR GOING OUT AT 58298 MILES 2. MOTOR PUTTING A CONNECTING ROD (WE THINK) THROUGH THE CRANKCASE AT 62,500 MILES. THE MECHANICS I KNOW SAY THESE ITEMS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN DOWN, RATHER STRANGE THEY SAY. I WANT TO SEND YOU MY GRIPE SO THAT IT IS DOCUMENTED. AFTER BEING TOWED 130 MILES HOME AND TALKING TO 2 TOW TRUCK OPERATORS, A JUNK YARD MECHANIC(EX-DODGE WRENCH), AND A PATRON AT MY WIFE'S RESTAURANT, I LEARNED THAT NO ONE WAS SURPRISED THAT THIS MOTOR DIED WITH THIS LOW OF MILEAGE. THEY HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN TO OTHERS OR HAD IT HAPPEN TO THEM AT NEARLY THE EXACT MILEAGE. THIS MAY BE, AND PROBABLY WILL BE, THE LAST CHRYSLER I EVER BY. HONDA AND TOYOTA ARE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD RIGHT NOW. SOOOO, IF YOU HEAR ENOUGH GRIPES, MAYBE YOU WILL BE FORCED TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. REGARDING EXTENDED WARRANTY, YES I WAS OFFERED IT, BUT REFUSED BECAUSE IT IS EXPENSIVE AND IT SHOULDN'T BE NEEDED. SEE HONDA/TOYOTA QUOTE. THE HEAD MECHANIC AT MY SHOP, WITH A FLEET OF DOZENS OF VEHICLES OPINED THE SAME REGARDING EXTENDED WARRANTIES, THEY ARE AN UNNECESSARY EXPENSE. EVERYONE KNOWS EXTENDED WARRANTIES ARE A MONEY MAKER FOR THE SELLER, OR ELSE IT WOULDN'T BE SOLD, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER INSURANCE. MY 2CENTS.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ALARM WOULD REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN SHE MANUALLY TURNED IT OFF. THE FAILURE PREVENTED HER FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERIES IN THE REMOTE. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED. THE EQUIPMENT INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

FLAT TIRE REQUIRING NEED FOR USE OF COMPACT SPARE TIRE. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SPARE TIRE REMOVAL DO NOT SHOW A RELEASE MECHANISM THAT IS CRITICAL FOR LOWERING OF THE SPARE TIRE. THE RELEASE MECHANISM IS REQUIRED TO LOWER A NYLON FIXTURE THAT SECURES THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE THE INSTRUCTIONS DID NOT MENTION THE RELEASE MECHANISM, AND THE RELEASE MECHANISM WAS NOT VISIBLE, I HAD TO CUT THE NYLON FIXTURE (SUGGESTED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF A DODGE DEALERSHIP I CONTACTED), WHICH THEN CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL DOWN. I WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED BUT IF SOMEONE HAD THEIR HEAD UNDERNEATH THE SPARE TIRE WHEN IT DROPPED DOWN, THEY COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE NYLON FIXTURE IS NOW RUINED. THE ORIGINAL DESIGN IS POOR AND THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE CLEARLY LACKING IN THE USE OF THE RELEASE MECHANISM. *JB