1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems & Complaints

MY VAN WAS PARKED OUT SIDE LUCKYS ON MITALDA NEAR W MAUDE AVENUE IN SUNNYVALE CA 94086 I WAS USING THE WATER REFILLING STATION AND STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE WHEN I TURNED AROUND I IMIDEATLLY NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TAILLIGHT WAS ON FIRE. NOT HAVING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER I TOOK THE BOTTLE OF WATER I HAD IN MY HANDS AND STARTED TO THROW WATER ON IT UNTIL THE FLAMES WENT OUT. WHAT IN THE HELL WOULD MAKE THAT HAPPEN? IS MY VAN UP FOR RECALL? I JUST PURCHASED THE VAN JUST A WEEK AGO. IT HAS BEEN A NIGHT MARE FOR ME NOT TO MENTION EXTREMELY COSTLY REPLACING EVERYTHING'S THAT'S BEEN GOING OUT. THE A/C CLUSTER THE DASH CLUSTER THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR. THE REAR VENT MOTOR. COUNTLESS BULBS AND FUSES.

CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH; ENGINE REMAINED ON. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND IT STARTED BACK UP AGAIN AND DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES. 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN IT LOST POWER AGAIN, I SLOWED AND THEN TRIED TO REACCELERATE, AND IT DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MILES, ENOUGH TO GET ME OFF THE FREEWAY AND TO A SAFE LOCATION. I CHECKED THE OIL AND TRANSMISSION LEVELS, WHICH WERE OK, AND THERE WAS NOTHING LEAKING UNDER THE CAR. WENT TO AN APPOINTMENT, AND CAME BACK TO THE CAR, WHICH STARTED UP AND DROVE OK FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE, THEN IT SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS TIME IT WOULDN'T START BACK UP AGAIN, SO I PUSHED IT ONTO A SIDE STREET, WHERE IT STARTED UP FINE AND DROVE TO THE NEAREST GAS/REPAIR STATION. NOW, THE VAN WON'T START AGAIN. VAN WAS PROCEEDING STRAIGHT IN ALL SITUATIONS.

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACES. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ABILITY TO REGAIN VEHICLE CONTROL WAS COMPROMISED BY LACK OF STEERING ASSIST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE.THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS A SCHOOL BUS WAS NEAR MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED. *TR

PART 2 I'VE READ ON HERE THAT GATES HAS A BELT/PULLEY FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF THEY HAVE ONE, CHRYSLER CAN MAKE ONE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME TO MANY DODGE VANS, IT RESULTS IN OTHER DAMAGES, SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLE INJURY EVEN DEATH TO MANY PEOPLE AT ONE TIME. MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE SERPENTINE BELTS WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM SO IT CAN BE FIXED. IT'S A REPEATED DESIGN FLAW & SHOULD BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. A NTSB RULE GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS "A COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FORESEEABLE PROBLEMS IN THEIR PRODUCT" THE SAME GOES FOR THE BRAKE LINES CORRODING ENOUGH FOR FAILURE TO OCCUR IN JUST A FEW YEARS, THIS IS ALSO UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A $29,850 VEHICLE NOT A $2,000 1967 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, MY BEETLE HAS THE ORIGINAL BREAK LINES. AND IN GOOD SHAPE. ALL BREAK LINES ARE TO BE STAINLESS STEEL TO RESIST RUST AND CORROSION. THIS IS PURELY LACK OF QUALITY IN MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THESE LINES AND THE COMPANY ALSO SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY WARNING ALL OWNERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REPLACING ALL DEFECTABLE LINES WITH GOOD QUALITY LINES.

PART 1 1/2 THE GAS LINE DECAYING AND THE SUSPENSION STRUT MOUNTS RUSTING AWAY, BOTH OF THESE ARE DEADLY, A RUSTY/CORRODED BREAK LINE WILL JUST LEAK A DROP AT THE TIME, MOST PEOPLE JUST REFILL THE FLUID RESERVOIR AND NEVER THINK ABOUT AGAIN, EVENTUALLY THE BREAK LINE FAILS ALL AT ONCE, THIS IS BECAUSE YOU ACTUALLY PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE LINES THAN USUAL AND THE WEAK SPOT RUPTURES LIKE A WEAK SPOT IN A BALLOON WOULD. THAT MEANS THAT YOU WERE IN A BAD SITUATION ALREADY AND NOW YOU DON'T HAVE ANY BREAKING POWER AT ALL. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENS NEXT??? ALL BREAK LINES ARE STAINLESS STEAL SO AS TO RESIST RUST AND CORROSION, THE ONLY REASON A BREAK LINE FAILS IN THIS LITTLE AMOUNT OF TIME IS BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURE IS PRODUCING AN INFERIOR PRODUCT AND SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NOW,, THE STRUT MOUNTS, AS SOON AS THE COMPANY FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE MOUNTS RUSTING THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE VEHICLES AND SPRAYED $10 WORTH OF UNDERCOATING OVER THE PARTS AFTER REMOVING THE RUST TO STOP ANY MORE RUST FROM FORMING. IF THE STRUT MOUNT IS RUSTED ENOUGH, IT CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME "USUALLY WHEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD,, THAT SENDS AN EXTRA AMOUNT OF FORCE TO THE SUSPENSION. THE STRUT COMES UP THROUGH THE HOOD AND THE WHEEL MAY GO ANY WAY AND HIT ANY PART OF THE WHEEL WELL AND SUSPENSION THE AXLE MAY COME OUT OF THE WHEEL OR TRANSMISSION , ALL OF THAT MEANS YOU MAY HAVE TOTAL LOSE OF BREAKS AND OR STEERING. ALL 3 OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD HAVE EASILY AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED WHEN FIRST REALIZED MANY YEARS AGO, INSTEAD THEY KEPT RIGHT ON MANUFACTURING VEHICLES THE SAME WAY WITH THE SAME IMPERFECTIONS AND IF YOU GO TO A DEALER TODAY WITH EITHER OF THESE PROBLEMS THEY WILL SAY IT IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE HERD OF IT, IT OUT OF WARRANTY, ETC. AND WILL NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT FIXING IT UNLESS WE PAY

PART 1 1/2 THE GAS LINE DECAYING AND THE SUSPENSION STRUT MOUNTS RUSTING AWAY, BOTH OF THESE ARE DEADLY, A RUSTY/CORRODED BREAK LINE WILL JUST LEAK A DROP AT THE TIME, MOST PEOPLE JUST REFILL THE FLUID RESERVOIR AND NEVER THINK ABOUT AGAIN, EVENTUALLY THE BREAK LINE FAILS ALL AT ONCE, THIS IS BECAUSE YOU ACTUALLY PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE LINES THAN USUAL AND THE WEAK SPOT RUPTURES LIKE A WEAK SPOT IN A BALLOON WOULD. THAT MEANS THAT YOU WERE IN A BAD SITUATION ALREADY AND NOW YOU DON'T HAVE ANY BREAKING POWER AT ALL. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENS NEXT??? ALL BREAK LINES ARE STAINLESS STEAL SO AS TO RESIST RUST AND CORROSION, THE ONLY REASON A BREAK LINE FAILS IN THIS LITTLE AMOUNT OF TIME IS BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURE IS PRODUCING AN INFERIOR PRODUCT AND SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NOW,, THE STRUT MOUNTS, AS SOON AS THE COMPANY FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE MOUNTS RUSTING THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE VEHICLES AND SPRAYED $10 WORTH OF UNDERCOATING OVER THE PARTS AFTER REMOVING THE RUST TO STOP ANY MORE RUST FROM FORMING. IF THE STRUT MOUNT IS RUSTED ENOUGH, IT CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME "USUALLY WHEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD,, THAT SENDS AN EXTRA AMOUNT OF FORCE TO THE SUSPENSION. THE STRUT COMES UP THROUGH THE HOOD AND THE WHEEL MAY GO ANY WAY AND HIT ANY PART OF THE WHEEL WELL AND SUSPENSION THE AXLE MAY COME OUT OF THE WHEEL OR TRANSMISSION , ALL OF THAT MEANS YOU MAY HAVE TOTAL LOSE OF BREAKS AND OR STEERING. ALL 3 OF THESE PROBLEMS COULD HAVE EASILY AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED WHEN FIRST REALIZED MANY YEARS AGO, INSTEAD THEY KEPT RIGHT ON MANUFACTURING VEHICLES THE SAME WAY WITH THE SAME IMPERFECTIONS AND IF YOU GO TO A DEALER TODAY WITH EITHER OF THESE PROBLEMS THEY WILL SAY IT IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE HERD OF IT, IT OUT OF WARRANTY, ETC. AND WILL NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT FIXING IT UNLESS WE PAY

PART 1.... I USED TO BE A MECHANIC AND TOW TRUCK OPERATOR. MY MINI VAN "LIKE MOST OTHERS" IS USUALLY DRIVEN BY A FEMALE & WITH A LOAD OF CHILDREN. IF DRIVING IN RAIN OR THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE THE BELT JUMPS OFF CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING OVERHEATING BATTERY DRAIN ETC, IS A DANGEROUS EVEN DEADLY PROBLEM, IF A TURN IS NEEDED AT THE TIME THIS BELT JUMPS OFF, EVEN A STRONG HEALTHY MAN CAN LEAVE THE LINE OF INTENDED TRAVEL AND HIT WHAT EVER IS IN THE WAY, A CURB, A PEDESTRIAN OR EVEN CAUSE A HEAD ON COLLISION. THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS DURING RAINY/NASTY DAYS & BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF REPLACING THE BELT, AND THE DAMAGE THAT IS CAUSED WHEN IT COMES OFF, THE VEHICLE USUALLY REQUIRES A TOW 4 REPAIR. IT IS STATED THAT, WHEN A CONSUMER MAKES A COMPLAINT & IF THE SAME COMPLAINT IS REPEATED AN INVESTIGATION WILL BE STARTED. THIS IS AN OLD PROBLEM WITH MANY, MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS YET, I SEE "NO ACTION, NOT EVEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM", WHY?? CONSUMERS ARE DEPENDING ON YOU "SAFECAR.GOV, NHTSA" ETC. WHAT WILL IT TAKE, "A DEATH" TO START AN INVESTIGATION? OR, SHOULD I SAY, HOW MANY??? I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS, AND A LOT OF DAMAGE JUST FROM THE BELT AS IT JUMPS OFF AND GOES FLOPPING AROUND, NOT TO MENTION THE PEOPLE THAT BURNED UP THEIR MOTOR EVEN STARTED A FIRE TRYING TO GET HOME, TO A SHOP ETC. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN A PLAGUE SINCE DAY ONE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST FIXED ON THE NEXT YEARS MODEL BUT CHRYSLER JUST IGNORED IT. THEIR HAVE BEEN MANY VEHICLES WITH THESE SERPENTINE BELTS,, CHRYSLER VANS IS THE ONLY ONES THAT I KNOW OF WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEADLY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION SINCE THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM FROM THE START AND JUST FLAT OUT IGNORED IT. THE GAS LINE DECAYING AND SUSPENSION STRUT MOUNTS RUSTING AWAY ON THESE SAME MODELS WILL BE MY NEXT POST

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

AT RANDOM GAUGES WILL STOP WORKING ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE ABS LIGHT WILL TURN ON. *TR

THIS IS ACTUALLY MY MOTHER'S VAN AND A VAN THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY OWNED. IT SEEMS THAT THESE VEHICLES SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM NOT DISARMING AS YOU TRY TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. YOU CAN UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT AS SOON AS YOU GET IN THE VEHICLE AND TRY TO START IT, IT IMMEDIATELY SHUTS BACK DOWN AS A SECURITY PRECAUTION. A SIMPLE SMACK ON THE DASH CURES IT RIGHT UP, BUT BEING AS HOW IT'S MY MOTHER'S VAN NOW; SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO SIMPLY "SMACK" THE DASH AND GET EVERYTHING WORKING AGAIN. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE READ ABOUT IT THROUGH SEVERAL DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED IT MYSELF ON TWO SEPARATE VANS. I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT DAIMLER/CHRYSLER SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND NOT HAVE THE CONSUMER FIX IT, SEEING AS HOW IT IS AND ISSUE THAT'S BURIED IN THE DASHBOARD AND NOT OUT IN PLAIN SIGHT, LIKE SOME MECHANICAL ISSUES. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, BECAUSE IT COULD SET OFF THE AIRBAG AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. WELL, WITH ME HAVING TO SMACK THE DASH SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES, HER SPEEDOMETER IS OFF BY 50 MPH NOW. I AM HOPING FOR A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS ISSUE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONE MORE GOOD WHACK COULD SET OFF THE AIRBAG AND REALLY INJURY SOMEBODY. THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID DRAINED FROM THE BRAKE LINES AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

I PURCHASED MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FROM A PRIVATE PARTY IN 2009, AND SHORTLY AFTER THE GAUGE CLUSTER STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON WHICH ON CHECKING WITH MY MECHANIC SAID MY ABS SYSTEM IS NON-FUNCTIONAL AS IS ALL OTHER INSTRUMENT RELATED READINGS. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE PANEL CAME BACK ON AND WORKED FOR AWHILE THAN SHUT OFF AGAIN. SOMEONE SAID HIT THE PANEL FACE AND THE GAUGES SHOULD COME BACK ON. I DID AND IT DID. FOR AWHILE. OVER TIME THE GAUGE FAILURE INTERVAL GREW SHORTER AND SHORTER, AND HITTING THE PANEL FINALLY FAILED TO RETURN THE USE OF THE GAUGES. TO REPLACE THIS GAUGE CLUSTER IS AN $800.00 PLUS REPAIR IN A SHOP WITH A REBUILD PANEL COSTING OVER $200.00 BY ITSELF. I DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT A DEALER WILL CHARGE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I HAVE LEARNED THE GAUGE FAILURE CULPRIT IS COLD SOLDER JOINTS ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CLASS OF VEHICLE. THIS DEFICIENCY CAN EASILY BE AVOIDED BY BETTER QUALITY CONTROL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

CAR HAS FAULTY GAS GAUGE AND DESPITE HOW MUCH GAS I PUT IN, WILL TOGGLE BETWEEN HAVING GAS TO EMPTY AND SITS ON EMPTY, HAS RUN OUT OF GAS AS A RESULT, HARD TO START AND NOW WILL NOT START. ALSO HAS MANY ELECTRICAL QUIRKS, TURN HEADLIGHTS ON INBOARD DASH LIGHT GOES OFF AND VICE VERSA. HAD SOMEONE FIX FAN TO GO ON WHEN PLUGGED INTO BATTERY SINCE CANNOT GET INTO COMPUTER DASHBOARD AND INTERNAL HEAT FAN STOPPED WORKING, ALSO INDICATORS WORK SPORADICALLY (SO EVIDENTLY AN ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATIONS ISSUE). I'VE READ THAT THIS YEAR HAS HAD RECALLS DUE TO FAULTY FUEL HOSES/LINES AND WHEN USING AFTER MARKET FUEL FILTERS EVEN FROM NAPA WHICH WILL CAUSE FUEL LINES TO BECOME FAULTY. MY VAN FALLS WITHIN THIS YEAR, BUT I WAS TOLD MY SPECIFIC VIN # DIDN'T APPLY. VAN IS 3.3 LITER ENGINE, V6. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

WAS DRIVING THE VAN ABOUT APPROX 35 MPH IN A SNOW STORM WHEN IT STARTED TO SLIDE, I ACCELERATED TO KEEP FROM SPINNING OUT AND THE TRANSMISSION LET GO..TOOK IT TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP THAT PUT IT IN AND THEY SAID THE SPIDER GEARS WERE "WELDED" TO THE SHAFT AND IT CAUSED THE SHAFT TO BREAK..THIS IS THE SECOND TRANNY WE PUT IN THIS VAN FOR THE SAME THING. MANUFACTURE DEFECT..THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE NEW TRANNY.. IT COST ME OVER $1950 TO PUT THIS TRANNY IN AND IT IS A REBUILD FROM ADVANCED AUTO..THEY SAID ITS A MANUFACTURE REBUILD..ALSO, THE SWITCH FOR THE HEADLIGHTS IS VERY LOOSE AND YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH IT AND GET IT IN A CERTAIN POSITION TO GET THE LIGHTS TO STAY ON. YOU HAVE TO TURN THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT THEN PULL IT OUT A LITTLE THEN IT WILL STAY ON.. *TR

WHILE DRIVING RUSTED BRAKELINE RUPTURED AND LOST FLUID. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE ALTERNATOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE BUT DECIDED TO REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES MOSTLY WHEN IT RAINED OR HIT A POTHOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND AFTER INSPECTING IT, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) AND WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 7/11/12 *CN UPDATED 07/17/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE STORE, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL PACK MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE OF THE COIL PACK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ UPDATED 03/08/12

BRAKE LINE FAILURE - BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT DUE TO CORROSION. *TT

WHILE DRIVING OUR 97 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE TO DROP OFF A VISITOR, HALFWAY THROUGH THE TRIP, I HAD TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST WENT ALL THE WAY TO FIREWALL. SINCE CARAVAN HAS A FOOT BRAKE, I MANAGED TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON USING THE FOOT BRAKE. THERE WAS A SMELL OF BRAKE FLUID THAT INSTANT SO I FIGURED A LEAK HAD OCCURRED SOMEWHERE. AFTER GETTING HOME, I CHECKED AREA WHERE LEAK WAS COMING FROM AND SAW IT ON THE STAINLESS STEEL BRAID CONNECTION UNDERNEATH DRIVER SEAT NEAR THE ABS MODULE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SOME OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 06/16/11*LJ UPDATED 06/23/11

WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WE HIT WATER ON THE ROAD AND THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF, YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AT THE TIME IF IT HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC YOU COULD HAVE A CRASH. WHEN LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM I FOUND IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. GATES MAKES AN AFTER MARKET FIX PART# 38379K. DODGE WILL NOT FIX IT.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE STOPPED AND PREPARING TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, DESTROYING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS KILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. UPDATED 03/23/11 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING THE TIRE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND EXHIBITED SIGNS OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE UNATTAINABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED A FUEL LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A TEMPORARY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE FUEL RAIL. THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS AGO UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THE REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE REPAIR PART WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, THE HIGH FUEL PRESSURE LINE SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO MASSIVE CORROSION AND THE FUEL PUMP LINE EXHIBITED A CRACK. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPLACEMENT FUEL SENDING UNIT THAT WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 2004 CRACKED. UPDATD 10/25/10

1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, TRAVELING WESTBOUND WHEN HIS RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT. UNIT 1 SPUN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND CAME TO REST IN THE MEDIAN. *BF THE RIGHT REAR FENDER HAD MINOR CONTACT DAMAGE FROM THE TIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0236-89) *JB UPDATED 08/06/10 *BF

THE BELT TENSIONER ON MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE 3.3L ENGINE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT HAS A DESIGN FLAW, THE BELT COMES OFF WHEN THE VAN IS DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES. I HAVE OWNED MY VAN FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT AND COORDINATING PARTS ABOUT 7 TIMES. I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN AROUND DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS NOR DO I FEEL COMFORTABLE SELLING THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FAMILY AND PASSING THIS SEVERE PROBLEM ON TO THEM. PLEASE COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS DESIGN DEFECT AND DO A RECALL!!!!! *TR

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES AND SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL BRAKE FLUID NO STOPPING ABILITY EXCEPT EMERGENCY BRAKE (ONLY EFFECTIVE AT LOW SPEED). *TR

TURNING OUT PARKING LOT AND DID NOT SEE POLE. DAMAGED MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT AND MY FENDER. *TR

TURNING OUT PARKING LOT AND DID NOT SEE POLE. DAMAGED MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT AND MY FENDER. *TR

MY HEADLIGHTS SEEM TO NOT BE BRIGHT ENOUGH. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME KIND OF FILMS BLOCKING THE LIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE/ES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THE SUN VISOR FELL FROM OVER THE CONTACTS HEAD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND HAD TO BE TOWED OUT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. SHE ADVISED THE SUN VISOR WAS DESIGNED TO SIT TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

EVENTS INCLUDE NORMAL USE OF VEHICLE. THE FAILURE IS THE STRUT TOWERS ON A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAVE RUST THROUGH CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE, STRUT COULD BREAK THROUGH THE HOUSING. DODGE HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR

MY VAN WILL SHUT OFF AND COME BACK ON WITHOUT WARNING SO LONG AS YOUR FOOT IS ON THE GAS. IF YOU ARE COMING TO A STOP IT WILL SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY BUT WILL RESTART. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND IMMEDIATELY GO BACK OUT WITH NO CODES STORED. THE CRANK AND CAM SENSOR HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACE BY THE DEALER BUT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN GOING INTO A CORNER OR THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN IT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. THIS STARTED IN 2006 AND IS STILL GOING ON. *TR

UPON TURNING LEFT, THE LEFT FRONT STRUT SHEARED FROM LOWER CONTROL ARM. (BALL JOINT FAILURE) THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY REMAINED ATTACHED AT THE UPPER MOUNT OF THE STRUT, BUT TURNED AND PUSHED SIDEWAYS AGAINST THE BODYWORK, PULLING THE AXLE OUT OF THE TRANS AND DESTROYING THE CV JOINT. THE CAR SKIDDED TO A STOP WITH NO STEERING CONTROL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT OCCURRED TWO YEARS EARLIER (ABOUT 20K MILES AGO). THE UPPER PORTION OF THE STRUT HAD A FAILURE UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS WITH SIMILAR RESULTS. THE STRUT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. HE CALLED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V293000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,500. UPDATED 05/27/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/28/09. *JB

SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE WHEN DEPARTING MY HOME. PEDAL WENT FULLY TO THE FLOOR. LATER INSPECTION REVEALED HEAVY CORROSION AT THE BRAKE LINE JOINTS WITH THE SHORT SECTION OF FLEXIBLE BRAKE LINE JUST REAR OF THE ABS BOX. NO SIGNIFICANT CORROSION ASIDE FROM THE VICINITY OF THE FLEX LINE. ONE OF THE CORRODED BRAKE LINES HAD A PINHOLE LEAK THAT TRIGGERED THE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE HAS TOYO TIRES, SIZE 215/70/R15. THE CONTACT CLOSELY INSPECTED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND NOTICED A BULGE. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL. HE TOOK THE TIRE TO A TIRE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE TIRE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 11/6/08 *CN UPDATED 11/10/08. *JB

THE STRUT TOWER ON THE 1997 DODGE CARAVAN, THAT HAS 99,500 MILES RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. DODGE ADMITTED TO A DESIGN FLAW FOR THE PREMATURE RUSTING STRUT TOWERS. A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN FROM CHRYSLER DATED OCTOBER '02 EXPLICITLY STATED THAT ALL '1996 TO 19'99 CHRYSLER VANS PLYMOUTH, DODGE, AND CHRYSLER, HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE STRUT TOWERS. ALL OF THEM WILL EVENTUALLY RUST FROM THE BOTTOM UP. AS I STATED, THE STRUT TOWERS WERE DEFECTIVE IN THERE DESIGN. CLEARLY, WHEN THE RUSTED STRUT TOWER GIVES, THE STRUT WILL COME UP THROUGH THE HOOD. AT THAT POINT, LIVES WILL BE IN DANGER, AS THE PROBABILITY OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS INEVITABLE. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS MY FORMAL COMPLAINT. WILL CHRYSLER LIVE UP TO THE RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAIR THIS KNOW DEFECT FOR THOSE OF US OUT OF THE WARRANTY TIMELINE. *TR

THE PROBLEM IS WITH A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, THE ACCESSORY BELT KEEP COMING OFF IF YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE THROUGH WATER. IT HAS HAPPEN A LEAST 20 TIME IN THE LAST YEAR WHICH LEAD TO POWER STEERING FAILURE AND OVER HEATING AND BATTERY FAILURE. I TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY CHANGING THE TENSIONER THE BELT ALSO THE IDLER PULLER ALL ABOUT TWICE WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHIFTS, THE VEHICLE MAKES AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IT OPERATES NORMALLY. THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND WILL START BACK UP, BUT IT IS UNRELIABLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REV AND HAVE TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE REVVING TO STOP. IF THERE IS A POWER FLUCTUATION, THE REAR WIPERS WILL TURN ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. THE HIGH BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK, BUT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE PARKING LIGHT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED. HE REPLACED THE BULB, BUT IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IS CONSTANTLY REPLACING THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS. THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF; HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND THERE IS A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY IS RUSTING AND ROTTING. THE ROCKER PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,766. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08.*JB

1997 GRAND CARAVAN SE - REPEATED INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF DASH GAUGES. WHEN THIS OCCURS, NO FEEDBACK FROM CAR ON SPEED OR GAS LEVEL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS OCCASIONAL STALLING. MULTIPLE OTHER CONSUMERS APPEAR TO HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. SEE HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T220421.HTML FOR POSTINGS. THE MECHANIC DID NOT FIX, WOULD APPARENTLY HAVE TO THROW PARTS AT IT (LIKE MANY OF THE CONSUMERS DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE POSTING WITHOUT SUCCESS). THANK YOU. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LAST YEAR ON DECEMBER 2007 MY SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT ON ONE STREET UNDER THE RAIN, I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OFF MY CAR BUT I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO CARS WERE AROUND. IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO DRIVE MY CAR BUT I CALLED THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME NOT WORRY THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET SAFE TO THE SHOP. THAT INCIDENT BROKE MY WINDSHIELD HOSE WATER, MY AIR CONDITIONER AND MY STEERING WHEEL HOSE AND HEAT IT UP THE CAR SO I HAD TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I GOT TO THE MECHANIC SHOP. I WAS SO AFRAID BUT I GOT SAFE. THEN IT HAPPEN AGAIN A WEEK LATER, I WAS SO ANGRY WITH THE MECHANIC BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT HE DIDN'T DO NOTHING TO MY CAR AND THAT HE WAS TAKING MY MONEY ONLY, SINCE I WAS AROUND THE CORNER I WAS ABLE TO GO BACK TO HIM. WITHIN THE LAS 7 MONTHS, MY SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF AROUND 5 TIMES AND EVERY TIME THAT IT CAME OFF IT BROKE SOMETHING, SO I HAD TO PAY THE MECHANIC MORE MONEY. I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO TRY TO CONTACT CHRYSLER AND TRY TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO, UNLESS THEY ARE EXPENTING FOR SOMEONE TO GET KILL BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MANEUVER THE WHEEL. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME MONICA HUAMAN *TR

I OWN A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE ALL WHEEL DRIVE. MY VAN HAS 185,000 MILES ON IT APROX. AND HAD 149,000 WHEN PURCHASED IN 2004. I AM HAVING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VAN FROM THE GET GO TO CURRENT. MY FRONT WIPERS WILL COME ON BY THEM SELF AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND THEY REFUSE TO SHUT OFF. I HAVE TO PULL MY CAR OVER AND SHUT IT DOWN AND HOPE WHEN I START IT NEXT THAT THE WIPERS WILL STAY OFF. JUST RECENTLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS POPPING OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. MY REAR A/C AND HEATER BLOWER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. I GO THROUGH HEADLIGHTS LIKE IM DRINKING WATER AND MOST RECENTLY MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER NO LONGER HAS POWER TO IT. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE MY CELL PHONE IN THE VAN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN TO MY MECHANIC AND HAVE HAD REPAIRS DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUES BUT THEY SEEM TO BE UNREPAIRABLE. I ALSO OWN A 1996 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER THAT HAS THE SAME VERY WIPER ISSUE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FLUID ON THE GROUND. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, INSPECTED THE FLUID, AND DISCOVERED THE PUDDLE WAS BRAKE FLUID. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND CRAWLED UNDERNEATH TO DISCOVER THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 168,680.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCHBACK LIFTGATE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL APART. THE HATCHBACK PUSHED A PORTION OF THE SUPPORT BRACKET INTO THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED INTERIOR DAMAGE. THE ARM OF THE LIFTGATE SNAPPED AND FELL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD. SHE CHECKED THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE TO FIND OUT IF HER VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V079000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE). SHE DISCOVERED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 218,523 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 217,000.

TL*THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CLOCK SPRING, BUT HE DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED BECAUSE THE DODGE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILS FREQUENTLY (ONCE OR TWICE WEEKLY) WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAY CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TO SEVERAL HOURS. WHEN IT OCCURS, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES ON WHILE THE GAUGES ARE OFF. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR SPEED, RPM'S, FUEL LEVEL ETC. ETC. ON OCCASION, HITTING THE DASH WILL CAUSE THEM TO COME BACK ON, BUT NOT ALWAYS. *TR

TWICE IN THE LAST 6 YEARS THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT IN OUR 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DUE TO FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME, IN 2002, OCCURRED AS THE TRANSMISSION PERMANENTLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. THE SECOND TIME, MARCH 2008, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN-SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR - AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT OUT OF GEAR BEFORE DOWN-SHIFTING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE HIGH. THE VAN IS NOT USED FOR ANYTHING BUT PASSENGER TRAVEL NOR IS IT USED FOR TOWING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. SHE MANAGED TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE A CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FLUID HAS DRAINED INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER MONTHS LATER AND THEY STATED THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V215000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY DISCOVERED FLUID LEAKING INTO THE RESERVOIR OF THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER; HOWEVER, NO FLUID WAS LEAKING. AS A RESULT, THE FLUID BEGAN TO ENTER INTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 12/31/07 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, HE REALIZED HE DIDN'T HAVE NORMAL BRAKING POWER. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. UPDATED *JB

THE ORIGINAL HEAD LIGHTS ARE WARN, DETERIORATED, AND DON'T LAMINATE DRIVING AT NIGHT, HIGH BEAMS ARE EQUAL TO ALL OTHER CARS LOW BEAMS. THE LUMIUNS DON'T GET OUT, BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE LENS COVER. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL CARAVANS AROUND THE DATE OF 1997 HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AT A COST OF AROUND $200.00 EACH. THEY ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AT NIGHT, A REAL HAZARD, AND THEY ARE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. SHOULD BE REPLACED BY CORP/ DEALER. *TR

DIGITAL DAHBOARD DISPLAY GOES BLANK WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER CANNOT READ ANY GAUGES. *TR

THE GAUGE CLUSTER ON OUT 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS FAULTY. WE CANNOT TELL HOW FAST WE ARE GOING, WHAT GEAR THE CAR IS IN,ETC. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE MADE TO FIX! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FLAMES TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BEFORE EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 176,000.

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS THAT MY SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF WHILE TURNING A CORNER. I HAVE A 97 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT SE (3.3). THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT WAS RAINING AND THE SECOND TWO TIMES WERE IN GOOD WEATHER. EACH TIME IT WAS QUITE A JERK WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE TURN. WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE??? OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS QUITE A HASSLE HAVING TO GET THE CAR TOWED EACH TIME AND HAVING THE MECHANIC PUT THE BELT BACK ON AND LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TRUST MY VEHICLE ANYMORE. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE TENSIONER,BELT, AND PULLEYS WITH THE GATES MV CONVERSION KIT. HE WAS AWARE OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM. I ALSO READ ONLINE ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HOW THIS SEEMED TO BE THE ONLY FIX THAT WORKED. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP HERE SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY CHRYSLER. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE CHRYSLER WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW AND PROVIDE THIS FIX FOR EVERYONE? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT SMELLS SOMETHING BURNING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STOP NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ABS WIRES WERE TOUCHING. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

TIRES WORE OUT WITHIN 40,000 MILES AND THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE AN 80,000 MILE TIRE. I KEPT THE TIRES ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES, WAL-MART WOULD NOT HONOR THE 80,000 TREAD WEAROUT WARRANTY. *TR

BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ON THE 1997 GRAND CARAVAN WERE FROSTED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE LIGHTS DID NOT SHOWING UP AS BRIGHT. THEY APPEARED LOW LIT ALL THE TIME AS IF THE LIGHT COULD NOT FILTER THROUGH BECAUSE OF THE FROSTED LOOK ALL THE TIME. THIS WAS A HAZARD. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE HEADLIGHT COVERS LOOKED LIKE THEY DID. THIS WAS A REAL PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED HORRIBLE. *AK

THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE DULLED TO THE POINT THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE NOTICEABLY DIMMED TO THE POINT THAT IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROADWAY AT NIGHT. *NM

MY 1997 DODGE CARAVAN HAS THE HABIT OF TURNING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON BY THEMSELVES ABOUT TWICE A MONTH. WHILE THEY HAVE NEVER FAILED TO WORK WHEN I NEEDED THEM, I'VE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING WITH MUCH EXPENSE TAKEN TO FIX AT NO AVAIL. I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WANT A FAULTY WIPER SYSTEM AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MFG. TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY IF THIS IS INDEED AS RAMPANT A COMPLAINT AS IT SEEMS TO BE. *JB

TOOK OFF FROM STOP LIGHT TRANSMISSION FAILED HAD BEEN SLIPPING FOR A WHILE BEFORE. ALSO SHIFTED HARD INTO GEAR. ALREADY HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM REPLACE DUE TO OVERHEATING PROBLEMS AT THE COST OF $1,000.00 NO THEY SAY THE TRANSMISSION WILL COST ABOUT $2,000.00 TO REPLACE. *NM

MAKE : DODGE MODEL : CARAVAN YEAR : 1998 MANUFACTURER : DAIMLER CHRYSLER CORPORATION SERVICE BULLETIN NUM : 2304402 DATE OF BULLETIN: OCT 14, 2002 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10000317 COMPONENT: STRUCTURE:BODY SUMMARY: COSMETIC CORROSION OR PERFORATION AT UPPER STRUT TOWER/S USUALLY BETWEEN THE STRUT AND UPPER LOAD PATH BEAM INNER PANEL (INNER FENDER). *TT *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE INJECTION RAIL AND THE O RINGS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 98V184000, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE RPMS DROPPED TO ZERO, THE VEHICLE JERKED, AND THE ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE OIL PAN WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. UPDATED 08/15/06. *JB

THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 1997 GRAND CARAVAN AND A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I GOT TO WORK I CUT THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. IT DID START BUT THE CUT OFF. THEN IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. NO DASH LIGHTS ANYTHING. I WAITED ABOUT 3 HOURS AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME AND THE DRIVER GOT IN AND TRIED TO START IT, AGAIN IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. HE LEFT THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION WHILE WE TALKED AND THEN ABOUT A MINUTE LATER THE DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND HE STARTED IT. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ON THE WAY TO WORK ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE DASH AND I PULLED OVER AND CUT THE CAR OFF. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES I TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE? *NM

1. WIPERS TURNS ON AUTOMATICALLY - USUALLY WHEN A TURN SIGNAL IS ON. 2. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON FREQUENTLY WITH P1698 CODE AND NO OTHER PENDING CODE. PRESENT INTERVAL AT AN AVERAGE OF A WEEK. DEALER CANNOT FIND THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. FOUND OUT THIS INCIDENT IS VERY COMMON AS DISCUSSED IN SEVERAL CHATROOMS. INCIDENT USUALLY STARTS WITH ABS LIGHT ON THEN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DIES, FOLLOWED BY AIRBAG LIGHT THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. AT INCIDENT, POWER DOOR LOCKS DOES NOT WORK. AT INCIDENT, SOMETIMES ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN OFF AFTER S SHORT DRIVE THEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL WORK. 3.REAR INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN LIT EVEN WHEN DASH SWITCH IS OFF AND NO DOOR AJAR. SOMETIMES A SINGLE INTERIOR LIGHT TURNS ON WHEN STARTING ENGINE AND REMAIN LIT. *JB

I PURCHASED THE 1997 GRAND CARAVAN IN JANUARY 1998 AT THE MARLOW HEIGHTS DEALERSHIP IN MARLOW HEIGHTS, MARYLAND. THE FIRST TIME I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE WAS 5/1999 AT 24,006 MILES VEHICLE HAD LITTLE POWER WHEN ACCELERATING, TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING, TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE RECONDITIONED. IN 12/1999, THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAUSING A VERY STRONG NASTY ODOR. CARPET HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAUSED A HAZARDOUS CONDITION TO MY FAMILY ESPECIALLY MY KIDS HAVING TO BREATH IN THIS FLUID. 3 /2000 SAME FLUID LEAKED AGAIN IN AUTO BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE HEATING COIL. THEN AGAIN IN 8/2001 THE LEAK HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER IN NORTH CAROLINA AND COMPLAINED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WHAT THEY CALLED ONE CONSUMER REPAIR PER CUSTOMER PER VEHICLE. IN 11/2001, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 3 TIMES. AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DUE FOR EMISSIONS TESTING AND DID NOT PASS THE TEST BECAUSE OF A CYLINDER MISFIRE CODE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN THE FUNDS FOR REPAIR, IN 5/2004 @ 118,668 MILES, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED AND THAT WOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE. SO I PAID $114.24 TO REPLACE THE 6 .SPARK PLUGS, PROBLEM NOT SOLVED I ENDED UP PAYING $3,758.82 IN 7/2005 TO REPLACE CYLINDER HEADS, TIMING BELT, AND WATER PUMP . THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME I HAD THE TIMING BELT REPLACED. RECENTLY, IN 3/2006, OIL LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH VC GASKETS, CAM PLUGS, BOTH FT CAM SEALS AND REAR CAM SEALS AND TIMING BELT ONCE AGAIN FOR THIRD TIME. THIS COST TO ME WAS $2,677.50. NOW THE OIL LIGHT IS BACK ON AGAIN. *NM

IN DRIVING MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL EPISODES WHERE IT STALLS WITH NO WARNING. THE FIRST TIME IT STALLED WAS AFTER STOPPING AT A TOLL BOOTH AND IN PULLING OUT FROM THE BOOTH IT JUST DIED. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC AS MY HUSBAND AND THREE SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN THE VAN WITH ME AT THE TIME. HAD IT BEEN DURING RUSH HOUR OR THERE WAS SOMEONE WHO WAS JUST IN A HURRY, THIS INCIDENT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO BE QUITE TRAGIC. MY VAN HAS ALSO STALLED SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND SEVERAL TIMES DRIVING DOWN RESIDENTIAL STREETS. WE CAN NOT SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT EVERYTHING LOOKS O.K. AFTER SEEING A NEWSCAST TONIGHT THAT SPOKE OF THE SAME STALLING WITHOUT WARNING ISSUES IN OTHER VANS I AM HAVING MY FUEL PUMP REPLACED. THIS NEWSCAST SAID THE ISSUE WAS WITH ONLY 1991 - 1995 CHRYSLER/DODGE MODEL VANS. I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT IT COULD BE RELATED TO NEWER MODELS AS WELL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTO SHOP FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC ALERTED THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE ABOUT A POSSIBILITY OF A LEFT SPRING SUPPORT MAY BECOME FRACTURED DUE TO HEAVY CORROSION. THE MECHANIC STATED TO THE OWNER THAT MANY OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TAKING ITEMS OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE HYDRAULIC LIFT SNAPPED. THE REAR HATCH DOOR CAME DOWN AND HIT THE CONTACT, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN FEBRUARY 2005 WE HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED, AND ALL PARTS RELATED TO IT ADJUSTED AND CLEANED. THIS WAS DONE DUE TO A HORRIBLE SCREECHING SOUND. IN NOVEMBER OF THAT YEAR THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF DURING A PERIOD OF COLD & RAINY WEATHER, AND LEFT ME WITHOUT STEERING OR COOLING FANS. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULD NOT STEER. THE BELT WAS REPLACED. SIX WEEKS LATER, AGAIN-IN COLD AND RAINY WEATHER. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND TODAY, 3 WEEKS LATER, YES, COLD AND RAINY WEATHER IT HAS HAPPENED FOR A THIRD TIME. MY GARAGE IS SET TO REPLACE THE STEERING FLUID PUMP, THINKING IT MIGHT BE LEAKING ON IT, THE BELT, TENSIONER AND A PULLEY. HOPING IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS WILL BE A $500 BILL AT LEAST. HOWEVER, AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A REGULAR PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL, CROSSING SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. I CONTACTED DODGE, WHO TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT WITHOUT A RECALL, BUT AGREED THERE HAVE BEEN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS) REGARDING THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM I DID RESEARCH ON THESE TSBS, AS WELL AS VARIOUS WEBSITES WHERE AUTO MECHANICS POST, AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SINGLE REPAIR THAT WORKS IN EACH VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. THIS BELT CONTROLS THE STEERING, THE ALTERNATOR AND THE FANS. THIS IS A MINI-VAN, MADE FOR FAMILIES. I AM FEARFUL OF ALLOWING MY THREE CHILDREN TO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE NOW, KNOWING THAT EVEN AFTER THE REPAIRS COMING UP THIS WEEK, THE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE FIXED. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE DANGER WHICH COULD OCCUR , LOSING STEERING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN POOR CONDITIONS, I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BECOME A RECALL.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED THE ANNUAL INSPECTION. BOTH FRONT STRUT TOWERS WERE RUSTED AND WORN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. WE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK INTO IT AND REPLACED A RELAY OR SWITCH THAT BELONGED TO THE BLOWER MOTORS (FANS BY RADIATOR). THE LIGHTS SEEMED TO GO AWAY UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE ABS LIGHT RETURNED AND THE BRAKES ACT AS THOUGH THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE OUT AT ANY TIME. THEY HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED FOR QUITE A LENGTH OF TIME BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE IS ALSO A WEIRD SOUND OF AIR OR AS IF AIR WHERE COMING OUT WHEN THE BRAKES GET DEPRESSED. I HAVE HAD TO ADD FLUID ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC BUDDY THAT THERE IS VERY GOOD CHANCE ITS THE BRAKE BOOSTER DUE TO THE SOUND OF AIR. I WENT ONLINE AND NOTICED THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS IN A COUPLE OF GRAND CARAVANS BUT MY VIN # DOESN'T FALL INTO THE SUGGESTED VIN RANGE. *NM

SERPENTINE BELT REPEATEDLY COMES OFF ITS PULLEYS, NECESSITATING A TOW, ON-THE-SPOT REPAIR JOB, OR DRIVING UNDER UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR A SHORT DISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. *JB

NO AIRBAG, NO HORN. *NM

DT: 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1996. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO FIXED THE MASTER CYLINDER BECAUSE THE LIGHT TO AIRBAGS STAYED ON. THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS BLINKED OFF AND ON OCCASIONALLY. WHEN SEEING THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THE CONSUMER COULD LOOK AT THIS AS A WARNING, BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE HOW FAST SHE WAS GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS THERE WAS IN THE GAS TANK. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. I THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP IN 2003, AND THEY CHANGED THE CLOCK SPRING. ALSO, THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. FIRST, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF, NOW ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT NOTHING WAS WORKING ON DASHBOARD. *AK

DT: THE CALLER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT 25 MPH AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD HER CHILD. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WILL NOT CATCH. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO IT. THE DAUGHTER CHIPPED A TOOTH AND WHERE IT HIT HER HEAD, THERE WAS A BRUISE. *AK

DT: THE OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENSES WERE NO LONGER TRANSPARENT, BUT WERE TURNING OPAQUE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEALER, AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS SPECIFIC COMPONENT. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE REPLACED BUT AT T CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

1) DRIVING NORMALLY THROUGH WATER SEVERAL INCHES DEEP - CERTAINLY NOT AN UNUSUAL SITUATION CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF AFTERNOON STORMS WE HAVE RECEIVED THIS SUMMER IN MIDDLE GEORGIA. 2) SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS FROM PULLEYS CAUSING LOSE OF POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP, AIR CONDITIONING, ALTERNATOR. ON FIRST OCCASION AND WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND AVOID A COLLISION. 3) BELT APPEARED UNDAMAGED BUT I REPLACED BELT WITH NEW APPROVED BELT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON AUGUST 22, 2005 WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON GEORGIA 87 (RURAL HIGHWAY) IN A SEVERE DOWNPOUR/THUNDERSTORM. THE RAIN AND STORM CONDITIONS WERE SO LOUD I DID NOT NOTICE THE TEMPERATURE GAGE, INDICATOR LIGHTS AND WARNING-BUZZER WARNING ME OF SOME ENGINE FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO AN INTERSECTION AND PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC, AGAIN WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY DUE TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. ULTIMATELY, PEOPLE WILL LOSE LIVES OVER THIS ISSUE IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE ISSUES POSTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. PLEASE PURSUE THIS ISSUE SO SOMEONE'S LIFE CAN BE SAVED. *JB

DT: DT: THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DEEMED TOTALED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF TWO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, ONE FOR THE FUEL RAIL AND ONE FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS CONFLICTING INFORMATION ON THE LETTER SENT TO CONSUMER. THIS HAPPENED ON JANUARY 17, 2005 . *AK *NM

THIS IS ON A '97 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 3.8 LITER. 1) ORIGINALLY THE BRAKES WERE TERRIBLE, (HARD FOOT PRESSURE WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.). AFTER 30KMILES, I TOOK IT IN TO A MECHANIC. IN HIS EXPERIENCE, THE DEALER EQUIPPED FRONT DISC "PISTONS MADE OF PHEOLIC MATERIAL" WOULD OFTEN 'STICK'.. AFTER REPLACING W/ "STEEL" PISTONS THIS PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. 2) THE PROBLEMATIC 'CLOCK-SPRING' FAILED RIGHT BEFORE I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE! BUT, AFTER 30K MORE MILES, IT FAILED AGAIN... THIS TIME THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT FREE. OF COURSE THE "LEGALLY REQUIRED HORN" IS ALSO NO-FUNCTIONING. 3) THE POWER LOCKS FIGHT ME WHEN OPENING WITH A KEY. ON REMOVING SAID KEY, THEY THEN 'RELOCK' BEFORE I CAN OPEN THE DOOR. I MUST OPEN THE DOOR WITH KEY TURNED IN THE LOOK. (SAFETY, NO, INCONVENIENT YES.) HOWEVER, NOW THE POWER LOCKS "SOMETIMES UNLOCK THEMSELVES" WHEN LEFT IN A LOCKED POSITION, OR WHEN DRIVING. 4) THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN, THOUGH IT COMES ON WHEN THE NEEDED, "SHUTS OFF" WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. SHOULDN'T' IT "STAY ON" TILL THE RADIATOR COOLS A BIT?? 5) THE "ENGINE STALLED" AND HESITATED/MISFIRED?. NUMEROUS TIMES THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.. FINALLY AN INDEPENDENT "REPLACED CAM SENSOR". THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR "IMPORTANT SERVICES". SINCERELY, [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WEAR OUT NEARLY EVERY MONTH. THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SWAY WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON FREEWAY OR WHEN CHANGING LANES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON DUE TO A LEAKAGE IN THE BRAKES. THE EGR VALVE KEEPS GOING OUT AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.

TERRIBLE SQUEALING NOISE IN BELT AREA. DEALER CHARGED ~$250 FOR BELT AND TENSIONER REPLACEMENT AND NOISE WAS GREATLY REDUCED. SEVERAL YEARS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED AND GREW EVEN WORSE. REPLACED THE WORN BELT AND NOISE WAS GREATLY REDUCED FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. AFTER THE NOISE RETURNED, REMOVED THE BELT AND CHECKED ALL PULLEYS - FOUND NO PROBLEMS. REPLACED TENSIONER AND IDLER PULLEYS ANYWAY (~$20 EACH FROM DEALER) AND REINSTALLED BELT. NOISE WAS REDUCED FOR ABOUT TWO DAYS. TOOK VAN TO DEALER WHO SAID THAT IT WAS THE TENSIONER AND WERE SURPISED THAT IT HAD LASTED AS LONG AS IT DID. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A NEW ALTERNATOR, POWER STEERING PUMP AND TENSIONER. THE NOISE WAS GREATLY REDUCED, BUT RETURNED FULL FORCE WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS. IN DESPERATION I TURNED TO BELT DRESSING AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION SINCE I HAD CLEANED ALL OF THE PULLEYS PRIOR TO BELT REINSTALLATION. WHEN THE BELT DRESSING WAS SPRAYED ON THE TENSIONER PULLEY THE SOUND DISAPPEARED FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN RETURNED. BELT DRESSING HAD SMALL OR NO EFFECT WHEN SPRAYED AT OTHER LOCATIONS ALONG THE SERPENTINE BELT.

ON MARCH 3RD, OF 2005, WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM AN OUTING WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN, I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN OUR 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. WITHIN MOMENTS AFTER GETTING THE KIDS OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT OF OUR MINIVAN WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. BEFORE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ALONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD AND HOOD WAS DESTROYED AND THE VEHICLE IS NOW A COMPLETE LOSS. SINCE WE DID NOT CARRY COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO ITS AGE, I CONTACTED DAIMLER-CHRYSLER TO MAKE A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES, WHICH CAME TO JUST AROUND $5,300. DAIMLER-CHRYSLER SENT AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR TO OUR RESIDENCE TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT. THE RESULTS WERE TURNED OVER TO THEIR CLAIM BOARD AND WE WERE ADVISED ON 3-18-05 THAT THEIR COMPANY REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE THAT NOT ONLY DESTROYED OUR VEHICLE BUT COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR OUR FOUR CHILDREN. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE THAT THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS FIRE-RELATED RECALLS ON THE 1997 DODGE MINIVANS. SPECIFICALLY, AN ARTICLE SHOWED THAT A RECALL EXISTED ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL DEATHS WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF FUEL RAIL AND O-RING DEFECTS (DAIMLER CHRYSLER RECALL #895). AT NO TIME SINCE OUR PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE, WAS THERE ANY NOTIFICATION CONCERNING SAFETY RECALLS AND AFTER SPECIFICALLY ASKING A DODGE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT. AFTER RECEIVING THE DENIAL LETTER FROM DAIMLER-CHRYSLER, I SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THEIR CLAIMS RESOLUTION GROUP, WHO WOULD NOT GIVE ME A REASON WHY THE CLAIM WAS DENIED AND REFUSED TO SEND ME A COPY OF THEIR INVESTIGATOR'S REPORT.

OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE STRUTS MULTIPLE TIMES. WE HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THE STRUT MOUNT HOUSING THAT HOLDS THE STRUT MOUNT PLATE HAS BECOME OVAL AND NOT ROUND AND THEREFORE IT SOUNDS LIKE A BAD CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER GOING OVER LARGER BUMPS....WHAT DO WE DO NOW? I AM A MECHANIC AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO BY ANOTHER AUTO REPAIR. WE ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING SINCE BASICALLY WHEN WE BOUGHT IT ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND WOULD LIIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OTHER 97 GRAND CARAVANS. PLEASE HELP. WE HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND CAN NOT BE WITHOUT A VAN. THANKS.

1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 3.0 6 CYL BELT CAME OFF IN RAIN STORM LEFT ME STRANDED AND MISSED WORK THE BELT WAS IN ONE PIECE AND GOT IT HOME AND HAD A NEW BELT INSTALLED AND PULLEY UPPER FRONT NON GROOVED. AGAIN BELT CAME OFF BRAN NEW BELT NEW BELT PUT ON AGAIN BELT NOW SQUEALING IN THE BACK BELT TENSION ARM NOR SQUEALING BELT RIDES THE PULLEY L/R ABOUT 1/4 INCH THAN BACK. IT SEEMS TO ME. *NM

SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF IDLER PULLY WHEN DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE COMPLETELY. HOWEVER, DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME.*AK

VAN WAS SLIPPING NOT GOING INTO GEAR WHEN IT WAS COLD AND NOW JUST WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT HAS TO BE REBUILT WILL COST ANYWHERE FROM $2300 TO $2800 TO FIX. *JB

THE STRUT TOWER THAT HOLDS THE UPPER PART OF BOTH FRONT STRUTS WAS RUST OUT. IF I HADN'T HAD THIS REPAIRED, THE FRONT STRUT COULD HAVE BROKEN THROUGH THE STRUT TOWER. CHANCES ARE THIS WOULD HAVE BROKEN THROUGH WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY (BECAUSE THE FORCES ON THE STRUT TOWERS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE GREATEST THEN). THIS COULD VERY PROBABLY HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT. I FEAR THAT MOST CARAVAN OWNERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL EVENTUALLY BE INVOLVED IN A POTENTIALLY VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAD THIS REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE IN NOVEMBER 2004.*AK

HEAVY FUEL VAPORS IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND UNDER HOOD. OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST BUT THEN WENT AWAY THE NEXT DAY. ALL OCCURRENCES WERE DURING COLD WEATHER (20-30F). DRIVER AND PASSENGERS EXPERIENCED NAUSEA. MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE IS MALFUNCTIONING ALLOWING FUEL INTO THE VAPOR CANISTER. THIS SOUNDS ALOT LIKE THE RECALL FOR 1996 MODELS OF THIS VAN. *NM

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILS TO FUNCTION WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZINGG; DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPT; BRAKE FREEZES IN LOCKED AND UNLOCK POSITION CAUSEING DAMAGE TO BRAKE DRUMS (LOCKED) AND LOSS EMERGENCY BRAKE (OPEN). *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH ,AND WHILE CROSSING THE RAILROAD TRACKS, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IT CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *AK

THE CLEAR PLASTIC LENSES THAT COVER THE HEAD LAMP BULBS HAVE BECOME EXTREMELY CLOUDED AND GREATLY DIMINISH THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT ITS NORMAL. I HAVE NOTICED THIS CONDITION ON MANY OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES AND DRIVERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THE CONDITION . THIS CONDITION CREATES AN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING BY REDUCING VISIBILITY. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THERE IS NO MENTION IN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE LISTED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF ANY REQUIRED MAINTENANCE.*AK

DODGE CARAVAN 97 MODEL VIN#[XXX]. STAT FARM INSURANCE # [XXX]. THE ABOVE DODGE CARAVAN WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A SCHOOL BUS ON TUE. 16TH NOV 04 ON ROUTE 516 OLD BRIDGE, NJ 08857. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE UTILITY POLE. *AK THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO WORK. THE DRIVER SEAT AND PASSENGER SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD INSTEAD OF PROTECTING US FROM NECK AND BODY INJURY. THE VEHICLE IS WITH STATEFARM INSURANCE. THEY MAY REMOVE IT FROM ITS TEMPORARY STORAGE IN COUPLE OF DAYS. YOU MAY CONTACT THEM OR THE OLD BRIDGE POLICE IN CASE YOU WANT TO INSPECT THE FAILED SAFETY SYSTEMS. UPDATED 08/03/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I OWN 8 MX4 MICHELIN TIRES I ROTATE AND USE 4 IN THE WINTER AND FOUR IN THE SUMMER. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC BLOW-OUT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER AND HAVE LOGGED OVER 1.5 MILLION MILES IN COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL VEHICLES AND I UTILIZE THE SMITH SYSTEM .THE ROAD WAS CLEAR WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC AND NO ROAD HAZARDS PRESENT. TWO WEEKS LATER ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. ANOTHER MASSIVE BLOW-OUT LEFT REAR BOTH TIMES LARGE HOLES IN THE SIDEWALLS ONE TIER MANUFACTURED IN 2000 THE OTHER IN 1999 MILES ON BOTH TIRES 17K TIERS INSPECTED AND CONFIRMED BLOWOUT ORIGINATED FROM THE INSIDE .SIMILAR OCCURRENCES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. MY REMAINING SIX TIRES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED FOR SIDE WALL DAMAGE OR UNUSUAL WEAR AND NONE FOUND VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AND NO DEFECTS FOUND.*AK

THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK

AS I AM DRIVING MY VAN WILL SUDDENLY JERK FORWARD AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES OFF, AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE VAN SUDDENLY DIES. I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER MANY,MANY TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN FEB,2004 AND THEY HAVE DROVE IT AND PUT IT ON MACHINES AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT AND WHY IT'S DOING THIS. I JUST FOUND OUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND ORIGINAL ONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SO HE GOT RID OF IT.WHEN IT SUDDENLY DIES I HAVE NO STEERING, BRAKES ETC. AND THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE IN HEAVY 4 LANE TRAFFIC AND NO WHERE TO GO. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED AND CORRECTED, I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY AND HOW THIS CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE I OR SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR INJURED. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN ALOT AND I WONDER IF THAT MATTERS TO YOU IF THEY GET INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE YOU CAN'T OR WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!!! I HAVE HAD DODGE VANS BEFORE AND LIKED THEM, BUT I CAN ASURE YOU THAT, IS CHANGING RAPIDLY. I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT'S ON THIS SITE ON THE 97 DODGE CARAVAN'S. WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? *AK

I HAVE A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, AND WHILE I AM DRIVING, THE ENGINE JUST STOPS WORKING AND MY STEERING WHEEL GETS VERY HARD TO MANUVER. I TOOK IT THE THE CAR DEALER AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB *TC

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

SERPENTINE BELT KEEPS COMING OFF EACH TIME THE VEHICLE GOES OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER. VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED EACH TIME WHEN THIS OCCURS. *AK

AUGUST 12, 2004 RE: DANGEROUS RUNAWAY-VEHICLE 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VIN [XXX] THIS IS TO DOCUMENT A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT OCCURRED ON JULY 22, 2004 WITH THE ABOVE VEHICLE. THE MINIVAN HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT HAD ABOUT 124,800 MILES ON IT. MY WIFE, [XXX], WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN A NORTHWEST DIRECTION ON I-40 FROM WILMINGTON TO CHAPEL HILL . SHE WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IS NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT THE SITUATION WAS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT ALTHOUGH IT IS LIKELY THAT SHE HAD ACCELERATED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS GOING OVER 90 MPH AND WOULDNT STOP ALTHOUGH SHE USED THE BRAKES WITH ALL HER FORCE. SHE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND BRAKED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER, WITH THE BRAKES SMOKING AND IN FLAME. IN TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR, THE ENGINE SPEED TOOK OFF AND SHE SHUT IT DOWN AND CALLED AAA FOR A TOW. THE AAA SERVICE STATION MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM THE THROTTLE. THE CABLE WAS STUCK FAST AND HAD KEPT THE THROTTLE OPEN. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT MY WIFE HAD BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VAN WITHOUT COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR RUNNING OFF THE ROAD BEFORE BRINGING IT TO A HALT. THE CABLE APPEARED TO HAVE A BROKEN STRAND THAT STUCK INTO THE OUTER SHEATH. IT IS ONLY ABOUT 20 INCHES LONG AND MAKES A 180 DEGREE U-TURN BETWEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL VACUUM SERVO AND THE THROTTLE. THAT DESIGN PLACES MORE STRESS ON THE CABLE THAN IF IT WERE A STRAIGHT RUN. THE DEFECTIVE CABLE IS AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION. I AM AN MIT GRADUATE MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND FORMER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL OPERATIONS FOR CONSUMERS UNION AND I BELIEVE ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN BY NHTSA TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ME ANY REMEDY EXCEPT REPAIR AT MY OWN EXPENSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING IN WET WEATHER OR ON WET ROAD CONDITION. IT APPEARED THAT WATER WAS GETTING UNDER THE ENGINE, AND CAUSING THE SERPENTINE BELT TO SLIP OFF THE PULLEY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 00V268000 CONCERNING FUEL LEAKAGE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE CHECK UP, AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE PROPERLY. ON MA 3, 2004 WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER THEN TURNED ON THE VEHICLE BACK ON AGAIN RETURN BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MECHANICS IDENTIFIED THAT THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ON THE ORIGINAL FUEL RAIL. THE GAS LEAK WAS STILL PRESENT AND COMING FROM THE BUSHINGS. *SC THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. *JB

MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS BEEN A HEADACHE SINCE I GOT IT. RIGHT AFTER I GOT IT I HAD TO PAY $600 TO GET MY DASHBOARD FIXED BECAUSE ALL MY GAUGES QUIT COMPLETELY. NOW MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL GO OFF BY THEMSELVES EVEN WHEN THEY ARE OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES OR UNLOCK THE DOORS OR OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. WE HAVE IT PUT ON A TESTER AND THEY CANT FIND WHY ITS ON. THE REAR END RATTLES PRETTY BAD ALSO AND SOMETIMES THERE IS NO PICK UP AND GO.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES . AS A RESULT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

VEHICLE IS BEING RECALLED FOR A CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. HOWEVER, PARTS ARE CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. *AK THE CRUISE WAS INOPERATIVE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON. RECALL#02V293000 AND RECALL#96V215000. *SC *JB

RECALL PROBLEMS WITH EXHAUST AND AIR BAGS. *MR THERE WAS NO BACK UP LIGHTS, HORN, OR CLOCKSPRING. *SC

WHILE DRIVING FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE WIPERS OCCASIONALLY COMES ON WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS ON. THE WIPERS CAME ON WHILE I WAS TURNING - CHANGING LANES AND PARTIALLY BLINDING MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. I ALMOST CRASHED WHILE MAKING THE TURN AND IN THE SAME TIME TRYING TO TURN OFF THE WIPER. SINCE THE WIPERS WENT ON WHEN THE WINDSHIELD IS DRY, IT CAUSES THE WIPERS TO STREAK LOUDLY AND SCRATCH THE GLASS. ALSO, THE WIPERS CROSSED EACH OTHER AND CAUSE IT TO SUDDENLY BACK AGAINST THE GLASS. LUCKILY, THE WIPERS DIDN'T SMASH THE WINDSHIELD. HAVING THE WIPERS TURN ON A DRY WINDSHIELD GLASS WHILE TURNING IS VERY DANGEROUS. WE WERE LUCKY THAT MY CHILDREN AND I WEREN'T HURT BY THIS INCIDENT. *JB

REPORTED PROBLEM TO DODGE CORP. SEVERAL YEARS AGO ABOUT WIPERS COMING ON BY THEMSELVES. WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE NO RECALL, NO REMEDY. ON THIS ISSUE, MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE HANDLED BY A RECALL. SECONDLY, AND MOST RECENTLY. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED. DODGE REPRESENTS THAT TIME/MILEAGE PRECLUDES REPAIR AT THEIR COST. REAR WING VENT WINDOW QUIT WORKING APPROX. A WEEK AGO (MAR. 2004). VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE FALLING APART ELECTRONICALLY. MILEAGE/WARRANTY SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. DEFECTS ARE DEFECTS. RECALL REQUESTED. *JB *NM

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER. THE PULLEY BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE DRIVE BELT TO FALL ONTO THE STREET. *AK THERE WAS ANOTHER INCIDENT WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A TURN AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER WITNESSED ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. (THE CONSUMER'S ALTERNATE ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 585 ZIP 03825) *SC *JB

SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *JB

POWER STEERING RACK OPERATES POORLY. WHEN THIS OCCURS THERE IS NO POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING RIGHT. THE STERING FLUID LEAKS OUT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING RACK, BUT THE FAILURE RECCURED WITHIN 38,000 MILES. *AK

DRIVER SEATBACK FAILURE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT, THE DRIVER CLIMBED INTO THE DRIVER SEAT, AND THE SEAT BACK SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED. THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED ONTO THE CHILD PASSENGER SEATED BEHIND THE DRIVER, CAUSING SLIGHT SUPERFICIAL INJURY. EXAMINATION SHOWED THAT THE SEAT BACK SUFFERED METAL SHEER AND SPOT WELD FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF THE SEAT BACK FAILURE, AND HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY PREVIOUS ACCIDENT, NOR HAD THE SEAT EVER BEEN REPLACED. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S SEAT.*AK

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN OUR '97 DODGE CARAVAN HAS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. INDICATIONS ARE THAT IT IS DUE TO AN INTERMITTENT CLOCKSPRING WIRING HARNESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN, MEANING THAT THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK AS WELL AS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. IT APPEARS THIS CLOCKSPRING FAILURE MODE IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER TO FIX IT (AROUND $200). *JB

WAS HIT FROM BEHIND IN 1997 DODGE CARAVAN AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, FRONT SEAT RECLINER ASSEMBLY WENT BACK, THROWING DRIVER TO BACK, CAUSING HEAD, NECK AND BACK INJURY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING REAR RIGHT AUDIO SPEAKER CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A LARGE BURLAP BAG. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, BUT DISCOVERED THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, IT TOOK THE VEHICLE OVER 100 YARDS TO STOP. *AK THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB

WE HAVE REPLACED SIX SERPENTINE BELTS IN THE TWO YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. WE REPLACED THE TENSIONER, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. WE ARE NOW FACING NUMBER SEVEN AND ARE AT THE POINT OF TOTAL FRUSTRATION. WE NEED TO SEE THIS CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. *AK

THE BELT THAT CONTROLS THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND RADIATOR FAN CAME OFF TWICE TODAY AND SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. IT'S ALL WE CAN DO TO GET IT STOPPED AND PULLED OVER WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND IT HAPPENS IN ANY TYPE OF RAIN.*AK

HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A CLOCK SPRING PROBLEM. *AK

FAN BELT KEPT SLIDING OFF GOT BROKEN. *PH THIS PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR WHEN IT WOULD RAIN OR SNOW. THE PART WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD COME ON. *SC

I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT MY CHILDREN ARE NOT SAFE RIDING IN OUR MINI VAN. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND THE GEN3 BELTS ARE IN MY VAN. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALL VEHICLES WITH THESE SPECIFIC BELTS BE RECALLED AND SAFE VERSIONS INSTALLED. *CB

AT 91,000 MILES THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF NEIGHBORS & FRIENDS ALSO EXPERIENCE GRAND CARAVAN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN 97 & 98 MODELS, THERE OBVIOUSLY IS A MAJOR DESIGN PROBLEM. I HAD OWNED A 1989 GRAND CARAVAN THAT HAD TWO TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I TOOK A CHANCE GOING BACK TO CHRYSLER AND LOST THE BET. WHILE CHRYSLER "CUSTOMER NO SERVICE" HAS TOLD ME "SIR, WHEN YOU SIGNED THE DOTTED LINE, YOU KNEW THE WARRANTY WAS 36,000 MILES", CLEARLY THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION IS THAT TRANSMISSIONS IN $30,000 AUTOMOBILES SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 90,000 MILES. WHILE CHRYSLER CAN HIDE BEHIND THE WARRANTY ALL THEY WANT, THEY CLEARLY ARE BREAKING WITH THE PUBLIC''S TRUST. THE FACT THAT CHRYSLER HAS HAD 100,000 MILE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTIES ON OTHER YEARS OF GRAND CARAVANS BESPEAKS TO THE LEVELS THAT THEY: 1. HAD TO GO TO GAIN PUBLIC TRUST 2. THE RECOGNITION THAT THEY MAY HAVE DESIGN PROBLEMS. LASTLY, AS I HAVE LEARNED, THEIR "CUSTOMER NO SERVICE" DEPARTMENT IS A VERY SHORT ONE WAY STREET. WHEN I CALLED, I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AND INQUIRED ABOUT THE PROCESS TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN IN VERY SHORT ORDER THAT THE FIRST PERSON I TALKED TO WAS ALSO THE LAST PERSON THAT I WOULD TO TALK. HE QUICKLY MADE THE DECISION THE CHRYSLER WAS NOT INTERESTED IN HELPING IN ANY WAY AND THAT HIS DECISION WAS FINAL. THERE WAS NEVER ANY "I AM SORRY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NOT MUCH THAT I CAN DO". IT WAS "YOU KNEW WHAT YOU PURCHASED, AND I AM NOT GOING TO HELP YOU IN ANY WAY". IN FACT HE KEPT REMINDING ME HOW LONG WE SPOKE ON THE PHONE AND THAT I WAS WASTING MINE AND IMPLICITLY HIS TIME. ALL IN ALL A VERY POOR EXPERIENCE WITH A LOUSY PRODUCT AND NON-EXISTENT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT GEARS IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THE AIR CONDITIONER TURNED ALL THE WAY UP WILL BLOW OUT AIR AS IF IT WAS ON MID WAY. THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED, WHICH CAUSES ME TO BUY BLADES MORE OFTEN. THE BRAKES SEEM TO LOCK UP WHEN THE GROUND IS WET. YOU CAN HEAR METAL HITTING TOGETHER, AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL. MY SISTER-IN-LAW, AND ONE OF MY DAYCARE MOMS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE NOT AS LUCKY AS I WAS IT CAUSED THEM TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE.

CONSUMER HAS NO DEFECT/ REQUEST TO BE ADDED TO MAILING LIST FOR GRACO A8462HAV CARSEAT. *MR *SC

1997 GRAND CARAVAN SPORT SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF FIVE TIMES IN ONE YEAR, THE LATEST ON 12/30/03 WHEN DRIVING ON A RAINY DAY. EVERY TIME THE BELT GETS WET, IT FALLS OFF! *LA

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT CROSSED OVER THE MEDIAN. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER'S ANKLE WAS SHATTERED AND RECEIVED CONTUSIONS TO THE CHEST.*AK

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHEN VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH WATER, SNOW OR SLUSH CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, ELECTRICAL POWER, ENGINE COOLING; ALL OF WHICH MAY BE CAUSE OF OTHER PROBLEMS IF VEHICLE IS NOT IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND TAKEN SOMEWHERE FOR THE BELT TO BE RE-INSTALLED. MANUFACTURER HAS IDENTIFIED PROBLEM AND A SOLUTION (TSB#070299, NHTSA#606159), WHICH IS ENGINEERING RELATED, YET DOES NOT RELEASE THIS AS A RECALL. IT WAS SERVICED 8/12/03 (BLOUIN) TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BELT, HAS HAD PROBLEM SINCE THAT REPLACEMENT YET MANUFACTURER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THEIR ENGINERRING ERROR AT THEIR COST (LEE). REPAIR SHOULD BE A RECALL CONDITION TO REPAIR A SITUATION THAT CAN CAUSE FATALITIES IF IT OCCURRED UNDER HIGHWAY CONDITIONS.*AK

PARKING BRAKE REPEATEDLY FAILS TO HOLD, DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR, SOMETIMES FAILS IN ON POSITION CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO PARKING AND MAIN REAR BRAKE. CHYRSLER UNWILLING TO ADDRESS PROBLEM. *AK

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED THREE YEARS AGO: WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES FOR NO REASON, CD PLAYER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES HAYWIRE AND WE LOSE THE GAUGES AND MILEAGE, POWER DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, KEYLESS ENTRY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AIR CONDITIONER ODOR AND FAN PROBLEMS, SOMETIMES COOL AIR SOMETIMES NOT AND THE LIST GOES ON. *LA

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VAN LUNGED FORWARD. THE ACTUAL CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE'S FRONT CYLINDER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK THIS CONDITION WAS CONSIDERED A DEFECT PER MECHANIC(S). THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN THIS MAKE/MODEL FOR SOME TIME AND HAD MANY COMPLAINTS AND REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO HELP GIVEN BY THE DEALER. *SCC *JB

VEHICLE HIT A DEER WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH. UPON IMPACT WITH THE DEER, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE CORRECT VIN NUMBER UPON RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT. *PH

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSFER CASE. WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED A FLAT TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMER STARTED TO DRIVE FOR 10 MILES WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT TRANSFER CASE HAD BURNED OUT DUE TO THE SPARE TIRE NOT BEING THE SAME SIZE AS THE REGULAR TIRE. THE TRANSFER CASE BURNED OUT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON ALL WHEEL DRIVE. (AS STATED IN THE TSB 21 05 00, BUT CONSUMER'S WARRANTY EXPIRED) THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF THE MONIES SPENT ON REPAIR(S). *AK *SCC *JB

1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CAR SERPENTINE BELT WAS MAKING NOISE. WAS TOLD IT WAS WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT. DROVE CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. TOWED CAR TO DEALER REPLACED BELT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SAME DAY DROVE CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. TOWED CAR TO DEALER. DEALER CHECKED WITH CHRYSLER ON FIXES. INSTALLED A CLIP. THIS WAS SUPPOSE TO SOLVE MY PROBLEMS. NO HEAVY RAIN FOR A WHILE. THEN, DROVE MY CAR IN HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF AGAIN. TOWED CAR TO DEALER. WAS TOLD THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE TENSIONER AND THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH ALL THEY COULD DO. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR INTO PUDDLES. WE ALL KNOW THAT THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE. STATED TO THE DEALER, THAT I DROVE THROUGH PUDDLES WITH NO PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. THEY DID NOT HAVE A ANSWER FOR ME, AGAIN THEY SAID "YOU SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING IN PUDDLES". I ASKED IF I CANNOT DRIVE IN PUDDLES WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO. THEY SAID TURN AROUND AND FIND A DIFFERENT ROUTE. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. WHAT IF I'M ON A HIGHWAY? SHOULD I TURN AROUND? I'VE DONE SOME SEARCHING ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO OWNS A CARAVAN THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *LA

SERPENTINE BELT FALLS OFF WHEN WATER GETS ON IT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND CONTROL. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND AM CONCERNED THAT MY FAMILYS' SAFETY WILL BE IN JEPARDY EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES TO US AND I FEEL THIS WARRANTS A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE. *AK

THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. MECHANIC REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WE HAD PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND AIR BAG LIGHT. WE FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM, AND IT WAS CORRECTED BY THE DEALER. WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD AFTER THIS RECALL, OUR HORN WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED BY THE SAME DEALER,(COST ALMOST $200.00). THREE MONTHS AFTER THE HORN REPLACEMENT, IT WENT OUT AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO CHARGE. I'M NOT A MECHANIC, BUT IT SOUNDS TOO COINCIDENTAL THAT WE HAD HORN PROBLEMS AFTER THE RECALL WORK. OUR VAN HAS 61,412 MILES ON IT. *LA

IN THE PAST THREE YEARS CONSUMER CHANGED FOUR TIMES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS IMPORTED FROM CANADA. *AK

WHEN EVEN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF STREET WATER, I.E. WATER-FILLED POTHOLE, CURB WATER DRAINAGE, ETC GETS SPLASHED UP ONTO THE VEHICLE UNDERSIDE THE POWER STERRING ASSIST DISAPPEARS FOR A SHORT INTERVAL, 10 TO 20 SECONDS. DURING THAT PERIOD I, A 200 LB MAN WITH REASONABLE BODY STRENGTH, CAN BARELY CONTINUE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS. I HAVE ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE CURB THREE TIMES ALREADY. I AM ARETIRED MECHANICAL ENGINEER WITH EXTENSIVE "DO IT YOURSELF" EXPERIENCE AND I PERCEIVE THAT WATER IS SPLASHING UP ON THE SERPANTINE BELT AND THE BELT FRICTION IS CHANGED ENORMOUSLY WHEN WATER GETS SPLASHED ON THAT BELT. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE IS NO SPLASH GUARD OR DEFLECTOR TO PROTECT THE BELT FROM WATER BEING SPLASHED UP BY THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. MY ENGINE IS THE LARGEST DISPLACEMENT V6. I HAVE HAD MY BELT TENSIONER CHECKED AND IT IS PERFORMING PROPERLY.*AK

1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. STARTED VEHICLE AND LET IDLE WHILE IN PARKING LOT. ENGINE APPEARED TO FORM VAPOR LOCK AND STALLED. TRIED RESTARTING. NO EFFECT. SMELLED FUEL. LOOKED OUTSIDE AND FOUND VERY LARGE FUEL SPILL ON SIDE OF VEHICLE. EVACUATED VEHICLE AND CALLED 911 IN CASE OF FIRE. FD REPORTED SEPARATION OF FUEL LINE FROM FUEL TANK. VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. AWAITING PARTS AND REPAIR INFO. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LINE, LOCATED NEAR THE GAS TANK, HAD CORRODED RESULTING IN THE BRAKE FAILURE.

TRANSMISSION GEARS SLIPPING. SOMETIMES TAKES A FEW MOMENTS FOR IT TO 'CATCH' FIRST GEAR TO GO FROM A LIGHT OR SHIFTS 'HARD' WHEN ACCELERATING. ALSO, DOWN SHIFTS 'HARD' WHEN DECELERATING.*AK

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON OUR 1997 DODGE CARAVAN WILL TURN ON BY THEMSELVES. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME WORSE OVER TIME. THE LOCAL DEALER BELIEVES THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM AT A COST OF $200. THE PROBLEM IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND AN ANNOYANCE AND I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD COVER THE COST TO REPAIR IT.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN, AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, TENSIONER ASSEMBLY FAILED, HORN WAS INOPERABLE, AND THE WATER PUMP LEAKED. AS CORRECTIONS, ALL DEFECTIVE COMPONETS WERE REPLACED. *PH *JB

MY 97 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT CAUSING THE GEAR SELECTOR, ABS, AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO DISPLAY ON THE DASH. DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.

SINCE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENT, THE SERPENTINE BELT REGULARLY SLIPS OFF WHEN SPLASHED WITH WATER. - CAME OFF WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. - DEALER TRIED REPLACING TENSIONER (WHICH I HAD REPLACED 6 MONTHS EARLIER) - NO LUCK - WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO SOLVE WITH DEALER. *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT STAY ENGAGED. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH WATER THE VEHICLE WILL LOST STEERING ABILITY. *NLM

THE FUEL GAUGE WAVERS AFTER FILLING UP. WHEN THERE IS LESS THAN HALF A TANK OF GAS IN CAR, THE GAUGE READS CORRECTLY. BUT WHEN FULL, THE GAUGE GOES FROM EMPTY TO FULL CONSTANTLY AND THE BELL "DINGS" WHEN THE NEEDLE GETS TO EMPTY. *JB

ON 04-26-2003 MY FAMILY AND I WERE LEAVING THE DETROIT METRO AIRPORT PARKING GARAGE. WE HAD JUST LEFT OUR PARKING SPOT WHEN WE PASSED OVER WHAT I ASSUMED WAS A SPEED BUMP GOING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH HEADING TOWARD THE TICKET BOOTH WHICH WAS JUST AHEAD. AS WE PASSED THIS SPEED BUMP OUR AIR BAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO OUR VEHICLE THAT WOULD JUSTIFY THE AIR BAGS GOING OFF AS THEY DID. WE HAVE INFORMED OUR DEALERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM, AS WE FEEL THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE FAULTY, AND THEY ALSO AGREED AT THAT TIME THAT THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, [XXX] AT THE M-59 DODGE DEALER WHO SAID THAT WE WOULD BE CONTACTED AND THE MATTER INVESTIGATED. I SPOKE TO A [XXX]. , WITH THE CHRYSLER INVESTIGATIONS DEPT WHO STATED TO ME THAT THEY DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM IMPACT WITH A SPEED BUMP AND NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE FORTHCOMING. WE FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND AT THE LEAST HAVE THE CAR FIXED, AS OUR DASH BOARD IS ALL TORE APART AT THIS TIME, MAKING THE CAR VIRTUALLY UNDRIVABLE. WE HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AS THIS COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN A WORSE SITUATION IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND PASSED A BUMP OR HIT A POT HOLE AND THESE BAGS HAD DEPLOYED,CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT/FATALITY. THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, VIN # [XXX]. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 48 HOURS WHEN I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE ENGINE AREA WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES, IT HAD NOT BEEN STARTED OR USED AT ALL SINCE IT WAS PARKED. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. OUR COUNTY ARSON TASK FORCE INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED IT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. *NLM

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL IN REFERENCE TO THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. THE AIR BAG WAS IN FACT FAULTY AND THE CLOCKSPRING WAS REPLACED. MR SCC

CHILD WAS ABLE TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKE. *JB

WINSHIELD WIPERS AND HORN FAILED. *NLM

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD, THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. *JB

PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENS ON HEADLIGHTS STEADILY ERODE BY DUST OR OTHER CONTAMINATIONS IN THE FLOW OF AIR. *AK

PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR BRAKE SHOES, NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ALSO, CLOCK SPRING FAILED WHICH CAUSED HORN TO BE INOPERATIVE.*AK *JB

THE DASH LIGHTS FAILED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *AK *NLM

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *TS

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED ON THEIR OWN, WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL WAS USE.*JB *TS

MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 3.3L V6, HAD THE BELT TENSIONER SHEAR OFF/COME APART AT 35,000 MILES. THEN AT 68,000 (33,000 LATER) IT WENT BAD, IT FROZE UP. THIS CAUSED THE BELT TO CRACK ALSO. SO THE TENSIONER AND BELT WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME. HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM HAVE THESE TENSIONERS BEEN? SHOULD I EXPECT THEM TO LAST ONLY 30,000 TO 36,000 MILES?

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF DURING WET WEATHER, MAKING MINIVAN VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER.

I HAVE HAD THE BELT TENSIONER REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE I OWEND THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF WARPPING.THE THIRD TIME I WROTE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE THAY TOLD US THAT THE PART HAS MEET DODGES WARRENTY REQUIREMENTS.THAY WAS SORRY BUT NOTHING THAY COULD DO.I THANK THE IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY PROBLEM BECAUSE WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF YOU LOSE YOUR POWER STEERING.WHICH COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT. PLUS THE WIPPERS COME ON BY THEM SELF OR WHEN YOU PUT ON THE TURNLIGHT ON.THIS HAS BE GOING ON SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN NEW.

WHILE DRIVING, WIPERS COME ON AND OFF ON THERE OWN. SOMETIMES THE WIPERS WON'T GO OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

CONSUMER STATED THE SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN AND NOT RESTART. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB

WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON AND GO OFF ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER STATEEDS PROBLEM IS REALLY NOTICABLE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. *JB MUTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPLACED. *TT

CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK PRNDL. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEAD LIGHT LENS IS DISCOLORING CAUSING LOW VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

CONSUMER STATES WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 10MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

CAR HAD SERIOUS DAMAGE WHOSES SOURCE CANNOT BE DETERMINED BY DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WILL NOT INVESTIGATE.

INTERMITTENT WIPERS WILL NOT CYCLE CONSISTANTLY. THEY MIGHT SWEEP 3 TIMES QUICKLY AND THEN WILL CYCLE NORMALLY, THEN MAY STOP CYCLING FOR 4-6 CYCLES. WIPERS WILL SOMETIMES ACTIVATE ON THEIR OWN. INTERMITTENT WIPERS WILL SOMETIMES BEGIN TO CYCLE AND CONTINUE CYCLING EVEN AFTER THE SWITCH HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION IN DESPERATION. WE LIVE IN THE PACIFIC NW AND HAVE TO DRIVE IN RAIN CONSTANTLY. NOT HAVING RELIABLE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR TO A DEALER TWICE AND HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR. PER THE DEALER, THE SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE BOTH TIMES. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER AFTER HAVING THE SWITCH REPLACED THE SECOND TIME, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN BUT BY THE TIME WE TURNED AROUND AND GOT BACK TO THE DEALER, IT WAS WORKING FINE SO THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS.

WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON A FUEL RAIL PROBLEM. ON 10/08/02 MY WIFE TOOK OUR VAN IN FOR THE APPOINTMENT AT SAVANNAH DODGE FOR THE REPAIR. WHEN SHE PICKED IT UP THEY TOLD HER THEY NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY HAD DIAGNOSED IT AS A CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. THEY TOLD HER IT WOULD BE $181 TO REPAIR IT. WE TOLD THEM WE WOULDN'T DO IT THEN. ON NOVEMBER 5 MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A LEFT FRONTAL COLLISION AND ONLY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN OUR CAR. THAT IS NOT THE POINT OF MY COMPLAINT. TODAY WE RECEIVED A HAND WRITTEN POSTCARD FROM THE DEALER SAYING OUR CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A FACTORY RECALL CLOCKSPRING B24. I THOUGHT THIS WAS QUITE UNUSUAL THAT THE NOTICE CAME FROM THE DEALER AND NOT CHRYSLER. I JUST DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT IN AUGUST 2001 TSB 08-010-01 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM, AND THERE'S QUITE A CONSUMER CONTROVERSY OVER WHETHER THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM OR NOT AND WHETHER IT WARRANTS A SAFETY RECALL. SO WHAT'S SUDDENLY CHANGED? IS IT REALLY A RECALL OR IS THE DEALER JUST TRYING TO DRUM UP BUSINESS? THIS SEEMS TO BE AN UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICE. I HAVE SAVED THE POSTCARD IN CASE YOU'D LIKE IT. DT

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON THIS MINIVAN APPROXIMATELY EVERY 6 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. YES, I GOT A WARRANTY BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR LABOR AND BRAKES SHOULD BE LASTING 40,000 MILES OR MORE. I THINK THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE FRONT BRAKES, OR WHEEL BEARINGS. (WHICH I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE) DT

HORN DOESN'T WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. DT

PLASTIC COVER OVER HEADLIGHTS ARE CRUSTING. DT *TS

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CLOCK SPRINGS WHICH IT AFFECTS HER CRUISE CONTROL THE AIR BAG AND HORN CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT SHE KNOWS THAT A RECALL MAY COME OUT SOON AND JUST WANTS TO MAKE SURE HER VEHICLE IS INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THIS IS NOT A OFICCIAL RECALL YET. TS

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON HORN WOULDN'T WORK CRUISE CONTROL WOULDN'T WORK DEALER KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT PROBLEM WAS. DT

CLOCKSPRING FAILURE $250 REPAIR POSSIBLE RECALL. DT

BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES WAS MADE OF PLASTIC, THE EXPOSURE OF THE SUN HAD CAUSED THE LENSES TO BECOME CLOUDED, WHICH REDUCED THE LIGHTING OF THE HEADLIGHTS. MR *JB

THE SEAT BELT ON BOTH INTEGATED CHILD SEATS FAILED WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER. ONE FAILED WHILE VAN WAS IN MOTION WITH CHILD IN SEAT. THE LATCH SYSTEM THAT LOCKS THE SHOULDER BELTS BROKE. THIS FAILURE PREVENTS THE SHOULDER BELTS FROM SAFELY RESTRAINING A CHILD IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE SOMETHING IN THE CABLE ASSEMBLY THAT LOCKS SHOULDER BELTS AFTER BUCKLE IS LATCHED. I WAS TOLD REPAIR WAS NOT POSSIBLE AND COMPLETE SEAT REPLACEMENT WAS MY ONLY OPTION. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS FAILURE COULD PUT A CHILD IN SEVERE RISK IF IT HAPPEN DURING AN ACCIDENT. DT

CONSUMER STATES HEAD LAMP BECOME POOR VISIBILITY, FOGGED AND HARD TO DRIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

MY HORN DOES NOT WORK. MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. INTERMITTENTLY, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON ALL BY THEMSELF. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG IS FUNCTIONAL OR NOT. DT

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. MR

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE HOOD BECAME ATTACH FROM THE PANEL. AND FLEW IN THE WINDOW THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

MR

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING. HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL AUTOMATICALLY COME ON WITH OUT TURNING ON THE SWITCH. *MR

FUEL GAUGE READING EMPTY WHEN VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY FULL OF FUEL. *MR

SIMILAR, OR MAYBE IDENTICAL CLOCK SPRING MODULE, UNDER NHTSA RECALL 1531(DAIMLER/CHRYSLER RECALL #982) JUNE 18, 2001. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768015

OUR HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERATIVE. OUR AIRBAG LIGHT IS LIT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. MR

WAS TOLD THAT HORN NEEDED FUSE. DISCOVERED LATER THAT CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK. WEB RESEARCH POINTS TO FAILED CLOCK SPRING MECHANISM. *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*767682

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED, ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION.*AK

I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING SAFETY PROBLEM AND HAVING TO PAY NEARLY $300 FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN UNDER REVIEW IS VERY UNSATISFYING. HOPE A CONCLUSION WILL BE REACHED ON THIS ISSUE.NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA RECALLS 97I001000 & 98V185000 INTEGRATED SEAT; OWNER HAS A PROBLEM DUE TO DEALERSHIP REPLACING REGULAR BENCH SEAT WITH AN INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT BENCH. OWNER IS AWARE OF RECALLS FOR INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT BENCH, BUT MANUFACTURER DECLINES DUE TO VIN. BUT WHAT ABOUT SEAT WHICH WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP? NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE GIVEN BY MANUFACTURER OR DEALERSHIP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER/PLYMOUTH HAS SOLD THOUSANDS OF REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRINGS. SINCE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT AFFTECTS TWO SAFETY FEATURES, AIRBAG & HORN, I BELIEVE THEIR SHOULD BE FACTORY RECALL AND I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO RECOVER THE COST OF REPAIRS.*AK

CLOCKSPRING IS DEFECTIVE, YET CHRYLSER WHO KNOWS THIS, INSISTS ON CUST PAYING FOR IT OUT OF POCKET - THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN!!!*AK

FUEL FILTER FITTING UNDER CAR SUBJECT TO ROAD DEBRI, PLASTIC FITTING WILL DISCONNECT ALLOWING FUEL PUMP TO THROW RAW FUEL ALL OVER UNDERCARRAGE.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD, AND HORN / CRUISE CONTROL OPERATE POORLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN DIDN'T WORK. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

CLOCKSPRING "SPRUNG" 3 YEARS AFTER MANUFACTURE BUT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE HORN DIDN'T WORK, AIRBAG DIDN'T WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK. OTHER INCIDENT IS ROUGH ENGINE DURING IDLE AND POWER SURGE IF GOING UP HILL*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CLOCKSPRING UNIT FAILS TO PROVIDE POWER TO AIRBAG, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES IN STEERING WHEEL. THIS UNIT CAN FAIL IN AN ACCIDENT AND PREVENT AIRBAG FROM BEING DEPLOYED. DC HAS SOLD OVER 150,000 REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRINGS AT OVER $250 A PIECE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURES DEFECT. I WAS UNABLE TO BLOW MY HORN AT ANOTHER DRIVER TO GET HIS ATTENTION. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HOWEVER UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED AS I AM WITH NO HORN, NO CRUISE CONTROL CONTROLS, AND AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON, AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL INTREMITTENTLY NOT WORK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT ON , HORN & CRUISE CONTROL ARE NOT WORKING

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE HAS HAD MOMENTARILY LOST POWER ASSIST NUMEROUS TIMES, THERE IS A TSB OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED VEHICLE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WE KEEP THE TIRES AT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED 35 PSI. THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS BETWEEN 75 AND 80 DEG. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HEAVILY LOADED. WE DID NOT HIT ANY OBJECT IN THE ROAD NOR ANY POTHOLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING SUCH AS VIBRATION IN THE REAR OR BOUNCING OF THE WHEEL. THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE RUPTURED SUDDENLY WITH A RIP IN THE SIDEWALL ALMOST FROM WHERE IT MEETS THE RIM, STRAIGHT ACROSS THE SIDEWALL RADIALLY AND SLIGHTLY INTO THE TREAD. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS INSTEAD OF IN A 30 MPH ZONE, THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE SUDDENNESS OF THE TIRE FAILURE.*AK

STRUT TOWER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. STRUTS WILL ONLY LAST ANOTHER YEAR DUE TO RUST. CONTACTED DEALER , AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANTHING. *AK

THERE IS A MOANING SOUND, MOSTLY WHEN MAKING TURNS. DEALER SAID POWER STEERING LINES ARE VIBRATING.*AK

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS AN EMERGENCY BRAKE PROBLEM, WHEN ONE THINKS THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE HOLDING THEY ARE REALLY WEARING AWAY THE SHOES, AND THERE IS SUDDEN AND UNWANTED JAMMING OF THE BRAKE LINKAGE, CONSUMER STATED A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.*JB

EMERGENCY BRAKE INTERMITTENTLY DISENGAGES. THE VAN ALMOST RAN ME OVER WHEN THE BRAKE DISENGAGED WHILE I WAS WINCHING THE BOAT ON THE TRAILER, VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN!!!*AK

CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY OPEN CIRCUIT FAILURE DISABLES DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG AND TRIGGERS OPEN CIRCUIT SENSOR, ENABLING AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON. DEALER STATED THAT CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*AK THE CLOCK SPRING WAS THE DEFECTIVE PART IN THE ASSEMBLY. *JG

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS COME ON,.VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER.*AK

THE POWER STEERING/POWER BRAKES HAVE BEEN LOCKING/FAILING INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST YEAR. TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP IN JULY OF 2001 AND WAS TOLD THE STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM WAS DUE TO HUMIDITY AND LOOSE BELTS AND THE WEATHER WOULD IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE. NOTICED THAT WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MILES PER HOUR. ALSO, WHEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, POWER BRAKES WOULD FAIL. HAD TO LITERALLY STAND ON BRAKE PEDAL OR TURN OFF CAR IGNITION TO STOP CAR. THREW CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION IMMEDIATELY TO REGAIN STEERING AND BRAKES. HAD NO STEERING CAPABILITY AT ALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS BUT SEEMS TO BE GETTING MORE FREQUENT WITH 3 FAILURES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. TOOK CAR INTO DEALER ON 6/24/02 AND THEY WORKED ON IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE DECIDING THE PROBLEM WAS SOME PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY COULD REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BUT NOT WITH THE BRAKES. THEY REPLACED SOME COMPONENT OF THE POWER STEERING AND RELEASED THE CAR 6/26/02. PICKED UP THE CAR ON 6/27/02. THE NEXT DAY, 6/28/02, BOTH STEERING LOCKED AND BRAKES FAILED. WILL HAVE CAR TOWED TO SHOP TODAY. BOTH SON AND HUSBAND HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING. SON NEARLY HIT A TREE WHEN STEERING LOCKED. SAID "CHECK OIL LIGHT " CAME ON DASH. SAID THE ONLY WAY HE COULD STOP THE CAR WAS THE TURN THE IGNITION OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. WE HAD NOTICED THE PROBLEM MORE WHEN MAKING A TURN. HUSBAND SAID THE PROBLEM HAPPENED TO HIM THIS PAST FRIDAY (6/28/02) AND HE WASN'T TURNING AT ALL. WE DO NOT SEE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT FLASHING ON WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS. WE ARE ALL SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID IT WILL STALL OR THE STEERING WHEEL AND POWER BRAKES WILL FAIL TO WORK AT HIGH SPEED.*AK

THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE NOT FUNCTIONING, AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY.

THE TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN DUE TO DIFFERENTIAL PIN FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN FOR THE SAME REASON, BUT THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *YH

IN THE STATE OF PA ON 06/07/2002 WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON ROUTE 33 HEADING TOWARDS ROUTE 80 THE NEW LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN THROUGH A CURVE IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SWERVED AND ROCKED VIOLENTLY BUT CONTROL WAS REGAINED WITHOUT ANY PASSENGERS BEING INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE DESTROYED LEFT REAR TIRE AND CLAIMS TO HAVE RECHECKED THE VEHICLE. IN NJ ON 06/14/2002 WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON ROUTE 202 IN BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP NJ THE NEW RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM WHILE TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF THE ROADWAY. MINIMAL LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURRED WITH THIS SECOND TIRE FAILURE.*AK

THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL! NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT AND HORN FAILS AT ALL TIMES. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATE BY THEMSELVES. NO APPARENT RHYME OR REASON. NO PATTERN.*AK

SEPERTINE BELT AND TENSIONER MAKE A CONSTANT SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BELT CAME OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON A RAINY DAY THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER. WHEN IT CAME OFF, I LOST POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY WIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS LUCKY. IT WAS REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY) IN 1999. IT IS NOW THIRTY THOUSAND MILES LATER AND IT HAS BEEN SQUEAKING OFF AND ON AGAIN FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE IT AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THE LAST ONE LASTED FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAD HIS BELT AND TENSIONER REPLACED 8 TIMES BEFORE HAVING DODGE BUY THE VAN BACK. IT IS A PROBLEM, SO PLEASE LOOK INTO MAKING DODGE RECALL THE FAULTY PARTS. THANK YOU.*JB

AIR BAG LIGHTS HAVE COME ON, AND CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW WHY. HE CALLED DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO INSPECT VEHICLE.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED FUNCTION. DEALER REPLACED "CLOCK SPRING" ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR PROBLEM. AIRBAGS NOT WORKING IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 00V268 TO HAVE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE O-RINGS INSPECTED. HOWEVER, WHEN ARRIVED FOR APPOINTMENT, CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH DEALERSHIP WHO CLAIMS THAT PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *TT

WHILE DRIVING RPM STAYED HIGH AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. DEALER STATES TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED BUT THE ENGINE WAS BURNED BADLY, DRIVER WAS TREATED FOR SMOKE INHALATION. *YD

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED BUT THE ENGINE WAS BURNED BADLY, DRIVER WAS TREATED FOR SMOKE INHALATION. *YD

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. REPAIR COST WAS 264.61. WE FEEL DEALER/MANUFATURER SHOULD PAY REPAIR COST SINCE FAILURE WAS CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES HE RECIEVED A RECALL FOR THE FUEL LINE # 895. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY STATED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. NLM

CONSUMERS IS ABLE TO PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR WITHOUT PRESSING BRAKE, THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *AK *YD

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE STARTER MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, THE FRONT WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN, THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR LOCK WILL NOT WORK FROM THE KEY CONTROL, THE WIPERS OCCASIONALLY GO ON WHEN THE DIRECTIONAL IS ACTIVATED, ALL THE BELLS AND LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH THE DOORS LOCKING FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, CONSUMER STATES IT SEEMED LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED REPLACED. *SLC

WHILE VEHICLE IS AT IDLE, THE RPMS SHOW ANYWHERE FROM 1000 TO 3000 AND THE SPEEDOMETER READS 30 TO 40 MPH, VEHICLE WAS LURCHING BACK AND FORTH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW UPSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED, AFTER REPAIRS THE VEHICLE IS STILL LURCHING, ESPECIALLY WHILE TRAVELLING UPHILL. *SLC

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON/ HORN DOES NOT WORK, AN D CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. *AK

THE DEALER HAD REPLACED A LEAKING FUEL RAIL PRIOR TO THE RECALL. (00V-268). *YH

THE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *YH

THE IGNITION WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. *YH

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY AND WAS REPLACED. *YH

VHEICLE WAS JUST PARKED WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED TO FIND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED CONSUMER WAS TREATED FOR SMOKE INHALATION. CONSUMER DIDN'T HAVE ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING JUST BEFORE PARKING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING FUEL FILTER AND FUEL PUMPS PROBLEMS AND HAD BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE INCIDENT.*YD

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED, CRUISE CONTROL OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AND ENGINE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT ENGINE BELTS HAD BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

SERPENTINE BELT BROKE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK VEHICLE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TT

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND HORN/ CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. DEALER REPLACED CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD, AND HORN WILL NOT WORK DUE TO CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. *AK *YH

WHILE DRIVING 40MPH AND SLOWING DOWN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. REAR ANF FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN, CONSUMER WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION. HINGE ON DRIVER SEAT BROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO COLLAPSE AND INJURY TO TO DRIVER. REAR AND FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK *YD

WHILE BACKING UP THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, THEN AT 40 MPH TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT. DEALER DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *YD

RECEIVED RECALL 00V268000 NOTICE AND CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED NO PARTS AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT SENDING ANY PARTS, THERRE WAS A LONG WAITING LIST FOR FUEL REPAIR PARTS.*AK *TT

WHEN IT RAINS IT LEAKS INSIDE OF VEHICLE. HAD TO REMOVE CARPET BECAUSE OF ODOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPAIRED VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE GEN-3 SEATBELT BUCKLES AND ESTABLISH THE 40MM OR MORE STRINGENT 30MM BALL TEST AS A STANDARD FOR BUCKLE SAFETY. ALSO, I THINK THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL ALL OF THE VEHICLES THAT THEY PUT THESE IN. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS, BECAUSE THERE IS NO TELLING HOW MANY HAVE FAILED SINCE THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AFTER A CRASH, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THEY CAN EASILY BE BUMPED IN A COLLISION AND RELEASE. THE GEN-3 SEATBELT CANNOT PASS THE 30 OR 40MM BALL TEST AND CHRYSLER KNEW ABOUT THIS SINCE 1996. THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN A CAR IS THE SEATBELT. IF IT ISN'T THEN WHY ARE THERE SEATBELT LAWS? IF IT RELEASES DURING A COLLISION, THEN I MIGHT AS WELL NOT HAVE IT ON TO START WITH. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS!!!!*AK

THE GEN3 SEATBELTS THAT ARE IN QUITE A FEW FAMILY VEHICLES ARE KILLING PEOPLE! THEY ARE REELEASE WITH TOO LITTLE PRESURE. HOW ARE THESE BELTS SUPPOSE TO KEEP OUR CHILD SEATS SAFELY SECURE? WE NEED TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO ALL AND WE NEED TO GET THESE FIXED! I USE THESE BELTS EVERYDAY FOR MY TWO LITTLE GIRLS, WHO ARE MY WORLD! THEIR SAFETY MEANS THE WORLD TO ME, AND I WILL NOT REST UNTIL THE MESSAGE IS OUT TO ALL THAT THESE SEATBELTS ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED IMEDIATELY! PLEASE HELP ME!*AK

UPON SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN OR WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSECTION, VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN THIS OCCURS OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES. *AK *SLC

VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS CONSISTENTLY AND RAPIDLY CONSUMED BATTERIES, ALL BATTERIES WERE UNABLE TO BE INSTALLED. *JG

SOON AFTER PURCHASE, THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN TO EMIT A LOUD THROBBING HUM WHEN APPLIED, BRAKES BECAME LESS RESPONSIVE, DEALER REPLACED DRUMS, ALSO THE FRONT BRAKES WERE NOISEY. *JG

THE POWER LOCKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR BECAME INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE, HAD LOCK ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *JG

THERE WAS A STRONG THUMPING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE GAS TANK, UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, CONSTANT THUNMP BECAME TERRIBLY IRRITATING, DEALER INSTALLED A GAS TANK PAD TO DEADEN THE NOISE. *JG

VEHICLES WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM MAGICALLY TURN THEMSELVES ON INFREQUENTLY BUT CONSISTENTLY, ALSO IN INTERMITENT MODE, THE WIPERS OFTEN SWIPE TWO TO FOUR TIMES BEFORE FINISHING A SINGLE CYCLE, DEALER REPLACED WIPER MOTOR. *JG

CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELDS WEATHER STRIPPING FLAPS. *JG

CONSUMER STATED THE OXYGEN SENSOR PREMATURELY FAILED. *JG

CONSUMER STATED THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT HINGE FAILED. *JG

CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITONING SYSTEM COMPRESSOR CLUTCH EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *JG

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A PREMATURELY CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. *JG

VEHICLE HAS LEAKING OIL PRESSURE. THE ENGINE CAMSHAFT FRACTURED WHILE ON A FAST AND WINDING MOUNTAINOUS ROAD. *JG

VEHICLE HAS LEAKING OIL PRESSURE. THE ENGINE CAMSHAFT FRACTURED WHILE ON A FAST AND WINDING MOUNTAINOUS ROAD. *JG

CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING TRAIN LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN OR STEER VEHICLE. *JG

THE MOUNTING BOLT ATTACHING THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONING PULLEY HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE BELT TO ENLODGE NEAR AN ENGINE MOUNT. *JG

THE MOUNTING BOLT ATTACHING THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONING PULLEY HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE BELT TO ENLODGE NEAR AN ENGINE MOUNT. *JG

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION, CLOCKSPRING, FOR THE AIR BAG FAILED. AIRBAG, HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROL INOP.

THIS IS THE DESCRIPTION TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY (WITHOUT PICTURES) TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. I AM FORWARDING A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT I ENLISTED WITH CENTURY/GRACO CHILDRENS PRODUCTS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN IN THAT THERE IS NO WAY POSSIBLE THAT ANY OF THE CAR SEATS IN THIS CATAGORY COULD BE ANY MORE FUNCTIONAL OR LESS DANGEROUS THAN THE ONE I HAVE. THE REASON IS THAT ALL THE CAR SEATS HAVE THE SAME PLASTIC USED FOR THE BASES. HERE IS THE ATTACHED MEMO: I HAVE A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN WHICH WAS RECENTLY BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. THE CAR SEAT BASE IN REFERENCE TO THE CAR SEAT MODEL STATED ABOVE HAS A SERIOUS STRUCTURAL DEFECT. WHEN OUR LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP WAS INSTALLING OUR CAR SEAT IN OUR NEW VEHICLE THE BASE WOULD NOT ANGLE PROPERLY. WHEN THE BASE WAS EXAMINED BY THE INSPECTOR, SHE DISCOVERED THE PLASTIC ON THE BASE WAS SEVERLY BENT IN TWO PLACES COMPRIMISING ITS SAFETY AS WELL AS ITS COMFORT FOR THE CHILD. THE AREA IN QUESTION IS THE PIECE THAT ELEVATES THE FRONT OF THE CAR SEAT (IN THIS CASE THE PIECE IN QUESTION IS DARK BLUE). IN ADDITION TO THIS PIECE, THE WHITE PLASTIC PIECES WHICH STAND OUT FROM THE SIDE IN THE AREA OR CHANNEL IN WHICH THE "BLUE" PIECE SLIDES IN AND OUT OF IS BENT ON EACH SIDE. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN IN THAT THIS CANNOT BE THE ONLY ONE OUT THERE THAT IS THIS WAY. HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT WOULD PERIODICALLY LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF THERE BASE TO CHECK THIS OUT? THIS IS A MAJOR AND VERY SERIOUS CONCERN. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO REPLACING MY BASE FOR ME. I HAVE THE ABILITY, IF YOU NEED ME TOO TO SEND DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE AREA IN QUESTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS AND I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO THIS.*AK

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER COMES ON WITHOUT MY INTERVENTION. SOMETIMES THIS SCARES ME SO BAD, MY HEART JUST STARTS TO RACE. I FEAR THAT ONE OF THESE TIMES IT MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WISH DODGE WOULD PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS ITEM SINCE I SAW IT MENTIONED FREQUENTLY ON YOUR WEBSITE BY OTHER DODGE GRAND CARAVAN OWNERS. *AK

CLOCK SPRING ASSY. FAILED DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. IT CAUSES AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON DISABLING AIR BAG, CRUISE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CLOCK SPRING BECAME INOPERABLE, FORCING AIR BAG TO DISENGAGE, AND HORN TO BECOME INOPERABLE ALONG WITH CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN USED AT HIGH SPEED COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON WHEN NOT SELECTED, AND IS VERY DISTRACTING, AND HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. SOME OF MY FRIENDS WHICH ALSO OWN CARAVAN/VOYAGER HAVE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I THINK DODGE NEEDS TO REDISGN THE SWITCH, AND RECALL ALL THE EFFECTED VEHICLES AND HAVE IT CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. ALSO AS FAR AS THE FRONT BRAKES, I HAVE HAD THE FRONT BRAKE SHOES REPLACED AT LEAST 7 TIMES IN THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I HAVEN'T REPLACED THAT MANY BRAKES TOGETHER ON ALL THE OTHER CARS I HAVE OWNED. I THINK THE FRONT DISC BRAKES ARE UNDERSIZED AND CANNOT MEET THE WEIGHT OF THE VAN. DODGE ALSO NEEDS TO REDISN THE FRONT BRAKE SYS AND MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE HORN FAILS TO FUNCTION, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK POSSIBLE CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, WHEN ARRIVING HOME THERE WAS A FIRE DETECTED, CLAIM 42-1396-385. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING FAILED, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE, CLAIM 25-5411-610. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE BEING DRIVEN, THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 20-5392-910. *SLC

WIRING HARNESS FIRE AT BATTERY AND UNDER HOOD FUSE BLOCK, CLAIM 20-5416-549. *SLC

THERE WAS A WIRE THAT SHORTED AND CAUSED A FIRE, CLAIM 15-3062-363. *SLC

CONSUMER WENT INTO THE STORE AND WHEN COMING OUT, SHE SAW THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUTTING OUT A FIRE FROM HER VEHICLE, THE FIRE OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 55-S384-563. *SLC

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND HEARD LOUD NOISES, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT SO THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF, HOWEVER IT KEPT RUNNING, FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE AND PULLED THE BATTERY CABLES, CLAIM 05-4650-711. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND IT IGNITED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY, CLAIM 15-3030-879. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COULD SMELL SMOKE, PULLED OVER AND SMOKE AND FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A LEAKY POWER STEERING LINE AT THE REAR OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, CLAIM 05-4462-943. *SLC

CONSUMER STARTED TO SMELL BURNING WIRES, THE BATTERY WAS SITTING ON TWO WIRES OF WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED WIRES TO SHORT OUT, CLAIM 13-7061-575. *SLC

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED 2 FIRES, THE FIRST FIRE HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND WAS COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY, CLAIM 16-N100-392. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE BEING DRIVEN, THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 20-5392-910. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND IT IGNITED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY, CLAIM 15-3030-879. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, WHEN ARRIVING HOME THERE WAS A FIRE DETECTED, CLAIM 42-1396-385. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING FAILED, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE, CLAIM 25-5411-610. *SLC

WIRING HARNESS FIRE AT BATTERY AND UNDER HOOD FUSE BLOCK, CLAIM 20-5416-549. *SLC

THERE WAS A WIRE THAT SHORTED AND CAUSED A FIRE, CLAIM 15-3062-363. *SLC

CONSUMER WENT INTO THE STORE AND WHEN COMING OUT, SHE SAW THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUTTING OUT A FIRE FROM HER VEHICLE, THE FIRE OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 55-S384-563. *SLC

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND HEARD LOUD NOISES, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT SO THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF, HOWEVER IT KEPT RUNNING, FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE AND PULLED THE BATTERY CABLES, CLAIM 05-4650-711. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COULD SMELL SMOKE, PULLED OVER AND SMOKE AND FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A LEAKY POWER STEERING LINE AT THE REAR OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, CLAIM 05-4462-943. *SLC

CONSUMER STARTED TO SMELL BURNING WIRES, THE BATTERY WAS SITTING ON TWO WIRES OF WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED WIRES TO SHORT OUT, CLAIM 13-7061-575. *SLC

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED 2 FIRES, THE FIRST FIRE HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND WAS COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY, CLAIM 16-N100-392. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, VEHICLE "BOTTOMED-OUT" WHILE TRAVELING UP A DRIVEWAY. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS IN VEHICLE DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS, AND AIR BAG SENSORS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

HAVE DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. RESULTS IN LOSS OF HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINING LIT AT ALL TIMES.*AK

THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 00-V-268-00. BUT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. VEHICLE LEAKED OUT ALMOST INSTANTLY 28 GALLONS OF FUEL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS TAKING A LOOK AT THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE TIGHTENING A CAR SEAT IN REAR OF A BENT SEAT DRIVER'S SIDE RESTRAINT BELT SLIPPED DOWN BETWEEN SEAT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE AT CONSUMERS COST, HOWEVER WIPERS CONTINUE TO COME ON WHILE MAKING TURNS, IN COLD WEATHER, AND OCCASIONALLY IN THE SUMMER FOR NO REASON, POSSIBLE WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE AT CONSUMERS COST, HOWEVER WIPERS CONTINUE TO COME ON WHILE MAKING TURNS, IN COLD WEATHER, AND OCCASIONALLY IN THE SUMMER FOR NO REASON, POSSIBLE WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. *SLC

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. THE HORN AND SPEED CONTROL ARE ALSO INOPERABLE WHICH OCCURRED ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATE OCCASIONALLY EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS ALSO MOVE WHEN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ARE ACTIVATED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AIR BAG, HORN AND SPEED CONTROL PROBLEMS ARE CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA. A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY IS THE POSSIBLE CULPRIT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING TO SUPER MARKET THERE WAS SOME NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. THEN, AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND GETTING BACK IN, AND TRYING TO PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. *AK

THE LIFT GATE BOLT BROKE OFF ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. THE GATE CRASHED DOWN ON THE BACK OF MY NECK AND BACK. THIS COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED MY FIVE YEAR OLD IF HE WERE THERE. IT COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS MATTER. TWO OTHER PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM TO PLEASE REPORT IT. I THINK THE 91-93 MODELS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE OTHER PROBLEMS ARE NOT AS SERIOUS AS THIS. I HOPE NO ONE HAS TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT BY THIS BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. THE GATE IS SO HEAVY. I CAN NOT LIFT IT TO USE IT. THE BOLT IS STILL BROKE OFF INSIDE THE PANEL. THE DEALER SAID THE LABOR WOULD BE AROUND $175.00, AS THE PANEL MUST BE REMOVED. THE PART IS A REMAN PART. COST $21.00 #G0004532.I AM VERY UPSET THAT A FAMILY VEHICLE IS THIS UNSAFE, AND THE COMPANY ISN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DON'T CARE IF THERE WERE ONLY THREE REPORTED CASES. THAT'S THREE TOO MANY.

VEHICLE WAS PARKED/ ENGINE OFF/ EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT APPLIED, AND 2 YEAR OLD MOVED GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO THIRD GEAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL AND HIT A TREE. NO INJURIES.*AK

CLOCK SPRING FAILED, DISABLING HORN, AIRBAG, AND CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $250 FOR THE REPAIR. SINCE THEN, TWO OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR HAVE HAD THEIR CLOCK SPRING FAIL, AND THEY HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (08-010-01) FOR THE REPAIR, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE THE REPAIR AT NO, OR A REDUCED, COST. AS THE HORN AND AIRBAG WERE DISABLED, I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED AS A SAFETY ISSUE RECALL.*AK

INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL, PREVENTING CONSUMER FROM READING SPEED/FUEL LEVELS AND WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT "BODY CONTROL MODULE" COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THIS PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CIRCUIT BOARD.*JB

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR A WEEK; HAS STAYED ON PERMANENTLY EVER SINCE OCT 8, 2001. CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS. HORN IS STILL WORKING AS OF 10/21/01.

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED AIR BAG INDIACTOR LIGHT WAS ON INTERMITTENTLY SOON AFTER, RADIO CAME ON AND BEEN REPLACED. ALSO, SPEEDODOMETER GAVE WRONG READING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND REPLACED BATTERY. HAS BEEN REPLACE 6 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 20-5392-910. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 20-5392-910. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH TRANSMISSION LOST POWER AND CONSUMER MANAGED TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. THEN, TOWED VEHICLE TO A SHOP, WHERE THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT HAD CAUSED THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFOMATION.*AK

WIRING HARNESS AT BATTERY AND UNDER HOOD FUSE BLOCK CAUSED FIRE, CLAIM 20-5416-549. *SLC

WIRING HARNESS AT BATTERY AND UNDER HOOD FUSE BLOCK CAUSED FIRE, CLAIM 20-5416-549. *SLC

AIRBAG, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN WERE INOPERABLE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

ENGINE STARTED TO HAVE A LOUD SQUEEKING SOUND ON START-UP & SQUEEK CONTINUED AFTER BUT NOT AS LOUD. BRAKES NOTED TO HAVE A LONGER BRAKING TIME WHEN TRAVELLING AT 50 MPH. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INVOLUNTARILY WHEN VHEICLE MAKES TURNS OR HITS BUMPS. DEFECTIVE WINDSHSHIELD WIPER SWITCH WAS REPLACE IN 2000. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE DISTRACTING WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING 45MPH AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED ON/OFF UNTIL IT REMAINED CONTINOUSLY ON. PROBLEM EFFECTED HORN USAGE AND CRUISE CONTROL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEING BROKEN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER COULD SMELL SMOKE, WHEN ARRIVING HOME, A FIRE WAS DETECTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 42-1396-385. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER COULD SMELL SMOKE, WHEN ARRIVING HOME, A FIRE WAS DETECTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 42-1396-385. *SLC

AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND OFF. CRUISE CONTROL OFF SWITCH DOESN'T DISENGAGE VEHICLE, ONLY IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF. STEERING WHEEL MAKES A SQUEAKY NOISE, BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO AFFECT CONSUMER'S STEERING ABILITY. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER TO BRING VEHICLE IN TO BE INSPECTED.*AK

TRANSMISSION SHELLED OUT. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN WITH NORMAL USE AND CARE.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHTON. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD.*AK

CRUISE CONTROL IN-OP. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD. *AK

HORN DOESN'T WORK. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD.*AK

TRANSMISSION SHELLED OUT. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN WITH NORMAL USE AND CARE.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHTON. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD.*AK

CRUISE CONTROL IN-OP. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD. *AK

HORN DOESN'T WORK. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD.*AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 55-S384-563. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 55-S384-563. *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON/OFF WHILE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SLC

WITH THE CAR PARKED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF, I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY CHILD FROM THE INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT OF MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE STRAPS ARE SUPPOSED TO PULL FORWARD FREELY, WHICH THEN LOOSENS THEM ENABLING THE STRAPS TO SLIP OVER THE CHILDS HEAD. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, I WAS UNABLE TO PULL THE STRAPS FORWARD AT ALL. I THEN MANAGED TO UNCLIP THE CLIPS WHICH ARE LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM SIDES OF THE SEAT AND THEN JUST BARELY SLIP THE STRAP AND YOKE OVER HER HEAD TO FREE HER FROM THE SEAT. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION ABOUT THIS MATTER. I WAS TOLD BY BOTH PARTIES THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS OVER THE 3 YR./36,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT NEITHER WOULD HELP TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST SOMEWHERE AROUND $700.00 MAKING IT A VERY COSTLY REPAIR!!! I HATE TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF I WERE REALLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND HAD TO GET MY CHILD OUT OF THE SEAT QUICKLY, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE BELT SEIZED OR FROZE UP LIKE IT DID UNABLING ME TO GET MY CHILD OUT OF THE VEHICLE!!*AK

WHILE IN DRIVEWAY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED TO 30-40 MPH IN A SHORT DISTANCE WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. PRIOR TO INCIDENT CONSUMER SMELLED WIRES BURNING. *AK

SERVICE DETERMINED THAT CLOCKSPRING NEEDED REPLACEMENT CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO STAY ON. I SAW SHOW ON FOX 5 THAT SAID THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT SUBJECT TO RECALL. *AK

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTANTLY DURING TURNS AND BRAKING. TOOK TO A DODGE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND AN OPEN CLOCKSPRING CIRCUIT. THEY REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING. I CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSIGHT AND FOUND AN ODI ACTION FOR THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM ON AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO A RECENT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS SUMMARY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE.*AK

OUR HORN DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE AND AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER A YEAR.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TURNING ON WHEN LEFT SIGNAL SWITCHED ON; NOW COME ON OFTEN FOR NO REASON, AND NEED TO BE MANUALLY SHUT OFF; AND WHERE EVER THE BLADES ARE WHEN SWITCHED OFF IS WHERE THEY STAY. VERY DISTRACTING AND HUGE ANNOYANCE. INTERMEDIATE FEATURE NO LONGER WORKS. *AK

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT, CONSUMER TURNED OFF ENGINE, BUT IT KEPT ON RUNNING, CONSUMER CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT, CLAIM 05-4650-711. *SLC

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT, CONSUMER TURNED OFF ENGINE, BUT IT KEPT ON RUNNING, CONSUMER CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT, CLAIM 05-4650-711. *SLC

AIR BAG LIGHT ON, NO HORN, HAUNTED WIPERS WORK WITHOUT ACTIVATION

THESE TIRES WERE REPLACED AS PART OF A RECALL IN APPROXIMATELY 1998. THE THREAD ON THIS TIRE HAS VIRTUALLY NO WEAR. THERE IS PROBABLY ABOUT 12-15,000 MILES ON THESE TIRES. MY SON AND I WERE DRIVNG DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD A CAR BEEN CLOSER TO US THAN THEY WERE, AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY AND QUICKLY. UPON INSPECTION OF THE TIRE, I SAW THAT THE THREAD HAD COMPLETELY COME OFF THE SIDES OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS IN THREE DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT PARTS. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO CAME TO CHANGE THE TIRE WAS FLABERGASTED AT THE CONDITION OF THE TIRE. HE SAID THAT THE ONLY OTHER TIRES HE HAS SEEN THAT LOOKED LIKE THIS WERE THE FIRESTORE TIRES ON THE SUVS. WHEN I WENT TO THE TIRE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TIRE, HE HAD THE SAME TYPE OF COMMENTS. IT WAS OBVIOUS TO THE TWO REPAIR MEN THAT THESE TIRES WERE DEFECTVIE. BOTH SAID WE WERE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE GIVEN THE CONDITION OF THE TIRE. MY QUESTION IS NOW, WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THE OTHER ONE THAT IS ON THERE, AND CAN I GET RETRIBUTION FOR THE COST OF THESE TIRES. ALSO, HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS IN THE PAST? SHOULD I CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP OR THE MANUFACTURER. IF YOU COULD SUPPLY ME WITH THIS INFORMATION, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. *AK (TIRESIZE: P215/65R15)

WHEN USING THIS BOOSTER SEAT IN MY VAN, WHEN MY CHILD LEANS FORWARD, THE SEATBELT, WHEN PUT THROUGHT THE SEAT BELT GUIDES ON THE BOOSTER SEAT, BECOMES LOOSE AND SLACK. WHEN MY CHILD SITS BACK THE SEAT BELT GETS CAUGHT UP ON THE SEAT BELT GUIDE, AND THE SEAT BELT JUST HANGS LOOSE- THIS WOULD DEFINATELY BE A PROBLEM IN A CRASH. I'M SURE THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS BECAUSE CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE JUST DID AN ARTICLE ABOUT CAR SEATS, AND THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP. I AM GOING TO BE CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER MYSELF- BUT YOUR HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON HOT DAY NOTICED BURNING RUBBER SMELL. STARTED DOWN A HILL AND NOTICED BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO WORK. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. TRIED PARKING BRAKE. CAR WAS STEERED INTO ABANDON GAS STATION TO AVOID COLLISION. HAD TO PUT INTO PARK TO STOP VEHICLE. GOODYEAR EMPLOYEE TRIED BRAKES:WENT TO FLOOR. TECHNICIAN VIEWED (IN HOUR)HAD BRAKES:BLEED LINES. TOLD AIR IN LINES. SAME AS ODI-ID 887484.TOOK TO DEALER:COULD NOT EXPLAIN. REAR BRAKES THIN. MENTION OF POSSIBLE MASTER CYLINDER DEFECT.NHTSA TOLD ME OF 1996 RECALL. CALLED CHRYSLER-VIN NOT INVOLVED.VERY CONCERNED OVER FUTURE BRAKE PERFORMANCE.*AK

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SINCE WE'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS SPONTANEOUSLY ACTIVATE, MAKE TWO OR THREE PASSES ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD, THEN RETURN TO THE STOWED POSITION AND STOP. SOMETIMES THE ACTIVATION IS NOTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH STARTING THE VEHICLE, ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNALS, OR DURING THE PROCESS OF STEERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH A TURN. SOMETIMES IT OCCURS WHILE JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD...I SUPPOSE THIS QUIRK IS DUE TO RUBBING WIRING, ETC. IN THE STEERING COLUMN, AND MY WIFE AND I ARE ACCUSTOMED TO IT BY NOW. IT OCCURS TO ME THOUGH THAT THIS WIPER ACTIVATION COULD EASILY DISTRACT A DRIVER AT A CRITICAL MOMENT AND CONTRIBUTE TO A MISHAP. EMAIL IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT US OR TRY THE HOME PHONE NUMBER AFTER THAT...WE CHECK THE ANSWERING MACHINE FREQUENTLY. THANKS, CLAY RIALES. *AK

WE NOTICED SOME WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING DURING THE WEEK, BUT ATTRIBUTED THAT TO A PREVIOUSLY REPLACED REAR BUMPER AND NEED FOR REALLIGNMENT DUE TO THAT ACCIDENT. WHEN WE STOPPED FOR GAS ON 6/30/01 WE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE WAS VERY LOW. WE FILLED IT WITH AIR AND DROVE LESS THAN A MILE. AT THAT POINT, THE TIRE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY FLAT AND WE CALLED AAA FOR SERVICE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER REMOVED THE FRONT TIRE AND DISCOVERED ONE 6" TEAR AND ONE 2-3" TEAR . THE TEARS WERE DEEP ENOUGH TO REVEAL THE STEEL BELTS. HE SAID THAT THE TIRE APPEARED TO BE DEFFECTIVE, AND THAT THE DAMAGE WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AS THE RESULT OF DRIVING OVER SOMETHING.*AK (TIRESIZE: P215/65R15)

BOLTS WHICH HOLD PULLEY TENSIONER HAVE BROKEN TWICE WITHIN TWO YEARS. FIRST BOLT WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND THE SECOND BOLT WAS REPLACED BY A DEALER. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY/ LATE, TSB 21-07-98 WAS ISSUED BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE WAS BEYOND WARRANTY, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT SINCE THE SHIFTING PROBLEM OCCURED PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION THAT REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER TSB. NLM

I RECEIVED THE FAILED CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY AND CAN PROVIDE IT TO NTSA. I UNDERSTAND THIS ITEM IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT WANTED TO FURTHER VALIDATE THIS PROBLEM WITH A COMPLAINT. *AK

WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO VEHICLE SLIDING DOOR HAS CAME BACK AND BROKE FUEL COVER DOOR,KNOCKING HANDLE OUT OF TANK, AND OUT OF CONSUMER'S HAND. SOME OF THE FUEL SPILLED ONTO CONSUMER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD AND HORN IS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK POSSIBLE CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *SLC

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND WITHOUT MANUALLY TURNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. *AK *SLC

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON, VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO BOB DANCE DODGE. SERVICE EMPLOYEE STATED THAT IT WAS ABOUT THE RIGHT MILEAGE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR. I ASKED SERVICE DEPT MANAGER TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THIS SINCE IT THIS PART FAILURE WAS WELL KNOW TO OCCUR. HE REFUSED. I ASKED FOR THE REPAIR TO BE PRO-RATED AND HE ALSO REFUSED. I PAID $219.89 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND REMAIN ONCE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED. HORN ALSO FAILED TO WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *AK

FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THE DRIPPING FUEL LANDS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OF THE ENGINE. *AK

SERPENTINE BELT HAS BEEN DESTROYED 3 TIMES AND COME COMPLETELY OFF TWICE WHILE TRAVELING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY. THE RESULT HAS BEEN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT ACTIVATED, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS THE FAILURE OF THE MANUFACTURE TO INCLUDE CERTAIN PARTS.*AK

CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY FAILURE (AIRBAG LIGHT; NO HORN; NO CRUISE CONTROL). *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEARD A WHIRING NOISE. THEN, POWER STEERING WENT OUT, CONSUMER COULD NOT TURN WHEEL WITH OUT EXCESSIVE FORCE. *AK CONSUMER STATES NO PRIOR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, NO LEAKS OF FLUID, WHICH IS CHECKED EVERY 3000 MILES, MECHANIC ADVISED CONSUMER THAT CABLES OR LINES WERE RUSTED AND ONE WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN. *JB

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON - CRUISE CONTROL, HORN INOP, CLOCKSPRING IS BROKEN, COMMON PROBLEMS. *AK

A WIRE SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 15-3062-363. *SLC

A WIRE SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 15-3062-363. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. IT GOT WORISE WHEN BACKING OUT . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

TWICE DURING OUR OWNERSHIP THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE CRUMBLED AND COMPLETELY FAILED EARLY IN THEIR USEFUL LIVES CAUSING THE ROTORS TO BE BADLY ROUTED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THE DEALER HID THE FACT THAT THE PADS FAILED COMPLETELY AND STUCK US FOR THE ENTIRE BRAKE JOB, THE SECOND TIME I WALKED IN UNANNOUNCED TO THE REPAIR AREA AND SAW THE EVIDENCE FIRST HAND. BOTTOM LINE, IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING AT SPEED EITHER TIME LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN LOST. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.*AK

FRONT BRAKE PADS CRUMBLED/FAILED CAUSED ROTORS TO BE ROUTED/RUINED AT 46K MILES AND AT 63K MILES, SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOTS OF PAD LEFT, FAILURE LEAD TO EXPENSIVE REPAIRS INCL ROTOR REPLACEMENT,, COULD HAVE LEAD TO DEATH/DISABILITIES, DEALER HIDING PART FAILURE THROUGH NON-DISCLOSURE, ALSO CLOCK SPRING FAILURE IN STEERING RING LEAD TO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT PROBLEM, DEALER CHARGED OWNER FULL PRICE ROTOR REPLACEMENT FIRST AND SECOND TIME, PART DEFECTS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON RANDOMLY. ALWAYS STARTLES THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. ATTENTION IS DISTRACTED FOR A FEW SECONDS EVERY OCCURRENCE.*AK

CLOCK SPRING FAILED CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO REMAIN LIT AND THE HORN WILL NOT WORK WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER THE EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT AND REPAIRS EXCEEDED $200. *AK

TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED CONSTANTLY. PRIOR TO FAILURE CONSUMER HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER AT ONLY 70,000 THAT TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT.*AK

CONSUMER STATES ROCKER ARM SUPPORT BROKE. *JB

WHILE STOPPING ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER FROM BEHIND, CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. THEN, CONSUMER RAN INTO A FENCE. PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE AND HUNG DRIVER BY LEFT ARM. DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, FELL BACK, AND HIT CHILD IN CAR SEAT IN THE HEAD, THE MIDDLE SEAT WHERE TWO TODDLERS WERE, ALSO BROKE AND FLIPPED BACKWARD, CONSUMER WAS INJURED, ALSO STATED HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK, POSSIBLE CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *SLC

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS, AND HAD NOT ASSISTED CONSUMER. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *YH

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER REARENDED VEHICLE, $ 3500 DAMAGE. CONSUMER NOTICED A BURNING SMELL RIGHT BEFORE ACCIDENT.*AK *SLC

LIFTGATE BOLT BROKE OFF RIGHT HAND SIDE WHILE BEING CLOSED. TOOK TODEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER NO RECALLS, BUT PROBLEM WAS REPAIRABLE.*AK

THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS PICKING UP MY KIDS FROM SCHOOL WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELRATE AFTER STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A DODGE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. I HAD THE RECOMMENDED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE IS NUMEROUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ABOUT 45K-55K MILEAGE.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AIR BAG INDICATION LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. ALSO, HORN DID NOT NOT WORK. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AS WELL, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP THE AIR BAG PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE RELOADED AND THE ESTIMATED COST WOULD BE $400-$500. *JB

BEGINNING ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD BE INTERMITTANTLY ILLUMINATED. WHEN IT WAS ON, THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK. WHEN IT WAS OFF, THE SYSTEMS SEEMED TO WORK FINE. NOW, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS OFF ALL OF THE TIME AND ALL OF THE SYSTEMS ARE FAILING TO WORK. ADDITIONALLY, ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE FIRST IN SEPTEMBER 2000 AND MOST RECENTLY APRIL 2001, WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON, NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL ON THE DASH OPERATES. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND START AGAIN, THEN IT WORKS. WINDOWS, AIRCONDITIONING, RADIO, HEAT, ETC.*AK

REPAIRED BY DEALER "CLOCK SPRING" $217.80 NOT COVERED BY WARR. COMMON PROBLEM PER DEALER. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITHOUT WARNING WHEN MAKING A TURN OR WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP.*AK

BELT TENSIONER HAD TO BE REPLACED 18 MONTHS AGO BY DEALERSHIP. THEN, THREE MONTHS AGO, BELT TENSIONER CAME OFF AGAIN, THIS DEFECT WAS REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP AGAIN. *AK *YH

HEARD A NOISE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH. THEN, POWER STEERING WENT OUT. PULLED OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SERPENTINE BELT HAD TOO MUCH TENSION AND BROKE. *AK

PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S DOOR WELDS THAT HOLD THE HINGES ARE BREAKING. REPLACED THEM ONCE, CURRENTLY BROKEN AGAIN. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 42K + MILES. CHRYSLER HAS A WELL-DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES. ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THAT CERTAINLY WAS A POSSIBILITY. IF THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DURING ACCELERATION (HIGH LOAD) ONTO A HIGHWAY OR PULLING OUT OF AN INTERSECTION, THE RESULTS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION . UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. SINCE INCIDENT, SRS LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING, AND HORN ASSEMBLY/ CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE.*AK *SLC

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. WOULD GO OFF AND ON BY ITSELF. PROBLEM WAS CONSISTENT. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP, INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF LIGHT WAS ON. RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND NOTHING WAS FOUND.*AK THE CONSUMER WANTS AN OFF SWITCH FOR THE AIR BAG OR HAVE IT REMOVED BECAUSE IT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *YH

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ALSO, HORN ASSEMBLY AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERABLE.*AK THE CONSUMER HAD TRADED THE VEHICLE. *YH

STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT LOCK WHEN MOTOR IS SHUT OFF AND IN PARK. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN TRYING TO START THE ENGINE, I TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE LIGHTS AND RADIO DO NOT WORK. EVENTUALLY, IT WILL START AND THE CLOCK HAS RESET TO 12:00 AND RADIO POWER IS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AT LEAST 10 OCCASIONS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED MORE DETAILS. THANK YOU! *AK

I FOUND OUT OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM FROM MSNBC'S ARTICLE. I BROUGHT IN MY VAN AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BAD AND IT WOULD COST ROUGHLY $250 TO GET IT FIXED. HAD WE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS A LARGE SCALE PROBLEM RESULTING FROM DEFECTIVE PARTS. THANK YOU.*AK

CLOCK SPRING FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSED LOSS OF AIR BAG, HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROLL. CLOCK SPRING FAILED WHERE THE MANUFACTURE PLACED A PLASTIC STRIP ON THE SPRING CABLE THAT PUT A SEVERE BEND IN CABLE CAUSING IT TO BREAK THE CIRCUIT AND LOOSE THE VITAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE.

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON IN APPROXIMATELY MARCH 2000. TWO DEALERS SAID THAT THERE WAS NO REAL PROBLEM AND TO IGNORE IT. THE THIRD DEALER CORRECTLY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A MALFUNTIONING CLOCKSPRING MECHANISM AND FINALLY REPLACED IT 3/22/01. THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE COST WAS TO THE CONSUMER. WE ARE REPORTING THIS AS THE NOTICE ABOUT THIS ISSUE WAS JUST IN THE PAPER THIS MONTH. THANK YOU.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON,.TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO STATED CLOCK SPRING ASSEMLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

MY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, I HAVE NO HORN, AND I HAVE NO CRUISE CONTROL... WHEN I CONTACTED DODGE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WOULD COST APPROX. $100.00 TO PUT ON ANALYSIS, AND SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS... THEN I READ THIS ARTICLE LAST NIGHT, STATING 164 PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM... WHAT DO I NEED TO DO.. WILL THE DEALER, FIX THIS AT NO CHARGE?*AK

WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SHUT OFF, AND SOMETIMES HORN WOULD NOT WORK, AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON. CONSUMER TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING. SO THEY REPLACED IT. *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, DEALER FOUND CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK *YH

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND MANUFACTURER REPLACED CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. *AK *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*742726

LOWER STRUT MOUNTING BOLT SNAPPED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE UNDRIVABLE. *SLC

AIRBAGS SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

THERE ARE APPARENTLY NO SAFETY INTERLOCKS TO PREVENT VAN FROM BEING PLACED IN GEAR. THIS ALLOWED MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO PLACE THE CAR IN GEAR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE VAN ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, PINNING MY 9 YEAR OLD SON BENEATH THE REAR AXLE. FORTUNETLY, HE WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, THOUGH,EMERGENCY MEDICAL BILLS TOTALED $11,000. I DECIDED TO REPORT THIS NOW AFTER HEARING OF A SIMILAR INCIDENT ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA, IN WHICH A WOMEN WAS KILLED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VAN STARTED SHAKING, TURNED OUT TO BE THE DISTRIBUTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (NOT THE CAP). *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED REPLACED, NO GEER SHIFT LOCK RESULTING IN TODDLER BEING ABLE TO CHANGE GEERS RESULTING IN CRASH. *AK

I HAVE BEEN TOLD OF MANY OTHER CARAVAN TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE FAILING WITHIN 70000 TO 80000 FILE RANGE. MY EXTENDED WARRANY EXPIRED AT 75000 AND CHRYSLER IS NOT ASSISTING IN PAYMENT OF REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. THIS REQUIRES FULL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION THOUGH I HAVE DONE ALL WARRANTY WORK AT 7500 MILE INTERVALS *AK

RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS OF INTEGRAL CHILD SEAT SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. BROUGHT IMMEDIATELY TO DODGE DEALER, WHO TOOK OFF THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WAS SOMETHING SIMPLE LIKE A TWISTED SEAT BELT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY WHICH HAPPENS WITH SEAT BELTS. THE REPAIR WOULD INVOLVE THE PURCHASE OF A $710 CHILD SEAT MODULE FROM DODGE PLUS AT LEAST AN HOUR OF LABOR. MY VAN HAD 500,500 MILES, 500 OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND WAS PURCHASED AS A DEMO. DODGE TOLD THE DEALER THAT THEY WOULD PAY HALF OF THE $710 AFTER I COMPLAINED I COULD PURCHASE A CHILD SEAT FOR MUCH LESS. I HAVE MOVED MY 18-MONTH-OLD TO THE OTHER SIDE, BUT I WONDER IS IT SAFE? WILL IT RESTRAIN PROPERLY DURING AN ACCIDENT? WHAT IF THE OTHER SIDE ALSO SPONTANEOUSLY STOPS WORKING WHEN WE ARE OUT, I HAVE NO OTHER IN THE VAN. I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR SAFETY. I WAS REALLY HAPPY WITH THESE SEATS UP UNTIL NOW, BUT I NEVER REALIZED HOW QUICKLY THEY COULD FAIL AND HOW COST PROHIBITIVE REPAIR WOULD BE. ANY INFORMATION YOU COULD PROVIDE, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING;.VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON EIGHT OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

RICON FLEET DEFECT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. AK SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS******741473

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED SMOKING COMING FROM ENGINE, VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE CONSUMER PUT FIRE OUT WITH WATER HOSE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THIS WAS 2ND TIME VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED DUE TO A LOOSE BOLT IN TRANSMISSION. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER HEARD A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE, DEALER FOUND THE RIGHT BACK REAR ROCKER ARM SUPPORT BROKEN. *SLC

INTEGRATED CAR SEAT CHEST HARNESS DOESN'T RESTRAIN, TIGHT UP AGAINST CHEST. WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER AFTER 36,000. CONSUMER HAS TO COVER COST.*AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH ,HEARD A MUFFLED EXPLOSION WHICH WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION THAT HAD LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING ON RAILROAD TRACK. THERE WAS NO INDICTATION OR PRIOR WARNING OF FAILURE. *AK

TODAY I HAD A FLAT TIRE, WHICH IS REALLY NOT A BIG DEAL. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TIRE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I THEY SHOWED ME THAT 3 OUT OF 4 OF MY TIRES (WITH ONLY 11,000 MILES ON THEM) WERE SEPARATED NEAR THE INSIDE RIM OF THE WHEEL! IF IT WASN'T FOR THE NAIL THAT PUNCTURED MY TIRE AND FLATTENED IT, MY FAMILY AND I WOULD BE DRIVING ON FREEWAYS WHILE THE TIRES WERE JUST WAITING TO EXPLODE! *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/65 15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/65 15 )

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE PITTED AND CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON BRAKE PADS. *SLC

FRONT GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES EXPERIENCED BLOWOUTS, FIRST INCIDENT WAS A SIDEWALL FAILURE, SECOND WAS TREAD SEPARATION, TIRE SIZE P215/65R16. *SLC

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UPON BEING STARTED WAS AT IDLE FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED AND IT WOULDN'T START. DIAGNOSIS SHOWED THAT CAMSHAFT BROKE IN HALF (NOT WORN DOWN) BENDING THREE VALVES IN THE PROCESS. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOBILE AT THE TIME OF THIS ENGINE FAILURE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER SAID THAT THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING, THEY JUST DEPLOYED.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE CONTAINED TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY, APPARENTY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND IT IGNITED THE ENGINE, CLAIM 15-3030-879. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE CONTAINED TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY, APPARENTY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND IT IGNITED THE ENGINE, CLAIM 15-3030-879. *SLC

ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WORE OUT,PITTED BEYOND REPAIR. *AK

PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKING ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

WHILE CONSUMER PULLED INTO A SCHOOL DRIVEWAY TO LET OUT HIS CHILD, FUEL TANK COMPLETLY DROPPED OFF UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS BEING MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATING ON THE DASH. ALSO, THE HORN IS INOPERABLE AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK, DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN A CLOCK SPRING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

THIS IS THE SECOND VEHICLE THAT HAS HAD A BLOW OUT WITH THE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA P215/65 R15 95T. I CALLED A LOCAL BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE DEALER AND ALL THEY SAID WAS THAT IT WASN'T ON THE LIST. THE FIRST VEHICLE WAS A 1997 DODGE INTREPID VIN 2B3HD46T8VH508561 AND IT HAD THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE BLOW. IT DID $1940. WORTH OF DAMAGE. ALL I'M ASKING IS SINCE IT ISN'T ON THE "LIST" MAYBE IT SHOULD BE. THE TOP OF THE TIRE SEPERATED COMPLETELY AND DAMAGED THE FRONT QUARTER PANEL ALONG WITH THE BUMPER, ETC. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES. I HAVE SINCE GONE WITH A DIFFERENT TIRE AND NOT BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE. (DOT NUMBER: DNC508 ? TIRESIZE: P215/65 R1)

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

AT 60 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, WE NOTICE BURNING SMELL FROM OUTSIDE, AND NEARBY DRIVERS WAVE AND YELL THAT REAR END IS ON FIRE, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, AN I PROCEDDED THROUGH A RED LIGHT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION-MILES FROM HOME. RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS NOT ON FIRE BUT SMOKING SEVERLY, AFTER 15 MINUTES ON THE SID OF THE ROAD BRAKE PEDAL RETURNED, DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT REAR BRAKE SHOES ARE BURNED AND CRACKED BUT FIND NO OTHER PROBLEM, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THIRD SET OF REAR BRAKES.*AK

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF DRIVEBELT TENSIONER CAUSED INSTANT LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE BY FAILURE TO DRIVE EITHER POWER STEERING OR THE ALTERNATOR. THIS CAUSED INSTANT AND TOTAL LOSS OF HYDRAULIC POWER TO THE STEERING AND LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE LIGHTS. THE ELECTRICAL POWER DID COME BACK UP BUT ONLY SUFFICIENT TO GIVE LESS THAN HALF THE NORMAL ILLUMINATION TO THE HEADLIGHTS AS BOTH AIRCONDITIONERS WERE OPERATIING AS WERE THE LIGHTS AND WIPERS. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A TWISTING WET ROAD IN THE EVERGLADES WITH A CANAL ON THE OUTSIDE OF AN APPROACHING BEND IN THE ROAD. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING REQUIRED A SUPERHUMAN EFFORT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AND PREVENT WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGIC FINALE HAD THE MINIVAN GONE INTO THE CANAL WITH ITS 3 ADULTS & 4 CHILDREN. DISCUSSION WITH TWO CHRYSLER DEALERS AS WELL AS SEVERAL TOW TRUCK DRIVERS INDICATES THAT THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS. ONE DEALER SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLACE ONE OF THESE TENSIONERS EVERY DAY BUT IT SEEMS TO TAKE 36 OR MORE MONTHS FOR THE DEFECT TO SHOW UP HENCE IT DOES NOT APPEAR ON CHRYSLERS' WARRANTY LIST OF FREQUENT FAILURES ALTHOUGH CHRYSLER MUST BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE INORDINATE NUMBER OF REPLACEMENT TENSIONERS THEY HAVE TO SHIP TO THEIR DEALERS. MECHANICAL INSPECTION OF THE PART SHOWS NOT ONLY POOR DESIGN BUT ALSO, IN MY CASE, DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING OF THE HIGH TENSILE BOLT USED TO ATTACHE THE TENSIONER TO THE ENGINE. WHEN THE TENSIONER BREAKS OF OFF IT ALLOWS THE DRIVE BELT TO DETACH FROM THE PULLEYS IT IS DRIVING WHICH INCLUDE THE POWER STEERING, AIRCONDITIONING COMPRESSOR, WATER PUMP AND ALTERNATOR THE FIRST AND LAST OF WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO VEHICLE CONTROL. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IN CHRYSLER MINIVANS APPEARS TO BE CONFINED TO 3.8 AND 3.3 LITER ENGINES. DEFECTIVE PART WAS MADE IN CANADA.TOW TRUCK DRIVERS TOLD US THAT IF THEY HAVE TO PICK UP A CHRYSLER MINIVAN, 4 TIMES OUT OF 5 IT IS FOR A BROKEN DRIVEBELT TENSIONER.

MAJOR PROBLEMS FOLLOWED MONTHS AFTER ENGINE REPLACED. WHILE TRAVELLING ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS, SUDDENLY ENGINE SPUTTERS, LOSES POWER, STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO FREQUENTLY - ON DANGEROUS HIGHWAYS - RT. 1 IN FLORIDA KEYS, RTS. 20 AND 26 IN NC AND SC. ALSO OCCURRED IN VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS IN ASHEVILLE, NC AND MYRTLE BEACH, SC.

TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WOULD NOT EVEN ROLL WHEN PLACED INTO NEUTRAL. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THE TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL CAME APART CAUSING THE TRANY TO BECOME LOCKED UP. TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T MOVE IN ANY GEAR AND IT WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP AN PUT INTO A GEAR. REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUSHED THE COOLER. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED WITH A 3 SPEED TRANSMISSION THERE IS NO TRANSMISSION COMPUTER TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON IT - THIS WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION WITH A FACTORY REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION $1600.54. AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THE EVAPORATOR HAD CORRODED AND COST TO REPLACE APPROX. $740.00. HAVE NOT REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR YET (GOING INTO COOLER WEATHER).

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (#24-06-97) INDICATES CONNECTOR 'CORROSION' PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSES FRONT HVAC BLOWER(FAN) TO NOT OPERATE ON SOME OR ALL SPEEDS EXCEPT 'HIGH'. WHILE REPLACING RESISTOR AND CONNECTOR (PER THE BULLETIN) I FOUND THEY WERE NOT ONLY RUSTED TOGETHER, BUT THE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AT ONE OF THE CONTACTS (FROM THE RESISTANCE CAUSED BY THE RUST) INDICATING A HIGH POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE OCCURRING FROM THIS COMMON PROBLEM. I HAD TO WORK VERY HARD TO PRY THE CONNECTOR FROM THE RESISTOR SO I IMAGINE MOST TIMES THIS PROBLEM IS SERVICED THE CONNECTOR IS JUST CUT FROM THE WIRING HARNESS AND DISCARDED WITH THE RESISTOR STILL CONNECTED SINCE BOTH ARE TO BE REPLACED ANYWAYS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE POSSIBLE MELTING OF THE CONNECTOR NOT TO BE NOTICED OR REPORTED IN MANY CASES. 'UNDERHOOD' MAY BE MISLEADING IN THIS CASE ALSO, AS THE RESISTOR IS MOUNTED THROUGH THE FIREWALL INTO THE VEHICLE AND IT'S VENTILATION SYSTEM !

CONSUMER WAS AT A GAS STATION WHEN VEHICLE STARTED SMELLING, WIRES MELTED, BATTERY WAS SITTING ON TWO WIRES OF WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED WIRES TO SHORT OUT, CLAIM 13-7061-575. *SLC

CONSUMER WAS AT A GAS STATION WHEN VEHICLE STARTED SMELLING, WIRES MELTED, BATTERY WAS SITTING ON TWO WIRES OF WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED WIRES TO SHORT OUT, CLAIM 13-7061-575. *SLC

INADEQUATE FORWARD VISIBILTY, RESULTED IN REAR END COLLISION AT NIGHT ON HIGHWAY IN FLORIDA.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BOLT SHEERED OFF AT MOUNT. METAL WAS STRESSED CAUSING BOLT TO BREAK OFF. ASSUME DEFECTIVE BOLT (HAVE ASSEMBLY FOR FURTHER EXANINATION IF NEEDED).POWER STEERING, AIR CONDITIONING, ENGINE WATER PUMP ETC ETC CEASED TO FUNCTION BECAUSE BELT CAME OFF ALL POWER ACCESSORIES. ENGINE OVERHEATED AND MAY HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO ENGINE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS FAR AS VEHICLE CONTROL ETC. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS ITEM HAS BEEN CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR SOME TIME. HE HAS REPLACED MANY OF THESE ITEMS ON DODGE CARAVANS. REQUEST THAT A RECALL BE CONSIDERED IN THIS SITUATION. THANKS

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON ATLEAST 3 TIMES IN THE DISTANCE OF 1 MILE. PROBLEM HAS EXISITED SINCE 1999 BUT HAS GOTTEN STEADILY WORSE. SEEMS TO BE SENSITIVE TO VIBRATION ON THE TURN SIGNAL. PROBLEM HAS OCCURED WITH VEHICLE IDLING IN DRIVEWAY. *AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND NOT MORE THAN TEN SECONDS LATER I LOST ALL POWER STEERING. I BARELY MANAGED TO STEER MY VAN INTO A PARKING LOT ON MY RIGHT. OURISMAN DODGE DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA STATES THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER WAS BROKEN AND SERPENTINE BELT BORKEN. ALSO FOUND POWER STEERING PUMP PULLY BROKEN. THEY REMOVED POWER STEERING PUMP AND REPLACED THE PULLY. INSTALLED NEW SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER. THANK YOU.

OEM PART WORN WHILE IN CONTACT WITH COMPRESSOR; CREATING LEAK OF REFRIGERANT. COST OF PART 75$ PLUS NEW REFRIGERANT AND LABOR (ROUGHLY 300$). REPLACEMENT PART FROM OEM MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN REDESIGNED TO PREVENT RUBBING AGAINST COMPRESSOR. DODGE (DAIMLER-CHRYSLER) HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (AS EVIDENCED BY THE REDESIGNED PART), BUT HAS NOT PUBLISHED ANY TECHNICAL BULLETINS OR GENERAL RECALLS FOR THIS PART. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART IS A GUARANTEED LOSS OF AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT (R-134 ON NEWER MODELS, R-12 ON THE OLDER MODELS). THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR MOST DRIVERS, AND IS EASILY RECTIFIED WITH THE REDESIGNED PART, WITHOUT LOSS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING REFRIGERANTS. OBVIOUSLY, I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR COST OF THE REPAIRS I PAID OUT OF POCKET, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE IF THIS WAS ADDRESSED FOR MILLIONS OF CHRYSLER/DODGE/PLYMOUTH MINI-VAN OWNERS. SINCERELY, MICHAEL M. MILLAR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND NOT MORE THAN TEN SECONDS LATER I LOST ALL POWER STEERING. I BARELY MANAGED TO STEER MY VAN INTO A PARKING LOT ON MY RIGHT. OURISMAN DODGE DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA STATES THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER WAS BROKEN AND SERPENTINE BELT BORKEN. ALSO FOUND POWER STEERING PUMP PULLY BROKEN. THEY REMOVED POWER STEERING PUMP AND REPLACED THE PULLY. INSTALLED NEW SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER. THANK YOU.

OEM PART WORN WHILE IN CONTACT WITH COMPRESSOR; CREATING LEAK OF REFRIGERANT. COST OF PART 75$ PLUS NEW REFRIGERANT AND LABOR (ROUGHLY 300$). REPLACEMENT PART FROM OEM MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN REDESIGNED TO PREVENT RUBBING AGAINST COMPRESSOR. DODGE (DAIMLER-CHRYSLER) HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (AS EVIDENCED BY THE REDESIGNED PART), BUT HAS NOT PUBLISHED ANY TECHNICAL BULLETINS OR GENERAL RECALLS FOR THIS PART. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART IS A GUARANTEED LOSS OF AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT (R-134 ON NEWER MODELS, R-12 ON THE OLDER MODELS). THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR MOST DRIVERS, AND IS EASILY RECTIFIED WITH THE REDESIGNED PART, WITHOUT LOSS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING REFRIGERANTS. OBVIOUSLY, I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR COST OF THE REPAIRS I PAID OUT OF POCKET, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE IF THIS WAS ADDRESSED FOR MILLIONS OF CHRYSLER/DODGE/PLYMOUTH MINI-VAN OWNERS. SINCERELY, MICHAEL M. MILLAR

PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE ROTORS. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED BRAKES THEY WOULD GRIND. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ROTORS. *AK

MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND WHILE STOPPED. THREE SEATS TWISTED FROM THE FORCE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK(MY SEAT) SNAPPED BACKWARDS CAUSING MY 5 YR. OLD DAUGHTER (WHO WAS SITTING BEHIND ME) TO STRIKE HER FACE, HEAD AND JAW CAUSING INJURY. THE SEAT IS A POWER SEAT AND ALLTHOUGH IT SNAPPED BACKWARDS AND BENT, IT COULD STILL BE OPERATED TO MOVE IT BACK UP INTO DRIVING POSITION. MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE SUFFERED A FATAL HEAD INJURY FROM THE IMPACT BECAUSE OF THE FRONT SEAT BACK FAILURE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER.

FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITHIN TWO MONTHS. VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO OVERHEATING. THIS STRANDED FAMILY WITH SMALL CHILDREN BOTH TIMES. *AK

1)CLOCK SPRING ASSY. FAILED DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. IT CAUSES AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON DISABLING AIR BAG, CRUISE AND HORN ALSO WONT WORK. I HAVE A DIGITAL PICTURE OF THE FAILED PART IF YOU WOULD LIKE IT. 2) BELT TENSIONER JUST BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC CAUSING NO POWRER STEERING AND VERY LITTLE BRAKES. APPEARED THE STUD THAT GOES THROUGH IT SNAPPED INTO. *AK

THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NLM

AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THIS IS A HIGHLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE CARAVANS. WHEN THE CLOCK SPRING FAILS, THE AIRBAGS ARE PREVENTED FROM DEPLOYING IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. IF CHRYSLER HAS INTENTIONALLY INSTALLED A FAULTY SAFETY DEVICE INTO THEIR VEHICLES, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING IT, NOT THE CONSUMER. A CRITICAL SAFETY PART SHOULD NOT FAIL SO EARLY IN THE LIFE OF AN AUTOMOBILE. *AK

WHEN WE TOWED OUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY LOOKED AT IT FOR TWO DAYS AND REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH OUR VEHICLE. WE URGED THEM TO INVESTIGATE A BIT FUTHER. TWO DAYS LATER THEY FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO BE CONTAMINATED AND PUMP FAILURE. COST $1200, AND THAT TOO TO REBUILD THE TRANS, NOT NEW ONE. I CHECKED ON THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER WEB SITE ABOUT THE PROCEDURE IN SUCH A CASE, AND TRIED TO FOLLOW ALL THE STEPS THEY HAVE DESCRIBED THERE. IT TOOK ME MORE THAN THREE WEEKS TO CONTACT THE DISTRICT MANAGER; THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME HIS DIRECT NUMBER. IN ALL, MY VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR MORE THAN 6 WEEKS. WENT BACK AND FORTH WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER; I ENDED UP PAYING $600 BECAUSE I NEEDED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE SUMMER WAS OVER. I HAVE NOT SETTLED IN ANY WAY. I RECEIVED EXTERMELY POOR SERVICE FROM THE DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO OUR 97 GRAND CARAVAN SE, 3.3L V6, 45,000 MILES DIED AT AN INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT RESTART. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER THAT SUNDAY EVENING. ON TUESDAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET ($700) AS TWO ADJACENT CLYINDERS WERE LOW ON PRESSURE. LATER THAT WEEK I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS OK BUT THE CAMSHAFT WAS BROKEN ($1400). ON THURSDAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAMSHAFT BEARINGS WERE DAMAGED AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO EITHER PURCHASE A REBUILT SHORTBLOCK OR LONGBLOCK ($3,300/$3,800). I WENT TO THE DEALER TO VIEW MY ENGINE (NOW DISASSEMBLED ON A BENCH) AND THE CAMSHAFT WAS IN TWO PIECES. A CLEAN BREAK WITH NO BLUE COLOR ON EITHER THE CAMSHAFT NOR THE CAMSHAFT BEARINGS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT CAMSHAFT BEARINGS WERE ONLY SERVICED BY USING THE SHORTBOCK (I.E., THEY WANTED TO SELL ME THE WHOLE WORKS. FROM A HAYES MANUAL I PURCHASED I DISCOVERED THAT YOU COULD INDEED REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT BEARINGS (SEEMS LOGICAL AS CHRYSLER DOES REBUILD ENGINES FOR RESALE). HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALER DID NOT DO THIS. I ASKED THEM TO FIND AN AUTOMOTIVE MACHINE SHOP THAT WOULD DO THIS. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS WITH NO CALL BACKS I FOUND A COUPLE OF MACHINE SHOPS THAT WOULD DO THE JOB FOR $35-$150. WHEN I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THIS INFORMATION HE SAID THEY COULD GET THE CAMSHAFT BUT NOT THE BEARINGS. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASKED ME IF THE MACHINE SHOP COULD GET THE BEARINGS. THEIR BOOK SHOWED CAMSHAFT BEARINGS FOR MINI VANS UP TO 92 ONLY. THEY PROBED FURTHER AND DISCOVERED THE BEARINGS LISTED FOR THE 3.3L CARS WERE INDEED THE SAME PART NEEDED FOR THE 3.3L CARAVAN. NEXT WEEK I HOPE TO BE BACK ON THE ROAD FOR A LOT LESS $$$ THAN THE OPTIONS THAT WERE PRESENTED TO ME.... STILL NOT SATISFIED AS TO THE REASON FOR THE BREAKAGE. IT WASN'T OIL STARVATION AS THE OIL PORTS ON THE CAMSHAFT BEARINGS WERE STILL IN ALIGNMENT. THE OIL PUMP IS ALSO STILL WORKING. IT LOOKS LIKE THE CAMSHAFT HAD AN UNDETECTED FLAW AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE. MY FIRST ATTEMPT.

WILL INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE WHEN IN "OFF" POSITION DURING DRIVING AND BRAKING CONDITIONS. FIRST NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS OLD. FREQUENCY IS INCREASING.*AK

THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLES WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING IN TOWN AND ON THE HIGHWAY. DODGE FIXED THE VEHICLE ONCE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSY. THEY SAID IT WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM AND DID REPAIRS ON THE REAR AXLE, ASSY. AND BEARING, TRANSMISSION AND OTHER MAJOR PARTS. *AK

CLOCK SPRING FAILED CAUSING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON.*ET.

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT, CLAIM 25-5411-610. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT, CLAIM 25-5411-610. *SLC

PART 4612894AC TENSIONER CAUSED THE FAILURE OF PART 4861322 BELT-DRV WITH A/C. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, 10/98, RESULTED IN THE CAR COMING TO A DEAD HALT. HAD THIS OCCURRED A FEW MINUTES EARLIER, WHILE ON THE TOLLWAY, I WOULD NOT BE HERE TO WRITE ABOUT THIS. SINCE THEN, THE BATTERY FAILED 1/10/2000 (POSSIBLY RELATED) AND THE TENSIONER/BELT FAILED SOON AFTER, RESULTING IN WATER PUMP FAILURE. THE TENSIONER, BELT AND PUMP WERE REPLACED. A COWORKER ADVISED ME THAT HIS TENSIONER HAS FAILED 4 TIMES - APPROX. EVERY 15,000 MILES. MY OCCURENCES HAVE HAPPENED WITHIN SIMILAR TIMESPANS. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE, AS I DREAD THE FAILURE OF THE TENSIONER WHILE ON MY DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK AT EXPRESSWAY SPEEDS. A SUDDEN STOP WITH THE FAILURE OF THE BELT IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS.

WHILE TRAVELING UP THE INTERSTATE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN TRANSMISION SLIPPAGE,AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON.AFTER MANUEVERING TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD I CHECKED THE TRANSMISION FLUID LEVEL WHICH WAS GOOD AND ALSO CHECKED THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE(MIL CODE 45).TRIED TO START OFF AND THE TRANSISSION SLIPPED VERY BAD BUT FINALLY STAYED IN SECOND GEAR ALLOWING ME TO RETURN HOME.I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE,THERE HAVE BEEN MANY DODGE CARAVAN OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO SEE IF THIS IS A CURRENT RECALL ISSUE OR IF THERE ARE ANY PARTICULAR STEPS THAT I COULD TAKE TO TRY TO HELP IT BECOME A RECALL ISSUE. *AK

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ACTIVATED WITH ALMOST EVERY LEFT TURN WHERE THE INDICATOR IS USED TO SIGNAL THE TURN. IN MOST CASES, THE WIPERS HAVE TO BE TURNED ON AND OFF BEFORE THEY WILL STOP. SITUATION IS DETERIORATING WITH TIME. *AK

REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. IT WON'T GIVE ANY SLACK, IT GETS TIGHTER AND TIGHTER. IF CONSUMER HAD TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO GET SEAT BELT UNLOOSENED. *AK

TRANSMISSION WENT INTO LIMP MODE AT 45 MPH AND THE THIRD GEAR WENT OUT. HAVE HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HAVE CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY HAVE SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP WITH PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. THEY SITE THE VAN IS PASS THE WARRANTY.*AK

ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE TRAVELING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACEMENTS/REPAIRS DONE AT CONSUMER'S COST. RECALL FOR THE 96 MODEL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK *ML

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

SERPERTINE BELT BROKE AS I WAS ROUNDING A CURVE AT 35 MPH. I GOT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE AND SAFE STOP. *AK

I WAS PROCEEDING TO TAKE OFF AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY AND TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO REVERSE, BUT NOT FORWARD. I CALLED THE WRECKER SERVICE TO TOW IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. UPON COMPLETE INSPECTION BY OUR INSURANCE CO AND DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A MANUFACTURED PART HAD BROKEN OFF INTO SHAVED BITS AND FELL INTO THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THEREFORE A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *AK

LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. ET

WHILE TRAVELING 40-45 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ON MARCH 29, WHILE TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT, THE TIE ROD SIMPLY FELL AWAY FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. AS IT WAS UNDER A SERVICE CONTRACT, WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHERE THEY RE-ATTACHED IT. STILL CONCERNED, WE RETURNED THE VAN ON MARCH 30 FOR A THOROUGH INSPECTION. THEY ASSURED US IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. LESS THAN 100 MILES LATER, ON APRIL 4, THE TIE ROD DISENGAGED A SECOND TIME. FORTUNATELY WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING. THE VAN IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER'S SHOP. THEIR COMMENT WAS THAT IT WAS INCONCEIVABLE THAT THE TIE ROD WOULD SIMPLY BECOME DISENGAGED, AND THEY CLAIM TO BE FLABBERGASTED THAT SUCH A THING SHOULD HAPPEN TWICE. IT'S FRIGHTENING TO THINK THAT WE'VE DODGED TWO BULLETS. *AK

HAD SHIFTED TO REVERSE PRIOR TO BACKING AND HEARD A CLUNK. SHUT OFF ENGINE. LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW THE SERPENTINE BELT HANG DOWN. LOOKED UNDER HOOD AND SAW THE BELT TENSIONER HAD SNAPPED OFF AND HAD DROPPED DOWN TO THE RIGHT AXLE. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 3.3L ENGINE. WAS THANKFUL THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK

VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AT ANY RATE OF SPEED , EITHER APPROACHING A STOP OR WHILE VEHICLE IS MOTION. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK

THE TENSIONER FOR THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS WAITING TO ENTER AN INTERSECTION--THE CAR WAS DISABLED. I HAVE TALKED W/3 PEOPLE SINCE WHO REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. INCLUDING REPETITIVE BROKEN BELTS. I SEE A TREND BUT DODGE WON'T COVER IN THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE, PULLED OVER AND SMOKE AND FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM THE HOOD, FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A LEAKY POWER STEERING LINE AT THE REAR OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, CLAIM 05-4462-943. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE, PULLED OVER AND SMOKE AND FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM THE HOOD, FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A LEAKY POWER STEERING LINE AT THE REAR OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, CLAIM 05-4462-943. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, THE OPERATOR EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING. MINI-VAN BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. A VERY POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LUCKILY NOT A CONGESTED TRAFFIC AREA AT THE TIME OR CURVY ROAD OR SNOWY ROAD. THIS IS UNUSUAL SINCE MY VEHICLES ARE ROUTINELY WELL CARED FOR. I HAVE 2 OTHER VEHICLES TOGETHER TOTALING NEARLY 400,000 MILES ON ORIGINAL ENGINES. CURRENT DIAGNOSIS (VEHICLE STILL IN SHOP), TOTAL POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY FAILURE (APPX. $800). *AK

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR UNDER LOAD CONDITIONS GOING UPHILL. WHEN WEATHER IS HOT, THE DRIVETRAIN AND ENGINE OVERHEAT, CAN NOT MAINTAIN SPEED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAINTIN SPEED OF GREATER THAN 45 GOING UPHILL. WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO A HIGHWAY GOING UPHILL WITH THE SPEED LIMIT 45 OR MORE, YOU CAN NOT ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED WITHOUT THE ENGINE RACING AT OVER 6,000 RPM AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR WHILE IT IS IN A LOAD SITUATION. DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAS STATING IN WRITING THAT IT IS A DESIGN FUALT ISSUE AND THEY HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF RESOLVING THE BAD DESIGN. THIS CONDITION HAS CAUSE NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS CONCERNING ACCIDENTS. *AK

HEADREST HAS DESIGN FLAW, HEADREST COLLAPSES WHEN PRESSING HEAD BACKWARDS. YH

LOWER LEFT QUADRANT OF WINDSHIELD DOES NOT ADEQUATELY DEFROST CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. YH

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATE WITHOUT USE OF SWITCH @ ANY CONDITION. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THIS IS THE 2ND FIRE FOR THIS VEHICLE, CLAIM 16-N100-392. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THIS IS THE 2ND FIRE FOR THIS VEHICLE, CLAIM 16-N100-392. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, AS I WAS TRYING TO EXECUTE A LEFT HAND TURN THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY HARD AND I HAND TO FORCEFULLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.RIGHT AFTER THAT INCIDENT I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AND ALSO WHILE IT WAS IDILING. I CALLED CHRYLER CUTOMER SERVICE TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME I WAS ON MY OWN DO THE THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARANTY. I HAD RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WHO HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING,AND THAT THERE WERE MANY INSTANCES OF RACK AND PINIONS FAILING AND BEING REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES ARE ALSO PRONE TO A VARIETY OF STEERING RELATED PROBLEMS WHICH ARE COMMON KNOWLEDGE AND THERE ARE A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED IN REGARDS TO THESE PROBLEMS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY ALL GAVE THE SAME DIAGNOSIS AND ALL WERE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT A FAIRLY NEW CAR WOULD HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM SO YOUNG IN ITS LIFE.WHEN I ASKED HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO FIX THEY ALL WERE SAYING $700-800 DOLLARS AND, ALL OF THEM WERE HAVING A HARD TIME FROM CHRYSLER GETTING A NEW RACK AND PINION AS I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A NATIONAL BACKLOG ORDER ON THIS PARTICULAR PART. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

DEFROST MAKING LOUD NOISE, AFTER HAVING CAR 5HRS DEALER CALLED TO REPORT NO PROBLEM. ADVISED TO TURN FAN ON. *AK

STARTED SMELLING AN ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. CONTACTED DEALER ,THEY DEODORIZED IT, STILL CONTINUED TO SMELL THE ODOR. THEN THEY REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR ASSEMBLY. THEY FOUND MILDEW GROWING ON THE EVAPORATOR. *AK

NO SUMMARY

EMERGENCY BRAKE UNEXPECTEDLY RELEASES / WINDSHIELD WIPERS UNEXPECTEDLY CYCLE ONCE

THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HANG IN SECOND GEAR.

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. DEALER RECENTLY REPLACED BELT TENSIONER, BUT THIS DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. *AK

NO SUMMARY

VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE TO REVERSE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT MOMENTARILY. DEALER SAID "NOTHING WRONG." *K

WIPERS ACTIVATE WHILE SWITCH IS OFF. PROBLEM COMMONLY OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED, BUT HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN GOING OVER A CURB OR BUMP.

ENGINE SLIPPAGE JAN. 1999. TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED AND CONCLUDED NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUID. TRANSMISSION REBUILT AUG. 1999. OCT. 1999, CAR OVERHEATED, TOWED. HEADGASKET REPLACEMENT WITH ENGINE REBUILT. TOTAL COST - $4,000.00

EACH TIME THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS APPLIED, IT RELEASES ON ITS OWN. THE BRAKE WAS RARELY USED,AND THEREFORE IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT SHOULD BE DEFECTIVE. *AK

THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAUSES IT TO LOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. MOST OF THE TIME THE ENGINE HAS TO BE RESTARTED BUT THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHERE THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES INITIALLY LOST POWER, WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WILL THEN JUST KICK BACK ON HOWEVER, AGAIN CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SINCE WE ARE TRYING TO OVERSTEER IT DUE TO THE ORIGINAL LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THE FAILURES OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DODGE DEALERS ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR REPAIR BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BECAUSE THE DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE POWER LOSS HAPPEN WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING IT. THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. *AK

WIPERS FREQUENTLY ACTIVATE WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS USED OR RETURNS AUTOMATICALLY FROM USE. OCCASIONAL ACTIVATION WITHOUT USE OF THE TURN SIGNALS HAS OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A PROBLEM. IT IS QUITE DISTRACTING AND HAZARDOUS.

WARM START, ENGINE MAY STALL OR STUMBLE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP. ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT, ACROSS AN INTERSECTION MAY RESULT IN BEING STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY/RANDOMLY WITH HARSH ENGAGEMENT (APPARENTLY RELATED TO ENGINE CONTROL TRYING TO PROCESS ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER OUTPUT). SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC/RANDOM OUTPUT FROM 0 TO 120 MPH AND AS A RESULT ENGAGEMENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL RESULTS IN ENGINE ATTEMPTING TO MATCH RANDOM SPEEDOMETER READING. CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM RESULTS IN RANDOM & UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION.

NO SUMMARY

THIS VAN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WILL JERK SUDDENLY AS IF IT IS LOSING POWER. IT ALSO STALLS OUT AND HAS DONE THIS AT SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 40 MPH DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I ADMIT THAT THIS IS A INTERMMITENT PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN THAT COULD BRING SEVERE INJURY TO MY FAMILY.

UPON TALKING TO THE DEALER SALES MANAGER AND SERVICE MANAGER I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO HISTORY OF TRANSMISSIONS FAILURES IN THE MINI VAN. HOWEVER, ON THE NET THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT REPEATED TRANSMISSION FAILURES FOR THE VANS AND THAT IT HAS BEEN OCCURING SINCE THE LATE 1980S AND CHRYSLER DOES NOT CARE. THEY ARE BASICALLY FORCING PEOPLE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPEATEDLY REPAIR THE TRANSMISSIONS INTHE MINIVANS, BECASUE THE OWNERS CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW CAR AFTER HAVING JUST PAID ALMOST $20,000 FOR THE CURRENT VEHICLE. THERE HAS TO BE SOME CONSUMER PROTECTION SOON TO HELP THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROBLEM AND FOR THOSE WHO SOON WILL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CHRYSLER AND ANY FEDERAL AGENCIES WHO MONITOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. THIS TIME I WAS STRANDED AT WORK AND MY KIDS WERE STUCJ AT DAYCARE UNTIL 8:30 PM. WHERE WILL IT HAPPEN NEXT TIME? WILL ONE OF US BE INJURED? SINCE THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WITH NO WARNING IT IS A VERY SCARY PROPOSITION.

WE RETURNED HOME AT 1:00 PM. WE WERE LEAVING AGAIN AT 1:20 PM. MY WIFE NOTICED THE VEHICLE SMOKING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTED A SMALL FIRE DOWN NEAR THE OIL FILTER. WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARRIVED AND STATED THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT AT OR NEAR THE STARTER. DODGE WAS CONTACTED AND BEGAN A FILE (#6224504) ON THE EVENT. THEY SENT A REPRESENTATIVE, MIKE GIGANTE, TO OUR HOME ON 09/16/99 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. HE COULD NOT SPECIFICALLY SAY WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE BUT HE DID STATE THAT THE FIRE OCURRED AT THE STARTER. WE ARE NOT PRIVY TO THE REPORT FILED BY MR. GIGANTE. DODGE CLAIMS THAT A LETTER WAS MAILED TO US ON THE 21ST OF SEPTEMBER. TODAY IS THE 27TH OF SEPTEMBER AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT. THE WOMAN AT CUSTOMER SERVICE READ THE LETTER TO ME ON 09/27/99 WHICH STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO US. WE STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE; WE CURRENTLY HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE EVEN IF IT IS REPAIRED UNLESS WE KNOW THE CAUSE ; DODGE'S RESPONSE IS UNACCEPTABLE TO US; THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY REASONABLE CONCLUSION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. AFTER WE GET THE BURNT STARTER MOTOR REPLACED COULD IT SPONTANEOUSLY SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE A FIRE AGAIN? WE HAVE THREE YOUNG CHILDREN AND FEAR DRIVING THE CAR AFTER IT IS REPAIRED. WE CANNOT PARK THE CAR ANYWHERE WITHOUT WONDERING WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF A FIRE STARTS AT NIGHT TIME OR WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE OR INSIDE OUR ATTACHED GARAGE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER; WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OURSELVES AS WELL AS FOR OTHERS DRIVING THE 1997 GRAND CARAVAN.

THE ENGINE IS REQUIRING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF COLLANT TO KEEP FROM OVER HEATING . DLR CANT FIND PROBLEM.

THE FRONT WIPERS COME ON FOR NO REASON. SOMETIMES THEY JUST WIPE ONCE. OTHER TIMES THEY KEEP WIPING UNTIL WE TURN THE SWITCH "ON" AND THEN BACK TO "OFF." IT IS SURPRISING TO BE DRIVING AND HAVE THE WIPERS START WORKING.

ORIGINAL ROTORS FAILED AFTER 17K MI. (VAN STARTED VIBRATING DURING BRAKING ) DEALER REPLACED ROTORS. REPLACEMENTS STARTED TO VIBRATE SEVERELY AFTER 17,000 MILES. DEALER SAID THEY ARE PITTED ON THE INSIDE, MUST BE REPLACED TO STOP THE VIBRATION BUT THEY ARE SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIBRATION MAKES ME QUESTION THEIR SAFETY.

LOCKS ON THE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK.THE KEY CONSTANTLY TURNED, AROUND AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY EITHER. *AK

LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DUE TO TENSION PULLEY SNAPPING OFF AT ENGINE BLOCK AND CAUSING BRAKE + STEERING ON THE ONE BELT SYSTEM. SERVICEMAN STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM?DOESN'T SOUND SAFE TO ME!

PHANTOM WINDSHIELD WIPER TURNS ITSELF ON, MAKES ONE SWIPE, TURNS OFF. FREQUENCY INCREASING. NOW YOU HAVE TO TURN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF. HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES

WINDSHIELD SEAL/GROMMET FAILED. MJS

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH WINDSHEILD WIPERS OPERATING WHILE IN AN OFF MODE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WOULD ONLY BE DONE IF VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE NEW TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO FAILURE. *ET

SINCE MAY 1999, THE WIPERS HAVE BEEN SUDDENLY ACTIVATING WHILE NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO ACTIVATE THEM. THIS SHARPLY DIVERTS DRIVER ATTENTION FROM ROAD CONDITIONS TO WIPERS. IT HAPPENS EITHER SINGLY OR IN MULTIPLE SESSIONS DURING A DRIVE.

SINCE AUG 1998, THE WIPERS HAVE SUDDENLY ACTIVATED WHEN NOT TOUCHED. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER AND CONCENTRATION IS BROKEN/DIVERTED FROM DRIVING ACTIVITIES.

BELT TENSIONER SUFFERED CATISTROPHIC FAILURE CAUSING MAIN BELT TO DISENGAGE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN SWITCH IS OFF. RUNS UP AND DOWN 1 TIME, THEN CUTS OFF (NORMALLY). THIS IS HAPPENING ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IF I CUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN RESTART IT, IT USUALLY DOES IT AGAIN IN A FEW MINUTES. VEHICLE MAY BE MOVING OR PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT, BUT IT NEVER DOES IT TO THEM. IT'S QUITE STARTLING WHEN IT HAPPENS.

HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO HAVE THEM PULLED. NOTICED THE ROTORS WERE CORRODED/RUSTED & PITTED. WAS INFORMED ROTORS NOT USABLE & NEEDED REPLACING. *AK

FUEL PUMP BROKE WHILE IN MOTION. HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO, BELT TENSIONER BROKE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH/COMPUTER CHIP HAD FAILED & THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP FUNCTIONING AT 65MPH, AND BATTERY WENT DEAD & CAN NOT BE RECHARGED. *AK

WIPERS LIFT OFF WINDSHIELD AT 70 MPH, CHRYSLER SAYS CANT FIX.

WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN LOSSING ALL POWER TO BRAKES AND STEERING AS WELL AS ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.

ROTORS ARE PITTED AND RUSTED CAUSING POOR CONTACT WITH PADS AND INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE. NLM

THE WIPERS ACTIVIATE WITHOUT INPUT FROM DRIVER CAUSING UNANTICIPATED DISTRACTION, DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. NLM

THE WIPERS ACTIVIATE WITHOUT INPUT FROM DRIVER CAUSING UNANTICIPATED DISTRACTION, DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. NLM

ROTORS ARE PITTED AND RUSTED CAUSING POOR CONTACT WITH PADS AND INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE. NLM

BRAKE REAR WHEEL CYLINDER FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE, PADS REPLACED DURING REPAIR. MJS

THE FAN BELT IS KNOCKED OFF OF IT'S TRACK WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES OVER EVEN SMALL PUDDLES, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHEN IT IS RAINING. AND EVEN MORE FRUSTRATING IS JUST THE THREAT OF RAIN, MAKES THE VEHICLE NOT EVEN WORTH TAKING OUT THAT DAY.

WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL AT AN INTERSECTION, VEHICLE WILL DRIFT INTO THE INTERSECTION AND ENGINE WILL NOT TAKE OFF. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND CANT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS SELF ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY. NLM

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH TRANSMISSION OPERATED ERRATICALLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER, AND FORCE CONSUMER TO PULL ON THE SIDE OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART AND TURN OFF SWITCH EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES. *AK

PLEASE MAKE THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER PAY FOR IT. THANKS. NO SAFETY DEFECTS LISTED. *AK

MAINTENANCE AND PERIODIC OIL CHANGES HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

THE HARNESSES ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD RESTRAINT SEATS DO NOT RESTRAIN MY CHILD AT ALL. SHE CAN SIMPLY WIGGLE HER SHOULDERS THROUGH AND CLIMB OUT. SHE HAS WIGGLED HER SHOULDERS AND UPPER BODY THROUGH SEVERAL TIMES AND BEEN STUCK AT THE HIPS. TWICE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING OVER 60 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE AND DISCOVERED THAT SHE HAD COMPLETELY FREED HERSELF FROM THE RESTRAINT AND WAS WALKING AROUND IN THE VAN! THE HARNESS WAS STILL CLIPPED CLOSED, BUT LOOSE. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. I NEED HELP FAST. MY DAUGHTER IS ONLY 17 MONTHS OLD AND I WILL HAVE ANOTHER BABY IN JUNE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN THE FAN BELT COMES OFF CONTINUALLY, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. MJS

CONSUMER PARKED VAN IN A PARKING LOT AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE VERY LONG AND IN ANY HEADWIND, AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60MPH, THEY LIFT OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD. ONLY THE OUTER 2 INCHES STAY ON THE WINDSHIELD, THIS MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS, AS THE RAIN IS NOT CLEARED FROM THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER 3 TIMES, AND THEY SAY THEY CAND DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK

I AM WRITING IN RESPONSE TO AN ARTICLE IN THE ST.PAUL PIONEER PRESS PAGE 9A DATED 4/20/99. IT IS ABOUT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION OF DAIMLERCHYSLER GM AND GAS TANKS LEAKING. IN DECEMBER OF 1998 I EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR SITUATION. AS I WAS DRIVING THE GAS LINE APPARENTLY BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE TANK AND ALL THE GAS DRAINED OUT OF MY VAN. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY. BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY DESTINATION A FULL TANK OF GAS HAD DRAINED OUT OF MY CAR. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME WE REPORTED FUEL LEAKAGE TO THE DEALER. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN KNOWING IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE MINIVANS.

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN, VIN 1B4-GP54R6VB-209333. THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH POWER LOCKS. I HAVE THE REPAIR RECORD FROM ONE REAR DOOR LOCK THAT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 21586 MILES, NOV 17, 1997. THE DEALER DESCRIBED: "LT SLIDING DOOR LATCH WILL NOT OPERATE, 11R/I DOOR PAD, R/R LOCK ACTUATOR" THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS DESCRIBED: "4675782MOTOR". I RECALL THE OTHER REAR DOOR LOCK FAILED IN JUNE 1997: SO BOTH WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE RIGHT DOOR HAS FAILED AGAIN, FIRST OBSERVED MARCH 16, 1999, MILEAGE 46402.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH DRIVER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VAN, AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL VAN. VAN BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. WHEN DRIVER CHECKED UNDER THE VAN, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE ROD THAT HOLDS THE TENSIONER PULLEY SNAPPED OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. *AK

WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE BOTH SIDES OF THE SCISSORS JACK BACKLED UNDER THE LOAD AND COLLAPSED, JACK NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VAN.

BATTERY FAILED.

BATTERY FAILED. *YC

VEHICLE TIRES FLATTENED ON TWO OCCASIONS FOR NO APPARENT REASON (MICHELIN 215/65/R16). MJS

WINDSHILED WIPER MOTOR SWITCH FAILED. NLM

ALARM SYSTEM REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. YH

CD AND RADIO REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. YH

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED DUE TO SHORT. YH

TRANS AXLE FAILED COMPLETELY. YH

REAR RIGHT TRANSMISSIONS FRONT PUMP SEAL IS LEAKING. YH

VEHICLE WHINES AT 35-40 MPH AND QUITS WHEN GAS PEDAL IS LET OFF BECAUSE TRANSMISSION NEEDED OVERHAUL. YH

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS AND UNLOCKS ON ITS OWN. INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED A DOZEN OR MORE TIMES. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. VECHICLE IS SAFETY DEFECT, AND OWNERS HAS CHILDREN THAT HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN DRIVING IN CITY OR ON FREEWAY THE BELT COMES OFF AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. SHORTLY AFTER THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, BATTERY NOT CHARGING EX. DEALERSHIP WILL REPAIR BELT. THE LAST TIME DEALER CHANGED BELT.

THE RIGHT REAR PARK BRAKE DOES NOT ENGAGE. PROBLEM FOUND 8 JAN 99. SUSPECT LOOSE OR DAMAGED PARK BRAKE ASSY WITHIN THE BRAKE DRUM. ASSY MAKES NOISE WHEN APPLYING TENSION ON THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. LEFT REAR PARK BRAKE FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. NORMAL BRAKE OPERATION (BRAKE PEDAL) TESTED GOOD, EQUAL FORCE ON LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKES. PROBLEM ISOLATED TO THE RIGHT REAR PARK BRAKE ASSY.

DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN REVERSE POSITION AND SURGEING WHILE DRIVING. ALSO VIBRATION AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT BADLY WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM, BUT IS GOING TO REPLACE THE TIRES. MICHELIN STATED THAT IT NOT THE TIRES, BUT THE VEHICLE ITSELF. *AK PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

RACK AND PINION STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

BRAKES FAILED @ 35 MPH; REGAINED BRAKES THEREAFTER; EMERGENCY BRAKE STUCK (DEALER CLAIMS NOTHING WRONG).

WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 10MPH & MAKING A LEFT TURN. HEARD LOUD CREAKING NOISES FROM STEERING COLUMN. TOOK TO DEALER AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. VEHICLE UNDER WARRNATY & DEALER REFUSED TO LOOK AT IT OR REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK

NOTICED NOISE FROM LT SIDE OF VEHICLE, CHECKED BRAKES OUT RIGHT SIDE WAS FINE LEFT SIDE BRAKE WAS DOWN TO THE METAL. VAN IS ONLY 1997 MODEL AND THEY TOLD ME THE CALIPER NEEDED REPLACED . I DONT THINK THIS ITEM SHOULD NEED REPLACED IN ONLY ONE YEAR . IS IT POSSIBLY A PROBLEM OR IS THIS NORMAL. MY WARRANTY RAN OUT IN NOVEMBER OF 1998 AND THE PROBLEM OCCURED IN DECEMBER OF 1998. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.( DOT NUMBER: )

WHEN DRIVING OVER 20 MPH UP UNTIL 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL START VIBRATING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR SERVICE SINCE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE. DEALER THINKS THE TIRES ARE CAUSING THE VIBRATION. *AK

PARKING BRAKE PEDAL RELEASES SPONTANIOUSLY WHEN PARKED ON A FORWARD INCLINE

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITHOUT INTERVENTION FROM DRIVER. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN THE WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES, IT COULD BE FRIGHTENING AND THUS CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FATALITY. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE WIPERS CAME ON SUDDENLY AND MY WINDSHIELD BECAME SO SMEARED THAT I COULD NOT SEE THE ROADWAY CLEARLY. I'D LIKE TO AVOID THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED BY DODGE BECAUSE I SUSPECT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT. FURTHERMORE, I PLACED MY WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM OUT ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT IF OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WITHIN A DAY, I HAD RECEIVED A RESPONSE AND WAS TOLD TO NOTIFY YOU.

WHEN DRIVING AT 45 AND UP AND BRAKING THE STEERING STARTS SHUTTERING. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AND CAUSING THE SHUTTERING. REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

ELECTRICAL FIRE.

MY WIFE AND SON HAD JUST LEFT CHURCH AND WAS SETTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE QUICK CONNECT ON THE FUEL LINE POPPED OFF AND THE VAN QUIT. WHEN I ARRIVED THE ENGINE (FAN BELT SIDE) HAD BEEN SPRAYED WITH GAS AND GAS DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH AND PUDDLED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. I TRIED TO SEE IF IT WOULD START AND PROBABLY ANOTHER QUART OF GAS OR SO PUMP OUT BEFORE MY WIFE NOTICED THERE WAS GAS RUNNING OUT THE BOTTOM OF VAN. A MAN WHO HAD STOPPED TO HELP, ACTUALLY FOUND THE GAS LINE PROBLEM AND SNAPPED IT BACK ON, AFTER TUGGING ON THE LINE SOME TO SEE IF IT WOULD COME OFF I AGREED TO TRY STARTING IT AGAIN.(I HAD ALREADY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND WASN'T CRAZY ABOUT STARTING IT WITH ALL THE GAS AROUND) IT STARTED UP AND RAN ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND IT POPPED OFF AGAIN. WHEN IT POPPED OFF THE SECOND TIME WE WERE WATCHING, THE DANGEROUS THING ABOUT IT WAS THAT BEFORE IT COMPLETLY POPPED OFF AND KILLED THE ENGINE IT SPRAYED GAS OVER THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE FOR APPROX 5 - 10 SECONDS. WE POPPED IT BACK ON AGAIN AND STARTED IT, BUT THE TOW TRUCK WAS THERE BY THEN AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE DEALER KEPT THE VAN 4 DAYS AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I PICKED IT UP AFTER TRYING TO GET THEM TO REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BUT THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLACE IT UNTILL THEY COULD DUPLICATE IT POPPING OFF, I GUESS SEE IT COME OFF THEMSELVES. I'M DRIVING IT NOW BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO LET THEM KEEP IT ANOTHER 20,000 MILES SO THEY CAN SEE IT POP APART. I HAVE CHECKED FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON YOUR WEB SITE AND FOUND NONE. I DON'T KNOW IF OUR VAN IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THE FAULTY FITTING OR MAY BE OTHERS, THAT'S WHY I AM WRITING YOU AND AFTER SEEING HOW THE FITTING COMES APART IS REALLY SCARY WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT POPPING APART ON HOT ENGING INSTEAD OF A COLD ENGINE. WHAT WORRIES ME IS THAT IT CAME LOSE THE FIRST TIME AND THINK IT MIGHT BE WORTH LOOKING INTO BECAUSE THEIR IS POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE, EVEN WITHOUT THE FIRE IT SCARED MY WIFE A

WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR LONG HOURS, THE VEHICLE WILL DECELERATE TO 0 MPH AND BOUNCE BACK UP TO 60 MPH, WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURY.

TURN SIGNAL LEVER FAILED RESULTING IN WIPERS ENGAGING.

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED RESULTING IN FAILURE OF WINDOWS, A/C AND ABS BRAKES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH HER FAMILY IN THE DODGE VAN. WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN SHE HIT THE ANOTHER VEHICLE VERY HARD, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND REMAIN ON FOR SECONDS TO NEARLY AN HOUR. DURING THIS PERIOD, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS AND POWER LOCKS BECOME INOPERABLE. THERE'S ALSO A STRAINING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER TESTED VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM.

UNSPECIFIED.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS.

TRANSMISSION VIBRATES BETWEEN 3 AND 4 UPSHIFTS RANDOMLY, BETWEEN 30-40 MPH.

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AND INTERIOR LIGHT SYSTEM FAIL WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHEN IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH.

CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH HIS CONVERTED VAN WHEN HE TRIED TO GET IN OR GET OUT OF VEHICLE. THE RAMP DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, SOME OTHERS BOTTOMS DID NOT WORK. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK

THE FUEL TANK CRACKED, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK, WHICH IF IGNITED MAY CAUSE A FIRE. DEALER REPLACED FUEL TANK 2 TIMES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

HAD THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND HAD PLACED THE CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. CLOSED THE SLIDING DOOR AND ALL THE DOORS WERE IN THE LOCKED POSITION, LOCKING THE CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER ADMITTED TO THE CARAVANS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL HAS TAKEN MORE THAN A MONTH.

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL.

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE RADIO PLAYING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER ON, AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE JUST DIES OUT. BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS STILL WORKING. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND WILL NOT SWITCH INTO ANY GEAR. DEALER KNOWS PROBLEM, BUT DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. *AK

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES. ONE TRANSMISSION BLEW AFTER HALF A DAY. CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

HEAD LIGHTS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT NOTICE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, LEAVING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY DISABLED

TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTOR FAILED AND CAUSED DAMAGE.

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLS AND LOSES ALL POWER WHICH ALMOST CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HAPPENED 7 TIMES. THE DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES, ABS BRAKES HESITATE/FAIL.

WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *AK

FUSE BOX SHORTED OUT CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.

TRANSAXLE SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR WITHOUT WARNING AND WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS TO WARN BIG TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELING BEHIND VEHICLE.

TRANSMISSION GEARS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE STALLING AND NOISE.

VEHICLE DRIFTS ON HILLS IF BRAKE IS RELEASED AND ENGINE REMAINS IDLING WITHOUT FOOT ON ACCELERATOR.

UNSPECIFIED.

VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, AND CONTINUED BACKARDS WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED UNTIL IT HIT A BUILDING.

FUEL LEAKS FROM UPPER RIGHT SIDE OF TANK WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL.

BUCKET SEAT: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN A TRUCK RAN A LIGHT AND HIT VAN ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, VEHICLE SWERVED AROUND IN THE STREET. THE IMPACT FROM THE ACCIDENT BENT THE BARS THAT THE BUCKET SEAT ATTATCHES TO ON THE FLOORBOARD. *AK

DOOR LOCKS ON SLIDING DOORS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

VEHICLE MAKES LOUD GROANING NOISE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED.

WHILE DRIVING ON PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE REAR BRAKES STARTED SMOKING/SMELL BADLY. HAD TO PULL ONTO RAMP. *AK

UPON TRAVELING ABOUT 20 TO 25 MPH AND UPON MAKING A GRADUAL STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. *AK

HUB AND WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY FAILED. NLM

HEAD LAMP SWITCH FAILED. (MJS)

STEERING HONKS IN TURNS, REPLACEMENT OF STEERING RACK AND PINION TO ALLEVIATE SYMPTONS PER TSB. (MJS)

THUMPING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION FROM GAS TANKS, INSTALLATION OF THE PADS PER TSB DID NOT ALLEVIATE NOISE PROBLEMS. (MJS)

MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING WIPERS TO COME ON WHEN USING BLINKERS. (MJS)

HAD PLACED CHILD IS IN BUILT-IN CSS, HEARD THE MECHANISM MAKING A CLICKING SOUND; HARNESS STRAPS TIGHTENED UP WHEN TRYING TO GET CHILD OUT OF SEAT; WOULD HAVE TO CUT STRAPS TO RELEASE CHILD. (INVESTIGATION #EA 97 003). *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 16 MPH ON THE CITY STREET, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME FOR NO REASON, HITTING WIFE ON THE FACE WHILE ON PASSENGER 'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER TO BE FIXED. *AK

FUEL SENDING UNIT GASKET OF FUEL TANK LEAKING. *AK

QUICK CONNECT FITTING WAS NOT COMPLETED, WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF VEHICLE.

NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE LAST (3) OR (4) MONTHS THE HARNESS ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BECAME SO TIGHT AROUND CHILD THAT OWNER HAD TO USE THE AUXILIARY RELEASE. *AK AIR CONDITIONER HAS GIVEN CONSUMER PROBLEMS ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, BRAKES WERE NOISY AND WERE REPLACED. POWER LOCK FAILURE. POWER STEERING PROBLEM, CONSUMER DID NOT SPECIFY. *SLC

VEHICLE STALLS WHEN MAKING TURNS.

DOORS CAN BE OPENED WITH DOOR LOCKS DEPRESSED.

INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT RETRACTABLE HARNESS COMES OUT UNEVENLY AND IT STICKS, DOESN'T PULL OUT SMOOTHLY. THE CHILD IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE SEAT. ALSO THE SHOULDER HARNESS STRAPS TWIST EVER TIME USING THE SEAT. *AK

ENGINE BURNS TOO MUCH OIL.

OWNER HIT A PICKUP TRUCK AT THE FRONT LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER COMES ON WHEN THE SWITCH IS OFF.

MIDDLE RIGHT BUCKET SEAT LIFT HANDLE IS TOO SMALL AND THE SPRING IS TOO HEAVY FOR AN ADULT TO OPERATE.

FUEL LINE DISCONNECTED, CAUSING FUEL LEAK AND STRONG ODOR.

BRAKES FAILED.

FUEL TANK: FUEL TANK LEAKS WHEN IT IS FULL, IT DOES NOT LEAK WHEN IT IS NOT COMPLETELY FULL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP ON GAS TANK, AND THE THEY ALSO REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP ON THE ENGINE . THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.THE ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TANK ASSEMBLY. *AK

AUTOMATIC LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED ON PASSENGER SIDE DOOR.

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR COMES OPEN WHEN LOCKED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

ENGINE CAMSHAFT FAILURE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY FAILS WITH PEDAL, HAS A LOW PRESSURE. *AK

A MALFUNCTION IN THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR LATCH, IS CAUSING THE DOOR NOT TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

FLAMES COMING OUT OF GAS TANK.

THE RIGHT REAR DOOR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE.

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH LIGHT.

ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR DESIGN. *AK

OWNER STATES THAT WHILE FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, OWNER NOTES THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK

TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO DIFFICULTY SHIFTING/NOISE.

BEARING FAILED.

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED.

PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW FAILED.

DOOR LOCKS FAILED.

WHEN ACCELERATING FUEL TANK SHIFTS AGAINST VEHICLE FRAME, CAUSING LOAD THUMPING NOISES WHEN SLIGHTLY LESS THAN A FULL TANK OF FUEL. DEALER APPLIED PADDING KIT, PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK

ENGINE BLOCK FAILED.

ENGINE BLOCK FAILED.

ENGINE NOISE DUE TO EXHAUST HITTING ENGINE.

TIRES UNDER INFLATED TWICE, CAUSING IRREGULAR WEAR.

AIR CONDITIONER NEEDS TO BE RECHARGED.

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED.

VEHICLE MISALIGNED.

RACK AND PINION FAILED.

ROTORS FAILED.

WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED, VEHICLE JOLTS FORWARD.

RATTLE IN DOOR.

CAMSHAFT FAILED.

WHEN DRIVING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE DOOR TO UNLOCK, TOOK TO DEALER, REPLACED THE SENSOR ON TWO OCCASIONS . *AK

CONCERNED ABOUT THE DESIGN OF WINDSHIELD WHICH CAN CAUSE REFLECTION, RESULTING IN DISTRACTION AND UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION.