2000 Dodge Grand Caravan Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING ON A SLUSHY CITY STREET THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. I WAS STRANDED AND BLOCKING TRAFFIC. I HAD IT TOWED AND THEY PUT THE BELT BACK ON. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS DURING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WHEN I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER THE SERPENTINE BELT AGAIN CAME OFF. THIS HAPPENED JUST AS I WAS PULLING ON TO THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL CAR OVER ON TO SHOULDER. THANKFULLY, THERE WASN'T A SEMI COMING OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I WAS JUST INFORMED THERE IS A FIX BY GATES FOR THIS AND WILL BE HAVING IT INSTALLED. *TR *KB

FOR THE 2ND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR, THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF THE BELT-TENSIONER IN MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. THIS INCIDENT RESULTS IN POWER STEERING, ENGINE COOLING, AIR CONDITIONING AND OTHER SYSTEMS TO STOP WORKING IMMEDIATELY. BOTH INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, IT IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH CHRYSLER FAMILY OF MINI-VANS. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOCK TOWER HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAD A 1996 CARAVAN THAT DID THE SAME THING. THERE ARE MANY REPAIR CAPS THAT WILL HELP STRUCTURAL SUPPORT IF THE RUST HAS NOT SPREAD TOO FAR. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS WILL NOT HELP ME. THE RUST WAS HIDDEN UNDER THE PAINT AND EXTENDS 4-5 INCHES DOWN THE STRUT TOWER. WITH THE VEHICLE UNDER WEIGHT AND FROM DRIVING IT, THERE IS NOW A TEAR IN THE METAL ON THE SIDE IF THE STRUT TOWER FROM FRONT TO BACK AT A DOWNWARD ANGLE. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS, THE SERPENTINE BELT CONTINUOUSLY SLIPS OFF ON MY VEHICLE. WHEN REPLACING THE BELT, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE TENSION PULLEY APPEARED TO BE BENT. REPLACED TENSION PULLEY AND ENSURE ALL PULLEYS LINED UP. NEW BELT PLACED ON, BUT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT IMMEDIATELY BEGINS TO SLIP OFF AGAIN. OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS ALONE, HAVE REPLACED UPWARDS OF 5 SERPENTINE BELTS AND THE TENSION PULLEY ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

THE LEFT STRUT TOWER WAS FOUND BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO NEED REPAIR IN ORDER TO PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS OF THIS TYPE VEHICLE AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY CONCERN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF, AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKAGE VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT RECALLS RELATED TO THE SIMILAR FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 03E053000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING LESS THAN 5 MPH INTO A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TAILLIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BACK UP SWITCH HAD FAILED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE SWITCH WAS LOCATED WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129.989. UPDATED 02/01/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED CHRYSLER PAID FOR 1/2 OF THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 03/23/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN WET WEATHER SHE SUDDENLY LOSS POWER STEERING, AND HEAT MALFUNCTIONED. THE MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED, DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AT THE SCENE AND ADVISED HER THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

REPEATEDLY THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES DEAD-NO SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, OR OTHER GAUGES VISIBLE, ALSO THE GEARSHIFT INDICATOR LIGHTS GO DEAD. HAVE REPLACED ENTIRE COMPUTER AT HIGH EXPENSE, THEN HAD RECURRENCE OF PROBLEM. HAVE TAKEN VAN TO DODGE DEALER BUT WERE UNABLE TO ISOLATE PROBLEM. ON DODGE FORUM THIS IS A RECURRENT DEFECT IN THESE CARS-SEE LINK HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/DODGE-CARAVAN/T4AJES74F3AC3VOAB. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE INSIGNIA SE200 15/65/R16 DOT 5056VE203709. THE TIRES WERE GUARANTEED FOR 65,000 MILES BUT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TREAD SEPARATED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 75 MPH WITH 24,000 MILES ON THEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.

TOOK MY VAN IN TO THE SHOP BECAUSE I WAS HEARING A NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN I DRIVE IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT STRUT HOUSING COVER HAD RUSTED AND THAT THE STRUT COULD NOW GO THROUGH THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS AND THAT A KIT HAS BEEN MADE TO REPAIR IT. HOWEVER IT HAS TO BE WELDED TO THE FRAME OF THE VAN AND IT COULD COST UP TO $500.00 JUST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND I CAN NOT EVEN FIX THE STRUT UNTIL THIS IS TAKEN CARE OF. MAKING OTHER PARTS NEEDING TO BE FIXED BECAUSE OF IT. I NOTICED SOME TIME AGO THAT THIS WAS RUSTING BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT NOT BEING A MECHANIC AND ALL. I DIDN'T THINK THAT THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT PART SINCE IT WAS UNDER THE HOOD I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT WOULD RUST. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECT THAT DODGE HAS KNOWN ABOUT AND THAT IS WHY THEY CAME UP WITH THE REPAIR KIT. THAT UNLESS SOMEONE DIES DODGE IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I SURE HOPE THAT NOTHING HAPPENS TO ANYONE BEFORE DODGE DECIDES TO DO SOMETHING. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ALREADY COMPLAINS ON THIS SITE AND THE NHTSA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DID CALL THE CONSUMER CENTER AT DODGE AND OPENED A COMPLAINT THERE SOMEONE SHOULD CALL ME TOMORROW. I JUST HOPE THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO FIX THIS AT NO COST OR NO INJURY TO ME, MY FAMILY OR ANYONE ELSE THAT COULD BE EFFECTED DO TO THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS THIS PROBLEM THEY REPORT IT ALSO THAT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET ANYONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I SURE DO NOT WANT TO GET RID OF MY VAN NOR CAN I AFFORD TO RIGHT NOW. MY VAN HAS BEEN GREAT AND VERY DEPENDABLE UNTIL THIS PROBLEM. I SURE HOPE DODGE OR NHTSA STANDS BY ME AND FIXES THIS PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

ANTI LOCK BRAKES WOULDN'T TURN ON, AS A RESULT I GOT INTO A FENDER BENDER. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A WET ROAD THE SERPENTINE BELT FLEW OFF THE PULLEYS. THIS MADE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP AND THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO ALL BECOME UNABLE TO WORK IN AN IMMEDIATE FASHION. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAPPEN OFTEN; MEANING SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR TO MANY CARAVAN OWNERS. MY MECHANIC SAID HIS BEST ADVICE WAS TO NOT DRIVE IN WET OR SNOWY CONDITIONS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD MAKE RIGHT BY INSTALLING A BELT GUARD TO HOLD THE BELT IN PLACE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL THAT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE BUT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E091000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

I OWN A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN GRAND SPORT. I HAVE FOUR (4) WINTERFORCE M&S TIRES. I'M NOT SURE BUT THIS MAY BE THE THIRD OR FOURTH WINTER THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE CAR. WHILE COMING HOME SATURDAY EVENING AT ABOUT 6:00PM WITH MY WIFE AND CHILD, I TURNED LEFT INTO MY ROAD, CIDER MIL RD, FROM ROUTE 316, TRAVELING ABOUT 15 - 20 MPH, WHEN MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE "BLEW OUT" WITH A LARGE NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY WENT FLAT. IT TOTALLY COMPROMISED MY STEERING. I MANAGED TO LIMP IT INTO CIDER MILL RD. WHEN I REMOVED THE TIRE I FOUND A COMPLETE TEAR FROM THE BEAD TO THE TOP OF THE TREAD ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE INFORMATION IS; WINTERFORCE M&S, DOT VN6V, W63, 1403, A03D, 215/65R/16, 358036XBM29362-2, MADE IN CANADA.THEIR WAS NO DEBRIS IN THE ROAD AND IT WAS A CLEAR EVENING. THERE ARE NO OBVIOUS MARKINGS/DEFECTS SHOWING ON THE TIRE. THE INFLATION ON THE OTHER TIRES IS OK. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS TIRE.

DRIVING ON A RAINY DAY. WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE AND IMMEDIATELY LOST MY POWER STEERING. MANAGED TO GET VAN INTO NEARBY PARKING LOT TO FIND MY SERPENTINE BELT HANGING FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED AND BELT REPLACED. *TR

FAILURE OF MY BRAKE LINES. THIS IS THE TWO BRAKE LINES LEADING TO THE REAR BRAKES AS THEY LEAVE THE "DISTRIBUTION BLOCK". THE CORROSION WAS NEAR THE JUNCTION AT THE HARD TUBING AND FLEXIBLE TUBING. THE PLASTIC CLAMP ACCUMULATES DIRT AND SALT AND CORRODED THE LINES. REMAINDER OF THE TUBING LOOKS OK. POOR ENGINEERING, A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW. WERE IS THE RECALL? FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS USING A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH. *TR

MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN'S SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF THE PULLEYS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN. WE HAVE REPLACED THE TENSIONER, TENSIONER PULLEY AND THE BELT AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER DODGE OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN A AFTER MARKET KIT MADE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE PULLEY, BUT THIS IS AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. I FEEL DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH DODGE REGARDING THIS MATTER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, I LOOSE POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR

I HAVE AT 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS FALLEN OFF TWICE WHILE I AM DRIVING IN RAIN. THIS LATEST TIME, A VEHICLE COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WENT THROUGH STANDING WATER, SPLASHED MY VAN AND CAUSED THE BELT TO COME OFF IMMEDIATELY. I LOST POWER STEERING WITH CARS BEHIND ME AND TURNING A CORNER. MY YOUNG SON WAS WITH ME IN THE VAN AT THE TIME. THIS IS VERY, VERY DANGEROUS. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. MY SHOP IS VERY GOOD, THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND TRY TO DO EVERYTHING TO HELP PREVENT IT. SHIELDS ARE IN PLACE, BUT ARE NO HELP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE LENS COVERS ON THE HEADLIGHTS FOG UP AND LOOKS LIKE THEERE IS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL TAKE NOTE OF IT AND CALL HER BACK. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT SHE HAVE THEM COMPOUNDED. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NEW ONES . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 205000.

WHILE CHANGING THE FRONT STRUTS OF MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, I FOUND THE FRONT LEFT STRUT TOWER TO BE EXTREMELY RUSTED. IT HASN'T RUSTED THROUGH YET, BUT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF WEEKS. I CALLED MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID A RECALL HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED, BUT A TSB HAD BEEN. THIS MEANS I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, EVEN THEY KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM. BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON CHRYSLER'S PART. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER PRODUCT FROM THEM, AS THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT CLEAR AND LOOKED LIKE THE HAD BEEN SAND BLASTED. THE CONTACT STATED IT AFFECTS HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHEN AND WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED. THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED EACH TIME A WATER PUDDLE WAS DRIVEN OVER. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT A SHIELD BE PLACED OVER THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER INSTALLED THE SHIELD COVER OVER THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. TODAY, 13 SEP 09, WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON MY NORMAL ROUTE, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL OVER. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE VAN AND UNDERNEATH, AND A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND CAME TO A STOP OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I LOOKED IN THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VAN. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT AND CALLED 911. A MAN WHO PULLED OVER TO HELP ME TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES, BUT HE SAID THERE WAS A FLAMING PUDDLE UNDER THE VAN AND A LINE OF FIRE COMING DOWN FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND HE SAID IT WAS A BROKEN FUEL LINE. THE VAN IS A TOTAL AND COMPLETE LOSS AND IS NOW A BURNED OUT SHELL. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT AND AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE IN TIME, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN A DODGE VEHICLE CATCH FIRE AND BURN TO THE GROUND FROM A FUEL LINE FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAN CARAVAN SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING FROM APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME ABNORMALLY DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT, AS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE POWER BOOSTER YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE EXACT SAME AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06E022000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) ON THE 2000 DODGE CARAVAN BUT NOT FOR THE GRAND CARAVAN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,242.

CAMPAIGN I 04V480000, ACTION NUMBER EA04013. I CURRENTLY HAVE A NON FUNCTION AIRBAG AND HORN IN MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN. I HAVE CALLED TWO LOCAL DEALERS THAT HAVE BOTH SAID I AM COVERED UNDER THE ABOVE RECALL, HOWEVER, THE REQUIRED PART HAS NO DATE FOR RE-STOCK. INTERESTINGLY, I CAN FIND THE PART WIDELY AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET. SO I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING AIR BAG, THAT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. SO I SEE IT AS CHRYSLER HAS FOUND A SIMPLE WAY TO AVOID CORRECTING A MANDATED RECALL SIMPLY BY NOT HAVING THE PART AVAILABLE TO THEIR DEALERS. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR

DEAR SIR'S, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND WENT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A RECALL DEFECTIVE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE CLOCK SPRING IN MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, WHICH HAS MADE MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG INOPERABLE. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE PART IS NOT IN STOCK AND THAT THERE ARE OVER 6,000 ON BACK ORDER. THEY GAVE ME A PHONE NUMBER TO CALL SO THAT COULD GET A REFERENCE AND OR CASE NUMBER. I WAS ADVISED THAT BY DOING THIS I WOULD BE COVERED. IS THERE FURTHER NEED FOR ANY OTHER ACTIONS ON MY PART? *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO RUN TO THE STORE. WHILE DRIVING PEOPLE WERE JUMPING UP AND DOWN WAVING. AFTER SEEING THE THIRD OR FOURTH PERSON I REALIZED SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG. I ROLLED DOWN WINDOW AND THEY WERE SCREAMING YOUR VAN IS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE INVESTIGATOR PRESENT STATED I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY ONE MORE PUSH ON THE GAS COULD OF BLOWN MY VAN UP. HE STATED ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *TR

STRUT TOWER ON 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

FRONT STRUT UPPER SUPPORT TOWER RUSTED OUT. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER STARTING SHOWING SIGNS OF RUST. INSTALLED THE STRUT TOWER REPAIR KIT. NOW, THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

DODGE CARAVAN HAS CORROSION IN FRONT STRUT TOWER. THIS IS A UNIBODY FRAME. WAS TOLD BY A CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND RARELY DOES CHRYSLER ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. ON OCT 14, 2002 CHRYSLER ISSUED A TSB REPORT #23-044-02, STATING ISSUE WITH LEFT AND RIGHT STRUT TOWERS AND THE CORRECTION OF THE CONDITION. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND CHOOSES TO IGNORE IT. AFTER PHONING CHRYSLER THEY WILL NOT ASSIST ME IN THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS OR BREAKS THEY WILL NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. IF THE STRUT TOWER COMPLETELY BREAKS AS IT WILL, IT WILL RENDER THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE AND POSES A SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO PERSONS. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING THIS PAST WINTER A SNOW PLOW RAN ME INTO A PILE OF SNOW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS HAPPENED THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF. AFTER HAVING THIS PROBLEM FIXED THE SERPENTINE BELT THEN SLIPPED OFF SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE I FOUND A PART CALLED A PULLEY BRACKET TO PUT ON BECAUSE THERE IS NO COVER ON THE SERPENTINE BELT TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER LOCATED ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAS RUST ON IT AND HAVE COMPLETELY ROTTED. THE DAMAGE IS VISIBLE WHEN YOU LIFT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NORMALLY FAILED ONE AT A TIME. THE HEADLIGHT'S FRONT CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED IN 2006. IN DECEMBER OF 2008, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND CORRECTED THE ISSUE TEMPORARILY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

CORROSION OF STRUT TOWERS, THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE VAN WAS NEW. WE IT IS COSMETIC AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. FOR THE WARRANTY TO COVER IT, IT WILL NEED TO FAIL WITHIN 5 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. WELL WE ARE PAST THAT NOW AND IT HAS FAILED. WHAT TO DO? THE DEALER CAN FIX IT BUT IT COSTS ME $1200 TO $1400. FOR AN ONGOING PROBLEM THIS IS NOT FAIR AND REASONABLE. NOT TO MENTION, MORE THAN HALF OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE ARE OF THIS EXACT ISSUE. AND IT RUNS THROUGH MANY YEARS. DO WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS INJURED BEFORE THIS IS CORRECTED. DODGE IS AWARE THEY HAVE EVEN MADE UP A KIT TO ASSIST WITH THIS ISSUE. IS THERE A CLASS ACTION? THIS VAN WAS $33,000. NEW IN 2000 WHEN WE PURCHASED IT. THIS IS NOT FAIR OR REASONABLE. WHO NEEDS TO BE TALKED TO GET THIS FIXED? IS THE SCOPE SO LARGE THAT THEY CAN NOT ALL BE FIXED? DO I NEED TO JUNK THE VAN BECAUSE THE REPAIR IS MORE THAN IT'S STREET VALUE? *TR

UPPER STRUT TOWERS ON OUR 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ARE RUSTING OUT STRUCTURALLY WITH ONLY 96,000 MILES. IT LOOKS IMPORTANT TO GET FIXED (WHICH I WILL) BEFORE THE FRONT END COLLAPSES! *TR

I OWN A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN 2000, I RECENTLY HAD NEW STRUTS INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND SHOULD BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF,I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1996 TO 2000 CHRYSLER MINI-VANS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

RUSTING STRUT TOWERS 2000 GRAND CARAVAN. I NOTICED RUST ON THE STRUT TOWER ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I SPRAYED UNDERCOATING ON THE TOP OF BOTH TOWERS TO PREVENT FURTHER RUST. I INSPECTED THE TOPS OF THE TOWERS THIS WEEK. BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TOWER CONTINUE TO RUST IN SPITE OF SEVERAL LAYERS ON UNDERCOATING APPLIED OVER THE LAST YEAR. AS I WAS SERVICING THE BRAKES I DETERMINED IT WAS TIME TO REPLACE THE STRUTS ON THE FRONT OF THE VAN. KNOWING THE TOWERS ARE RUSTED ON THE TOP SIDE I INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STRUT TOWERS THIS AFTERNOON. A CRACK HAS APPEARED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STRUT TOWER ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. I WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TOMORROW. AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH I HAVE FOUND THE RUSTING STRUT TOWERS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN BOTH THE US AND CANADA. THE PROBLEM EXISTS ACROSS SEVERAL YEARS AND MODELS OF DODGE AND CHRYSLER VEHICLES. IF A STRUT RUPTURES A COMPROMISED TOWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED, LIVES CAN AND WILL BE LOST. WITH THE NUMBER OF DODGE AND CHRYSLER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, THE POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IS MULTIPLIED EXPONENTIALLY. I AM SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. SOMEONE MUST BE ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED, THEN BRAKES. SERPENTINE BELT WET FROM RAIN CAUSED POWER STEERING & BRAKES TO FAIL RESULTING IN VEHICLE FLIPPING ON ITS SIDE ON I-75. SERVICE DEPT SAID THAT THE POWER STEERING, ETC WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN WHEN BELT GOT WET. THIS WAS A NORMAL RAIN. VEHICLE WAS NOT IN HIGH WATER. VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY TOTALED. *TR

MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN VAN HAS A RUSTED SHOCK TOWER ON DRIVER SIDE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. THIS ISSUES HAS BEEN REPORTED ON MANY DODGE BLOG SITES.*TR

STRUT TOWERS ROTTED OUT AT 90000 MILES, REPLACEMENT CAPS WERE PURCHASED FROM DODGE DEALER AND INSTALLED AS PER FACTORY TSB .... STRUT TOWERS ARE ROTTED BELOW REPAIR CAPS AGAIN.... APPROX. 150000 MILES NOW ON VAN, STRUTS ARE ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT HOWEVER THIS CAN NOT BE DONE DUE TO SEVERITY OF RUST DAMAGE....THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT... RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION... CHRYSLER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE ... THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES...NOT JUST A FEW HERE OR THERE - THE QUESTION SHOULD BE HOW MANY ARE NOT AFFECTED??? I'M ACTUALLY CONSIDERING SEARCHING FOR A LAWYER TO START A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER ...SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! *TR

1. NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION 2. THE FAILURE OF STRUCTURE SECURING AND RETAINING THE FRONT SUSPENSION (STRUT TOWER) DO TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. UPON FAILURE THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION FALLS APART RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC LOSE OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND SUPPORT. VEHICLE WILL SWERVE RESULTING IN COLLISION OR ROLL OVER. 3. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS A RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STRUT TOWER. *TR

VAN STOPS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. JUST STARTED IN SUMMER HEAT. TRANSMISSION ACTED UP, HAD IT SERVICED---NOW TRANSMISSION MADE HUGE NOISE, NO REVERSE, LOUD WHINING, ALL GOING OUT. LOUD SQUEAKS IN SUPPORTS, BRAKES REPLACED BUT STILL SQUEALING EVEN WHEN PEDAL NOT PUSHED. HORRIBLE FOGGING PROBLEMS, HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER AND WIPE WINDOWS INSIDE AND OUT WHEN RAINING. ALMOST WRECKED WHEN VEHICLE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. CAN'T SEE DUE TO FOGGING WHEN RAINING. JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN---GOING TO THE JUNK YARD. MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO OWN UP TO PROBLEMS. WON'T OWN ANOTHER. *TR

DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER IS RUSTING THROUGH. APPEARS TO BE DEFORMED AROUND THE RUSTED AREA. AT THIS RATE I THINK THE STRUT TOWER COULD FAIL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

1. HAD A FLAT AND TRIED TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE WHICH IS HELD UP BY A WINCH UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. 2. FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE USING THE SUPPLIED WRENCH; HOWEVER, THE TIRE WOULD ONLY LOWER ABOUT TWO INCHES AND NOT LOWER FAR ENOUGH FOR THE SPARE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE 'T' THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE WHEN THE WHEEL IS SECURED. 3. THE SPARE WOULD NOT COME DOWN SO I HAD TO REMOVE THE FLAT TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE AND GET A RIDE TO GET THE WHEEL FIXED THEN GET A RIDE BACK TO THE VEHICLE TO RE-INSTALL THE TIRE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT LOWERING THE SPARE, I STILL COULD NOT GET IT TO COME DOWN SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AND AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE WHEEL TO COME DOWN EITHER AND HAD TO CUT THE "T" TO REMOVE THE WHEEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE FAILURE IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WANTS CHRYSLER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH CHRYSLER MINIVANS REGARDING THE DESIGN OF THE STRUT TOWERS. I OWN A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND SPEAKING WITH MULTIPLE REPAIR SHOPS, IT IS UNFATHOMABLE TO ME THAT THESE WERE NOT RECALLED. THE DANGER FROM WHAT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW, SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY - ESPECIALLY WHEN MINIVANS ARE OFTEN USED TO CARRY CHILDREN AROUND. UNLESS, OF COURSE, YOU DON'T MIND DRIVING AROUND KNOWING YOUR FRONT SUSPENSION MECHANISM COULD PUSH UP THROUGH THE HOOD. IMAGINE BEING ONE RAILROAD TRACK AWAY FROM SUCH A DISASTER AND NOT EVEN KNOWING IT. I BELIEVE THE YEARS AFFECTED WERE 1996-2002. *TR

FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT LEVER SNAPPED OFF. SEATS CAN NOT BE LOWERED OR RAISED AS FAR AS RECLINING OR SITTING UPRIGHT. THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE 6 MONTHS AGO AND NOW THE PASSENGER LEVER BROKE THIS WEEK. THE BAR THAT THE LEVER IS CONNECTED TO SNAPPED IN EXACTLY THE SAME LOCATION ON EACH SEAT. *TR

DRIVE BELT JUMPING OFF WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OVER HEATING OF ENGINE. *TR