2000 Dodge Grand Caravan Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER. THE RUST HAS WORSENED OVER TIME. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP SO THEY COULD WELD A PIECE OF METAL TO THE STRUT TOWER. THE BODY SHOP STATED THAT WOULD NOT SOLVE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL PERIODICALLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY UN-LATCHED. IT JUST COMES UN-LATCHED ON ITS OWN - WITHOUT MOVING IT OR TOUCHING IT. VERY DANGEROUS!!!! IF I GET IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT, AND THE SEAT BELT BECOMES UN-LATCHED, NOT ONLY WILL I PROBABLY GET KILLED, BUT IT WILL LOOK LIKE I WASN'T WEARING MY SEAT BELT. PLEASE HAVE CHRYSLER RECALL THE MODELS PRONE TO THIS!!! *JB

A RATTLING NOISE WHEN CAR IN USE, ESPECIALLY WHEN POWER USED FROM AIR CONDITIONING AND DEFROSTER. DIAGNOSIS FROM DODGE DEALER WAS A CRACKED FLEX PLATE. TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE PART. 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO BRINGING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE UPON ACCELERATION (ESPECIALLY UP HILL), FELT VERY UNSAFE DRIVING. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER THEY DIAGNOSED THE SHAKING PROBLEM TO BE THE FLEX PLATE. DEALER REPLACED THE FLEX PLATE AT MY COST, BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. VERY EXPENSIVE WORK BECAUSE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE LIFTED. AFTER REPAIR THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. REMARKED THE RATTLING NOISE IS GONE, BUT FRONT END SHAKE REMAINED. RE-EXAMINED CAR AND SAID THE FRAME WAS BENT ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THAT THE CAR MUST HAVE BEEN HIT AND TO CALL A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF ANY DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR. THE VAN IS GARAGED AND AT MOST DRIVEN APPROX 75-100 MILES P/WK. I DRIVE SAFELY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND HAVE NOT HIT EVEN SO MUCH AS A CURB OR JACK RABBIT. HOW CAN THE FRAME OF A CAR BE DAMAGED IN SUCH A WAY, WITHOUT ANY MISUSE OR ACCIDENT. IT IS NOT A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOSING CONTROL AT ANY TIME AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *JB

AIR BAGS AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED ON 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *JB

MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS RUSTING AT THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWERS ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT FAILURE IS IMMINENT. HAD A NOTICE BEEN GIVEN I COULD HAVE PROBABLY GOT DODGE TO WORK ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. AS IS IT IS 10,000 OVER WARRANTY, BUT THE PROBLEM HAD TO HAVE EXISTED BEFORE THE WARRANTY ENDED. NO DEATHS OR INJURIES YET. *JB

LOCK CYLINDER ENGAGES COLUMN LOCK AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE. ONGOING PROBLEM THAT HAS GOTTEN INCREASING HARDER TO GET THE COLUMN TO RELEASE. PER DEALER TSB ON PROBLEM. WILL HAVE TO HAVE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. *NM

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE AND WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED LAST SATURDAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE "STRUT"" HOUSING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS RUSTING, FLAKING OFF. I COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALLS OR SAFETY ISSUES NOTED, BUT, APPARENTLY, I AM NOT THE FIRST ONE TO COMPLAIN OF THIS PROBLEM. PLUS, NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CORRECTIVE KIT...SINCE IT'S BACK ORDERED. THE AREA CHRYSLER/DODGE DEALER STATED THAT DODGE DID NOT MENTION THIS UNTIL THE WARRANTY WAS COMPLETED ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE MY WIFE NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SINCE IF THE HOUSING BREAKS, THE STRUT WILL COME THRU THE HOOD OF THE CAR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE STRUT TOWERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN A SALT BELT STATE. UPDATED 5/2/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO ITS DESTINATION AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE DIFFERENTIAL CROSS PIN CAME LOOSE, LOGGED INTO THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT WITH THE 3.3L ENGINE HAS LOST ITS SERPENTINE BELT IN RAIN. THIS RESULTS IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LEADS TO SERIOUS OVERHEATING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY MANY OWNERS FOR MANY YEARS. *JB

I AM A DAY CARE PROVIDER AND WHILE I WAS TRANSPORTING FIVE SMALL CHILDREN, MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN'S TRANSMISSION BLEW ON THE INTERSTATE WITH NO WARNING. I WAS HORRIFIED AND WE WERE LEFT STRANDED FOR NEARLY AN HOUR. I RECENTLY HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED, AND OIL CHANGED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. MY VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 80 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FINDING OUT IT WAS GOING TO COST OVER $2000 TO FIX, I MADE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS. I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL LOCAL SERVICE SHOPS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND THAT ON AN AVERAGE THEY SEE THIS HAPPEN ON A WEEKLY BASIS. ONLINE RESEARCH TURNED UP THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE ALSO HAD THIS HAPPEN. THE TRANSMISSION BLOWS, SOMETHING ABOUT A PIN FLYING THROUGH THE CASE AND THE VEHICLE IS RENDERED USELESS UNTIL A $2000 PLUS REPAIR IS MADE. CONTACTED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY AND THEY STATED THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS, YET THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT WHETHER THIS WILL OCCUR WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION, I WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WOULD BE CORRECTED, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM TO CORRECT ...THEN CHRYSLER SHOULD FIX IT TO BEGIN WITH. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AND I STRONGLY FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR AT LEAST PART OF IT SINCE IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS IN THE 97-2002 MODELS FROM THE INFORMATION I GATHERED ONLINE. THE TRANSMISSION FAILS AND THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE OR PROCEDURE THAT A CUSTOMER CAN DO TO PREVENT IT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE OXIDIZING CAUSING ONLY 40 PERCENT OF THE NORMAL LIGHT OUT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN DRIVING MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN. THE LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, BUT AT TIMES IT STAYS ON FOR A WHILE, THEN GOES OUT; THEN AT TIMES IT STAYS ON FOR A WHILE, AND THEN GOES OUT. NO SET PATTERN. *JB

I PURCHASED A USED 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN 2005. AT TIME OF PURCHASE THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER HAD NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF DECAY. AS TIME WENT ON, THE STRUT TOWER HAS BEGAN TO RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH WHILE THE RIGHT TOWER IS PERFECTLY FINE. I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE CARAVANS OF THIS MODEL YEAR AND IF THE TOWER FAILS, THE STRUT CAN PUNCH THROUGH CAUSING CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF CONTROL. I HAVE A FAMILY OF 5 AND I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG THIS VEHICLE OTHER THAN THE DESCRIBED ISSUE I HAVE MENTIONED HERE. FOR ME PERSONALLY, THIS A HUGE LAWSUIT IN THE MAKING, ESPECIALLY IF ANY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY IS ENDANGERED. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. REGARDLESS, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ANY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY DUE TO THIS KNOWN DEFECT WHICH I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT, I CAN GUARANTEE YOU WITH 100% PERCENT CERTAINTY THAT I WILL FIGHT THIS IN COURT. I WOULD LIKE TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED OVER THIS, AND MY DECISION TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AND WHETHER OR NOT I EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER DODGE PRODUCT AGAIN HINGES ON ANY ASSISTANCE THAT I MAY OR MAY NOT RECEIVE. I WILL PROVIDE VIN # AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION NEEDED ONCE I AM CONTACTED. *TR

SERPENTINE BELT IS THROWN WHEN VAN IS DRIVEN IN WET CONDITIONS. CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND COOLING SYSTEMS. VAN IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND MUST BE TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. THROWN 3 TIMES IN LAST SIX MONTHS WITH 2 OCCURRENCES BEING IN PAST 3 WEEKS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER DRIVING AND SUSPECTED THERE WAS A LEAK. BUT WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE SOURCE. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V268000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

DODGE CARAVANS DOOR SENSORS- I HAVE A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. DURING THE FIRST WINTER THE "DOOR OPEN" LIGHT WOULD FLASH AND DING AND THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK AND RELOCK, OVER TIME IT HAS BECOME WORSE ESPECIALLY DURING COLDER SEASONS. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS MATTER AND HAVE READ COMPLAINTS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO PEOPLE THAT JUST PURCHASED THEIR CARS BRAND NEW AND MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL AND BEING TAKEN CARE OF, I HAVE READ WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THERE CARS BECAUSE IT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THEY STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR AND LEFT IT RUNNING. I HAVE 2 TODDLERS AND THE THOUGHT OF THAT SCARES ME, FOR EXAMPLE IF I TURN ON THE CAR TO WARM UP AND PUT THE KIDS IN THE CAR AND GO TO PUT GROCERIES IN THE BACK, AND THE CAR LOCKS UP. BESIDES THE THREAT OF GETTING LOCKED OUT, IT IS ABSOLUTELY ANNOYING TO BE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND TO HAVE THE DOOR ALARM CONSTANTLY GOING OFF AND THE DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. I HAVE LOOKED INTO GETTING THIS FIXED AND I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE AROUND $600 TO GET THE SENSORS REPLACED.....THAT IS JUST RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

MY LOCAL AUTO SERVICE SHOP RECENTLY IDENTIFIED A CORROSION CRACK IN THE LEFT STRUT HOUSING OF MY VAN. I WENT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY INDICATED THE STRUT COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK THROUGH THE HOOD ALLOWING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE. THEY CONTACTED A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY HAD A CORROSION KIT FOR THAT PROBLEM. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT CHRYSLER HAD A PROGRAM TO HELP PAY FOR REPAIRS BUT THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NEAR 100,000 MILES AND IT MIGHT NOT QUALIFY. HE PURSUED IT AND CHRYLSER DID PROVIDE THE KIT AND $200 TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP, WHICH JUST PAID FOR THE KIT AND A SMALL BIT MORE. THE TOTAL BILL WAS $555.00 OF WHICH I PAID $355.00. THE BODY SHOP INDICATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE CHRYSLER INSTRUCTIONS, IF THE PROBLEM GOT MUCH WORSE BEFORE IT WAS CAUGHT, THE ENTIRE STRUT HOUSING MIGHT HAVE TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $2,000 OR MORE. IN TALKING TO THE ORIGINAL SERVICE SHOP, THEY HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF THIS APPARENT DEFECT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PROBLEM APPARENTLY GETS WORSE WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND SINCE CHRYSLER VANS ARE SO POPULAR THIS COULD BE A LIFE SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THOSE NOT AWARE OF THE CORROSION DEFECT, ESPECIALLY SECOND OWNERS (LIKE ME). IF THIS IS A KNOWN POTENTIAL LIFE SAFETY MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WHY ISN'T THE REPAIR COST TOTALLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER AND SHOULDN'T OWNERS BE NOTIFIED EVEN IF THEY BOUGHT IT AS A USED CAR? *JB

I HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE AT A CHRYSLER DEALER THE SERVICE ADVISOR NOTED ON THE REPAIR ORDER AND TOLD MY WIFE THAT THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS WERE RUSTING OUT AND THAT THE STRUT COULD BREAK THOUGH THE TOWER CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VAN. *JB

I BROUGHT MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN IN FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. SERVICE MGR. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY LEFT STRUT TOWER/STRUT SEATING WAS BEGINNING TO RUST AND THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $700 TO REPAIR. STATED IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED SOON OR COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT FAILS. THE RIGHT ONE IS PERFECTLY FINE. I PROCEEDED TO DO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON "FAILURE". WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED OTHER THAN TSB 2304402? ISN'T THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL? WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE BEFORE I SPEND THIS MONEY THAT I DON'T FEEL IS MY FAULT OR CAUSE? *JB

I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT ON DODGE CARAVANS HAVE A TENDENCY TO COME OFF IN HEAVY RAIN AND/OR SNOW. IT HAPPENED ON OUR VEHICLE THE OTHER DAY WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND NARROWLY MISSED GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. DODGE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE THEY HAVE ISSUED A TECH BULLETIN ABOUT IT AND HAVE A KIT THAT THEY FEEL WILL REMEDY THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER NO RE-CALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY $150 TO $200 TO REMEDY THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT. *JB

2000 GRAND CARAVAN HAS MULTIPLE RUST POINTS. THE MOST DANGEROUS OF WHICH IS THE RUSTING AND DETERIORATION OF THE FRONT LEFT STRUT. THE TOP PORTION OF THE STRUT COVER IS RUSTED AND FALLING APART, WITH A CRACK IN IT. OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR THAT ARE SHOWING MANY RUST AREAS INCLUDE: PASSENGER DOOR (CAN PUT FINGER THROUGH RUST), HOOD (BUBBLING PAINT AND CRACKING), PAINT PEELING FROM ANTENNA HOUSING, REAR HATCH RUST, LEFT REAR WHEEL BASIN. MY LARGEST CONCERN IS THE STRUT RUST FOR SAFETY ISSUES, BUT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING SO POORLY BEING ONLY 5 YEARS OLD! *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A SAFETY EMISSION TEST. THEY SAID THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED AT THE TOP. FOUND THIS OUT ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ( TSB) 2304402, THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER, THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT, BUT THAT WAS BASICALLY IT. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING AND NO NOISE. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE SLID OFF OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED A PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION CAME OUT, CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PIN BROKE THROUGH THE HOUSING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THEY NOW HAVE A RETROFIT KIT TO LOCK THE PIN IN. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM

PARK BRAKE ASSY SLIPS ON ACTIVATION AND WILL NOT HOLD 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES WHEN APPLIED LEAVING POOR PARK BRAKE HOLDING POWER. *NM

DT: THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CLOCK SPRING/ AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED IT. THE REPAIR WORK WAS DONE ON 8-22-05. THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON INDICATING THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE REPAIR WORK TOOK LONGER THAN THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT IT WOULD. AFTER THEY DID THE RECALL REPAIRS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT FUSE BLOWING. THEY REPLACED THE FUSE AND IT BLEW AGAIN. THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE MODULE. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT HAD THE MODULE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE MODULE PROBLEM WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, AND THEY WOULD GIVE HIM SOME KIND OF DISCOUNT FOR THE PROBLEM WITH THE MODULE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG WAS NOT WORKING. CONSUMER FELT THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MODULE DID NOT COME ABOUT UNTIL HE HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE. *AK

DT: DODGE MINIVAN 2000 GRAND CARAVAN. CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STRUT PLATFORM WHERE THE STRUT MEATS PART OF THE BODY. ALSO, CALLED STRUT SEATING. THE STRUT SEATING, OR PLATFORM RUSTED PREMATURELY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO GARAGE LAST WEEK, ON JULY 7, 2005, AND MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE RUST WAS THERE, AND THIS MADE VEHICLE UNSAFE. MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN RUST ON THIS NEW VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAD BEEN GETTING COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER. DEALER WAS GILBERTS CHRYSLER DODGE. SHE THEN CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNTIL THERE WERE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FILED. CONSUMER VISITED OTHER DEALERS TO LOOK AT SIMILAR VEHICLES AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN THE OTHER DODGE VEHICLES, BUT NOT OTHER MANUFACTURED VEHICLES.*AK

DT: NOTICED THERE WAS A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ON JULY 1, 2005. WAS ON VACATION, AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE THE GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE ARM, AND IT FELT LIKE DRIVING IN A RUT. A BOLT IN THE CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE; IT WAS TIED TO THE BUSHING. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE IT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN COMPLETLY IF KEY IS TURNED OFF VEHICLE WILL MOST TIMES RESTART,SEVERAL TIMES VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START AFTER WAITING SEVERAL HOURS THIS HAPPENS SPORATICALLY ABOUT ONCE A WEEK VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES FUEL FILTER REPLACED OLD FILTER UNAVAILABLE STARTER RELAY REPLACED OLD RELAY IS AVAILABLE

1. NOTHING 2. THE FAN BELT ON OUR 2000 GRAND CARAVAN HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED MINIMUM OF SEVEN TIMES IN THE PAST TWO AND HALF YEARS 3. OUR MECHANIC HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM, WITHOUT CHARGING FOR HIS LABOUR, ALL SEVEN TIMES. HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER. AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF FAN BELT PROBLEMS, THEY SENT HIM A KIT THAT REPAIRS FAN BELTS. WE STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. CHRYSLER DENIES ANY FAULTY MECHANICS ON THEIR PART. WE HAVE THE PAST THREE FAULTY FAN BELTS.

DT: 2000, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, THERE WAS A FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. CONSUMER NOTICED ON WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN 00V268000, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER SERVICE WHO REFERRED HER TO THE MANUFACTURER. DIAMLER CHRYSLER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. CONSUMER COULD SMELL GASOLINE WHEN SHE TURNED THE IGNITION ON. THE SERVICE DEALER MECHANIC CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE, AND TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. THE LETTER STATED THAT IF THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND SHE DID NOT TAKE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THERE WERE NO OTHER KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *AK *JB

AIR CONDITIONER HAS LEAKS IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS THAT RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF THE COMPRESSOR AND DRYER. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A CLOSED SYSTEM LIKE THIS TO DEVELOP LEAKS . *AK

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE FRONT LEFT STRUT TOWER RUSTED, ALMOST COMPLETELY THROUGH. HAD I NOT NOTICED THIS WHEN CHECKING THE OIL, THE STRUT COULD HAVE BUSTED THROUGH THE TOWER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO BODY SHOPS, BOTH OF WHICH TOLD ME THAT THEY REPLACE A LOT OF THESE. THIS IS A STRUCTURAL PART OF THE VAN, NOT A FENDER OR A DOOR. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS OVER $1200. IN OCTOBER OF 2002, THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED REGARDING STRUT TOWER CORROSION.*AK

MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN MINI VAN HAS A 3.3L ENGINE. EARLY IN MARCH 2005, I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STARTING THE VEHICLE AND THE SMELL OF FUEL WAS PROMINENT. UPON A SEARCH OF FULEL INJECTION PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND NHTSA RECALL NOTICE 00V268000. THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM FOR MINIVANS WITH THE 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINGES: THESE VEHICLES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE. I SUSPECT THAT, ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS NOT IN THE RECALL, MY PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE PROBLEM THAT AFFECTED THE RECALLED VEHICLES. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH TRANSMISSION EXPLODED. BROKEN PIECES OF THE TRANSMISSION SPREAD OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK... LET CHRYSLER KNOW OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN TRANSMISSION WAS TAKEN OUT IT LOOKED LIKE A BUNCH OF HOLES SHOT INTO IT. THE MECHANIC SAID THE PIN CAME OUT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. CONSUMER WAS LUCKY TO GET OFF THE ROAD. *AK

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE 2 WEEKS AGO WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, IT FELT LIKE I HIT SOMETHING BUT NOTHING WAS IN THE ROAD. I ASSUMED I HAD A BLOWOUT. WHEN I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE HOOD WAS SMOKING, AND THE TIRES WERE FINE. I THEN PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE HOOD TO FIND A FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AND SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE EVALUATED TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS TRUE. *JB

UPON GOING THROUGH PUDDLES OF WATER THE ACCESSORY BELT, WHICH DRIVES THE POWER STEERING PUMP, DISENGAGED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ENGINE LOCKED, AND VEHICLE VEERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT COULDN'T WORK ON IT FOR TWO WEEKS, AND THEN AND STATED THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE OIL HAD GOTTEN DOWN EXTREMELY LOW, BUT NO WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING CHECKED FOR OIL LEAKS. *AK

I TOOK MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN ON A FRIDAY TO THE DEALER FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL (CLOCKSPRING) AND PICKED UP MY VAN UP ON FRIDAY EVENING AFTER WORK. SATURDAY MORNING I RAN A COUPLE OF ERRANDS AROUND TOWN AND AT 12:30 P.M. BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I PROCEEDED OUT OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE AND ONLY MADE IT AS FAR AS THE STREET BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CALLED FOR A TOW. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT MY WHEEL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE COMPLETE ATTACHED TO THE AXLE. HE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY INFORMED ME THAT MY AXLE HAD BROKEN. A BROKEN AXLE ON A 2000 THAT HAS 18,222 MILES ON IT. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS? I WAS VERY LUCKY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON A BUSY STREET OR FREEWAY. *AK

MAKE : DODGE MODEL : GRAND CARAVAN YEAR : 2000 MANUFACTURER : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION CRASH : NO FIRE : NO NUMBER OF INJURIES: 0 ODI ID NUMBER : 10100418 DATE OF FAILURE: NOVEMBER 20, 2004. *JB VIN : NOT AVAILABLE COMPONENT: CV JOINT.AXLE PROBLEM SUMMARY: I TOOK MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN ON A FRIDAY TO THE DEALER FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL (CLOCKSPRING- WHICH BY THE WAY THE AIRBAG REALLY STAYS ON NOW, WHERE IT DID NOT BEFORE THE DEALER REPLACED/REPAIRED THE CLOCKSPRING) AND PLUS THE DEALER CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT HAD FOUND A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH THEY WANTED TO FIX. I SAID YES (NOW I SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS) I PICKED UP MY VAN UP ON FRIDAY EVENING AFTER WORK. SATURDAY MORNING I RAN A COUPLE OF ERRANDS AROUND TOWN AND AT 12:30 P.M. BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I PROCEEDED OUT OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE AND ONLY MADE IT AS FAR AS THE STREET BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CALLED FOR A TOW. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT MY WHEEL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE COMPLETELY ATTACHED TO THE AXLE. HE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY INFORMED ME THAT MY CV JOINT/AXLE HAD BROKEN. A BROKEN AXLE ON A 2000 THAT HAS 18,222 MILES ON IT. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS? MY KIDS AND I WERE LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT GOING FAST OR DRIVING DOWN A FREEWAY. NOW I SEE ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR DAKOTA TRUCKS AND DURANGOS, BUT NOT CARAVANS. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT? *JB

CONSUMER STATED EVERYTIME IT RAINED THE OIL SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK *TC

A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. CONSUMER NOTICED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THAT THE NOISE WOULD ESCALATE LOUDER AND LOUDER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

THE CROSSOVER PIPE HAS HOLES IN IT AND NEEDS REPLACING. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT FUMES CAN GET INTO THE CAR AND ALSO THAT IF IT FAILS MUCH MORE, THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD CAN BE BURNED. ALL THE DEALER WAS WILLING TO DO WAS REPLACE THE PIPE. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS SINCE SEPTEMBER 2004, THE PIPE IS BACK ORDERED. *JB

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE HAS NO SHIFT LOCK. 2 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. $1800 DAMAGE TO CARAVAN AND $2300 TO ANOTHER CUSTOMIZED VAN; ALL IN THE EXPANSE OF 50 FEET AND 1 MINUTE IN A FLAT AND LEVEL PRIVATE SCHOOL PARKING LOT. *NM

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, VEHICLE PUT INTO GEAR WITHOUT FOOT ON BRAKE. DODGE DOES NOT HAVE SAFETY SWITCH ON BRAKE TO PREVENT GEAR SHIFTING. THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL. THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL. LET'S DO THE RIGHT THING, IF THIS IS NOT ILLEGAL THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB.*AK

THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER STATES THE POWER STEERING HOSES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

VEHICLE WAS BEING MAINTAINED BY AN AFTERMARKET AUTO SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A QUARTER SIZE HOLE THAT WENT COMPLETELY THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. THE OWNER THEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN CANADA AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

THE CROSS OVER PIPE/EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED UPON TURNING THE HEAT ON. SOME VERY HEAVY EXHAUST FUMES FILLED THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK EXHAUST FILLS THE VEHICLE WHEN THE HEAT OR AIR IS TURNED ON USUALLY WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STAND STILL. *TC

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN RAINY WEATHER SERPENTINE BELT GOT WET AND CAME OFF. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH INCLUDED STEERING AND BRAKES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SUGGESTED THAT CONSUMER CONTACT NHTSA AND COMPLAIN. THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THIS DEFECT. *AK