2000 Dodge Grand Caravan Complaint Log

WHEN CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN REVERS IT WOULD NOT MOVE, OTHER TIMES IT WORKS, THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN PUTTING IT IN DRIVE, AS WELL. CURRENTLY, TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *AK

SINCE APRIL 2000 I HAVE EXPERIENCE PROBS WITH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. IT BEGAN CLICKING IN THE REAR, I WAS TOLD BY DLR THAT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENTS. 2 WEEKS LATER CLICKING BEGAN AGAIN, LOUDER THAT TIME. DLR KEPT VEH SD THEY COULDN'T LOCATE PROB. SO THEY CLEANED BRAKES AND TURNED ROTORS. CLICKING THEN BEGAN IN FRONT OF VEHICLE, ONLY WHEN STOPPING, AND EXCESSIVE GRINDING SOUND BEGAN AND THE VEH WOULD WOBBLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. DLR ADV THAT IT WAS DUE TO HEAT???? SO THE ROTORS WERE MAINTENANCED AGAIN. CLICKING STARTED AGAIN ABOUT A MONTH LATER AND CONTINUES WHEN STOPPING AS WELL AS A SOUND OF FLUID "SWISHING" AND GRINDING AT HALT. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THEY KEEP RETURNING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, I AM RETURNING TO SERVICE TOMORROW AND HOPEFULLY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING FULL REPAIRS. CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED AND BASICALLY HAS BEEN NO HELP. WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP IF PROBLEM CONTINUES?*AK

LOWER CONTROL ARM ON MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN SNAPPED OFF AT 25MPH. AS A RESULT OF THE BROKEN BOLT, THE CAR CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. I AM IN THE STRESS TESTING BUSINESS AND I HAD THE BOLT VISUALLY ANALYZED BY MY ENGINEERS. THEY CONCLUDE THE BOLT HAD CONSIDERABLE FATIGUE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I WAS GOING FASTER. I HAVE A MEETING WITH CHRYSLER ON MONDAY TO DISCUSS THIS SITUATION AND MY OPTIONS. I AM VERY CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT I SHOULD DO AND WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE. CAN THE NHTSA HELP ME? *AK

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS BETWEEN 45-52 (MOST PRONOUNCED AROUND 48) AND DID SO WHEN I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT NEW ON 1/14/00. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE I WAS FIRST TOLD IT WAS TIRE BALANCE AND THAT THEY FIXED IT. IT DIDN'T AND I BROUGHT IT BACK. THE SERVICE MAN SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IT WAS COMPUTER TESTED OK AND THEIR MECHANIC ADDED SOME LIQUID TO THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE DRIVEN IT TO FL AND BACK TO TN AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE OTHER COMPLAINT/DEFECT CONCERNS RUSTED FRONT END COMPONENTS. UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS LEFT & RIGHT, TORSION BAR AND OTHER PARTS IN THAT AREA ARE VERY RUSTY. I NOTICE IT WHEN I CHANGED OIL. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND LOOKED UNDER THOSE VANS AND FOUND THOSE PARTS ALSO RUSTY ALSO ON NEW VANS. IT SEEMS THERE IS NO COATING OR ANODIZING ON THESE PARTS AND THEY ARE RUSTING VERY RAPIDLY. I ALSO NOTICED RUST ON THE MAIN CRANK PULLEY OF THIS NEW CAR. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED OFF. THE WIPERS SWIPE AN ADDITIONAL 2 - 8 TIMES AFTER THEY ARE TURNED OFF, EVEN IF THE ENGINE IS OFF. THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY WILL NEVER FAIL TO COME ON, THEY ONLY FAIL TO GO OFF, AND THAT CHANGING THE SWITCH MAY NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY THE SWITCH WILL NOT RESPOND WHEN THE WIPERS ARE NEEDED AND VISIBILITY WILL BE COMPROMISED. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VAN.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH RESULTED IN THE DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WAS A LEAK WITHIN THE ROOF, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE CARPETING. THERE IS A SLASHING SOUND WITHIN THE ROOF COMPARTMENT AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. THE CARPET HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES, AND THE TELEVISION WAS REPLACED ONCE AS A RESULT OF THE LEAK. *AK. UPDATED 11/30/2005 - GLAZED SERPENTINE BELT CAUSED GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. THE LEFT MIDDLE SEAT HEAD REST CAME LOOSE FROM THE GUIDE ROD. THE DOOR STICKS AND THE SIDING DOOR MAKES NOISE WHEN OPENING. THE REAR WINDOW RATTLES WHEN OPENED. THE FOG LIHJT ARE IONPERTIVE. THE HORN SPUNDED WEAK BECAUSE THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE TAIL LIGHT HAD MOISTURE IN IT. THE LOCKING GAS CAP WAS HARD TO OPEN. THE REAR TIRE HAD A SLOW LEAK. *NM

THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE VEHICLES HAS A FEATURE CALLED BRAKE/TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHILE RUNNING UNLESS THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THIS FEATURE. CHRYSLER CALLED IT A "CLERICAL ERROR" AND SAID MY MANUAL IS WRONG. MY VAN WAS ORDERED AND MFG IN OCT 99. IT WAS NOT THE FIRST 2000 MODEL MADE. I FEEL ANY VEHICLE WITH FRONT AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE THIS SAFETY FEATURE. I AM SCARED THAT MY 3 YEAR OLD WILL START THE VAN, PUT IT INTO GEAR(QUITE EASILY DONE), AND DRIVE IT INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THIS WOULD ACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS AND COULD BE FATAL SINCE HE WOULD BE UNRESTRAINED. FORD AND GM HAVE THIS SAFETY FEATURE. WHY DID CHRYSLER SAY THEY HAVE IT IN THEIR MANUAL AND THEN SAY IT WAS A CLERICAL ERROR?*AK

PERHAPS THIS DOESN'T QUALIFY AS A "FAILURE" AS MY GR.CARAVAN IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SHIFT INTERLOCK. HOWEVER, I FEEL STRONGLY THAT MANUFACTURERES OF MINIVANS OUGHT TO BE REQUIRED TO EQUIP SUCH VEHICLES WITH SHIFFT INTERLOCKS AS ALL PASSENGER CARS ARE. WH. *AK

2000 DODGE CARAVAN JUMPED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. *MR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER OVER FIVE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM

2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM SAFETY RECALL REGARDING CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT.*MR THE CLOCKSPRING RECALL WAS REPAIRED THE FUSE FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR, THE BACK UP LAMPS AND TURN SIGNAL BLEW OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE. *NM

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CLOCKSPRING FAILED. MECHANIC NEVER TOLD CONSUMER OF RECALL. *KB THE CLOCKSPRING IN THE CONSUMER VEHICLE FAILED AND THE CONSUMER HAD IT REPLACED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE CONSUMER READ ABOUT A CLOCKSPRING RECALL ON THE CHRYSLER WEBSITE. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL AND HAS BEEN AT THE SAME ADDRESS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED THE INVOICE FOR REIMBURSEMENT PER THE MANUFACTURER BUT ONLY RECEIVED PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. *NM

2000 GRAND CARAVAN RECALL FOR CLOCKSPRING. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE MAILED TWO DIFFERENT LETTERS WITH A COPY OF THE INVOICE FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON, THE HORN, THE CHIMES FOR THE LIGHTS AND THE IGNITION DID NOT WORK. THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. *JB

THE GEARS ON THE VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT GEARS SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED WITHOUT APPLICATION OF BRAKES. DLR HAS NO RECOURSE. *AK

SHIFT LEVER CAN BE MOVED WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES INTO ANY GEAR.CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHRYSLER STATING THAT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK AS STATED IN THEIR OWNERS MANUAL. CHRYSLER INCLUDED LABELS, INDICTATING THE DEFECT, AND WILL NOT MODIFY VEHICLE. *AK

MY 4-YEAR SON PUT THE RIGHT KEY IN THE IGNITION OF MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN,STARTED THE VAN, THEN PUT IT IN GEAR AND ROLLED IT DOWN THE DRIVE WAY UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A TREE. LUCKILY HE WAS OK, BUT DON'T YOU THINK ITS TIME THAT DODGE GETS WITH THE PROGRAM AND MAKES THEIR VEHICLE SO THAT YOU HAVE TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE BEFORE YOU CAN GET IT OUT OF GEAR.WHY IS THIS NOT A NATIONAL STANDARD. ESPECIALLY IN FAMILY VEHICLES.THANK YOU GREGG CAHALAN 616-850-4533. PLEASE RESPOND!!! *AK

SOUNDS FUNNY, BUT THE PROBLEM IS, MICE GET INTO OUR VAN. AND WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE!! WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR IN, THE DEALER TOLD US THEY HAVE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS, OUR CASHIER EVEN TOLD US HER VAN HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. OUR KIDS ARE ALWAYS GETTING SICK AND THERE IS MOUSE DROPPINGS ALL OVER THE CARE ALL THE TIME. NONE OF OUR OTHER CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALL THE WINDOWS /DOORS ARE CLOSED, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS FRESH MICE DROPPINGS IN THE CAR (WE LIVE NEAR A FIELD, SO YES FIELD MICE ARE NEARBY) IT'S GOTTEN REALLY BAD AS OF LATE, AND I'M AFFAID OUR KIDS ARE GOING CATCH SOMETHING. AGAIN, THE DEALER HAS SAID OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED, BUT THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE THE MICE ARE GETTING IN. PLEASE HELP, AS WE FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE (YES IN A DIFFERENT WAY, THEN MOST OF YOUR COMPLAINTS). *AK

SHIFT GEARS CAN BE EASILY MOVED INTO GEAR FROM THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS (TV, VCR, SPEAKERS, DOME LIGHT, ALARM SYSTEM).

ON 3 OCCASIONS AT LOW SPEEDS AND TAKING OFF FROM A STOP BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND FAILED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE 3 TIMES, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

HAVE HAD FRONT-END SUSPENSION CLUNK/KNOCKING SOUND WHEN TRAVELING 30-35 MPH. SERVICE DEPT. HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN TSB'S RELATING, BUT PROCEDURE DIDN'T WORK.*AK

VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

REAR-MOST SEAT HAS A LEVER BELOW IT WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO ADJUST THE FRONT TO BACK POSITION TO 3 DIFFERENT STOPS, WHEN THE SEAT IS SLID FOWARD TO THE FRONT-MOST STOP, THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS FOR THAT SEAT DO NOT REACH AROUND THE PASSENGERS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES, MIDDLE BELT IS FINE, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE ORIGINAL BELTS ARE INCORRECT, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO CALL DEALER AND ASK FOR SEAT BELT EXTENDERS AND AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS AND EXAMINING VEHICLE TWICE, CONSUMER RECEIVED BELTS. *JB

INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A WEAK PIN WITHIN TRANSMISSION. DEALER IS REPAIRING TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER HAS WIND TURBULANT NOISE INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN WINDOWS ARE UP. TURBULANCE IS SO HIGH WHERE PASSENGERS HAVE TO TALK LOUD, AND RADIO HAS TO HAVE A HIGH VOLUME TO HEAR. VEHICLE IS IN ARBITRATION.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE NOISE IS ALSO HEARD IN THE REAR, DEALER STATES THEY WILL TRY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY ADJUSTING THE LUGGAGE BARS ON LUGGAGE RACK. *SLC

ANYONE CAN MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. NO ONE HAS TO BE IN THE DRIVER SEAT, A CHILD CAN BE IN BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS, TAKE HOLD OF THE SHIFT LEVER AND PULL IT DOWN INTO GEAR. WE CONTACTED SOUTHLAND DODGE AND THEY SAID THEY ALL DO THIS. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. ALL OTHER VEHICLES YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE BEFORE YOU CAN SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THIS REPORT WAS SENT TO YOU ONCE BEFORE ON 6/3/01 WITH NO RESPONSE. *AK

UPON STARTING IGNITION VEHICLE ACCELLARATED INTO REVERSE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND ALSO ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CAR WAS TOTALLY CONSUMED IN FIRE. NO ACCIDENT OR INVOLVEMENT WITH ANY CAR OR OBJECT. *AK

AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS MY WIFE STARTED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BRAKES. I THOUGHT IT WAS HER. EVENTUALLY SHE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED. THEY REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER 7/31/01. ON AUGUST 29 2001 SHE BROUGHT IT TO THEM AGAIN FOR BRAKE PROBLEM. THEY BLED AND ADJUSTED THE SYSTEM. ON 2/10/02 MY WIFE COMES INTO THE DOOR AND SAYS SHE CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR. THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN TO BACKING PLATES AND THERE IS NO TO LITTLE TREAD LEFT ON THE FRONT TIRES. WE DECLINED THEM DOING THE REPAIRS. WE BROUGHT IT TO KING BEAR. THEY TOLD US IT NEEDED NEW ROTORS. WE HAD THEM CUT THE ROTORS AND PUT NEW PADS ON. WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM ON 2/20/02. I FELT IT WAS RIDICULOUS THAT THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND TIRES ALL NEEDED REPLACING AT 19,000 MILES AND WANTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED. THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL BRAKE OPERATION. WE BOUGHT A DODGE MINIVAN IN 1990. WE REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AT 48,878 MILES. WE PUT 4 NEW TIRES ON AT 50,000 MILES. WE REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AT 82,190 MILES. REPLACED 4 TIRES AT 108,520 MILES. REPACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AT 108,537 MILES. MY BROTHER HAS A 1998 DODGE PICKUP AND JUST REPLACED THE BRAKES AT 48,000 MILES. CAN YOU HELP US? *AK (TIRESIZE: P215/65R15)

THE SAFETY BELT USED TO STRAP IN MY 1YR OLD DAUGHTER'S CAR SEAT HAS CAME UNBUCKLED A NUMBER OF TIMES WHEN MY 7 YR OLD IS BUCKLING HER OWN BELT AND BARELY BUMPS THE RELEASE BUTTON WITH HER HAND OR ELBOW.*AK

VAN HAS GEN 3 SEAT BELTS WHICH DISENGAGE TOO EASILY. *AK

I HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE GEN-3 SEATBELT LATCHES ON MY VEHICLE. *AK

I AM SURE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BUT I AM UNSURE IF ANYTHING WILL BE DONE. IN THE MINIVAN THERE IS NO NEED TO STEP ON BRAKES WHILE CHANGING FROM DRIVE TO PARK OR REVERSE ETC. IT COULD EVEN BE DONE WHILE MOVING! I DO FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A HAZARD AS WELL AS A LIABILITY. PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH YOUR SUGGESTIONS.*AK

VEHICLE WENT INTO SAFE MODE WHILE DIVING CAUSING IT TO STOP. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

SERPENTINE BELT HAD BROKEN WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPAIRED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPAIRED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE CONSUMERS CHILD DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY INTO THE INTEGRATED CHILD SAFETY SEAT WHICH SAY IT HOLDS CHILDREN 22 LBS. AND OVER, THE STRAPS ARE VERY LOOSE EVEN AT THE TIGHTEST POSITION. NLM

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN SECOND GEAR, IT BECAME STUCK. THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

THE FRONT WHEEL ROTORS WERE "PITTED AND RUSTED." THE CONSUMER CONSULTED THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS UNTIL ONE FINALLY TOLD HIM THE PROBLEM WAS A RESULT OF "CHEAP MATERIALS." *PH *JB

WATER KEPT ENTERING PASSENGER CABIN WHENEVER IT RAINED DUE TO OPEN SEAM ON WINDSHIELD BENEATH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.*MR CONSUMER PAID $27063 FOR THE REPAIR. AFTER NOTIFYING DODGE, THEY REIMBURSED HER HALF OF THE EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS OVER THE MILEAGE AND YEAR OF THE WARRANTY. *PH

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC INDICATED THE INSIDE BRAKE PADS WAS CONTINUOUSLY WEARING OUT THE ROTORS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE PADS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE PADS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE GEAR SHIFTER SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER HAS SEVERAL WITNESSES TO THE PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK