2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Brakes Problems

BRAKE LINE BURST. AFTER JUST GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, STOPPING AT STOP SIGN AND FELT SOMETHING CHANGE. PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, HAD TO PRESS PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO STOP. BRAKE FLUID POURING OUT OF REAR LEFT SIDE. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. SCARY TO THINK IF IT HAD GONE ON HIGHWAY, ESP. SINCE I HAD MY 4 YR. OLD WITH ME. REPLACED W/ DEALER PART. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE 3 OTHER SECTIONS HAVE A COATING TO PREVENT CORROSION BUT THE 4TH DOESN'T, THAT'S HOW IT COMES. SO THIS NEW PART IS SUBJECT TO FAIL AGAIN? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. HOW COMMON IS THIS REPAIR? IS THERE A DESIGN FLAW THAT COULD BE REMEDIED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES? *TR

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT AND I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT FROM THE BRAKE LINES ROTTED AWAY TO THE ANTI FREEZE LINE ROTTED AWAY ALSO THE STEERING GETTING HARD TO WERE IT WONT BUDGE ALSO LIGHTS FLICKERING AND OVERHEATING SO THERE'S NOTHING ON MY VAN THAT ISN'T A PROBLEM I SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THESE PROBLEMS AND THEY JUST CONTINUE TO HAPPEN ANYTHING ON MY VAN THAT HOLDS FLUIDS JUST ROTS AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND NOW THE WATER PUMP HOUSING THAT'S BOLTED ONTO THE MOTOR WERE THE HOSE ATTACHES TO GOTO THE FIREWALL SO THAT YOU HAVE HEAT AND AC INSIDE THE VAN ROTTED OFF SO THERE'S A HOLE WERE THE NIPPLE WOULD BE TO CONNECT A HOSE TO AND THE DEALERSHIP WONT HELP ME IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM SO IM BASICALLY ON MY OWN SO I GUESS THERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE THEY FIX ANYTHING ON THESE VANS THEY HAVE SO MUCH CONCERN FOR THE CIVILIANS THAT BUY THERE CAR VANS EXT. THEY KEEP UP LIKE THIS EVERYONE WHO BUYS A VEHICLE FROM THEM IS CERTAIN TO DIE AND THEY WONT HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS TO SELL TO PERIOD BECAUSE THEY WILL ALL BE DEAD.... ITS TIME TO TAKE OUR STORY TO THE PRESS AND YOU WILL SEE HOW FAST THE WILL FIX THESE ISSUES SO IF YOUR A OWNER OF A DODGE CHRYSLER AND HAVING PROBLEMS SUCH AS ME WE SHOULD GET THE PRESS INVOLVED AND HAVE THEM WRITE A STORY ABOUT THERE LACK OR CARE FOR THERE CUSTOMERS SAFETY SO LETS TEAM UP AND WRITE ME AT [XXX] AND LETS PUT A FLAME UNDER THERE BUTTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE WET AND COLD, THE REAR BRAKES FREEZE. THE BRAKES DRAG HARD AND THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT TURN. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS A BUILD UP OF BRAKE DUST. UPDATED 02/27/06

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS. SNOW AND WATER ENTERED THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS, CAUSING RUST TO DEVELOP, LEADING TO A TEMPORARY FREEZE OF THE REAR BRAKE LINING TO THE DRUM WHICH LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL, PREVENTING IT FROM TURNING. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER , WHO INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

THE BRAKE HAD WORE OUT EVERY 20,000 MILES, EVEN WHEN FIX WEAR OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN. *BF THE DEALER REPLACED PAD/SHOES AND THE CONSUMER DETECTED NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *SC THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS. *JB

STARTED 2001 GRAND CARAVAN EX AFTER SHOPPING RUN,ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL CHECK LIGHTS REMAINED ON. PULLED OVER TWICE AND RESTARTED,SAME LIGHTS STAYED ON. VEHICLE HAD 26,078 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. CHECKED BRAKE FLUID LEVEL,O.K. LUCKILY FOR OUR FAMILY,THE VEHICLE STILL HAD ENOUGH BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE,THOUGH COMPROMISED (SQUISHY,NOT FIRM, SECURE AND CONTROLLED AS IT WAS PRIOR TO THE OCCURRENCE), AND THE BRAKES COULD STILL BE USED TO STOP VEHICLE. CHECK THE VEHICLE AGAIN AFTER A FEW HOURS(CHECKED BRAKE FLUID AGAIN, ABS FUSE CHECKED-OUT O.K.,STARTED VEHICLE)NO CHANGE. NO CHANGE THE NEXT DAY. *LA

VEHICLE HAS 37000 MILES AND HAS HAD FRONT BRAKES REPLACED (25000 MILES) / NEW DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR ASSY. INSTALLED (NOT UNDER WARRANTY @ COST OF $210 +) / FRONT SWAY BAR REPAIRED (NOT UNDER WARRANY EITHER) AND NOW THE AIR CONDITIONONG IS NOT WORKING.....DEALER SAYS IT WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE SYSTEM...ESTIMATE IS FOR $1,284 PLUS TAX!!!) ARE YOU KIDDING ME! I HAVE NO FAITH IN THE DODGE GRAN CARAVAN PRODUCT. THIS IS A $30K VEHICLE. IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE KIND OF ISSUES W/ ONLY 37000 HIGHWAY MILES.*AK

1. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC IT WASN'T GOING BAD IT JUST WENT. 2. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED MOVING. I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AND INSTEAD OF GETTING OUT AND GOING I GOT OUT AND ALMOST GOT HIT. THE CAR COMING TOWARDS ME SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS AND WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND ME. 3. THE REAR PLANITARY GEAR WELD FAILED, THIS FAILURE WAS DESCRIBED AS A SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILOR. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PUT INTO PARK. IT WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THE FLUID WAS BAD AND THE FILTER CLOGGED. THE VEHICLE HAS 55,000 MILES THEY SAY THE 7/70 WARRENTY DIDNT APPLY TO MY MODEL. THE SECOND MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FILTER OR THE FLUID THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE A LOT OF THESE PART THE WELDS FAIL ALOT. I CALLED DIAMLER/CHRYSLER AND TOLD THEM WHAT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT I WANTED TO SEND THEM BACK THE PART THAT SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT DIDN'T MATTER THAT IT WHY IT FAILED JUST THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE THE PART. I WAS LUCKY THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE. THE VEHICLE IS 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. SO FAR THE HATCH DOESN'T WORK WHEN THIS PART FAILED I WAS ALSO NOTIFIED THAT THE WHEEL CYLINDER ON THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AND THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE TO THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP WANTED 4.000 PLUS TAX TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REDONE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO DEAL WITH FIXING THE HATCH SO IT OPENS.*AK

BRAKES PULSE WHEN STOPPING, ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AT LOWER SPEEDS. VAN MILEAGE IS ABOUT 22,000 MILES. FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM AT ABOUT 8000-10,000 MILES, AND IT HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE. IT IS QUITE PROMINENT NOW. PRESUMABLY THE ROTORS ARE WARPED. THE (ORIGINAL) BRAKE PADS ARE STILL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. WE ARE VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVERS AND RARELY MAKE FAST STOPS. DEALER SAYS BRAKES ARE WARRANTEED FOR ONLY A YEAR. APPARENTLY, SO ARE THE ROTORS. THE INCIDENT DATE IS THE DATE I POSTED THIS NOTICE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR WELL OVER A YEAR. WE DIDN'T NOTICE IT MUCH AT FIRST, BUT IT IS NOW PRONOUNCED ENOUGH ONE CANNOT MISS IT. *AK

DT: 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONSUMER STATES THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TWICE. ALSO, THE MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE ABS SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THE BACK WHEELS TWICE. NEARLY EVERYTHING ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

BRAKE ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE ATE INTO ROTOR WHERE THE ROTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COULD NOT BE RESURFACED ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAD 23000 MILES. ABOUT 3/4 OF THAT WAS INTERSTATE MILES.*AK

TODAY, WHILE DRIVING OUR DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, MY WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES. THEY MADE A GRINDING NOISE, AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAS SLIGHTLY OVER 16,000 MILES AND THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. THE FIRST WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS 9 MONTHS OLD WITH 5 600 MILES ON IT. THE SECOND WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS 23 MONTHS OLD WITH 14,612 MILES ON IT. TODAY, IN LIESS THAN 2 MONTHS AND 2000 MILES IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. WE ARE WORRIRED THAT THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK

FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT UNDER 25,000 MILES. NO TRAILER TOWING OR EXCEPTIONAL USE WAS INVOLVED. *NLM

BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING OUTN PREMATURELY, VEHICLE ONLY HAS 6000 MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

THE BRAKE ROTORS WARPED DUE TO THEM OVER HEATING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

I NOTICED THAT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 50-65 MPH THE VAN WOULD SHUTTER VIOLENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STOP AND ALSO CAUSING THE VAN TO PULL LEFT OR RIGHT. AT LOWER SPEEDS I HAD THE SAME RESULTS. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL REACTION OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHICH I FOUND TO BE QUIT ODD SINCE I'VE NEVER EXSPRIENCED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE ON A CHRYSLER PRODUCT. FINALLY WITH 23075 MILES, I TOOK THE VAN IN TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS CHANGED BECAUSE THEY WHERE FOUND TO BE (WARPED). PLEASE NOTE THAT I TOOK THE VAN TO AN OUTSIDE VENDER (BRAKE SYSTEMS OF AMERICA)WHERE THEY DID A FULL INSPECTION OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM,AND TEST DRIVING THE VAN THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WHERE WARPED.ALSO NOTE THE REASON THEY DIDN'T REPAIR THE VAN WAS BECAUSE THEY SAID IT MIGHT VOID THE CHRYSLER WARRANTY.IS THIS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE 2001 CHRYSLER AND DODGE PRODUCTS PREMATURE WARPING OF EITHER THE FRONT OR REAR ROTORS OR A MANUFACTURING, QUALITY CONTROL ISSUE WHICH EVER THE CONSUMER IS GETTING STUCK FOOTING THE REPAIR BILL.

THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAS FAILED TWICE: 4/02 AND 2/04. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME ON AN EXIT RAMP. FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT BARKE ROTORS ARE WARPED. MY WIFE WAS INFORMED BY DODGE THAT THIS SHIMMY WE WERE FEELING AS WE APPLIED THE BRAKES WAS THE ABS ENGAGING. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DODGE DEALERSHIP, WE WERE INFORMED THE PROBLEM IS WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. IN ADDITION, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS OVER 12000 MILES, WE NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS! THE LEATHER SEATING IN THE REAR IS 'DELAMINATING.' (I DON'T KNOW OF A BETTER WAY TO DESCRIBE IT). THE REAR AUTOMATIC HATCH DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY OPEN. THIS TOO IS A RECURRING PROBLEM.