This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have a 1996 Dodge Caravan. The brake pads and rotors were replaced in June of 2009. Bendix brake pads and bendix rotors were used. On December 15, 2009, both brake rotors failed causing a total loss of braking. While slowing down a loud bang came from the front of the van. The brakes did not feel right at this point. While looking for a safe place to pull over and stop, another loud bang was heard. At that point the van had no brakes. The van was stopped using the parking brake. Upon investigation it was found that both front brake rotors had failed. The middle hub section of the rotor had separated from the rotor. The failure was the same in both rotors. No other damage was present on the van. Both front rotors were replace on the van to correct the problem. I still have the old rotors.
Complete and sudden brake failure while approaching a stoplight. I was very lucky to be able to steer around the vehicle in front of me to avoid a serious accident. Prior to the incident the brakes were working fine. This is an extremely dangerous and serious failure mode. I have seen other reports of this on the web and it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured or killed...
Height sensor valve, rear left brake (the actual date of the incident was January 5, 2003, however, the incident date segment did not provide the year 2003. Also, the number of failures section...once failure occurred, it continued) went to mechanic to find problem. There was another 1996 van there with the exact same problem (quite coincidental, which prompted this complaint). Mechanic said the height sensor valve needed replacement, could only be done by dealer due to the fact that it was a dealer part only and that the gas tank needed removal. The reason I am proceeding with this complaint is due to the fact that I had little to no warning that brake failure was imminent. During one trip (approximately 30 minutes total), brakes began to feel "spongy", then brake light came on, then total brake failure. Fortunately, we were on neighborhood roads without our three children in the vehicle. Van was inspected in September, no indication problem existed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Frederick, MD, USA