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.
When the vehicle is put in reverse vehicle will roll forward for about six inches and will completly stop after that. When vehicle is in neutral, vehicle will not move at all. Delaer has inspected the vehicle. Manufacturer has been notified.
Reverse is out on the transmission it won't go in reverse, contacted manfactuer, they said out off warranty, too bad, I think for a vehicle that is only 3 years old for the transmission to go out there is some kind of defect. This needs to be checked out. I own a $14,000 vehicle that I can't even drive. It is going to cost me $1,000 to get this thing fixed.
I purchased this new vehicle 3/99. I don't feel it is fair to pay so much for a new car only to have such a major component break after 3 years. In 2/99 I took the cr to the dealers for the annual inspection, and was told it needed $2,000 in repairs. One of the repairs was to service the transmission because it started to jump when put in reverse. I took the car to another mechanic whom I paid $1,400 for the work. A few weeks later, we were taking a 150 mile trip one way to take my nephew back to school. We got there and 50miles into the return trip I was on the pa turnpike when I heard what I thought was a siren. We looked around and saw no flashing lights. We started up an incline and the car started to slow down. As it did, the sound of the siren also started to deminish and I realized that the siren we heard was coming from my car. We were 100 miles away from home and had to have the car towed back to philadelphia. It was taken back to the mechanic who I paid for the repairs, and after he had time to check the problem out, I was told I needed a new transmission which would cost me $1,200. I am currently without a car, and still owe $10,000 on this vehicle. I do not see the justice in having to pay for a brand new car, only to have such a major component give after only 3 years on the road. For that, I would have taken my chances with a used car. My mechanic informs me that he has seen numerous Dodge vehicles come into his shop with transmission problems. He told me that there is a band in the transmission that snapped, and he has seen this sort of problem on other occasions with Dodge products. This is my second time contacting you regarding this problem, and I would appreciate a response. There has to be a way to protect the consumer from this sort of thing. I only buy us cars so that I can help in the effort to keep America working. If I have to just live with this loss, then I may have to rethink my next purchase very hard.
When driving at any speed, the transmission went out, and the computer made the vehicle shift. The computer went out and the vehicle started up, and sometimes the vehicle will delay. Consumer states prior to the transmission going out, the engine would make the same noise every time, transmission hesitates before going into gear, finally on 20-Oct-98, vehicle was hooked up to a computer showing faulty transmission.
Transmission problems since date of purchase, one incident caused vehicle to jump out of gear into drive almost resulting in accident due to wandering.
Since we purchased our van in August of 1997, we have had many repairs and visits to the dealer. As of today, they have not fixed or diagnosed the brake problems. When coming to a stop or applying my brakes, a crunching sound occurs, and I can feel it in the pedal. It is a fairly loud sound and the vibration is distracting because you lose your brake pedal for a period of 1-2 seconds. I have talked to other Dodge Caravan owners and plan to take a detailed survey on this matter, but, none to this point have had this problem. This leads me to believe this is a defect in the brake system or antilock brake computer system which is undetectable. This does not occur all the time, and not under the same conditions. This, also, leads me to the conclusion there is a major saftey defect here. I have had this to the dealer and they say they cant diagnose the problem. What am I supposed to do, get in an accident? I have asked that they recall my van, refund full purchase price or replace my vehicle with one similar to mine. This is not the only problem: Today it was in for brakes and a blown engine head gasket. Previously, catalytic converter/ blower motor/battery/ speed sensor and anti rattle bumpers that still havent corrected problem/fuel filter ground strap and fuel filler tube ground strap have been replaced. Also, deglazed brakes, but still brakes squeak.finally, headlights replaced w/housing/lamp, and whatever else they have done to it while in the shop right now. It has been there since Tuesday Feb.02. This van is no way worth the hassles that I have been put through and I dont think anyone should have this many problems so early on. I have done extensive research on this model and have found atleast 100 complaints for transmission problems and other major repairs and undiagnosed problems with the engine. I think it is time someone stepped in and took a good look at this 96 vehicle because it is not up to saftey standards by a long shot. Thank you.
If trying to go into reverse the vehicle will not shift, give it gas, then try reverse, the vehicle will sometimes jump into reverse and forced speed allows vehcle to lunge. Consumer took vehicle twice to a dealership and they found nothing. The third time dealer said vehicle needed transmission rebuilted. Spitzer Dodge---614-861-0250.
Vehicle would stall preventing brakes from working properly. Cv joint went through transmission, vehicle was in arbitration for 37mph vibration, brake failure and engine stalling
While driving gear pin slipped out at 30mhp and shot through the casing of the transmission. Manufaturer was contacted and told the consumer to have the dealer evaluate the situation, but no actions were taken.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Poteau, OK, USA