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.
At the dealership, they called them the valve retainer seals. I have heard repeatedly that it is a common problem with 3.0 L engines, and I would love to have the person that chose to put these engines in, knowing they would have this very expensive problem down the road, to pay for it. I was assured that I was getting a good van when I bought it used and it has numerous problems. I have 3 kids to worry about, I don't need to fork out $500 to fix a "common problem". and I also hate to think that I'm polluting the environment immensley in the mean time.
The fuel rail started leaking after removal; trying to change valve cover gaskets & using a certified auto mechanic, he verified the proper instructions for removal w/ the mitchell's service manual & now they are leaking fuel that could cause a fire; talked to Dodge parts counter & they are aware of problem & said they have modified the part but will cost me $160 for replacement of their poorly designed part. No recalls are listed and now a small job has turned into an expensive one.
Pedestal holding the rocker arm broke causing rocker arm shaft to break, also the transmission has broken this is still a new vehicle and these two items should not have broken the rocker arm and pedestal should not have broken I fill this is a design defect because of the way it broke and could have caused serious problems are damages. I also would like for this to be looked into. The local dealer told me that.
Dear NHTSA, please look into this problem. We have had this van only 7 months!!! we have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan SE that has 97,000 miles on the odometer. We took a trip in the last week to California to see our daughter when the engine check light came on. Even though we could not see or hear any problems, we took it to a dealer in reno, Nevada - (3223 mill St, reno, nv 89502 -- #(775)-323-3106). They said that the spark plugs needed replacing. At a cost of 300 dollars, we agreed in hopes that the light problem would be cured even though nothing seemed wrong. After picking up the vehicle the next morning, we noticed that the van was running terribly and would die when stopped. Frustrated that "no" problem with our van progressed to worse we returned to the dealer and asked them to check it again. After testing it again, they said the camshaft had to be replaced. Since we had to return home for work, we could not wait to get it fix. On returning home we took it into our trusted mechanic immediately. He checked the vehicle and said that we will need a new engine. Our complaint is that our engine should not of failed only after only 97,000 miles - it is ludicrous.
While driving transmission broke. Transmission differential pin had separated & caused a hole in the housing. The pin then flew out & cracked the engine block. The vehicle shut down without warning. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Consumer was informed by mechanic that transmission & engine block needed to be replaced.
This vehicle has been the worst vehicle I have ever owned because of continuous ongoing problems, the biggest of which was the engine head failure which cost me about a $1,000 thats with Dodge paying an additonal $800 for the parts. Now a year later, my transmission is failing and does not change gears. Please help I promise not to buy a Chrysler product again, I swear. All the other problems have been nagging, but tolerable. But this is too much.
Engine cylinder head broke, causing the engine to knock. A recall has been issued on these vehicles, however this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Manufacturer has been notified.
Bolt that secures the rocker arm to the engine head were not drilled deep enough to allow even tension to secure the rocker arm shaft properly causing it to break and resulting in violent vibration. Nlm
There was a loss of power steering and power brakes due to the idler pulley breaking off. Also, vehicle overheated quickly. Dealer has the vehicle. Needs new idler pulley.
When the tensioner pulley failed and snapped off of the engine at the block mount I was proceeding in a left hand turn onto a busy street. Loss of the pulley caused loss of power steering which caused a hazardous condition that nearly caused a bad crash.
Replacement of ac compressor & evaporator cost $1450; engine head was replaced free even though warranty had expired(spent $870 on maint and repairs of which $300 was to replace spark plug wires and resistor pack that was said to cause check engine light. Head was actually casuing problem); fan relay repaired under warranty; Firestone said water pump frozed and caused belt to break ($300 repair).
Vehicle would stall out for no reason & no warning. Speed would not be a factor. Has taken to dealer & no error would appear on diagnostic machine. So far, problem is intermittent & only happened twice since. It seems to occur when traveling at highway speeds then letting of the accelerator and gradually deceleraing. The vehicle will stall instead of idling.
Tensioner pulley bent, and the serpentine belt came off. The second time the pulley actually broke off. Bothe times the car lost all controls, luckily, both times I was driveing on a small strret and slow speed
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Norton, OH, USA