6.4

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,480 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems

transmission problem

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1996 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments (Page 5 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #88

Nov 302000

Grand Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When the vehicle comes to a stop the transmission jumps and then the vehicle dies. This only happens when the vehicle is in the first gear. Once the vehicle shifts out of first gear it does not have any problem with shifting. However when the vehicle begins to down shift when it comes to a complete stop as the transmission shifts to first gear it begins to jerk, hesitate and then the engine dies. This problem also exists in reverse, overdrive, third gear & low gear. The transmission was replaced by the dealer at 26000 miles. I serviced the transmission every 25000 miles thereafter. With only 58000 on the "new" transmission the torque converter and front pump have fallen apart. Is there anything on this vehicle that is not a piece of junk? other parts replaced are as follows: Water pump, both front door seals, turn signal arm, drivers side visor, both front struts, both rear shocks, front brakes had to be rebuilt, a complete rear brake job (drums, wheel cylinders, spring kit & shoes),fan switch resister is going bad, antifreeze lines going to rear heater core, both oxygen sensors, both side door power lock mechanisms, spark plugs once by the dealer and most recently me, a complete fuel system power flush by the dealer, battery, fan relay switch(recall), and the van is currently on its third transmission, belt tensioner, passenger sun visor, serpentine belt, (,PCV & air) filters are replaced every year & the fuel filter every two years. The emergency brake has not worked for over two years. It is being replaced today. The dealer also recommended another flush of the fuel rails and to clean the throttle body assembly. Lest I forget the ABS relay/solenoid.

- Henderson, KY, USA

problem #87

Jan 182001

Grand Caravan

  • miles
While driving about 18 mph vehicle stalled without a prior warning, just quit working. When lifted up by tow truck could see part of transmission went out.

- Regina, CD, USA

problem #86

Sep 102000

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Replaced complete air condition system, front and rear, transmission, fuel injection, cv joints, fuel tank leaks, the list goes on and on.

- New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

problem #85

Mar 221996

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission cannot hold the car in park and gears will slip even when the shift column is still in park which very dangerous at that time it may hold the vehicle and then slip and start rolling.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #84

Dec 272000

(reported on)

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission cannot hold or will disengage when the car is on a hill grade when set in park.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #83

Dec 112000

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When starting vehicle in first 5 minutes vehicle would not shift into gear. Soon afterward vehicle would travel normal. The original transmission failed at 20,233 miles and the second one failed at 53,167 miles. The transmissions needed complete teardown, reseal and a new torque converter.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

problem #82

Mar 151999

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Right before vehicle shifts into overdrive there is a jerky motion. Dealer cannot find problem, at 40 -45 mph. Also, transmission has to be rebuilt, and airbag light stays on. Dealer says it's due to an open circuit, brakes replaced twice, rotors replaced. The consumer had transmission problems numerous times. Noise in engine while driving due to serpentin belt and tensioner failure.

- High Springs, FL, USA

problem #81

Nov 032000

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failed while driving through busy city intersection. After having the vehicle towed to the dealer, I asked the service manager is this is a common problem in Caravan. He said no, but he had seen it happen. Cost of repair: $1507.63. When I questionned this, he said I should have purchased an extended warranty for the transmission.

- Portage, MI, USA

problem #80

Nov 042000

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Transmission gear cracked and teeth broke off. Van now moves in park. Also occasional gear jams and van jerks to a stop while moving from 1 to 10 mph.

- Orland Park, IL, USA

problem #79

Oct 252000

(reported on)

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The transmission failed prematurely.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #78

Oct 102000

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When the gear shift was placed into the "park" position, the transmission remained in neutral; when put into the "reverse" position, the transmission went into drive. It would not go into park or reverse.

- Valencia, CA, USA

problem #77

Jun 101996

Grand Caravan

  • miles
The car currently has been in a sjop specializing in transmissions defying all attempts to restore the second transmission installed January, 1999. The mechanics are at a total loss to explain why a simple thing like a transmission failed prematurely in January, 1999 and has been effectively destroyed by something unidentifiable now. The second transmission failed on August 3, 2000 and the vehicle has been inoperable to this writing. The car would stop at high speed in highways trapping me and my children in the middle of high speed traffic, lietrally terrorizing me and my children. This would happen aften and the first sign of trouble occurred early whne the column-mounted shift would without warning pop out of gear, leaving the car either in neutral or with the engine turning off. All this was very troubling but Chrysler said it was "normal." That summarizes my experience with this totally dangerously unreliable vehicle. The only thing that hasn't failed has been the exhaust system. I was told that I or any passengers or other drivers (my older children drive) could have died if the gas ignited when I found the discharge of gas as indicated by the rapidly dropping gas gauge into the engine creating an incredibly noxious odor of gasoline in the passenger compartment alerting me to the potential hazard. Chrysler subsequently issued two recalls on this failed fuel system. I have just received another- this at four years old. Clearly Chrysler knows a lot more about this dangerous, deadly vehicle than it is admitting through these recalls and I am ripping mad. Thanks for your attention.( dot number: )

- Middlebury, CT, USA

problem #76

Jun 271996

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Complete transmission overhaul and tcm replacement, vehicle would not shift out of first gear.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #75

Sep 062000

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Rear carrier weld broke, causing vehicle to surge forward when applying accelerator, and transmisson did not go into gear. Dealer has replaced the transmission.

- Olney, MD, USA

problem #74

Aug 222000

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Transmission shifts from into neutral itself while driving. Multiple incidents, dealer claims ignorance.

- Cantonment, FL, USA

problem #73

Aug 112000

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Heading out on vacation, cruising along the interstate at 70 mph, when the transmission shifted itself into neutral. Crossed multiple lanes of high speed traffic to the shoulder. Stopped, inspected, restarted all was well for about two hundred feet. Car went into "limp mode". limped back to the dealer. Verdict: New tranny required. Cost: $2475 (not including the 8.5% sales tax). After moments on the internet, discovered this is a rampant problem with these vehicles. We're angry that we were endangered by a well known problem. A serious problem which should be the subject of a recall.

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #72

Dec 151999

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The tackometer and speedometer flatlined to 0 then returned to normal, the horn and cruise control, have stopped working and the airbag light stays on most of the time. The transmission had a total failure in the highway and had to be rebuilt. The wipers occasionally come on by themselves and cycle a couple of times and then stop and occasionally stop in the middle of the windshield (this has been tothe dealer in madison heights, va several times for repair under warranty, but not since the warranty expired. The left speakers on the sound suystem periodically go off and on while the system is on. The starter went out and had to be replaced the end of June, 2000.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #71

Jul 162000

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission locked into 2nd gear. I was told by Chrysler that it was out of warranty, therefore all repairs were our responsibility. There are numerous incidents on the internet that point out that this is a defective transmission. I believe that Chrysler should pay for the repair.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #70

Jan 011998

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #69

May 172000

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Windshield wipers still engage by themselves originally repaired 05/99. Transmission went out AT30904 miles. Airbag light came on and horn stopped working had to replace click spring. Car stall while driving said it needed tune-up. When using ac or driving in rain and making a turn steering gets stiff and cannot control. Interior lights flash dealer could not duplicate. Power door locks lock and unlock by themselves. Had to replace axle due to it being bent when new transmission was put in. Had to get new tires because axle threw off balance. Keep replacing batteries. Drove car for 10 minutes and fan came on and stayed on after car was turned off.

- Louisville, KY, USA

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