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.
Automatic transmission broke for the third time in just 30,000 miles, this time my wife and 4 kids were nearly killed on a busy interstate because we were almost hit. This vehicle is a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan.
We have had the car approx 6 years and had to put in five transmissions. They keep burning up and nobody can tell us why. We use the vehicle for very little transportation to and from school mostly approx 2 and 1/2 miles each way. The van constantly bucks when slowing down from high speeds to low speeds and will often die doing the same thing. The transmission always seems to be making a sound that indicates it is being stressed while in 2 to 3 gears.
Bought a 1996 Caravan new, in August 1999 the transmission went with about 36,000 miles and rebuilt put in - lasted till Jan 2005. Transmission went out Jan 2005 and a rebuilt was put in and lasted until July 2005 and another rebuilt was put in.
- 96 Dodge Grand Caravan w/3.8 V6 and 41te 4spd transmision - 2 transmission failures - 1st went to about 125000, then kept hitting the "limp home mode" - 2nd has "torque converter lockup" problem, shops say rebuild again, after only 38000 miles. - fan relay went out before recall was issued, had to replace the radiator out of pocket. - had clock spring replaced after component failure relating to it (horn, cruise etc) - union city ga dealer attempted to fix the fuel return line issue, botched it up and caused major leak when refueling. They re-fixed it after much complaining.
Took my 1996 Dodge Caravan in for transmission repair. Shop would not repair and said the vehicle was inoperable due to rusting out of strut mount tower. Have not seen this on any other vehicle.
- West Milwaukee, WI, USA
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As I brought down speed of my vehicle from 65 mph to stop today, just stopped dead at the stop sign and the transmission of my vehicle failed. When I searched the internet, I found a tons of people having the same problem. With so many people out there with the same problem there has to be a recall or a class action law suit.
There are two major problems with my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. First there is a serious vibration in the front wheel/tires. I have replaced 8 tires (in 30000 miles!), both front axles, all three motor mounts, and had the transmission overhauled, as well as having three alignment checks. The vibration is still there. The second problem involves the windshield wipers. The front wipers were, for a time, coming on any time they felt like it; this was remedied by replacing the multi function switch on 09/21/01. Since then, the rear wiper will occasionally come on for one swipe when I first start the vehicle - annoying, but not an immediate hazard. But today, my windshield wipers quit working at all. They will only work if I put the wipers on interval - in which case they do nothing for a time, then make two to four swipes, then wait a while, make one or two swipes, wait a while, etc. They will make one high speed swipe across the windshield if I press the washer button in. I spent $80 today so the Dodge dealer could tell me this was caused by a body control module failure. This repair costs over $400...and researching a used part online, I learned that both the wheel shimmy problem and the windshield wiper problems are not unique to my car but are very common issues with the Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country/Plymouth Voyager family. Losing your wipers, having them come on at random when they take a notion to, and a non-stop shimmy in the front are each, by themselves, serious safety issues warranting a recall. Collectively, they spell out a lack of concern that daimler Chrysler has for the safety of those who drive their products. It is my understanding from my online research that Chrysler was aware of the problem as long ago as 1998 but deliberately ignored its own information. It is apparent that the only way these safety issues are going to be addressed is if the federal government takes them to task.
While driving 20 mph, the driver was not able to shift into third gear. The driver tried to shift gears numerous times but was not able to do so. The vehicle was taken to a garage for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The problem recurred and the driver was not able to shift gears at all.
1996 Dodge Grand Caravan SE. Transmission completely failed. Third owner at 155,000 miles. Happened to first owner as well. Leaked transmission fluid everywhere, rear gate was covered with fluid. Went through over 2 quarts of fluid a day for a 5 mile drive to work. Diagnosed as a loose pin which wore a hole in the transmission case. Could not have been prevented. A hole the size of a fist was blown through the top of the case when it finally failed. Also, this part is in such demand due to the number of failures with this model that a rebuilt transmission was almost $2000. Chrysler was contacted and refused to provide any assistance with the cost of this repair. Was on the road in a snow storm when transmission failed, which could have in turn caused a serious accident while stuck in the middle of the road.
At 130000 mile a pin within the transmission broke off/or got loose and wore through the side of the transmission causing the transmission fluid to leak. There is no way to repair the transmission, so it needs to be replaced.
While driving vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. Transmission failed to change gears and was replaced, but the failure recurred within 62,0000 miles. Then, transmission was replaced again, but the failure recurred.
Serpentine belt or tensioner clip has had to be repaired 4 times (towed every time) electrical problems since the beginning; turn the key and the windshield wipers start going, turn the key off and the wipers "keep" going, take the key totally out of the ignition and the wipers go and the "dinging" alarm that tells you the lights are on or the key is in, starts.(I seriously thought the car was possessed) or turn the key and "nothing" comes on except the engine. I've replaced the battery 5 times at least - it's usually better w/ a new battery for a little while. Have had to have the window motor and assembly replaced on drivers side twice and 5 times on the passenger side. Most recent was 4/04, which was replaced 7/04 again. The side sliding doors on both side do not lock, if you push the button down, you can't get it back up. The rear hatch is damaged from closing the door, looks like I was hit in the rear, but have not been. Check engine light was on for months in fall '03, no mechanic could say why. Wanted to get the A/C charged but it wouldn't hold a charge. Dealer couldn't figure it out. Took it to another mechanic who said the A/C unit was totally melted. Had it replaced and then the computer reset. Replaced the transmission at 100000, the "plantatary gears" were cracked. Check engine light is on again in 7/04, failed emisions, replaced O2 sensor, light still on, tack sticks and car won't accelerate at times - I can push it to the floor and it won't go"? feels like it's choking, no power. Have a 3.8L, should have power. There is no panel/door for pass. Airbag to come out. If I ever got in an accident, what would it do...just bust through my dash? over time, the dash on that side has gotten soft and mushy, what's that about" my dad bought the same year Caravan I did, but he doesn't have the Grand Caravan le and he doesn't have the 3.8L and he hasn't had a single problem...I guess I got all of them.
While driving 55 mph vehicle stopped but engine was still running. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that pin slipped out and broke through the transmission casing. This caused a loss of transmission fluid, and transmission needed to be replaced.
While driving 55 mph transmission failed. Vehicle would not accelerate. Consumer managed pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
At 72,691 miles, the automatic transmission would not shift. The transmission was replaced with a rebuilt transmission. At 120,000 miles transmission slipped out of gear, causing the vehicle to slow down and not move.
Transmission failure 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. Will not go into gear, will not drive or go in reverse. Loud clunking noise and car jerked. Could have caused accident.
I have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan and it has had 4 transmission failures. Currently, the 5th transmission is in the vehicle. We have owned the Caravan since 1/97 when it was purchased with about 50K miles on it. It was a lease turn in vehicle used by a salesman not hauling heavy loads but making tobbacco sales calls. I have spoken with other similar vehicle owners and there has been an issue with the transmission failing. I feel that daimler Chrysler should recall the transmission for replacement with a satisfactory one.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dry Creek, WV, USA