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.
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact was coming home from work at 20 mph and someone was sitting at a red light. Wheile slowing down to come to a complete stop the contact's vehicle accelerated because the cruise control came on, and hit the vehicle sitting at the red light from behind when was normal braking. This has never happened before. The road was dry at the time. The contact was wearing seat belts. Had not yet contacted dealership or manufacturer. Called the police, and they took a breport. There were no injuries in the accident. The only damage made was to the vehicles.
Brakes failed, causing a collision. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. Consumer complained to the manufacturer about the horn not working, and the brake failure. Manufacturer inspected the vehicle and found no defects. Recall 04V480000 for clock spring was issued, and consumer stated this was the cause of the accident.
When driving and upon applying brakes they will momentarily lock up, and headlights will get very dim. Also a noise was coming from dashboard after brakes were applied.
Braking distance is not what it should be, mostly when applying brakes at speeds of 60-65 mph. Took vehicle into dealer at least 6 times, dealer could not remedy problem. The brakes malfunctions.
When appyling brakes in normal conditions ABS system activated until the vehicle has stopped, cause unknown. A complete brake job was done to correct the problem.
When driving and upon depressing brake pedal to make a sudden stop pedal traveled to floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. Also, smoke came from brakes. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced entire brake system. Also, when gear was placed in drive it popped out of gear.
Exiting highway at 43 mph depressed brake pedal 2 times with no braking action observed. Slowed to 35 mph and tried pedal 1 more time with no stopping action. Used transmission and engine compression to slow vehicle. Coasted to a stop and noticed smoke eminating from rear of vehicle with the "smell" of brakes prevalent. No interior brake light illuminated at any time. Fix: Replaced rear wheel cylinders and shoes (excessive wear noted), and drums turned. Probable cause unidentified (excessive wear unusual for highway miles driven - front brakes all normal) felt to me like master cylinder failure with resulting zero pressure in system and no braking action at all.
Front brake rotor warped at 4700 miles and 27700 miles again, and required replacement of brake pads. Brakes also pulled to the left, but dealer never could fix them. After approximately 5000 miles on new vehicle the brake pulling to the left faded away.
Emergency park brake did not release completely; driven approx 1 mi until rear right wheel lock-up; subsequent both rear drums warped, shoes ruined- both rear drums and shoes replaced at cost of $330.
There is extreme pedal pressure when trying to stop, the brakes and wheels overheat, and the emergency brake sticks. Dealer has been contacted. Brake replaced to solve locking up problem, but new brakes require more pressure, brakes fail after extended driving, and emergency brake no longer works.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Childress, TX, USA