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 - when new, recalled for safety belt repair/replacement and air bag clock switch replacement. For about the past 2 years, the interior light switch and instrument panel lights switch from dim to light with a clicking sound but has not been a problem I feel needed immediate addressing. More recently, rear air vents blow cold/warm/hot air when A/C is turned on. However, front vents blow ice cold air. Rear air vents function differently each time we start the car. All these electrical problems cause me great concern for our family of 5 regarding other essential systems that might be affected in the future. After reading all the other problems with this brand, I'm fairly certain we will be purchasing a more reputable brand when we replace our car. What is Chrysler doing to address these numerous electrical problems?
Consumer dash lights malfunctioned, consumer took vehicle to the dealer and they could not resolve the problem. The consumer stated instrument panel containing the cluster of the engine, temperature gauge, RPM gauge, speedometer, gas tank and digital odometer began to intermittently go off and come back on while the vehicle was on. The problem began to effect the speed of the vehicle and the gas that was left in the tank, it also effected the door locks which did not automatically activate as they were suppose to. The check engine light illuminated which was due to a problem with communication between the processor and the transmission. When the consumer pick the vehicle up from the dealer, within 20 minutes, the consumer saw a thin bluish smoke coming from under the hood on the drivers side. When the consumer arrived home he inspected the vehicle, but saw no visible signs of damage to anything. The dealer has been unable to diagnose the problem.
An electrical failure caused the headlights to malfunction. They flickered on and off while engaged. Dealership was unable to correct the problem due to the defective part being on back order. This was a common failure on these vehicles.
About three or four times a week I will lose my dash guages. The lights and upper dash light will still work but guages won't. after no set amount of time it will power back up and doors will lock down, seat belt light will come on and van will act like it just started (goes through intial start up sequence). Sometimes the van won't start. Key will be turned and van will start up and immediately stall. This will happen three times and then doesn't roll over or anything. Lately van will lock and unlock itself continually while driving, sometimes unlocking itself after alarm has been set risking the loss of valuables in the car while we are away. The check engine light comes on periodically and we take it into dealer and the computers aren't communicating so they replace wires, etc and fixes for a little while but doesn't fix the stalling problem, etc. Dealer doesn't know what is wrong and suggested replacing all wiring at $2000 but no guarantee this is causing problem. We have already spent close to $700 on new starter, etc. To no avail. On message board someone suggested when it doesn't start before it completely won't turn over to turn the key over and hit the dash as hard as possible and it worked....started right up. Suggested the circuit board is bad. Why can't the dealer figure this out. Still costs $500 to fix. We don't have the money to keep putting into van....we just bought it less than a year ago...but we can't afford to get anything else right now either.
Intermittently, the turn signals and hazard lights did not respond when using the multi-function switch. The dealer has not been able to determine the cause of the problem.
- Tampa, FL, USA
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- Crozet, VA, USA