Took vehicle in because transmission was slipping. Dealer told me there was a leak in the front seal and quoted what I thought was a very high repair estimate. I took the van to a local (trusted) transmission shop who took the transmission out to track the problem. There is a small pin that retains a large pin that holds one of the gears on the shaft; the small pin broke allowing the large pin to slide out. It couldn't slide far until it hit the side of the transmission case, literally cutting a hole through the case; voila, a leak. I think the dealer knew exactly what had happened which is why they knew how much it would cost to replace. The transmission shop said they see this all the time with this transmission and it is a design defect that has been corrected in newer models and after-market replacements through the use of a coil-type pin and ears to hold the main pin. They also said I was lucky, most of them fail at 60000 miles.

I was driving down the road in my housing area. The voyager started feeling like some one was holding it back. You could give the engine lots of power and the van barely moved. I took it to Chrysler and they told me that the transmission went bad. I was rally upset as this is my third Plymouth/Dodge product that had the transmission give out at just over 70K. As any of you Chysler owners know... Chrysler offers a 7 year 70K warranty for a reason. Hell ya its going to give at at 71K. I tell you after three transmissions on three grand voyagers/grand caravans I will never purchase another American made car especially a Chrysler product.