ON THURSDAY, MARCH 24TH, 2005 MY MOTHER BACKED HER 1993 DODGE CARAVAN INTO HER DRIVEWAY AND BUMPED INTO HER FENCE BREAKING THE LENS ON THE TURN SIGNAL. AS IT WAS COMING INTO A LONG WEEKEND WITH BUSINESS SHUT DOWN, SHE IMMEDIATELY WENT INSIDE TO CONTACT HER MECHANIC TO HAVE IT REPLACED/REPAIRED. AS SHE SPOKE ON THE PHONE, SHE GLANCED OUT THE WINDOW AND OBSERVED A PLUME OF SMOKE RISING FROM THE REAR OF THE VAN. SHE IMMEDIATELY RUSHED OUT AND FOUND A SMALL FLAME IN THE AREA OF THE BROKEN LENS. SHE PACKED IT WITH SNOW AND WENT BACK TO HER CALL TO THE MECHANIC TO ARRANGE A TIME FOR THE REPAIR AND TO DISCUSS WHAT JUST HAPPENED. DURING THIS CONVERSATION SHE AGAIN NOTICED A PLUME (MUCH LARGER AND DARKER) RISING FROM THE VAN. SHE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO RESPONDED QUICKLY, HOWEVER THE INTERIOR OF THE VAN WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE AND SUBSEQUENT INTENSE HEAT. HER INSURANCE AGENT HAS SINCE "WRITTEN THE VEHICLE OFF" AND IS OFFERING $1500.00 (CDN) TO SETTLE. FORTUNATELY SHE DID NOT SIMPLY ATTEMPT TO DRIVE STRAIGHT TO HER MECHANIC FOR THE REPAIRS OR THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SEVERE.
NHTSA complaint #10116006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valencia, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. I HAVE SPENT OVER $10,000.00 ON REPAIRS SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 1993. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH DODGE. I'VE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS ON VARIOUS COMPONENTS, THEY WERE CORRECTED AND ARE NOW AGAIN DEFECTIVE INCLUDING MY SEATBELTS, ABS SYSTEM, AND STEERING COLUMN. I AM NOW NOTICING THAT THE PAINT IS ERODING ON THE TOP OF MY VAN. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER DODGE CARAVANS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THE EXACT SAME PATTERN OF CORROSION. IT APPEARS THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF ON THE TOPS OF THE CARS, THEN THE HOODS AND SO ON. IT EVENTUALLY RUSTS THROUGH AS I'VE SEEN ON AT LEAST 20 DODGE CARAVANS. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED PAINT WEARING AWAY LIKE THIS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES THAT I'VE OWNED AND MUCH OLDER THAN 10 YEARS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT SOMEWHERE IN THE PAINTING PROCESS, PERHAPS THE PRIMER OR THE PAINT ITSELF. THIS IS THE THIRD LETTER I'VE WRITTEN AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM ANYONE. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PAINTING PROCESS OF THESE VANS. I BELIEVE IT IS ALSO OCCURRING IN OTHER YEAR MODELS. THANK YOU, SUSAN DEANFRASIO.
NHTSA complaint #10063811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Osceola, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
THE BALL JOINTS AND STARTER FAILED, THE BRAKE LINE WAS BROKEN, THE SIDE DOOR FELL OFF, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OIL AND COOLANT FAILURES. ALSO THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN OUTER ROD END INSTALLED AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. *JG
NHTSA complaint #10006061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Osceola, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
THE SLIDING DOOR SEPARATED FROM THE HINGES, ALSO THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL, COOLANT, BALL JOINTS, STARTER, BRAKE LINE, TIE ROD, TRANSMISSION, EXHAUST AND THE FRONT BRAKES. TS
NHTSA complaint #10002079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
College Park, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IN EVENING CONSUMER TRIED TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE AND EFFECTED STEERING COLUMN OPERATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #887658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warner Robins, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER REPLACED FUEL LINES WHICH BECAME CLOGGED, BUT DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #876543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE ENGINE STALLS COMPLETLY WHEN GOING AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO SLOW DOWN OR TURNING, HAS DONE THIS SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW, HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SEVERAL CHECKUPS AND THE DEALER CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS CONSTANTLY PERSISTS AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BEACAUSE I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED THE SAME VEHICLES IN 1993, 1994 AND 1995. THESE PEOPLE JUST SOLD THEIR CARS OR TRADED IN TO GET RID OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN APPARENT ENGINE DEFECT THAT CHRYSLER MADE THESE CARS DURING THESE YEARS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, THIS CAN AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.
NHTSA complaint #735277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellflower, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN DODGE/CHRYSLER I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOYOTA. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #726465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coventry, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
FREON WAS LEAKING FROM AIR CONDITIONER. LEAK WAS COMING FROM UNDER DASHBOARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND THEY HAD TO GO UNDER THE DASHBOARD, THEY FIXED THE LEAK. ONE MONTH BEFORE, HAD TO PUT A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. THEN DRIVESHAFT BELT BROKE. CONSUMER HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK LEFT DOOR SWITCH FAILED. HEATER CORE, EVAPORATOR, CONDENSER, O- RINGS AND SEALS ALL REPLACED. STARTER FAILED. ENGINE TIMING CASE COVER, GASKETS SEALS BELT AND TENSIONERS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #861776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Englewood, OHFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VAN COUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS, THE ONLY ITEMS REMAING WAS THE BUMPER. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND THE INSURANSCE COMPANT FEELS THAT IT WAS ELECTRICAL.
NHTSA complaint #720177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THESE ARE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS, NOT RELATED TO WEAR & TEAR, THEY ARE COMPUTER AND/OR ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE CAR DRIVES FINE FOR HOURS WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT NEUTRALS OUT. TURNED THE CAR OFF & ON AGAIN & IT DRIVES FINE.
NHTSA complaint #713515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Galt, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #710720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leeds, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I REALIZE THAT ALL VEHICLES NEED REPAIRS BUT THIS ONE GOES TO THE SHOP REGULARLY. WE HAVE HAD THE VAN SERVICED, TUNED UP AND TAKEN CARE OF ON A REGULAR BASIS. I'VE ASK OTHER DODGE CARAVAN OWNERS ABOUT THEIR VAN AND NEARLY ALL HAVE REPLACED THEIR TRANSMISSIONS STARTING AT 50,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS MY MAIN CONCERN IN THIS COMPLAINT
NHTSA complaint #709532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olathe, KSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. SOMEONE SAW IT AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #838154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE BATTERY BLEW UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA complaint #815989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #520161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION WIRING.
NHTSA complaint #516683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sylvania, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
COIL PACK FAILED TWICE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #516979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanton, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT (40) MPH THE HORN STARTED BLOWING, WINDOWS WENT UP AND DOWN, LIGHT FLASHED, DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED AND A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASH BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. FIRE DEPARTMENT AND INSURANCE COMPANY BELIEVE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL.
NHTSA complaint #811600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE WIILL INTERMITTENTLY HESITATE, MECHANICS CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE ADD FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #807618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLS. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #807019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHEN STARTING VAN MOPAR BATTERY EXPLODED/ CRACKED. THIS IS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT.
NHTSA complaint #985982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
STARTED VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD POP, OPENED THE HOOD, FOUND EXPLODED BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #986621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palatka, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE CUTS OFF, RESULTING IN POWER LOSS, AFFECTING THE BRAKE AND STEERING ABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #985974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
CONSUMER PUT KEY IN IGNITION TO START AUTO AND BATTERY EXPLODED, NO ONE WAS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #985308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterdlite, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLS/HESITATES, CAUSING POWER STEERING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #984651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE SUBJECT TO STALLING W/DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPEAT FAILURE AND ITS CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #983176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT, CAUSING THE VAN TO DIE.
NHTSA complaint #980856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oldbridge, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE DRIVING, COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED WHEN SUDDENLY ALL DASH LIGHTS FLASHED THEN HEADLAMPS WENT OUT, RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #980549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laplace, LACrash3 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WHILE AT SPEED 0F 55MPH, IMPACT 6:00 POSTION.
NHTSA complaint #980336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.