100 of the 656 complaints about the 1995 Dodge Caravan are about the transmission — 15% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 90,000 miles.
100
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10161119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED. CONSUMER WASN'T ABLE TO SEE HOW FAST SHE WAS DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10106980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE!.
NHTSA complaint #10098156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON AUGUST 11 ,2004 OUR 1995 DODGE CARAVAN FAILED TO PICK UP SPEED ON THE NJ TURNPIKE, WHILE GOING TO NEWARK AIRPORT. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS, IT WAS STOP AND GO ON THE WAY HOME AT NIGHT. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 1995 FROM SUBURBAN DODGE IN METUCHEN, NJ. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER (NOW MCDONAGH DODGE) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CAR DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY NOW. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. IN ADDITION THE AC COMPRESSOR ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IF THE COMPRESSOR IS NOT REPLACED A BELT MAY BREAK AND I COULD LOSE POWER TO THE STEERING. THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS ONLY 94,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10088353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 350 MILES BACK FROM A TRIP, TRANSMISSION FAILED. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN TRAFFIC STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND COME TO A STOP (THIS WAS NOT A SUDDEN STOP). I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES. I HAD TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF TROUBLE PRIOR TO THIS DURING THE TRIP. WHILE IN IDLE, THERE WAS NO GRINDING NOISE. WHEN WE STARTED TO MOVE AGAIN THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHIFT AND STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS ONLY 67,000 MILE ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER CHARGED ALMOST $3,000 TO PUT IN A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. WHEN I PICKED IT UP, THE SERVICE SHOP WAS VERY RUDE. WHEN ASKED IF IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND IF THIS WAS THE KIND OF QUALITY ONE COULD EXPECT FROM DODGE, THE SERVICEMAN SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW AND ACTED LIKE HE DIDN'T CARE. HE SAID TO CALL THE 800 NUMBER IF I WASN'T HAPPY. WHEN I CALLED THE 800 NUMBER, THE PERSON I TALKED TO ACTED LIKE HE DIDN'T CARE AND BASICALLY TRIED TO TELL ME IT WAS BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICED PROPERLY. I TOLD HIM THE CAR WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD BEEN CHANGED JULY 1ST. HE TOLD ME THAT IF I BROUGHT IT TO PLACES LIKE JIFFY LUBE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED OR IF I BROUGHT IT TO OTHER PLACES FOR MAINTENANCE THAT THEY DID NOT DO A GOOD JOB AND DID NOT DO IT PROPERLY. I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NONE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD AN AIR SENSOR GO OUT (WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE STUCK IN SECOND GEAR). THE VEHICLE STILL DOES NOT SEEM TO BE SHIFTING PROPERLY. IT NOW WHINES WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10086403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10078718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DEALER WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, BUT AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF LABOR, THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE A DIFFERENTIAL PIN ON THE TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY 52,000 MILES. DEALER WOULD NOT COVER COST OF REPAIR. IT SOUNDS LIKE MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM, IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL? ALSO, THE DEALER HAS RECHARGED THE AIR CONDITIONER 3 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST 3 YEARS. EACH TIME THEY CHARGED ME FOR IT. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A CHARGE WOULD LAST ONLY ONE SUMMER.
NHTSA complaint #10054363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE IN COOLER WEATHER, IT WILL NOT UPSHIFT PROPERLY AND HAS OCCASIONALLY DOWNSHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW SUDDENLY AND DRAMATICALLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #767189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ORIGINAL MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS BROKE IN JUNE OF 2000, REPLACEMENT MOUNTS IN OCTOBER 2000. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION OR DRIVEN OFF ROAD. REPLACEMENT MOUNTS LASTED LESS THAN 2000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #734333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #763281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND, ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE 1 MPH AFTER THAT. DEALER DETERMINED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8008734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE, DEALER DETERMINED TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8008104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER OR HESITATE, AND THEN JUMP FORWARD INTO GEAR. ALSO, STALLED COMPLETELY OUT. DEALER SAID IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #8005408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FAMILY TRANSPORTATION FAILURE CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #757367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IN MAY, 200L, AT 51,365 MILES THE VAN'S TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT UPSHIFT ALL OF THE TIME. I TOOK IT INTO STAN MCNABB DEALER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THEY DID CHANGE FLUIDS AND ADJUST THE LINKAGE CHARGING ME $100.18.THIS SEEMED TO HELP UNTIL JULY WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ON OCT 31, 200L, THE CAR WOULD NOT UPSHIFT WHEN I WAS PULLING ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY SON AS A PASSENGER. ON NOV. 1, 2001, AT 56,058 THE SERVICE MANAGER WITH STAN MCNABB SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND THEY REPLACED IT CHARGING ME $1,762.72. I FEEL DODGE KNEW ABOUT THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION WHEN THEY BUILT MY VEHICLE AND THEY SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS!!!
NHTSA complaint #754808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO LOW GEAR, CAUSE UNKNOWN. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #896591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE DUE TO LEAKAGE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #562248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE BOUGHT THE 1995 DODGE CARAVAN USED. WE'VE REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION 4 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #751065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR AND THE EMERG. BRAKE FAILED ON A HILL. ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE WALTHAM POLICE EPT. IN WALTHAM, MA INCIDENT TOOK PLCE ON 07/27/2001. THERE WERE NO PEOPLE IN EITHER VEHICLE. A DOG WITH IDIOPATHIC EPILEPSY WAS IN THE BACK OF THE CARAVAN. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR THIS DEFECT AT BROOKFIELFD MOTOS IN BROOKFIELD , MA ON 07/23/2001. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BROOKFIELD MOTOS ON 07/21/2001 FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON AND FOR THE PROBLEM WITH THE GEARSHIFT INDICATOR. THE VAN ROLLED UNATTENDED EXCEPT FOR A DOG IN THE VERY BACK OF THE VEHICLE DOWN A HILL INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO PETER FULLER DODGE WHERE THE SERVICE MGR. KRISTIN CALLAN SAID THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS.IN ADDITION TO THE BODY DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES,THE INSURANCE AGENT ESTMATES A SURCHARGE OF 900$ PER YEAR TO ME FOR BOTH VEHICLES IN THE STATE OF MA. I AM BEING HELD AT FAULT FOR THE COLLISION ALTHOUGH I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN A TICKET OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND HAVE DRIVEN IN MA SINCE 1968. IT IS INTERESTING TO NTE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF..??? THANK YOU J KLORER.
NHTSA complaint #749790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
WHILE DRIVING TORQUE CONVERTOR MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP AND VEHICLE TO STALL, THE DEFECT WAS REPAIRED BY CHRYSLER.*AK THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #893790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND CONSUMER'S THREE YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO PLACE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE BY APPLYING BRAKES, AND PUTING CAR IN PARK. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHUR DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #890451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 47,000 MILES. AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, INTERIOR COMPONENTS OF TRANSMISSION WOULD MELT, REQUIRING THAT TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED EVERY TWO TO FOUR WEEKS AFTER THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS CONTINUED FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR TO SIX MONTHS. MECHANIC DID NOT GIVE CONSUMER A REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #890185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WHILE TRAVELING EAST ON HWY 70 (BETWEEN MOREHEAD CITY & HAVELOCK NC.) MY VEHICLE (1995 DODGE CARAVAN SE) I WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE IMPACT WAS SUCH THAT THE AXLES WERE KNOCKED OUT. MY PASSENGERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND MY BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THE BAG COMPARTMENT OPEN AFTER MY CHEST STRUC THE STEERING WHEEL. MY IMPACT WITH THE WHEEN WAS LESSENED AS I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT (AS WAS MY PASSENGER) THERE WAS A WITNESS TO MY AIR BAG FAILURE. THE HIGHWAY PATROL WERE TOLD OF THE FAILURE BY MYSELF AS WELL AS BY THE WITNESS. I AM CURRENTLY UBDER A DOCTORS CARE FOR EXTENCUVE SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE TO THE AREA OF MY BREAST BONE (INTERNALLY). MY DOGDGE WAS TOTALLED OUT BY THE NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ADJUSTER.
NHTSA complaint #742797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SWITCH PROPERLY CAUSING A MALFUNCTION IN TRANSMISSION. STICKS IN GEAR, BUT WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS.*AK A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN VEHICLE, HOWEVER IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #884228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HESITATED ON UPSHIRT TO HI GEAR AT 45 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #741830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
THE CV JOINTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WERE BAD CAUSING WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END ON ACCELERATION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POORLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS RESTRICTED AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO OVERHEAT, THE OVERHEATING OF THE TRANSMISSION RESULTED IN PLANETARY FAILURE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
CV JOINT HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #875680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AS WELL AS THE ZONE MANAGER FOR THE COMPANY OF THE PROBLEMS, AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY FEEDBACK AT ALL. WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAID SINCE THEY DID NOT DO THE WORK, NOTHING MORE COULD BE DONE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLES ARE KNOWN FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND NOTHING IS EVER DONE. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN FAILING AT 56,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #735619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.