117 of the
2,178 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Caravan are about the
throttle and cruise control — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
87,600 miles.
A
117
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
10388.0%
Cruise Control
97.7%
Linkages
32.6%
Accelerator Pedal
21.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Dodge Caravan year
WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE I TOUCHED BREAK AND THE VAN ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE. THE VAN JUMPED THE CURB AND WAS HEADING TOWARD 3 PEOPLE, I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO HIT A LIGHT POLE INSTEAD OF THEM. THE VAN QUIT RACING FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN REVVED UP AGAIN. THE LIGHT POLE FELL AND I WAS AGAIN HEADED TOWARD THE PEOPLE. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BREAK AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VAN, BUT NOT BEFORE HITTING THE PEOPLE. LUCKILY THEY WERE JUST BRUISED BECAUSE I JUST BUMPED THEM AND DIDN'T RUN OVER THEM. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I ALMOST KILLED SOME PEOPLE AND NO LONGER HAVE TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE THE VAN WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10724131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesWaukee, IA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BCM-1, (WARRANTY) LOSS OF DASH FUNCTIONS 1996: BCM-2 ESTIMATE $1200 REPLACED CHRYSLER P/N P4686727 LOST 95,000 MILE ODOMETER FOR A WORKING BCM FROM JUNKYARD (2001), BCM-3, LOST FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER BCM FROM JUNKYARD FIXED P/N P46867(2006) BAD WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT LEAKS WATER INTO CABIN, BCM-3, FAILED AGAIN CURRENTLY NO WIPERS, NOT ABLE TO FIND A 1996/1997 BCM ONLY 1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER BCM P/N P04801062AE. WILL TRY TO VALIDATE COMPATIBILITY TONIGHT. ADEL CHRYSLER ESTIMATE $1,400 PLUS LABOR. ALREADY GAVE THEM $742 FOR TUNE UP AND TROUBLE SHOOTING WHAT THEY SAID WAS A BAD MULTI-SWITCH ($110) DID NOT FIX AND NO DISCOUNT FOR NOT KNOWING HOW TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM PROPERLY. THEIR NUMBER IS 515-993-4587 CORY (KARL IS THE SERVICE MANAGER-OWNER'S SON).
NHTSA complaint #10265009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BIG Stone GAP, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, THE HORN DOES NOT WORK, AND THE CRUSIE CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION......A CLOCKSPRING MALIFUNTION FROM ALL REPORTS....AND DEFINETLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAZARD. WILL ATTEMPT TO REPLACE BUT AT A HIGH COST....
NHTSA complaint #10111909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesFairfax, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING HORN/CRUISE CONTROL FAILED AND AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10067068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesPlainfield, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10057700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesVilonia, AR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
THE HORN ON MY 1996 CARAVAN HAS STOPPED WORKING; THE AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME; THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS STARTING TO FAIL.*AK I SAW THE REPORT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ON NEWER MODELS. I THINK THE RANGE OF MODEL YEARS NEEDS TO BE BROADENED. I HAVE ALSO SEEN REPORTS OF OTHER 1996/1997 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ON INTERNET AUTO REPAIR WEB SITES.
NHTSA complaint #10056434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jeannette, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE SHIFTING GEARS TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC REPLACED SPEED SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10049991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,335 milesCmch, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CLOCKSPRING MECHANISM
NHTSA complaint #10039369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,600 milesWarner Robins, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS LIT AND CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS.
NHTSA complaint #10029086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesAloha, OR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WIPERS TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY, INAPPROPRIATELY. AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CRUISE DOESN'T WORK, HORN DOESN'T WORK. OTHER THAN THAT, THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WELL. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769501
NHTSA complaint #10007143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ambler, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CLOCKSPRING (LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL) FAILURE RESULTED IN LOSS OF USE OF BOTH AIRBAGS, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN
NHTSA complaint #766998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roswell, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSES THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BE INOPERABLE AND FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. WITH THE NUMBER OF FAILURES OF THIS PART, A RECALL IS NECESSARY. MANY PEOPLE WILL NOT FIX AT THE COST OF THE PART AND WILL BE DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #766435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagan, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FIRST THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AUTOMATICALL,YTHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS, THEN THE HORN STOPS WORKING, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON, NOW THE CAR OCCASIONLLY DOESN'T START UNLESS I ADJUST THE STEERING COLUMN
NHTSA complaint #765961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doniphan, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CRUISE CONTROL WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8016858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Union, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIRBAG LIGHT ON , NO SPEED CONTROL, NO HORN. AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATES NONFUNCTIONING RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #764034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicopee, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
EA 01 007/AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING:AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING, ALSO, BOTH HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8011033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayport, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FAILURE STARTED AS AN INTERMITENT ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT. LATER NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. APRIL 10, 2002 HORN WOULD NOT SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SIGNAL ANOTHER CAR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. AVOIDED THE CAR AND AN DAMAGE. NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. NEITHER THE HORN OR CRUISE CONTROL WORK AND I ASSUME THE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. THE VAN IS GOING IN FOR THE FUEL RAIL RECALL ON APRIL 29 AND I WILL ASK ABOUT THE CLOCKSPRING AT THAT TIME.
NHTSA complaint #761108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Remsen, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SRS LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL IS INOPERABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8007302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Terre Haute, IN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DEVICES ON STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK. WINDSHIELD WIPERS/ CRUISE CONTROL, AND HORN DO NOT WORK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8006957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkton, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, AND HORN/ CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #8006270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Martinez, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING CAUSED CRUISE CONTROL/ AIR BAG, AND HORN TO MALFUNCTION AT THE SAME TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
NHTSA complaint #8006176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vicksburg, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, NO HORN OR CRUISE CONTROL. A FEW DAYS LATER I READ ABOUT CHRYSLER MINIVANS BEING INVESTIGATED BECAUSE OF FAULTY CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLIES. AFTER READING THAT, I CALLED OUR DEALER AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. NONE! THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. NO AIRBAG, NO HORN MEANS DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. WE HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED. AFTER READING THROUGH 96 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART ON YOUR WEBSITE, I THOUGHT I WOULD ADD MY COMPLAINT. CHRYSLER PAID FOR OUR NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT WE HAD TO PAY LABOR. ALSO PAID FOR THE NEW ELECT. FOR AC KNOB.
NHTSA complaint #759443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beltsville, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE HORN, SPEED CONTROL AND AIRBAG ARE ALL CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL THROUGH THE CLOCKSPRING. AT THIS POINT, BOTH THE HORN AND AIRBAG ARE COMPLETELY DISABLED AND THE SPEED CONTROL RARELY FUNCTIONS. I'VE CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER ABOUT RECALLS OR COURTESY REPAIRS AND THEY STATE THAT NONE ARE ALLOWED FOR THIS PROBLEM. REPAIRS HAVE NOT YET BEEN MADE.
NHTSA complaint #758560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Vegas, NV
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY, HORN WON'T BLOW AND CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8004083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Knoxville, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, HORN DOESN'T WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDS REPLACING AND THAT THIS DEFAULT COULD CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY CHRYSLER.
NHTSA complaint #758082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE NORN DOES NOT WORK/ CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK, AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, PARKING BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT! WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND OFF WHEN THEY PLEASE, WE HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 68,000 MILES, WE WERE TOLD THAT WE CANNOT PASS INSPECTION AT OUR MILITARY BASE OVERSEAS UNTIL THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS FIXED!
NHTSA complaint #757470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO, AE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE HORN ASSEMBLY AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERABLE. PLEASE ADD FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8003154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
EA-01-007; AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN ARE INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8002908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davie, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERATIVE. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8002610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED ON DASH. HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8002384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.