64 of the
2,178 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Caravan are about the
body and structure — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
103,000 miles.
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 100,631 milesGrandville, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HATCHBACK HANDLE ASSEMBLY JAMMED IN AUGUST 2002. THE HATCHBACK HANDLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2002. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND THE HANDLE IS CURRENTLY JAMMED. SOMETIMES THE HATCH WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. THE DEALERS HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE REOCCURRING PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/16/06.
NHTSA complaint #10158649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesMaple Hill, KS
STRUCTURE:BODY
DT: IN APRIL WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-70 AT ABOUT 70 MPH THE OWNER WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A RIPPING NOISE . LOOKED BACK AND SAW SIDE PANEL IN THE AIR AND IT FLEW INTO THE MEDIAN. IT WAS A PIECE OF GRAY PANEL THAT WAS ALONG THE VAN AT THE BOTTOM. THERE WERE CARS AROUND, BUT THE PLASTIC PIECE DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING OR ANYONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. OWNER HAS NO IDEA WHY THE PANEL FELL OFF. THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE, AND IT WAS REGULARLY SERVICED. THE ONLY DEALER INFORMATION THE CONSUMER HAD WAS THE NAME AND CITY AND STATE.
NHTSA complaint #10129095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesLibertyville, IL
STRUCTURE
LEFT FRONT STRUT MTG TOWER RUSTED THROUGH BY THE TIME THE RUST WAS SEEN THE METAL IN THE STRUT TOWER HAD FAILED CHRYSLER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING STATING IT WAS OVER 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE FOR MANIFACTURERS DEFFECT REPAIR YET THIS IS KNOWN AS A COMMON PROBLEM AND CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL IF IT FAILS ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10071030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGER SLIDE DOOR LOCK MAKES A NOISE AND DOESN'T WORK. THE MOTOR IS MAKING A LOUD BUZZING SOUND-THE DOOR MOTOR IS BAD. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #568054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Olive, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK OR SOMETIMES COME ON BY THEMSELVES, AND POWER DOOR LOCKS WILL COME UNLOCKED BY THENSELVES. HAS CHANGED CONTROL MODULE AT LEAST 4 TIMES. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8005126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER STATED THAT COULD CLOSE THE SLIDING DOOR BUT IT WILL NOT LOCK WHERE WHILE DRIVING COULD FEEL THE OPENING OF THE DOOR DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8002852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebastian, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE, BUT INFORMED CONSUMER HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS TO VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES HORN ALSO IS INOPERABLE. AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR COIL FAILED. DOOR LOCKS DO NOT GO DOWN AUTOMATICALLY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parma, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER LOCKS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHILE USING AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS SLIDING DOOR AND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS FAILED TO LOCK. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED PARTS. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #890199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Keaau, HI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
EA-01-007; CONSUMER HAS NOTICED AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. ALSO, HORN WAS INOPERABLE/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, AND ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK OR UNLOCK. ALSO, NOTE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, BRAKES HAVE FAILED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF FAILURES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #884180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Iberia, LA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER NEEDED TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS SHIFTING INCORRECTLY. PROBLEM COULD'VE BEEN A REBUILT TORQUE CONVERTER THEY USED. CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO REPLACED BECAUSE HORN DIDN'T WORK. ALSO, AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON, AND CRUISE CONTROL WENT TOTALLY OUT.*AK DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR JAMS, LINKAGE APPEARS OKAY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOMETOMES WILL NOT SHUT OFF AFTER KEY IS REMOVED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompton Plains, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN REAR-END ACCIDENT WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE, DEALER REPAIRED AND AFTERWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER WORK, DEALER COMMENTED THAT IT WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE USE, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #554289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompton Plains, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN REAR-END ACCIDENT WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE, DEALER REPAIRED AND AFTERWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER WORK, DEALER COMMENTED THAT IT WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE USE, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #554289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rice Lake, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POORLY DESIGN SLIDING DOOR FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #782824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Vegas, NV
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT UNLOCK/LATCH MECHANISM WILL NOT RELEASE, AND DOOR CANNOT BE MANUALLY OPENED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #868306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kula, HI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER LOCKS INOPERATIVE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kula, HI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
RIGHT SLIDING DOOR BROKE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kula, HI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER LOCKS INOPERATIVE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kula, HI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
RIGHT SLIDING DOOR BROKE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockville, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR SWITCH WOULD NOT UNLOCK PASSENGER'S SLIDING SIDE DOOR. CONSUMER WOULD OPEN DOOR BY HAND BY REACHING AROUND FROM FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. *AK
NHTSA complaint #861183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sanmateo, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
SLIDING DOOR RATTLES AND MOVES OFF THE HINGES, AND HOLDS A GAP. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #860025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
AUTOMATIC SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH IS USED. DOOR HAS TO BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE MANUALLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #857015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Honlock Creek, PA
STRUCTURE
THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE MAKES THE VEHICLE LOWER IN THE FRONT THAN IN THE REAR, SITS AT AND ANGLE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deerfield Beach, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE SLIDING DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #855631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manassas, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR LOCK INOPERABLE. YH
NHTSA complaint #544998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frostburg, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
THE REAR HATCH FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingman, AZ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE ENGINE IS JUST THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM. WE WENT AHEAD AND BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS USUALLY NEVER USED. THIS TIME WE USED IT NUMEROUS TIMES. WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS, THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE FUEL PUMP, THE ENGINE HEAD, THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS CURRENTLY DO NOT WORK. IT HAS JUST BEEN A REAL LEMON. WE JUST DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. THIS TIME THE ENGINE BLEW AND THERE WAS NO CLUE THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES AND LAST NIGHT JUST BARELY MADE IT HOME.
NHTSA complaint #711466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT WONT RETRACT WHEN PULLED OUT. WEATHERSTRIPPING ON DRIVERS DOOR FELL OFF FOUND OUT THE DRIVERS DOOR WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. CONSTANT BELT NOISE ESPECIALLY DURING WET CONDITIONS. DEALER MUST REPEATEDLY TIGHTEN THEM. BRAKES PULSATE WHEN APPLYING THEM. REPLACED NUMEROUS COMPONENTS ON REAR BRAKES. FUEL TANK WOULD NOT READ FUEL LEVEL CORRECTLY. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP, AND OTHER COMPONENTS AND SAID THE FUEL TANK WAS BOWED. DUAL SLIDING DOORS HAVE TO BE REPEATEDLY ADJUSTED BECAUSE THEY BECOME DIFFICULT TO SLIDE. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. RIGHT REAR CHILD SAFETY SEAT HAD HOLE IN THE BUCKLE. REPLACED BATTERY ONCE.INSTALLED CHILD SAFETY BELT EXTENSIONS DUE TO RECALL. VAN IS NOW BACK IN SHOP FOR UNKNOWN PROBLEMS, WILL NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #710334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redstone Arsenal, AL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SLIDING DOOR RATTLES WHILE DRIVING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES. WHILE DOOR IS RATTLING, DOME LIGHT COMES ON, AND DOOR OPEN INDICATOR LIGHTS. DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE WHILE DOOR IS IN FULL OPEN POSITION. DOOR LATCH MECHANISM FELL APART INSIDE, SO THAT INSIDE DOOR RELEASE DOES NOT FUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #710058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.