192 of the
2,178 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Caravan are about the
braking system — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
82,500 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.
Frederick, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2009. BENDIX BRAKE PADS AND BENDIX ROTORS WERE USED. ON DECEMBER 15, 2009, BOTH BRAKE ROTORS FAILED CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. WHILE SLOWING DOWN A LOUD BANG CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VAN. THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL RIGHT AT THIS POINT. WHILE LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND STOP, ANOTHER LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. AT THAT POINT THE VAN HAD NO BRAKES. THE VAN WAS STOPPED USING THE PARKING BRAKE. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD FAILED. THE MIDDLE HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ROTOR. THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME IN BOTH ROTORS. NO OTHER DAMAGE WAS PRESENT ON THE VAN. BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACE ON THE VAN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE THE OLD ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10296627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,850 milesOAK Brook, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
COMPLETE AND SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE WHILE APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO STEER AROUND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME TO AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS FAILURE MODE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THIS ON THE WEB AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED...
NHTSA complaint #10253395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesRandolph, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
PREMATURE BRAKE LINE CORROSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10158273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesPhiladelphia, PACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BOUGHT USED 1996 DODGE IN SEPT 2003 AND HAVE REPLACE BRAKES, ROTOR, AND CALIPERS 6 TIMES. MECHANICS DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IT COULD BE. BRAKES ALSO LOCK WHEN I PRESS ON THEM AND HIT BUMP AT SAME TIME CAUSING VAN TO SLIDE WITH ME AND MY INFANT IN IT. HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS EVERY 2-3 MONTHS SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY THE DODGE COMPANY TO RECALL THESE DODGE CARAVANS, THIS SITE HAS ABOUT 50% ON COMPLAINTS ON BRAKES AND ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10107589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesEvansville, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ONGOING ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD EITHER GO OFF WITHIN SECONDS OR STAY ON ALL DAY. THIS CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ALSO, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND.
NHTSA complaint #10050447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,100 milesAlbion, RI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY, THERE WAS A 2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE BRAKES CAUGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10018295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesStillwater, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING UNDER ICY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PROPEL FORWARD BEFORE STOPPING. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ABS WERE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10018296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,875 milesLiverpool, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HEIGHT SENSOR VALVE, REAR LEFT BRAKE (THE ACTUAL DATE OF THE INCIDENT WAS JANUARY 5, 2003, HOWEVER, THE INCIDENT DATE SEGMENT DID NOT PROVIDE THE YEAR 2003. ALSO, THE NUMBER OF FAILURES SECTION...ONCE FAILURE OCCURRED, IT CONTINUED) WENT TO MECHANIC TO FIND PROBLEM. THERE WAS ANOTHER 1996 VAN THERE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (QUITE COINCIDENTAL, WHICH PROMPTED THIS COMPLAINT). MECHANIC SAID THE HEIGHT SENSOR VALVE NEEDED REPLACEMENT, COULD ONLY BE DONE BY DEALER DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS A DEALER PART ONLY AND THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDED REMOVAL. THE REASON I AM PROCEEDING WITH THIS COMPLAINT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAD LITTLE TO NO WARNING THAT BRAKE FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. DURING ONE TRIP (APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES TOTAL), BRAKES BEGAN TO FEEL "SPONGY", THEN BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE ON NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS WITHOUT OUR THREE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. VAN WAS INSPECTED IN SEPTEMBER, NO INDICATION PROBLEM EXISTED.
NHTSA complaint #10000807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesPortland, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE THEN THERE'S A NOISE (PLACE UNKNOWN)AND VEHICLE WILL HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PROBLEM WILL WORSEN WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE ABS BRAKES ARE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE PITTED. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #568054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Butte, MT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 3 MONTHS TRYING TO GET FIXED. THE FIRST DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER TWICE AND BLED AIR TO TRY TO REPAIR. THE SECOND DEALER PERFORMED A BRAKE INSPECTION. THEY FOUND A LOT OF AIR IN THE LEFT REAR LINE AND ALSO BLED THE ABS SYSTEM. I ALSO HAD THEM CHECK THE STEERING BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I TURNED THE STEERRING WHEEL AND STEERING WAS NOISEY, LIKE A GROANING SOUND. THEY REPORTED THE CLOCK SPRING CLICKING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON - AND THERE IS A MOAN OR A HONK NOISE WHEN TURNING WHICH WOULD TAKE NEW P/S HOSES TO REPAIR. ONE WEEK LATER THE PEDAL WAS ONCE AGAIN GOING TO THE FLOOR AND THE ABS STILL COMING ON. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD ORDER A PUMP. WHICH TOOK 2 WEEKS TO GET IN. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN THEY KEPT IT A FEW DAYS THEN CALLED TO SAY IT NEEDED THE ABS HYDRAULIC PACKAGE AT A COST OF $2,000+. THEY RECOMMENDED I CALL CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE TO SEE IF THEY COULD ASSIST WITH THE COSTS. CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID IT WAS A MECHANICAL PART THAT COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME THEREFORE MY COST SINCE THE VAN IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY (LOW MILEAGE DOESN'T MATTER). I CALLED THE DEALER AND HAVEN'T HEARD BACK IN TWO DAYS TO SEE WHAT THEY COULD RECCOMMEND/ I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE CRAVAN SO I WANTED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #767715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Butte, MT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
CONSUMER STATES, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPLIED THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEM, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. DEALER HAS ENN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8019489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concord, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CIRCULAR CRACK IN ROTOR SAROUND THE HUB CAUSED SUDDEN FAILURE OF BRAKE RESULTING IN PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AND POSSIBLE DANGER.
NHTSA complaint #765441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT STAYS ON DUE TO DEFECTIVE BODY CONTROL MODULE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8010544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanicsburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
PART WHERE CALIPER BOLTS TIGHTEN CALIPER IS UNSAFE THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY A 1996 AND SHOULD BE IN BETER CONDITION I FEEL THE DEFECT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #761105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alamo, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING AWAY, ROTORS HAVE WARPED, AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES ALREADY.*AK. CONSUMER STATES ROTORS WEAR CAUSING VIBRATION AND PULSATION WHEN STOPPING, ALSO BELT DRIVE AND TENSIONER BELT WERE REPALCED, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON.
NHTSA complaint #8008643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Glenn, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A NORMAL SITUATION FRONT WHEELS WOULD LOCK UP. VEHICLE AT A REPAIR SHOP. SECOND OCCURANCE, VEHICLE SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL ON A SLIGHTLY SLICK ROAD. *JG
NHTSA complaint #8004927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Vegas, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE GOES TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER HAS TO PUMP BRAKES TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8004084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8003758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO, NY
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
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.
Miami, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
IT'S UNFAIR AND FRUSTRATING FOR CONSUMERS LIKE US TO PURCHASE A CAR AND LATER FOUND OUT CONTINUOSLY FULL OF PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON RAPAIRING. CONSUMERS NEED A PLACE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT AND GET A SOLUTION FOR IT. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #750627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES SQUALLING HAD CHECKED AND REPLACED WITHIN 5 DAYS PROBLEM RETURNED.
NHTSA complaint #744656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasadena, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT AIRBAG LIGHT ARE ON DASHBOARD. ALSO, HORN DOESN'T WORK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS.*AK DEALER REPLACED CLOCK SPRING. STARTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #885710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Hill, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, INCLUDING BRAKE, AIR BAG, FUEL. HORN STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #742977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Keaau, HI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
Uxbridge, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT IS NOW ON ALL THE TIME. DEALER INFORMS ME THAT I NEED A NEW RELAY AND HYDROLIC UNIT AT AN ESTIMATE OF $1492.
NHTSA complaint #741903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Uxbridge, MA
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE WOULD GO TO FLOOR AND NOT KEEP CAR FROM MOVING. HAD TO RELEASE AND PRESS AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO WORK. THIS HAPPENED FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND NOW WOULD ONLY GRAB AT TOP. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE PARKING BREAK MECHANISM
NHTSA complaint #741904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mahwah, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE SYSTEM EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE WEAR, THE FORWARD SHOES WERE WORN TO THE RIVETS AND THE DRUMS WERE BEYOND REPAIR, CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newbury Park, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #733691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.