1996 Dodge Caravan equipment problems

EQUIPMENT

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.

EQUIPMENT

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.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

VERY IMPORTANT PART OF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WERE MISSING.

NHTSA complaint #10158612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. ALSO, THE AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK, THE ELECTRICAL DOORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND HORN DID NOT BLOW. *AK *SC

NHTSA complaint #10071491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE VAN AT 33,000 MILES THE BUMPER PAINT STARTED PEELING AWAY AND THE PAINT ON TOP OF THE BACK TRUCK DOOR, IT'S TERRIBLE AND LOOKS LIKE HELL. I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED! I HAVE A WARRANTY AND THEY SAY IT WON'T COVER , I HAVE HEARD DODGE HAS HAD A RECALL ON SOME YEARS OF PAINT PEELING

NHTSA complaint #10069055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

I TOOK OWNERSHIP OF MY USED 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN 2000, AND SINCE THEN HAVE REPLACED MINOR MECHANICAL FAILURES SUCH AS THE STARTER, WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT, TIRES (TWICE), WIPER BLADES, BULBS, BRAKES (TWICE) AS WELL AS THE ROTORS. AT PRESENT I AM DEALING WITH THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: PEELING PAINT, WIPERS ENGAGING AND NOT GOING OFF EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT TURNED ON, HARD JERKS EVERY NOW AND AGAIN (POSSIBLY FROM TRANSMISSION), AND THE BREAKAGE OF A STABILIZER BAR BUSHING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION.

NHTSA complaint #10070844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

CLOCKSPRING MECHANISM

NHTSA complaint #10039369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CALLED NHTSA VIA 888 LINE TO CHECK ON A RECALL OF AN AIR BAG SWITCH TRANSFERRED TO "ROWLAND". HE TOOK THE MAKE AND MODEL INFO AND SAID THERE WAS A "RECALL" BUT THAT NHTSA DID NOT HAVE THE VIN #S EFFECTED. HE GAVE ME THE RECALL NUMBER FOR CHRYSLER 800-853-1403. "BEVERLY" ASKED DEMOGRAPHIC INFO AND AFTER REPEATED REQUESTS SHE FINALLY DID GIVE SOME INFO. SHE SAYS THERE IS "NO OFFICIAL" REQUEST BUT THAT CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION (SHE DID NOT GIVE ME ANY EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION). I WAS GIVEN A CASE # 10626557. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH "SOMEONE" WHO COULD ANSWER MY QUESTIONS ABOUT A TIMELINE. I WAS ON HOLD FOR APPROX. 5 MINUTES AND "SHARON CRENSHAW" (SUPERVISOR) CAME ON THE LINE AND REPEATED THAT NO TIMELINE IS AVAILABLE. I THANKED HER BUT TOLD HER THAT NHTSA TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. SHARON SAID THAT CARS THAT ARE INCLUDED WILL RECEIVE A NOTICE VIA THE MAIL. I COULD CHOOSE TO TAKE MY "CHANCES" AND GO TO A DEALER AND HAVE THEM CHECK THE SWITCH AND REPAIR IF NEEDED. THEN I COULD SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR "POSSIBLE" REIMBURSEMENT. I ASKED IF THE DEALER COULD COMPARE THE PROBLEM TO THE NHTSA DESCRIPTION OF THE SWITCH AND TELL ME IF IT IS THE SAME. SHARON SAID THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION. I TOLD HER THAT WHAT I HAVE IS PUBLIC INFORMATION FROM THE NHTSA WEBSITE. SHARON HAD NOTHING FURTHER TO OFFER. DT

NHTSA complaint #770629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER : EXPANSION VALVE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #8004168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

IS THE AIR CONDITION UNIT A RECALL?

NHTSA complaint #751160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

PLASTIC FITTING MOLDED TO TANK CRACKED, RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED , VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY DEALER.*AK ALSO AC BELT WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #895027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

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.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

1. AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, HORN QUIT WORKING. WE WERE TOLD THIS IS THE CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. 2. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON - COMPUTER CODE INDICATES THIS IS A COIL PACK FAILURE. 3. TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 55,000 MI. 4. WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON FOR NO REASON 5. A/C FREON CHARGE AT 98,000 6. WATER PUMP FAILURE AT 98,000

NHTSA complaint #749030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION WITH A BANG IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. LATER, FOUND OUT THAT TRANSMISSION HAD A BIG HOLE IN IT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER. HAD CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY WERE AWARE OF SITUATION WHICH HAD NOT BEEN SOLVED. *AK CONSUMER IS REQUSTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOWING, RENTAL CAR, MOTEL, AND REPAIR EXPENSES. AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #893090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT FROM A STOP AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. WE HAD NO WARNING WHATSOEVER.THE TRANSMISSION COST US $1800. TO REPLACE. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, WE HAD A NEW COMPRESSOR PUT IN AND HAVE HAD THE FREEON REPLACED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CLOCK SPRING WHICH CONTROLS THE AIRBAG,CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN QUIT WORKING AND COST US $200. TO HAVE FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #740492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM REPLACED. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #553852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #731355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

VEHICLE A/C HAS NOT OPERATED CORRECTLY SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. NEW CONDENSOR, LINES AND EVAPORATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. IN THE 4 YRS. I'VE OWNED THE VAN, THE A/C HAS NOT OPERATED ONE SUMMER WITHOUT FAILING.

NHTSA complaint #727676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #725070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS AND REQUIRED REPAIRS. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #552834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE A/C AND HEAT VALVE STICK. YH

NHTSA complaint #552685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C COMPRESSOR AND COIL FAILED, CAUSED THE A/C SYSTEM TO FAIL. YH

NHTSA complaint #551067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C COMPRESSOR AND COIL FAILED, CAUSED THE A/C SYSTEM TO FAIL. YH

NHTSA complaint #551067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER CAUSING A LOUD, GRINDING NOISE WHILE RUNNING. SLIGHT HESITATION OF ENGINE WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. PROBLEM INCREASING IN INTENSITY OVER TIME.

NHTSA complaint #719706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

DODGE COMPROMISED WITH ME ON THE COST OF REPAIR FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT WITHIN A YEAR I WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN WITH THE EVAPORATOR COIL LEAKING. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT THEY WILL REPORT IT SO THAT YOU BECOME AWARE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM. DODGE NEEDS TO EITHER RECALL OR AT LEAST REPLACE FOR FREE THESE EXPENSIVE COMPONENTS THAT ARE FAILING PREMATURELY.

NHTSA complaint #718165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

LOUD COMPRESSOR SOUND DUE TO FAN MODULE FAILURE. YH

NHTSA complaint #544998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WE HAVE MORE FAILURES THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ROOM FOR IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE. WE HAVE A HUGE FILE ON THIS VEHICLE AND WANT OUT OF IT. IT IS A LEMON!

NHTSA complaint #712357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WE NOW HAVE A VAN THAT IS BASICALLY FALLING APART AND WE CAN'T ENJOY IT AND STILL HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT. SO IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO THEN PLEASE LET US KNOW WE HAVENT HAD IT EVEN 18 MONTHS BEFORE IT WAS TO BE PARKED AND NOW WE CAN'T USE IT AT ALL

NHTSA complaint #711939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSOR EXPELLED WATER ON THE STEERING TENSION BELT, CAUSING THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE POWER STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #843828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

COOLING FAN MODULE BROKEN CAUSING COMPRESSOR TO LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #543786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.