1997 Dodge Caravan body problems

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN SE PURCHASED NEW. TWO YEARS AGO I NOTICED A SPOT ON THE ROOF, AND ANOTHER ON THE HOOD WHERE THE POLYCOAT WAS BEGINNING TO PEEL. WITHIN TWO YEARS THE CAR LOOKED AS IF IT HAD SOME KIND OF DISEASE. I BEGAN TO NOTICE OTHER CARAVANS OF SIMILAR AGE, AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I SAW OTHER MAKES OF CARS THAT WERE MUCH OLDER WITH ORIGINAL PAINT JOBS AND THEY WEREN'T EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE PAINT JOB AND POLY COAT ON THE DODGE CARAVAN. I FEEL FOR WHAT WE PAYED FOR, AND WITH THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED , SUCH AS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMING ON BY THEMSELVES, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND GOING OFF, THE INTERIOR LIGHT COMING ON OR NOT WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE WARNING BELL NOT GOING OFF WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPEN, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WORKING OR NOT WORKING, THE FOGGING OF THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS - AT LEAST THE PAINT JOB SHOULD HAVE LASTED!

NHTSA complaint #10187249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF YOUR SERVICES SO THAT IS WHY THIS IS WRITTEN WAY AFTER THE FACT. MAY PROBLEM IS THAT I OWN A 97 DODGE CARAVAN, AT THE TIME IT HAD APPOX. 80,000 MILES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL THAT HOLDS THE STRAT ROTTED TO THE POINT THAT THE STRAT WAS COMING THROUGH. I CALLED DODGE AND THEY SAID THAT PART OF THE BODY WASN'T WARRANTED AGAINST RUST THROUGH. I THOUGHT IT WAS ODD THAT THE DOORS AND HOOD WAS BUT NOT THE UNDER PART. I HAD THE REPAIRS DONE FOR $900 AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE IS ABOUT TO DO THE SAME. WHAT IS IRONIC IS THAT THE BODY IE DOORS AND QUARTER PANELS ARE FINE. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART OF THE CAR AND IF SO DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10054282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

THE STRUT THAT HELD THE REAR HATCH SNAPPED. THE HATCH CRASHED DOWN, AND NEARLY DECAPITATED A SMALL CHILD. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10053721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PAINT ON MY 97 DODGE CARAVAN IS PEELING OFF ON THE TOP OF THE VAN. HAVE YOU HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS?

NHTSA complaint #10010433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE HATCHBACK SPRINGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SNAP CAUSING IT TO BE HARD FOR CONSUMER TO OPEN AND CLOSE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA complaint #10002185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD IF CONSUMER NEEDED TO REMOVE CHILDREN FROM VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. TS

NHTSA complaint #10001300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS RECALL#99V123000 LIFT GATE SUPPORT BRACKET. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDE WITH RECALL. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

WHILE OPENING SLIDING DOOR IT KEEP COMING OFF TRACK.

NHTSA complaint #8015772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

WHEN TRYING TO OPEN SLIDING DOOR HANDLE DID BREAK IN DRIVER'S HAND WITHOUT A SHOW OF A CRACK. *AK THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER POINTED OUT THAT BREAKING OF DOOR WAS COMMON WITH THESE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #881047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

ENGINE HAD LEAKING SEALS WHICH CAUSED EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO LEAK. FUMES WOULD COME FROM BLOWER (DEFROSTER) WHEN IT WAS TURNED ON. THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN ENGINE. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ERRATIC & WOULD COME ON OR OFF BY THEMSELVES, AND HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH STARTER. *AK GASOLINE LEAKS FROM THE TANK DUE TO THE SEAL FAILURE. INSIDE DOOR PANEL ON DRIVERS SIDE IS BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #876989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING THAT A DOOR IS OPEN. THE PASSENGER'S DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE HAD NEARLY COME OPEN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #858710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

HEAT SHIELD WHICH COVERS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WARP NEXT TO THE OIL PAN. NLM

NHTSA complaint #549314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT LOCK WHEN OTHER DOORS ARE LOCKED (MANUALLY / REMOTE).

NHTSA complaint #548586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TENSION PULLEY BELT THATS CONTROLS THE POWER STEERING AND BATTERY WAS VERY LOW. THE BATTERY/ THERMOSTAT WENT INTO A HOT MODE. ALSO, THAT THERE IS WATER UNDERNEATH THE CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A BOAT. THE WATER UNDERNEATH COMES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN RIDING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #848132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

RECURRING WATER LEAK , DEALER TRIED TO CORRECT BY ADJUSTING HATCH AND REPLACING SEAL. NO LONGER SHUTS PROPERLY. OFTENTIMES HAVE TO GET OUT OF CAR AND RESHUT. DEALER WILL ADJUST BUT WILL NOT BE RESPONSILBE SHOULD IT START LEAKING AGAIN. SUGGESTS I KEEP A DOOR OR WINDOW OPEN IN ORDER TO SHUT THE HATCH. WATER CAM EIN THRU SEATBELTS.

NHTSA complaint #706126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

REAR BUMPER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #607034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

VEHICLE MUST BE LIFT BY A STRAIGHT FLAT BED OR THE WINDOWS WOULD BREAK OUT AND THE GAS TANK COULD BLOW OUT.

NHTSA complaint #524514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND THE DOOR OPENED,HIT BRAKES AND DOOR SLAMMED SHUT, BUT DID NOT LATCH. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRIC MOTOR LOCK.

NHTSA complaint #813496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.