1997 Dodge Caravan window and wiper problems

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE WINDOWS BECAME FOGGY, CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER THE CONTACT HAD JUST REPLACED THE SERPINITINE BELT 2,000 MILES PRIOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

NHTSA complaint #10465246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

1997 DODGE CARAVAN. STARTING AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD MYSTERIOUSLY COME ON, MAKE 4 TO 5 WIPES AND TURN OFF. WE MADE JOKES ABOUT THE GHOST RIDING WITH US. IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, HAPPENING ABOUT EVERY MONTH OR SIX WEEKS. IT COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED ON DEMAND. FINALLY, AT 72,000, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REFUSED TO TURN ON FROM THE STALK--EXCEPT WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WAS GIVEN A "SQUIRT" OF FLUID BY LIFTING UP ON THE TURN SIGNAL/WIPER CONTROL STALK, THEN THEY GAVE THE REGULAR THREE WIPES AND TURNED OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE SWITCH UNIT. IT DID NOT HELP. THEN THEY CALLED CHRYSLER'S "SUPER TECH 800 NUMBER" AND NO HELP WAS PROVIDED. SINCE THE CAR COULD NOT BE INSPECTED WITH NO WIPER FUNCTION, THE ENTIRE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED (COMPUTER) WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM. COST: $741.00. SINCE ALL OF THE MECHANICAL PARTS OF THE WIPER SYSTEM WORKED, IF THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, I DETERMINED I WOULD SIMPLY PULL A HOT WIRE THROUGH THE DASH TO AN "ON-OFF" SWITCH AND CONNECT THAT UP TO THE WIPER FEED--ESTIMATED COST OF LESS THAN $10.00.

NHTSA complaint #10349598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY TOOK THREE WEEKS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND, BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, THE NEW TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY NEW REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE AT THE COST OF $900. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THREE WEEKS, SOMEONE IN THE SERVICE CENTER CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. THE MILEAGE INFORMATION AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10229780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE VENT WINDOW IS STUCK IN AN INWARD POSITION AND CANNOT BE OPENED. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS BEGIN TO FLASH AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING 15 MINUTES. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10226315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED WORKING EVERY TIME THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE OPERATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10166380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

HAVE OWNED A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN (BOUGHT AS NEW) FOR 108,000 MILES. RECENTLY WE'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH OUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS. FOR SEVERAL YEARS, WE'VE HAD THE PROBLEM OF THE "GHOST WIPERS" WHERE THEY WOULD COME ON ON THEIR OWN. BUT IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN VERY RARELY. NOW, WE HAVE A PROBLEM WHERE THE SWITCH DOES NOT REGULATE THE SPEED OF THE WIPERS. THE INTERMITTENT PART DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. WE RECENTLY HAD IT TAKEN TO A GOODYEAR DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BODY CONTROL MODULE GOING BAD. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX. HAVE NOTICED A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT (#10154526) AND ALSO SEVERAL COMPLAINTS POSTED ON CARSPACE AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS. SOME SAY THE BCM IS THE PROBLEM AND OTHERS SAY IT ISN'T.

NHTSA complaint #10165797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

PURCHASED DODGE CARAVAN NEW. AT 40,000 MILES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN RANDOM WIPING ACTION UNRELATED TO TIME OR WEATHER CONDITIONS. THEY WOULD TURN ON, WIPE FOUR OR FIVE TIMES AND TURN OFF. AT 104,000 MILES, WITHOUT WARNING, WIPERS REFUSED TO RESPOND TO SWITCH EXCEPT FOR "WASH AND WIPE" CYCLE. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE INSPECTED AS WIPERS COULD NOT BE TURNED ON FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER. THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER RESULTED IN A "BODY CONTROL MODULE" BEING REPLACED FOR A COST OF $741.00 IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM WORK. IF THEY HAD STOPPED DURING A BLIZZARD, IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. (PLEASE NOTE, DATES ARE FROM MEMORY AND COULD BE SLIGHTLY OFF).

NHTSA complaint #10154526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT WORK. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DIGITAL. BUTTONS FOR AIR CONDITIONER AND REAR DEFROSTER FLASHED CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO GARAGE, AND THEY RECOMMENDED DODGE DEALER. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON THEIR OWN. VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE TO BE ON RUNNING FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO COME ON. THEY CAME ON ABOUT EVERY TWO WEEKS. ALSO, TRAVELING INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. CONSUMER STOPPED LIGHTS FROM COMING ON BY PUTTING TAPE ON DOOR. CONSUMER BELIEVED THESE WERE DIFFERENT ISSUES. HE REPLACED FAN CONTROL MODULE LAST YEAR, AND THAT DID NOT HELP.*AK CONSUMER ADDED THAT POUNDING ON THE DASHBOARD MADE THE DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATE.

NHTSA complaint #10125113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT WORK. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DIGITAL. BUTTONS FOR AIR CONDITIONER AND REAR DEFROSTER FLASHED CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO GARAGE, AND THEY RECOMMENDED DODGE DEALER. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON THEIR OWN. VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE TO BE ON RUNNING FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO COME ON. THEY CAME ON ABOUT EVERY TWO WEEKS. ALSO, TRAVELING INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. CONSUMER STOPPED LIGHTS FROM COMING ON BY PUTTING TAPE ON DOOR. CONSUMER BELIEVED THESE WERE DIFFERENT ISSUES. HE REPLACED FAN CONTROL MODULE LAST YEAR, AND THAT DID NOT HELP.*AK CONSUMER ADDED THAT POUNDING ON THE DASHBOARD MADE THE DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATE.

NHTSA complaint #10125113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES, AND RUN ERRATICALLY, AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF AT THE CORRECT POSITION. WHEN IT'S RAINING, WIPERS CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. THE DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT SIMILAR MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10083295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AND WITHOUT WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD SHUT OFF, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO CONSUMER'S VIEW. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED OR THETURN SIGNAL TURNS OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10034045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD START WORKING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10027315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES ALL THE TIME, SOMETIMES THEY STOP AFTER A FEW SWIPES AND SOMETIMES I NEED TO TURN THE SWITCH ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN TO MAKE THEM STOP. SO FAR THEY HAVE WORKED WHEN I NEEDED THEM BUT IT MAY ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, IT IS VERY UNSAFE! (1999) AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON NEARLY ALL THE TIME NOW. (JUN 2003) SLIDING DOOR LOCK DOESN'T ALWAYS ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE WHEN USING THE POWER LOCKS.

NHTSA complaint #10023634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10019396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10017525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

FUEL TANK, BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, EVERY TIME WE GO TO BRING THE VECHICLE IN FOR THEM, THEN COULD NOT FIND AN ANSWER AFTER ABOUT THE 4TH TIME WE BROUGHT IT IN, WE SAID THIS IS TO MUCH AND WE BROUGHT IT IN MORE THEN 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND WE SHOULD GET REPAIRED FREE, I BELIVE BY LEMON LAW?, WELL NUTTHING YET 3 YEARS AND RUNNING, WITH SEVERAL SEVERAL PROBLEMS, SHOULD ALL BE A RECALL CAUSE THAT TOMANY PROBLEMS, SUCH AS ON ALLDATA.COM AND READ ABOUT THE 97 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3L, MY LORD EVER PROBLEM ON THAT SHEET I HAVE, REALY GETTING ON MY NERVES...

NHTSA complaint #10002894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AND GO OFF ON THEIR OWN.

NHTSA complaint #10003799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

I RECENTLY LEARNED ABOUT YOUR WEB SITE SERVICE AND DECIDED TO USE IT. BECAUSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED TOO MANY PROBLEMS (VARIOUS IN ADDITION TO THIS LIST) OVER THE PAST YEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE. DT

NHTSA complaint #770493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

NHTSA complaint #8019402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

CONSUMER NOTICED WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD, DEALER DETERMINED THE HVAC HOUSING WAS LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #8019280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START UP SPORADICALLY ON THEIR OWN (NO ONE TURNS THEM ON - THEY JUST START WIPING). THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. OUR MECHANIC TELLS US THAT DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT CAN NOT ISOLATE WHAT CAUSES IT. INSTEAD, THEY RECOMMEND YOU START WITH ONE EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO SEE IF THAT WORKS, AND IF NOT, YOU MOVE ON TO PROGRESSIVELY MORE COSTLY REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GO OFF AND IT IS SOMETIMES STARTLING WHEN THEY DO. YOU THEN HAVE TO TAKE ACTION TO TURN THEM OFF TAKING YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO (DRIVING!).

NHTSA complaint #766548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *SCC

NHTSA complaint #8014675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL AUTOMATICALLY COME ON AND REST IN THE MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD, CAUSING A DISTURBANCE WITH VIEW OF DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #8003371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE SAME TIME, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CEASED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE WIPERS COME ON AT RANDOM, BUT ESPECIALLY UPON USING TURN SIGNALS (WIPER CONTROLS ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER).

NHTSA complaint #752486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME BY THERE SELF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR MAKING A TURN.

NHTSA complaint #750250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

WHILE DRIVING MIRROR DETACHED FROM WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA complaint #744858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITHOUT DRIVER INTERVENTION. SO FAR, NO ACCIDENT BUT THIS INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THIS ESSENTIAL SAFETY SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT TWICE A MONTH. THE CAR IS DRIVEN DAILY. DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION.

NHTSA complaint #742470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

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.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

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.