1998 Dodge Caravan body problems

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT LANE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #10514038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY 1998 DODGE VAN WAS IN TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR SOME GENERAL SERVICE. I ASKED THE MECHANIC ABOUT THE CONSIDERABLE RUST AROUND THE TOP OF THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT. HE SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN A PROBLEM WITH SOME VANS AND THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING. IF THE STRUT WERE TO GO BREAK THROUGH THE RUSTED CAP IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF NOT LEAST MAJOR DAMAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HE PRINTED ME A COPY OF THE CHRYSLER SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 23-044-02. A WEB SEARCH SHOULD CONSIDERABLE RESULTS ON THE BULLETIN NUMBER. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH REP# HM494. I FIRST TOLD THE BULLETIN DIDN'T EXIST, THEN WHEN I DEMANDED SHE SEARCH UNDER THE BULLETIN NUMBER SHE TOLD ME IT DIDN'T APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. THE BULLETINS CLEARLY STATES 1996-2000 NS TOWN&COUNTRY/VOYGER/CARAVAN. HM494 THEN STATED THAT SERVICE BULLETINS WERE ONLY FOR TECHNICIANS AND MECHANICS. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION DIRECTLY RELATED TO DRIVER & PASSENGER SAFETY THAT WAS ISSUED IN 2002 APPARENTLY WAS NOT INTENDED TO BE GIVEN TO THE CUSTOMER. PERSONALLY I DO NOT THINK HM494 WAS QUALIFIED TO MAKE THE STATEMENTS THAT REPRESENT CHRYSLERS CUSTOMER SERVICE. I WAS ALSO TOLD BECAUSE MY CARAVAN HAS 126,000 MILES I SHOULD NOT EXPECT ANYTHING FROM CHRYSLER. MY CARAVAN WOULD HAVE ONLY BEEN 4YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN.

NHTSA complaint #10336616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT THAT SECURED THE WIRE TO THE WHEELS AND OTHER STRUCTURES HAD RUSTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP OR THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10335479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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1998 DODGE CARAVAN STRUT TOWER IS RUSTING THROUGH ON PASSENGER SIDE. WE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR FRONT BRAKE SERVICING AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED US OF THE STRUT ISSUE. HE SAID THIS COULD CAUSE STEERING AND BRAKE FAILURE. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT CORRECTED AND THE TOWER COLLAPSES WHILE DRIVING WE WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND POSSIBLE BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10290447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE UPPER STRUT TOWERS ON MY 19998 DODGE CARAVAN ARE RUSTING THROUGH CAUSING POSSIBLE STEERING AND BRAKE FAILURE. I WAS TOLD IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT CORRECTED AND THE TOWER COLLAPSES WHILE DRIVE I WILL LOOSE TOTAL CONTROL OF STEERING AND POSSIBLE BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10260698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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1998 DODGE CARAVAN FRONT STRUT TOWER FAILURE. THE TOWER IS COLLAPSING ON BOTH SIDES OF VAN.

NHTSA complaint #10256238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1998 DODGE CARAVAN FRONT STRUT TOWER FAILURE. THE TOWER IS COLLAPSING ON BOTH SIDES OF VAN.

NHTSA complaint #10256238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

BOTH STRUT TOWERS ON MY 1998 CARAVAN HAVE RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. SPEAKING TO MANY CARAVAN OWNERS AND GOING TO MANY SITES THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON ON THESE VEHICLES. WHY DOES CHRYSLER NOT HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO ALL THESE VEHICLE OWNERS OR THE ONES THAT MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION DUE TO THIS BUILT IN DEFECT?

NHTSA complaint #10238539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY 1998 DODGE CARAVAN (CURRENT MILEAGE 108,000 MILES) HAS SEVERE CORROSION AROUND THE TOP TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER. IT WAS FIRST NOTICED BY A MECHANIC LAST SUMMER, BUT HAS SINCE ACCELERATED QUICKLY AND LOOKS LIKE A SAFETY RISK SHOULD THE TOWER COLLAPSE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ANY SUDDEN FAILURE. THERE IS VERY MILD CORROSION IN THE SAME TOP AREA OF THE OTHER STRUT TOWER. I WAS TOLD BY A DODGE DEALER IN ST. PAUL THAT CHRYSLER WAS COVERING ALL OR PORTIONS OF SELECT TOWER REPAIRS. WHEN I CONTACTED CHRYSLER TODAY I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT A SUBJECT OF RECALL AND, THEREFORE, NOT COVERED WHATSOEVER. I DID FIND CONSIDERABLE INFO ON THIS PROBLEM AT AN INTERNET SITE CALLED ALLPAR.COM WHICH WAS QUITE HELPFUL.

NHTSA complaint #10146984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

DT: FRONT SUSPENSION: STRUT RUSTED. THERE IS NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, BUT THE CONSUMER IS NOT SURE IF THIS WAS RELATED TO THE CORRODED STRUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE STRUTS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE DEALER WAS GOING TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *AK THE RUST WAS ON TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER WHICH WAS WEAKENING THE STRUCTURE SO THAT THE STRUT SPRING BEGAN TO PROTRUDE THROUGH THE SUPPORT. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10126844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

DT: AIR CONDITIONING LIGHT IS BLINKING; ENGINE CHECK AND AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, NOTHING ON THE DASH (SPEEDOMETER ETC) DOES NOT WORK. DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK; IT'S LIKE IT ALL WENT OUT AT ONCE.

NHTSA complaint #10120105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

I OWN A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3L AND LESS THAN 55,000 MILES, THE TENSIONER PULLEY WENT OUT OF ALIGNMENT, THE BOLT HOLDING THE TENSIONER IN PLACE WAS SHEARED IN HALF, THE BELT FELL OFF, AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP IMMEDIATELY. THANK GOD THIS HAPPEN IN THE SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT AND NOT ON FREEWAY, THE VAN BE IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL! HAVE THE VAN TOWED TO C&M AUTO SERVICE, HAVE THE SERPENTINE BELT, THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER REPLACED AND RE-ALIGN THE TENSIONER. THE BELT/PULLEY DESIGN ON THIS VAN IS FLAWED AND A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! IN BRAZIL, CHRYSLER DID A RECALL BACK IN 2000 - DUE TO SEVERAL ISSUES RELATED TO BELT/PULLEY SYSTEM ON THE CARAVAN AND GRAND CARAVAN MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #10100917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LIFTGATE BROKE OFF TWICE WHEN CONSUMER OPENED UP LIFTGATE. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10024558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

VEHICLE'S SUB FRAME CRACKED WHICH CAUSED BRAKES TO HAVE AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10021748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THE FRONT DOORS WERE TOO HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE.

NHTSA complaint #10009522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

AFTER GETTING INTO VEHICLE AND LOCKING DRIVER AND PASSENGER POWER DOORS, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK MANUALLY. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE DOORS WILL ONLY UNLOCK AND LOCK ELECTRONICALLY, ONCE THE DOORS LOCK WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER CAN NOT OPEN DOORS WITH HER HANDS OR MANUALLY LIFT UP THE LOCKS, DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEYS.

NHTSA complaint #8011769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

CONSUMER STATES THE SCREWS THAT HOLD UP THE TAILGATE HAS CRACK.*JB DEALER REPLACED RIGHT AND LEFT REAR HATCH SUPPORT RODS AND BOTH REAR HATCH STRUTS.

NHTSA complaint #8010021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THERE IS A LEAK UNDER VEHICLE. DRIVER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8004924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

DOOR LOCKS NOT FUNCTIONAL. ONE FELL INSIDE DOOR PANEL. THE OTHER JAMMED.

NHTSA complaint #719773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

SYMPTOMS OF ALL 3 SEPARATE OCCURENCES ARE THE SAME. FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE DOOR WILL REMAIN LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN WITH A REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM , WITH A KEY OR MANUALLY FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THE MANUAL LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE INSIDE IS PHYSICALLY JAMMED AND WILL NOT RESPOND TO AN UNLOCKING ACTION OF ANY FORCE. IT OCCURED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FIRST AROUND JUNE '99, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR AROUND AUGUST '99 AND TODAY THE PASSENGERS SIDE CARGO DOOR. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME IN JUNE I WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN AN APPOINTMENT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME (WAS TOLD THEY NO LONGER TAKE APPTS. AND IT'S FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE, MAY TAKE ONE TO THREE DAYS). FOR THAT REASON I TOOK A CRACK AT IT MYSELF BY REMOVING THE PART OF THE INNER DOOR PANEL THAT WAS ACCESIBLE AND AWKWARDLY INSPECTED THE MECHANISM WITH A FLASHLIGHT AND DENTAL MIRROR. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY THERE ARE 2 SOLENOIDS AND I COULD FEEL BOTH OF THEM ENERGIZE WHEN I OPERATED THE DOOR MOUNTED LOCK/UNLOCK SWITCH ALTHOUGH NEITHER ONE CREATED ANY KIND OF LINKAGE MOVEMENT. AFTER MASSAGING THE LINKAGES AND LEVERS BLINDLY FOR APPROX. 2 HRS. THE DOOR FINALLY UNLOCKED (REASON UNKNOWN). WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PRESENTED THE SAME SYMPTOMS (NOTICED BY PRIMARY DRIVER ("THE WIFE") ), IT RESOLVED ITSELF BY THE END OF THE DAY AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS AROUND TOWN AND B4 I COULD CHECK IT OUT. FINALLY, THIS MORNING THE PASS. SIDE CARGO DOOR DECIDED IT WAS IT'S TURN AND CURRENTLY REMAINS IN THIS STATE. I CALLED THE DEALER TONIGHT AND THEY SAID THEY COULD LOOK AT IT IN THE MORNING SO I BEGRUDGINGLY WILL NOT TOUCH IT. THIS IRKS ME FOR 2 REASONS, ONE IS THAT THEY WILL HAVE A MUCH MORE UNOBSTRUCTED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE LARGE OPEN AREA AROUND THE DOOR AND SECONDLY, I KNOW I COULD PROBABLY FIGURE THIS OUT IN LESS TIME WITH A MORE CONCRETE ANSWER THAN I SUSPECT I'LL BE GIVEN. ADDITIONAL INFO THAT MAY BE OF IMPORTANCE AND ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY IS AN AFTER MARKET REMOTE STARTING MODULE THAT IS OPERATED FROM A REMOTE

NHTSA complaint #713857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BEZEL FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #608791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

LIFT GATE GAS SHOCKS FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #606259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

REAR HATCH FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #608561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

BODY MOLDING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDER IS LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #35989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

LIFTGATE PANEL CAME LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #543438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT AREA IS CRAMPED AND RESTRICTIVE TO THE DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #539720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.