1998 Dodge Caravan transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10587870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

NHTSA complaint #10475609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I FOUND OUT THAT THE 1998 DODGE CARAVAN THAT I PURCHASED HAS TWO DESIGN FLAWS. ONE IS THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK. THE OTHER IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH CHRYSLER GEN3 SEAT BELTS THAT, IN SOME VEHICLES, HAVE UNLATCHED WHILE PEOPLE WERE DRIVING. I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ORDER A RECALL OF THE 1998 CARAVAN FOR BOTH OF THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10314899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN LEAKING FLUID. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A PIN LOST INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10155071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT: CONTACT STATES THERE IS A PIN LOCATED IN THE HUB THAT SEPARATES THE DRIVESHAFT FROM THE AXLE. THIS PIN CAUSED THE HUB TO BUST THE CASING ON THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE CONSUME BELIEVES THE SMALL PIN IS NOT LARGE/STRONG ENOUGH FOR ALL THE PRESSURE.

NHTSA complaint #10124925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

DT: CONTACT STATES THERE IS A PIN LOCATED IN THE HUB THAT SEPARATES THE DRIVESHAFT FROM THE AXLE. THIS PIN CAUSED THE HUB TO BUST THE CASING ON THE TRANSMISSION. *AK THE CONSUME BELIEVES THE SMALL PIN IS NOT LARGE/STRONG ENOUGH FOR ALL THE PRESSURE.

NHTSA complaint #10124925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 86000 MILES. THE TRANSAXLE WAS PERFORATED BY BROKEN PIN. THE 2ND TRANSMISSION AT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP COULD NOT BE INSTALLED BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN HOUSING DUE TO SAME PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION #3 THAT WAS INSTALLED LASTED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. #4 COULD NOT BE INSTALLED BECAUSE IT ARRIVED WITH A CRACK IN HOUSING DUE TO SAME PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE TRANSMISSION #5 INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE IS A PIN IN THE TRANSAXLE BECOMING LOOSE AND FLYING OUT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.THE PIN THEN CREATES A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND ALLOWS FLUID TO ESCAPE CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE PIN IS USUALLY STOPPED BY THE TRANSMISSION CASE BUT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ONE FLIES OUT AND INJURES SOMEBODY. ROLL PIN THAT SECURES GEAR PIN IS BREAKING. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS WAS $1950.00.

NHTSA complaint #10110417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THEN, DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10111317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10097659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I STARTED OUT IN THE MORNING TO TAKE MY SON TO SCHOOL, AND WE HAD TO MAKE A STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE. WHEN I GOT TO THE STOP SIGN TO TURN INTO THE GROCERY STORE I HEARD THIS CLANKING SOUND. THE CAR HAD STOPPED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION BROKE INTO PIECES AND FELL OUT FROM UNDER THE VAN. HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENED BEING THAT I ONLY HAD 67,000 MILES ON THE VAN. HE COULD NOT FIX IT SO I HAD TO GET A NEW ONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE WHOLE PROCESS COST ME $2400.00 (OUTRAGEOUS). BEFORE THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED THERE WAS LEAKING COMING FROM UNDER THE VAN. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION I CANNOT BELIEVE DODGE/CHRYSLER HAS NOT DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10088822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WITH ONLY 66,332 MILES THE PROBLEM'S THAT HAVE COME UP IS FIRST THE TRANSMISSION HAD A INTERNAL PIN BUST WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL PARTS TO COME APART. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSIONTO BREAK, IT HAD TO BE REBUILT ON 2-17-04 WITH 61995 MILES AT THE COST OF $1685.25. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAD A FAILURE WITH THE EVAPORATOR WHICH SEEMS TO BE VERY COMON ACCORDING TO SEVERAL SERVICE CENTERS THAT I HAVE CONTACTED OUTSIDE THE CHRYSLER COMPANY. WHICH SPITZER DODGE WANTED TO CHARGE $1100.00 TO REPAIR. I KNOW THE VEHICAL IS 6 YEARS OLD BUT WITH THE LOW MILAGE I THINK THIS IS A LITTLE UNCALLED FOR AND THOUGH IT SHOULD BE REPORTED.

NHTSA complaint #10088699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE TO LEAVE FOR WORK, I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. AS I LET THE VAN RUN, THE NOISE SLOWLY STOPPED BUT THE VAN WOULDN'T MOVE. I TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH CARAVANS TO SEE IF THIS WAS COMMON. AND TO MY SURPRISE, EVERYONE SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE/OVERHAUL THEIR TRANSMISSION. I WAS INFORMED TO LOOK AT THIS SITE TO SEE IF ANY COMPLAINTS MATCHED MINE AND THERE WAS AT LEAST TEN WHEN I STOPPED COUNTING. I NOTIFIED DODGE AND THEY WERE OF LITTLE HELP BECAUSE THEY SAID MY VEHICLE HAD 77,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10082239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ON AUGUST, 1, 1998, ALLEN AND ANNE MAZEROLLE PURCHASED A NEW 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE MANUFACTURED BY CHRYSLER FROM LEE DODGE IN WESTBROOK, MAINE. AT THE TIME OF THEIR PURCHASE, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR CHRYSLER PROVIDED ANY DISCLOSURE TO THE MAZEROLLES CONCERNING THE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSMISSION DEFECT. IN 2001, ANNE MAZEROLLE WAS OPERATING THE CHRYSLER MINIVAN WITH HER CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING, A THUNDEROUS NOISE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED IN TRAFFIC. MRS. MAZEROLLE TELEPHONED CHRYSLERS AUTHORIZED DEALER, LEE DODGE, FROM THE HIGHWAY SEEKING ASSISTANCE. MRS. MAZEROLLE WAS INFORMED THAT, WHILE IT WAS WITHIN THREE YEARS OF THE VEHICLES PURCHASE, THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE 36,000 MILE LIMITATION AND THE MAZEROLLES WERE OUT OF LUCK AS TO ANY WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE MAZEROLLES THEN INQUIRED AS TO WHETHER THERE WAS ANY RECALL OR PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE CHRYSLER TRANSMISSION. THEY WERE INFORMED BY THE CHRYSLER DEALER THAT NO SUCH PROBLEMS HAD BEEN REPORTED BY CHRYSLER AND THERE WAS NO RECALL CONCERNING THE TRANSMISSION. IN THE EMERGENCY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE HIGHWAY TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, A&M TRANSMISSION, IN SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE. MRS. MAZEROLLE WAS INFORMED BY TECHNICIANS THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE PINION GEAR HAD SEIZED TO THE PINION SHAFT AND PENETRATED THE BELL HOUSING OF THE TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN THE COMPLETE LOCK-UP OF THE VEHICLES DRIVE TRAIN AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *AK *SC

NHTSA complaint #10074782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING IN 2 ND GEARS. AIR CONDITIONING STILLS BLOWS SEMI-WARM AIR. SWAY BARS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10068947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION ------------ SUDDEN FAILURE OF ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS. KEY OFF-ON BRINGS BACK FORWARD DRIVE FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS THEN FAILS AGAIN. NO REVERSE GEAR AT ALL. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC INDICATES 3 TRANSMISSION ERRORS RELATED TO SHIFTING. SENSORS LOOK OK. SHOP HAD TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF OVER $2,000. BRAKES ------ EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS. MUST BE REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR NOW. FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED IT DESTROYED ONE BRAKE ROTOR -- HAD TO REPLACE THAT. NOW, AT THE FIRST SIGN OF BRAKE SQUEAL I MUST CHECK AND REPLACE THE PADS AS THEY ARE CLOSE TO WEARING OUT. GENERALLY GET LESS THAN 15,000 MILES PER SET.

NHTSA complaint #10070783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 115,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10064511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I OWN A 1998 V6 DODGE CARAVAN. MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE TRANSMISSION LITERALLY BLEW APART. IT WAS NOT MERELY A TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION CASE WAS DESTROYED ALONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION MONTHLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VAN IN 1999, AND I HAVE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND CHANGED THE FLUID. THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WAS $2,511.00.

NHTSA complaint #10062014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 80,000 MILES. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED TWO MONTHS AGO.

NHTSA complaint #10059768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER NOTICED GRINDING SOUND IN FRONT END. REPLACED BRAKE PADS, NOISE STILL EXIST. SERVICE MANAGER FOUND THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION, AND WAS REPLACED BECAUSE INSPECTION REVEALED THAT NUMEROUS PARTS HAD BEEN DAMAGED. *LA

NHTSA complaint #10057874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

EMERGENCY BRAKES INOPERABLE, AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON, HORN DOES NOT WORK, HARD TIME REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION AND I CAN GO FROM "P" TO "R" OR "D" WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES (EVEN IF THERE IS NO KEY IN THE IGNITION).

NHTSA complaint #10056372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DEALER REPLACED THREE TIMES THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE LAST PAST TWO YEARS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10055578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SIX DIFFERENT CASES OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED. PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET, THE TRANSMISSION TWICE AND THREE TIMES ON THE FLYWHEEL. *LA THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE BOLTS ON THE FLYWHEEL AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WERE LOOSE. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CRANKSHAFT, WHICH CAUSES THE FLYWHEEL TO BREAK OFF, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT WAS OUT OF ROUND, WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10053556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND TURNING TO THE LEFT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE CRITERIA WAS FOR ISSUING A RECALL. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10049916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE ID#1B4GP44GOWB500517 WITH UNDER 100,000 MILES ENDED THE LIFE OF THE TRANSMISSION WITH A LOUD METALIC CLUNK.

NHTSA complaint #10045823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 63,000 ON THE HIGHWAY, ON A COLD DAY, 90 MILES FROM HOME WHEN I HAD MY CHILDREN, AGES 2 AND 5 IN THE VAN. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FAMILY VEHICLE! IT SHOULD BE RELIABLE AND SAFE. I'VE ALWAYS HAD TOYOTAS AND HONDAS AND PUT 200,000 MILES ON THEM WITH NO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE PUBLIC IS BEING DUMPED BY DAIMLER CHRYSLER INTO THINKING THAT REPLACING TRANSMISSIONS IS A NORMAL PART OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP. I JUST HAD TO SPEND $2800 TO FIX A VEHICLE THAT IS WORTH ABOUT $7000. I'VE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THAT CARAVANS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR BAD TRANSMISSIONS AND MOTOR FAILURE IN UNDER 100,000 MILES. IF THEY ARE GOING TO MARKET FAMILY VEHICLES THEY SHOULD BE SAFE AND RELIABLE!

NHTSA complaint #10043232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WE DROVE TO NJ FROM OUR HOUSE, NO PROBLEMS, NOISES OR WARNINGS PARKED THE CAR AND 1/2 HOUR LATER GO IN THE CAR AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE EITHER BACK OR FORTH. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC AND NEXT DAY HE TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, I WAS SHOCKED, SO DECIDE TO GET A 2ND OPINION, TOOK CAR TO AMACO , THEY DIAGNOSED ALSO THAT A NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION OR REBUILD TRANSMISSION. I WAS GOING AWAY ON VACATION ON FRIDAY , SO HAD NO OPTIONS BUT FIX TRANSMISSION WHICH COST ME $2,021.25. I WAS GLAD IT DIDNT BRAKE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND NO ONE GOT HURT. I ASKED THE PEOPLE AT AMACO , WHAT MADE THE TRANSMISSION JUST DIE, AT 81,525 MILES AND THEY TOLD ME IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR, SO I DECIDE TO RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE RIGHT, BY YOUR OWN RECORDS OF COMPLAINTS. SO, I HOPE THE MANUFACTURER WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT OR BE FORCED TO DO SO. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE OTHER RECALLS THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT, SUCH AS SEAT BELTS AND FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10038874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WE DROVE TO NJ FROM OUR HOUSE, NO PROBLEMS, NOISES OR WARNINGS PARKED THE CAR AND 1/2 HOUR LATER GO IN THE CAR AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE EITHER BACK OR FORTH. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC AND NEXT DAY HE TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, I WAS SHOCKED, SO DECIDE TO GET A 2ND OPINION, TOOK CAR TO AMACO , THEY DIAGNOSED ALSO THAT A NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION OR REBUILD TRANSMISSION. I WAS GOING AWAY ON VACATION ON FRIDAY , SO HAD NO OPTIONS BUT FIX TRANSMISSION WHICH COST ME $2,021.25. I WAS GLAD IT DIDNT BRAKE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND NO ONE GOT HURT. I ASKED THE PEOPLE AT AMACO , WHAT MADE THE TRANSMISSION JUST DIE, AT 81,525 MILES AND THEY TOLD ME IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR, SO I DECIDE TO RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE RIGHT, BY YOUR OWN RECORDS OF COMPLAINTS. SO, I HOPE THE MANUFACTURER WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT OR BE FORCED TO DO SO. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE OTHER RECALLS THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT, SUCH AS SEAT BELTS AND FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10038874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

PROBLEMS WITH FUEL RAIL ON 1998 DODGE CARAVAN. *MR THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL REPAIR FOR THE FUEL LINE IN WHICH THE DODGE DEALER REPAIRED IT, BUT THERE WAS A CONTINUED LEAK THAT HAD COME FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GOOD YEAR WHO REPLACED THE FAULTY LINE TO STOP THE LEAK, AND ALL THE DEALER DID WAS PLACE A STRONGER CLAMP AROUND THE LEAKING LINE. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED A REFUND, BECAUSE AN AUTHORIZED DEALER DID NOT PERFORM THE WORK. RECALL#00V268000 *SCC. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10037863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.