309 of the
14,200 complaints filed about the Dodge Caravan
are about the equipment —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1996.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE HORN FAILED, AND THE RADIO FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10806190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHANGING TIRE, VEHICLE JACK FAILED AND CAME CRASHING DOWN ALMOST KILLING THE DRIVER. UPON REVIEW FOUND JACK FAILED. MAIN BOLT APPEARS TO HAVE SOME KIND OF METAL FAILURE BOLT BENT AND JACK FALL DOWN. 2006 7 PASSENGER CARAVAN SXT MODEL 3.3 ENGINE. HALF TANK OF GAS. THIS CAN BE AN ISSUE IF THESE JACKS WERE MADE OUT OF POOR METAL AND NOW 8 YEARS LATER THEY START TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10588631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO WIRES WOULD SHORT CIRCUIT WHENEVER THE RADIO WAS ACTIVATED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V531000 (EQUIPMENT). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL TANK HOSE WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10568723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FOLLOWING REQUEST WAS RECEIVED FROM THE NTSB WEB SITE: MESSAGE: VAN ACCIDENT INCIDENT - 2000 DODGE VAN 2500 ON TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012 AROUND 4PM, I WAS ON MY WAY TO MARYVILLE TO PICK UP A TV. TRAVELING SOUTH ON EBENEZER ROAD, I ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTING IT AT 45 MPH. APPROACHING NORTH SHORE IN THE RIGHT LANE, I SAW 4-6 CARS WAITING AT THE LIGHT. I TAP THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IMMEDIATELY FELT THE VAN ACCELERATION. I TURNED INTO THE LEFT LANE TO MISS THE CARS IN THE RIGHT LANE. I REPOSITION MY FOOT BY LIFTING IT UP THINKING THAT I HAD PRESS BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE, AND PRESS IT BACK ON THE BRAKE. THE VAN WAS STILL ACCELERATING AND I THOUGHT TO MYSELF WHY WAS IT STILL ACCELERATING? BY THAT TIME, I WAS IN THE INTERSECTION AND HAD NO CONTROL. I HIT A POLE AND GUARD RAIL ON THE FAR SIDE OF NORTH SHORE. I DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE. ALL OF THIS TOOK AROUND 10 SECONDS. THE VAN WAS TOTALED! ARE THERE OTHERS REPORTED WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL?
NHTSA complaint #10470814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2008 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE AIRBAG *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND IT WAS PERFORMED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FIX WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. THE FIX REQUIRED THE A/C DRAIN TUBE AND GROMMET TO BE REROUTED TO PREVENT WATER FROM DRIPPING ON THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS SINCE ILLUMINATED FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $500-600 TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. THE CONSUMER STATED EITHER THE REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED THE RECALL WRONG, DIDN'T INSTALL A PART OR THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID A/C CONDENSATION/MOISTURE FROM PENETRATING THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE THUS CAUSING CORROSION. RECALL# 10V611000.
NHTSA complaint #10446508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MAINTAIN CURRENT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED, AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,968 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,974. UPDATED 9/13/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL INJECTION HARNESS WHICH WERE BARE AND HITTING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ALSO, THE O2 SENSOR AND AC COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/31/11
NHTSA complaint #10419835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ON HIGHWAY AT POSTED 55 MPH, BANG SOUND UNDER VAN, PULLED OVER WITHIN 10TH OF MILE, SPARE TIRE HAD COME LOOSE, WAS TRAPPED UNDER VAN, SPARE TIRE APPEARS TO NEVER HAVE BEEN USED, RAISED VAN UP WITH A LARGE ROCK PLACED UNDER FRONT WHEEL, DROVE UP ROCK AND WITH THE DECLINE OF HIGHWAY ALLOWED VAN TO COME UP HIGH ENOUGH THEN PULLED SPARE TIRE OUT, WIFE BURNED ARM ON EXHAUST PIPE WHEN PULLING TIRE OUT, HAVE NOT HAD SPARE TIRE PLACED BACK UNDER VAN OR INSPECTED AS OF YET.
NHTSA complaint #10395830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER DISCHARGE LINE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL 10V611000 (EQUIPMENT: ELECTRICAL: AIR CONDITIONER). THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE DEALER TO VERIFY WHETHER THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ALSO, THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION UNDER K04AC (AIR CONDITIONER: DISCHARGE HOSE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #10382550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. HE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE USING THE REMOTE ENTRY BUT THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. HE HAD TO OPEN THE DOORS BY MANUALLY INSERTING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE REMOTE KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10355713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2001 DODGE CARAVAN - A/C SYSTEM & DASH/ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL AND LIGHTS - HAD VEHICLE FOR ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS, TOTAL FAILURE OF A/C SYSTEM. DEALER REPLACED SYSTEM. SYSTEM WORKED APPROXIMATELY THREE (3) YEARS, THEN HAD ANOTHER TOTAL FAILURE OF SYSTEM, ALONG WITH FAN SPEED SWITCH NO LONGER WORKING MEDIUM AND HIGH SPEEDS. VEHICLE PAST WARRANTY SO HAD PRIVATE MECHANIC REPLACE EVAPORATOR. HAD TO PULL DASH OUT TO REPLACE EVAPORATOR, AS NO ACCESS TO MAKE REPAIR UNDER HOOD, COST OF $1,500 DUE TO LABOR INTENSIVE PULLING DASH FOR A/C REPAIR. AFTER DASH PULLED OUT AND REINSTALLED, DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT A FEW DAYS AFTER A/C REPAIR. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO PRIVATE MECHANIC, STATED INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS WERE FALLING OFF, PAPER/ADHESIVE ADHERING COMPONENTS TO DASH DRY ROTTED AND NO LONGER STICKING. NEEDED NEW PANEL AT COST OF $1,000. THESE ITEMS WERE REPAIRED IN SUMMER MONTHS. IN WINTER, DISCOVERED HEATER DID NOT WORK. HAVEN'T REPAIRED THAT YET.
NHTSA complaint #10350016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INCIDENT WE TOOK OUR 2008 DODGE CARAVAN IT IN A MONTH AGO ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE WERE HAVING WAS THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR WASN'T CLOSING PROPERLY SO WE HAD THEM ADJUST IT. WE TOOK IT IN A MONTH LATER TO FIX OTHER PROBLEMS AND THE DOOR THEY ADJUSTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST FELL OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY AND I AM AGAIN WITHOUT AN AUTOMOBILE. THE VAN DOOR WORKS IN TWO WAYS. ONE, YOU CAN PUSH A BUTTON AND CLOSE THE DOOR, OR TWO, YOU CAN CLICK THE INSIDE HANDLE AND SLIDE THE DOOR OVER UNTIL THE MOTOR GRABS IT AND CLOSES IT. THE WAY THE DOOR IS MOUNTED IN THE REAR TRACK IS VERY INADEQUATE. THERE ARE TWO SMALL HORIZONTAL LOAD RUNNERS AND ONE VERTICAL LOAD RUNNER. THE TRACK IS MADE FROM STEEL BUT WHEN ADJUSTED IMPROPERLY CAN BE STRETCHED OUT OF SHAPE. WHEN THE FRONT DOOR LOCK IS ENGAGED AND THE REAR LOCK IS ENGAGED THE REAR TRACK CAN GET PULL OUT OF SHAPE AND THE WHEELS ON THE SLIDE CAN FALL OUT. I AM AN ENGINEER WHO WORKS CONSTANTLY WITH THE EQUIPMENT THAT BUILDS THESE VEHICLES IN THE AUTO PLANTS. I DESIGN MACHINES THAT COULD CYCLE A MILLION TIMES. THIS IS AN INADEQUATE DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10343684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (STOW AND GO) EXTREME HEAT AND STRONG SMELL OF OVERHEATED BRAKES COMING MOSTLY FROM REAR BRAKES. THE HEAT GENERATED IN AN AVERAGE 16 MILE DRIVE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS CAUSES ENOUGH HEAT AND STRONG BRAKE SMELL THAT YOU CAN HARDLY TOUCH THE PLASTIC HUBCAP MOUNTED ON THE STEEL WHEELS. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NEVER BEEN USED AND HAS NEVER BEEN ACTIVATED ACCIDENTALLY. THE SMELL CAN BE NOTICED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE VEHICLE FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PARTICULARLY IN THE REAR. I AM RETIRED ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN WITH 45 ASE CERTIFICATIONS AND 50 YEARS IN THE PROFESSION. I WOULD SUSPECT RESIDUAL VALVE IN MASTER CYLINDER, STICKING CALIPERS, OR PARKING BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE REAR BRAKE SENSORS HAVE BEEN TOUCHING SINCE 16,000 MILES. VIN #[XXX] PURCHASE DATE 28 FEB 2009. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10336039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DESCRIPTION: I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 10 JAN 2010 WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 DODGE CARAVAN SXT. THE ACCIDENT WAS INITIALLY CAUSED BY AN INDIVIDUAL CARRYING FURNITURE IN THE BACK OF HIS PICK-UP TRUCK. THE FURNITURE FELL OUT OF THE BACK OF THE TRUCK FORCED MYSELF AND ANOTHER DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME TO SLAM ON OUR BRAKES. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED MY BRAKES HOWEVER THE ABS DID NOT ENGAGE AND I SKIDDED INTO THE CHEVY SILVERADO TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELING IN FRONT OF ME. I LEFT TWO 50FT SKID MARKS (MY ESTIMATE) BEHIND ME. ULTIMATELY, THE FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM CAUSED ME TO IMPACT THE REAR OF THE SILVERADO. ADDITIONALLY, AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. I WAS LATER INFORMED BY DODGE/CHRYSLER, WHO I COMPLAINED TO, THAT BASED ON THE AREA OF IMPACT THE SENSORS WERE NOT DAMAGED, WHICH IN-TURN WAS THE DETERMINING FACTOR WHY THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY. AFTER CHECKING ALL THE RECALLS FOR MY VAN THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR THAT DODGE FAILED TO INFORM US OF, IN ADDITION TO OTHER RECALLS.WE TOOK PLENTY OF PICTURES AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT TO SHOW ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE STATED IN THE COMPLAINT,DODGE MODEL: CARAVAN MODEL YEAR: 2005 MANUFACTURER: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION MFR'S REPORT DATE: MAY 01, 2007 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V192000 EA06003 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06003 COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 270958 SUMMARY: MAKE: DODGE MODEL: CARAVAN MODEL YEAR: 2005 MANUFACTURER: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC MFR'S REPORT DATE: JAN 07, 2010 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V008000 RQ09003 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ09003 COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 312442MAKE: DODGE MODEL: CARAVAN MODEL YEAR: 2005 MANUFACTURER: BRAKE PARTS, INC. MFR'S REPORT DATE: MAR 09, 2006 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06E022000 N/A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: N/A COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
NHTSA complaint #10315561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
MY WIFE TOOK OUR 2008 DODGE CARAVAN IN TO HAVE HER KEY REPLACED AND ABRACADABRA @ TOMBALL DODGE, IN TOMBALL,TEXAS. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD , MY WIFE THAT EVERYONE INSPECTED HER BRAKES , AND THEY AGREED THAT HER BRAKES WEAR AND TEAR WERE DO TO HER DRIVING HABITS, AND SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE HER ROTORS ONLY ON ONE SIDE. SHE WAS TOLD THAT SHE IS USING HER RIGHT FRONT BRAKES MORE OFTEN THAN HER LEFT FRONT BRAKES. WHEN I CONFRONTED THE CSMGR SHE TOLD ME ALOT OF PEOPLE BRAKE ONE SIDE MORE THAN THE OTHER AND IT WAS MORE COMMON THAN I THOUGHT, BUT THEY WOULD FIX BOTH SIDES AND MAKE THEM EVEN AGAIN , IF SHE HAD THE WORK DONE THERE TODAY FOR 10% LESS THE COST OF THE NEW PADS AND ROTORS. REMEMBER, MY WIFE WAS ONLY THERE TO GET HER KEY REPLACED, AND WE WERE VERY LUCKY THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THE RIGHT HANDED BRAKING ISSUE, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR INTO A NOISY SHOP HIS SUPER KEEN HEARING WAS ABLE TO DETECT BOTH SIDES. THE BRAKES, WERE REPAIRED AT A LOCAL SHOP A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE PARTS IN QUESTION WERE BOUGHT FROM TOMBALL DODGE, THEY HAVE YET TO COMMENT ON THE RIGHT HANDED BRAKING ISSUE AND ITS COMMONALITY.
NHTSA complaint #10290189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE RADIO SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S STEREO SYSTEM. A NEW RADIO SYSTEM WAS PURCHASED AND INSTALLED BY A TECHNICIAN THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WAS A SAFETY DEFECT RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V531000 (EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL;RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. BL
NHTSA complaint #10281891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAVE HAD '06 GRAND SXT TO DEALER TWICE ABOUT SLIDING DOORS ON BOTH PASS/DRIVE SIDE. IN TRYING TO CLOSE DOOR USING EITHER PUSH BUTTON/REMOTE/VISOR BUTTON DOOR WILL CLUNK AND DOOR MOTOR RUNS FOR 2~3 SECONDS AND DOOR DOES NOT MOVE. DEALER HAS REPLACED DOOR MOTORS TWICE... I THINK THIS IS BECOMING CLOSE TO BEING A LEMON ! THAT WAS ONE OF THE BUYING POINTS OF THIS MODEL WAS ELECTRIC DOORS :((((( BEEN VERY DISSATISFIED THUS FAR.
NHTSA complaint #10280914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.