1996 Dodge Grand Caravan equipment problems

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, VIN NUMBER [XXX]. A WEEK AGO FRIDAY I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE THAT I HAVE NEEDED TO CHANGE A FLAT TO MY SPARE TIRE AND ALSO USE THE SCISSOR JACK THAT THE FACTORY SUPPLIED WITH MY VEHICLE. I WAS USING YOUR FACTORY SUPPLIED JACK TO RAISE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE JACK APPARENTLY SLIPPED AND THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. I PROCEEDED TO EXTRICATE THE JACK AND LOOKED IT OVER AND IT APPEARED TO BE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE WITH NO INDICATIONS OF ANY DAMAGE; I CONCLUDED THAT THE JACK SOMEHOW SLIPPED. I AGAIN INSERTED THE JACK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO AGAIN JACK UP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE JACK COLLAPSED AGAIN. UPON GATHERING UP MY THINGS I NOTED THAT THE JACK DID NOT SLIP, BUT FAILED AND THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE JACK FAILURE WAS IN THE UPPER INSIDE SUPPORT WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT AND INSERT THE SCISSOR JACK UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN THE SCISSOR JACK LIFTS THE JACK UP. I SHOWED THE FAILED JACK TO A WELDER FRIEND OF MINE WHO KNOWS ABOUT METALS, AND HE STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS METAL FATIGUE AND THAT THAT PART OF THE JACK WAS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED BECAUSE THE METAL WAS NOT CURED AND HARDENED PROPERLY TO ACQUIRE ITS NEEDED STRENGTH. FIRST I EXPECT A NEW REPLACEMENT JACK THAT WILL FIT INTO THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT MADE FOR IT SO THAT I WILL HAVE A FACTORY JACK WHENEVER I DECIDE TO GET A NEW VEHICLE AND THE PERSON WHO BUYS MY VEHICLE NEXT WILL HAVE A GOOD, SAFE, FACTORY JACK WHENEVER NEEDED. SECOND I EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED THE $20.00 I GAVE THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO HELPED ME OUT WHEN THE SCISSOR JACK FAILED AND BECAME BROKEN AND USELESS. THIRD, IT WOULD BE NICE BUT NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME, IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER SOME FAIR COMPENSATION FOR MY BEING LATE, TIRED, DIRTY, SMELLY AND ANGRY WHEN I WAS MEETING MY WIFE FOR DINNER. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS NOT THE MOST PLEASANT PERSON TO HAVE DINNER WITH THAT NIGHT.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

NHTSA complaint #10088835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

FOR 3 SUMMERS IN A ROW, WE HAVE HAD TO RECHARGE THE AIR CONDITION SYSTEM FOR IT TO ONLY WORK 3-4 WEEKS AT A TIME. OUR MECHANIC SAYS THAT IT ISN'T THAT THE AIR CONDITING UNIT HAS FAILED IT SEEMS TO BE LOOSING THE FREON SOME WHERE.THE LOCKS ON THE VAN TO THE TAIL GATE DOESN'T SEEM TO WORK CORRECTLY, 90% OF THE TIME YOU HAVE TO BEAT ON THE LOCK FROM THE OUT SIDE FOR IT TO UNLOCK. WE HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKE PAD APPROX 3 TIMES AND THEY STILL SQUEAK AND SEEM TO GRAB AT TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10070396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

THE SERPENTINE BELT THAT RUNS THE CAR JUMPED OFF TRACK THE FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER WHEN IT WAS RAINING. I FIRST NOTICED MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT OVER HEATED. SO WHEN I GOT UNDER THE HOOD TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, IT WAS THE BELT IT WAS NOT BROKEN JUST OFF TRACK. HAD IT FIXED. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 25, 2003 SOME 3-4 WEEKS LATER. AGAIN IT WAS RAINING. THE PERSON WHO FIXED IT THE 2ND TIME STATES THAT EVERY TIME IT RAINS AND IF I GET WATER IN MY UNDERCARRAIGE IT IS GOING TO POP OFF. THIS IS VERY DISCOURAGING, I AM THE SINGLE MOTHER OF FOUR YOUNG GIRLS AND I SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VAN WHEN IT IS RAINING. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE SOME SENSE OUT OF THIS FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint #10071154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WHILE TRAVELING, THE DASH BOARD INDICATION LIGHTS FLASHED THROUGHOUT TRAVEL. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL HEADS CONTAINED A SHORT.

NHTSA complaint #10017884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

SINCE THE FIRST WEEK THAT I OWNED THIS CAR. WHENEVER I RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE CAR WILL STALL OUT. AT FIRST, I COULD RESTART THE CAR READILY. LATER, IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO RESTART IT. NOW I KNOW THAT I HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES IN ORDER TO RESTART IT. I MUST LEAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF, IF I WANT THE CAR TO CONTINUE RUNNING. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT, AND THEY DID SOME ENGINE ADJUSTMENTS WHICH NEVER SOLVED THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER I'M DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC OR WHETHER I'M AT SPEED. IT WILL HAPPEN. SO, THE WAY TO AVOID THE PROBLEM IS NOT TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER. BUT I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH AIR CONDITIONING, AND I'M ENTITLED TO HAVE WHAT I PAID FOR. MY CONSCIENCE TELLS ME THAT I HAVE TO PROTECT OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, SO I DON'T RUN IT . CHRYSLER HAS A REGISTERED COMPLAINT FROM ME AND OTHER PEOPLE, AS WELL, ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. I HAVE ANOTHER CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE: I'D LIKE TO GET RID OF THIS CAR AND THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM, BUT WHO WILL BUY THIS CAR? I CAN'T SELL IT WITHOUT FULL DISCLOSURE OF THE PROBLEM. AND IF I TRADE IT IN TO CHRYSLER, I'M SURE THEY WON'T DISCLOSE THE PROBLEM TO SOME UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMER. DT

NHTSA complaint #769495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE REAR POWER WINDOWS OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT OPEN BUT WHEN THEY DO, THEY SOMETIMES DONT STAY OPEN, ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT GO DOWN BUT IF IT DOES IT WILL NOT GO BACK UP. THE RADIO WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. NLM

NHTSA complaint #567054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONERCONDENSER/DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR/TIE ROD, TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE, AND O2 SENSOR WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, AND FROM THE EXHAUST AREA. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED. IN ADDITION, SERPENTINE BELT AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. *JB.

NHTSA complaint #567168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

LEAK AIR COND SYM CAUSED 5 MO. AND 2 YR CHILD TO BECOME SICK FROM R134 BLOW IN FACE.

NHTSA complaint #765510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

MOPAR TRAILER HITCH CONTACTS GROUND WHEN PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND THAT THE HITCH WAS ATTACHED CORRECTLY, CONSUMER RETURNED THE HITCH TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #562605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THERE IS A VERY FOUL SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE WHENEVER CONSUMER STARTED UP VEHICLE.ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #8003485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ALL KINDS OF TROUBLES WITH THE RADIO SINCE I BOUGHT IT,,,, NO BIG DEAL,,, UNTILL TODAY WHEN COMING HOME FROM MY PARENTS SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #754389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

MOPAR TRAILER HITCH CONTACTS GROUND WHEN PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AND THAT THE HITCH WAS ATTACHED CORRECTLY, CONSUMER RETURNED THE HITCH TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #562605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE ENGINE IS RIUNED DUE TO A 'DOMINO' EFFECT OF DAMAGES BEGINNING WITH THE A/C COMPRESSOR LOCKING UP.

NHTSA complaint #751707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS OUT HOT AIR. CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE IN MARCH AND THERE WAS NO REASON TO TURN IT ON. ON INSPECTION LIST AIR CONDITIONER WAS CHECKED AS WORKING. CONSUMER LIVES IN A HOT CLIMATE, AND AIR CONDITIONER IS VERY MUCH NEEDED. DEALER COULDN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #894491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #561413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

INTERMITTENTLY SRS LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE WHEN DRIVING, AND CRUISE CONTROL BECOMES INOPERABLE.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES WIPER SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE, STILL INTERMITTENT WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE CORRECTLY, ALSO RADIO DOES NOT SEE CD PLAYER, UNLESS VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND ON SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE.

NHTSA complaint #887370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WE HAD TO REPLACE THE A/C COMPRESSOR, HIGH PRESSURE SWITCH, EXPANSION VALVE AND RECEIVER/DRIVER TO REPAIR LEAKS DUE TO PREMATURE WEAROUT. THIS COST US $1240.00. CHRYSLER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS A/C SYSTEM BREAKING DOWN PREMATURELY.

NHTSA complaint #743939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

REPLACED COMPLETE AIR CONDITION SYSTEM, FRONT AND REAR, TRANSMISSION, FUEL INJECTION, CV JOINTS, FUEL TANK LEAKS, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

NHTSA complaint #738083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE AND SOMETIMES COME ON BY THEMSELVES, OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF DRIVER. VEHICLE AT DEALER'S FOR REPAIR. *AK O2 SENSOR, IGNITION SWITCH, KEY CYLINDER, AND A/C BLOWER RESISTOR AND WIRING KIT ALL REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #876123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I STILL HAD OTHER COMPNENTS REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE, BUT YOU DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR ALL MY INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #734740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT

I WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE JACK HAS BEEN USED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON, THE JACK TWISTED AND COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE LURCHED SLIGHTLY. THE SURFACE THE VEHICLE RESTED ON WAS PERFECTLY FLAT SO THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A STRESS DEFECT IN THE JACK. I HAD TO BORROW THE JACK FROM MY BUICK TO COMPLETE THE TIRE CHANGE.

NHTSA complaint #729840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER/EVAPORATOR/CONDENSOR FAILED. EST COST TO FIX $1000. TRANSMISSION FAILED. WAS FIXED. COST $2,300.

NHTSA complaint #724684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE EVAPORATOR COIL IS PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE. I WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT OWNS 25 TO 30 DODGE CARAVANS AF VARIOUS YEARS AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MODELS BUILT BETWEEN 1993 AND 1999. ALSO THE DEALERSHIP HAS ADMITTED TO ME THAT THEY HAVE REPAIRED 100'S OF VEHICLES (CHRYSLER/DODGE/PLYMOUTH) WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. DAIMLER CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE HOT LINE OFFERED NO HELP WHAT SO EVER. WHEN THE REFRIGERANT (R134A) LEAKS, IT ENTERS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAN BE TOXIC IF COMBUSTED, NOT TO MENTION NOT A GOOD THING TO BREATH NON-COMBUSTED.

NHTSA complaint #722455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AT THE START UP OF THE VAN, THE COMPRESSOR PULLEY WAS LOCKED UP TO THE POINT THAT IT WOULD NOT TURN AND THE BELT WAS RUBBING ON THE PULLEY CAUSING LARGE AMOUNT OR SMOKE. COST TO REPAIR WAS MORE THAN $3,000.00.

NHTSA complaint #720396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

DEALER STATES THERE IS NO "GOODWILL" WARRANTY FOR THIS VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #715918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #713407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

REPLACEMENT OF AC COMPRESSOR & EVAPORATOR COST $1450; ENGINE HEAD WAS REPLACED FREE EVEN THOUGH WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED(SPENT $870 ON MAINT AND REPAIRS OF WHICH $300 WAS TO REPLACE SPARK PLUG WIRES AND RESISTOR PACK THAT WAS SAID TO CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HEAD WAS ACTUALLY CASUING PROBLEM); FAN RELAY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY; FIRESTONE SAID WATER PUMP FROZED AND CAUSED BELT TO BREAK ($300 REPAIR).

NHTSA complaint #711429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AND THE VAN DOES NOT BACK UP. STARTER, AIR CONDITIONER, AND BRAKE PADS ALL HAD TO BE REPAIRED. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #846210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #707373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.