1998 Dodge Grand Caravan electrical problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist and then stalled. Additionally, the odometer failed to display the correct mileage and the speedometer failed to display the correct speed of the vehicle while the engine revved. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

NHTSA complaint #11471228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT CALLED STEW HANSEN DODGE RAM CHRYSLER JEEP AT (515) 331-2900 (LOCATED AT 12103 HICKMAN RD, URBANDALE, IA 50323) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA complaint #11120658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10780522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR JUST STOPPED WORKING IT WOULD'T START ANY MORE

NHTSA complaint #10767516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S MUFFLER BECAME LOUDER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MUFFLER, FUEL TANK, AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,563.

NHTSA complaint #10726684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LOSES THE ELECTRICITY AND THE GAUGES COMPLETELY DIE OFF. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND I HAVE NO WAY OF FIXING THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10648391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10573818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. A SPLASH GUARD WAS INSTALLED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE BUT THE FAILURE THREE TIMES AS THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10555443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN MY VAN IS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE RADIATOR FAN FAILS TO TURN ON TO COOL THE ENGINE TO HELP IT COOL. ALSO IT OVERHEATS AT RANDOM IN HOT WEATHER. MY VAN USES A LOT OF COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM IN AN EFFORT TO FIX THIS, BUT TO NO AVAIL. BECAUSE OF THIS I DON'T DRIVE MUCH AS IF IT OVERHEATS I AM STRANDED.

NHTSA complaint #10479211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 3 OCCASIONS RECENTLY ALL THE DASHBOARD GAUGES STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE GAUGES RESUMED EITHER ON THEIR OWN AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OR AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VAN. DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE ONLY SAID THAT COMMUNICATION HAD BEEN LOST. THE TECHNICIAN CLAIMED THAT HE COULD NOT FIND SIMILAR ISSUES IN HIS DATABASE, BUT FROM THIS WEBSITE I SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE SURE-FIRE FIX. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AND LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTINUE TO WORK WHILE THE GAUGES MALFUNCTION. BUT, DRIVING IS DIFFICULT WITHOUT THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE ODOMETER AND TRIP MILEAGE ARE INCORRECT AFTER THE GAUGES COME BACK TO LIFE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM ON A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 148,000 MILES. IT WOULD ALSO NOT START, ACTED LIKE SENTRY SYSTEM KICKED IN (NON SENTRY SYSTEM VEHICLE) FINALLY IT MALFUNCTIONED AND STAYED IN MALFUNCTION MODE AND I GOT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS "NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE MODULES ON HE CCD BUS - CIRCUIT WAS FOUND SHORTED TOGETHER AND WITH THE CLUSTER UNPLUGGED, BUS COMMUNICATION WAS POSSIBLE - SHORT IN THE BUS" THE "BOARD INST CLUSTER P/C W/FLEX P/C ( PART # 4874440) WAS REPLACED " $850 REPAIR JOB BUT IT HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10390162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 3 OCCASIONS RECENTLY ALL THE DASHBOARD GAUGES STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE GAUGES RESUMED EITHER ON THEIR OWN AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OR AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VAN. DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE ONLY SAID THAT COMMUNICATION HAD BEEN LOST. THE TECHNICIAN CLAIMED THAT HE COULD NOT FIND SIMILAR ISSUES IN HIS DATABASE, BUT FROM THIS WEBSITE I SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE SURE-FIRE FIX. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AND LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTINUE TO WORK WHILE THE GAUGES MALFUNCTION. BUT, DRIVING IS DIFFICULT WITHOUT THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE ODOMETER AND TRIP MILEAGE ARE INCORRECT AFTER THE GAUGES COME BACK TO LIFE.

NHTSA complaint #10381134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTERMITTENTLY INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERS WHILE DRIVING. RADIO/CD-PLAYER DIES OUT SOME TIMES. IT HAPPENS AROUND 3 TO 5 TIMES IN 1 HOUR DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10349621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN OCTOBER 2009, ALL OF THE GAUGES AND LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO FAIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT DIAGNOSTIC CODE P1689 CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT DODGE IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. CHRYSLER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IT WAS "NOT THEIR PROBLEM, BUY A NEW CAR." THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10342056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SOMETIMES WHEN I START MY VAN, IT WILL START AND IMMEDIATELY SHUTS OFF, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIME YOU TRY, THE ABS, AND ALARM DASH LIGHT STAY ON. IF YOU TAP ON THE DASH OR WAIT A WHILE THE VAN STARTS NORMAL. ALSO ALL THE GAUGES SOMETIMES STOP WORKING WHILE I'M DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10283946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I OWN A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND MY SPEED ODOMETER, MY RPM, THE TEMP GAUGE, AND THE GAS GAUGE POP OFF AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK EITHER I WAIT AND EVENTUALLY IT WILL COME BACK ON OR I MUST HIT IT SOMETIMES IT COMES BACK ON OTHER TIMES IT DON'T. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS. THE ABS COMES ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10283783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CLOCKSPRING WAS ALSO REPLACED ACCORDING TO A RECALL WITHOUT THE CONTACT'S CONSENT. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE FLASHING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE HORN DID NOT OPERATE AND THERE WERE OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 59,492. UPDATED 08/19/09 *BF UPDATED 08/20/09.

NHTSA complaint #10278099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CLOCKSPRING WAS ALSO REPLACED ACCORDING TO A RECALL WITHOUT THE CONTACT'S CONSENT. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE FLASHING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE HORN DID NOT OPERATE AND THERE WERE OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 59,492. UPDATED 08/19/09 *BF UPDATED 08/20/09.

NHTSA complaint #10278099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I ONLY OWNED THE VAN FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS(IT WAS USED) AND ALL MY GAUGES WENT OUT. THE FIRST TIME I TURNED ON THE MIRROR BUTTON IT CAME BACK ON FOR A FEW DAYS WENT OUT AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I TURNED ON THE WIPERS IT CAME BACK ON FOR ABOUT A DAY, THEN IT WENT OUT COMPLETELY. IT SEEMS ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10265650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CARAVAN WILL ATTEMPT TO START THEN STALLS OUT. ONCE DONE 3 TIMES IT WILL NOT START FOR HOURS OR DAYS. ALL GAUGES FAIL AT THIS TIME AS WELL. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE SO TRIES TO CHARGE ME FOR REPLACING VARIOUS PARTS. DODGE NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND PLACE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10248483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RANDOMLY WILL START UP AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. AFTER 3 TIMES, WILL NOT START. HAVE HAD IT TAKEN TO 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS. 2 WERE DODGE DEALERSHIPS. ONE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STARTER FOR $440. THE NEXT DEALERSHIP (I WAS OUT OF TOWN FOR CHRISTMAS, SO COULDN'T RETURN TO FIRST DEALERSHIP) REPLACED THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE FOR $800. STILL HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM. THE MESSAGE BOARD IS FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND DEALERS REPLACING THE SAME PARTS THAT I HAVE HAD REPLACED AND STILL NOT GETTING FIXED. IF I CAN LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND SEE WHAT IS WRONG, WHY CAN'T A MECHANIC? I WILL HAVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER CHANGED NEXT AND IT BETTER BE NO CHARGE!!

NHTSA complaint #10246825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT HAS SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CAN'T SEEM TO BE FIXED. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURN OFF AND THE VEHICLE WON'T START AND STAY RUNNING. IT USED TO COME RIGHT BACK ON AFTER TAPPING THE CENTER OF THE DASH, BUT THAT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. IT EVEN HAPPENS NOW WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT, AND AFTER SPENDING A CHUNK OF MONEY TRYING TO GET IT FIXED MANY DIFFERENT TIMES, SO MY WIFE AND CHILDREN FEEL SAFE IN IT I AM DEFINITELY SORRY I EVER BOUGHT IT. THE PROBLEM OCCURS NOW ALMOST EVERY DAY TO EVERY SECOND DAY, AND WILL LAST ANYWHERE FROM A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO COUPLE OF DAYS.

NHTSA complaint #10240232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTER HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACE I NOTICED EVERYTHING ON MY DASH WAS DEAD, MY ABS AND ALARM SET LIGHT WOULD COME ON. IT ONLY STAYED THAT WAY FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN EVERYTHING WOULD COME BACK ON, BUT THEN THE PROBLEM ONLY GOT WORSE. I WOULD TRY TO START THE VAN BUT WHEN I DID IT WOULD SHUT BACK OFF BECAUSE MY DASH GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING AND MY ABS LIGHT WAS ON. I HAVE 3 KIDS AND I DEPEND ON MY VAN FOR TRANSPORTATION. I WENT ON A WEBSITE " TOPIX" AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALSO THAT IS HOW I GOT THIS ADDRESS. IT SEEMS LIKE NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT SOLUTION, THERE ARE JUST DIFFERENT SUGGESTIONS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL SO THAT WAY EVERYBODY CAN STOP WASTING MONEY ON WHAT REPAIR SHOPS TRY (SAY) AND LET DODGE FIGURE IT OUT AND COMPENSATE FOR ALL OF THE HASSLES, MISSED APPOINTMENTS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

NHTSA complaint #10239449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN THE KEY THE ENGINE WILL START AND IMMEDIATELY STALL. AFTER THE THIRD TRY, IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. THE GAUGES AND ODOMETER ALSO FAILS AT THIS TIME. AFTER SITTING FOR ANYWHERE FROM 1 HOUR TO 4 DAYS (SO FAR) THE ENGINE WILL START. IT MIGHT BE OK FOR A DAY OR A MONTH AND THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE GAUGES GO OFF, ENGINE FALTERS AND THEN COMES BACK ON. OTHER TIMES ENGINE STARTS AND IDLES ROUGH AS IF THERE IS A VACUUM LEAK THEN IT STRAIGHTENS OUT. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM OFF AND ON FOR AROUND 2 YEARS BUT IS NOW HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. TODAY I WENT TO A STORE AND WHEN I CAME OUT THE CAR WOULDN'T START. IT IS STILL PARKED AT THE STORE. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A VARIETY OF ANSWERS. DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO INSTALL MANY PARTS AT $250 PLUS LABOR EACH TIME AND STILL HAVE THE SAME SITUATION. I KNOW OF THREE PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10239227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 98 GRAND CARAVAN WHEN I BOUGHT IT THE BACK HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN THEN I NOTICED A LOUD HUMMING IN THE TIRES WHEN I BOUGHT IT HAD THE BEARING REPLACED FIXED THAT PROBLEM THEN WHEN CHECKING OIL NOTICED STRUT TOWERS RUSTED DRIVER SIDE ABOUT 5 TO 6 INCH TOTAL SEPARATION PASSENGER ABOUT 3 INCH,NEXT MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AS MY CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN QUIT WORKING,NOW MY INSTRUMENT PANEL DON'T WORK ALL OF IT DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MILES OR HOW MUCH GAS NOR HOW FAST IM GOING HAVE NOT HAD NOTHING FIXED TRYING TO GET A HOLD OF DODGE WILL SOME ONE HAVE TO DIE FROM THE STRUT TOWERS BEFORE THEY RECALL THEM? ALSO WHEN I PUT GAS IN I HAVE TO OPEN WINDOWS A REALLY STRONG SMELL OF GAS FILLS THE VAN.

NHTSA complaint #10226592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONSTANTLY SHORTS OUT, CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT RUN . WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO NUMEROUS SERVICE CENTERS AND DEALERS, NONE OF WHICH COULD DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. WE DEMAND A RESPONSE FROM THEM AND THEY DO NOT RETURN OUR CALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10218277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULD START AND DIE ABOUT 3 TIMES AND THEN NOT START AT ALL. REPLACE PCM. WORKED A COUPLE DAYS AND THEN STARTED AGAIN. READ ON WEB BOARDS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AND IF THEY HIT THE DASH IT WOULD START AND WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN I HIT THE DASH AND IT WOULD START. WHEN IT WOULDN'T START ALL THE GUAGES ON THE DASH WOULD NOT WORK. THIS SEEMED TO WORK. THEN WHEN I WENT OVER A BUMP AND TURNED AT THE SAME TIME THE VAN WOULD DIE. I COULD PUT IT IN "N" AND GET IT STARTED AGAIN WHILE I WAS STILL TURNING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECASE YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER. HEARD ON MESSAGE BORAD IF YOU TOOK THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OFF AND CHECK THE SAUDERING THAT THIS WOUDL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. DID THIS BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD STOP READING WHEN IT DID HAVE GAS IN IT. THEN THE FUEL GUAGE WOULD START DINGING EVEN THOUGH IT READ FULL. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. BELOW IS ONE SUCH WEBSITE. HAVE DONE ALL KINDS OF DIAGNOSTICS ON IT AND CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. IT STILL LOOSES GUAGES AND WILL NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/DODGE-GRAND-CARAVAN/TPC8IH1LI2S41I22D/P5.

NHTSA complaint #10172633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. ALSO, DURING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION FAILURE, THE ENGINE WAS SLUGGISH AND OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 11/21/2006 -

NHTSA complaint #10170643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - WHEN NEW, RECALLED FOR SAFETY BELT REPAIR/REPLACEMENT AND AIR BAG CLOCK SWITCH REPLACEMENT. FOR ABOUT THE PAST 2 YEARS, THE INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SWITCH FROM DIM TO LIGHT WITH A CLICKING SOUND BUT HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM I FEEL NEEDED IMMEDIATE ADDRESSING. MORE RECENTLY, REAR AIR VENTS BLOW COLD/WARM/HOT AIR WHEN A/C IS TURNED ON. HOWEVER, FRONT VENTS BLOW ICE COLD AIR. REAR AIR VENTS FUNCTION DIFFERENTLY EACH TIME WE START THE CAR. ALL THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSE ME GREAT CONCERN FOR OUR FAMILY OF 5 REGARDING OTHER ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTED IN THE FUTURE. AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS BRAND, I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN WE WILL BE PURCHASING A MORE REPUTABLE BRAND WHEN WE REPLACE OUR CAR. WHAT IS CHRYSLER DOING TO ADDRESS THESE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS?

NHTSA complaint #10162130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CONSUMER DASH LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTAINING THE CLUSTER OF THE ENGINE, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, RPM GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, GAS TANK AND DIGITAL ODOMETER BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF AND COME BACK ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON. THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO EFFECT THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND THE GAS THAT WAS LEFT IN THE TANK, IT ALSO EFFECTED THE DOOR LOCKS WHICH DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATE AS THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH WAS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PROCESSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CONSUMER PICK THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER,WITHIN 20 MINUTES, THE CONSUMER SAW A THIN BLUISH SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT SAW NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE TO ANYTHING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10138838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. THEY FLICKERED ON AND OFF WHILE ENGAGED. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE ON THESE VEHICLES. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10117199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.