1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

TAKATA RECALL,SERPENTINE BELT HAS SHREDDED AT LEAST SIX TIMES AND JUST CAME OFF THREE TIMES ,TENSIONER REPLACED THREE TIMES,IDLER PULLEY TWICE,WHEN BELT SHREDS WIRES SEVER AND VAN STOPS ABRUPTLY,WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP ABRUPTLY HESITATING BEFORE RESUMING,SWAY BAR LINKS NEED REPLACED,O2SENSORS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON,CV AXLES FAILING REPLACED RIGHT TWICE,HUB ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE CALIPERS MISS ALIGNED,ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED AND NEEDED,REPLACED,AIRBAG AND ABS LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD PANEL FUSE BLOWING,TAILLIGHTS POSSIBLE SHORT CAUSING BRAKE LIGHT TO FAIL,BATTERY NEEDING TO BE DISCONNECTED. TO SAVE BATTERY FROM DYEING DUE TO BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON CONSTANTLY, TRANSMISSION JERKING AND HESITATING IN REVERSE AND FIRST GEAR,PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW NOT OPERATING POSSIBLE PROBLEM,BACK WINDOWS OPEN BUT WILL NOT ALWAYS SHUT,HORN NOT WORKING,REPLACED FUEL PUMP DUE TO GAS LEAK,WHEN BRAKING VAN LURCHES FORWARD,FRONT END SHAKES, TIE BAR ENDS REPLACED,HEATER BLOWS COLD ON PASSENGER SIDE AND NOT COOLING,MOST PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING,REPLACED STOP BRAKE SWITCH, BRAKE LIGHT DRIVERS SIDE ILLUMINATED, BUT NOT WHEN BRAKE PETAL PUSHED,TRANSMISSION LEAKING BY CV AXEL,TURN SIGNALS AND PANELS INSIDE BY DASH NOT ALWAYS OPERATING,ONLY WHEN NEGATIVE TERMINAL IS READJUSTMENT,LIGHTS FLASHING AS IF PANIC MODE WAS ACTIVATED WHEN CAR IS NOT ON,RATTLING. SOUND FROM FRONT OF VAN POSSIBLE CV AXEL OR SUSPENSION.

NHTSA complaint #10816372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2002 FROM AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING, ALTERNATOR, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, COOLING SYSTEM. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IS NEEDED FOR GROSS POLLUTION. THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED UNDER FAIR WEATHER CONDITIONS THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURES OF THE FAN, RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO RUN HOT, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO BLOW OUT. SERVICE FOR THESE COMPONENTS WERE PERFORMED AT AN INDEPENDANT AUTO SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10160769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STARTED WHEN I WOULD TAKE OFF IN FIRST GEAR, IT WOULD VIBRATE REALLY HARD, LIKE A MANUAL TRANSMITION DOES WHEN IT NEEDS TO DOWN SHIFT. THEN I WAS ALMOST IN A COLLISION, WHEN I WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF A HILL, AND WENT TO PULL OVER, AND TO MY SURPRISE I ROLLED BACKWARDS, AS IF IN NUTRAL. MY TRASMISSION WAS GONE. AFTER A VERY LARGE TOW BILL, AND 1500 REBUILT TRANSMISSION, MY DIM LIGHTS ONLY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO, THE PASSENGER WINDOW IS TO THE POINT WHERE IT ALMOST WONT GO UP.....THERE'S ALMOST TOO MUCH MORE TO GO ON.

NHTSA complaint #10086902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEM SHIFTING TO A LOWER GEAR WHEN ON THE ROAD. OFTEN WE CAN FEEL A JITTER WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND SHIFTING THE GEAR. THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON OFTEN FOR NO REASON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR A FEW HOURS AND GOES AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10070134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY WIPERS GOING ON AND RIGHT BACK OFF SINCE THE MONTH I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2000 . I CANT GET IT FIXED BECAUSE NOONE KNOWS WHY IT DOES IT . JUST THIS WEEK I HAD MY FAN RELAY MODULE REPLACED , ONLY TO LEARN MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW NOT WORKNIG IT STOPS AT 3RD GEAR ONLY TO DROP TO 1 GEAR . WHILE TRYING TO GET THAT FIXXED THEY TOLD ME MY WATER PUMP IS LEAKING (WHICH IS OK AND EXPECTED OF MOST VEHICLES , ) I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY DASH LIGHT COMPUTER RESET BECAUSE ALL MY AC DFROST AND WIPER LIGHTS WERE BLINKING CONTINUOUSLY. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO THIS IS ONLY A 97 MODEL AND I HAVENT EVEN MADE MY FINAL PAYMENT BUT NOW I HAVE ALL THESE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I HAVE HAD I TICK IN MY MOTOR THAT RATTLES ON ACCELERATIN FOREVER AND CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3 TO 4000 MILES LIKE I SHOULD . I ALSO HAVE THE WINNING IN THE STEERING THE THUMP EVERY SO OFTEN BUT CANT TELL WHERE THAT IS COMING FROM NOT TO MENTION MY A/C COMPRESSOR RATTLES. MY BELT ON MY TENSIONER PULLY FLU AFF ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO GOING DOWN THE ROAD I HAD TO PUT A NEW PUKKY PLUS BOTH NEW BELTS ON . AND THEY SQUEEK LIKE CRAZY . I DONT THINK THESE ARE NORMAL PROBLEMS CAN YOU HELP IT IS GETTING TO COSTLY >??????

NHTSA complaint #10071012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTO TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS WE SHIFTING FROM 1 TO 2 AND 2 TO THIRD GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10038741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE @ 55865 MILES WHILE ON VACATION IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. WAITED 5 1/2 FOR TOW, GOT TO DODGE DEALER, TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION BLEW UP, WARRANTY IS ONLY FOR 36000, BUT TRANSMISSION REPAIR IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST DODGE, CHRYSLER, PLYMOUTH VANS ACCORDING TO "INSIDE SERVICE CONSULTANTS" WHO HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES. WAS EVEN TOLD IF THE "PUBLIC" KNEW ABOUT IT, SALES WOULD TANK!

NHTSA complaint #10029241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10026715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED. THE SAME REPAIR SHOP FIXED SAME PROBLEM, SAME VEHICLE TYPE/YEAR 2 WEEKS PRIOR. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****740103

NHTSA complaint #10006388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, AND CAUSED THE REAR TIRES TO LOCK UP, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10008847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I JUST HAD MY THIRD MOPAR REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED TWO WEEKS AGO IN MY 97 PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER--3 SPEED AUTOMATIC--3.0 LITRE. I BOUGHT THIS 97 PLY GRAND VOYAGER WITH 30K MILES FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER. THIS ORIGINAL TRANS WENT AT 75K. I THEN HAD THE FIRST MOPAR REBUILT INSTALLED AND REPLACED WITHIN 3,000 MILES DUE TO A FLATLY TORQUE CONVERTER. THE SECOND, AND THIRD WERE REPLACED, AT 85K AND 97K, RESPECTFULLY, DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TORQUE CONVERTER, "SHUTTERING", PROBLEM IS THE MAIN SYMPTOM. MOPAR HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSIONS, PARTS AND LABOR, WITHOUT DELAY. MY QUESTION---WHY IS THIS HAPPENING SOOOOOOO OFTEN? THE WARRANTY IS GOOD OF 36/36,000 MILES, WHICH EXPIRES AT 111,000. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE TO THIS SITUATION? IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS? WAYNE EFFERSON.

NHTSA complaint #10005112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION BLEW. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #10004776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED VEHICLE JUMPS AND HESITATES. DEALER STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #8013180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MANUFACTURER SAYS NOT UNCOMMON FOR TRANSMISSION TO FAIL 80,000 TO 100,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #762940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 6:30 ONE MORNING ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY, DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PARK. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, STARTED THE VAN AGAIN, AND TRIED TO PROCEED. THE VAN WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. I PULLED OFF AGAIN AND CALLED MY HUSBAND. HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT "SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM" AND IT WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME IN "LIMP" MODE. THE VAN IS STILL IN THE SHOP. WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM HAS NOW TURNED INTO A MAJOR PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT SOME GEARS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BROKE. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $1500.00 OR HIGHER. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT HE HAS NOT SEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION PLACES THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. SEVERAL SITES ON THE WEB ALSO LIST CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS. THIS VAN HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY SO I THINK IT IS UNREASONABLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL LIKE IT DID. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS AT ALL. WHAT UPSETS ME IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT IN A CASE LIKE THIS. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN PASSING SOMEONE, SOMEONE HAD BEEN TAILGATING ME, ETC.? I ALSO WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT REPORT IT? WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE? MM.

NHTSA complaint #756332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE WASN'T GOING IN GEAR. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #897827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I WAS DRIVING MY PLY. GRAND VOYAGER SE HOME ON WED JULY 18TH AT APPX 6 PM. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT ( I WAS THE FIRST CAR AT THE INTERSECTION ) AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR MADE AN AWFUL GRINDING NOISE. THE PERSON BEHIND ME ASSUMED THAT I WAS MOVING AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF CRASHING INTO ME. I STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF. AS I STEPPED OUT (INTO TRAFFIC) I DID NOT SEE ANY DEBRIS OR LEAKAGE UNDERNEATH. I TRIED PUTTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE AND AAA TO TOW ME TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH MY REPAIRS AND HAD NO PRIOR HISTORY OF SLIPPAGE. I WAS TOLD THAT A PIN BECAME LOOSE AND THAT THE GEARS SIMPLY FELL OUT OF PLACE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING! THIS SCARED ME DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE A FAMILY AND MY LIFE WAS IN JEOPARDY WHILE DRIVING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A SAFE FAMILY VEHICLE. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF I HAD PRIOR WARNING SIGNS OF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, BUT FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING IS ALARMING. I HOPE THAT THIS IS NOT A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER. I HAVE OWNED 5 CARS IN MY LIFETIME. THEY HAVE ALL LASTED WELL INTO THE 100,000 MILE RANGE WITHOUT ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS DUE TO MY DILIGENT MAINTENANCE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN WORKMANSHIP THAT CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC END TO A DRIVER OR A FAMILY(IES). I HOPE THAT THIS ISSUE BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER, BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS

NHTSA complaint #750293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION - SHUDDERS/VIBRATES/HESITATES WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM 1-2 GEARS. A/C COMPRESSOR, STARTER AND/OR IGNITION, AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE HAVING PROBLEMS OR QUIT WORKING ALL AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME

NHTSA complaint #747331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN ENGINE RACES, BUT TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION ONLY FUNCTIONS PROPERLY WHEN IT IS IN REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR. DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION FIVE TIMES, WHICH HAS NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM. *AK FRONT BRAKES FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #890944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

ABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO GEAR WITHOUT HAVING FOOT ON BRAKE.

NHTSA complaint #744839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WAS NOT CHANGING GEARS . TECHNICIAN STATED THAT COOLENT WAS LEAKING INTO RADATOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON.

NHTSA complaint #886855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #886199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSON FAILED SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY. REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #742199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY MECHANIC AT KELLY BUICK DEALERSHIP IN MASON (CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP) THAT THE BOLT THAT BROKE AND CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO MY TRANSMISSION IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN IN THE DIFFERENTIAL AND THAT IN THEIR OPINION THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. AT THE TIME THAT MY VAN WAS TAKEN TO THEIR DEALERSHIP FOR DAMAGE DETERMINATION, THEY HAD A ANOTHER PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER THERE WITH SAME DAMAGE AND SINCE THEN, I HAVE LEARNED OF ANOTHER VAN THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO AND NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THIS BOLT BROKE. I ASKED THE MECHANIC IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AND HE SAID NO THAT THERE IS NO WAY OF DETERMINING THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN OR BE ABLE TO PREVENT IT THROUGH PREVENTITIVE MAINTENANCE. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT DOING 70MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE DAMAGE THAT THIS BOLT BREAKING CAUSED WHEN IT HAPPENED, CAUSED MY STEERING TO LOCK UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I HAD TO COAST TO A STOP ALONG SIDE THE ROAD. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING THE HIGHWAY AND THAT HAPPENED, I DO NOT WANT TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE TALKED WITH CHRYSLER CORP. AND THEIR POSITION IS THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER A WARRANTY, AND THAT AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VAN FOR THIS PROBLEM, THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. I DISAGREE WITH THAT DETERMINATION TOTALLY. THIS IS A REPAIR THAT WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THEIR DESIGN AND THEREFORE IS A COST INCURRED TO ME THAT IS OUT OF MY CONTROL. IT IS NOT LIKE I DID NOT TAKE CARE OF MY ENGINE OR BRAKES AND THEY FAILED ME, THAT WOULD BE IN MY CONTROL. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. EVEN THOUGH I AM SURE IT IS VERY PROFITABLE FOR CHRYSLER IN THE LONG RUN (THEY ARE GETTING PEOPLE BACK OVER AND OVER IN REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION REPAIRS) IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NEEDS TO BE HANDLED IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #739817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

DIFFERENTIAL BOLT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CRACKING CASING, AND CAUSING A HOLE IN TRANSMISSION/DAMAGING IT. MECHANIC AND AUTO PARTS STORES STATED THAT THIS WAS A REOCCURRING COMMON PROBLEM, AND A DESIGN DEFECT.*AK THE MANUFACTURER POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PART AND THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED.

NHTSA complaint #879164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DIFFERENTIAL BLEW APART, CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE, CONSUMER STATES IT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOT GUT BEING SHOT AND THEN THE VEHICLE JUST QUIT, DEALER FOUND A HOLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASING. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #879072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #735712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.