Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SUSPENSION
23097 A12/05/19976089389Test02/01/2000
02109809/25/1998602430A squeaking / chirping noise is heard ( inside or outside the vehicle ) from the strut tower area( s ). *yc11/15/1999
22029804/24/1998600750*during low speed vehicle experiences side to side oscillation/wobble while driving between 10-45mph. *ak06/05/1998
SUSPENSION - FRONT
020040107/06/2001620914Experiencing a squawk / creak / groan sound from front suspension while driving over rough / bumpy roads. *tt09/04/2001
SUSPENSION - REAR
020997A10/24/199702-09-976088761Concerns with thumping noise at rear of vehicle during cold operation. *nlm01/06/2000
02099808/28/1998602195Rattle noise from rear of the vehicle when driving over road bumps. *ak11/12/1999

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
09/30/2004108/10/1996
 On thursday, september 30, 2004 i was informed by my dealer rouen chrysler in woodville, ohio that my ls front power tower (housing for left strut, engine bracket, etc) was rusted through and would immediate repair or the strut would collapse, enginge bracket and entire front end of the car would collapse causing an accident and injury. the repair was exhorbitant initially. after discussion a service bulletin 23-044-02 was produced that indicated there was a defect for all dodge caravan's model years 1996-200. my vehicle is a 1998 dodge caravan. the service bulletin indicated a repair kit and i was given a more reasonable estimate by the rouen body shop. the service techs were seeking the problem with my horn which wasn't working on all decibles. if they had not been looking at the left front inside of the vehicle this condition would have continued until there was a fatality. my vehicle vin#2b4fp253xwr842683 has been exclusively serviced by rouen technicians from its purcase in august 1996. there is no excuse for this oversight and i fear that left unnoticed as it had been for this amount of time a fatality would have occurred. i blame this dealership entirely for this negligence and doubt if i will ever buy another chrysler product and certainly not at this dealership. the service department and warren are well aware of my concern. no action has been taken. i will need immediate transportation. my first vehicle purshased in april 1996 a plymouth voyager had complete engine failure and could nto be fixed, now this. is it any wonder i doubt the credibility of chrysler products and the long-term reliability due to proven manufacturing defects which endanger my life.*ak
07/15/200365000
 Transmission not properly shifting in 2 nd gears. air conditioning stills blows semi-warm air. sway bars replaced.
11/21/2003
 Consumer states while preparing to pull out of his driveway, both of his front wheels collapsed. he states he had his vehicle towed to the nearest service station and repaired. but he doesn't think there is a recall of this type of defect. *nlm
09/02/2002
 Consumer states that there is to much rust on the strut bars underneath the vehicle, which could eventually cause the suspension to fall down. contacted dealer please provide further information. mr
08/30/19991
 Front end alignment problems causing premature wear of the front tires. mjs
08/27/199802/01/1998
 Strut failure.
SUSPENSION - FRONT
07/06/201080000
 Tl- the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. while the vehicle was being inspected at an independent mechanic for a brake repair, the technician stated the front drivers side strut tower was corroded and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 80,000. ds
05/01/2011172000
 1998 dodge caravan strut towers rusting through. dodge said its a cosmetic repair. i bought this van used and the drivers side strut is now made my van dangerous to drive because the drivers side is now resting on strut. the seller will not let me return it.
10/16/2010117171
 1998 dodge caravan se front strut covers are completely rotted through and i can view the ground beneath. not only is this a safety issue, but an obvious manufacturer defect in the material used in such a critical location to the vehicle's structure. i am concerned the vehicle will become uncontrollable in the event of failure and serious injury could result to the driver and other vehicles.
10/11/2009106001
 I bought a 1998 dodge caravan from falls church motors falls church va after a couple of months of driving i started to notice and feel a wobble in the front left drivers front tire a few months later i had a flat while the van was parked it took me and two other men to loosen the lugs on the tire to get of the tire the jack while the van in the air bent and the van fell to the side i pulled one of the men away from the van as i saw it falling toward us we got another jack and got the van back up in the air and put the donut on i than a short time later got on the highway and the donut flew off the van if it were in traffic it could have killed me and other on the highway a couple of month later the timing belt broke and the water pump i thought the van was still under warrant of the extended warranty from falls church motors i later found out it was not they i thought fixed the timing belt it has been running rough ever since the van now while running the motor turns off while any sharp turn to the left or right they said to me in the recent past after i thought they fixed it . it's not going to run like new i feel this dealer ship did sell me a defective van and unsafe parts on the vehicles and some other vehicles they are selling maybe endangering other peoples life i met one man at a gas station he said he had a transmission problem right away and it slipping after he bought it. *tr
03/02/20091700001
 I took my vehicle in for an inspection and the mechanic informed me that the upper strut towers on my 19998 dodge caravan are rusting through causing possible steering and brake failure. i was told if the problem is not corrected and the tower collapses while drive i will loose total control of steering and possible brakes. *tr
08/15/20081
 Both strut towers on my 1998 caravan have rusted out to the point of failure. speaking to many caravan owners and going to many sites this problem seems to be very common on these vehicles. why does chrysler not have to be responsible to all these vehicle owners or the ones that might be involved in a collision due to this built in defect? *tr
03/29/2008142000109/21/1998
 1998 dodge caravan se front strut covers are completely rotted through and i can view the ground beneath. not only is this a safety issue, but an obvious manufacturer defect in the material used in such a critical location to the vehicle's structure. i am concerned the vehicle will become uncontrollable in the event of failure and serious injury could result to the driver and other vehicles. *tr
09/17/20041
 Experience lost of engine power and steering. bolts broken and replace gaskets. lost steering while driving. *bf the front end appeared to be much lower than usual and the belt was hanging below the chassis. *sc
09/30/2004108/10/1996
 On thursday, september 30, 2004 i was informed by my dealer rouen chrysler in woodville, ohio that my ls front power tower (housing for left strut, engine bracket, etc) was rusted through and would immediate repair or the strut would collapse, enginge bracket and entire front end of the car would collapse causing an accident and injury. the repair was exhorbitant initially. after discussion a service bulletin 23-044-02 was produced that indicated there was a defect for all dodge caravan's model years 1996-200. my vehicle is a 1998 dodge caravan. the service bulletin indicated a repair kit and i was given a more reasonable estimate by the rouen body shop. the service techs were seeking the problem with my horn which wasn't working on all decibles. if they had not been looking at the left front inside of the vehicle this condition would have continued until there was a fatality. my vehicle vin#2b4fp253xwr842683 has been exclusively serviced by rouen technicians from its purcase in august 1996. there is no excuse for this oversight and i fear that left unnoticed as it had been for this amount of time a fatality would have occurred. i blame this dealership entirely for this negligence and doubt if i will ever buy another chrysler product and certainly not at this dealership. the service department and warren are well aware of my concern. no action has been taken. i will need immediate transportation. my first vehicle purshased in april 1996 a plymouth voyager had complete engine failure and could nto be fixed, now this. is it any wonder i doubt the credibility of chrysler products and the long-term reliability due to proven manufacturing defects which endanger my life.*ak
07/23/2004105/15/1998
 I went to the dealership where i had purchased the van in 1998 with the intent of researching the value for a trade in. first item they looked at was the shock towers in the front of the van. showed me how they had almost rusted through, explaind to me how this was a common issue for this van, thus lowering the trade in value and also informing me as to the dangers involved. which wer subsquently confirmed my a mechanic. the customer service at chrysler blew me off. there is no other rust on the van in this magnititude. help please.*ak
08/03/20031
 I have a 1998 dodge grand caravan we have had the steering rac replaced twice. we also have constant alignment problems what we are wondering has there ever been reports on the front seats (drivers seat) separating as this is what happened 8/3/03 the welding has seperated and the support bar has snapped completely apart we have never seen anything like it. *ak
12/01/1998808/01/1998
 Consumer states left front side of vehicle appears to be lower than the right and the brakes wear down only on the front left side, vehicle skidded when brakes were being applied which caused an accident consumer was advised front caliper, rotor and brake pads were needed because they were worn, dealership advised consumer they could not explain why vehicle was skidding, consumer is having to replace the rotor, caliper and brake only on front side every 8000 miles, consumer was advised by delearship that this type of vehicle is known to have problems with the brakes and would probably have to be replaced every six months. *jb key would not turn in ignition, dealer attempted to remove cylinder and it broke, dealer replaced. tape dragged in the tape player, dealer replaced. at times when starting vehicle, there is no radio, lights, or horn, dealer could not find any problems. serpentine belt was replaced. slight fluid leak from transmission cooler line,consumer states transmission jerked. arm rest fastner backed off. left front brakes continue to wear and pull vehicle, brakes lock up causing vehicle to skid. *slc
01/01/19980
 While driving at 35 mph vehicle starts to shimmey. if driver takes hand off the steering wheel it will shake back and forth.*ak
 While driving at high speed extreme vibration occurs in front end of vehicle. cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
08/30/19991
 Front end alignment problems causing premature wear of the front tires. mjs
01/01/1998
 While driving at freeway speeds a high frequency vibration occurs in the front end of the vehicle which is not caused by the wheels. vibration seems to get worse. dealer/manufacturer did not repair vehicle. *ak
08/01/1998
 Vehicle wobbles in the front end when driving at low speeds. tsb low speed tire wobble 22-02-98 /04-24-98. dealer contacted and not aware of the problem. cannot remedy the problem. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT
01/01/19011
 1998 dodge caravan with strut problems concerning rust. customer states that the struts mount totally rusted out. customer states that this could cause a serious accident if this problem goes un-repaired. *kb the consumer was informed by a mechanic, that there is a design defect with caravans. the mechanic went on to say the struts were mounted under the hood. the consumer received several opinions and was told that eventually the struts will force their way into the engine compartment. the manufacturer was aware of the problem and provided dealers with a repair kit which welds a new strut over the old one. *jb
05/28/2005107/05/2001
 Dt: front suspension: strut rusted. there is noise in the front suspension, but the consumer is not sure if this was related to the corroded struts. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and they said that the struts should be replaced within a couple of months. the dealer was going to charge the consumer to fix the vehicle. the consumer talked to other people with similar problems. *ak the rust was on top of the strut tower which was weakening the structure so that the strut spring began to protrude through the support. *sc *jb
03/16/20041
 The left front strut tower assembly was rusted, which could cause the strut to come out on the side of the vehicle. consumer anticipated that this could cause the front end of the vehicle to drop unexpectedly.*ak
02/07/20051
 Strut tower corrosion - failure in near future 1998 dodge caravan 86000 miles quoted $ 800 to repair this should be a general recall by manufacturer !!!!!*jb
12/15/2004110/11/2001
 Left strut tower rusted almost through. mechanic refused to replace strut. currently searching for repair alternative.*ak
09/01/20031
 Driver's side strut tower rusted and was coming through the top of the vehicle. consumer took vehicle to the dealer, but problem was not resolved. *ak
07/29/2004115000109/05/1999
 Preparing for trip, noticed large amount of rust/corrosion on driver side strut tower. large chuncks of rusted metal loosened when lightly touched. this was within two weeks of an oil change, lube and filter at the dealership where purchased in 1999. had checked by local mechanics, all said, get rid of the car. did research and discovered service bulletin was issued regarding this problem. dealership stated never seen this before. *ak .
08/06/20041
 Consumer took the vehicle to dealer for routine maintenance, and mechanic determined that the strut tower needed to be replaced due to corrosion. *ak a recall was issued for this problem but the consumer's vehicle was not included due to vine. the consumer had to pay $500 for the repairs. *nm
07/06/20041
 While driving the vehicle consumer heard a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that the struts rusted.*ak
04/27/2003670001
 Consumer states vehicle's left front strut tower is cracked on top. dealer notified. *mr the mechanic stated that this wasn't an unusual failure and without repair, the problem will get worse until the suspension breaks. *scc
1
 The vehicle had significant rust on strut towers, so much that it would mot pass inspection and severla mechanics expressed concern about the suspension falling out of the vehicle. *yh
SUSPENSION - FRONT - SHOCK ABSORBER
08/12/200208/01/2000
 Our mechanic alerted us to an abnormal, excessive amount of rust on strut towers. he indicated that the suspension will fall out if not repaired in near future. additionally, he indicated that this vehicle will not pass inspection in its present condition. we contacted daimler chrysler regarding this issue. they suggested that we have our local dealership inspect the problem (preston dodge-butler, pa). the autobody manager there concurred with our mechanic's opinion and indicated because of the abnormality, that daimler chryser should pay for the repair of this problem. however, daimler chrysler has stated that they will not do so. *ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR
07/03/200363000307/02/2003
 On my way home from the dealership i heard a noise in the front end when i arrived home i called a mechanic the next day. he looked at my van on that monday to find the stabilizer bar broke and zippity strip to the strut which was also bad. the dealer let me drive 180 miles with my son in the vehicle, and the front end was like this. the following week i was driving down the road and white smoke started to come from the vents so i returned to the mechanic and paid $105.00 to have freon with dye ran through my system to find the evaporator was bad and needed replaced, which would cost at least $860.00. then at 36 days of ownership and only 64000 miles the constant velocity joint is bad and a new transaxle is going to have to be put in this week. i have called the dealership where it was purchased and all they can say is were sorry we got the vehicle in 2 days prior to my purchase and was never inspected, there money was more important than me and my son. i then called the daimler chrysler corporation where they were rude and said there is no recalls on your vehicle theres nothing we can do for you. i know from some research there has been a big problem with the evaporators on chrysler products. please help me i do not know what else to do. this is the van i will be driving my two sons to school in, i starting to wonder how safe we will be. *ak
SUSPENSION - REAR
12/05/2000110/01/1997
 We had to replace sway bar and link-bars and were told that this seemed abnormal for such a young car and that it could be a manufacturing defect, however dodge will not claim any responsibility. total cost to us was $494.30. *ak
02/15/200011/01/1998
 Have fleet of 85 vehicles all breaking at similar location. need investigation. *ak