Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 08/26/2012 | 156000 | 1 | |
| Nothing has happened yet, but fear of front end collapse is mounting. the strut towers look severely rusted even though older and newer vehicles of the same make and model do not demonstrate this potential failure. it seems that if this fails that the strut would push through the tower causing front wheel to move up and back resulting in loss of control, sudden swerve, and potential catastrophic collision. *tr | |||
| 08/26/2012 | 156000 | ||
| Nothing has happened yet, but fear of front end collapse is mounting. the strut towers look severely rusted even though older and newer vehicles of the same make and model do not demonstrate this potential failure. it seems that if this fails that the strut would push through the tower causing front wheel to move up and back resulting in loss of control, sudden swerve, and potential catastrophic collision. | |||
| 05/20/2012 | 97852 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that the brakes were applied but the vehicle did not respond. the contact added brake fluid to the vehicle and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. the mechanic discovered that the strut tower was rusted and the wheel cylinder had failed. the vehicle was not repaired. the dealer was notified and told the contact to bring the vehicle in for repairs at the contact | |||
| 05/20/2012 | 97852 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1996 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that the brakes were applied but the vehicle did not respond. the contact added brake fluid to the vehicle and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. the mechanic discovered that the strut tower was rusted and the wheel cylinder had failed. the vehicle was not repaired. the dealer was notified and told the contact to bring the vehicle in for repairs at the contact | |||
| 05/20/2012 | 97852 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1996 dodge caravan. the contact stated that he was driving and tried to slow down but the brakes failed. the contact stated once he got the vehicle to stop he poured a bottle of brake fluid in to the vehicle and was able to drive home. the contact had an independent mechanic look at the vehicle and notice that the strut tower was rusted out and also the the wheel cylinder failed. the vehicle was not repaired. the dealer was notified and told him to bring the vehicle in to get repaired and he would have to pay the cost. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 97852. ap. | |||
| 08/24/2004 | 92000 | 4 | 07/01/2000 |
| There are two major problems with my 1996 dodge grand caravan. first there is a serious vibration in the front wheel/tires. i have replaced 8 tires (in 30000 miles!), both front axles, all three motor mounts, and had the transmission overhauled, as well as having three alignment checks. the vibration is still there. the second problem involves the windshield wipers. the front wipers were, for a time, coming on any time they felt like it; this was remedied by replacing the multi function switch on 09/21/01. since then, the rear wiper will occasionally come on for one swipe when i first start the vehicle - annoying, but not an immediate hazard. but today, my windshield wipers quit working at all. they will only work if i put the wipers on interval - in which case they do nothing for a time, then make two to four swipes, then wait a while, make one or two swipes, wait a while, etc. they will make one high speed swipe across the windshield if i press the washer button in. i spent $80 today so the dodge dealer could tell me this was caused by a body control module failure. this repair costs over $400...and researching a used part online, i learned that both the wheel shimmy problem and the windshield wiper problems are not unique to my car but are very common issues with the dodge caravan/chrysler town & country/plymouth voyager family. losing your wipers, having them come on at random when they take a notion to, and a non-stop shimmy in the front are each, by themselves, serious safety issues warranting a recall. collectively, they spell out a lack of concern that daimler chrysler has for the safety of those who drive their products. it is my understanding from my online research that chrysler was aware of the problem as long ago as 1998 but deliberately ignored its own information. it is apparent that the only way these safety issues are going to be addressed is if the federal government takes them to task.*ak | |||
| 07/04/2004 | 1 | ||
| I have a 1996 dodge grand caravan se that has 105,000 miles on it and the strut towers have rusted through. i have checked the internet and this is a common problem with the grand caravans. i would like to know if chrysler has to stand behind the repair of these as they have ignored the fact that this is a common problem. | |||
| 06/15/2003 | 170000 | ||
| We took our 1996 grand caravan in for recalls that dodge sent us. they called my wife back and told her it was condemnable and unsafe to drive, because the strut tower was very badly rusted. by the time i had the chance to call them, because i was at work, the person she talked to had left, however i did talk to another person acquainted with the vehicle. he said because of the mileage and that i wasn't the original owner dodge wouldn't do anything for us. he also said it would cost $2000.00 per side to fix and the van wasn't worth it. i said this is a serious thing and it should be fixed by chrysler because they obviously used inferior materials on that part of the van. he said that they would not fix it, and the weather where we live had something to do with it. i said so i am just out of a vehicle to drive?, and he said you can drive it but it's not safe. now the other man told my wife that if she hit a hole or went over rr tracks it could come completely through and she would lose total control of the vehicle. the auto body man we took it to said that the part should have been galvanized when they made it and this wouldn't be happening. another thing i would like to note is that our 1994 caravan did not have this problem and it had over 270,000 miles on it. also this 1996 does not have rust anywhere else. someone is going to get hurt or killed if they don't recall these and fix them. they recalled a clock spring for the airbag, and they didn't ask the mileage of our vehicle, and they performed all the other recalls on it that day so they could get there money, but they won?t do anything about a suspension component that is life threatening. i would like also to add that your car doesn't need to have an airbag to be safe or run, but it does need a suspension. this is not an only case, we have another 1996 grand caravan that looks like rust is bubbling under the paint at that same spot, so it is a very easy thing to not see. | |||
| 06/23/2003 | 69650 | 1 | 05/16/1995 |
| Car taken to dealership on two occasions for front end noise in the last 6 months. dealership failed to properly diagnose problem. upsold other service repair work as needed but not related to front end noise. vehicle taken to outside service station for noise and told needed struts (previously done earlier in the year already) mechanic unable to perform repair due to rusting of both front strut towers. vehicle brought back to dealer for further inquiry regarding rust of towers. service manager acknowledged problem when i pointed it out. he had no explanation why his technicians failed to indentify on prior service visits. chrysler contacted and willing to offer goodwill of 1/2 cost for body shop repairs. no loaner car provided. waiting for adhesive needed to complete work, parts ordered 6/24/03, car left with dealership for 1 week. no repair done, no notification of delay. car picked up unrepaired on 7/1/03 and forced to now drive an unsafe vehicle until such time they receive parts to do repairs. unable to obtain whereabouts or shipping info on parts still needed as of 7/7/03. *ak consumer called on 7/21/2003 to say the vehicle has been fixed by the dealer. | |||
| 06/18/2003 | 1 | 12/03/1998 | |
| The consumer stated the left strut tower rusted through, which increased the risk of a front suspension drop.*ak *ts *jb | |||
| 03/25/2003 | 1 | 02/01/2001 | |
| The shock towers, which held the shocks to the vehicle's body, rusted excessively. *kg *scc *nlm | |||
| 08/17/2001 | 1 | 08/17/2001 | |
| 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. *ak | |||
| Body control has gone out three times. windshild wipers would not work. | |||
| 07/10/2000 | |||
| Consumer was under hood & noticed strut rod was rusted. consumer took vehicle to a mechanic, and found out that rod could break through and cause vehicle to lose control. *ak | |||
| At high and low speeds the vehicle shakes and shimmies uncontrolably. dealer cant find the problem. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 07/06/2010 | 135000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1996 dodge grand caravan. while inspecting the vehicle the contact noticed the front drivers side strut tower was corroded. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the technicians informed the contact there was a kit that could be installed to repair the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 135,000. ds | |||
| 06/28/2009 | 120000 | 1 | |
| 96 grand caravan strut mount rust couldn't pass inspection and they said my kids could have died if i had a accident. this should be a major recall. the government involves in every aspect of our lives to keep our children safe until it makes corporation pay money to fix a known problem let see what you guys do with this. sorry im upset just seems extremely dangerous and as i read on the internet tons of people with this problem and chrysler knows about it caused i called the to and said if i had a issue to write to you guys but most likely nothing will be done. that is a quote from a chrysler customer service rep. *tr | |||
| 02/04/2009 | 155200 | 1 | |
| Front strut towers rusted through. nothing has been done to correct the failure yet, but if it completely rusts, i'm sure an accident will happen because nothing will be supporting the front of the vehicle. *tr | |||
| 08/13/2008 | 154000 | 1 | |
| Strut tower, driver's side is extremely rusted - a hard bump will certainly push the suspension spring assembly through the top causing loss of vehicle control. *tr | |||
| 06/30/2008 | 114328 | 1 | |
| 1996 dodge grand caravan corrosion perforation condition at the top of the strut tower. the front driver side strut tower rusted. i am very concerned that the front end will collapse while driving. driver's side strut tower completely rusted away. making vehicle unsafe to be on the road. someone is going to get hurt or killed if they don't recall these and fix them. apparently chrysler wants to be named after someone else once someone gets killed and then they sue chrysler and win for chrysler being careless and cheap when building a vehicle. i am very upset because it is going to cost me $1200 to fix my driver side strut tower because of the massive rust my kids ride in this vehicle and i didn't build it i think the people who did should recall it and fix it for us, minivans are kid vehicles we don't buy them just to ride and look cool in them they transport precious cargo our kids i have three and if something were to happen to them because of a bad company making cheap stuff someone would have to answer to me for it. i bought the minivan thinking dodge was a responsible company and good company but i am now having second thoughts about it with this happening. *tr | |||
| 07/21/2004 | 125258 | 1 | |
| While driving 35 mph front end failed. consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. dealership was notified,but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 10/03/2003 | 97000 | 1 | 09/01/1995 |
| While getting having the vehicle serviced, the consumer noticed that the body strut mount tower had completely rusted out on the driver side. the consumer was told by a certified mechanic that after a few more miles the entire front suspension would collapse. *ak *scc *jb | |||
| 07/07/2003 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for an alignment. the mechanic stated that struts and spring tower are rusted, and recommended that consumer take the vehicle to the dealer. the vehicle was taken to the dealer on 7/7/2003.*ak | |||
| 03/01/2002 | 11/01/2098 | ||
| Left front strut tower rusting through with danger of collapse and vehicle accident. dt | |||
| Who can tell me if the car is safe to continue driving? is there a hidden warranty? dt | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer states there were problems with alignment of vehicle. *slc | |||
| 02/17/2001 | 01/01/1999 | ||
| We are not sure what is wrong with the van but the shimmy doesn't seem to be fixed by anything. we have had the tires replaced twice. we have had the transmission serviced. we have had the half shalfts looked at and they seem to be fine. i need help on deciding what to do next.*ak | |||
| 08/01/1999 | 1 | 06/01/1996 | |
| The transmission shifting prolem and clunk in front end have not yet been located by dealer. these problens have existed for 4 and 8 months respectively. this is very frustrating and the vehicle is now out of warranty. *ak | |||
| 05/01/1997 | 09/01/1995 | ||
| Front end virbration at 35 mph comes up thru the steering also. reported to daimler chrysler they acknowledge there is a problem, and that it is dangerous one. | |||
| Front rotors warped or flawed. heavy steering wheel and front end vibration during downgrade slow braking. fuel tank is collapsed which will hold only about 13 gallons. wipers coming on intermittently and gets worse when climate gets hot. belt tensioner failed which can hit and break the main crankshaft pulley. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM | |||
| 1 | |||
| Bolt that secures the rocker arm to the engine head were not drilled deep enough to allow even tension to secure the rocker arm shaft properly causing it to break and resulting in violent vibration. nlm | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT | |||
| 02/28/2005 | 50000 | 1 | 01/01/1998 |
| Dt*: the contact stated there is an excessive amount of rust on both strut mounts. the rust was first noticed four years ago. the contact originally suspected the rust was surface rust however, it became progressively worse on the passenger side in the past year. the dealership offered a remedy however, no repairs have been made. updated 04/11/06. *jb | |||
| 03/23/2005 | 137000 | 1 | |
| The front driver side strut tower rusted. consumer was concerned that the front end will collapse while driving. *ak driver's side strut tower completely rusted away. making vehicle unsafe to be on the road. *bf | |||
| 01/28/2005 | 90000 | 2 | 09/01/2001 |
| Took my 1996 dodge caravan in for transmission repair. shop would not repair and said the vehicle was inoperable due to rusting out of strut mount tower. have not seen this on any other vehicle. *jb | |||
| 10/01/2004 | 1 | ||
| While driving vehicle would ride roughly. consumer drove vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic determined that a bulge was located in the housing struts area, and needed to be replaced. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| The strut tower assembly was rusted on vehicle. *mr the consumer believes the quality of the material used is the problem. *nm | |||
| 06/17/2004 | 122000 | 1 | |
| The strut tower rusted . as a result the strut pushed through the hood, and the frame collapsed. *ak | |||
| 04/01/2004 | 120000 | 1 | 08/01/1997 |
| Front strut towers rusting through. told by service 'vehicle not safe to drive'. told to replace vehicle. *nm | |||
| 07/01/2003 | 88000 | 1 | 10/01/1995 |
| The consumer stated the passenger strut tower housing rusted severely, there was no other rust on the vehicle. *ak *jb | |||
| 79000 | 1 | ||
| Front right side struts are rusting out. this results in suspension and steering loss. cause unknown.*ak | |||
| 09/01/2000 | 60000 | 1 | |
| Front struts are rusting through, resulting in windshield cracking. dealer contacted. please provide additional information. ts...*ak | |||
| 12/14/1999 | 05/01/1996 | ||
| Automatic lock motor doesn't shut off right away when opened from keyless remote or during autolock when driving, struts are leaking oil at less than 50000 miles, windshield wipers lock up during cold weather, transmission slips out of gear during cold weather, front brakes vibrate and chatter: pads and rotors have been replaced twice in the last 6 months, grinding noise from steering column, whinning noise during accelleration. are there any recalls regarding these issues. the car is falling apart after 4 years. *ak | |||
| 05/30/1998 | |||
| Front end still noisy after replacing left front strut, swaybar bushing, tie rod ends, swaybar cusions, and evaperator. | |||
| 08/31/1996 | 1 | 10/03/1995 | |
| Consumer was driving and the front strut weld broke the suspension . please describe .*ak consumer states the weld that attaches the stabilizer link ball joint to the strut broke, causing the link to come loose and tanled in the steering. *slc | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SHOCK ABSORBER | |||
| 09/08/2005 | 1 | 09/08/2005 | |
| Shock tower on drivers side of vehicle is rusting through. if rusts through can be very dangerous,would make right front of vehicle fall and send shock through hood possibly causing a severe accidentally dodge dealer in my town they said there was two other vehicles that came in same year make and model but no recall. chrysler dealer told me my vehicle was ten years old and i live in a salt state so there was nothing they could do. if it were one vehicle ok but i live in a small town and if there were three that's to many. and also its not something you notice easily. *jb | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumer heard noise fom right side of vehicle. technician indicated that strut tower needed to be replaced.*ak | |||
| 01/01/2001 | 1 | 08/01/2095 | |
| The strut tower did not fail at this time and no person was killed or injured, also no damage has occured. but i would like to report that the strut tower is rusting thru on the front right side of the mini van. if this should rust completly through while the mini van is moving at highway speeds, the driver could experience total loss of control and that could lead to serious injury and property damage including death of up to seven occupants of the minivan. what is chysler going to do to repair my minivan before a acident happens?*ak | |||
| 08/20/2002 | |||
| Right front shock absorber tower is rusting. if tower lets go, someone can be killed. please provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 08/28/2001 | |||
| Strut tower on passenger's front is rusted through, mileage at time was 96000.*ak | |||
| 03/01/2001 | 1 | 01/01/1996 | |
| Air bag light comes on when steering wheel is turned. probable clock spring failure. front strut tower severely rusted. if strut tower fails, loss of steering control may result. | |||
| While driving vehicle front end has problems.owner notes many parts have been replaced, tie rods/shocks,and pittman arms. cause has not been determined. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - COIL SPRINGS | |||
| 11/01/2001 | 03/01/2096 | ||
| The air bag light remained lit, the horn did not work, and the speed control did not operate. keystone dodge charged me $267.31 to replace the clockspring assembly. this part has been recalled on chrysler mini vans. i want to be reimbursed for my personal expense to repair this essential safety equipment. dt | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR | |||
| 09/22/2001 | |||
| Front stablizer bar broke. took vehicle in for service, and mechanic found stablizer bar broken. contacted dealer, and dealer stated that was not possible for stablizer bar to break. *ak | |||
| 08/31/1996 | 1 | 10/03/1995 | |
| Consumer was driving and the front strut weld broke the suspension . please describe .*ak consumer states the weld that attaches the stabilizer link ball joint to the strut broke, causing the link to come loose and tanled in the steering. *slc | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 1 | |||
| The sway end link bar failed. nlm | |||
| Consumer heard a loud noise coming from front end of vehicle while driving.. while vehicle was being serviced technician noticed sway bar needed to be replaced. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 12/15/1999 | |||
| Reporting a defect with the vehicle sway bar link alignment. dealer was contacted. please provide further detail. *ak | |||
| 04/15/1999 | 2 | 01/01/1996 | |
| Sway bars failed and are expensive to replace. mechanic says that he is replacing alot of them on dodge products and that it is a case of poor engineering. bill $200 for both sides and he said to expect them to continue going bad -- since there are no other aftermarket manufacturers making these parts he must replace them with dodge branded oem. *ak | |||
| 10/30/1996 | |||
| Transmission/steering column/horn/struts/brakes/sway bars/battery/windshield wiper switch and a/c condensor failed. | |||
| 1 | 10/12/1995 | ||
| Rear suspension failed. | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SHOCK ABSORBER | |||
| 07/05/1996 | 5 | 06/01/1996 | |
| First incident of rear shocks going bad was only at 1000 miles, less than one month from delivery of van to us. since that time, we have had five failures of the rear (mostly right) shocks. currently we are scheduled to have a sixth replacement of rear right shock on 06/22/00. not only does this right shock problem seem habitual, the dealer insists that this is not a lemom problem and not a habitual one. six times to have a shock replacement with only 43,700 miles on a car? we find this hard to believe and do not know where to go to get the help we need to either get the shocks fixed once and for all or for a complete investigation into our car to see if the frame of the car was built crooked. that is our gut feel as we have had consistent problems with the right side of the van. not only the right shocks but also the right side passenger door has needed alignment four times and we have had two leaks on the right side front roof. help us as we are feeling very stuck in what we can do to get this vehicle fixed properly or take steps to get dodge to stand up to thier five star performance and help us get this van fixed! we have nothing good to say about dodge because of this habitual problem with the right side of this vehicle. when we purchased this van almost five years ago, we expected quality and not to have to take it into the repair shop every six months for shock repairs, etc. our investment in this car was to be a car that would provide transportation to our family for at lease ten years. we can not afford to change vehicles every five years! help us!! there is something inheriantly wrong with this vehicle to require six shock replacements in less than five years and we want to know why!! thank you for your help and assistance. *ak | |||
| Went to start vehicle & the starter failed to connect. managed to get vehicle to shop. informed by mechanic started burned out. also, shocks/struts were leaking fluid & needed to be changed. in addition, water pump was leaking due to corrosion. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY | |||
| 06/02/1998 | 1 | 02/01/1996 | |
| Leaf spring broke causing loss of control. | |||