Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ||||||
| EA01007 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC | 02/21/2001 | 11/22/2002 | AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING | 02V293000 | |
| There is no summary currently available | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 09/15/2010 | 47000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1998 dodge grand caravan. while driving approximately 30 mph he noticed the speedometer was reading a speed of 0 mph. this recurred intermittently, but the vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure and was not repaired. the failure mileage was 47,000 and the current mileage was 48,000. the vin was unavailable. sm. | |||
| 06/05/2006 | 74953 | 1 | |
| My van will shut off and come back on without warning so long as your foot is on the gas. if you are coming to a stop it will shut down completely but will restart. the check engine light will come on and immediately go back out with no codes stored. the crank and cam sensor have both been replace by the dealer but didn't solve the problem. this is dangerous when going into a corner or through an intersection when it completely shuts down. this started in 2006 and is still going on. *tr | |||
| 09/13/2006 | 149766 | 1 | 06/01/2006 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge grand caravan. whenever the contact shifts, the vehicle makes an unfamiliar noise. when the vehicle is parked, it operates normally. the transmission stalls and will start back up, but it is unreliable. the vehicle would rev and have to be restarted in order for the revving to stop. if there is a power fluctuation, the rear wipers will turn on and off at random. the high beams on the headlights do not work, but the failure was repaired. the parking light on the front driver's side failed. he replaced the bulb, but it still does not work. the contact stated that he is constantly replacing the low beam lights. the serpentine belt slips off; however, it has been repaired. the check engine light flashes on and off and there is a burning electrical smell coming from the vehicle. the front strut assembly is rusting and rotting. the rocker panel on the driver's side is rusted completely. the current mileage was 186,000 and failure mileage was 149,766. updated 09/10/08 *bf updated 09/11/08.*jb | |||
| 07/20/2008 | 90000 | 1 | |
| 1997 grand caravan se - repeated intermittent failure of dash gauges. when this occurs, no feedback from car on speed or gas level. this is a dangerous condition. additionally, there is occasional stalling. multiple other consumers appear to have same problems. see http://www.automotiveforums.com/t220421.html for postings. the mechanic did not fix, would apparently have to throw parts at it (like many of the consumers described in the above posting without success). thank you. *tr | |||
| 08/11/2004 | 149766 | 1 | |
| I own a 1997 dodge grand caravan se all wheel drive. my van has 185,000 miles on it aprox. and had 149,000 when purchased in 2004. i am having several electrical issues with the van from the get go to current. my front wipers will come on by them self at any given time and they refuse to shut off. i have to pull my car over and shut it down and hope when i start it next that the wipers will stay off. just recently my check engine light keeps popping off and then back on and continues to do so. my rear a/c and heater blower works intermittently. i go through headlights like im drinking water and most recently my cigarette lighter no longer has power to it. i would like to be able to charge my cell phone in the van. i have taken the van to my mechanic and have had repairs done to correct the issues but they seem to be unrepairable. i also own a 1996 plymouth voyager that has the same very wiper issue. i have filed a complaint with chrysler. *tr | |||
| 08/10/2007 | 176000 | 1 | 05/15/1997 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge grand caravan. while driving 65 mph, the contact noticed smoke rising from the hood of the vehicle. the fire department was able to contain the flames to the engine compartment before extinguishing the fire. a police and fire report was filed. the current and failure mileages were 176,000. | |||
| 07/05/2006 | 131000 | 3 | 04/22/2003 |
| The battery light came on in my 1997 grand caravan and a couple of minutes later the abs light came on. when i got to work i cut the car off and tried to restart it. it did start but the cut off. then it would not start at all. no dash lights anything. i waited about 3 hours and tried to start it again and nothing happened. when the tow truck came and the driver got in and tried to start it, again it was totally dead. he left the key in the on position while we talked and then about a minute later the dash light came on and he started it. the dealer could not find anything wrong with it. this happened once before about a year ago. on the way to work all the lights came on in the dash and i pulled over and cut the car off. after about 10 minutes i tried it again and it started with no problem. i am concerned that it is a problem with the computer. have you heard of this problem before? *nm | |||
| 11/20/2005 | 120000 | 15 | 01/17/2005 |
| 1. wipers turns on automatically - usually when a turn signal is on. 2. service engine light turns on frequently with p1698 code and no other pending code. present interval at an average of a week. dealer cannot find the root of the problem. found out this incident is very common as discussed in several chatrooms. incident usually starts with abs light on then instrument cluster dies, followed by airbag light then the service engine light. at incident, power door locks does not work. at incident, sometimes abs and airbag light will turn off after s short drive then the instrument panel will work. 3.rear interior lights remain lit even when dash switch is off and no door ajar. sometimes a single interior light turns on when starting engine and remain lit. *jb | |||
| 09/10/2004 | 97450 | 1 | 08/17/1997 |
| I have a dodge grand caravan, and while i am driving, the engine just stops working and my steering wheel gets very hard to manuver. i took it the the car dealer and they can't figure out what is wrong with it. this is very dangerous.*ak | |||
| 03/25/2004 | 92000 | 1 | 11/01/1998 |
| Reported problem to dodge corp. several years ago about wipers coming on by themselves. was advised that since no recall, no remedy. on this issue, my research shows that there have been enough complaints and this issue should be handled by a recall. secondly, and most recently. both driver and passenger windows failed. dodge represents that time/mileage precludes repair at their cost. rear wing vent window quit working approx. a week ago (mar. 2004). vehicle seems to be falling apart electronically. mileage/warranty should not be an issue. defects are defects. recall requested. *jb *nm | |||
| 03/05/2004 | 100000 | 1 | |
| While driving rear right audio speaker caught on fire. vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and the fire was put out with a large burlap bag. *ak | |||
| 72742 | 1 | ||
| Fan belt kept sliding off got broken. *ph this problem would occur when it would rain or snow. the part was replaced four times. the cruise control had become inoperative and the air bag light had come on. *sc | |||
| 04/02/2000 | 49000 | 50 | 02/24/2000 |
| Vehicle has experienced multiple electrical problems since it was purchased three years ago: windshield wipers come on by themselves for no reason, cd player works intermittently, instrument panel goes haywire and we lose the gauges and mileage, power door locks work intermittently, keyless entry works intermittently, air conditioner odor and fan problems, sometimes cool air sometimes not and the list goes on. *la | |||
| 07/01/2003 | 55000 | 06/07/1997 | |
| My 97 dodge grand caravan has an electrical defect causing the gear selector, abs, and service engine soon light to display on the dash. dealer is unable to determine cause. | |||
| 2 | |||
| Vehicle is experiencing several electrical problems, the starter motor failed and was replaced, the front window would not go down, the passenger side sliding door lock will not work from the key control, the wipers occasionally go on when the directional is activated, all the bells and lights came on along with the doors locking for a period of about 5 minutes while vehicle was in motion, vehicle would not start, consumer states it seemed like the battery was dead and on one occasion the vehicle would not shut off until the battery was disconnected. *slc | |||
| 01/01/2001 | 1 | ||
| The ignition wires and spark plugs failed and were replaced. *yh | |||
| 09/22/2001 | 1 | ||
| Wiring harness fire at battery and under hood fuse block, claim 20-5416-549. *slc | |||
| 06/16/1998 | 10 | ||
| Consumer has been having electrical problem with his converted van when he tried to get in or get out of vehicle. the ramp did not work properly. also, some others bottoms did not work. dealer and manufacturer contacted. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 05/03/2004 | 119000 | 1 | 09/07/2001 |
| Consumer received nhtsa recall 00v268000 concerning fuel leakage. consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for a routine check up, and the mechanic informed the consumer that the recall repairs were done properly. on ma 3, 2004 while driving, the consumer noticed that smoke was coming from the hood. suddenly the vehicle caught on fire. consumer extinguished the fire. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, but dealer was unable to resolve the problem. *ak while backing out of the driveway the vehicle hesitated and was turned off. the consumer then turned on the vehicle back on again return back into the driveway when the smoke started to come out of the engine compartment. the mechanics identified that the rubber bushings on the original fuel rail. the gas leak was still present and coming from the bushings. *sc the vehicle was originally taken to the dealership for a alternator problem. *jb | |||
| 09/12/1999 | 02/01/1998 | ||
| We returned home at 1:00 pm. we were leaving again at 1:20 pm. my wife noticed the vehicle smoking in the driveway. the key was not in the ignition and the car was not running. i opened the hood and noted a small fire down near the oil filter. we called the fire department. they arrived and stated the probable cause of the fire was a short circuit at or near the starter. dodge was contacted and began a file (#6224504) on the event. they sent a representative, mike gigante, to our home on 09/16/99 to determine the cause. he could not specifically say what caused the fire but he did state that the fire ocurred at the starter. we are not privy to the report filed by mr. gigante. dodge claims that a letter was mailed to us on the 21st of september. today is the 27th of september and we have not received it. the woman at customer service read the letter to me on 09/27/99 which stated that the fire was not caused by a manufacturer's defect and that they are not responsible for the cost of repairs. this is not acceptable to us. we still do not know what caused the fire; we currently have no confidence in the vehicle even if it is repaired unless we know the cause ; dodge's response is unacceptable to us; they have not made any reasonable conclusion as to the cause of the fire. after we get the burnt starter motor replaced could it spontaneously short circuit and cause a fire again? we have three young children and fear driving the car after it is repaired. we cannot park the car anywhere without wondering what could happen if a fire starts at night time or when the car is parked outside or inside our attached garage. please investigate this matter; we are concerned for ourselves as well as for others driving the 1997 grand caravan. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 11/14/2000 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle caught fire, fire contained to engine compartment only, apparenty there was a problem with the battery and it ignited the engine, claim 15-3030-879. *slc | |||
| 08/29/2000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer was at a gas station when vehicle started smelling, wires melted, battery was sitting on two wires of wiring harness and caused wires to short out, claim 13-7061-575. *slc | |||
| 08/29/2000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer started to smell burning wires, the battery was sitting on two wires of wiring harness and caused wires to short out, claim 13-7061-575. *slc | |||
| 11/14/2000 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle caught fire, there was a problem with the battery and it ignited in the engine compartment, the fire was contained to the engine compartment only, claim 15-3030-879. *slc | |||
| 08/29/2000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer started to smell burning wires, the battery was sitting on two wires of wiring harness and caused wires to short out, claim 13-7061-575. *slc | |||
| 11/14/2000 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle caught fire, there was a problem with the battery and it ignited in the engine compartment, the fire was contained to the engine compartment only, claim 15-3030-879. *slc | |||
| 11/02/1998 | 4 | 09/01/1996 | |
| Vehicles electrical system has consistently and rapidly consumed batteries, all batteries were unable to be installed. *jg | |||
| 11/14/2000 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle caught fire, fire contained to engine compartment only, apparenty there was a problem with the battery and it ignited the engine, claim 15-3030-879. *slc | |||
| 08/29/2000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer was at a gas station when vehicle started smelling, wires melted, battery was sitting on two wires of wiring harness and caused wires to short out, claim 13-7061-575. *slc | |||
| While traveling noticed air bag indiactor light was on intermittently soon after, radio came on and been replaced. also, speedodometer gave wrong reading. dealer has been contacted, and replaced battery. has been replace 6 times. dealer could not duplicate problem. *ak | |||
| 04/01/2000 | 999 | ||
| Steering wheel does not lock when motor is shut off and in park. on several occasions, when trying to start the engine, i turn the key and nothing happens. the lights and radio do not work. eventually, it will start and the clock has reset to 12:00 and radio power is off. this has happened on at least 10 occasions. please let me know if you need more details. thank you! *ak | |||
| 07/07/1999 | |||
| Fuel pump broke while in motion. had no control of vehicle. also, belt tensioner broke while driving approximately 40mph/computer chip had failed & this caused the vehicle to stop functioning at 65mph, and battery went dead & can not be recharged. *ak | |||
| 10/26/1998 | 1 | 07/16/1997 | |
| Battery failed. *yc | |||
| 07/17/1998 | 1 | 02/15/1998 | |
| Battery failed. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 02/01/2002 | 1 | 03/01/1998 | |
| Electrical connection, clockspring, for the air bag failed. airbag, horn, and cruise control inop. | |||
| 02/17/1998 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| Fuse box shorted out causing vehicle fire. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 03/10/2000 | 1 | 02/01/1998 | |
| While driving on highway, van started shaking, turned out to be the distributor needed to be replaced (not the cap). *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 07/07/1999 | |||
| Fuel pump broke while in motion. had no control of vehicle. also, belt tensioner broke while driving approximately 40mph/computer chip had failed & this caused the vehicle to stop functioning at 65mph, and battery went dead & can not be recharged. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 12/18/2002 | 63000 | 1 | 07/13/1997 |
| Car had serious damage whoses source cannot be determined by dealer and manufacture will not investigate. | |||
| 05/15/2001 | 1 | ||
| A wire shorted out and caused a fire in the engine compartment, claim 15-3062-363. *slc | |||
| 05/15/2001 | 1 | ||
| There was a wire that shorted and caused a fire, claim 15-3062-363. *slc | |||
| 05/15/2001 | 1 | ||
| A wire shorted out and caused a fire in the engine compartment, claim 15-3062-363. *slc | |||
| While in driveway vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed to 30-40 mph in a short distance with foot still on brake, causing vehicle to crash into a tree. prior to incident consumer smelled wires burning. *ak | |||
| 03/17/1999 | 0 | 10/01/1997 | |
| Consumer parked van in a parking lot and it caught on fire. fire department was called to put the fire out. *ak | |||
| 10/08/1998 | 07/01/1997 | ||
| Electrical fire. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 09/22/2001 | 1 | ||
| Wiring harness at battery and under hood fuse block caused fire, claim 20-5416-549. *slc | |||
| 07/11/2001 | 1 | ||
| Vheicle was just parked when consumer returned to find smoke coming from underneath the hood. vehicle was totaled consumer was treated for smoke inhalation. consumer didn't have any warning while driving just before parking. dealer was not notified.*ak consumer states that vehicle was experiencing fuel filter and fuel pumps problems and had been replaced several times before the incident.*yd | |||
| 09/22/2001 | 1 | ||
| Wiring harness at battery and under hood fuse block caused fire, claim 20-5416-549. *slc | |||
| While traveling noticed smoking coming from engine, vehicle was on fire consumer put fire out with water hose. dealer has been notified this was 2nd time vehicle was on fire. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 09/20/2000 | 1 | 09/01/1996 | |
| Technical service bulletin (#24-06-97) indicates connector 'corrosion' problems which causes front hvac blower(fan) to not operate on some or all speeds except 'high'. while replacing resistor and connector (per the bulletin) i found they were not only rusted together, but the connector was melted at one of the contacts (from the resistance caused by the rust) indicating a high possibility of a fire occurring from this common problem. i had to work very hard to pry the connector from the resistor so i imagine most times this problem is serviced the connector is just cut from the wiring harness and discarded with the resistor still connected since both are to be replaced anyways. this could cause the possible melting of the connector not to be noticed or reported in many cases. 'underhood' may be misleading in this case also, as the resistor is mounted through the firewall into the vehicle and it's ventilation system ! | |||
| 0 | |||
| Owner states that while filling the vehicle with gas the vehicle caught fire, owner notes that it may have been electrical fire. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 2 | ||
| Dt: 1997 dodge grand caravan. vehicle was manufactured in 1996. the abs light came on and will not go off. vehicle was taken to the dealership, who fixed the master cylinder because the light to airbags stayed on. the instrumental panel lights blinked off and on occasionally. when seeing the lights on the dashboard the consumer could look at this as a warning, because i could not see how fast she was going or how much gas there was in the gas tank. this has been a problem for about a year. there were no accidents. i the consumer took vehicle to dealership in 2003, and they changed the clock spring. also, the dealer said there was nothing else they could do. first, the abs light would come on and go off, now all the lights came on, but nothing was working on dashboard. *ak | |||
| 06/01/2002 | 1 | ||
| We received a safety recall notice on a fuel rail problem. on 10/08/02 my wife took our van in for the appointment at savannah dodge for the repair. when she picked it up they told her they noticed the air bag light was on and they had diagnosed it as a clockspring failure. they told her it would be $181 to repair it. we told them we wouldn't do it then. on november 5 my wife was involved in a left frontal collision and only the passenger air bag deployed. fortunately no one was seriously injured in our car. that is not the point of my complaint. today we received a hand written postcard from the dealer saying our car was involved in a factory recall clockspring b24. i thought this was quite unusual that the notice came from the dealer and not chrysler. i just did some research and found that in august 2001 tsb 08-010-01 was issued on this problem, and there's quite a consumer controversy over whether this is a safety item or not and whether it warrants a safety recall. so what's suddenly changed? is it really a recall or is the dealer just trying to drum up business? this seems to be an unfair business practice. i have saved the postcard in case you'd like it. dt | |||
| 03/01/2002 | 1 | 09/01/2099 | |
| This should be a safety recall! no safety defect listed. *ak | |||
| 10/05/2001 | 1 | ||
| Instrument panel will intermittently fail, preventing consumer from reading speed/fuel levels and what gear vehicle is in. dealership has examined vehicle and determined that body control module could possibly cause this problem.*ak. consumer stated the problem was the instrument cluster circuit board.*jb | |||
| 04/03/2001 | 12/01/1997 | ||
| Beginning about three weeks ago, the airbag light would be intermittantly illuminated. when it was on, the horn and cruise control would not work. when it was off, the systems seemed to work fine. now, the airbag light is off all of the time and all of the systems are failing to work. additionally, on three occasions, the first in september 2000 and most recently april 2001, when the car is turned on, none of the electrical on the dash operates. if i turn the car off and start again, then it works. windows, airconditioning, radio, heat, etc.*ak | |||
| Air bag light is illuminating on the dash. also, the horn is inoperable and cruise control failed to work, due to a malfunction in a clock spring in the instrument panel. consumer has yet to contact the dealer. please provide any further details.*ak | |||
| 20 | 12/07/1996 | ||
| Abs warning light comes on intermittently and remain on for seconds to nearly an hour. during this period, directional signals and power locks become inoperable. there's also a straining sound under the hood. dealer tested vehicle, but could not reproduce the problem. | |||