Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 08/15/2012 | 165000 | 1 | |
| I have had so many major problems with my 2003 dodge grand caravan! i bought it used in 2008 w/ 68k miles. at that time the transmission had already been replaced. i had to replace the entire power steering system ($2000), auto window regulator, ac blower, tires, alternator belt, water pump, etc.the engine light has been on for some time now and mechanic says misfiring spark plugs. when serviced for problem(@ 170k miles) discovered original factory sp still in. horrible corrosion/build up, had 2 fuel system flushes. light on again. newest & most dangerous problems,on multiple occasions now, van has completely turned off while driving, idling, and parked. it happens randomly and unexpectedly. more frequently while at lower speeds or parked but once while i was actually driving. when it cuts off the oil light remains illuminated. the car turns right back on. 5 times while driving 25-50mph has gone into cruise control by itself, and i loose control until it decides to give it back! today, for the first time, after parking and turning car off myself, it would not restart. ignition not responding, no noise, nothing. tried to jump it and nothing, notices that lights and other electrical components not effected. fortunately an observer also happened to be a mechanic, he took out the starter fuse and stuck some wires in the socket and had me turn the key, it started!!! he said that it seems there is an ignition communication problem, a.k.a. computer problem. i have 4 kids that are always with me and this is our only vehicle. if the vehicle is dependent on the computer to function, then i have zero room for communication problems. i have reviewed all of the complaints for this make/model/year, there are multiple complaints that are similar if not identical to mine. i wonder how many complaints have to be filed before action is taken? does someone have to die first? *tr | |||
| 08/15/2012 | 165000 | ||
| I have had so many major problems with my 2003 dodge grand caravan! i bought it used in 2008 w/ 68k miles.at that time the transmission had already been replaced. i had to replace the entire power steering system ($2000), auto window regulator, ac blower, tires, alternator belt, water pump, etc.the engine light has been on for some time now and mechanic says misfiring spark plugs. when serviced for problem(@ 170k miles) discovered original factory sp still in. horrible corrosion/build up, had 2 fuel system flushes. light on again. newest & most dangerous problems,on multiple occasions now, van has completely turned off while driving, idling, and parked. it happens randomly and unexpectedly. more frequently while at lower speeds or parked but once while i was actually driving. when it cuts off the oil light remains illuminated. the car turns right back on. 5 times while driving 25-50mph has gone into cruise control by itself, and i loose control until it decides to give it back! today, for the first time, after parking and turning car off myself, it would not restart. ignition not responding, no noise, nothing. tried to jump it and nothing, notices that lights and other electrical components not effected. fortunately an observer also happened to be a mechanic, he took out the starter fuse and stuck some wires in the socket and had me turn the key, it started!!! he said that it seems there is an ignition communication problem, a.k.a. computer problem. i have 4 kids that are always with me and this is our only vehicle. if the vehicle is dependent on the computer to function, then i have zero room for communication problems. i have reviewed all of the complaints for this make/model/year, there are multiple complaints that are similar if not identical to mine. i wonder how many complaints have to be filed before action is taken? does someone have to die first? | |||
| 08/01/2012 | 119282 | 1 | |
| We were driving down the freeway going 75mph and everything died. no power steering, no power brakes! luckily we were in the far right lane and were able to barley able to make it of the side of the road without being hit or hitting anyone. in 110 degree weather, we sat with our 4 small children waiting for a tow truck. and then for someone to pick us up. we don't' even know how the tow truck was able to get the vehicle without getting hit, it was that close to the side of the road. nothing started and after 3 shops, finally found it was the computer, took the part out and its messed up and we were told not only by all 3 shops, but by all the parts places that its common in this make and model. that is unacceptable! my kids not only are afraid to get in the car, but i have had to start taking something for anxiety, i am so afraid to drive any car now, afraid of that happening again. it was terrifying going that speed and losing all power and control over the vehicle. it should not have happened. *tr | |||
| 08/01/2012 | 119282 | ||
| We were driving down the freeway going 75mph and everything died. no power steering, no power brakes! luckily we were in the far right lane and were able to barley able to make it of the side of the road without being hit or hitting anyone. in 110 degree weather, we sat with our 4 small children waiting for a tow truck. and then for someone to pick us up. we don't' even know how the tow truck was able to get the vehicle without getting hit, it was that close to the side of the road. nothing started and after 3 shops, finally found it was the computer, took the part out and its messed up and we were told not only by all 3 shops, but by all the parts places that its common in this make and model. that is unacceptable! my kids not only are afraid to get in the car, but i have had to start taking something for anxiety, i am so afraid to drive any car now, afraid of that happening again. it was terrifying going that speed and losing all power and control over the vehicle. it should not have happened. | |||
| 01/07/2011 | 79850 | ||
| 2003 dodge grand caravan sport, the head lights and dash will dim for a quick second. this happens when its cold out side and when the transmission is down shifting when braking. i have had the batter and altonator test and received passing results. once the engine and tranny is warmed up there is not problem. have done a internet search that revealed several isses with this on the 02 models but did not find anything on getting it repaired. | |||
| 10/16/2010 | 90000 | ||
| 2003 dodge grand caravan engine died while driving for no apparent reason causing a major accident and injury to my wife. power steering and brakes became inoperable and airbag did not deploy. | |||
| 08/31/2010 | 98000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 dodge grand caravan. the vehicle stalls and hesitate when driving at 25mph. each times the vehicle restart it would not stay on. the vehicle was driven to the dealer where the insulating on the wiring harness shortened and burnt out. the dealer replaced the wiring harness and the contact paid $700 for the repairs. there was no recalls or warranty on the vehicle. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 98,000....mw | |||
| 03/14/2007 | 79000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that the vehicles exterior lighting system failed which also decreased the visibility. while driving 65 mph at night, the windshield wipers came on, when the contact tried to turn on the low beams. the weather was not a factor. the contact stated that when the right turn signal was activated the left turn signal came on instead. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the contact replaced the electrical unit himself, and found that there was oil in the electrical unit. the contact retained the electrical unit for examination. the contact also stated that the vehicle functioned properly after the electrical unit was replaced. the failure mileage was approximately 79,000. the current mileage was approximately 119,000. | |||
| 12/13/2009 | 133435 | 1 | |
| Electrical component in the glove compartment that controls the heater smells of burning and when heat is turned on smoke blows out the heat vents, also causing the heat to go out. when the wires were checked they were all melted from burning. *tr | |||
| 11/16/2009 | 79000 | 1 | |
| Night driving, head lights and dash lights just go out, come back on after several seconds. *tr | |||
| 09/28/2009 | 53000 | 1 | |
| Electrical problems everywhere. door locks and sliding door problems, automatic rear door quite opening, tire system recalibrated over and over again, but the biggest safety problem is the blinkers quite working or even worse, if you put the right blinker on, the left signal starts blinking. *tr | |||
| 10/17/2007 | 19 | ||
| Oct 17 2007 my van started acting like this. the van will not start but everything worked that needing the battery. when drove for 2sec the van just lost all power and would not start. i checked the battery, fuses, and relays. i had it towed to a shop and they can not fined out. they was thinking the computer and keys need to redone. *tr | |||
| 10/03/2006 | 66000 | 12 | 03/01/2004 |
| The headlights flicker off on my 2003 dodge grand caravan with 68,000 miles. this originally happened on vacation with my family of 5 in the car on a highway in tennessee. when the lights went off i reached forward to touch the switch and they came back on. 3 weeks went by without another incident. now almost daily the lights flicker off and come back on when i touch the switch. this has not been repaired yet. *nm | |||
| 08/14/2006 | 49000 | 4 | 01/01/2004 |
| Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled four times while driving at various speeds. the vehicle was taken to the dealership who was unable to duplicate the problem. finally the dealership determined the black box needed to be replaced. while driving the vehicle 25 mph, there was a very loud noise. the vehicle would not go into gear. the vehicle began to roll when placed in park. the emergency brake was engaged to stop the vehicle which was later towed to a dealership for inspection. | |||
| 07/20/2006 | 1 | ||
| Own a 2003 dodge grand caravan sport . car was towed to dodge dealer on friday july 20,2006 , due to rough engine idling. was told that it was a pcm , would take until the following wednesday to have to part shipped in ( i live in the chicago area ). on thursday dodge called to say that the rocker arm in the # 5 piston needed to be replaced, this would take additional time. the rocker arm was replaced and again dodge called to advise me that now there was a short in the electrical harness and they would need to trace to locate the short. car was finally returned to me on august 9,2006 . my wife used it to go to the store , she called me and said the car had died while stopping at a red light .this was just 4 hours after picking the car up from the dealer. car was again towed to dodge dealer. total time dodge has had my car is now 21 days and counting . i've had to rent 3 different cars during this time all on my own expense . *jb | |||
| 10/06/2004 | 18500 | 2 | |
| After starting the vehicle all the gauges work. after about fifteen minutes all the gauges stopped working. *jb as of 10/22/04, the problem had gotten worse. as soon as the vehicle was turned on all of the electrical parts in the vehicle stopped working. there would be no blinker. all gauges in the dash did not come on, the electrical passenger side door and the hatch stopped working. *sc | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 05/19/2004 | 1 | ||
| While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud noise coming from the engine compartment, vehicle was taken to the dealership, and technician determined that sound was coming from the alternator which was normal. *ak | |||
| 11/20/2003 | 800 | 60 | 09/22/2003 |
| When driving with the headlights on lights dimmed, and the heat from the air vents temperature decreased. this occurred when coming to a complete stop, or if consumer removed foot from the accelerator pedal. dealership replaced the module/alternator, transmission control module, and the main computer, but the problem still occurred. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 1 | 03/01/2003 | ||
| Consumer loss all lighting and horn when the battery died. *ph dealer pulled the fuse out, but battery died every two days and vehicle has no horn for 6 weeks. consumer also lost all lights at night while driving at 40 mph. lights bells was fixed by dealer but still no remedy with the battery. *la | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 10/01/2006 | 5 | ||
| My passenger and driver power windows stop working, sometimes for long periods of time. in addition, the ignition key will not turn from it's locked position (steering wheel is not locked) *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||
| 03/01/2005 | 30000 | 3 | 05/21/2003 |
| My 2003 new dodge caravan had the transmission replaced x3, air conditioner replaced x1 then repaired again x 2, replaced starter, wheel bearing, tie rod & continues to have problems. these major problems started when the car had only 30, 000 miles and is only at 60, 000 miles. the dealer nor chrysler corporation will replace or refund this car stated it does not fall under lemon law. multiple time lost from taking in this car to be fixed along with extra money spent to get rentals while this car was in the shop. *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 07/27/2006 | 55000 | 15 | 05/15/2004 |
| All power accessories including pw, pl, lighter, radio, and all exterior lights, shut-off and usually after a minute turn back on and the vehicle jerks into gear at low speeds and slams into gear at high speeds, taking the speed of the vehicle from 100k to 60k in a millisecond. *nm | |||
| 11/09/2004 | 39770 | 7 | 11/19/2003 |
| 2003 dodge caravan had intermittent failure to start. would start 5-15 minutes after not cranking. engine died while idling and would not start. checked battery and it would not start. vehicle started next day after being towed. problem traced to chafed insulation on wiring harness. corrected insulation and vehicle started. engine died while driving in traffic and would not restart in neutral. coasted and parked vehicle and it would not start. two minutes later vehicle started. traced problem to ignition switch or computer. currently in process of replacing ignition switch. engine dying in traffic and refusing to start is major safety problem. incidents occurred 10/31/04 through 11/9/04.*jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 12/09/2006 | 45000 | 1 | 11/22/2002 |
| Power cable for radiator fan was rubbing against ac tubing. cable wore through causing a short circuit, failure of radiator cooling fan resulting in overheating of engine. wire cable bundle will have to be replaced and rerouted to prevent future vibration erosion of cable bundle.*jb | |||