Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 01/25/2011 | 49250 | ||
| For at least six months, i have heard a whining sound coming from my engine, normally after driving on the interstate for about fifteen miles. when i slow down, the whining lowers in pitch; when i accelerate, the pitch goes up. in recent weeks, the whining has gotten louder. i have had the car for under two years. it has handled well and has been regularly serviced. the dodge dealership, after spending seven hours, informed me that the steering fluid was low due to a leak and that the steering rack would have to be replaced at a cost of $1250 plus labor (it would be an all day job). they also indicated that i would soon need a serpentine belt, which would cost $125 plus labor. upon researching on the internet, i have discovered that this problem has been common in 2006 grand caravan models but that dodge has chosen not to recall them. i have looked at pricing of the parts needed to do this and find the rack available for a tenth of the price this dealership (shelby motors in champaign, illinois) wanted to charge. i have also read numerous accounts of the successful remedies that were used instead, including replacing a faulty steering fluid reservoir. the power steering has not worked any differently that it did the first day i purchased the vehicle. the pitch is not affected by turning. i also read that these parts should not need replacing in a car with such low mileage. i have seen no evidence of any leak on my garage floor. | |||
| 02/22/2010 | |||
| I have been told by a dodge dealership that the following is wrong with my car and i need the following: - erg valve - water pump - power steering rack - rack & pinion even though the car runs fine and does not shakes or anything. after doing some research online i found at a website, www.edmunds.com, reviews from many other owners of also a 2006 dodge grand caravan to be having the same problems that i am having. some of them have low mileage on their cars and others have high mileage. it is too much of a coincidence that so many people are having the same problems on their 2006 g. caravan. seems to me that there is a problem with the 2006 line and if this is the case is something dodge needs to fix and cover the repair costs and not the owners. also the repairs total cost are too much money at this moment to afford. *tr | |||
| 09/01/2007 | 36000 | 20 | 05/01/2006 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge grand caravan. while driving 45 mph, the steering vibrated and the vehicle felt out of alignment. precision alignment inspected the vehicle and noticed that the motor mount was worn and needed to be replaced. the dealer stated that they would perform a diagnostic to determine if the motor mount was faulty. the vin was unknown. the current mileage was 38,000 and failure mileage was 36,000. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | |||
| 11/16/2006 | 4300 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that the air conditioner became inoperative and had to be replaced. the power steering rack also had to be replaced due to a loud grinding noise that was heard coming from the steering column. in addition, the radiator fans would overheat and were replaced. the manufacturer did not assist. the failure mileage was 4,300 and current mileage was 58,000. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 06/25/2011 | 76000 | ||
| While driving down the highway in heavy traffic the engine blows out of no where leaving the van almost inoperable. i have come to find out that this is a very common problem with these 3.8 liter engines. it was driving fine and then there was extremely loud knocking and a sudden loss in power. once i was able to get pulled over i checked the oil and it had disappeared. to correct the issue a new engine is needed and these newer engines from chrysler have a modified oil pump which tells me they know about this problem and are correcting it but only after you spend thousands of dollars for the new motor. | |||
| 12/11/2010 | 5089 | ||
| Back rear window imploded for the second time(first time 2009, second time 2010), nobody seems to have an answer for why this happens other than it was cold and snowy outside so the weather must have caused this to occur, (that is what they say) my family was in the van in the driveway getting ready to leave so i know for a fact that nothing went thru the window just a major defect of dodge. numerous issues with this van starting when van had 5000 miles, air bag sensor on, sliding doors do not work properly, loud sound from engine, tie rods need replaced for third time, control arm broke, locks make a whiny sound, check service engine light on told 3 times that we needed new spark plugs . really at 30,000 miles. we changed them, light still on today. after an inspection of van now dealer sates that the alternator, water pump, sertine belt, egv valve, valve gasket, all needs replaced and the light on had nothing to do with spark plugs, go figure. i have sent dealership and chrysler letters in regards to my safety concerns. this would be my fourth time calling chyrsler about major issues. they lack customer service and nothing ever done. we purchased new and van is now 5 years old with same and new problems since 5000 miles, now has 77,000. i will not be purchaseing a dodge van again!! | |||
| 12/01/2008 | 35000 | 1 | |
| When driving in wet conditions, particularly splashing through water, the vehicle serpentine belt begins to chatter and the vehicle experiences a brief reduction/loss of power. this becomes particularly troublesome when pulling out into traffic. the dealerships have stated that there is no mechanical defect with the vehicle that they can find. this happens on repeated occasions and can be reproduced even today. it has been occurring for some time now. *tr | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 09/16/2010 | 80000 | ||
| 2006 gc sxt 3.8 engine, had whining in power steering from cold start daily for first few mins, then quiet. at 80,100 had to replace rack and pinion, at 117,500 had to replace power steering pump, hose and resevoir, at 151,000 had to replace catalytic converter. what's next? neither power slider works, both stop about 6 inches from closing, and will not open automatically. should i keep going til 200,000 or get rid of it now? | |||