Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 132000 | ||
| I have problems with my wipers going on and right back off since the month i bought this vehicle in 2000 . i cant get it fixed because noone knows why it does it . just this week i had my fan relay module replaced , only to learn my transmission is now not worknig it stops at 3rd gear only to drop to 1 gear . while trying to get that fixxed they told me my water pump is leaking (which is ok and expected of most vehicles , ) i have had to have my dash light computer reset because all my ac dfrost and wiper lights were blinking continuously. i dont know what to do this is only a 97 model and i havent even made my final payment but now i have all these expensive repairs. i have had i tick in my motor that rattles on acceleratin forever and change my oil every 3 to 4000 miles like i should . i also have the winning in the steering the thump every so often but cant tell where that is coming from not to mention my a/c compressor rattles. my belt on my tensioner pully flu aff about 6 months ago going down the road i had to put a new pukky plus both new belts on . and they squeek like crazy . i dont think these are normal problems can you help it is getting to costly >?????? | |||
| 03/15/2003 | 75000 | ||
| The seems to have a lot of problem shifting to a lower gear when on the road. often we can feel a jitter when the car is in motion and shifting the gear. the air bag light comes on often for no reason. check engine light comes on and stays on for a few hours and goes away. | |||
| 10/15/2002 | 1 | ||
| The transmission locked up, and caused the rear tires to lock up, which made it difficult to control vehicle. *jb | |||
| 11/22/1999 | 4 | 11/01/1996 | |
| The speedometer and odometer periodically stop working. it doesn't happen every time the car is started. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 01/25/2002 | 3 | 01/25/2002 | |
| Dt*: the contact stated since the vehicle was purchased in 2002 from an independent dealer, the vehicle has been having on going problems with the electrical wiring, alternator, radiator, thermostat, cooling system. diagnostic testing is needed for gross pollution. the vehicle has failed under fair weather conditions three times since purchase. events leading up to the failures of the fan, radiator and transmission occurred when vehicle started to run hot, causing transmission to blow out. service for these components were performed at an independant auto shop. | |||
| 06/17/2004 | 1 | 11/11/2003 | |
| Started when i would take off in first gear, it would vibrate really hard, like a manual transmition does when it needs to down shift. then i was almost in a collision, when i was stopped on the side of a hill, and went to pull over, and to my surprise i rolled backwards, as if in nutral. my trasmission was gone. after a very large tow bill, and 1500 rebuilt transmission, my dim lights only work when they want to, the passenger window is to the point where it almost wont go up.....there's almost too much more to go on. *jb | |||
| 09/10/2003 | 72000 | 5 | 03/07/1998 |
| Auto transmission shutters we shifting from 1 to 2 and 2 to third gear.*ak | |||
| 06/26/2003 | 55865 | 1 | 05/25/1998 |
| Automatic transmission failure @ 55865 miles while on vacation in northern california. waited 5 1/2 for tow, got to dodge dealer, told me the transmission blew up, warranty is only for 36000, but transmission repair is a common problem amongst dodge, chrysler, plymouth vans according to inside service consultants who have seen this problem many times. was even told if the public knew about it, sales would tank!*ak | |||
| 04/05/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states that while driving transmission would slip. dealer notified.*ak | |||
| 01/22/2001 | 52899 | 1 | 10/01/1997 |
| Transmission completely failed. the same repair shop fixed same problem, same vehicle type/year 2 weeks prior. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****740103 | |||
| 05/03/2001 | 3 | ||
| I just had my third mopar rebuilt transmission installed two weeks ago in my 97 plymouth grand voyager--3 speed automatic--3.0 litre. i bought this 97 ply grand voyager with 30k miles from a reputable dealer. this original trans went at 75k. i then had the first mopar rebuilt installed and replaced within 3,000 miles due to a flatly torque converter. the second, and third were replaced, at 85k and 97k, respectfully, due to the same problem. this torque converter, shuttering, problem is the main symptom. mopar has replaced the transmissions, parts and labor, without delay. my question---why is this happening sooooooo often? the warranty is good of 36/36,000 miles, which expires at 111,000. is there any recourse to this situation? is there a problem with these transmissions? wayne efferson. *jb | |||
| 01/22/2003 | |||
| While driving on the highway at 45 mph vehicle's transmission blew. dealer notified. please provide additional information. ts | |||
| 06/29/2002 | |||
| When driving at low speed vehicle jumps and hesitates. dealer stated transmission needed to be replaced.*ak | |||
| 06/11/2002 | 1 | 03/01/2098 | |
| Manufacturer says not uncommon for transmission to fail 80,000 to 100,000 miles. *ak | |||
| 07/17/2000 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states the transmission oil cooler was bypassed while a new cooler was on order, fire suspected to have started in this area (claim # 22-v361-586). *yd | |||
| 12/27/2001 | 1 | 11/01/1997 | |
| I was on my way to work at 6:30 one morning on a two-lane highway, driving about 60 mph, when the transmission failed. i was able to pull over to the side of the road and park. i shut off the engine, started the van again, and tried to proceed. the van would not shift out of first gear. i pulled off again and called my husband. he called the local dealer and was told that it sounded like it was an electronic problem and it would be safe to drive the vehicle home in limp mode. the van is still in the shop. what was thought to be an electronic problem has now turned into a major problem. it seems that some gears inside the transmission broke. the estimated cost of repair is $1500.00 or higher. the dealer told us that he has not seen a problem with these transmissions. i was told by two different transmission places that they have seen a lot of problems with these transmissions. several sites on the web also list consumer complaints about these transmissions. this van has been maintained properly so i think it is unreasonable for the transmission to fail like it did. there were no warning signs at all. what upsets me is the potential for a major accident in a case like this. what if i had been passing someone, someone had been tailgating me, etc.? i also wonder how many other people have had this problem but did not report it? what, if anything, can be done? mm. *ak | |||
| 08/01/2001 | 0 | ||
| Vehicle wasn't going in gear. also, windshield wipers would go off intermittently. *ak | |||
| 07/18/2001 | 1 | 02/01/1997 | |
| I was driving my ply. grand voyager se home on wed july 18th at appx 6 pm. i stopped at a light ( i was the first car at the intersection ) and when i took my foot off the brake and pressed on the accelerator, the car made an awful grinding noise. the person behind me assumed that i was moving and came within inches of crashing into me. i stopped the car and turned it off. as i stepped out (into traffic) i did not see any debris or leakage underneath. i tried putting the car into neutral and the car would not move. i had to call the police and aaa to tow me to the dealer. i was told that i needed a new transmission. i have always kept up with my repairs and had no prior history of slippage. i was told that a pin became loose and that the gears simply fell out of place. i was told that this could have happened while driving! this scared me due to the fact that i have a family and my life was in jeapordy while driving what i thought was a safe family vehicle. i could understand if i had prior warning signs of the transmission slipping, but for something like this to happen without any warning is alarming. i hope that this is not a common issue with the plymouth grand voyager. i have owned 5 cars in my lifetime. they have all lasted well into the 100,000 mile range without any major problems due to my diligent maitainance. i feel that this is a serious issue in workmanship that can cause a potential catastrophic end to a driver or a family(ies). i hope that this issue be looked into further, because i feel that this is not an isolated case. thank you, javier rabelo. *ak | |||
| 11/01/1997 | |||
| Transmission - shudders/vibrates/hesitates when upshifting from 1-2 gears. a/c compressor, starter and/or ignition, and cruise control are having problems or quit working all at about the same time | |||
| 04/07/1999 | 5 | 05/07/1997 | |
| When making a left or right turn engine races, but transmission fails to engage. also, transmission only functions properly when it is in reverse or first gear. dealer has replaced transmission five times, which has not corrected problem. *ak front brakes failed twice. *yh | |||
| While traveling vehicle was not changing gears . technician stated that coolent was leaking into radator. please provide further informaton.*ak | |||
| Intermittently vehicle will not shift into gear. dealer has inspected vehicle.*ak | |||
| 03/02/2001 | 1 | 05/01/1997 | |
| Transmisson failed suddenly and completely. required complete replacement. *ak | |||
| 01/17/2001 | 1 | 09/03/2000 | |
| Differential blew apart, causing fluid leakage, consumer states it sounded like a shot gut being shot and then the vehicle just quit, dealer found a hole on the outside of the transmission casing. *slc | |||
| 07/21/2000 | 1 | 03/01/1997 | |
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 10/17/2000 | 1 | 05/01/1997 | |
| The automatic transmission failed and had to be replaced or rebuilt. i believe it was caused by a design flaw.*ak | |||
| 04/08/1998 | 01/01/1998 | ||
| We have had the transmission relaced on april 8, 1998, october13, 2000, october 25, 2000, and when we picked the vehicle up on october 25, 2000 not 2 hours later we were broke down on the side of the road again.*ak | |||
| 09/16/2000 | 1 | 02/01/1997 | |
| There was no previous problems with the transmission. i started the van put it in reverse and it sounded like something came apart inside. there was no warning, now the transmission is locked up. i am aware of chrysler's transmission problems and thought this should be reported. i don't know what would have happen if we had been on the highway when this happened. thank you very much, roger cecil | |||
| While traveling and without any indication vehicle stalled. consumer was able to restart vehicle, but it would not drive out of first gear. please provide further information.*ak | |||
| 01/25/2000 | 1 | 07/01/1999 | |
| I took the vehicle to a transmission repair shop and was told the main seal (pump seal) was defective and needed to be replaced because of leaking. i choose to pull the trans mission and found a crack on a machined surface inside the bell housing behind the tourque converter. the crack is 1/16 wide and 1 to 1 1/2 long. the machined area looks to be designed to allow clearence for the torque converter. the crack also appears to be push thru from the passengers side drive axle assembly meaning it is raised inside the bell housing. my complaint is this appears to be a flaw in the design that allows clearence for the tourque converter causing a thin wall in the bell housing. is there any type of recall or investigation that would allow owners to have their vehicles fixed or checked for this problem? *ak | |||
| 12/01/1996 | |||
| You can shift from park to reverse/drive without applying brake. *ak | |||
| 07/10/1997 | 1 | 01/04/1997 | |
| Transmission range sensor failed. nlm | |||
| 04/17/1999 | 1 | 03/01/1998 | |
| Transmission requires overhaul at less than 60,000. search of www indicates there are numerous similar problems. shouldn't there be a recall? i have never had transmission problems at such low mileage. *ak | |||
| 10/18/1997 | 0 | ||
| The automatic transmission is making a chirpping sound. during any speed the sound gets louder going up hill. *ak. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES | |||
| 05/24/2000 | 1 | 02/01/1998 | |
| Transmission main seal damaged causing fluid to leak and imminent transmission failure. transmission specialist said such failure is very unusual for low mileage vehicle and suggested recall may be issued for voyager/caravan models. dealer denied this is a manufacturer problem. review of nhtsa complaint section reveals otherwise. how many failures does it take for a recall to be issued?*ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT | |||
| 12/01/1998 | 4 | 11/01/1997 | |
| On four occasions transmission gear shift failed. *yc | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH | |||
| 08/13/2001 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was parked with engine running, emergency brake not engaged. suddenly vehicle went backward, came to stop when it hitting a cement post. no injuries, damage $700-900. *ak | |||
| 12/01/1996 | |||
| Able to shift from park to gear without having foot on brake.*ak | |||
| 10/11/2000 | 1 | 05/01/2000 | |
| A child was able to pull the shift lever without brake being applied, causing vehicle to roll, resulting in a collision.*ak *slc | |||
| 05/10/2000 | 1 | 01/01/1997 | |
| I am a police officer and have taken reports twice on grand voyagers where they have popped out of gear and rolled unnattended. on 5-10-2000 my sisters vehicle which was parked on my graded drive did the same. it nearly ran me over and struck my vehicle. her transmission can be put into gear without depressing the brakes. the same was true for the two reports i took in my official capacity. the dealer told me that although it is a mandated feature it only lasts so long and that it is not covered under warranty. this is a matter that should be looked into before the defect results into a fatality. *ak | |||
| 12/01/1996 | |||
| Automatic transmission can be shifted to reverse or drive without having foot on the brake, design flaw. yh | |||
| 09/02/1998 | 08/01/1998 | ||
| Van rolls significantly backwards when on slight incline. must keep one foot on brake and other on gas the minute you need to move or you will roll into the car behind. transmission does not hold car at all. when stopped the car can be pushed forward. dealer said this is normal for vans and would not try to fix it. if it causes an accident, dealer and manufacturer is libel. | |||
| 05/12/1999 | 10/01/1996 | ||
| Gear shift can be engaged without depressing brake.. small child can shift the gears if accidently falls against shifter, for a family car i consider this quite dangerous, all other cars i've ever driven had a lock of some type on the gear shift :ie you had to depress the brake at same time or a thumb button to depress (floor mounted gear shift). *ak | |||
| 12/11/1998 | 1 | 05/31/1997 | |
| The consumer has experienced problems with automatic transmission. while vehicle was parked in the driveway it drifted forward on its own and crashed into the wall in garage. the consumer had to get in the vehicle and put shift indicator down in order to get the vehicle to stop rolling. the manufacturer has been contacted. *ak *ml | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER | |||
| 3 | 05/01/1997 | ||
| Consumer has put 3 transmissions (torque converters) in the vehicle. nlm | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | |||
| 01/12/2001 | 1 | 09/01/2000 | |
| I have been told my mechanic at kelly buick dealership in mason (chrysler dealership) that the bolt that broke and caused the damage to my transmission is a defect in design in the differential and that in their opinion there should be a recall. at the time that my van was taken to their dealership for damage determination, they had a another plymouth grand voyager there with same damage and since then, i have learned of another van that the same thing happened to and needs a new transmission because this bolt broke. i asked the mechanic if there was anything that i could have done to prevent this from happening and he said no that there is no way of determining that this would happen or be able to prevent it through preventitive maintenance. i am thankful that i was not doing 70mph down the highway with my four children in the car. the damage that this bolt breaking caused when it happened, caused my steering to lock up and i was unable to turn my steering wheel at all. i had to coast to a stop along side the road. had i been traveling the highway and that happened, i do not want to think of what could have happened. i have talked with chrysler corp. and their position is that because the vehicle is no longer under a warranty, and that at this time there is no recall on my van for this problem, they will not cover this repair. i disagree with that determination totally. this is a repair that was caused by a defect in their design and therefore is a cost incurred to me that is out of my control. it is not like i did not take care of my engine or brakes and they failed me, that would be in my control. i believe that there is a serious problem here that needs to be addressed before someone gets killed. even though i am sure it is very profitable for chrysler in the long run (they are getting people back over and over in replacement transmission repairs) it is a very dangerous situation and needs to be handled immediately. | |||
| 01/05/2001 | 2 | 09/01/2000 | |
| Differential bolt broke while driving, cracking casing, and causing a hole in transmission/damaging it. mechanic and auto parts stores stated that this was a reoccurring common problem, and a design defect.*ak the manufacturer pointed out that there was no recall on this part and the warranty had expired. *yh | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR | |||
| 10/31/1996 | |||
| After purchasing my minivan i found what i felt was a serious safety issue. with the car running, the gear shift can be engaged with out the need to depress the brake. i have seen this feature on most cars i've driven or researched. i didn't realize that this was not amandatory feature until a few months later wen i accidently caught the gear shift with my purse strap. i nearly ran myself down. i feet that if this is a minivan marketed to families, this should be taken into account. what if it had been a small child who was where they shouldn't be and this happened? i wasn't sure if any recommendations could be made, but i felt i needed to have someone hear my concerns. thank you | |||