1997 DODGE CARAVAN Complaints

THE FRONT, DRIVER SIDE CALIPERS DO NOT RELEASE WHICH OVERHEAT THE WHEEL. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE BRAKE PADS HAVE SHEARED OFF, AND WHEN THE TIRES ARE REMOVED TO INSPECT, STUDS EASILY BRAKE OFF. SEARS AUTO CENTER BROKE OFF TWO STUDS AFTER THE 1ST INCIDENT, AND I BROKE OFF ONE STUD AFTER THE 2ND INCIDENT ON JUNE 15, 2001. THE NEGHERBON SERVICE DEPT HAD REPLACED THE CALIPER KIT (SPRINGS AND TRACKS) ON 3/13/01. THE WHEEL GETS SO HOT THAT YOU BURN YOUR FINGER IF YOU TOUCH IT. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME. THE OVERHEATING HAPPENS DURING TIMES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE USED OFTEN (BENICIA IS VERY HILLY), AND DOES NOT HAPPEN DURING HIGHWAY RIDES, WHEN THERE IS NO TRAFFIC. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN THE BRAKES STARTS TO HEAT UP DO TO USE, THE CALIPER DOES NOT RELEASE AS FREELY, AND EVENTUALLY LOCKS UP AND DOES NOT RELEASE AT ALL (AFTER THE 1ST INCIDENT I HAD TO HAMMER OFF THE OLD BRAKE PADS/CALIPER ASSEMBLY FROM THE ROTOR). HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP IDENTIFY THE ROOT PROBLEM BEFORE THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS OVERHEATING WILL CAUSE A BLOWOUT OR A WHEEL TO COME OFF IF THE STUDS FAIL WHILE THE VAN IS BEING DRIVEN.*AK

BRAKES WERE CHANGEDAT EVERY 4,000 MILES ACCORDING TO RECORDS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN DRIVEWAY THE SWAY BAR IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION SNAPPED, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. NLM

THE EXACT SAME COMPONENTS FAILED ON MY 1994 DODGE INTREPID AT 30K MILES, IN 3 MODEL YEARS, CHRYSLER HAS MADE NO CHANGE TO THE OBVIOUSLY LOW QUALITY/POORLY DESIGNED/DEFECTIVE AC PUMP. *AK

I HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURES IN MY STEERING COLMN WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO USE MY HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND I AM AFRAID THAT MY AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALONG WITH ABS AND INTERMITANT OTHER LIGHTS. I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. SLIPPING FROM TIME TO TIME. THE REAR A/C FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS IN THE LOW AND HIGH POSITION. TRASSMISION GIVES OFF A BURNING SMELL WHEN HOT.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERABLE DUE TO A SHORT IN SWITCH, RADIATOR FAN RELAY REPLACED, GROUND WIRE LOOSE IN ENGINE CAUSING DASH CLUSTER TO GO HAYWIRE, HORN, POWER WINDOWS, RADIO, SPEEDOMETER, AND AIR CONDITIONER INOPERABLE AT TIMES. *SLC

SERPENTINE BELT KEEPS COMING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES ALREADY. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC SERPENTINE BELT WOULD KEEP COMING OFF WHENEVER IT GETS WET. LAST COUPLE OF TIMES BELT CAME OFF THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY RAIN.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL HAS FAILED TO FUNCTION. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY WAS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO GARAGE AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE. IT WAS A BROKEN PIN FROM TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

EA 01 007/AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING: AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT IS REMAINING ON, AND HORN IS INOPERATIVE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE AT CONSUMER COST. *AK THE CLOCK SPRING FAILURE CAUSED CHECK THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON. THE FUSE FOR THE HOREN WAS REPLACED. *YH