1996 DODGE CARAVAN Complaints

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE GAS STATION AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. *AK THE FRONT AXLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING, THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE REAR SHOCKS. *JB

CONSUMER STATED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. *AK THE SERVICE WRITER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT WAS CLOUDED DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE HEAD LAMPS. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK

THE HORN ON MY 1996 CARAVAN HAS STOPPED WORKING; THE AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME; THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS STARTING TO FAIL.*AK I SAW THE REPORT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ON NEWER MODELS. I THINK THE RANGE OF MODEL YEARS NEEDS TO BE BROADENED. I HAVE ALSO SEEN REPORTS OF OTHER 1996/1997 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ON INTERNET AUTO REPAIR WEB SITES.

THE BELT LATCHES REGULARLY UNLATCH WHEN BUMPED. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK SEAT AND IF ONE CHILD BUMPS THE OTHER'S BELT LATCH, IT COMES UNLATCHED MOST OF THE TIME.

VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CASE WAS BREACHED BY A DRIVE PIN WHICH WAS COMING LOOSE FROM THE ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE. *NM

THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS DETERIORATING AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC

THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT. IT CAN SLIP OFF. WHEN IT DOES, YOU POWER STEERING GOES (SAFETY) AND YOUR CAR CAN OVERHEAT WITHIN MINUTES. YOU ARE STRANDED. PUTTING THE BELT YOURSELF IS NOT EASY, EVEN WITH THE DIAGRAM (THANK GOODNESS THEY HAVE THE DIAGRAM UNDER THE HOOD FOR OTHER MECHANICS, DO IT YOURSELFERS) THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT NOT A RECALL. I THINK THEY PUT ON A BRACKET WHICH WILL HELP KEEP THE BELT ON TRACK IN CASE OF WET WEATHER.

LEFT FRONT STRUT MTG TOWER RUSTED THROUGH BY THE TIME THE RUST WAS SEEN THE METAL IN THE STRUT TOWER HAD FAILED CHRYSLER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING STATING IT WAS OVER 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE FOR MANIFACTURERS DEFFECT REPAIR YET THIS IS KNOWN AS A COMMON PROBLEM AND CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL IF IT FAILS ON THE HIGHWAY.

I TOOK OWNERSHIP OF MY USED 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN 2000, AND SINCE THEN HAVE REPLACED MINOR MECHANICAL FAILURES SUCH AS THE STARTER, WATER PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT, TIRES (TWICE), WIPER BLADES, BULBS, BRAKES (TWICE) AS WELL AS THE ROTORS. AT PRESENT I AM DEALING WITH THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: PEELING PAINT, WIPERS ENGAGING AND NOT GOING OFF EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT TURNED ON, HARD JERKS EVERY NOW AND AGAIN (POSSIBLY FROM TRANSMISSION), AND THE BREAKAGE OF A STABILIZER BAR BUSHING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION.