2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Complaints

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE CLOCKSPRING AND STEERING COLUMN IN OUR 200 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, INCLUDING SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, YET STILL RATTLES AND MAKES NOISES. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE ZONE OFFICE THAT IT IS INDEED A SAFETY PROBLEM (RELATING TO THE AIRBAG) AND THEY RECOMMEND I CONTINUE TO GET IT FIXED EACH TIME IT BREAKS. *AK

ON FEBRUARY 8, 2004, HERMAN LINO, CO OWNER OF CAR, CALLED ME TO REPORT SOME TROUBLE WITH THE DODGE CARAVAN. THE RED LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND FELT THAT THE ENGINE WAS WARM. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW SOME SMOKE WHICH HE THOUGHT MAY HAVE BEEN FROM AN OVERHEATED ENGINE. I TOLD HIM, BY PHONE, TO ADD SOME COOLANT TO THE RADIATOR. HE PURCHASED A CONTAINER BUT THE RADIATOR ONLY TOOK 1/2 OF THE CONTAINER. AFTER A WHILE, THE RED LIGHT AND CRUISE LIGHT WENT OFF SO HE STARTED THE CAR TO DRIVE HOME WHICH WAS ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY. AS HE ASCENDED A SLIGHT INCLINE, HE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THE HOOD, MORE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. HE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND STEPPED OUT TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAME. THE FLAME WAS ABOUT 5-10 FT HIGH. HERMAN SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE. HE STEPPED BACK WHEN ANOTHER EXPLOSION ERUPTED. POLICE AND FIREMEN CONVERGED ON T HE SCENE AND AFTER THINGS COOLED DOWN, AN INSPECTION WAS MADE. A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPT WAS ISSUED. THE FIRE ERUPTED ABOUT 8PM. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO ACE TOWING ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY FROM THE SCENE THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 15,000 MILES, IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND HAD REGULAR SERVICE AT THE DODGE DEALER. THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS BURNED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THERE'S A LARGE HOLE IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE FIRE ENTERED THE VEHICLE. TOP OF THE DASHBOARD SUSTAINED MELTING AND DAMAGE. FRONT SEATS, UPHOLSTERY INCURRED LITTLE DAMAGE. THE CEILING OF THE VAN SHOWS SOOT MARKS. THIS VEHICLE HAD IT'S ORIGINAL BATTERY. THERE WAS ONLY ONE DRIVER . OWNERS HAD NO OTC COVERAGE. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE CAR. IT IS AN IMS VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS A COMPANY DEFECT. I HAVE THE CAR HERE ON MY PREMISES. MRS. P. CAINDEC. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM *NM

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DURING TRIP. CRUISE CONTROL WORKED ONLY INTERMITTENTLY THEN QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON NOW. *LA

THE LENS COVER FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS ARE DISCOLORING. THIS CONDITION HAS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND EVEN WHEN USING THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURERS RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

2000 DODGE CARAVAN JUMPED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. *MR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER OVER FIVE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM

FRONT DOME LIGHTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ON BOARD COMPUTER ARE FLASHING ON AND OFF DURING DOOR OPEN CONDITION. WHEN EITHER LAMP IS PRESSED INTO ITS ON POSITION IT STAYS ON. *LA

RIGHT REAR TIRE BLOW-OUT. CAP SEPARATION FROM CARCUS. SIDEWALL SHREDDED. SPEED 65 / INTERSTATE TRAVEL / VEHICLE FISHTAILED BUT TO CONTROL / STOP. NO VEHICLES ALONG SIDE AT TIME OF INCIDENT *AK