1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Complaints

THIS VEHICLE HAD AN AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT THAT STAYED ON, AS WELL AS THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN FAILING. THE CLOCK SPRING MECHANISM WAS RELACED BY THE DEALER ON 3-22-01 AT A COST OF ROUGHLY $200 TO ME (THE OWNER). I HAVE HEARD YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I AM ABLE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THIS COST. THANKS.*AK

THE CABLE ON MY INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT FAILED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO LATCH FOR A WHILE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE LATCH PLATE. THERE WERE NO OBSTICLES IN THAT AREA AND EVEN THE DEALERSHIP AGREED THAT IT IS A BROKEN CABLE. MY SEAT IS PROBABLY THE OLDEST OF THESE INTEGRATED SEATS AND I'M CONCERNED THAT THE CABLE WOULD WEAR AND JUST BREAK ON SEATS THAT ARE BUILT IN. DODGE HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE NECESSARY PART IF I PAY FOR THE LABER. THE TOTAL COST IS ABOUT $650 OF WHICH I WILL HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $120. I'M CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MAY ALSO BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT ALSO OCCURS TO ME THAT IF MY CABLES SNAPPED WHEN THERE WAS NO CRASH WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THERE WAS A CRASH. MAYBE THESE SEATS WERE SAFE WHEN THEY WERE NEW BUT ARE THE NOW?

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. PROBABLE CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. FRONT STRUT TOWER SEVERELY RUSTED. IF STRUT TOWER FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY RESULT.

CONSUMER WAS UNDER HOOD & NOTICED STRUT ROD WAS RUSTED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND FOUND OUT THAT ROD COULD BREAK THROUGH AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK

COMPLETE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION--BANGING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 25MPH; $2000 TO FIX. *AK

A PIECE INSIDE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL UNIT BROKE. ALSO, AIR BAGS/ HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND REMAIN AFTER STARTING AND DRIVING VEHICLE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMES ON BY THEMSELVES. HORN FAILS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN IN USE.*AK

THE AIRBAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND OCCASIONALLY STAY ON AFTER STARTUP. THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO DID NOT WORK. A LOCAL DEALER INDICATED THAT THESE SYMPTOMS MAY BE A CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY FAILURE AND THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD PROBABLY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER MINIVANS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLIES FAIL. *AK

BRAKES FAILED AT 20-25 MPH, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, AND CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POP BEFORE THAT. DEALER FOUND THAT BOOSTER BROKE OFF FROM MASTER CYLINDER.*AK

ENGINE BELT TENSIONER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WITH ASSOCIATED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL SECOND INCIDENT FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED AT 33071 MILES 01/11/1999. *AK