2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Complaint Log

THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR NUT CAME OFF THE STUD. IT IS APPEARENT THAT THE NUT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND VIBRATED OFF DURING TRAVEL. THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED WHEN MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO FASTEN THE SAFETY BELT AFTER A STOP FOR LUNCH.*AK

AFTER MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RETURN TO CENTER AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HIT A CURVE. WHILE THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THERE WAS A DELAY IN ACCELERATION. ONCE GAS PEDAL CAUGHT THE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD. *NLM

I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 DODGE CARAVAN ON 4/17/02. ON 5/27/02 THE VAN WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON (THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM - PREVIOUSLY IN ON 4/25/02). ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER CIRCUIT WAS OPENED, WIRES TRACED BACK FROM ACM TO TENSIONER, NO CRIMPS FOUND, MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE WAS THEN REPLACED.*AK

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP THE CAR WILL EITHER SPUTTER AND ALMOST STALL OR IT WILL IN FACT STALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AS CLOSE AS THE END OF OUR BLOCK TO 15 MINUTES INTO A TRIP. IT HAS USUALLY OCCURED IN THE FIRST DRIVE OF THE DAY, BUT LATELY IT HAS BEEN HAPPENENING AT ANY POINT OF THE DAY.*AK

WHEN A/C IS ON PASSENGER FLOOR GETS SOAKED. ROTTING OUT THE CARPET AND FLOOR MAT. AS WELL THE RADIO STOPS WORKING FOR PERIODS OF TIME. *TR

I PURCHASED A NEW DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ON 4/17/02. ON 5/8/02 THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR MALFUNCTIONING AUTOMATIC REAR LIFTGATE AND RIGHT SIDE DOOR. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT DO ANYTHING.*AK

THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK CAME OFF AND WITIN 40 MILES I LOST 10 GALONS OF GAS. *AK

BOTH POWER SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT STOP WHEN CONSUMER PUTS HAND IN PATH OF DOOR AT BOTTOM, IT SHUTS AUTOMATICALLY. DEALER ADMITTED THEY ARE MADE THIS WAY. *AK THE SLOT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SLIDING DOOR WAS WIDE AND COULD CATCH HAND OR FOOT OF PASSENGER. *YH

I PURCHASED OUR 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ON 4-1-2002 AND IT WAS IN THE SHOP THE FIRST TIME FOR THE POWER STEERING COOLER AND HOSES LEAKING ON 4-25-2002. THE DEALER FIXED IT AND IT WAS LEAKING AGAIN ON 4-29-2002, THEN 4-30-2002, THEN 5-2-2002. THE WEATHER GOT WARMER SO IT DIDN'T SEEM TO LEAK. THEN IT STARTED GETTING COLD AGAIN IN THE FALL AND IT STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. SEEMS WHEN THE TEMP DROPS BELOW 21 DEGREES, IT LEAKS. CHRYSLER SENT A FACTORY ENGINEER TO THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE WHY IT COULDN'T BE FIXED. HE STATED THAT CHRYSLER IS HAVING EXTREME DIFFICULTY WITH THE POWER STEERING COOLERS AND HOSES LEAKING IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY (COLDER CLIMATES.) HE ALSO STATED THAT IT CAN NOT BE FIXED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE IF I LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF LOSS OF FLUID IN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM, I COULD END UP IN ON-COMING TRAFFIC AND CAUSE A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT POSSSIBLY RESULTING IN DEATH. AFTER MONTHS OF THEM TRYING TO FIX IT, I FINALLY SAID ENOUGH. I CALLED THE FACTORY AFTER TRYING TO TALK TO THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP, WHO WOULD NOT COOPERATE, AND ASK THEM TO BUY IT BACK. I WAS OFFERED A NEW ONE BUT REFUSED BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH ALL OF THEM. AND I DON'T WANT TO MOVE SOUTH TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE. CURRENTLY, WE ARE IN THE BUY BACK MODE AND HOPE THAT SOMEONE ELSE DOESN'T END UP WITH THIS VAN BECAUSE THE STATE OF WYOMING REFUSES TO BRAND THE TITLE WITH A REMARK THAT IT HAS BEEN A LEMON BUY BACK. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES ON THE RADIATOR ALSO LEAKED DUE TO COLD WEATHER. THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE FALLING OFF AND A PART WAS MISSING FROM ASSEMBLY AT THE FACTORY.

I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ON 4/17/02. ON 4/25/02 THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. A SEATBELT TENSIONER HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH SEAT TENSIONER AND AUTOMATICS DOORS MALFUNCTIONING.*MR AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON, AS A RESULT CONSUMER HAS HAD THE SEATBELT TENSIONER AND AIRBAG MODULE REPLACED. AUTOMATIC DOORS HAVE ALSO MALFUNCTIONED AND HAS BEEN REPROGRAMED. *TS

THIS IS MY SECOND 2002 GRAND CARAVAN...THE FIRST WAS PURCHASED ON 10/23/2001 AND ON THE WAY HOME WE SMELLED STRONG FUEL VAPORS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND IT STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE PROBLEM AND WE WERE GIVEN A REPLACEMENT 2002 GRAND CARAVAN ON 10/24/2001....I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WAS BUILT ON THE SAME DAY AND SAME PRODUCTION LINE AS THE PREVIOUS 2002 I HAD...AND ONLY ONE OTHER VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED BETWEEN THEM. THE VEHICLE I HAVE JUST STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS ONE (STRONG VAPORS, CHECK ENGINE LITE), AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING GAS TANK/PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE PROBLEMS. SINCE THE VEHICLES WERE BUILT ON THE SAME LINE/DAY, AND SINCE IT IS A GAS TANK/VAPOR PROBLEM, AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ALL GRAND CARAVANS BUILT ON THAT LINE ON/AROUND THAT DAY.*AK

I HAVE A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2003. IT DID OK FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER THAT IT HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. WHEN I'M WAITING TO GO ON A ROAD IF I TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE IT STARTS ROLLING BACKWARD FAST. YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE BRAKE WHILE PUSHING THE GAS TO KEEP IT FROM ROLLING BACK. IT'S STEERING HAS GIVEN ME TROUBLE, THE GAS GAUGE HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS, ETC.... I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HAVE GOTTEN NO HELP FROM THEM. *JB

LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY AT WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/HOTLINE -----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- FROM: [XXX] ON BEHALF OF CND EVENING NEWS SENT: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2003 4:10 PM TO: [XXX] SUBJECT: FW: DODGE PROBLEM -----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- FROM: [XXX] [MAILTO:[XXX]] SENT: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2003 7:36 PM TO: CND EVENING NEWS SUBJECT: DODGE PROBLEM HELLO MY NAME IS [XXX], I AM FROM BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. WHAT YOU'VE HAVE JUST REPORTED, ALSO HAPPEN TO HUSBAND [XXX] VEHICLE. THE ONLY THING IS THAT IT IS A 2002 CARAVAN. RIGHT NOW BROOKLYN DODGE SERVICE CENTER HAS OUR VEHICLE SINCE MONDAY 15 2003. WE'VE BEEN HAVING THESE PROBLEM SINCE MARCH 2002 TWO WEEKS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER. WE TOO ARE SEEKING THE HELP FROM A LAWYER THIS COMING MONDAY. PLEASE SEE THAT THE RIGHT PEOPLE GET THIS INFORMATION THAT THE GRAND CARAVAN HAS THESE PROBLEM AND MORE TOO. I WOULD LIKE THE NUMBER OR WEBSITE FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY PLEASE. I AM [XXX] *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BALL JOINT PROBLEM. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP ABOUT 20 TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING NOISES AND SQUEAKING WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED MANY COMPONENTS RELATED TO THE FRONT END NOISE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAD INTERNAL DAMAGE WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE AND UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT PADS WERE WORN AND THE ROTOR WERE GROOVED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FRONT PADS AND RESURFACED THE ROTORS. THE INNER TIE ROD WAS LOOSE AND CAUSED THE STEERING TO MAKE NOISE. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE GEAR ASSEMBLY. *NM

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *SLC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF AT NIGHT AND TURN BACK ON AFTER 1-2 SECONDS. OCCASIONALLY, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 03-0408 *BF

I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A RUBBING NOISE, BINDING, VIBRATION, WANDERING AND PLAY IN STEERING. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN FOR REPAIR AT MAROONE DODGE IN PEMBROKE PINES, FL. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME ON SEVEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *LA

I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ON 10/6/01. WITHIN A WEEK I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND SWIFT DROP IN BRAKE PRESSURE WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND SAID COME BACK IF PROBLEM PERSISTS. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AT 5 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I AGAIN WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM, AND THAT THIS IS THE WAY A GRAND CARAVAN "BREAKS IN" BY THE SERVICE MANAGE EVONA HARTZELL. I RETURNED MY VEHICLE AGAIN AT 6 MONTHS FOR A WEEK, A FACTORY REP DROVE MY CAR EXACTLY FIVE MILES AND DECLARED THE BRAKES IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER, HE DID NO OTHER INSPECTION. THE VAN WAS BACK IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ONE WEEK LATER FOR THE FOURTH TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL FOUR VISITS TOTALLING OVER 12 DAYS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THEY CLAIM THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THEREFORE NO REPAIR IS NECESSARY. AT 8 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP THE DROP IN BRAKE PRESSURE IS NOW OCCURING DURING THE BRAKING PROCESS AS WELL AS WHEN STOPPED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THE PROBLEM IS WORSENING AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH DETAILED DOCUMENTATION AT YOUR REQUEST.*AK

CONSUMER NOTICED A GAS LEAK. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT O-RINGS WERE LEAKING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH...*AK

BRAKE SHOES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT WITH ONLY 17,500 MILES ON VEHICLE. *TT *CB

CONSUMER REPLACED RADIO DUE TO MOISTURE DAMAGE WHICH CAUSED THE RADIO TO BURNOUT. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (04V531000) AFTER THE RADIO WAS REPLACED AND SENT THE ORIGINAL BILL TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE RADIO WAS REPLACED WITH AN AFTERMARKET ONE. *NM

2002 GRAND CARAVAN BRAKES FAILED. *TS THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR THE FLAWED BRAKING SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND ONLY BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AFTER THE DAMAGE HAD ALREADY OCCURRED. THE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED BACKING PLATE ALLOWED WATER AND SNOW TO ENTER THE BRAKE DRUM ENCLOSURE AND WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO FREEZING THE BRAKE SHOES FROZE TO THE DRUM. THE SITUATION MOST LIKELY OCCURRED WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED. *JB

VEHICLE GENERATES EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE IN THE COCPIT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50MPH. NOISE IS FOCUSED AROUND WINDSHIELD AREA AND IS LOUD ENOUGH TO OBSCURE RADIO AND CONVERSATIONS IN A NORMAL VOLME BY PASSENGERS. ON EXTENDED TRAVEL, NOISE IS QUITE ANNOYING TO DRIVE AND PASSENGERS AND INCREASES FATIGUE FACTOR. THIS CREATES A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE MAJORITY OF MY DRIVING IS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WITH THIS NOISE LEVEL, I WOULD CONSIDER THE VAN UNACCEPTABLE.

VEHICLE HAS GEN3 SEATBELTS IN THE MIDDLE AND BACK. THIS SEATBELT IS VERY EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY BECOME UNLATCHED, AND DOES NOT PASS THE 30MM BALL BEARING TEST (I TRIED THIS AT HOME). I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT ACCIDENTAL RELEASE OF THESE BELTS BY CARSEATS MOVING AROUND, ELBOWS, ETC. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THESE BELTS REPLACED BY THE NEWER GEN4 DESIGN.*AK

WE WANT NHTSA TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE GEN 3 SEAT BELTS IN OUR CAR. HOPEFULLY, WE WILL NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE OF THIS PART, AS OTHERS HAVE, SINCE WE DEPEND ON THESE BELTS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE ABCNEWS REPORT ABOUT THESE DEFECTIVE BELTS, ASAP, AND DO WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE.*AK

CHILD WAS IN SEAT BELT PLAYING WITH A TOY AND ACCIDENTLY HIT SEATBELT BUCKLE, CAUSING IT TO COME UNLATCHED. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS A "BLINDSPOT" IN ITS LEFT HAND MIRROR. VEHICLES PASSING ON THE LEFT OF THE VEHICLE CAN INITIALLY BE SEEN AS THEY PASS ON THE LEFT SIDE. HOWEVER AS THEY PULL MORE ALONG SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THEY "DISAPPEAR" FROM VIEW IN THE MIRROR. THIS APPLIES TO ALL TYPES AND SIZES OF PASSING VEHICLES AND COULD LEAD TO PULLING INTO THE PATH OF A PASSING VEHICLE.

AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING BRAKE FAILURE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED,AND MECHANIC STATED THERE WERE PROBLEMS OCCURRING. HOWEVER, MECHANIC HAD NO SOLUTION FOR PROBLEM UNTIL INVESTIGATION THROUGH MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CLOSED.*AK

VAN HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES DUE TO AN UNKNOWN NOISE COMING FROM REAR LEFT WHEEL. DEALERSHIP HAS DONE SEVERAL LUBRICATIONS, CLEANING, AND LOOKING FOR HOT SPOTS ON THE BRAKES. EVEN AFTER ALL MAINTENANCE THAT WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THE UNKNOWN SOUND WAS STILL PRESENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

DURING THE THREE MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE BILATERAL SLIDING POWER DOORS. THE DOORS OPEN OR CLOSE WITHOUT ANY EFFORT BY ANYONE ACTIVATING THE MECHANISM THAT CONTROLS THE DOOR. ON OCCASION, THE RIGHT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE WHEN THE MECHANISM IS DEPRESSED. WHEN THE POWER DOOR IS OPEN IT CANNOT BE CLOSED WITHOUT MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO DEPRESS THE ELECTRONIC BUTTONS. *NLM

THE VAN IS SUBJECT TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT WITH THE OWNER BEING TOLD THAT THE DRIFTING IS A SAFETY FEATURE TO KEEP VAN FROM VEERING INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE VAN SHOULD DRIFT ONE LANE 3/4 OF A MILE. THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO ADJUST THE CRADLE TO MINIMIZE THE DRIFTING. THE OWNER HAS CONTACTED SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, POLICE OFFICERS, ETC., TO INQUIRE IF THIS IS TRUE OR NOT ABOUT THE DRIFTING BEING A SAFETY FEATURE. NLM

TIRE BLEW OUT AT 5000 MILES AND OTHER 3 TIRES BLEW OUT BEFORE 9000 MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

WHILE DRIVING AT 5-10 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN COMPLETELY LOCKED UP COMING OFF OF A RAMP. UPON STARTING AGAIN IT STARTED TO JERK. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR-END FELT AS IF DRAGGING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT PLATE, WHICH COVERS THE BRAKE SYSTEM, IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE SYSTEM, RESULTING IN RUSTING. THIS CONDITION CAUSES COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH ANOTHER VEHICLE IMPACTED THE DRIVER'S SIDE GOING ABOUT 50 MPH. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH RESULTED IN INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *PH *NLM

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES LEFT FRONT BRAKES SQUEAK VERY LOUDLY, AND THERE IS A DELAY IN STOPPING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE AT 55 MPH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL MODE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT TRANSMISSION WENT INTO SLEEP MODE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT.*AK

THE POWER STEERING HOSE RUPTURED AND/OR CRACKED RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND FLUID. *PH *NM

ONCE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK STEERING WHEEL DID NOT LOCK. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, DEALER DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK