2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Complaint Log

I HAD THE CLOCKSPRING IN MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN REPLACED (AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED) SOMEWHERE AROUND 40,000 MILES. THE CLOCKSPRING CAUSED MY STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHEN TURNING A CORNER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE CLOCKSPRING ALONG WITH A RELATED AIRBAG COMPONENT THEY SAID WAS ALSO NEEDED. THIS REPAIR WORK WAS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY OF 2004. ON SEPTEMBER 29TH,2004 I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A WOMAN WHO RAN A RED LIGHT. I WAS IN MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH MY 4 CHILDREN (14,10,6,AND 5). THERE WAS EXTENSIVE FRONTAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND MY CAR WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE FOLLOWING THE IMPACT. MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT AND I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS AIRBAG (THAT I JUST HAD REPLACED) DID NOT GO OFF DURING THE IMPACT.

WHILE FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK VALVE JOINT SEPARATED FROM GAS TANK, CAUSING GASOLINE TO POUR OUT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE FUEL BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK.*AK

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DOOR OPENED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

AS REPORTED BY THE 3 OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SEAM TEAR/SEPARATION LOCATED ON TOP OF THE ROOF WITHIN THE WATER CHANNEL AND STRIPPING. THERE ARE TOTAL OF 4 DEFECTS EACH RANGING FROM 1 TO 3 INCHES IN LENGTH AND 1/8 IN WIDTH. 3 OF THE 4 DEFECTS SIT JUST OUTSIDE AND PARALLEL TO THE WEATHER STRIPPING. THE DEFECTS ARE NOT PROTECTED AT ALL FROM THE ELEMENTS AND WILL RESULT IN DAMAGE OR FAILURE TO THE INTERIOR AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OVER TIME. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TEAR REVEALED JAGGERED EDGES (TEAR) SUGGESTING SOME SORT OF STRESS IS OCCURRING, WHETHER FROM THE SLIDING DOOR OR EVERYDAY USE. I WILL LEAVE THAT UP TO THE ENGINEERS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OF THE DEFECT, AND SINCE THE DEFECT IS REPEATABLE (ALL FOUR AREAS) AN INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED. THE DEFECT ITSELF IS LOCATED IN AN OBSCURED LOCATION ON THE VAN, WERE MOST CUSTOMERS WOULD NEVER KNOW TO LOOK UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE AND OUT OF WARRANTY, WHICH RESULTS IN ADDITIONAL COST TO THE CUSTOMER. *JB

INCIDENT #1: 1. WE WERE RETURNING HOME FROM A WEEKEND VISIT TO IOWA. WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING ABOUT 5 HOURS. WE WERE SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT OFF HIGHWAY 212 NEAR GLENCOE, MN. 2. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED AT ABOUT 4:00 PM AS WE WERE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE OUR TURN. GLASS WAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE (2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN) AND CHIPPED THE PAINT ALONG THE SIDE OF THE VAN. 3. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACE BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY (PROGRESSIVE) AND THE VAN WAS REPAINTED AND DETAILED (VACUUMED) TO REMOVE THE GLASS INSIDE THE VAN. INCIDENT #2: 1. ON THE SAME VEHICLE (2003 GRAND CARAVAN) A SECOND WINDOW EXPLODED ON OCTOBER 7, 2004. THIS TIME IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WINDOW. I WAS ACCELERATING INTO A PASSING LANE EAST OF COKATO, MN. 2. THE WINDOW EXPLODED AT 6:45 AM. GLASS CHIPPED THE PAINT ON THE SIDE OF THE VAN AND WAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE OF THE VAN - AGAIN. 3. THE SIDE WINDOW ON THE SLIDING DOOR WAS REPLACE BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY (PROGRESSIVE) AND THE VAN WILL BE PAINTED AGAIN SOON. *AK *SC

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A REFLECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT IMPAIRED VISION WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER SPOKE WITH THE DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED HE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT.*AK

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP TRANSMISSION JUMPED AND SLIPPED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HAD NO ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *AK WHEN THE VEHICLE PASSED ANOTHER, IT WOULD SOUND AS IF THE CLUTCH WAS OUT OF GEAR AND THE MOTOR WOULD RACE AND SLOW DOWN. *SC *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATBEALTS BECAME UNBUCKLED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BOTH A FRONTAL AND REAR IMPACT; THE CRASH INVOLVED 3 OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS 2ND IN THE ROW OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING 70 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE INCIDENT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER ENCOUNTERED THE SEATBELT BECOMING UNBUCKLED WITHOUT DEPRESSSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE BUCKLE WAS FREE OF DIRT AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS. THE CONTACT'S FEET WENT THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN LEFT TOE, CRUSHED LEFT FOOT, CUTS ON THE RIGHT FOOT AND LEG. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AIRBAG BURNS ON BOTH ARMS AND CHEST, AS WELL AS A KNOT ON THE HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED, AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DIRECTED THE CONTACT TO THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY.

I JUST PURCHASED 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN I WAS IN THE EXPRESSWAY AND JUST SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND THE ENGINE WANTED TO DIE OUT. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE EXPRESSWAY THERE WERE SOME TRAFFIC. THEN FINALLY I GOT IT UP TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING MORE THAN HALF TANK OF GAS. TOOK IT IN TO THE DODGE DEALER IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED AND SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE CONSUMER HEARD A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE SWAY BAR LINK BROKE. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS A PREMATURE FAILURE AND THAT THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. *NM

DT: BEGINNING LAST YEAR OWNER WAS HAVING REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END, TWO OR THREE PEOPLE LOOKED AT IT AND COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THEN ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOUND THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS THE BUSHINGS HAD NOT BEEN GREASED, AND ALL FRONT END SUSPENSION BOLTS WERE LOOSE. NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AS FAR AS OWNER KNOWS. AS OWNER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THERE HAS BEEN A CRACKING NOISE AND A SNAPPING NOISE THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THERE ARE NO OTHER PROBLEMS, PROBLEM WITH FRONT END SEEMS TO BE FIXED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED 15 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. THESE REPAIRS HAVE HAD TO DO WITH STEERING AND SUSPENSION NOISE. THERE HAVE BEEN BUSHINGS REPLACED, STEERING FLUID REPLACED, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR WHICH WAS NORMAL. *AK

I PURCHASED MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN NOVEMBER 2002 AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ABS SENSOR REPLACED ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SIX TIMES. DESPITE THE CONTINUOUS PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS STATED THAT THERE CAN BE NO UNDERLYING CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING OVER SOME DEBRIS IN THE ROAD, THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED. *AK *SC *JB

AFTER MAKING "CLUNKING NOISES FOR APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES MY STEERING RACK WORE OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER 100% WARRANTY, AND NOW MY REPLACEMENT RACK ( A REMANUFACURED UNIT) STARTED MAKING THE SAME NOISES AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4,000 MILES. HEN THE RACK WAS REPLACED I WAS INFORMED THAT I MAY INCUR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REPLACEMENT RACK AS CHRYSLER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THEIR STEERING RACKS. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE AFTER I HAD EXCEEDED THE 3YR./36000 MILE WARRANTY. AS I MISTAKENLY THOUGHT I HAD A 12 MO./12,000 WARRANTY ON THE REPLACEMENT RACK. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ONCE I EXCEED THE 3/36,000 GUARANTY AND AFTER SPEAKING TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE IN DETROIT THE DEALER OFFERED ME A 50/50 GUARANTEE...I AM STILL IN COMMUNICATION W/THE DEALER AND AM WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR DISTRICT MGR. DECIDED ABOUT A POSSIBLE 100% EPLACEMENT. IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME AND WHAT I HEARD ABOUT THIS BEING A MORE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IS TRUE, I FELT I SHOULD BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM A FORMER NEW YORK STATE LICENSED AUTOMOTIVE DAMAGE ADJUSTER/INVESTIGATOR.*AK

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE SUDDENLY STOPPED DUE TO A MECHANICAL PROBLEM REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENSOR. (NAR) *PH *CB

ERRATICALLY, THE REAR TAILGATE DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY AND OPENS WHILE DRIVING. NO AJAR WARNING LIGHT SHOWN ON THE DASH EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE INCIDENTS. THE MECHANISM SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS CLOSED BUT IT IS NOT BECAUSE THE LOCK IN THE TAILGATE HAS ALREADY CLOSED BEFORE IT HAS REACHED THE LATCH, THEREFORE PREVENTING PROPER CLOSURE. I HAVE DUPLICATED THIS ISSUE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH BOTH KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE AND ROOF CONSOLE CONTROL. DEALER REPEATEDLY REPORTS THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE ISSUE, DENIES REPAIR/REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH THE TAILGATE HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BECAUSE OF DAMAGE INCURRED BY THE TAILGATE POPPING OPEN WHILE DRIVING.*AK

DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE DECEMBER 2003 AND HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2004, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE SERVICE DEALER IN MARCH 2005, AND SHE HAD THE PUMP REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES WHEN TURNING THE CORNER OR WHEN PARKING. IT WOULD HUM ANYTIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED.*AK *JB

MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DRIVING - HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM. REPLACED ALTERNATOR BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PURCHASED IN JANUARY, 2004. PURCHASE & INCIDENT DATES ARE APPROXIMATE. *JB

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. A REPRESENTATIVE WAS SENT OUT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS NOT HEARD ANYTHING AS OF YET.*AK

GRAND CARAVAN SPORTS ARE EXTREMELY EASY TO BREAK INTO AND EVEN EASIER TO STEAL. A 13-YEAR-OLD WITH A STANDARD SIZED SCREWDRIVER IS ALL IT TAKES TO GAIN ACCESS AND DRIVE OFF WITH YOUR VEHICLE <1 MINUTE. ANY ACCOMPLICES ARE WELL-HIDDEN BY THE PRIVACY GLASS. THERE ARE NO "CARS OF CHOICES" FOR AUTO THIEVES, IT'S WHATEVER IS QUICK AND EASY. THIS ACCESSIBILITY ISSUE IS COMMON TO ALL DAIMLER-CHRYSLER VEHICLES, NOT JUST THE CARAVAN FLEET. D.C. VEHICLES ARE QUICKLY GAINING STATUS AS "EASY TO STEAL, QUICK TO STASH, NOT TO MENTION AN ABUNDANT POOL OF POSSIBILITIES"...EXPECT TO PAY NEARLY $3000.00 (LOW END) FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S JOY RIDE AND WAIT APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR WEEKS WHILE REPAIRS ARE MADE. *JB

WHILE STRAPPED INTO A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN'S MIDDLE CAPTIANS SEAT,MY SON WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT THAT WAS USING THE LATCH SYSTEM. THE MIDDLE SEAT OF THE VAN PIVOT TO GIVE ACCES TO THE REAR SEATS. IN DUING SO THE MIDDLE SEAT COULD SIT BACK IN THE PROPER POSITION WITHOUT LOCKING DOWN INTO THE FLOOR. IT WILL LOOK LIKE IT IS LOCKED BUT COULD NOT BE. SINCE THE ANCOR AND TETHER FOR THE LATCH CARSEAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE SEAT AND NOT TO THE FLOOR OR ROOF OR CAR. WHEN THE MIDDLE SEAT PIVOTS THE CARSEAT GO WITH IT. SO WHEN MY SON WAS STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT AND THE MIDDLE SEAT POVITTED DURING A STOP. MY SON WAS THRUSTED INTO THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. HIS FACE WAS CUT AND BADLY BRUISED DUE TO THE DRIVERS SEAT'S HARD PLASTIC BACK. MY COMPLAINT IS WHY DONT THEY HAVE THE LATCH SYSTEM ATTACHED TO THE CAR AND NOT THE SEAT AND WHY DOES THE MIDDLE SEATS SIT LIKE THEY ARE LOCKED DOWN EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT BE. I DID CONTACT DODGE THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN DECEMBER 2003, FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AT 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON APPROXIMATELY TWELVE OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, HEARD THE NOISE, AND STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG THE 2003-2005 GRAND CARAVANS. ALTHOUGH THE MECHANIC COMPLETED OTHER RECALL REPAIRS, HE FELT THAT HE COULD NOT REMEDY THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE TO WORSEN. THE CONTACT HAS DOCUMENTATION OF ALL THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 23,100 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,025.*AK

I PURCHASED 2002 GRND CARAVAN IN FEBRUARY 2003 FROM DODGE DEALER HAD 20K. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE SHOT BY DEC 2003 W/32K. I TOOK TO DEALER I PURCHSED IT FROM THEY SAID IT WAS MY PROBLEM AND OFFERED TO REPAIR AT MY COST. I REPLACED W/ NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AND OCT 2004 W/ 48K THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE SHOT AGAIN. I REPLCED FOR A 2ND TIME. OLD ROTORS & PADS WERE THROWN AWAY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SURGES-AT START WHEN I ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE-THEN IT CATCHES AND GOES. AT LOW SPEED IT DOWNSHIFTS HARD AND THEN UPSHIFTS HARD. HAPPENED MANY TIMES-DEALER REPLACED FRONT PUMP IN THE TRANSMISSION-LAST TIME "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE". *LA

ON AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS, MY DAUGHTER'S GEN3 SEAT BELT HAS UNLATCHED WITH NO APPARANT CAUSE. MY CHILDREN ARE 2 1/2 AND 4 AND THE SOUL PURPOSE OF BUYING THE VAN WAS TO HELP ENSURE THEIR SAFETY. IF THEIR BELTS ARE UNLATCHING FOR NO APPARANT REASON, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN A CRASH? THEY CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE PROTECTED.*AK

EVEN ON THE SLIGHTEST INCLINE, VAN ROLLS BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE. THIS IS THE FIRST AUTOMATIC THAT I EVER HAD DO THIS. IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND SOMEONE WALKS BEHIND YOU OR ANOTHER CAR IS TOO CLOSE. I NOTICED THIS THE FIRST DAY I DROVE IT. *LA

WHEN DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON LIGHTS DIMMED, AND THE HEAT FROM THE AIR VENTS TEMPERATURE DECREASED. THIS OCCURRED WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, OR IF CONSUMER REMOVED FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MODULE/ALTERNATOR, TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, AND THE MAIN COMPUTER, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AT 200 MILES DEALER REPLACED BRAKES AND DIFFERENTIAL. AT 900 MILES DEALER REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK

WHEN USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY TO OPEN THE REAR TAILGATE, THE GATE LOCKS SOMETIMES WHILE IT IS OPENED. WHEN YOU THEN CLOSE IT USING THE KEYPAD, THE DOOR LOWERS AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT SAYS DOOR IS CLOSED, BUT IT IS NOT REALLY LOCKED AND CAN OPEN WHOLE DRIVING. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN USING OVERHEAD CONSOLE SWITCH. DODGE WAS NOT CONCERNED WHEN I BROUGHT IT FOR WARRANTY AND JUST PUT ON REPAIR ORDER THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT ALTHOUGH I SHOWED THEM THE SAME FAILURE AFTER OPENING AND CLOSING 3 TIMES. *LA

THE REAR CAPTAIN'S CHAIR PASSENGER SEAT IN A GOLD DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AT ADVANTAGE RENTAL CAR NEAR THE SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AIRPORT HAS THE SEATBELT CONNECTION ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE SEAT. IT LOOKLS LIKE THERE ARE TWO LEFT SEATS INSTALLED. I REPORTED THIS TO THE INSPECTOR AT THE OFFICE AND I'M TOLD HE TRIED TO CHARGE US $150 FOR DAMAGES NOT NOTED DURING PICKUP OF THE VAN.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE TAILGATE LOOSENED AND FLEW OPEN. DRIVER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS AND THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE TIMING INSIDE OF THE LOCK MECHANISM WAS OFF AND CAUSED THE DOOR TO LOCK PREMATURELY. *AK *PH *JB

JUST ABOVE BOTH SLIDING DOORS (LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE) ON THE DRIP RAIL THERE IS APROXIMATELY A 3 INCH CRACK IN THE SEAM OF THE SHEET METAL IN A TOTAL OF 4 SPOTS.THE DEALER STATES I WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 11/03/2003 FOR THEM TO HAVE THEIR BODY SHOP WHICH IS NOT ON SITE HAVE A LOOK AT IT. I HAVE MADE KNOWN MY CONCERNS WITH DODGE CORP WHOSE NUMBER WAS SUPPLIED BY THE DEALER AND SPOKE TO TERESA WHOM SAID ALL I HAVE WAS WARRANTY, WELL MY CONCERN IS THE SRTUCTURE OF THE ROOF ONE, TWO IS THE WATER ENTERING THE INNER SHEET METAL PARTS OF THE VEHICLE AFTER ALL AS THEY STATED AFTER THE 7 YEARS THEY ARE DONE WITH THE WARRANTY. IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM AND AS A CUSTOMER WHO STILLS OWNS A 1994 GRAND CARAVAN WITH 155,000 MILES ON IT I WISH TO KEEP MY NEW VEHICLE. I AM NOT ASKING FOR A NEW ROOF AS WAS ASKED BY THE DEALER JUST A LITTLE ASSURANCE THAT IF IN 7 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS ECT. IF THE VEHICLE ROTS FROM THIS FACTORY DEFECT WHY SHOULD I BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR IF IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. AS I ALSO SAID WHAT ABOUT THE STRUCTURE AND SAFETY FROM THIS PROBLEM THERE HAS TO BE A REASON WHY THE SEAM IS OPENING UP.

THE MAIN PROBLEM WAS THE VEHICLE NOT GOING INTO GEAR OR MOVING, PLUS WE NOTICE THAT ON ANY INCLINE THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS IF YOU HAVE TO STOP AT A LIGHT. THE FIRST PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THERE WAS A LEAK AND THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE INCLINE, WHICH THEY SAY IS NORMAL AND THE TRANSMISSION IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. I TOTALLY DISAGREE, I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR A WHILE AND ONLY MANUAL TRANSMISSION REACT THIS WAY ON AN INCLINE. THUS FAR THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE HAS BEEN NO COST. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THESE PROBLEMS.

ON A 2003, GRAND, CARAVAN JUST ABOVE BOTH SLIDING DOORS ON THE DRIP RAIL SHEET METAL WAS RAISED ,AND THE CHALKING WAS CRACKED WHICH PERMITTED WATER TO ENTER THE INTERIOR SHEET METAL. THIS CAUSED CORROSION. DODGE CORPORATION STATED THEY WOULD ONLY CHALK IT AGAIN, AND WOULD GIVE NO FURTHER WARRANTY FOR CORROSION OTHER THEN WHAT WAS OFFERED. THESE WERE OBVIOUS STRESS POINTS. ALSO, RIGHT SIDE DOOR DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE ALL THE TIME. IT CYCLED 3/4 OF THE WAY AND OPENED AGAIN. DRIVER'S DOOR IF CLOSED AFTER USING THE AUTOMATIC LOCK BUTTON WOULD UNLOCK WHEN CLOSED.*AK

ROOF SEAMS ABOVE LEFT AND RIGHT SLIDING DOORS CRACKED AT ALL STRESS POINTS, A TOTAL OF 4 AREAS AT LEAST 3 INCHES EACH CRACK. *LA

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE LIFT GATE DOES NOT PROPERLY LOCK AND OPENS WHILE DRIVING. IF THE REAR LIFT IS UNLOCKED AND OPENED USING THE KELSEY ENTRY, IT MAY CLOSE THE LOCK WHILE ITS BEING OPENED AND WHEN YOU CLOSE USING THE KEYPAD, IT WILL APPEAR TO CLOSE AND YOU HEAR THE MECHANISM CLOSING THE DOOR BUT IT DOES NOT CLOSE BECAUSE THE LOCK IS ALREADY CLOSED. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL EXTINGUISHES BECAUSE IT BELIEVES THE DOOR IS CLOSED. ON ONE OCCASION I FOUND MYSELF DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH AND OPENED BACK. ALSO THE INTERIOR PASSENGER DOME LIGHT TURNS ON BY ITSELF. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. *LA

BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THE FAILURE OF THE JOINTS PREVENTS A VEHICLE FROM PASSING INSPECTION AS IT IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. *NM

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND WHEN IN DRIVE EVEN ON A SLIGHT INCLINE CAR ROLLS BACKWARDS. THE LATTER COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR IN BACK IS TOO CLOSE. *LA

WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. *JB..NUMEROUS OCCASIONS CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD GO BUT WOULD THEN HESITATE, AND ALMOST QUIT RUNNING. AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM STILL THERE. WITH TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WITH CROSS TRAFFIC COMING, AND STILL DISTANCE AWAY THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE, AND ALMOST STOP RUNNING. THIS COULD RESULT VERY BADLY. *AK

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, BUT MY STEERING IS UNSAFE. AFTER OVER 5 ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE STEERING PROBLEM, AND 2 NEAR ACCIDENTS, I FEEL CHRYSLER HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS. IF I WAIT UNTIL I DO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THEY TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUSLY, IT WILL BE TO LATE. *LA

WHEN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSORS GETS MOIST IT CAUSES THE ABS LIGHT TO STAY ON ,AND THE ABS BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENSIX TIMES IN TWO YEARS. *AK

VEHICLE STALLED, SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE IN GEAR AT STOP LIGHT. IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY START UP, BUT WOULD STALL AT THE NEXT LIGHT. ALSO, STALLED ONCE WHILE IN "PARK". DEALERSHIP RETRIEVED VEHICLE AND CLAIMED IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR AND REPLACED IT. THE SAME EVENING, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVER A HUNDRED MILES OUT OF TOWN, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, BUT IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN, SEVERAL TIMES, AND RESTARTED. HOWEVER, IT DID FINALLY STALL AND WOULD NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CLOSEST DEALERSHIP.*AK

CONSUMER STATES SERPENTINE BELT MAKES ONGOING NOISE. DEALER HAD REPLACED A COUPLE OF TIMES THE SERPENTINE BELT; BUT, PROBLEM STILL RECURRING.*AK

THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON CONTINUOUS, THE HORN IS NOT WORKING, THE CRUISE CONTROL ISN'T WORKING, AND DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE. I CALLED AN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED A DODGE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE PART. *AK

EVERY DODGE VEHICLE ON MY STREET, INCLUDING MY BRAND NEW DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR LESS THAN 3 WEEKS, WAS BROKEN INTO AND BURGLARIZED. APPARENTLY THIS VEHICLE IS VERY EASY TO BREAK INTO AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS TOTALLY UNSECURED UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. *NLM

ON 6/18/03, VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM WITH CONTROL MODULE AND REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING.*AK

AT SLOW ACCELERATIONS VEHICLE SHUDDERS/HESITATES TO SHIFT. WHEN DOWNSHIFTING IT "BUMPS" DOWN. AT 35-40 MPH ENGINE RACES WITHOUT ACCELERATING. DEALER SAYS CLUTCH PLATES NEED 5-10,000 MILES TO BREAK IN AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT 2,400 MILES. VEHICLE STILL NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AFTER MANY SERVICE ATTEMPTS AND 11,000 MILES.*AK

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE STEERING, AND THEN HAVING THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED, THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS, I DON'T FEEL THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER ARE LISTENING TO MY CONCERNS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT CHRYSLER HAS IT'S OWN MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION. I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS FAIR, SINCE IN THE LAST 7 MONTHS, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE 15 DAYS.