2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Visibility & Wipers Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE HORN AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ALONG WITH FLUID ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE TERMINAL BATTERY TO SHUT OFF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HORN. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN V6 3.8L ENGINE, 75K MILES, VEHICLE HAS REAR AC/HEATER BLOWER OPTION. THE Y HEATER HOSE, DEALER PART 4677603AK, IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT START LEAKING COOLANT AT THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTION & THE Y PVC, COOLANT WAS DRIPPING ON THE EXHAUST SHIELD BACK OF THE ENGINE CLOSE TO THE DOUBLE WALL. AT THAT TIME I HAVE BEEN IN SLOW TRAFFIC FOR AT LEAST 30 MIN WHEN I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, BUT COOLANT WAS STILL KEEP DRIPPING FOR A WHILE, HAD THE HOOD OPEN AND TRIED TO VENT OUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT PREVENTING A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. HOME I REPLACED THE BAD HEATER HOSE WITH A NEW ONE PURCHASED FROM NAPA AUTO PARTS, PART NO 16599. *TR

2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DESIGN FLAW CAUSES LINES TO CORRODE DUE TO EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS CAUSING THE AIR CONDITIONING TO FAIL. THE FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITIONING DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW ALSO CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HAVE NOT WINDOW DEFOGGING CAPABILITIES, THUS IMPAIRING THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE THE ROAD. INSTEAD OF HAVING THE REAR AND FRONT WINDOWS DEFOGGED USING THE AC VENTS YOU MUST STOP AND WIPE WITH A CLOTH OR JUST CEASE DRIVING ALTOGETHER; THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE DURING WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN. THE DESIGN FLAW CAUSING THE AIR CONDITIONING TO FAIL ALSO POSES A HEALTH RISK TO THOSE TRAVELING WITHIN THE VEHICLE IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES SUCH AS ARE NOW BEING EXPERIENCED THROUGHOUT THE NORTHEAST. *TR

DURING THE WINTER LAST JANUARY 2009, I DROVE FROM KENOSHA WI TO MINNEAPOLIS MN. IT WAS THE NEW YEAR WEEKEND AND ON THE TRIP BACK, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BECAME CAKED WITH FROST ON THE BOTTOM. MOSTLY OUTSIDE. THE DEFROSTERS DID NOT CLEAR THE BOTTOM 6 - 8 INCHES OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CAUSES TWO PROBLEMS, ONE THE FROST STARTS TO BUILD ON THE INSIDE AND BEGINS TO DRIP AND THERE IS WATER ON YOUR DASH, SECOND BECAUSE THE OUTSIDE IS CAKED YOUR WIPERS BEGIN TO FREEZE UP. EVEN IF YOU CLEAN IT RECURS QUICKLY. THE WIPERS BEING CAKED CAUSES THEM NOT TO WORK WELL CLEARING THEY JUST PRODUCE WATER STREAKS ACROSS YOUR WINDSHIELD, YOUR VISION BECOMES MORE AND MORE OBSTRUCTED BECAUSE THEY CAN;T WORK. I CALLED MY CHRYSLER DEALER AND HE SAID THEY WOULD ADDRESS THE NEXT TIME I COME IN. I CAM IN THIS FALL BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SHOW THEM IT HAPPENING. THEY NOW STATE THAT ALL THE DODGE VANS ARE LIKE THAT AND THEY CANNOT ADDRESS IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR