1994 Dodge Caravan: complete transmission failure

Filed Jul 30, 2003 · Transmission · 86,292 miles · VA

Transmission failure on our 1994 dodge grand caravan without any warning - the van is just under 9 years old and had 86292 miles. It has been regularly serviced and is maintained in very good condition. It is used to commute to work and as a family car without any towing or heavy loads. Regular transmission service and checkup has been performed with last one before the failure at 72456 miles. No problems were found at this service, otherwise I would have taken appropriate action. The failure happened in an office underground parking lot and the car would not move when my wife tried to park it. It had to be towed to the dealer for repairs. This could have happened while driving on a busy highway or on a busy street and could have been dangerous to her safety and to other people on the road. I researched into the issue on the internet and found a lot of chrysler/dodge caravan owners with similar problems over the years. I even talked to friends and people I know who are caravan owners and several told me it is a known problem with these transmissions but chrysler has failed to remedy the problem. Failures even happen at lower mileage than my van and to older models. Replaced transmissions are also known to fail with low mileage in several cases that I came across. I have filed a complaint with chrysler on this matter and the ridiculous cost of $2500 that I had to pay to replace the transmission with a remanufactured one. The dealer that checked the problem on my van found that there were 4 problems found including worn out clutches and he had no explanation for the failure. Chrysler informed me that there is no recall on this problem at this time but they may have one later on. I strongly believe that chrysler/dodge is well aware of this defect problem and that it is also a safety hazard. Chrysler should issue a recall and replace the transmissions with a better designed one for the sake of safety to their customers and other people on the road.

Filed May 8, 2003 · Transmission · IL

There were several repairs done to the transmission and eventually the transmission was replaced. The problem recurred.

Filed Jun 21, 2002 · Transmission · CA

While driving transmission went out, lockedthe up vehicle. Had part replaced. 62000 miles later, and transmission went again.

Filed May 30, 2000 · Transmission · NH

Transmission failed to disengage when coming to a stop, causing intermittent stalling. Appointment made with the dealer. Feel free to provide further details.

Filed May 24, 2000 · Transmission · IL

In my research I have found several thousand transmission failures at low mileage. The manufacturer is also including upgraded parts to be used in an overhaul. To me if you need to upgrade a component in order for it to perform properly, it was defective to begin with!

Filed Feb 25, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · LA

This automobile has had 3 new transmissions, 3 new airconditioners,, a new starter, 3 or 4 recalls for different things and now an oil leak that has to be repaired.

Filed Jan 27, 2000 · Transmission · VA

Automatic transmission failed. Yh

Filed Nov 13, 1999 · Transmission · IL

I had to replace the transmission in my 94 dodge failed twice! 3 time. Had repair transmission in a vehicle that is only 5 years old. Is this normal?

Filed Nov 11, 1999 · Transmission · VA

Four speed od transmissions in the chrysler vans seem to be failing at a high rate at about 100k miles. When I inquired to several repair shops about getting my transmission fixed, they all told me that the problem I am experiencing is common in the chrysler vans. Every mechanic told me that it is a combination of manufacturing defect and poor quality parts used in the manufacture of the transmissions. One shop in particular has been replacing these transmissions on the magnitude of 70-80 per year. Additionally, I happen to have 6 neighbors who own or have owned '92-'95 chrysler vans with the od transmission and have needed replacement assemblies anywhere from 60k to 100k (my next door neighbor had hers replaced 3 times, she finally traded it in for a nissan van). One mechanic, after performing $1000 worth of work replacing the axles, tie rod ends, brakes, rotors, struts (complete), tires, and alignment, told me to "dump" the van because not only do they have transmission failures, but they have valve guide failures with the 3.0l engine starting around 100k miles. He told me $3000 to fix the transmission and another $2000 when the valve guide (plastic) failure occurs. I might add that I've done all scheduled maintenance ahead of manufacturers recommended intervals. I am certain that this is a problem that chrysler has known about for at least 5 years and perhaps longer and based on conversations with several repair shops, chrysler has done nothing to make the design flaw right.. I did not buy my $20,000 vehicle to have it fail at 95k miles. Thnaks for your help. Regards, ted cuneo

Filed Aug 9, 1999 · Steering, Transmission · MN

This is the second transmission failure in this vehical. Both have occured at about 70,000 miles. This is a famous problem now with these vehicals. Countless mechanics have told me that these transmissions "go" at about 70,000 miles. The web has pages dedicated to the fact that these transmissions fail. The government should make a concentrated effort to investigate this issue before there are more accidents that put our taxpaying lives at risk. You should look up pages on the internet that will demonstrate a consistant pattern of transmission failure at or near 70,000 miles. Also an investigation should look at the rack and pinion steering problems for which there is an entirely different set of web pages dedicated to these problems. The bottom line is that these engineering problems are costing owners of these cars enourmoos amounts of money and severely jeoprodizing peoples' saftey!! There must be some recourse for the shoddy engineering of chrysler/dodge!! Don't stop at just the airbag problems!! The large amount of famlies who own chrysler/dodge mini-vans and the serious saftey problems- imagine the transmission slipping into 2nd at fifty on an icy mn road, or the steering coming loose passing at 60mph - that these cars exhibit at regular intervals should be enough reason to start an investigation.

Filed Aug 8, 1999 · Airbags, Fuel system · RI

I have had 4 transmissions replaced by a ri dealership, because the dealership in massachusetts where this vehicle was purchased went out of business. The latest transmission was put in on june 11th 1999. The transmission previous to that was put in in april 1999. At the time the transmission was replaced in april, I picked up the vehicle at the dealership after hours and when I started the vehicle I immediately knew that a bad transmission was replaced by antother bad transmission! I have made numerous calls to the 800 telephone # in my owners manual and have had many differant complaint case numbers assigned. I have sent an e-mail message to the district manager for this area for chrysler and have made more than 2 dozen requests and demands that she contact me regarding this lemon that I spent $17,000. On! I have not had any luck. The fuse for my air bags which also controls the rear windshield wiper has blown for the second time and I now have no airbags! I have not had a working float in my gas tank since I hit the 12,000 mile mark, now I have no air conditioning. I have not used it all that much and have had it recharged and it still does not work. This car has been a lemon since I purchased it. I keep asking the people at chrysler and have been asking since 1995, who I may talk to or write to for some satisfaction, but they won't cooperate. N I do not know who to talk to. I am very nervous driving this vehicle, when the third transmission blew we were on our way home on a major highway, we lost power and our speed dropped to around 20 miles per hour, we were lucky to make it to safety! My son was very scared. Please help, thank you.

Filed Jun 22, 1999 · Transmission · PA

On several occasions vehicle experienced transmission failure, causing slippage.