1995 Dodge Caravan: engine overheating

Filed Mar 20, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · MO

I have owned this vehicle since new. I have had the oil changed and tire rotated as instructed by the manufacturer. I believe the tires should have lasted longer than 28,xxx miles and the battery beyond 36,xxx miles. In thirty years of driving I have never experienced so many failures with a vehicle. The drawer under the passenger has never close, the vinyl fabric that wraps around the drivers seat is torn due to cracking, not abuse. The horn has repeatedly failed. The vehicle is now started to rust. I have had what I refer to as a light show on the interior of the vehicle. The interior lights just flash on and off for no apparent reason. When this occurs, bells chime as well. This will occur for days at a time and then cease. The paint on the front of the vehicle, below the headlights at the base of the bumper is flaking off. This area of the vehicle receives the most abuse from road debris and should hold up better. Even though a head gasket and sensor has been replaced, the engine will indicate it is overheated on occasion. Brake pads wear out often. Everytime I turn the vehicle on I do not know what to expect. Whoever has had a car where the horn doesn't work, the inside rear view mirror falls off while driving down the road, the hood release latch fails and has to be replaced, interior lights which flicker on and off at random, premature replacement of the original tires, seats fabric which cracks, and, of course, the head gasket. Even the service manager at the dealer said it was unusual given the mileage on the car at the time. I never know what to expect when I get into the vehicle, it just seems like too many things are occuring. Due to distance, the dealer that sold us the car did not do any repairs. Several of the repairs have been done by royal gate dodge, 15502 manchester rd., ellisville, mo 63011. Thanks for your help and for listening

Filed Sep 16, 2000 · Engine · CA

Valve cover gasket leak @24000 miles replaced by dealer. Still leaking at 26000 miles replaced by dealer at approx. 30000 miles head was checked dealer stated head was good replaced head gasket and valve cover gasket dealer stated that any future problems with same components would be taken care of. Expertienced intermittent check engine light dealer checked and stated every thing okay replaced oxygen sensor. Still intermittent check engine light at approx 70395 coolant bubbling out of over flow replaced radiator cap vehicle now overheated test for carbon monoxide gas in coolant system shows positive indication bad head gasket or head dealer does not want to repair even though problem was never properly repaired

Filed May 21, 2000 · Engine · CA

The fan motor stayed on when the vehicle was turned off and ran for over an hour resulting in overheating and damaging the water pump. Nlm

Filed Aug 9, 1999 · Engine · TX

Cyclinder head cracked at around 40,000 miles and was replaced by the dealer. At approrimately 69,500 miles the head the dealer replaced at 40,000 miles cracked again. In talking to a friend in louisiana their van had the exact same problem at almost the same mileage. I have asked them to email this same questionaire to you. The head crackes and leakes antifreeze and water into the cyclinder compartment causing the vehicle to run real rough and overheat.

Filed Dec 4, 1997 · Engine · LA

Serpentine belt tensioner failed, causing loss of power steering and overheating of vehicle.

Filed Jul 21, 1997 · Engine · VA

The belt tensioner fell off the car. Owner had no power steering and the engine overheated. Anti-freeze leaked from the radiator. Chrysler was contacted.