The transmission on this car gaves problem at about 3 months since purchase. We brought it and explained that there was something wrong, but they lied to us and said it was not. Eventually, about a year and a half later, the transmissin finally broke and they had to replace it with a new one. After that the car continued to jerk violently wehenever we were going up hill and at 45 MPH. We kept bring in it in for them to fix it, knowing that this might create other serious problems with the car, but they continued to refuse to fix it because the jerking motion was not quite as pronounced when their mechanic drove it. According to them, chrisler would not allow them to see the transmission unless it justified it by being completely out of commission. We had them try to service it one more time, but instead, they tried to fix other things in it and even tried to charge me for them. I did not pay because they did not fix the transmission and the other things adjusted had no relation to the problem. About four weeks after this service, I woke up to go to my congregation with my children, when my child informed me that the car was burning. I went to look closely and and saw what looked like a small candle light. I told my children to go inside the house as gas fumes could be leaking and the car could explode. I went up to call the fire dept,which took me about a minute, and by the time I got back, the car was already engulfed in flames. This occurred, without anyone turning anything on, be that ignition or electrical component. This is evidence of one of two things, the mechanic at fitzgerald either deliverately or neglectfully created the hazard when he looked and did the wrong repairs, or this was a factory defect that finally was ascelerated by the constant violent jerking motion created by the transmission ongoing malfunction,which went on for more than 3 years. We are now left without a car that was under warranty (100000 miles) and they refuse to help
1996 Dodge Caravan brakes complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 151, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The left brake shoes cracked, flaked off and fell apart causing the vehicle to pull to the left. Nlm
Brakes squeaking continously. Yh
Int. Failures of ABS hyd. Package. Dlr. Est. $800 to repair. Recommended driving as-is w/o ABS.
While driving at 20 MPH and applying the brakes, hydraulic control unit for the ABS exploded. Van was taken to the dealership. The unit has not been replaced. Please provide any further information.
While traveling over a man hole cover or hole in ground and when depressing on brake pedal for a sudden stop, vehicle would continue to travel, causing extended stopping distance. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further informaton.
Consumer was driving at 25mph on the highway. He was looking in his rear mirror and he noticed smoke trail. Gasoline was dripping from underneath the pipe, and the car was on fire. When he applied brakes,the car kept moving. *ak the vehicle cut off in the middle of highway traffic going 55 MPH due to a faulty fuel pump which the manufacturer replaced. 15 months later fuel began to leak from underneath the vehicle causing fire while the customer was driving.
The headlights are adjusted too low. Nlm
Transmission failed prematurely causing the vehicle to lunge into the middle of a road. Nlm
Front rotors warped. Mechanic reported that when he turned them on the lathe he uncovered pits about 1/4" in diameter just below the disc surface. I asked if this was possibly a manufacturing defect and he refused to say yes or no.
Brake system failure.
Integrated child seat wont retract when pulled out. Weatherstripping on drivers door fell off found out the drivers door was not aligned properly. Constant belt noise especially during wet conditions. Dealer must repeatedly tighten them. Brakes pulsate when applying them. Replaced numerous components on rear brakes. Fuel tank would not read fuel level correctly. Dealer had to replace fuel tank, fuel pump, and other components and said the fuel tank was bowed. Dual sliding doors have to be repeatedly adjusted because they become difficult to slide. Driver's side window regulator broke for no apparent reason. Right rear child safety seat had hole in the buckle. Replaced battery once.installed child safety belt extensions due to recall. Van is now back in shop for unknown problems, will not start.
No summary listed for this vehicle.
Gas gauge inside fuel tank failed, replacement failed also. Mjs
While driving entire electrical system malfunctioned, but vehicle continued to operate with no electric components working. Dealer has been contacted replaced transmission, stabilizer sockets, brakes and battery, latches on doors, hatch replaced several times. Ak
Catalytic converter overheated, causing the wires to melt, short out and eventualy catch 0n fire. Dealer has been contacted. *ak consumer adds vehicle smelled of fuel from day vehicle was purchased. The brakes fail constantly. Leaky o-rings caused fire.
No summary listed for this vehicle.
Brake hose lines failed. Nm
Brake rotors and cylinders failed.
Vehicle has a manufacturer's defect in the brake line hose which corroded the calipers and affected the rotors and brakes from corrosion. Dealer not aware of the problem. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
On or about february of 1999, the airbag light starting blinking on and off, and I thought it was possibly a blown fuse. During the month of february I took the van in for service and while there in informed the served manager that the airbag light had begun to blink and I thought maybe a fuse had blown. He agreed to have it checked along with the other repairs I had requested. One repair being the squealing brakes I had repaired in october of 98. The service manager assured me the brakes were fine, and that those kind of brakes will often squeal. After that he informed me that in order to solve the airbag problem I would have to pay them an additional $800.00, because the airbag was no good. And I told the service manager that the airbag had never before deployed. How could it not be any good? I asked the service manager. He then told me it was a manufactures defect. But because I had gone over the 36000 mile limit, then I had to pay the full cost. I then call the chysyler cooperation, and informed them of this situation, they also told me that I would have to pay, but they would pay a portion which I feel was not fair, because the airbag was installed malfunctioned/not working in the first place. The van in question is the only means of transportation I have for my family. By god's grace we have not had an accident to find out that the airbags won't work. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. C. Frazier/mother/comsumer
Intermittent failure of ABS hydraulic system...fails to pass self-diagnostics and disables ABS.failure mode clears after 2-3 restarts.
Since we purchased our van in august of 1997, we have had many repairs and visits to the dealer. As of today, they have not fixed or diagnosed the brake problems. When coming to a stop or applying my brakes, a crunching sound occurs ,and I can feel it in the pedal. It is a fairly loud sound and the vibration is distracting because you lose your brake pedal for a period of 1-2 seconds. I have talked to other dodge caravan owners and plan to take a detailed survey on this matter, but, none to this point have had this problem. This leads me to believe this is a defect in the brake system or antilock brake computer system which is undetectable. This does not occur all the time, and not under the same conditions. This, also, leads me to the conclusion there is a major saftey defect here. I have had this to the dealer and they say they cant diagnose the problem. What am I supposed to do, get in an accident? I have asked that they recall my van, refund full purchase price or replace my vehicle with one similar to mine. This is not the only problem: today it was in for brakes and a blown engine head gasket. Previously, catalytic converter/ blower motor/battery/ speed sensor and anti rattle bumpers that still havent corrected problem/fuel filter ground strap and fuel filler tube ground strap have been replaced. Also, deglazed brakes, but still brakes squeak.finally, headlights replaced w/housing/lamp, and whatever else they have done to it while in the shop right now. It has been there since tuesday feb.02. This van is no way worth the hassles that I have been put through and I dont think anyone should have this many problems so early on. I have done extensive research on this model and have found atleast 100 complaints for transmission problems and other major repairs and undiagnosed problems with the engine. I think it is time someone stepped in and took a good look at this 96 vehicle because it is not up to saftey standards by a long shot. Thank you.
Battery failed several times.
While driving up the driveway vehicle cuts off. Had no warning. Also, the gauges on dashboard do not work like they should, especially, odometer/fuel and pressure gauges. In addition, brake rotors had to be replaced twice/sliding doors cannot be opened properly with or without key. Vehicle towed to dealer to check out problems.
The transmissions in the dodge caravans are defective. We own a 1990 that is on it's 4th trans. Please look into this. Thank you
Rear brake shoes are wearing out too soon for 30,000 miles of wear; dealer notified, and refused to replace them under warranty.
While driving there is a grinding noise coming from the vehicle, and the brake pads and the rotors went out. The consumer states the steering wheel is vibrating ,and the vehicle is pulling to the right. Also ,the pedal vibrates when driving.
Vehicle would stall preventing brakes from working properly. Cv joint went through transmission, vehicle was in arbitration for 37mph vibration, brake failure and engine stalling
While the vehicle is in reverse and backing up heard a scrapping noise, and took the vehicle to a mechanic. Front brakes malfunctioned. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Dodge Caravan?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history