Dashboard guages inoperative, no speedometer, gas guage, temp guage. This failure should be a safety issue. Research shows it has happend to other vehicles.
1996 Dodge Caravan electrical complaints
Page 2 of 8: complaints 11 to 40 of 213, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I complained to the chrysler's customer service department requesting that they fix a defective part free of charge. They refused to repair it for free and recommended that I fix it asap since its not safe to drive. It is a defect and I have even read it as a recall in other documents. The airbag and the horn does not work. Texas will not even safety approve my vehicle without this being fixed.
1996 dodge caravan suffers from intermittent "body control module". One of the possible symptoms of this failure is random failures of the windshield wipers. This failure is unpredictable and apparently widespread over several model years. The body control module is replaceable only at chrysler dealers who charge over $700 to replace this module. They have contracted with some national service facilities to repair the modules (including "united radio" in syracuse ny) but these service facilites are contractually prohibited from performing repairs on modules submitted by anyone except daimler-chrysler. This failure is dangerous and daimler/chrysler is using it as a cash-cow instead of repairing it at no charge.
Car keeps stalling out with no warning. Usually when slowing to a stop or to turn, such as coming off an exit ramp. All the sudden no power sterring an car is dead. Have almost been hit by other vehicles several times.nothing done, czn't find problem when hooked up to computer.
The vehicle stalled when accelerating. The vehicle would not exceed 50 MPH. The vehicle also had electrical problems. The dashboard lights flashed on and off. *ak
The vehicle was making a popping noise when accelerating. Also, the air conditioner did not work, the electrical doors were defective and horn did not blow. *ak *sc
While driving horn/cruise control failed and air bag light illuminated. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
While driving air bag warning light came on and stayed on. When this occurred the horn and the cruise control became inoperative.
The horn on my 1996 caravan has stopped working; the air-bag warning light stays on all the time; the cruise control system is starting to fail.*ak I saw the report that there have been complaints on newer models. I think the range of model years needs to be broadened. I have also seen reports of other 1996/1997 models with the same problems on internet auto repair web sites.
Clockspring mechanism
While parked vehicle caught on fire without warning. Dealer notified.
When vehicle was parked, puddles of gas is formed under it. This happened anytime vehicle was parked. Vehicle was leaking gas and no one knew why. Also the air bag light and window wipers came on intermittently.
While traveling in inclement weather, water ran down into the power assembly which caused it to rust.
Electrical - windshield wipers, radio, static electricity windshield wipers will start operation while activation switch is in "off" position at random while driving. Wipers also will start operating when ever turn signal is activated. This problem has been on-going since the purchase of the vehicle in 1996. Even though this problem was reported before the expiration of warranty, a remedy was never offered by dealer' service department. Static electricity is a problem at times. Upon entering vehicle one could experience an electrical shock from touching door handle, steering wheel, etc., radio/tape player malfunctioning occurred quite often during first few years of ownership. When reported to service department, was informed that warranty had expired. Since then fm tuner has completely stopped working.
I purchased my vehicle used, and since then, the windshield wipers came on without warning, and at the oddest times. Also, my airbag light turned on and my horn stopped working because of it. Suddenly, about 3 months ago, the car started smoking. I took it to get it serviced and asked them to check the source of the smoking. The service men told me that it was because the vehicle was burning oil. I was told by other mechanics, after the fire that I describe below, that if the vehicle burns oil, the smoke would be temporary, and it would go away after it burns off. Well... It didn't, and this is what happened: on april 20th, I parked my car on the outdoor parking lot of the whole foods market, in glendale, ca. I heard an announcement over the pa, that there was an emergency in the south parking lot, and that everyone there should move their car. I was parked in the south lot. On the way out, a lady told me that there was a car on fire, and the fire dept was on its way. I continued on my way outside, and when I got to the parking lot, I saw that it was my vehicle. The fire did not burn through the firewall, but everything under the hood was destroyed. The fire dept from glendale, sent an arson investigator, since the car was parked and there had been some car fires in the area. Turns out, the arson investigator tells me, that the fire was caused by something electrical. The van did not overheat. Everything seemed fine, until the thing caught fire on sunday.
The vehicle lost power.
The power doors did not lock.
Intermittent stalling due to engine failure. *ak a couple of months after purchase, the vehicle shut down while in motion. The dealer had the vehicle on many occasions and changed different electrical parts and the problem could not be found. The consumer found the dealer/manufacturer was aware of the electrical problems in this make/model. *scc
Dash , speedometer, tach. And all gauges. In my 1996 dodge caravan went out .this happen about the year of 2000 and had to have the dash replaced would like to know if there has been any other complaints. The loss of the speedometer should be a safty issue I think.
While driving the vehicle would shut off. Consumer states there would be no lights and the horn would not work. Dealer notified. Ph
Consumer states that the vehicle horn does not work. Also the airbag light stays on while vehicle is running. Consumer states that the vehicle only has high beam lights that work in vehicle. Dealer notified. Ts
Wipers turn on intermittently, inappropriately. Air bag light illuminated. Cruise doesn't work, horn doesn't work. Other than that, the car is in excellent condition and has been maintained well. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****769501
No summary. Dt
Seems to be a common problem for caravans, safety is definitely compromised without the horn operating properly. Dt
Failure in safety components, horn and airbag also cruise control. Electrical failure where airbag warning indicator light is constantly "on" horn and cruise control components no longer function. Items are out of warranty, but since they involve safety features, a recall for electrical failures in the steering column/dash area is requested. Dt
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the clock spring went out causing the consumer horn not to work. Dealer notified ts
The consumer states that while driving at highway speeds, he stopped at a rest area and the vehicle started smoking. Transmission fluid started to come out of the fill tube. The transmission and the torque converter was replaced.
Consumer states that while driving and no warning the horn will operate intermittently. Dealer notified. Mr
Air bag light remains on, cruise control does not work, and horn does not work. Mr
Clockspring (located in the steering wheel) failure resulted in loss of use of both airbags, the cruise control and the horn
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