First in july the master cylinders on our back brakes were shredded and had to be replaced. This happened as I was driving on a bridge with a car full to teen age girls. In december, I noticed a hesitation and seemingly "jumping into gear" especially in reverse. Brought it to the dealer and although was 2 months out of warranty they declined to pay for it. The job was to cost about $1500. In feb, we brought the van to a independent service provider, and as he was looking at the engine, he saw the blown head gasket. We did contact chrysler and were told to bring it to a dealership in our area. Today, we did find out that they would cover the head gasket but not the transmission. There are volumes of internet sites that site specific transmission problems with 90-98 caravans. These stories could be rubber stamped. During this time, I found about 15 people who are having or had trouble with the transmissions in their vans. Someone needs to make chrysler responsible for their products. Please help.
1997 Dodge Caravan brakes complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 72, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Bad design, very poor performance and durability. Rotors warp and pads fall apart.
Rotors pitted and rusted prematurely due to inferior materials used to construct them. Nlm
When driving at any speed and applying the brakes, brakes grab and go half way to the floorboard and will come to a stop, brakes are working intermittently.
Dodge does not want to pay for the defective brake systems. Even when this is the second time in two years.
Camshaft broke in half at 59,000 miles, necessitating engine replacement. Service mgr. & technician both iniststed this was very unusual in any engine, especially one with this low mileage. Dodge refused to help with repairs as car was "out of warranty". The wipers turn on by themselves every now and then, sometimes when just opening the doors. The whole brake system had to be replaced at 43,000 miles as it had never been properly looked at, even though service records showed inspection at three occasions before breaking down. Original dealer was dutchess dodge, 614 south road, poughkeepsie, ny 12601 (914) 462-7700. They never responded to correspondence regarding the brakes & wipers. The engine was repaired at hyde park motors. I've contacted dodge (daimler/chrysler) and the district mgr. (phil fornabaio) but they refuse to help with the engine and wouldn't even meet with me.
When driving at any speed and applying the brakes there is a sqeuaking noise coming from the rear brakes. Also, transmission went out.
All four brake rotors deteriorated. Dealer has been contacted. *ak pads replaced. Mjs
Left front brake pad and rotor unevenly worn causing consumer to hear a metal on metal noise.
Left front brake pad wore out.
Front and rear brake rotors and drums are rusted,cause unknown. Please give any further details.
Front brake rotors and pads needed to be replaced at 14,000 mile of wear. Can the federal safety agency provide additional information on this matter. *ak
Possible flaw in the casting of the rotors may have caused the brake rotors to rust/pitt.
Had lost timing belt from transmission due to leakage. Transmission would shutter & clunk when in low speed & jerk. Also, brakes would squeal/squeak & grind loudly when applied. Had them replaced.
The consumer was a passenger in vehicle, and rear tire blew out, causing consumer to apply the brakes, which did not work. Vehicle hit a curb, and passenger's side air bag deployed.
Poor front disc design. Pads worn out 3 times in less than 40k miles. $235 per repair.
High beam lights failed.
Rear brake drums failed. Nlm
Front brake rotors failed. Sudden development of moderate to severe brake shimmy. Also,found warped brake rotors.
Brakes are defective, brakes go to floor when applied, resulting in extended stopping distance. When pedal is pushed very hard, the car continues to roll. Investigator looked at the car and cannot remedy the problem.
Brakes pads and rotors failed.
Consumer complained that manfacturer's warranty of 12000 miles on the rotors are not condsidered to be normal for consumer to replace them. Dealer/manufacturer was notified and refused to repair or replace unless cost goes was covered by the consumer. *ak consumer states taht the rotors rusted, causing violent shaking on the front wheels and shaking of the dash and steering wheel, consumer was told this occurred due to a design problem.
Brake system is defectiive. The brakes have been replaced and the vehicle still does not stop. When brakes are applied, it results in extended stopping distance. Dealer states that if red indicator light does not come on then there is no problem, and cannot duplicate the problem.
Brakes are defective, and rotors/pads have failed four different times. Also causing brakes to grind. Dealers cannot correct cause.
When traveling at any speed on wet or dry pavement the ABS light illuminated on the dash. Upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle became very hard to stop, causing extended stopping distance/brake fade away. Consumer has contacted the dealer has replaced parts.
Vehicle was being driven with emergency brake still engaged, without knowledge due to poor location of brake warning light. Also, vehicle would not stop when brakes were engaged.
While driving the brakes activated by themselves.
Driving on an icy hill and applied the brakes truck slid into a curve. This was the result of what happened after that; broke wheel in three parts underneath steering arm. Truck has been with dealer for 5 1/2 weeks, and the dealer said that problem was fixed. Well driver went down same hill and the same problem happened again.
Moaning sound developed upon braking. Inherent defect: warped rotors. Could result in total loss of braking system.
Abs failure, resulting in extend stopping distance/brakes fading.
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