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1997 Dodge Caravan transmission complaints

Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 133, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1997 Dodge Caravan transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Apr 21, 2005 · Transmission · 59,800 miles · AE

1997 dodge grand caravan suffered transmission failure.***no answer required***.*mr in jan 2005 the engine light illuminated after the vehicle was diagnosed, it was determined there was a problem with the torque converter. The consumer was told there was chance that replacing the fluid and filter might resolve the problem, the problem remained and now the transmission is slipping. The consumer was told the only recourse was to replace the transmission which would be for the second time.

Filed Jun 1, 2004 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · CA

While driving 65 MPH transmission slipped into second gear. Dealer stated transmission sensor needed to be replaced, however, problem recurred.

Filed May 14, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · GA

I bought this van new in 1997 just after buying the van there was ticking noise coming from the engine I feel it is the lifters but dealership says no it was the fuel purge valve. The noise countinues to get worse and I am sure the noise is the lifters when I change the oil to 10w-30 the noise goes away. The oxygen sensor was replaced at approx 50k miles. The van has recently been in the shop for the transmission two or three time since november 2003 aprox. 90,000 miles on it. The transmission was hanging up in second gear when dodge retuned to me the transmission shuttered while driving. Vehicle is now in the shop for the transmission again it is leaking from the output shaft seals and while in park when starting the vehicle the van jerks foward like the trasmission is still engaged. This all happens while in park. Sometimes when the vehicle is shifted from drive to park if the accelorator is pressed the vehicle jumps / jerks foward this seems to be a safety issue as my wife and I have three children that sometimes walk in front of the van to get in when we go off as a family. My check engine light came on just hours before I returned to the dealer for transmission service and it is the egr valve failure that caused the ckeck engine light to come on. The dealership tried to put the transmission off as that but I am also a mechanic the egr valve has nothing to do with the transmissionacting as if it is engage although it is acually in park.this is not good practice to lie about a serious problem with the vehicle. Also the transmission leak was caused from the first removal of the transmission and chrysler warranty department said the leak would not be covered this is also very digusting when you remove an axle the seal should be replaced before you reinstall the transmission. The dealer is still trying to find out what is wrong with my transmission. The water pump has failed and also the cooling fan relay failed for the engine cooling system.

Filed Mar 29, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 94,000 miles · FL

A banging noise was heard either from the transmission or engine when shifting gears. The noise occured while driving or idling. Dealership wasn't providing any assistance. Dealership indicated that the noise could not be corrected.

Filed Mar 11, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 11,475 miles · FL

While driving over water puddles consumer noticed the serpentine belt froze, causing steering wheel to lock up. *ak the power steering had become inoperative, the gears would slip when shifted, the water pump leaked, the belt tensioner fell apart, the consumer would lose the steering when driving through a puddle of water,the A/C did not blow cool air due to a leaking evaporator, and the belt tensioner would stick and make noises when driving through water. *sc

Filed Feb 4, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

We bought this van one year ago and so far we had to replace both oxygen sensor, speed sensor, head gasket, water pump, the transmission is slipping, doors lock and unlock whenever they want not just the 16 MPH thing, ball joints are clunking, the cd player quit and then soon after fm radio only am works.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · 65,226 miles · MI

The first time my transmission went out was when it had 29000 miles on it on october 1999.oakland dodge replaced the torq conferter and overhaul the transmission at their cost. The transmission went out again after a little over 36000 miles later and now they blamed it on a broken torq converter and put in a remanufactured transmission at my cost. Also this vehicle had 3 serpentine belts replaced in one year because of shredding. It is amazing to me how many people have problems with this vehicle and that there isn't a recall on their transmissions. I will never buy a dodge caravan again.

Filed Jan 9, 2004 · Transmission · 49,500 miles · PA

Automatic transmission is slipping gears. Dealer's mechanic recommends replacing the transmission.

Filed Dec 18, 2003 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · OK

I consider ourselves fortunate after scouring thru the numerous customer complaints on the 1997 dodge caravan. We bought the vehicle used in 1999 with 23,000 miles on it. It was mainly used to transport myself and our three children all under the age of 6 at the time, but now my husband drives it back and forth to work. We to have had the intermitent ghost wipers ever since purchasing the vehichle and were constantly told by the dealer that nothing was wrong or could be found to be wrong. We have within the last six months replaced the drive belt, the water pump, & timing belt due to routine maintenance. However, the transmission at 123,000 miles just went out on my husband while he was driving down the road. We are told that it will cost $1,500 to fix. We have chosen to get it fixed, but at the time of that decision did not realize the number of complaints about the chrysler transmissions. This is definitely a safety issue, as the van left my husband stranded in the middle of an intersection with oncoming traffic. Will it take someone getting killed before chrysler is held responsible for these defects? I do not like the fact that my husband will be driving this vehichle again, once the tramission is repaired. As I stated above I consider ourselves one of the fortunate ones to not have experienced so many problems as other owners have had with their vehichles, but when will the time come to hold chrysler responsible for their shody workmanship? I can honestly say this is the first and will be the last chrysler car I ever own. My other car is a ford f-150, which I am very proud to drive!

Filed Dec 11, 2003 · Transmission · 39,000 miles · IL

Transmission failed at 39,000 miles.

Filed Nov 5, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Problems with transmission on 1997 dodge caravan.*mr ignition tumble was replaced, fan assembly.

Filed Oct 24, 2003 · Brakes, Steering · 70,502 miles · OH

We have had our vehicle since 1999 and have been disappointed with its performance. This is our third chrysler/dodge van and this is the second of the three to have transmission problems. The first had them at 37,000 miles and this one is having them at 71,000 miles. We were smart enough to have an extended warranty for both vehicles, unfortunately, on the current van the warranty ran out last month...besides the poor engineering of the transmissions this van has had several problems with the tie rod and front end noise as well as going through front brakes relatively quickly (we do not drive it roughly and it is mainly used to transport our kids around our community approximately. 12000 miles or less a year since we have owned it.

Filed Sep 3, 2003 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · CA

Took my car in for a transmission to be serviced, picked my car up a hour later.he transmission locked on me. I had my vehicle towed to another shop. The total ost of repairs was $1400.00.

Filed Aug 27, 2003 · Engine, Transmission · CA

There has been 5 replacement torque converters since purchase. Vehicle shuts down due to the defect in the torque converter. *mr this problem had happened several times while traveling on the highway, every year the consumer had to have the transmission rebuilt, also the brakes. The transmission overhauled twice, there was an oil pan leak, the engine light stayed on, and the AC needed a new condenser.

Filed Aug 4, 2003 · Brakes, Transmission · 38,200 miles · CO

Consumer states that transmission is useless. Transmission has already been replaced twice, and another one is needed. Consumer complains that there is a burning rubber smell when the vehicle is driven, and when ever the brakes are depressed.

Filed Jun 10, 2003 · Airbags, Electrical · AR

Clock spring replacement / consumer requested reimbursement for repairs. *mr the vehicle was traded to consumer with the airbag light on. Upon diagnosing the problem, the air bag clock spring was broken. *ts. Also the right axle output shaft leaked oil, and the engine light illuminated on the dash board, the dealer replaced the spark plugs.

Filed May 5, 2003 · Transmission · CA

Consumer states that while driving transmission failed causing lost of acceleration. Please provide any additional information.

Filed Mar 25, 2003 · Transmission · MA

The vehicle failed to move foward, upon inspection of the vehicle, consumer was informed the transmission needed to be replaced.

Filed Mar 25, 2003 · Transmission · MA

The vehicle failed to move foward, upon inspection of the vehicle, consumer was informed the transmission needed to be replaced.

Filed Feb 27, 2003 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · IL

Driveshaft broke in half.

Filed Feb 12, 2003 · Transmission · MA

When consumer returned to the vehicle, it was discovered the gear had moved into reverse.

Filed Jan 19, 2003 · Transmission · 70,200 miles · CT

Transmission fail to move vehicle, accompanied by whirring sound.*ph *jb **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**770862

Filed Nov 26, 2002 · Transmission · CA

Consumer called compalining about having problems with the transmission. Also stated that while the vehicle was park outside of his house and the vehicle went into reverse and hit the neighbors vehicle. Ts

Filed Nov 18, 2002 · Brakes, Steering · CA

No summary. Dt

Filed Nov 8, 2002 · Transmission · NJ

While driving 55mph the transmission slipped and when tap the accelerator pedal the vehicle violently surges forward. Ts

Filed Sep 24, 2002 · Transmission · MI

When shifting from park to drive vehicle will lunge forward, accelerator not applied. Please provide additional information.

Filed Sep 24, 2002 · Transmission · MI

Consumer states she is able to shift gears without applying brake.

Filed Sep 23, 2002 · Transmission · OH

While on the highway at 70 MPH the transmission shifted to 1st gear causing the van to slow suddenly. Nlm

Filed Aug 21, 2002 · Transmission · NJ

The transmission overdrive blew. I was approaching an intersection when I lost power. This cause the car to come to a stop in the middle of the intersection, causing several cars to swerve in order to avoid a collision.

Filed Aug 6, 2002 · Transmission · NY

Consumer discovered that foot does not have to be on brake to shift vehicle into gear. Consumer very concerned about safety of children in vehicle. Consumer's vehicle came w/2 built in css.

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