While driving at 60mph, speedometer kept moving between 20mph and 90mph, without driver decreasing or increasing in speed. Oil light started flickering along with engine check light, then the vehicle started jerking.*ak. Consumer stated there was a shortage of transmission fluid and engine oil, the serpentine belt was frayed on one side eventually coming off idle pully, losing steering ability, chrysler was aware of the transmission and speedometer and fixed the problem as a goodwill gesture.
1997 Dodge Caravan transmission complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 133, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission replaced. Informed by 5 professional mechanics that the transmission in our model is of poor manufacturer's design , and is on going problem with all 1996 & 1997 dodge caravans which dodge refuses to acknowledge. The vehicle would "jump" out of gear & no accelerartion was possible. Our problem was detected early and repaired before any serious accident occured. Because we are sure dodge is aware of this problem they should be responsible for the cost of the repairs on our vehicle! Because our problem was detected early, our family avoid serious injury. I am very disappointed that this company is allowed to get away with avoiding responsibility for their own poor workmanship! I am filing complaints with any & all applicable organizations & agency about this problem.
I was trying to back out of my drive and the car failed to move.
While backing out, noticed vehicle had no tail lights. Dealer has been contacted, and repaired vehicle, but problem has returned every year. *akproblem is still occuring. A dodge mechanic told consumer that it's a problem with the switch on the transmission.
Transmission failed to go in reverse.
While driving lost all gears, would not go into any gear. When applying gas vehicle felt like it was in neutral. Contact dealer.
Consumer states the transmission has been replaced twice, dealership states there is no fix for problem.*jb mechanics looked at the vehicle and it was determined the transmission did not need another replacement.
Child started vehicle without applying brakes. Child was able to shift gear into reverse, resulting into an accident, and causing minor injuries. Mechanic stated there was a locking mechanism that prevented gears to shift without applying brakes.
Transmission failed and was replaced, consumer feels the manufacturer is aware of the problem and should reimburse her for the replacement of the faulty product.
While driving, vehicle started to make a funny sound, vehicle started to lose power when applying gas. Took vehicle to a mechanic, and they stated it was a problem with the transmission. Dealer has not been contacted.*ak. Consumer stated both planetaries had to be replaced.
Consumer states transmission is not engaging on cold start. Dealer replaced transmission.
I believe the vehicle is design with the kids in mind, the case has been reported and even show on odi board with number odi id 515856. The problem is reported to chrysler but turned it down to be an option on the vehicle which supposed to be error to the vehicles. I am making claim to recall the vehicle because of this problem. The problem is the transmission can be easly out of parking by kids. Other cars even my 1991 toyota needs you to depress the brake before you can engage the transmition. D/ chrysler is claiming that is stated on the manual not to leave the kid in the car. Buy this is not an excuses to put amercan kid in danger. I was advised to sell the car but I am not willing to put another kids in danger, please talk to chysler to stop putting this as option but as part of savety in the car. Why ordinary cars in other model are equiped with this safety in mind and why should we allow chrisyler to put our kids in danger because of their selfish act?.for a reminder , the problem is the ''transmission engage easly from parking even if the ignition is not on or key on the ignition. If you are reviewing this case, america kids life is in your hand. Please handle with care.thanks.
Consumer states transmission failed, consumer paid $2,500 to replace sensor and transmission, manufacturer notified.
At 35 MPH, the planetary gears and transmission exploded without warning. Consumer has contaced dealer. *ak
My tranmission has gone 4 times the first time was 3 days after purchase and problems continue.
While driving transmission locked up, preventing vehicle from operating under normal conditions. Vehicle slowly lost power, and nealry shut completely down. Please give any further details.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Was driving vehicle when distributor bearings seized up and caused transaxle to loosen up. Transmission then failed. Vehicle is an all wheel drive. Towed to dealership. Mechanic indicated plug on transmission canister cap had melted. This happened at 78,000 miles. Had transmission replaced with new transmission. Problem reappeared in new transmission. Had previously smelled sulfur like fumes inside vehicle. Vehicle gave big jerk , and made a loud noise before coming to a stop. Also, noticed grayish smoke in rear. At dealership, mechanic noticed plug, made of plastic, had melted like the first one.*ak
Radiator leak causing anti freeze to enter transmission and cause complete transmission failure. $2100 repair after owning vehicle 1 year, total milage 58620. Seems to be a rather common problem. Please investigate
Van in reverse backing out of my garage, we heard a large knock from the engine and the van rocked. At this point the van locked up, could not move in reverse or drive. The vehicle was locked up to the point that it could not be pushed in nuetral, the tires even skid on the driveway when being pulled onto the back to the tow truck. Transmission repair ($1800) required. Was told that "planetary" exploded and destroyed transmission, a typical problem with chrysler 3 speed transmissions. Called chrysler customer service, but denied any help due to over warranty and did not purchase an extended warranty (they just want money). It didn't matter that I had transmission service in jan. 01 and everything looked fine. This a very dangerous problem, I had my wife and 2 and 4 year old children in the van. What happens if vehicle locks up on the highway?? Please look into this before someone gets killed.
While driving at 25 MPH consumer noticed white smoke coming from tail pipe. Then, white smoke and flames were coming from under the hood. Consumer stopped car and turned ignition off. Consumer exited the car, and vehicle caught on fire. Consumer feels this may related to recall for fuel leakage. *ak consumer states vehicle was in shop for transmission problems on february 16th, 2001.
While driving vehicle suddenly slowed down and eventually stopped. After dealer inspected vehicle it was determined that gear had broken, affecting transmission.
I have experienced failures in my steering colmn which does not allow me to use my horn, cruise control, and I am afraid that my air bag does not work. The airbag light stays on along with ABS and intermitant other lights. I have had to repair my transmission and it still does not work properly. Slipping from time to time. The rear A/C fan switch only works in the low and high position. Trassmision gives off a burning smell when hot.
Vehicle experienced several electrical problems: windshield wipers inoperable due to a short in switch, radiator fan relay replaced, ground wire loose in engine causing dash cluster to go haywire, horn, power windows, radio, speedometer, and air conditioner inoperable at times.
Consumer was pulling into garage and heard a noise coming from underneath of vehicle. It was a broken pin from transmission. Dealership told her that transmission had to be replaced.
After stopping at light, van would not move. Van towed to dealership. Owner told that van needed a new transmission.
3rd gear clutch pack in transmission failed and vehicle stuck in second gear. Research has shown that these transmissions have an extremely high failure rate at low mileage.
While driving 25 MPH in middle of intersection vehicle stopped moving, but engine was running. Ttok vehicle to dealer who found that transmission needed to be replaced.
Airbag light came on and horn stopped working, mechanic stated clock spring assembly needed to be replaced. *ak also consumer was having problem with the radio that has been worked on five times and replaced twice and still doesnot work to consumer's satisfaction, consumer also had brakes replaced, also the tensioner belt on the timing belt, also the water pump broke, also transmission went out.
When driving in a parking lot and attempting to pull into a parking space consumer noticed a noise coming from front end, placed vehicle in reverse and vehicle would not respond, then placed vehicle in drive, and the vehicle would not respond in drive, consumer contacted dealer and dealer noticed major problems within transmission and oil pan, transmission needed replacing. *ak
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