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1997 Dodge Caravan transmission complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 133, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
A pin in the transmission came loose and moved forward into the transmission assembly, making a hole the size of a silver dollar in the transmisison. This van is only 3 years old, and 75,000 miles is not a ridiculous amount on today's engine's & transmissions. I would like to know if this pin that came loose has been a problem for any other owners. The entire transmission had to be replaced, at a cost of $2000.00.
Transmission failure/stuck in 2nd gear.
Consumer driving and the transmission started making noise and it slipped out of gear, and wouldn't go into 3rd gear. Contacted dealer, and was told vehicle was not under warranty. Consumer will be responsible for the cost to fix it.
The transmission just failed after 48,000 miles. We purchsed the car used in august of 1999, and it failed 6 months latter after we had driven only 10,000 miles. We had it towed to the dealer, who inspected it and said that ( I think)the drive pin had broken and torn out part of the casing of the transmission. We could not afford the extened warranty at the time of purchase. The dealer stated that chrysler would replace the transmision if we would pay for the labor. I expected a transmission to last far longer than 48,000 miles. Am I wrong in my assumption?we will have to use most of our meager savings to pay for the repairs, but we are greatful to still have a vehicle to get around in. Please let me know what you think. Thank you for you time and effort.
While driving at 35 MPH car started to feel as though it was in neutral. Car would continue to drive, but only at about 25mph. There could have been an accident because there were other cars present.
When traveling 30 MPH vehicle decreased in speed when the vehicle came to a complete stop in the middle of traffic. Consumer contacted dealer, dealer has replaced transmission. Please provide any further details.
I feel this model, caravan se sport, needs alot of upgrades. I feel that this vehicle is not a safe vehicle for families. I believe that dodge is
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When driving at any speed and applying the brakes there is a sqeuaking noise coming from the rear brakes. Also, transmission went out.
In the reverse position in which the indicator is on "r" but actually the vehicle is not in reverse, but in drive position. Intermittently, the speedometer malfunctions. Also, a no start condition. Please provide further information.
Child moved shift lever without pressing on brakes. Has happened twice. Key was in ignition & vehicle was idling at time. Lever suppose to be locked until brakes are pressed to release. Taking vehicle to dealer.
While driving transmission would clunk into gear before taking off. Also, lost reverse gear and low gea., vehicle was inspected / repaired at a independent shop. Can the federal safety agency provide information concerning this condition is normal for this mileage of 52,000.
I was parked at burger king, turned the ignition and put my caravan in reverse to get out of my parking space. To my surprise, the car gave a sever jolt, and would not go into reverse....I tried again and the same jolt occurred, this time sounding like stuff inside was being smashed up (like a trash compactor sounds). I tried to get it into drive (even though I was almost as far up as I could go) and it wouldn't budge either...the sounds getting worse. Afraid I was crushing things inside, I turned the car off. My two children and I walked the mile or so home and I called a tow truck. The mechanic said it appeared to be a transmission problem. Once he looked it over and took the transmission out, it was a severe problem, "bizzarre" is the exact word of the mechanc who asked me if I had any warning signs. I had none. He said he couldn't believe the extent of stuff broken apart inside the transmision like broken glass...and said he could not even come up with an explanation of how it might have occured since it was so unlikely for a car this new (97) with only 43000 miles and then for the "rear planetary (sp) gear carrier to have been mutilated like it was without the front happening. I have photos to show the horrific damage. And I am reporting this because, god forbid, I had not been parked but stopped for a light or something or on a dark road or wherever, I cringe at the thought of the accident that could have occurred with this happening with absolutely no warning and I feel chrysler should answer to this!!!!!!!! I did call their customer svc center to report this and to demand restitution as it cost me $2134; they did not want to know nothing since I had not brought it to a "chrylser/dodge dealer" to be fixed....the catch 22 is that I did not do so because I was passed my warrantly and my experiences with dealers' service center prices for major work has been beyond my pocketbook!!! Please investigate this matter
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.
Manufacturer contacted and refused to help even though vehicle had such low miles.
The serpentine belt pully has broken twice, resulting in vehicle being towed twice, there is a constant thud from the gas tank when accelerating, stopped drains from the "AC" are a continous problem, car stutters at turnpike speeds as well as normal city driving, car has been in the shop 22 times in 27 months, tried to get information concerning "lemon law" but was asked to "give us the chance to make it right" .have had a niagra falls from under the dash twice since they "fixed the problem" car vibrates at turnpike speeds. Door locks break/foul smell when the "AC" comes on, engine service lights come on for no reason, the van was leased, and to get out of the lease would involve several thousand dollars. I would take my 7 year old bonneville on trip before I would take my 2 year old van. What can be done about this?
Transmission failure causing gears to slip.
Transmission failed (master clutch/front pump). Yh
The transmission is not reliable, broke within 2yrs. Owner had noticed a noise when shifting gears. With dealer service manager during first year, but he said that was normal!
Transmission gears fractured in heavy traffic rendering the vehicle undrivable.
Vehicle's prndl indicator goes blank and the vehicle will lose all drive while traveling, reset can only be done by stopping and restarting the vehicle.
Vehicle not designed with interlock system, allowing child to engage gears.
Was coming off highway at approximately 25 MPH when transmission exploded, causing the wheels to lock up and come to a complete stop without any warning, dealer claims that a pin within transmission broke off, causing the transmission to explode.
Transmission jumped into reverse, vehicle lost control, resulting in a collision.
Vehicle leaks fuel while driving. Owner notes problem has been corrected 4 different times, but problem returns. Cause unknown. *ak consumer states that problem began at 55 miles when the service engine soon light illuminated, dealer stated vehicle was fixed, however engine light illuminated 30 miles later, dealer replace the fuel tank, problem occurred again and dealer replaced the o-ring and holding nut, problem still exists. Left side door glass was bowed. Unusual noise occurs when vehicle shifts from park to reverse, neutral to reverse, and neutral to drive, dealer stated this was normal. Oil pan bent, dealer replaced.
While driving vehicle's transmission indicator gives false readings.transmission also slips out of gear in reverse.dealers stated wires were faulty.
Transmission hesitates and stumbles at turnpike speeds.
While driving the transmission fluid hose became detached from transmission, causing the fluid to leak and the vehicle to lose power.
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