1997 Dodge Caravan: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Feb 20, 2009 · Transmission · 138,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge caravan. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact stated that the transmission appeared to be slipping. The vehicle would not shift from second gear and, once it stopped, it vibrated excessively. Upon further investigation, the contact found metal shavings in the transmission pan. There were no recalls available for the failure and the vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were less than 138,000.

Filed May 1, 2001 · Transmission · NY

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.

Filed Sep 19, 2000 · Transmission · CA

Consumer was traveling about 35mph on street. Transmission was replaced by warranty because transmission was making grinding noise, and gears would jerk when put in place. Vehicle would not go into reverse, and there was no power in any of the gears.

Filed Mar 23, 2000 · Transmission · CA

I took my car in for repair on 3/6/00-dealer could not even diagnosis problem for 5 days. Finally told me that the transmission was gone. Did repairs which took a total of 8 days and charged me almost $2300.00. I reas in consumer report re: the dodge caravan having issues with the transmission going out way before its time, and that the 97 caravans may have defective tranis-so I followed up with a call to the main office and spoke to someone named coleen phelps today at 800‑992‑1997 and she said she knew nothing about that, and these sort of out of warranty issues are dealt with on a individual basis- she put me on hold for a couple minutes and came back and said that-since my vehicle is way out of warranty they would not help me with any of the cost that I had to endure. I explained that it is still not even 100%-it still does not shift properly and I had to pay for 8 days of a rental car last time it was in-do you guys compensate with a vehicle while re-looking at the problem-she said that it is doubtful. But I can ask the dealer-in other words they are not big on keeping customers. My company purchased 4 1997 dodge caravans and all of them have had transmission jobs at least once-some twice-we will no longer purchase any more doge vehicles for this company.

Filed Mar 6, 2000 · Transmission · MA

Came home from a long trip, pulled up in the driveway, put gear in reverse and it made a loud bang noise. Kept foot on gas pedal, and transmission wouldn't shift. Tried it in drive and same thing happened. Contacted dealer. Dealer had the transmission replaced for the third time. Manufacturer was willing to pay for parts only.

Filed Feb 11, 2000 · Transmission · VA

Transmission failure/stuck in 2nd gear.

Filed Jul 16, 1999 · Transmission, Visibility · VA

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