When the consumer applied brakes, the pedal went to the floor. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and skidded into embankment and flipped twice. The driver 's side air bag did not deploy, but the passenger side air did deploy. The driver was dead on arrival. The insurance company towed totaled the vehicle. Please fill in additional information.
1998 Dodge Caravan brakes complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 48, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Brake line erupted because of corrosion. This caused loss of braking while driving. Vehicle towed to a repair shop.
Emergency brakes inoperable, airbag light turns on, horn does not work, hard time removing key from ignition and I can go from "p" to "r" or "d" without pressing on the brakes (even if there is no key in the ignition).
Transmission ------------ sudden failure of all forward and reverse gears. Key off-on brings back forward drive for about 100 yards then fails again. No reverse gear at all. Computer diagnostic indicates 3 transmission errors related to shifting. Sensors look ok. Shop had to rebuild transmission at a cost of over $2,000. Brakes ------ extremely excessive wear of front brake pads. Must be replaced at least once a year now. First time it occurred it destroyed one brake rotor -- had to replace that. Now, at the first sign of brake squeal I must check and replace the pads as they are close to wearing out. Generally get less than 15,000 miles per set.
When the consumer applied the brakes, the failed. The driver used the emergency brake handle to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop. The mechanic stated the brake line rusted through. *nlm ph
1998 dodge caravan: (1.)twice in the past two years "flex plate" between the engine and transmission has failed breaking in the center imitating the sound of a failing main bearing. Under 100,000 miles. (2.) transmission failed 100,000 mi., (3.)wiring harness caught fire while engine running - destroyed harness. (sparks shooting out from beneath vehicle - fire extinguished before major damage @ 110,000 miles. ,000 mi. ( 4.) headlight lens plastic turned milky and inhibits proper light projection - difficult to see well at night even when lights are on bright.
I have to change my front brake pads about every other month due to the brakes get to hot and usually the front driver side brake pad just falls off with no warning at all. I have taken this problem in to the dealer and was told that my calipers had to be replaced. I was very happy that it was still covered under the warranty. The dealer had my vehicle for about a week. When I got my van back it was fine for about 5 months, and then the problem started happening again. Now I am stuck with a vehicle that is costing a fortune to keep up the brake pad maintenance. I consider the brakes on a vehicle a lifeline and am surprised that this problem has not been recalled. Every person I know that owns a dodge caravan has the same complaint. I bought my van 01/01/00.
I only have 35,000 miles on this car and of course the warranty is expired. And all of a sudden, the car acts like it has 135,000 miles on it. This has already cost me over $200 to repair brakes because of rotors, not bad brakes. Now I need $1000 head gasket work. Starter only seems to start when it wants to. Very temporamental. What is going on here that a 35,000 mile car would have so much wrong so soon. Dt
When on a exit ramp going downhill, brake pedal went clear to floor, no slowing. Car totaled trying to slow down by hitting guard rail and dump truck. Safety check by auto shop said failed master cyclinder. Two other drivers drove car that day without noticing any brake problems. No forwarning such as squeaky or grating sound on braking or squishy braking before. Since then have heard of two other caravan owners with failed master cyclinder without any forwarning. Very dangerous.
The emergency brake does not catch. It has never worked properly. Dealer says it needs a new foot pedal.
Vehicle was leaking oil. Took vehicle to mechanic, and mechanic indicated external cylinder gasket was gone. Dealer contacted. *ak consumer stated that the van had numerous problems, power steering loss, back wheels on fire, complete brake failure and engine would seize and stop.
As a concerned citizen, who handles the fleet for a state agency, I unhappy that nothing has been published from the manufactured as recalls to fix the problems which seems to happen around 35,000 miles or if the vehicle happens to be parked for anytime over two weeks.
Emergency parking brake would not stay engaged, intermittently when engaged it would back itself off or disengage completely. Dealer notified. *ak the consumer stated that the original parking brake assembly broke and was replaced.
While driving 55 MPH, smelled smoke. Then, dashboard went blank. Consumer saw smoke coming from edge of hood, he pulled over and saw flames from underneath vehicle. Vehicle at dealership at this time. Dealer determined ABS system caught on fire. Damage unknown. *ak
When brakes are applied pedal goes to floor, causing extended stopping distance. Please give any further details.
Engine warning light was on, and consumer saw something hanging from under the car, it was serpentine belt. Then, there was no steering or braking.
Consumer states left front side of vehicle appears to be lower than the right and the brakes wear down only on the front left side, vehicle skidded when brakes were being applied which caused an accident consumer was advised front caliper, rotor and brake pads were needed because they were worn, dealership advised consumer they could not explain why vehicle was skidding, consumer is having to replace the rotor, caliper and brake only on front side every 8000 miles, consumer was advised by delearship that this type of vehicle is known to have problems with the brakes and would probably have to be replaced every six months. *jb key would not turn in ignition, dealer attempted to remove cylinder and it broke, dealer replaced. Tape dragged in the tape player, dealer replaced. At times when starting vehicle, there is no radio, lights, or horn, dealer could not find any problems. Serpentine belt was replaced. Slight fluid leak from transmission cooler line,consumer states transmission jerked. Arm rest fastner backed off. Left front brakes continue to wear and pull vehicle, brakes lock up causing vehicle to skid.
Abs problems. Brakes go out every six months on the front left side. Rotors, and calipers have to be replaced. When applying the brakes the van skids. This condition caused a crash in 2/99 and 2/00. Dealership is not able to correct problem.
With the minivan in reverse gear backing up,at 5mph from a distant of 100ft and then apply brake pedal, fail to stop the minivan.the engine pick up speed,while foot is still on brake and minivan is turn to left moving in a circle in a parking area causing damage to my minivan and another car park in area.
While driving could step on the brakes pedal and vehicle will start shaking without a notice of brakes working. *ak in low idle with brakes on, vehicle start shaking as if it would die (engine shut off).
We bought this van in januarary 1, 2000 we have had this van for a year now and have had the brakes done on it 8 times. The brakes get so hot that it melts the valve stems. Also when we bought this van the yellow lights on the front dash for the rear window wiper and the other lights surrounding that light keep blinking and wont stop blinking until driving on the freeway for about 10 to 15 minutes. The dealership didn't know how to make the lights stop blinking.
Defective brake rotors wereseverly corroded caused extended stopping distance which could result n a crash. Please provide further information.
While driving consumer tried to put on brakes and foot went to the floor. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced master cylinder on 03 jul 2000. Master cycinder failed again,and consumer had know brakes. Then, again on oct 7th the same problem occurred, consumer felt this vehicle was unsafe because there were kids in vehicle.
Brake rotor rusted and caused brake failure. No accident resulted. Dealer claims that it is not an item which is covered by warranty. I am appealing to chrysler as this has been a problem in the past. The federal safety agency issued a recall on earlier chrysler vehicles for brake rotor corrosion. Recall no. 98v005.
Anytime brakes are appplied suddenly or in slippery weather conditions, vehicle will shake & make a loud grinding noise. Dealer will be contacted.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
When consumer applies brakes pedal goes all the way down to the floor, andthe brakes jerk.
While driving and trying to applying the brakes vehicle makes a squeaking sou, and the pedal has to be stomped for the vehicle to be stopped. Please provide any futher information.
Front disc brakes failed. Mjs
I was slowing down toward a traffic light and about 35-MPH the ABS light came on. The car brakes went almost to the floor could not stop. Consequently I could not avoid a collision. The dealer said that the air bag did not open because the vehicle impact was inches just above the left side of the bumper, to my surprise. I thought I was buying a safe vehicle for my family. Since the vehicle was new the light came on one time or another, the deler could not find the problem but it was there and nothing was fix.
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