Transmission failed without warning. Parts were so badly damaged that nothing was salvagable and a new transmission had to be rebuilt. We have kept the parts if they are needed for an investigation. We notified dodge who said they were not responsible for any repairs, and that we have no appeal to this decision (amey, file no. 8723066). We had a mechanic fix it. The charge was $2,417. Is there any course of action we can take against dodge? It doesn't make sense that a transmission could fail in this way with so few miles on the car.
1998 Dodge Caravan transmission complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 103, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
When putting my vehicle in park I heard a horrible loud grinding/groaning noise. When I tried to put my car back in geer I heard the same noise and my vehicles wheels locked up and would not move forward or backward.I had it towed and the transmission specialist inspected it and showed me that the planitary exploded inside the transmission he said this is a manufactures defect and should never have happened. He gave me the parts that were shattered and cracked many in such little pieces you cant find that got mixed in with the transmission fluid. He also told me I'm lucky it didn't happen when I was driving it with my children in the van. I imagine we wouldn't be here now. This repair cost me $1600.00 dollars I called crysler and they told me they weren't responsible and couldn't help with this. If it's a defective part than aren't they responsible? Please help. Thank you ,julie ann hit.
I am having alot of problems with my van over the past year I have put over 1500 worth of work into this van they made the engine too small for this size of a van. I continue to have problem with the engine and now the transmission is acting up. I have already replaced head gasket all the motor mounts timing belt it has been one thing after another and now my engine is making a rattling sound everytime I push the gas petal I don't know where else to complain.
Consumer heard a growling noise when taking foot of gas pedal. Transmission blew a quarter size hole in it. Also, losing oil
On october 6, 2000 I was taking my son to school when I lost all ability to accelerate. I was going fast enough I was able to coast into the parking lot. My vehicle was towed to the dealership where we purchased it. They were not cooperative or friendly and were unable to diagnose my vehicle within the 3 day time frame they had promised. So on 10-09-2000 we had to have it towed to an independent garage to be diagnosed and fixed. The diagnosis was total transmission failure. We had to have them fix it b/c our dealer was going to be 3-5 weeks to fix it, and we had a rental car during this time. The cost was $1455.00, that we paid out of our pocket. During their investigation of our problems they also found an oil leak. My husband is very good with cars and has made several attempts to fix the problem, to no avail. On 3-9-2001 I had the car oil leak diagnosed by an independent garage. They said the head gasket was leaking oil and would have to be replaced. A cost of approximately $600.00 and down time of the vehicle being 2-3 days. As this is our main vehicle this presents a problem. We have been told by many people and garages that these 4 cylinder engines are widely known to have transmission and head gasket problems. One garage went so far as to tell us that chrysler knew they had these problems but just would not put out a recall. We have had the van for 23 months. Nothing went wrong during the valid warranty time. When the transmission went out the vehicle was only over warranty by approximately 5000 miles. Our dealer was not willing to work with us within the time frame they had originally given us, so we were forced to go somewhere else and pay out of our pocket for the repairs, as we could not afford a rental car for the 3-5 weeks the dealer was going to take to diagnose and repair the problem. We would like to see chrysler be forced to take responsibility for these problems.
Had to have transmission rebuilt at 58,498 miles because of "lots of metal" found in pan during routine maintenance. "found planetary & sun gear and carrier all bad from msun gear bearing going bad. Clutches were also showing signs of slipping. Something needs to be done about their bad transmissions. There is a very long history of it and the consumer is the one getting screwed.
Contacted chrylser they have agreed to pay 50% of damage but I want to know what is going to keep this from happening again or if it has happened before. I was passing a car on the turner turnpike when I heard a pop and my tires vibrated I thought I had had a flat. So I pulled over and left a trail of transmission fluid behind me. The pin in the spidergear snapped and flew threw the transmission. Found the piece on top of my transmission. I haul kids and got on trips I don't want this to happen again. How can I see if it has happened before.
While on interstate heard a crack. Consumer looked out rear view and saw smoke. Pulled over, and looked under car and saw transmission fluid pouring out.
Many people I have spoken with, including the employees at kennedy transmission, have said these transmission have a reputation of going out around 60-70,000 miles. Our differential was also damaged. The parts needed for this repair, I was told, is on a national backorder because this is such a common occurance. Shouldn't the consumer be forwarned about have a $2800 repair after 60,000 miles? Otherwise, shouldn't they put in a different transmission in these mini-vans?
Transmission prematurly failed while driving through intersection. Cause unknown. *ak the transmission drive works but constantly slips in and out of gear.
Consumer was having trouble with transmission. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer checked it out. Currently, vehicle is not driveable. *ak the dealer indicated that the transmission should be replaced.
After backing the car out of the driveway I hear a clunking noise, put the car into drive and it will not move. Only after restarting the engine and then putting it into 2nd gear could we move the car out of the street.
While driving the transmission failed, the pin went trough the case and caused the front end to lock up and the van went skidding down the road I had no steering the gears were on the road surface. This happend a second time with the transmission that was put in at 61000. Miles. I am currently on my third transmission and fearful that at a highway speed this catastrophic mechanical breakdown would cause a major accident.
Transmission leaks
While driving vehicle came to a complete stop/died due to coolant and transmission fluid mixing together in radiator, and causing transmission failure. Consumer has contacted dealer, transmission specialist has replaced transmission and radiator. *ak
Engine check light has illuminated on the dash. Also, computerized transmission is locked into second gear. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Found broken wire in the harness that connects the transmission computer to the main computer. Break in harness in dash-firewall. *ak.et.
Car is not equipped with with brake/shift lock and our 3.5 year old son was able to sneak into the car, start it, and put in in drive, drove forward into a ditch. No one injured.
While driving down the road came to a complete stop, felt like someone was hit from the rear end, but it was the transmission shifting gears. Contacted dealer and manufacturer, and they were not able to duplicate the problem.
At 47,000 miles the automatic transmission has completely disintegrated, cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify the problem. Please give any further details.
While traveling 55 MPH consumer noticed a noise form under the hood at the same time the vehicle stalled. Dealer has been notifed that transmission was not functioning. Please provide further informaton.
While driving at 65 MPH with cruise control set smoke was coming from under the vehicle due to transmission being replaced. When consumer stopped vehicle. It wouldn't start back up.
No summary
My car was in park and running at idle. The car threw itself into reverse and crashed into a fence. No one was in the car to stop it.
This is a major problem in the transmission, everyone I know is having this same problem. Each time it's the nut backing off on 5th gear. Time and money are lost when this occurs, and it's being repaired not solved. Some of my friends have had their trucks in the shop numerous times to repair for this annoying and costly problem.
Transmition failure; due to snow weather conditions, one wheel moving faster than the other. Stuck in the snow! Poor design for northern states. Weak design. Consumer should not be responsible for poor design and lack of technology for driving in the snow.
Transmission failed.
Engine check light illuminated while traveling on route i77. Pulled off highway and vehicle slipped into neutral. Vehicle then would only shift from 1st to 2nd (limp along mode). Dealer in virginia determined that transmission had completely failed. Large chunks of metal in pan. Replaced transmission and torque converter. Vehicle has since slipped into neutral 1 more time.
Wheel cylinder, shoe and lining and brake assembly failed resulting in leakage.
Just a little concerned that after 8 months my transmission has gone bad. It may be a manufacturer problem, but I think it should be checked out.
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