1999 Dodge Caravan: complete transmission failure

Filed Jul 12, 2010 · Transmission · 134,000 miles · MO

Driving 20 miles an hour under normal conditions. My transmission fell apart in my 1999 dodge grand caravan se 3.3 automatic transmission. There is a pin inside the transmission that simply breaks apart. You receive no warning of the defect. When this happens your vehicle seizes and stops. I was lucky I was close to home. When the pin breaks it destroys the case as well. In researching this defect I found out it also happens in 1999,2000, and 2001 dodge caravans, plymouth voyager and chrysler town and country vans. This breakage can occur at any speed. It seems to happen at around 100,000 miles. Again in my research came across a person who replaced the transmission 5 times in one year and another who was going 60 miles an hour when it happened luckily they gained control of the vehicle and no one was hurt. There are still a great many of these vehicles on the road and present a danger to all occupants and even those who are next to them on the road when all systems shut down. You must purchase an after market built case that stabilizes the pin and helps prevent the metal fatigue or the problem will continue to happen. Chrysler needs to offer some assistance to owners as this is 2000.00 or more repair. They do not acknowledge the problem and it seems to be very common.

Filed Feb 28, 2006 · Transmission · 80,500 miles · NE

I am a licensed day care provider who transports several small children daily. My vehicle is a 2000 dodge caravan. On tuesday, my transmission failed without warning while I was on the interstate with five children inside. I was horrified. My transmission needs to be replaced, which will cost upwards of around $2000. I did research on the internet and I have discovered some disturbing facts. Chrysler vans from 1998-2002 have a reputation of having this type of failure happen. The cause is a differential pin that shoots through the casing of the transmission. There is nothing the consumer can do to prevent this. Newer models of the caravan 2003 and later have the same transmissions but they now have metal plates installed which keep the pins from breaking through the casing. I tried to get assistance from chrsyler directly, but according to their customer service department, there has been no problem with these transmissions. I asked them why then were there several stories on the internet of customers having the same problem that I just experienced. They replied that there is nothing they can do to help me. My transmission did not wear out, it failed. The differential pins shot out and broke the transmission casing. If you call locally or across the country and try to locate a used transmission for 1998-2002 chrysler vans you will discover that the majority have the broken cases caused by the differential pins. Thus, they recommend replacing with a new transmission that has the corrected plates inside. I also discovered that at lithia dodge, they have on an average 2 or more of these vans coming in with the same defect. They charge the customer to replace a transmission that they know has a defect, yet they do not take responsibility for it. There are millions of chrysler's on the road. It is a safety hazard to have these vehicles on the road that can fail without any prior notice.

Filed Dec 1, 2005 · Transmission · 49,992 miles · IN

While driving through the neighborhood the rear end pin came loose in the transaxle and cracked the housing. Lost all the transmission fluid and vehicle became inoperative. Vehicle had 49,992 miles and dodge would not repair under warranty. They dealer recommended a new transmission for almost $3000. I had it rebuilt with replacement parts at a transmission shop for $1600.

Filed Apr 27, 2005 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · PA

Transmission failure(blown apart per mechanic)and no warranty provided with less than 54000 miles.had 8 year/80000 mile warranty plus extra to 100000 mile paid. Paid out of pocket for repair.tranny slipping again since with another 2500 miles added. 1999 dodge caravan factory warranty refused.

Filed Feb 25, 2005 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · MA

Transmission failure at 96,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2004 · Steering, Transmission · FL

While driving at 45 MPH the steering pump failed, consumer lost the control, but was able to pull out of the road. Vehicle was taken to independent repair shop, mechanic determined steering pump had to be replaced. *ak also, at 50,000 miles, transmission failed while driving.

Filed Jun 17, 2004 · Transmission · MI

Consumer stated while vehicle was shifting from park to reverse automatic transmission failed. Vehicle was towed to dealership, and mechanic replaced the transmission at consumer's expenses of $2,200.

Filed Feb 23, 2004 · Transmission · 41,500 miles · MI

Transmission failed at 41,500 miles. Differential pin keeper broke which did major damage to the rest of the transmission.

Filed Jan 23, 2004 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · PA

While driving 55 MPH, the transmission failed without warning. Please provide additional information.

Filed Oct 3, 2003 · Transmission · 72,366 miles · VA

At 72,000 miles my 1999 dodge caravan needs a new transmission due to a pinion in the pinion shaft coming loose and tearing through the transmission casing. Over $2400 worth of work was required. No injuries, but I lost control when incident occurred and was able to drift to the grassy edge of a rural road.

Filed May 19, 2003 · Transmission · VT

The transmission failed while driving.

Filed May 9, 2003 · Transmission · NH

The mechanic informed the consumer, the transmission failed.