Instrument panel while driving suddenly at night does not light up, vanity lights, interior overhead lights, and universal garage door opener does not work either. Dangerous as you cannot see gauges(speedometer, fuel gauge, tachometer ), not even the turn signals on the instrument panel.
Dodge Caravan fuel gauge problems
40 of the 10,018 owner complaints about the Dodge Caravan describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 40
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical mileage
- 85,000
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Wipers 10Door locks 5Headlights 4Stalling 3Power windows 2Fuel pump 2Fuel leak 2Fire or smoke 2
What owners say
All the warning lights on the dash light up, the wipers start and can't be stopped, all the windows won't go up or down, the door locks won't work and worst of all the gas gauge, speedometer, and other dash indicators go dead showing no action. This all happens unannounced at any time driving or still. It can happen with just turning the key on to start the car.the most recent time, 2/10/16 the dealer repair said there were a total of 24 different codes saved that did conflict with each other.
Steering wheel becomes so tight and cant even move when ever the outside temperatures fall below 50degrees. It takes at least 15 min to become normal. Fuel levels are normal in my van.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to work properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 194,875.
When I changed my vehicle battery to a new one the gas only drops to a half a tank its will not go down to empty but my low fuel light works still my gas gauge does not. How do I fix it or reset it.
2004 dodge caravan. Consumer writes in regards to gas gauge problems. *smd the consumer also stated the vehicle is leaking gas.
The los angeles cbs affiliate station aired a story about chrysler vehicles year 2007 to 2012 that were being investigated for a potential recall. The problem is a faulty tipm, also known as a powertrain control module. Vehicle owners report instrument panel problems, gauges not working, airbag not working, windshield wipers operating without being turned on, problems starting the vehicle, and so on. I have a 1998 dodge grand caravan with many of these same problems/symptoms. I spent $212 on inspection and diagnosis fees. Pep boys told me that the problem was the powertrain control module and it would take a prohibitively high price to replace. My vehicle has recently experienced problems similar to the ones described above: fuel gauge not consistently showing the correct amount of fuel in the tank; the airbag and horn not working; the wipers occasionally operate without being turned on; the power door locks do not work properly when vehicle is being locked & unlocked with the key; the heater operates without being turned on, and so on. I was wondering if this information can be used sent to the manufacturer or compared in information submitted by other chrysler owners. The powertrain control module is a durable part, it should operate well for the life of the vehicle. I'm wondering if there is any investigation going on which may lead to a recall. Thank you for your attention.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH the engine stalled. The instrument panel was inoperable the fuel gauge was inaccurate. The contact could not restart the vehicle and the instrument panel lights were blinking on and off. The contact also stated that the vehicle was towed four times to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure was 99,000. Updated 09/15/14
Vehicle started with doors suddenly and repeatedly locking and unlocking then drivers lock switch stopped working then week later passengers at the same time radios cd player started trying to eject cd repeatedly with out even being on or having one in it also at same time fuel gauge stopped working. Now this morning wife coming home from work braking system started to malfunction almost causing a crash. Upon simple web search this seems to be common occurrence with 2008 grand caravans electrical system repeatedly hearing or seeing as the case may be a faulty tipm (totally integrated power module) as told by dealership mechanics. It seems it is causing so many different problems such as those just described to headlights shutting off,wipers coming on horn blowing ect,ect,ect. How many people need to die before you take action. A copy of this will be sent to senators,congressman,and news media maybe if it makes the news someone wont have to die due to failure to act by your agency or dodge and chrysler.
Within 30 mins. After picking up my van from the dealer (cerritos dodge) for the fuel rail recall. I noticed the smell of gas,( I thought was o.k. Since fuel rail had just been replaced) and I looked at the dashboard and noticed gas gauge fluctuating moving back and forth, and smoke started. Coming from under hood. I called [xxx] (cerritos dodge service dept.) whom I had been talking to about my van when it was in shop. I called him to inform him about the gas/gauge. He told me to go to nearest gas station. I did. After that, I took car home, parked it for the remainder of that evening. The next day, same thing (smell of gas)and fluctuating gas gauge), within 15 minutes of driving to get oil changed,fuel bell started ringing. I called mr. Richardson, he said to bring van in, but.he didn't know if they would be able to check it out that day. At that point I was frustrated,because they had the van (3) days more than they promised. Bottom line, is van was again checked out, now he says its the fuel pump. Prior to the fuel rail breaking. I had no problems with my fuel system. I was informed of another recall with the fuel pump with the 1999 dodge grand caravan ( but, was told not with my model.) that clearly is a form of biased discrimination. And, yet my 1999 van has the identical fuel system problems. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- The braun corporation is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 chrysler town & country and dodge caravan commercial entervans which were altered by braun between january 21, 2009 and march 19, 2010. During conversion, the chassis was raised and the floor was lowered to accommodate wheelchair accessibility features. In raising the chassis, the fuel fill pipe comes into closer proximity to the left rear tire. In rough or aggressive driving situations, the tire may intermittently contact the fuel fill pipe.
- Risk
- Contact between the tire and fuel fill pipe may wear a hole in one or the other components over time. This may result in loss of vehicle control in the event of tire pressure loss, or a vehicle fire in the event the fuel pipe is compromised.
- Remedy
- Braun will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact braun toll-free at 1‑800‑488‑0359.
Recall number 10V148000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans built with 3.3l and 3.8l engines have fuel rails with nitrole rubber o-ring seals that can degrade over time. Fuel leakage from the underhood fuel injection fuel rail could result, increasing the likelihood of a vehicle fire.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a seal on the vehicle fuel rails to prevent external leakage of fuel from the fuel rail crossover tube, should the existing o-rings continue to degrade. Owner notification began on january 25, 2002. Due to the large quantity of vehicles involved in this campaign, the owner notification will be phased over the next several months. However, if a vehicle is leaking fuel from the o-rings, the vehicle should be taken into a dealer to have this repaired as soon as possible. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 00V268000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: minivans. Fuel can leak from the fuel tank at the interface of the fuel pump module attachment.
- Risk
- If a fuel leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module attaching nut with a nut that includes tighter design tolerances. The sealing o-ring will also be replaced.
Recall number 99V216000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- A static electric charge can build up on the ungrounded metal section of the fuel filler tube.
- Risk
- This condition could cause a spark to occur when fueling the vehicle and possibly ignite the fuel vapors.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a ground strap for the fuel filler tube.
Recall number 96V002000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The fuel tank rollover valve can allow fuel to pass into the vapor canister resulting in the potential for fuel leakage.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage increases the potential for a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler tube with a filler tube that has an additional rollover valve. The associated rollover valve vapor hoses will be rerouted.
Recall number 95V236000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- Fuel tank flanges were not bent as required to allow the specified clearance for the fuel tank mounting straps and fuel lines at the tank.
- Risk
- The unbent flanges to the fuel tank will damage themounting straps and/or fuel lines. The damaged mounting straps may break causingthe tank to drop and the damaged fuel line will leak fuel. In either case a firecould result if the spilled fuel is exposed to an ignition source.
- Remedy
- Repair the flange by bending to the correct angle; replace damaged fuel lines and mounting straps.
Recall number 92V147000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Caravan fuel gauge
Which Dodge Caravan years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (7 complaints), 1998 (5 complaints) and 2001 (4 complaints).
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