Dodge Caravan transmission failure problems

Filed Jan 7, 2019 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · FL

Takata inflators. I was driving down us 41 at a speed of approximately 50 MPH when my van suddenly revved very loudly and all systems seemed to begin shutting down. I removed my foot from the gas and it continued to climb in RPM's and would not accelerate. I was almost directly in front of a car repair shop so I basically coasted in there and was told I had to be towed to a transmission shop. I did and was told that the torque converter and transmission pump had likely failed and that the extent of the damage could not be determined until the transmission was opened up but that it would likely require a new transmission. I had a second opinion at a different shop and was told the same thing. The shop owner advised me of recall s44. Upon contacting the dealership they say my VIN does not appear however the issue is exactly what is happening with my vehicle. The vehicle is currently unable to be driven and I am seeking legal counsel.

Filed Sep 24, 2018 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 dodge caravan. While driving 50 MPH going uphill, the transmission made a clunking noise and hesitated to shift into the correct gear. Also, the vehicle made a high pitched noise when the engine was revved. The vehicle was taken to west hills chrysler jeep dodge ram (900 w hills blvd, bremerton, wa 98312, (360) 377-4418) and they rebooted the computer system, which temporarily corrected the failure. The dealer stated that the vehicle had over 36,000 miles and was out of warranty. The manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 25,000. *tt consumer stated vehicle is now working due to powertrain/ transmission failure. Updated 11/28/18

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 Jun 3, 2008 · Transmission, Visibility · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge caravan. Two weeks after the vehicle was purchased, the check engine light illuminated. The dealer stated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Two weeks later, the transmission failed and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. They took three weeks to repair the vehicle and, before the contact could pay for the repairs, the new transmission failed. The dealer informed her that she would have to pay for any new repairs made to the vehicle at the cost of $900. While the vehicle was at the dealer for three weeks, someone in the service center caused the front windshield to crack. The mileage information and VIN were unknown.

Filed Oct 23, 2007 · Engine, Transmission · PA

Transmission failed at 59,000 miles- will cost me at least $2650 when I pick it up thursday, 10/25/07. What choice do I have, I have to get to work. I bought it new and it will be paid off next october, 2008. I've had that van to the two dodge dealers and at least two different individual mechanics. I've paid for emissions repairs, 3 sets of tires. I had the "caravan" letters replaced and they are now etched out again, I've been driving it and it quit before, but today's incident, was just a near miss I wasn't crushed between a school bus and a tractor trailer. The van just wouldn't go. I was just sick all day-scared and actually left work early.

Filed Jun 8, 2007 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · OH

Tachometer going bezerk. Engine runs erractically intermittently. Just had to replace the transmission solenoid pack @105,000miles. Transmission went into limp mode, and threw a cel.

Filed Mar 30, 2007 · Transmission · 70,800 miles · MD

My transmission failed thanksgiving day 2006. Van was parked on hill. I placed it in drive and it rolled backwards down the hill. Was able to cautiously drive it to transmission shop. They had to rebuild the unit. The check engine light never came on. After picking it up I had to take it back to the shop because it wouldn't go out of first gear. Shop stated it was due to a sensor problem. A couple of month's later it did the same first gear. Shop replaced the sensor again. Luckily the rebuilt transmission was still under warranty. Dodge only warrants the powertrain to the original purchaser. I purchased it used in 2003.

Filed Sep 1, 2006 · Transmission · MO

2002 dodge caravan's transmission failed. *kb

Filed Apr 11, 2006 · Transmission · 73,000 miles · KY

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40mph, the transmission began leaking fluid. The dealer determined the transmission failed due to a pin lost inside the transmission. The dealer recommended replacing the transmission.

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.