1996 Dodge Grand Caravan: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 29, 2004 · Electrical · 105,500 miles · NY

While driving approximately 50 MPH on major highway my 1996 dodge grand caravan shut down, and lost all power. Same thing occurred 1 month later. I was almost involved in a major accident with 4 children aboard. Mechanic has changed 2 relay switches. Do not know if and when it will happen again.

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 127,500 miles · SC

I own a 1996 dodge grand caravan with the mileage around 128,000 miles. Starting in april , we smelled and saw smoke coming from under the hood . We took it to aamco and they checked it out and could find nothing wrong with the car at that time using the diagnostics. A few weeks later, the service engine soon light came on and stayed on steadily and they could find nothing wrong with the van at that time either . The *code* they found said *oxygen sensor* but they reset it . Four days later, we were heading back to charleston (100 miles) and had made it around 40 miles on interstate going around 65-70 miles an hour when, without notice, the service engine soon light started blinking and the car completely lost power . We had to pull over on the side of the emergency lane and wait until a tow truck could tow us back to lexington ... The van was taken again to nasco where they thought the problem could be the spark plugs and wiring so they changed all that out to the tune of $400.00 plus the $80.00 for towing... Then....two days later the van was driving again to charleston on interstate and at almost the exact same spot --it cut off again !! The van had to get towed yet again to orangeburg ( closer to where it cut off ) and the mechanics there could find absolutely nothing wrong with the van !!! In town, the van does fine ...but when you are on interstate and going a high rate of speed for a prolonged period of time ...and it cuts off ---something is definitely wrong with the van !! It is very dangerous to be driving at such a high rate of speed and then losing power ..and must be addressed before a death occurs !! Last weekend , my husband took the van on the interstate again to try it out and sure enough around 50 miles out it cut off yet again with the service engine soon light on .I notice there are several other instances of this happening to the grand caravans and think it should definitely be investigated and a recall issued.

Filed Feb 12, 2004 · Engine · 109,000 miles · OH

When driving through water serpentine belt slipped off from the engine, causing vehicle to lose power steering. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Feb 5, 2004 · Engine · 98,000 miles · NC

While stopped the belt tensioner snapped and caused loss of power steering. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed.

Filed Jun 9, 2003 · Transmission · MD

While traveling without any indication vehicle lost all power. Vehicle was serviced, technician noticed transmission needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 20, 2002 · Airbags · VA

The airbag-indicator light started lighting up intermittently, at first, but now stays lit all the time. I soon discovered that the horn, another safety feature, is also disabled/nonfunctional, as is the cruise control. These three features, two of them being important safety features (airbag and horn) , are all apparently wired together into one circuit. I took my van to a mechanic who checked fuses= ok; problem is "airbag clockspring." he contacted 3 other mechanics and a dodge dealer, and all said they were familiar with this problem with dodge caravan, and the problem is with the airbag clockspring. The mechanic explained the clockspring needs to be reset, but he and other mechanics won't attempt to fix, as they're worried about deploying airbag. The 2 dealers said the airbag may deploy on its own, or not deploy at all -- and that repair involves replacing the airbag clockspring. I'm upset and want chrysler to pay for this repair -- this is not a maintenance item/issue -- this is a safety issue -- when the airbag light comes on, indicating failure (clockspring), the horn also is disabled. You cannot pass inspection w/out the horn working. I'm afraid airbag will deploy accidentally while I'm driving. I cannot afford this repair -- est. $95/clockspring + $200/labor = $300 or more! The mechanic knew of at least 1 other person who had exact same problem with caravan; also, the two dodge dealers in my area also stated they very familiar with this problem occuring in the dodge caravan! Many of these failures are occurring, & most people are not reporting them!! In addition, mechanic said horn could be rewired to bypass the airbag/cruise con. Circuit, for ~ $50 -- but still have to worry about airbag deploying at wrong time/not at all + still have no cruise control. Also in steering, there's a loud whiney noise when steering wheel is turned;other times loss of power steering=difficulttosteer! +serpentinebelt broke off at ~32,000 mi!$700torepair!!

Filed Jun 24, 2002 · Fuel system · IL

Consumer received recall 00v268, however vehicle had failures prior to receiving the notification, consumer states vehicle started losing power and would not go over 20 MPH, dealer informed consumer that not only did the fuel rail assembly need replacing, but the engine needed to be replaced as well.

Filed Jun 26, 2001 · Engine · VA

Serpentine belt tensioner shaft sheared as a result of no lubrication. Instantaneous loss of power steering and vehicle control resulted in a very close call. I believe the non-lubricated shaft permitted corrossion and subsequent seizure and shearing of the assembly shaft. It is a design deficiency, in my opinion of course.

Filed Dec 15, 2000 · Airbags, Engine · PA · crash

Was driving, and was about to make a turn, when vehicle lost power. Driver lost control of vehicle. Applied brakes to stop. Had checked vehicle & noticed pulley belt had came off. Tension bracket had failed (serpentine belt). Also, driver's side air bag did not deploy.

Filed Nov 14, 2000 · Steering · AR

Belt tensioner locked up twice in the last 8 months, causing loss of power steering control and potential for serious accident. The power steering belt was thrown off the belt tensioner and destroyed twice, once in march 2000 and again in november of 2000.

Filed Oct 29, 2000 · Electrical · NY

In first incident, engine suddenly stopped running while van was stopped in traffic. Immediatly tried to restart engine but engine would not crank. After this attempt ,electrical power to all other components (lights, radio/ etc.) was lost. After app. 1/2 hour without power ,engine restarted when again attempted. In second incident, while traveling app. 50 MPH,again, engine suddenly stopped running.engine would not restart (no crank) . After 15-20 minutes, engine would restart. Taken to dealer, where they could not find the cause of this problem as van was now running ok. Dealer could not explain why engine would suddenly and completely lose power.euly

Filed Jul 31, 2000 · Steering · OH

Lost power steering. Could have been serious at higher speed.