While the vehicle was parked, fluid was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred. *ak the time belt cover was a problem.
1996 Dodge Grand Caravan engine complaints
Page 2 of 7: complaints 11 to 40 of 175, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving 55 MPH the consumer hit a deer. When getting out of the vehicle the owner notice a fire in the engine compartment. No report of air bag deployment. As a result the vehicle burned to the ground. No injuries reported. Please provide additional information.
There are two major problems with my 1996 dodge grand caravan. First there is a serious vibration in the front wheel/tires. I have replaced 8 tires (in 30000 miles!), both front axles, all three motor mounts, and had the transmission overhauled, as well as having three alignment checks. The vibration is still there. The second problem involves the windshield wipers. The front wipers were, for a time, coming on any time they felt like it; this was remedied by replacing the multi function switch on 09/21/01. Since then, the rear wiper will occasionally come on for one swipe when I first start the vehicle - annoying, but not an immediate hazard. But today, my windshield wipers quit working at all. They will only work if I put the wipers on interval - in which case they do nothing for a time, then make two to four swipes, then wait a while, make one or two swipes, wait a while, etc. They will make one high speed swipe across the windshield if I press the washer button in. I spent $80 today so the dodge dealer could tell me this was caused by a body control module failure. This repair costs over $400...and researching a used part online, I learned that both the wheel shimmy problem and the windshield wiper problems are not unique to my car but are very common issues with the dodge caravan/chrysler town & country/plymouth voyager family. Losing your wipers, having them come on at random when they take a notion to, and a non-stop shimmy in the front are each, by themselves, serious safety issues warranting a recall. Collectively, they spell out a lack of concern that daimler chrysler has for the safety of those who drive their products. It is my understanding from my online research that chrysler was aware of the problem as long ago as 1998 but deliberately ignored its own information. It is apparent that the only way these safety issues are going to be addressed is if the federal government takes them to task.
Serpentine belt or tensioner clip has had to be repaired 4 times (towed every time) electrical problems since the beginning; turn the key and the windshield wipers start going, turn the key off and the wipers "keep" going, take the key totally out of the ignition and the wipers go and the "dinging" alarm that tells you the lights are on or the key is in, starts.(I seriously thought the car was possessed) or turn the key and "nothing" comes on except the engine. I've replaced the battery 5 times at least - it's usually better w/ a new battery for a little while. Have had to have the window motor and assembly replaced on drivers side twice and 5 times on the passenger side. Most recent was 4/04, which was replaced 7/04 again. The side sliding doors on both side do not lock, if you push the button down, you can't get it back up. The rear hatch is damaged from closing the door, looks like I was hit in the rear, but have not been. Check engine light was on for months in fall '03, no mechanic could say why. Wanted to get the A/C charged but it wouldn't hold a charge. Dealer couldn't figure it out. Took it to another mechanic who said the A/C unit was totally melted. Had it replaced and then the computer reset. Replaced the transmission at 100000, the "plantatary gears" were cracked. Check engine light is on again in 7/04, failed emisions, replaced o2 sensor, light still on, tack sticks and car won't accelerate at times - I can push it to the floor and it won't go?? Feels like it's choking, no power. Have a 3.8l, should have power. There is no panel/door for pass. Airbag to come out. If I ever got in an accident, what would it do...just bust through my dash? Over time, the dash on that side has gotten soft and mushy, what's that about? My dad bought the same year caravan I did, but he doesn't have the grand caravan le and he doesn't have the 3.8l and he hasn't had a single problem...I guess I got all of them.
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.
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.
Consumer complained about gas fumes. While driving the smell of gas fumes was strong, and was coming through the vents.
While stopped the belt tensioner snapped and caused loss of power steering. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed.
For 3 summers in a row, we have had to recharge the air condition system for it to only work 3-4 weeks at a time. Our mechanic says that it isn't that the air conditing unit has failed it seems to be loosing the freon some where.the locks on the van to the tail gate doesn't seem to work correctly, 90% of the time you have to beat on the lock from the out side for it to unlock. We have also replaced the brake pad approx 3 times and they still squeak and seem to grab at times.
A/c internal fan switch fails in at least two positions and have had smoke enter inside the van while driving, from I think the fan. Once the fan is turned off the smoke goes away.
Rocker arm pedistal sheared off cylinder head causing internal engine damage. Multiple repair centers believe cause is design flaw of cylinder head.
While driving engine failed. Dealer diagnosed that engine's main computer would not fire the #2 and #5 spark plugs, resulting in failure. Consumer has had 2 other main engine computer failures since vehicle ownership.
Camshaft on 1996 dodge grand caravan failed (broke into two pieces) while driving down the ohio turnpike with family (two young children) in the van - failure of all power assist and foward motion (other than coasting) was immediate. The vehicle was in the middle lane at the time and if the road had been busier the potential exisited for a major accident and possible injury/death. The vehicle had approximately 98,100 miles on it at the time (3.3l engine). This failure may be related to chrysler tsb 09-008-01 which discusses camshaft failure with camshaft bearing wear. I would like to see daimler/chrysler "step up to the plate" on the potentially dangerous situation and correct the problem prior to the failure occuring. I will be contacting d/c to pursue reimbursement for the new engine as an event like this should not occur.
Vehicle was shut off when without warning, then vehicle caught on fire.
While driving the vehicle stalled without warning which made it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. The dealer has been notified.
The windshield wiper motor was intermittent. Mr the problem with the wipers occurred shortly after purchase. The consumer had taken the vehicle in for the wipers on several occasions and was told they worked fine. The engine light was intermittent as well. Scc
There is a problem with the serpentine belt, when it rains the belt comes off the pulley system. This has occurred several times, and is becoming costly, so now I am considering the honda odyssey!.
Dodge '96 minivan stalling problem while in operation. Start up time 5-10 minutes later (very dangerous). Transmission slipped out of gear; problem escalated to full replacement. Not satisfied with replacement -"bumps" on second and third gears up and down. These have been costly repairs. Service engine soon light would not go out no matter what repairs were performed - full fuel and electrical systems. Rps raced to 15k. Replaced cam sensor, harness, hoses etc.
The vehicle stalled, which caused consumer to pull over abruptly.
The meter read less than half a tank of gas, the van ran out of gas, then the engine stalled. The consumer started the vehicle and began to drive when soon after the check engine light illuminated. The consumer was told the problem was a misfired cylinder, the fuel fuel pump was buried inside the gas tank, and when the fuel level dropped below the fuel pump, the pump heated up and sucked in air instead of the gasoline. *scc
Support for rocker arm broke off at 82,890 miles. From review of the federal safety agency records, this has occurred for numerous customers, but it has not been recalled. As this is part of the head casting, I would expect it to last the life of the vehicle. Ts
Consumer experienced vehicle shut down while driving. Dealer contacted.
While filling gas tank fuel began leaking out of top of tank. Vehicle checked by dealer who determined leak was from a "vent line"
The drive belt tensioner assm. Brakes at the stud that connect to the backet,causing the drive belt tension assm. To brake then damage hood and some other parts of engine .I have talked to alot of people and they have had the same problem .two people said it caused acc. The drive belt tensioner assmebely is of poor design and failes and the repaires are very costly. 1200.00 to 2500.00 to repair defeat.please check this out ii will give you a ex. Driving down the freeway at 55 to 70 MPH and all of the sudden bang then a hole in the hood and smoke comming for under the hood. Think there sould be a nationail recall on this before someone get killed.l.
Air conditionercondenser/driver side window regulator/tie rod, transmission shift cable, and o2 sensor were replaced. Also, there was a noise coming from front of vehicle, and from the exhaust area. Engine check light appeared. In addition, serpentine belt and water pump were replaced. *jb.
The piston ring in the engine had excessively worn.
Consumer states that at various speeds the vehicle stalls out. The dealer has inspected the vehicle several times and could not duplicate the problem.*jb battery, battery cable, alarm system, starter and cranksensor have been replaced. However problem still exists. Dealer states computer possibly causing stalling.
Mechanic who replaced my belt tensioner, stated that he replaced same parts on dodge caravans in a recent short period of time and suggested that this is a factory or design defect.
1996 dodge caravan has the very common dodge oil leak...airbag light on also..horn does not work.
While driving engine stallled without a prior warning. Consumer tried to restart vehicle, but engine could not be restarted. Had to be towed to dealer then repaired. Please provide more information.
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