1996 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems

Filed Dec 22, 2010 · Engine, Steering · CA

I have a 1996 dodge grand caravan le 3.8. In the last 2 months the serpentine belt slipped off 2 times when it is raining outside or the van goes through a puddle of water. I have almost been killed twice. I have read that other dodge owners have also had this problem. The wheel cannot be controlled when this happens, and my wife is scared to drive this car now. I think that dodge has some explaining to do as they have been made aware of this defect, and are not taking any responsibility for this repeated serious safety fault.

Filed Jan 1, 2007 · Transmission · 126,000 miles · WV

Automatic transmission broke for the third time in just 30,000 miles, this time my wife and 4 kids were nearly killed on a busy interstate because we were almost hit . This vehicle is a 1996 dodge grand caravan.

Filed Aug 6, 2006 · Transmission · MA

We have had the car approx 6 years and had to put in five transmissions. They keep burning up and nobody can tell us why. We use the vehicle for very little transportation to and from school mostly approx 2 and 1/2 miles each way. The van constantly bucks when slowing down from high speeds to low speeds and will often die doing the same thing. The transmission always seems to be making a sound that indicates it is being stressed while in 2 to 3 gears.

Filed Aug 18, 2005 · Transmission · 93,500 miles · NM

Bought a 1996 caravan new, in august 1999 the transmission went with about 36,000 miles and rebuilt put in - lasted till jan 2005. Transmission went out jan 2005 and a rebuilt was put in and lasted until july 2005 and another rebuilt was put in.

Filed Feb 18, 2005 · Airbags, Engine · 165,000 miles · GA

- 96 dodge grand caravan w/3.8 v6 and 41te 4spd transmision - 2 transmission failures - 1st went to about 125000, then kept hitting the "limp home mode" - 2nd has "torque converter lockup" problem, shops say rebuild again, after only 38000 miles. - fan relay went out before recall was issued, had to replace the radiator out of pocket. - had clock spring replaced after component failure relating to it (horn, cruise etc) - union city ga dealer attempted to fix the fuel return line issue, botched it up and caused major leak when refueling. They re-fixed it after much complaining.

Filed Feb 3, 2005 · Suspension, Transmission · 90,000 miles · WI

Took my 1996 dodge caravan in for transmission repair. Shop would not repair and said the vehicle was inoperable due to rusting out of strut mount tower. Have not seen this on any other vehicle.

Filed Jan 5, 2005 · Transmission · 84,700 miles · VA

As I brought down speed of my vehicle from 65 MPH to stop today, just stopped dead at the stop sign and the transmission of my vehicle failed. When I searched the internet, I found a tons of people having the same problem.*ak with so many people out there with the same problem there has to be a recall or a class action law suit .

Filed Sep 23, 2004 · Transmission · 109,000 miles · IL

The consumer stated the transmission malfunctioned. As a result the vehicle hesitated before shifting gears. Please provide additional information.

Filed Sep 23, 2004 · Transmission · 115,450 miles · VA

I bought a 1996 dodge grand caravan 3 years ago. This past july I had to take a loan out to pay $2000 for a transmission. After speaking to quite a few mechanics, I was told that the dodges that have the 3.3 liter engines in them have trouble with the transmissions. The mechanics stated that have had a lot of dodges that they have to replace the transmission in and the dodge is aware of this problem and has done nothing about it. I have owed 2 other vehicles that are not dodges and have never had to replace a transmission at all and they are older than my van. I had to purchase my van, so I could put my husband's wheelchair in it. It is easier to get it in and out of the van. I am on a fixed income due to my husband being disabled and we have son in school. So money is very tight. I was lucky I qualified for the loan to get a new transmission, or I would be unable to transport my husband back and forth to doctor appts and shopping. I have spoke with other dodge owners who have all told me they have had to replace the transmission in their dodge 3.3 liter vehicles. But what gets me is that all the transmission experts that I spoke with said, they change at least 2 -3 transmission a week in these dodges. And that dodge is fully aware of this problem. It seems to me that dodge doesn't mind fixing the small problems, but over look that fact that they have a defect that causing a transmission to go out and it costing the buyer at a minimum of $2000 to replace. This has to be stopped and dodge made to be held accountable for our cost. There needs to be a class action suit brought against them for this. One guy I work with had his brand new dodge truck leave him on the side of the road, when the transmission went out and he had only 57,800 miles on it. Dodge knows they put out a defect transmission, but they are making the consumer pay for it. This is wrong and they need to be held accountable.

Filed Aug 24, 2004 · Engine, Suspension · 92,000 miles · AZ

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.