While driving 20 MPH, the driver was not able to shift into third gear. The driver tried to shift gears numerous times but was not able to do so. The vehicle was taken to a garage for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The problem recurred and the driver was not able to shift gears at all.
1996 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission complaints
Page 2 of 8: complaints 11 to 40 of 208, newest first, as owners wrote them.
1996 dodge grand caravan se. Transmission completely failed. Third owner at 155,000 miles. Happened to first owner as well. Leaked transmission fluid everywhere, rear gate was covered with fluid. Went through over 2 quarts of fluid a day for a 5 mile drive to work. Diagnosed as a loose pin which wore a hole in the transmission case. Could not have been prevented. A hole the size of a fist was blown through the top of the case when it finally failed. Also, this part is in such demand due to the number of failures with this model that a rebuilt transmission was almost $2000. Chrysler was contacted and refused to provide any assistance with the cost of this repair. Was on the road in a snow storm when transmission failed, which could have in turn caused a serious accident while stuck in the middle of the road.
At 130000 mile a pin within the transmission broke off/or got loose and wore through the side of the transmission causing the transmission fluid to leak. There is no way to repair the transmission, so it needs to be replaced.
While driving vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. Transmission failed to change gears and was replaced, but the failure recurred within 62,0000 miles. Then, transmission was replaced again, but the failure recurred.
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.
Dealer replaced automatic transmission at 37,000 miles. Then, transmission failed, again, and needed to be replaced.
While driving 55 MPH vehicle stopped but engine was still running. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that pin slipped out and broke through the transmission casing. This caused a loss of transmission fluid, and transmission needed to be replaced.
Transmission failure. Numerous repair shops report that premature transmission failure is a near-certainty on this make and model year vehicle, due to a design flaw in the differential gear lubrication system. The manufacturer is aware of the problem but denies responsibility.
At 72,691 miles, the automatic transmission would not shift. The transmission was replaced with a rebuilt transmission. At 120,000 miles transmission slipped out of gear, causing the vehicle to slow down and not move. *ak
While driving 55 MPH transmission failed. Vehicle would not accelerate. Consumer managed pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
The differential pin came loose making a hole through the transmission case. Transmission fluid leaked into the torque convertor area and then onto my garage floor. This vehicle has only 74,789 miles. The mechanic told me that this is very common with these transmissions. He said it occurs when one wheel spins while the other wheel is stopped. In other words, if you live in a climate with snow or ice, this failure can occur at any time to your vehicle. I have contacted the manufacturer and they tell me this is not a defect and that they do not know of any problems with their differential pins. I contacted the service manager at the local dealership, he said that he has certainly seen this problem before, but since it occured outside of warranty, I am on my own. The minivan has been repaired, but since the replacement differential is the same as before, a serious defect still exists in my vehicle. I have retained the worn/broken differential unit in case dodge engineers want to inspect it.
Transmission failure 1996 dodge grand caravan. Will not go into gear, will not drive or go in reverse. Loud clunking noise and car jerked. Could have caused accident.
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.
I have a 1996 dodge grand caravan and it has had 4 transmission failures. Currently, the 5th transmission is in the vehicle. We have owned the caravan since 1/97 when it was purchased with about 50k miles on it. It was a lease turn in vehicle used by a salesman not hauling heavy loads but making tobbacco sales calls. I have spoken with other similar vehicle owners and there has been an issue with the transmission failing. I feel that daimler chrysler should recall the transmission for replacement with a satisfactory one.
While driving, the automatic transmission failed to shift gears. Please provide further details.
If the vehicle was in overdrive and the gas pedal was depressed from the idle position, the vehicle jerked forward/stalled out. This was caused by automatic transmission failure.*ak at 60,000 mile the transmission failed and chrysler would not honor any warranty.*cb
1996 dodge grand caravan se. Transmission completely failed (parked and running in driveway) with no advance warning. 81,000 miles, meticulously maintained. Diagnosed as a loose pin which wore a hole in the transmission case. A hole the size of a fist was blown through the top of the case when it finally failed. Also, this part is in such demand due to the number of failures with this model that a rebuilt transmission was almost $2000. Chrysler's chairman's office was contacted (case #11518366) and refused to provide any assistance with the cost of this repair.
While driving 65 MPH the transmission failed without warning. The vehicle stopped in the fast lane on a major highway. The dealer was notified. *ak
Whiled riving at normal speed front left axle broke. Dealer notified. Consumer stated vehicle was running without warranty.
Dealer has replaced 3 times automatic transmission. Consumer states has to be replace again the transmission, and vehicle is not any longer under warranty.
While traveling without any indication vehicle lost all power. Vehicle was serviced, technician noticed transmission needed to be replaced.
1st date of transmission replacement was in april 1999. Stuck in second gear. Still under warrantly, still had to pay deductible. Mileage was 35,000. Now 2nd transmission replacement at 96,000 stranded on the freeway with my children in the car. Transmission stuck and leaking fluid. Was not driveable. For a wopping cost of $2700.00
After the vehicle was serviced for a recall the technician noticed transmission problems. The consumer also noticed that the vehicle made a popping noise and was slipping out of gear.
While driving a loud noise came from the front of the vehicle. The driver pulled over and was unable to move the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated that the transmission had to be replaced.
Nar 03-27-2003 mr the consumer experienced problems driver side windows, and the transmission died out.
Transmission locked-up on 1996 dodge grand caravan. When we contacted someone about obtaining a transmission, we were informed that the manufacturer had already sent letters to dodge dealerships to expect to be contacted about transmission problems on the 1996 & 1997 grand caravans; the dealerships were told that the transmissions in these vehicles were defective, but that they(manufacturer) would not have them repaired. My husband was traveling on I-40 business outside of winston salem, nc, when this happened. He had with him our 8 year old daughter and my step-daughter, they were stranded on the side of the road for over 4 hours, and at night. We had previously had a "pin" of some sort in the transmission repaired and the van seemed to be fine after that; we had no other indication that there was a problem--the van's transmission went out without any indication that there was a problem. This happened on a very busy part of the interstate; it just shut down and could have been a very dangerous situation if they had been traveling in the left lane of traffic. Due to being in the right lane, they were fortunate enough to get it off the road without being hit by other traffic. We also had to have the van towed over 60 miles to get it home. I would appreciate any info. Or assistance you can offer. Please contact me if other info or questions are needed. Thank you.
The transmission failed, which caused the vehicle to stall, consumer stated the vehicle was on its third transmission.
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 down shifted without warning.
Transmission fails to engage in forward or reverse. Or transmission engages in reverse long enough to back out into traffic but then fails to engage in any forward gear or reverse. Dt
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