Complete brake failure due to rusted brake lines and sudden loss of all brake fluid no stopping ability except emergency brake (only effective at low speed).
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan brakes complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 71, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Sudden brake failure when departing my home. Pedal went fully to the floor. Later inspection revealed heavy corrosion at the brake line joints with the short section of flexible brake line just rear of the ABS box. No significant corrosion aside from the vicinity of the flex line. One of the corroded brake lines had a pinhole leak that triggered the brake failure.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge grand caravan. While backing out of the garage, the contact noticed a puddle of fluid on the ground. He exited the vehicle, inspected the fluid, and discovered the puddle was brake fluid. He pulled the vehicle back into the garage and crawled underneath to discover that the rear brake line was corroded. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 168,680.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that fluid has drained into the brake system. The dealer stated that nothing was wrong with the vehicle and no recalls were issued. The contact notified the dealer months later and they stated that he was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 96v215000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder). He took the vehicle to another mechanic and they discovered fluid leaking into the reservoir of the service brakes from the master cylinder; however, no fluid was leaking. As a result, the fluid began to enter into the instrument panel. The failure mileage was 112,000 and current mileage was 113,000. Updated 12/31/07 *bf the consumer stated when he attempted to apply the brakes, he realized he didn't have normal braking power. The pedal went all the way to the floor. Updated
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 dodge grand caravan. The contact smells something burning when the brakes are applied. The vehicle continues to stop normally. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer, but the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the ABS wires were touching. Presently, no failures have occurred. The current and failure mileages were 120,000. Updated 09/18/07
The battery light came on in my 1997 grand caravan and a couple of minutes later the ABS light came on. When I got to work I cut the car off and tried to restart it. It did start but the cut off. Then it would not start at all. No dash lights anything. I waited about 3 hours and tried to start it again and nothing happened. When the tow truck came and the driver got in and tried to start it, again it was totally dead. He left the key in the on position while we talked and then about a minute later the dash light came on and he started it. The dealer could not find anything wrong with it. This happened once before about a year ago. On the way to work all the lights came on in the dash and I pulled over and cut the car off. After about 10 minutes I tried it again and it started with no problem. I am concerned that it is a problem with the computer. Have you heard of this problem before?
The vehicle's ABS and check engine light have been going on and off for about 6 months. We had a mechanic look into it and replaced a relay or switch that belonged to the blower motors (fans by radiator). The lights seemed to go away until a couple of weeks ago, the ABS light returned and the brakes act as though they are going to give out at any time. They have to be depressed for quite a length of time before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. There is also a weird sound of air or as if air where coming out when the brakes get depressed. I have had to add fluid once or twice a week and have been told by a mechanic buddy that there is very good chance its the brake booster due to the sound of air. I went online and noticed there were recalls for this in a couple of grand caravans but my VIN # doesn't fall into the suggested VIN range.
The 1997 dodge grand caravan front and rear brake pads and rotors wear out nearly every month. The vehicle begins to sway while driving 55mph on freeway or when changing lanes. The emergency brake light is on due to a leakage in the brakes. The egr valve keeps going out and the service engine light is on.
While applying the brake pedal it went the floor. The brakes failed to stop vehicle completely. However, driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to a garage for inspection. The mechanic could not duplicate the problem at this time.
Emergency brake fails to function when temperature is below freezingg; dealer unable to repair despite multiple attempt; brake freezes in locked and unlock position causeing damage to brake drums (locked) and loss emergency brake (open).
While driving at 45 MPH and applying the brakes. Pedal went to the floor, and there were no brakes . As a result, consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision. Dealer notified.
Vehicle is being recalled for a clock spring failure. However, parts are currently not available. *ak the cruise was inoperative, the air bag light and brake light stayed on. Recall#02v293000 and recall#96v215000. *sc
While driving at 65 MPH, the consumer noticed that the air bag light came on. The consumer attempted to slow the vehicle, but discovered the brakes were not working properly. After depressing the brakes, it took the vehicle over 100 yards to stop. *ak the brake master cylinder was replaced, but the problem continued.
The transmission does not shift gears if the air conditioner is on. The air conditioner turned all the way up will blow out air as if it was on mid way. The wind shield wipers come on when the turn signal is activated, which causes me to buy blades more often. The brakes seem to lock up when the ground is wet. You can hear metal hitting together, and the car continues to roll. My sister-in-law, and one of my daycare moms had the same problem, but they were not as lucky as I was it caused them to rear end another vehicle.
Parking brake repeatedly fails to hold, despite multiple attempts to repair, sometimes fails in on position causing extensive damage to parking and main rear brake. Chyrsler unwilling to address problem.
While driving 60 MPH the brakes failed. *ak the consumer stated the brake lines were replaced.
While driving, brakes failed without warning. Dealer diagnosed that the brake fluid line, located near the gas tank, had corroded resulting in the brake failure.
The front brakes were worn, air bag light illuminated, tensioner assembly failed, horn was inoperable, and the water pump leaked. As corrections, all defective componets were replaced. *ph
Consumer states that the parking brake does not stay engaged.
Vehicle had been parked for 48 hours when I was informed that it was on fire. The vehicle engine area was completely engulfed in flames, it had not been started or used at all since it was parked. Vehicle was a total loss. Our county arson task force investigator concluded it was caused by a faulty anti-lock brake system.
Premature wear of rear brake shoes, needed replacement. Also, clock spring failed which caused horn to be inoperative.*ak
I have had to replace the brakes on this minivan approximately every 6 months or 12,000 miles. I know of several other people who are having this same problem. Yes, I got a warranty but you still have to pay for labor and brakes should be lasting 40,000 miles or more. I think there is a defect in the design of the front brakes, or wheel bearings. (which I have also had to replace) dt
Consumer states vehicle has an emergency brake problem, when one thinks the emergency brakes are holding they are really wearing away the shoes, and there is sudden and unwanted jamming of the brake linkage, consumer stated a service bulletin was issued, however there needs to be a recall.
Emergency brake intermittently disengages. The van almost ran me over when the brake disengaged while I was winching the boat on the trailer, very dangerous design!!!
The power steering/power brakes have been locking/failing intermittently for the past year. Took the car to the shop in july of 2001 and was told the steering wheel problem was due to humidity and loose belts and the weather would improve the performance. Noticed that when the steering locked, I was driving the car between 5 and 10 miles per hour. Also, when steering wheel locked, power brakes would fail. Had to literally stand on brake pedal or turn off car ignition to stop car. Threw car in park and turned the ignition immediately to regain steering and brakes. Had no steering capability at all. This problem has happened about once every 2 months but seems to be getting more frequent with 3 failures in the past 2 months. Took car into dealer on 6/24/02 and they worked on it for a couple of days before deciding the problem was some part of the steering column. They could replicate the problem with the steering but not with the brakes. They replaced some component of the power steering and released the car 6/26/02. Picked up the car on 6/27/02. The next day, 6/28/02, both steering locked and brakes failed. Will have car towed to shop today. Both son and husband have also experienced this problem while driving. Son nearly hit a tree when steering locked. Said "check oil light " came on dash. Said the only way he could stop the car was the turn the ignition off while in drive. We had noticed the problem more when making a turn. Husband said the problem happened to him this past friday (6/28/02) and he wasn't turning at all. We do not see "check engine" light flashing on when this problem occurs. We are all scared to drive the car because we are afraid it will stall or the steering wheel and power brakes will fail to work at high speed.
Vehicles electrical system has consistently and rapidly consumed batteries, all batteries were unable to be installed.
The windshield wipers turn on when not selected, and is very distracting, and has almost resulted in several accidents. Some of my friends which also own caravan/voyager have has the same problem and have had the switch replaced numerous times to no avail. I think dodge needs to redisgn the switch, and recall all the effected vehicles and have it corrected immediately. Also as far as the front brakes, I have had the front brake shoes replaced at least 7 times in the time I have owned the car. I haven't replaced that many brakes together on all the other cars I have owned. I think the front disc brakes are undersized and cannot meet the weight of the van. Dodge also needs to redisn the front brake sys and make modifications to the affected vehicles.
Engine started to have a loud squeeking sound on start-up & squeek continued after but not as loud. Brakes noted to have a longer braking time when travelling at 50 MPH.
While driving through a construction zone on hot day noticed burning rubber smell. Started down a hill and noticed brakes did not seem to work. Pedal went to floor. Tried parking brake. Car was steered into abandon gas station to avoid collision. Had to put into park to stop vehicle. Goodyear employee tried brakes:went to floor. Technician viewed (in hour)had brakes:bleed lines. Told air in lines. Same as odi-id 887484.took to dealer:could not explain. Rear brakes thin. Mention of possible master cylinder defect.the federal safety agency told me of 1996 recall. Called chrysler-VIN not involved.very concerned over future brake performance.
Front brake pads crumbled/failed caused rotors to be routed/ruined at 46k miles and at 63k miles, should have been lots of pad left, failure lead to expensive repairs incl rotor replacement,, could have lead to death/disabilities, dealer hiding part failure through non-disclosure, also clock spring failure in steering ring lead to airbag deployment problem, dealer charged owner full price rotor replacement first and second time, part defects very dangerous.
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