On march 3rd, of 2005, while returning home from an outing with my four children, I noticed that the power steering went out in our 1997 dodge grand caravan as I was pulling into my driveway. Within moments after getting the kids out of the vehicle, the front of our minivan was fully engulfed in flames. Before the fire was extinguished by the local fire department, the entire engine compartment, along with the windshield and hood was destroyed and the vehicle is now a complete loss. Since we did not carry comprehensive insurance on this vehicle due to its age, I contacted daimler-chrysler to make a claim for damages, which came to just around $5,300. Daimler-chrysler sent an independent inspector to our residence to investigate the incident. The results were turned over to their claim board and we were advised on 3-18-05 that their company refused to accept responsibility for the fire that not only destroyed our vehicle but could have easily caused injury or death to myself or our four children. It is my understanding from the federal safety agency website that there has been numerous fire-related recalls on the 1997 dodge minivans. Specifically, an article showed that a recall existed on this type of vehicle after several deaths were reported as a result of fuel rail and o-ring defects (daimler chrysler recall #895). At no time since our purchase of this vehicle, was there any notification concerning safety recalls and after specifically asking a dodge dealership, I was told that there was not. After receiving the denial letter from daimler-chrysler, I spoke with a representative from their claims resolution group, who would not give me a reason why the claim was denied and refused to send me a copy of their investigator's report.
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan fuel system complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 37 of 37, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Heavy fuel vapors in passenger compartment, and under hood. Occurred during normal driving. Has occurred in the past but then went away the next day. All occurrences were during cold weather (20-30f). Driver and passengers experienced nausea. Mechanic said that the fuel tank rollover valve is malfunctioning allowing fuel into the vapor canister. This sounds alot like the recall for 1996 models of this van.
Consumer received the federal safety agency recall 00v268000 concerning fuel leakage. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for a routine check up, and the mechanic informed the consumer that the recall repairs were done properly. On ma 3, 2004 while driving, the consumer noticed that smoke was coming from the hood. Suddenly the vehicle caught on fire. Consumer extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, but dealer was unable to resolve the problem. *ak while backing out of the driveway the vehicle hesitated and was turned off. The consumer then turned on the vehicle back on again return back into the driveway when the smoke started to come out of the engine compartment. The mechanics identified that the rubber bushings on the original fuel rail. The gas leak was still present and coming from the bushings. *sc the vehicle was originally taken to the dealership for a alternator problem.
1997 dodge grand caravan. Started vehicle and let idle while in parking lot. Engine appeared to form vapor lock and stalled. Tried restarting. No effect. Smelled fuel. Looked outside and found very large fuel spill on side of vehicle. Evacuated vehicle and called 911 in case of fire. Fd reported separation of fuel line from fuel tank. Vehicle towed to repair facility. Awaiting parts and repair info.
The fuel gauge wavers after filling up. When there is less than half a tank of gas in car, the gauge reads correctly. But when full, the gauge goes from empty to full constantly and the bell "dings" when the needle gets to empty.
Fuel filter fitting under car subject to road debri, plastic fitting will disconnect allowing fuel pump to throw raw fuel all over undercarrage.
Consumer received recall notice 00v268 to have fuel rail crossover tube o-rings inspected. However, when arrived for appointment, consumer is experiencing problems with dealership who claims that parts are on back order.
Consumer states he recieved a recall for the fuel line # 895. Contacted dealer and they stated no parts were available. Nlm
The dealer had replaced a leaking fuel rail prior to the recall. (00v‑268).
Vheicle was just parked when consumer returned to find smoke coming from underneath the hood. Vehicle was totaled consumer was treated for smoke inhalation. Consumer didn't have any warning while driving just before parking. Dealer was not notified.*ak consumer states that vehicle was experiencing fuel filter and fuel pumps problems and had been replaced several times before the incident.
Received recall 00v268000 notice and contacted dealership. Was informed no parts available. Manufacturer was not sending any parts, therre was a long waiting list for fuel repair parts.*ak
Vehicles electrical system has consistently and rapidly consumed batteries, all batteries were unable to be installed.
This vehicle is experiencing same problem as mentioned in recall 00-v-268-00. But vehicle is not included in recall due to VIN. Vehicle leaked out almost instantly 28 gallons of fuel. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was taking a look at the problem.
While pumping fuel into vehicle sliding door has came back and broke fuel cover door,knocking handle out of tank, and out of consumer's hand. Some of the fuel spilled onto consumer. Dealer was notified, and unwilling to assist. Provide any further information.
Fuel is leaking from the fuel rail when the engine is running. The dripping fuel lands on the exhaust manifold of the engine.
While consumer pulled into a school driveway to let out his child, fuel tank completly dropped off underneath the vehicle. Dealer notified, and repairs being made at consumer's cost.
Fuel pump broke while in motion. Had no control of vehicle. Also, belt tensioner broke while driving approximately 40mph/computer chip had failed & this caused the vehicle to stop functioning at 65mph, and battery went dead & can not be recharged.
I am writing in response to an article in the st.paul pioneer press page 9a dated 4/20/99. It is about the federal safety agency investigation of daimlerchysler gm and gas tanks leaking. In december of 1998 I experienced a similar situation. As I was driving the gas line apparently became disconnected from the tank and all the gas drained out of my van. This happened as I was driving down a highway. By the time I got to my destination a full tank of gas had drained out of my car. This was the third time we reported fuel leakage to the dealer. I am very interested in knowing if this is a problem with the dodge minivans.
My wife and son had just left church and was setting at a red light when the quick connect on the fuel line popped off and the van quit. When I arrived the engine (fan belt side) had been sprayed with gas and gas dripping from underneath and puddled under the passenger side front tire. I tried to see if it would start and probably another quart of gas or so pump out before my wife noticed there was gas running out the bottom of van. A man who had stopped to help, actually found the gas line problem and snapped it back on, after tugging on the line some to see if it would come off I agreed to try starting it again.(I had already called a tow truck and wasn't crazy about starting it with all the gas around) it started up and ran about 10 minutes and it popped off again. When it popped off the second time we were watching, the dangerous thing about it was that before it completly popped off and killed the engine it sprayed gas over the front of the engine for approx 5 - 10 seconds. We popped it back on again and started it, but the tow truck was there by then and we had it towed to the dealer to get it checked out. The dealer kept the van 4 days and said they couldn't find anything wrong. I picked it up after trying to get them to replace the connector but they said they couldn't replace it untill they could duplicate it popping off, I guess see it come off themselves. I'm driving it now because I can't afford to let them keep it another 20,000 miles so they can see it pop apart. I have checked for similar problems on your web site and found none. I don't know if our van is the only one with the faulty fitting or may be others, that's why I am writing you and after seeing how the fitting comes apart is really scary when I think about it popping apart on hot enging instead of a cold engine. What worries me is that it came lose the first time and think it might be worth looking into because their is potential for a fire, even without the fire it scared my wife a
The fuel tank cracked, causing a fuel leak, which if ignited may cause a fire. Dealer replaced fuel tank 2 times. Cause unknown. Dealer cannot determine problem. Please provide details.
Fuel leaks from upper right side of tank when fuel tank is full.
Fuel sending unit gasket of fuel tank leaking.
Quick connect fitting was not completed, which caused fuel to leak out of vehicle.
Fuel line disconnected, causing fuel leak and strong odor.
Fuel tank: fuel tank leaks when it is full, it does not leak when it is not completely full. Check engine light comes on and stays. Dealer has replaced fuel pump on gas tank, and the they also replaced the fuel injector pump on the engine . The problem is still there.the are going to replace the entire tank assembly.
Flames coming out of gas tank.
When accelerating fuel tank shifts against vehicle frame, causing load thumping noises when slightly less than a full tank of fuel. Dealer applied padding kit, problem persists.
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