Since purchase of vehicle we have had an ongoing noise from the rear axles of the van. We have reported this at every service and the vehicle has had one of the rear axles replaced. Dealer states this is a common problem with 4 wheel drive mini-vans and that reduced milage on rear brakes is common. We had less than 30k miles on a set of rear disc brakes and pad failure resulted in damage to one rotor. We have owned many different vehicles and have never had such poor performance of rear brakes.
1999 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 72, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Gear shift can be moved out of park and shifted into any gears without applying brakes or without having key in ignition, causing vehicle to roll and hit neighbors parked vehicle. *ak estimated property damage was $3,000.
Speed sensor malfunctioned, and transmission not able to shift gears, was told to drive to shop for repairs. Very low miles for a transmission to start failing.
Vehicle can be put into gear without engine running and no safety feature like brake depression before care can be put into gear a small child can easily do this as my 2 1/2 yo did much to my surprise.
A drift pin in front axle will come loose and slide out, knocking a hole in transmission case, which can cause fluid to leak, and possibly front wheels to lock up. Dealer replaced transmission with same manufacturer's defective design.
The transfer pin in the transmission broke causing total failure of the transmission. It would not even stay in park. At first we thought we had hit something because of the jolt that this caused. After the insurance company's investigation it discovered that the damage was from the pin. I contacted daimler/ chrysler after having the vehicle repaired at a local shop. They seemed willing to help with the repairs through a local dealer. When I informed them that I had already had it fixed through a local shop they were completely unwilling to even discuss the matter. A mechanic that we know only works on these transmissions. He was not shocked that this happened. He has seen it many times.
Vehicle not equipped with shift interlock device whereby allowing our children the potential to shift vehicle out of park and creating a runaway condition. Our two year old son has watched us enought that he knows how to put the keys in the ignition and pull the gear selector arm down. Concerned about families and others safety.
Without warning, while driving 55mp, heard clunking, grinding, felt jerking. Pulled over to find transmission fluid pouring out. Found large pieces of transmission on highway. Thankful we weren't going faster or on a freeway. Car continued to roll easily while in park. Had to use emergency brake to park vehicle. Had daimler extended warranty, but extremely dissatisfied with them now. Been 1 week now, still being repaired. Warranty only gave a too small replacement vehicle for 5 days(we needed all the van's 7 seats to transport our family). It is expected to take a total of 11 or more days to repair. We have also had trouble with the key in this van. We will probably never buy another dodge vehicle, as we have multiple problems with our last van too. We thought that was because it had been previously wrecked, before we bought it. We would be glad to discuss this with anyone. Thank you.
In light snow plastic gear that controls windshield wiper arm has stripped off, causing it to become inoperative. 2. Also there is no safety lock for gear shift that prevents vehicle from rolling in case someone moves gear shift without applying brakes.*ak
Transmission rebuilt once, but problem persists. Vehicle stutters when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. After dealer investigates complains the vanruns smoothly for about 3 months; then problem starts again. Dealer says they can't find anything wrong when they run diagnostics.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
The vehicle has had continued problems with the engine, several repairs however the engine continues to leak.
Transmission is not working properly. While consumer was pulling out of drive way, and putting transmission in gear it felt like it was in neutral. Consumer had to play with it before it caught a gear. Contacted dealer,and dealer replaced transmission three times, and problem was still occurring. *ak
2 year old child was able to shift vehicle out of gear without applying brakes . Consumer stated all chrysler vehicles do not have a safety feature to prevent this from happening. Vehicle rolled over a hill into woods/ hitting trees, and going into a ditch. Caused $6000 damage. Child had a large bump on head. *ak
Consumer was driving at 60-65mph on freeway and switching lanes when transmission slipped , RPM's went over 3000, transmission was stuck in 1st gear. Dealer told consumer that sensor needed to be replaced.
Design defect as per certified transmission repair shop: vertical pin breaks off which causes a slippage for the main rotating mechanism causing it to puncture the transmission.
Brake pads and rotors failed. Nlm
Complete transmission failure while on highway. Would not move in any gear after coming to a stop. Had to call tow truck. Day before jumped in and out of gear while coming to a stop and nearly caused collision with vehicle in front of mine.
Transmission does not go into second gear. Dealer has inspected and replaced transmission sensor, and problem has reoccurred.
Tire problem started upon receiving new vehicle and I first reported at mileage1,898 and found there was a techinical service bulliten for the low speed tire wobble (number 22-02-99 dated 04-16-1999) and had the dealership replace the tires at mileage 21,522. The transmission shifted from over drive to second gear while crusing at 55 MPH and had to have the vehicle towed because the tran was stuck in second gear. The input speed sensor was replaced but has not corrected the irratic shifting that I have brought the vehicle back and complained about.( dot number: tire size: 215/65r16 )
We have been complaining that there is something wrong with the transmisson since september 1999. The dealer said that the computer shows in spec. The speed sensor went and the van could not shift gears. Replaced and failed again taking out the speedometer. Told it was just a lose wire this time. The dealer told me that all 1998-99 vehicles have the same rev of sensor and chrysler will not replace them until the fail. At the same time the airconditioner failed -told that the condenser failed due to leaves rotting the system. A vacuum hose failed and another one came lose. Now the trans shudders when shifting. Told that the tran is built like this and most people don't notice it. Chrysler is aware of the problem but won't fix it. Dealer suggested that I not keep this vehicle past warranty as it will continue to fail and become costly to me. They also told me my expectations were too high and I should have purchased a foreign vehicle if I wanted reliability. I contacted chrysler. Their cust service said that they are only concerned with fixing the vehicle and not building customer relations. I was told that managers will not speak to customers. My wife was almost rear ended when the transmission failed and is afraid to drive the vehicle.
Speed control module failed, transmission stuck in 2nd gear, dealer replaced, brakes gridded when stopping, two different dealers unable to correct problem,
No summary listed for above vehicle.
My first incident happened on 5/21/99; dealer service said there was nothing wrong. Second incident was 6/1/99, this time the dealer service said they repaired the problem. Again, I reported to dealer service the same problem on 9/9/99; dealer service said there was no problem found. Again, I reported the same problem to dealer service on 1/18/2000; again, they said there was no problem found. The day I took the van to dealer to possibly trade for a new car, the salesman drove the van and immediately said it had a transmission problem, and within an hour the transmission wouldn't even shift gears. The warranty had expired; however, chrysler said they would cover the repair since I had had the van in so many times before for the same problem. This was 5/20/00. They kept the van all week, and finally said it was repaired. I picked up the van on 5/27/00, and before I got 5 (five) miles from the dealership, as I was driving on the expressway at 65 MPH, the transmission went out again, and it was like someone slammed on the brakes. The speedodemeter went to zero and it kicked back down into first gear and wouldn't shift back. When this happened all four of my children and my husband were in the van, and one of my children's head was slung forward and then back. She has been complaining with a headache ever since. I took the van back to the dealership, (in 1st gear), and they said they would try again. My child is hurt, and my vehicle is a lemon! What can I do?
While making a stop vehicle surged forward because the transmission case blew out. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
In the driveway was able to move gear shift lever without stepping on the brakes. Contacted dealer, and was told that they changed the design in the 99 models.
When the transmission is in overdrive, there is a whistle sound when the trottle is pressed. Releasing the trottle stops the whistle. This happens when cruise control is on as well as with out, can be reproduced very easily at various speeds. At higher speeds it is louder, I.e. It is louder on the highway than on surface streets.
Approximatel;y an hour after mva (damage to front drivers side), I left to accident scene. Transmission would not shift, so pulled over at first avaliable area. The engine caught on fire. Insurance estimates in excess of $6000 of structural damage form accident in addition to fire. Vehicle is total loss. I don't believe the crumble zones properly protected to frame. I don't think the vehicle should have caught on fire. Investigation of the federal safety agency web site produced the federal safety agency action number ea99013 which prompted contact.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
While driving at highway speeds vehicle will just jump out of gear on its on and go into the neutral gear. The dealer has not been contacted.
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