2001 Dodge Grand Caravan: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Mar 2, 2006 · Visibility · PA

This complaint is in regards to the power windows on my 2001 dodge grand caravan sport. In early 2005, my power window on the driver's side would periodically go down and not go back up until you waited for 5-10 minutes. After time went by with this continuing to do this, I took it to the dodge dealership on william flynn highway in gibsonia, pa. They told me that they hooked it up to the computer and there was no documented cases in the chip that this was happening and since it was working, I would basically have to wait until it totally did not work until I could get it fixed. They charged me a $35 +tax diagnostic fee and nothing was don. Now, on 3/1/06, it is happening more frequently, but it is not staying down completely. Since they blew me off the 1st time and this is the closest dodge dealer to my work, I am afraid they will do the same and charge me to do nothing. I feel that this dealership discriminated against me because I am a woman and "I don't know what I'm talking about". Please respond to me if there has been other complaints about this dealership. I had another experience regarding a rough "grinding" sound when my vehicle started. I took it up and asked them to listen to it. They said, "oh, that always happens when it is cold out." I was not charged a fee, but the sound is still happening and 2 experience mechanics, who live totally different parts of pa, who don't even know each other, told me the same thing from the sound. That it was the alternator sticking. I am still experiencing this "noise" every time my engine is cold and I start the van to warm up. Once it is running, you stop and start again, the sound is not there. I do not have an accurate date of incidents.

Filed May 7, 2004 · Steering · 34,000 miles · SC

I own a 2001 grand caravan sport. At 35,000 miles I brought it to a dealer for the 30,000 mile check and to service a grinding noise in the AC unit and a shudder when turning at slow speeds. They fixed the AC and shudder by truing the rotors and new pads, however they also said there was a bulletin out on the steering pump and the unit was on back order...would call when it came in...yeah right. After an attempt on my part 3 months later to locate this pump, I gave up trying and continued driving. At 54,000 miles, I againg brought in my car because the AC compressor failed due to another bulletin on the PCM unit. I inquired about fixing the old problem with the pump and they admitted they made a mistake by not ordering the pump or contacting me but they would not honor the repair becaues it was now out of warranty and they would have to pay for it...even though it was under warranty when I brought it in and they admit to their mistake!!! Never again for dodge...in fact, we are selling it to buy a honda.

Filed Jul 20, 2003 · Brakes · 16,200 miles · LA

Today, while driving our dodge grand caravan, my wife applied the brakes. They made a grinding noise, and the ABS light came on. The car has slightly over 16,000 miles and this is the third time that this has occurred. The first was when the vehicle was 9 months old with 5 600 miles on it. The second was when the vehicle was 23 months old with 14,612 miles on it. Today, in liess than 2 months and 2000 miles it has occurred again. We are worrired that there is a design defect with the braking system on this vehicle.

Filed Mar 29, 2003 · Steering · 44,716 miles · CA

I have a 2001 dodge grand caravan es that has on 3 separate occasions had grinding noises coming from the left front tire area prior to the steering wheel locking up when making low speed turns. On the first incident the power steering was so tight I had to fight to turn left onto my street. Fortunately there was no one behind or in front of me because the car kept going straight even when the road didn't. I was able to stop before I hit the curb. On the second incident, again I was turning at a slow speed, this time right, and again had a lockup of power steering. I was in the middle of the street again. This time with frightened passengers as they watched me struggle with the steering wheel to get us out of oncoming traffic. On the last incident, again fighting to turn onto my street, I didn't attempt to turn into my garage. I parked on the street and called for a tow to the dodge dealership to have them look at it. I didn't feel safe driving it. I wanted it to be checked out. I wasn't looking forward to going since the car is out of manufacturer warranty with 44,716 miles on it, but I took it and the dealer stated they tested the vehicle and made several turns and found the vehicle is operating as designed at this time, so I picked up my van and I told the service advisor that intermittent problems are always the hardest to find and I wouldn't have inconvenienced myself 2 days if there wasn't a problem. I feel there is a problem that should be investigated more completely. Many problems don't show up until after the warranty has expired and people in the real world have driven some miles. Under real life driving conditions. There is where you'll find any flaws. I am making this complaint because people may get hurt or killed if the power steering unpredictably continues to fail without warning.

Filed Apr 12, 2002 · Suspension · NY

Steering wheel grinds and shakes when making turns.consumer has contacted dealer, and they can't duplicated problem. Please provide any further information.