2001 Dodge Grand Caravan: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Dec 15, 2011 · Suspension · 171,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 dodge grand caravan. The contact heard a clunking noise when he applied pressure to the brakes. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the lower control arm pivot bolt was fractured. The dealer informed the contact that his VIN was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number: 01v152000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower arm) and offered no further assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. No repairs were performed. The current and the failure mileages were 171,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2009 · Body, Steering · 117,000 miles · FL

The front of the vehicle started shimmying and the steering wheel. At first, it started at about 55 MPH. Now it is doing it at lower and lower speeds. There are pages and pages of complaints with the same issue. It is also very hard to turn the steering wheel when going slow. There is a safety recall for the front suspension and lower control arm. Campaign no 01v152000 but the local dealership said my VIN number was not included. How can you continue to let them sell defective vehicles and not make them recall all affected vehicles? They said the same thing about my ram truck. There's a recall on it and they said my vehicle was not in the recall, but it has the same issue with the steering column and the air and heat going out. I wish I had read the number of complaints against them on your site and on all the other sites before I bought these lemons. You should also check out http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/ that is just one of the websites detailing the number of deaths caused by dodge. I am going to make a complaint against them to the justice department also. Maybe if they investigate, you will finally do something about all these problems.

Filed Jul 13, 2009 · Steering, Suspension · 56,238 miles · MN

I own a 2001 dodge caravan that I purchased from my father two months ago. Last night I noticed a rubbing sound when I turned corners. Looking at the front drivers side wheel, I noticed that the lower control arm came out of the bolt. After doing some research on recalls for the 2001 caravan I saw that there is a recall out to repair this problem. My father said he never received a recall notice and he has lived at his current residence for 30 years. My complaint is how are you suppose to know of a recall when you are not contacted by chrysler? The federal safety agency campaign id number is 01v152000.

Filed Jan 27, 2006 · Suspension · WI

Went to dealer to have the brakes fixed and mechanic told me there was a problem with the lower control arm pivot bolt, and if I didn't have it fixed I could lose control of the vehicle. He said it was a major safety issue. This affected the entire engine cradle. I was told there was a recall for this on the 2001 model. But this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. After contacting daimer chrysler told me the same thing ,and said there was nothing they would do about it and suggested I should hold on to my receipt because one never knows when there may be a recall in the future? They referred me to jonathan sanders, senior staff of global relations and he said there is nothing daimer chrysler would do because my vehicle wasn't in the recall even though my vehicle is a 2001 and is experiencing the same problem as the other vehicles that were recalled. I of course am having the mechanic fix the vehicle for obvious safety reasons.

Filed Jun 3, 2005 · Suspension · WI

2001 chrysler grand caravan sport ball joints went bad.***no answer required***. *mr

Filed Dec 13, 2004 · Steering · 75,000 miles · TX

While the vehicle was in a tire repair shop for a front end alignment. Mechanic informed the consumer that both front tie rods needed to be replaced. Dealer and the manufacturer were notified.

Filed Mar 16, 2004 · Suspension · 66,094 miles · MD · crash

Driving around a curve at 35 MPH the car would not straighten out and instead began fishtailing and spinning out of control. Car ran off the road up an incline where it came to rest. Right front wheel was perpendicular to car with tire hanging off of rim. We later learned that the right control arm had snapped. Manufacturer claims I must have hit a very deep pothole, but we are unaware of any such occurrence. No deep potholes existed on area of road where car went out of control. Also, the tire rim was not damaged.

Filed Mar 4, 2004 · Suspension · 38,139 miles · DE

Bushings on right lower control arm failed. Problem was not diagnosed by price dodge in new castle, de, in nov '03, necessitating replacement of entire front suspension in feb '04.

Filed Nov 30, 2003 · Steering · 35,000 miles · NM

I am writing in request for your assistance in a matter concerning my 2001 dodge grand caravan. Recently we brought our vehicle into manahawkin chrysler plymouth; dodge on rt. 72 in manahawkin, new jersey for service. We were informed that the vehicle, which had only just hit 39,000 miles, was in need of a new steering rack and tie rods. I had the vehicle repaired and yet there continues to be odd noises in the front end. A few days later the steering did not function, as someone did not connect a power steering hose properly and all the fluid leaked out. I am now concerned for the safety of my family. As an individual who has a good understanding of auto mechanics, I am certain that a steering rack does not normally go bad so early in the life of a car. Even the dodge mechanics I have spoken to have indicated that this should never have happened.

Filed Jan 15, 2002 · Steering · IA · crash

While driving 50 MPH,consumer lost control of the vehicle and went into a ditch, dealer determined left front axle broke, damage to vehicle unknown at this time.*akconsumer stated, while driving left front steering knuckle broken away from strut mount causing damage to left drive axle, brake rotor, lower control arm ball joint, ABS wheel speed sensor, wheel berg and hub assembly, both left side wheels and tires and also, vehicle has body damage.