2001 Dodge Grand Caravan: jerking or lurching

Filed May 17, 2015 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · TN

The car instrument gauges became erratic along with the instrument lights. The care jerked as though it lost its electrical power to the ignition but returned to normal and then quit in front of traffic. We could have been killed by a semi-truck. I got the car over and re-started it and it ran fine until later it started to die out again after starting to run. I had to accelerate the engine to get the car moving but the car jerked and went dead again. The car will start and run fine at times and shift well at times and then starts to repeat the same problems over and over. I only know that this situation could have gotten someone killed and I do not want it to be my children or wife or me. I only have one way to go now and have no way to have it looked at because I have been told a thousand things it could be and cannot afford non-sense like this. This 2001 van runs at times like a brand new one and shifts out like brand new and then all of sudden the gauges go crazy, it lurches at stopping, go dead when I slow down at times and sometimes it seems like it is in overdrive and jerks like mad, then runs fine again. It is a repeat and it is dangerous.

Filed Dec 29, 2005 · Acceleration, Suspension · 84,035 miles · NH

I purchased a 2001 dodge grand caravan in august of 2005 with 73k miles. Vehicle smelled musty (stagnant water). Three trips to shop to diagnose and fix sway bar link, bushing, strut and strut mount problem to cure a clunking sound on front end. Transmission slips out of gear to neutral at whim. Also, shifts through first 3 gears (automatic) at whim causing vehicle to lurch. However, shop cannot duplicate these problems or the problem with my non working cruise control. At this point, I have spent a lot of money for non-diagnosis. The dealership charges everytime for not being able to find the problem. They say it is fine. I tell them that it is not fine that they just can't find it. I am disturbed by the number of posts re: to sway bar problems and transmission problems and the fact that no one is holding chrysler/dodge accountable. Will it take a number of deaths to determine that this is a real safety issue? I implore you to investigate these problems along with the water issue. So far it caused my blower resistor to short out and need replacing. I had no heat in below zero weather.

Filed Aug 17, 2005 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · TN

In february 2004, while driving my 2001 dodge grand caravan on the interstate in knoxville, tn when the transmission went out with no warning. At that time, we had just over 34,000 miles on the van. These were normal miles with no heavy towing or other abusive driving. The van was towed to jim cogdill dodge for repair. This repair was still covered under our warranty. We were told at the time of the repair that it only required the transmission be ??refurbished?? As the warranty did not require them to replace the transmission. The transmission failed again at just over 60k miles. This time there was a loud pop, a hard jerk of the van and then it came to a sudden stop as I was crossing oncoming traffic to pull into a parking lot. I am very lucky this did not happen on the interstate as myself, and others, would surely have been endangered by this product failure. I asked to speak immediately to the service manager, mr. Larry daughtry. He proceeded to inform me that even though the transmission was fixed previously by a dodge dealer, I would be fully responsible for the repairs . He also informed me he has never seen such damage in a transmission that it was obviously a product defect. I could understand their unwillingness to accept responsibility if the service had been performed by someone other than a dodge dealer, but this was not the case! He then offered to contact the district manager, whose name and contact information seems to be held in the utmost secrecy as he will only accept calls from the dealer, but he may be willing to provide some assistance. Upon calling for a status. I was informed that the transmission would have to be replaced in its entirety at a cost of almost $3000.00! The district manager did offer to take care of 50% off the total cost. We have continued to argue this with the dealer and their corporate office. They gave us a continuous run around of calling one only to be told we have to speak with the other.

Filed Jun 8, 2005 · Steering · 55,000 miles · NY

While driving 30 MPH consumer heard a loud noise coming from the rear and the vehicle jerked. Vehicle was taken to a body shop for inspection, and mechanic determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced.*ak *tt

Filed Dec 28, 2004 · Steering · KY

While turning the steering wheel, the vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the upper power steering cooler hose needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.

Filed Mar 2, 2004 · Transmission · 34,700 miles · MS

While driving 10 MPH transmission failed. Vehicle jerked forward, made a loud noise, and then it was hard to shift gears.

Filed May 22, 2003 · Transmission · 59,500 miles · TX

At approx. 59,000 miles, the transmission on our 2001 dodge grand caravan started lurching and slamming when you put it in gear. After only 1 1/2 days of minor occurrences, before we could have the car looked at, the transmission completely locked up. Fortunately, my husband was able to get it into gear to get it out of the street, but it would not get into gear at all after that. We had to tow it. We are now having to pay $2000 to rebuild the transmission. This is our only car for carrying our twin toddlers, and this is the second chrysler vehicle we have owned that has had transmission failure before 70,000 miles. My best friend also had to get rid of a chrysler lebaron with the exact same issue. There is a systematic problem with chrysler transmissions, and it is a known defect that is sold to consumers. If we had bought this van new instead of 1 year old, I would be finding a lemon law attorney.