2001 Dodge Grand Caravan: complete transmission failure

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 Dec 21, 2004 · Transmission · 37,500 miles · CA

At about 32,000 miles I had taken my van in for an oil change and asked the dodge dealer to look at the transmission. It had been shifting rough occasionally, and they looked at it, and said it was fine. Last week I was driving down the 10 freeway at about 70 MPH when the transmission seized for about 2-3 seconds, the van's front wheels locked up, and the van slid sideways, then the transmission broke loose, and I was able to regain control and get the van to the slow lane and proceed to exit. I then had the van towed to dodge were they seemed surprised that the transmission failed. And now I read about on the internet that its notrious for this. I had a co worker with me and we were both physically shaken. I believe this is a major deffect in the vehicle and should be investigated! Please help do something.

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 Dec 24, 2003 · Transmission · 57,400 miles · FL

2001 dodge grand caravan. At 57,000 miles the front pump on the automatic transmission failed, resulting in complete transmission failure. $3,500 to replace with reconditioned transmission. Daimler-chrysler customer service refused to pay any amount for repairs.

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.