2002 Dodge Grand Caravan: complete transmission failure

Filed Jan 14, 2008 · Transmission · 48,600 miles · LA

The check engine light came on and we had the vehicle checked. We were told that it was dealing with the transmission and to go to a transmission specialist. A day later, the tires were locked and the van did not respond to any gear. Had the van towed to transmission shop. They said that the torque converter failed and in turn the oil pump was not circulating oil to the transmission. The transmission was completely welded together. We had to purchase an entire new transmission costing over $2,600.00. The vehicle had only 48,000 miles. I read online where other individuals had same problem at 37,000 miles and 40,000 miles.

Filed Jan 2, 2008 · Transmission · 128,000 miles · MD

On saturday 12/29/07 as I was returning from my mother's home with my 2 young children our transmission failed. I was driving approximately 60 MPH on the highway when, with absolutely no previous warnings or problems or even an indicator light, my 2002 dodge grand caravan sport with 128k miles made a sudden loud thump noise (according to my 6 year old son in the back seat it sounded like we ran over something) and the vehicle proceeded to down shift dramatically. I was able to pull onto the shoulder but was unable to continue. I had to have my wife drive, with our youngest child, back to rescue us from the side of the road. The car had to be towed as it would not move after that. We are still waiting for repairs. I don't think this should have happened and certainly not without any warning or problems previously.

Filed May 18, 2006 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · NY

While vacationing in atlanta, ga. We were backing out of a parking space and experienced a loud thud. We had difficulty in getting our car to go forward or reverse. We drove immediately to a dodge dealership about 1 1/2 miles down the road. They confirmed that it was our transmission. No prior problems had been experienced with the transmission. We had 64,000 miles on the van, and all work had been kept up on the vehicle. The warranty had expired. The dealership estimated that the work would cost between $2900.00 to repair the transmission, or $3500.00 to replace it. They would determine what needed to be done when they pulled the transmission. We decided to go down the street another 2 miles to an aamco transmission shop. They estimated the repair to be $1400.00 to repair the transmission, or $2900.00 to replace the transmission. We decided to have them do the job since the estimates were considerably different. Four days later the job was done, and the final cost was $3000.00! They put a rebuilt transmission in. We have approached dodge for a reimbursement. They will not give us a penny towards the job. They claim that had we stayed at the dodge dealership, a partial consideration could have been worked out. Since we do not have the old transmission, they say that we cannot prove why the transmission failed. This van only had 64,000 miles on it......this should have never happened. And why did the dealership that we took it to, not tell us that something might have been able to be worked out with dodge.

Filed Jan 19, 2006 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · TN

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at highway speed the manual transmission jerked the vehicle as if it were stalling. Afterwards, the check engine light illuminated. The contact pulled over, but the vehicle would not drive any further. It was towed to a dealer. The dealer inspected the vehicle and determined that the manual transmission failed, although regularly serviced, due to an unknown internal problem, not improper maintenance. The manual transmission was replaced. *nm updated 2/28/2006 -

Filed Dec 24, 2005 · Transmission · 69,500 miles · IL

2002 dodge grand caravan with 69,500 miles. Transmission made a jerking and did not want to seem to shift. Took to dodge dealer and they could not duplicate. They allowed service man to drive home and drove approx. 100 miles. They concluded no problem they could find. 3 months later while driving same symptoms and then loud clunk but this time was complete transmission failure. Called dodge 800# to obtain warranty info. Dodge informed me it was in warranty. Called local dealer and set up appointment to fix. They called back and said dodge would not warranty it. I then called dodge 800# back and talk to them. I asked why less than 2hr ago my van had a power train warranty on it and now it does not have a warranty. They informed me the van did not have a warranty and that I had never called them (they record and computer shows if you call, but dodge claims they have no record I called). I informed them I called them less than 2hr before and they replied I was mistaken. My phone records indicate different than theirs. Any way they will not take any responsibility for this transmission that failed. Took to local trans shop and found he had two other caravans with complete transmission failure waiting in line to be fixed. The shop owner said he has fixed many many of these type transmissions. He said in his opinion that these were very poor performing transmissions and that their track record of failures should be looked at.

Filed May 26, 2005 · Transmission · 60,468 miles · MN

Dt: premature failure of the transmission at 60,458 miles. The transmission failed while moving in reverse in a parking lot. There were no signs of any problems with the vehicle before this happened. The vehicle was in garage and kept in great shape. Service records were kept up to date. Consumer has been in contact with the dealer and the manufacturer, and no one will call the consumer back. Consumer talked to a service representative from chrysler. Consumer was told he could not talk to the manager at chrysler manufacturing company at headquaters. And the service manager will not call back either.

Filed Aug 4, 2004 · Transmission · WI

Problems with vehicle's transmission on 1998 grand voyager.*mr the vehicle only had 50045 mile on it whe the transmission failed. The consumer believes she should be clear of any financial responsibility and reimburse 100% since the vehicle failed after only 2 months of ownership.

Filed Jul 27, 2004 · Transmission · 50,045 miles · WI

1998 grand voyager was totaled in an accident. *mr the consumer then purchased a 2002 grand caravan, however at 50,0445 the transmission failed on the vehicle. Even after the consumer received a brand new transmission, the vehicle still not perform correctly, it took the technicians one week to find out from chrysler how to set the computer/ transmission.

Filed Jun 13, 2004 · Acceleration, Transmission · 7,600 miles · FL

At 7,600 miles in november of 2002 the automatic transmission failed. Dealer replaced the transmission with a rebuilt one. Since then the speedometer reads incorrectly. At lower speeds it reads under by 4 to 7 MPH, at higher speeds -- 60 MPH it reads 15 - 20 MPH under. I discovered this when on a road trip I was stopped for going 85 when I thought I was going 68 in a 70mph zone. I thought the police officer was crazy -- even protested and had him verify the callibration of his radar. His reading was confirmed when I passed a roadside speed indicator, and was stopped again. Speedometer was reprogrammed at a dealer in michigan after which it read 4 MPH under for the most part. Had it looked at by dealer in florida again in april 2004, they replaced a sensor. Since, it again reads 4 to 10 miles under at lower speeds -- e.g. When I think I'm going 35, I'm really going 42 or 43, at 65 MPH actual speed is 76mph. Dealer says its "the way you're driving" -- a poor excuse for shifting the blame and not making the repair correctly the first time when the transmission was replaced. This is a real hazard and safety issue not just for myself but for other family members who drive the van and people on the road.

Filed Oct 27, 2003 · Airbags, Electrical · 3,432 miles · OH

5-8-02 wiring harness falls into serpentine belt. Harness not replaced, repaired also replaced cam sensor. I was told the belt wasn't put in properly at the at the dodge plant. Van has intermittent power surges. Dealer cant find anything. Dodge gave me an extended warranty because of this problem. I think they knew something.-27-03 replaced transmission solenoid pack. *ak 2-25-03 van making humming noise, could not find problem 8-22-03 air bag light is on.replaced passanger side airbag. 8-22-03 speedometor out of calibration, instrments flipped around backwards 9-30-03 left front stabolizer bar making noise. Repared 9-30-03 car shaking during a turn, repaired 9-29-03 power surge again, can't find the problem 10-22-03 air bag light on again, replaced clock spring. I'm consulting an attorney, I feel this van is not safe. I want dodge to replace the vehicle, it's a lemon and a danger on the road! Who's to say if the air bag won't go off as I'm driving...or maybe not, when I need it. This vehicle clearly has an electrical problem that will never be found. Voss dodge has been very understanding about this problem. Unfortunately they can't figure it out either.

Filed Aug 11, 2003 · Transmission · 13,000 miles · IN

2002 dodge grand caravan vehicle does not move when shifted into reverse. Intermittent problem. Dealer unable to duplicate problem and refused to replace transmission unless problem could be duplicated. Safety hazard: driver may inadvertently exit vehicle with gear selector in reverse position. Vehicle may suddenly move and cause injury or death. Eventually, transmission engages in reverse, taking between 15 seconds to one minute. Cycling gear selector and changing engine RPM seem to have no influence on when transmission may engage in reverse.