1990 Dodge Caravan

278 complaints on file, page 1 of 14.

1. Filed Feb 5, 2009Failure Apr 5, 2007141,000 milesRidgeway, VAService brakes, Hydraulic

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO STOP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PUMP AT THE COST OF OVER $400. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 90V145000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE), BUT WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR BEING VERBALLY ABUSIVE TO THE REPRESENTATIVE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,124.

   NHTSA complaint 10257567
2. Filed Feb 20, 2007Failure Feb 16, 200787,534 milesCoeur D, IDAutomatic transmission

   I STARTED NOTICING A SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE 1 WEEK BEFORE THE FAILURE. IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS COLD AND ONLY WHEN TURNING LEFT. I THOUGHT IT COULD BE A BAD U-JOINT. ON THE MORNING OF 2-16-07 8:15 AM I WAS TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. IT CHEWED UP ONE OF THE BEARINGS (WHICH A MECHANIC LATER TOLD ME WAS NOTORIOUS FOR GOING OUT) AND DROPPED THEM ALL OVER THE ROAD. I WAS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH NO WAY TO GO ANYWHERE, BLOCKING TRAFFIC. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I WAS ALSO UNABLE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH HAD AN INCLINE TO IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE DRIVETRAIN AND PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK HAD NO EFFECT. I HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE INTO SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY AND LEAVE IT THERE WITH A ROCK IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL. I DID HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON BUT I WAS NOT GOING TO TOTALLY TRUST IT TO KEEP THE VAN STATIONARY. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN PUT INTO THE VAN. IT IS A 1990 WITH ONLY 87000 ORIGINAL MILES. I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND ONLY PUT 2000-3000 MILES A YEAR ON THIS VAN. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION HAS LESS THAN 25000 MILES ON IT. *NM

   NHTSA complaint 10183038
3. Filed Aug 13, 2004Failure Aug 2, 2004Brainerd, MNInterior/under dash, Headlights

   DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM PULLED OVER AND STOPPED SAW WHAT LOOKED LIKE STEAM COMING FROM THE MOTOR. IT WAS DAYLIGHT OUT DID NOT NOTICE THAT HEADLIGHTS DIDN'T WORK JUST THE RUNNING LIGHTS TILL A FEW HOURS LATER. AFTER HAVING HEATER ON HEADLIGHTS WILL COME ON BUT SMELL WHAT SEEMS LIKE WIRES BURNING AND THE SPEAKER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MAKES A CACKLING NOISE. OTHERWISE YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE HIGHBEAM SWITCH TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS ON.*AK

   NHTSA complaint 10086757
4. Filed Jul 29, 2003Failure Jul 9, 2003LOS Angeles, CAGasoline

   CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD SMELL LIKE GAS.*AK

   NHTSA complaint 10031378
5. Filed May 16, 2003Failure May 16, 2003Altoona, WIFront

   THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE'S SEAT BELTS WERE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED FOR A PERSON 5'4". THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

   NHTSA complaint 10020031
6. Filed Mar 8, 2003Failure Feb 25, 2003227,000 milesElida, OHEngine

   I OWN A 1990 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH THE MOTOR. ONE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK THE ACCELERATOR STUCK OPEN. I PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE AND REMOVED THE AIR CLEANER COVER AND MAP SENSOR TO SEE WHAT WHY THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN. I FOUND A SQUARE PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE TABLE WITH A HOLE IN THE TOP. I WANTED TO FIND OUT HOW IT GOT THERE SO I TOOK THE AIR CLEANER OUT AND FOUND THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION FILTER IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CANISTER. THE BAD THING ABOUT THIS IS THAT I WAS ON ICY ROADS AND THE ONLY WAY I COULD CONTROL THE VEHICLE WAS TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND COAST INTO A DRIVEWAY. I ALSO REMEMBERED THIS HAPPENING TO THE 1991 PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER THAT I USED TO OWN. THESE VEHICLES WERE PURCHASED USED AND THEREFORE, I SUSPECT THAT AT ONE TIME SOMEONE HAS RAN THESE WITHOUT A FILTER IN PLACE. THE BIG QUESTION IS, OF ALL THESE VANS ON THE ROAD, HOW MANY HAVE BEEN RUN WITHOUT A FILTER. I HAD OWNED EACH OF THESE AT LEAST SIX MONTHS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I FEEL THAT ANYTHING IN THE AIRFLOW PATH ON A VEHICLE SHOULD BE SECURED SO THERE IS NO WAY IT CAN BE DRAWN INTO THE ENGINE. *NLM

   NHTSA complaint 10010150
7. Filed Feb 14, 2003Failure Jan 1, 2000140,000 milesLong Beach, CAEngine, Air conditioner, Automatic transmission, Body

   I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. AT 48,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER, GLENN E. THOMAS DODGE IN SIGNAL HILL. THEREAFTER, EVERY 15,000 TO 25,000 MILES OR SO, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED, PROBABLY 5 TIMES NOW; THE COMPUTER FOR THE TRANS HAS FAILED TWICE, THE MOTOR COMPUTER FAILED 2 TIMES, THE POWER WINDOWS BROKE OFF THEIR TRACKS, THE SLIDING DOOR JAMMED SHUT AND WOULDN'T ALIGN. NOW THE PAINT JOB ON MY WHITE 1990 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (WITH WOOD TRIM) IS PEELING OFF, MOSTLY ON THE ROOF (WHERE IT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE, DOWN TO THE PRIMER, RUSTING THROUGH TO THE ROOF METAL) AND ON THE HOOD AND FRONT QUARTER PANELS. THE PAINT WAS NOT PROPERLY APPLIED TO THE PRIMER UNDERCOAT OR THE PRIMER WAS NOT PROPERLY APPLIED SO AS TO ADHERE TO THE TOP COLOR COAT. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER CARAVAN'S OF THE SAME MODEL WITH THEIR PAINT COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY PEELED OFF AS I HAVE DRIVEN AROUND. IT IS A VERY OBVIOUS DEFECT OF THE PAINT--THERE ARE NO OTHER VEHICLES OUT THERE WITH THIS KIND OF PAINT FLAKING AND PEELING PROBLEM TO THIS EXTENT. THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE WOOD TRIM IS ALL FLAKING AND PEELING OFF AS WELL. IT MAKES THE CAR LOOK "SHAGGY!" WHAT A MESS. THIS CAR REALLY NEEDS A PAINT JOB TO BE PAID FOR BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE PAID OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR TRANSMISSIONS TO BE REPLACED. I AM ON A THREE-YEAR WARRANTY WITH DODGE FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND ON MY THIRD TRANSMISSION FAILURE UNDER THAT WARRANTY! THE OVERDRIVE UNIT IS FULLY DEFECTIVE AND THE COMPANY WILL NOT UNDERTAKE TO FIX IT. THE CAR WILL FAIL AND THE TRANS WILL JUST SPIN WITHOUT ENGAGING ANY FORWARD GEAR OR IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD OR OVERDRIVE. THE SPEED SENSOR UNIT IS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND FREQUENTLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHAT A MESS OF A TRANSMISSION! I HAVE IT REGULARLY SERVICED AND I DON'T DRIVE IT HARD OR ABUSE THE TRANS. HELP.

   NHTSA complaint 10005828
8. Filed Jan 7, 2003Failure Dec 21, 2002Marengo, ILBody

   PAINT ON 1990 DODGE CARAVAN IS PEELING OFF.

   NHTSA complaint 10000775
9. Filed Dec 5, 2002Failure Nov 30, 2002Anahein, CAFuel system, Fuel injection system

   FUEL RAIL LEAKING WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER THAT RECALL. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

   NHTSA complaint 8023835
10. Filed Nov 5, 2002Corryton, TNAutomatic transmission

    TRANSMISSION FAILED. *YH

    NHTSA complaint 568098
11. Filed Jul 15, 2002Failure Jun 17, 2002Phoenix, AZFuel system, Fuel injection system

    FUEL RAIL IS LEAKING OIL ONTO MOTOR, AND COULD CAUSE AND FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 8013870
12. Filed Apr 12, 2002Tulsa, OKAutomatic transmission

    WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO ANOTHER GEAR/ STARTED JERKING, AND LOCKED IN PARK. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 8007468
13. Filed Aug 10, 2001Failure Aug 4, 2001Blythewood, SCSidewall

    THE METAL TIRE BELTS CAME THRU THE SIDEWALLS, LETTING THE AIR OUT. TOOK BACK TO GOODYEAR DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS UNDERINFLATED. NOT SO! HAD 3 TIRES ALL FAIL LIKE THIS. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD SELL ME THE REPLACEMENT TIRE, BUT THEY DON'T MAKE THIS TIRE ANYMORE. WONDER WHY? ONE TIRE EVEN LOST A SECTION OF THE TREAD, ALA FIRESTONE TIRES.*AK (DOT NUMBER: MKKA33HR18 TIRESIZE: 195/75/R14)

    NHTSA complaint 750196
14. Filed May 11, 2001Failure May 1, 2001Columbus, OHDriveline

    FRONT END LOCKED UP AFTER SNAP RING BROKE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 888013
15. Filed May 9, 2001Failure May 6, 2001Columbus, OHFront

    FRONT END LOCKED UP AFTER SNAP RING IN VHICLE BROKE. CONTACCTED DEALER. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 887819
16. Filed Apr 9, 2001Failure Nov 1, 1999Severn, MDAutomatic transmission

    I KNOW OF 3 OTHER FAMILY'S THAT HAVE THE SAME YR., MAKE & MODEL OF VAN WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 743772
17. Filed Mar 30, 2001Fallon, NVAutomatic transmission

    THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE . I FEEL THAT DODGE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS CONSIDERING THAT THEY KNOW THE ARE BAD . PEOPLE SHOULDNOT HAVE TO GO TO COURT FOR DODGE TO PAY UP.THERE SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL AS THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS ON FILE .THE TRANSMISSIONS LOCK-UP WITHOUT WARNING AND CAN BE A MAJOR CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. THEN WHAT WILL BE DONE?*AK

    NHTSA complaint 743310
18. Filed Mar 8, 2001Failure Nov 25, 2000Dayton, OHFuel system, Fuel injection system

    FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE O-RINGS FAILED AT THE FUEL RAIL CONNECTIONS ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE. THIS PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES. REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V184000.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 742121
19. Filed Dec 27, 2000Failure Dec 27, 2000Bismarck, NDRack and pinion

    STEERING LOCK UP AND PULLED ALL THE TO LEFT AND COULDN'T TURN IT AT ALL. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 738354
20. Filed Dec 18, 2000Failure Dec 3, 2000Elmhurst, ILSwitch

    VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AND CONSUMER INSERTED KEY INSIDE OF VEHICLE, AND KEY STARTED VEHICLE FIRST TIME. NEXT TIME IGNITION SWITCH HAD PLAY. SHE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP BECAUSE KEY COULDN'T COME OUT OF IGNITION SWITCH.*AKI

    NHTSA complaint 876674