MyCarTSB

1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Transmission Problems

74 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

74
Complaints
4
Crashes
Jan 2003Dec 2002
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (74)

criticalPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2019

Your engine suddenly lost power while driving on the freeway at 60 mph, even though the engine stayed running. After turning the car off and restarting it, it drove fine for a couple miles before losing power again. The 'Service Engine Soon' light came on. The problem kept happening — the engine would shut down completely, then sometimes restart and run okay for a short distance before stalling again. Oil and transmission fluid levels were fine with no leaks underneath. Eventually the van wouldn't start at all. The diagnosis will likely involve reading the diagnostic trouble codes with a scanner and inspecting the fuel system, ignition system, and engine sensors.

NHTSA #: 11282502
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2013

While driving in a snow storm at 35 mph, your transmission suddenly failed when you accelerated. The transmission shop found that the spider gears were welded to the shaft, causing the shaft to break—and this is the second time this has happened to your van. Your headlight switch is also very loose and requires positioning it in a specific way (turned all the way right and pulled out slightly) to keep the lights on.

NHTSA #: 10494980
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING THE TIRE WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND EXHIBITED SIGNS OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE UNATTAINABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

NHTSA #: 10352950
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2008

TWICE IN THE LAST 6 YEARS THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT IN OUR 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DUE TO FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME, IN 2002, OCCURRED AS THE TRANSMISSION PERMANENTLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. THE SECOND TIME, MARCH 2008, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN-SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR - AT ANY SPEED AND AT ANY TIME. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT OUT OF GEAR BEFORE DOWN-SHIFTING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE HIGH. THE VAN IS NOT USED FOR ANYTHING BUT PASSENGER TRAVEL NOR IS IT USED FOR TOWING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10220764
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. SHE MANAGED TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE A CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA #: 10215626
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2006

TOOK OFF FROM STOP LIGHT TRANSMISSION FAILED HAD BEEN SLIPPING FOR A WHILE BEFORE. ALSO SHIFTED HARD INTO GEAR. ALREADY HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM REPLACE DUE TO OVERHEATING PROBLEMS AT THE COST OF $1,000.00 NO THEY SAY THE TRANSMISSION WILL COST ABOUT $2,000.00 TO REPLACE. *NM

NHTSA #: 10171287
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2005

VAN WAS SLIPPING NOT GOING INTO GEAR WHEN IT WAS COLD AND NOW JUST WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT HAS TO BE REBUILT WILL COST ANYWHERE FROM $2300 TO $2800 TO FIX. *JB

NHTSA #: 10108509
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2004

AT 91,000 MILES THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF NEIGHBORS & FRIENDS ALSO EXPERIENCE GRAND CARAVAN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN 97 & 98 MODELS, THERE OBVIOUSLY IS A MAJOR DESIGN PROBLEM. I HAD OWNED A 1989 GRAND CARAVAN THAT HAD TWO TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I TOOK A CHANCE GOING BACK TO CHRYSLER AND LOST THE BET. WHILE CHRYSLER "CUSTOMER NO SERVICE" HAS TOLD ME "SIR, WHEN YOU SIGNED THE DOTTED LINE, YOU KNEW THE WARRANTY WAS 36,000 MILES", CLEARLY THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION IS THAT TRANSMISSIONS IN $30,000 AUTOMOBILES SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 90,000 MILES. WHILE CHRYSLER CAN HIDE BEHIND THE WARRANTY ALL THEY WANT, THEY CLEARLY ARE BREAKING WITH THE PUBLIC''S TRUST. THE FACT THAT CHRYSLER HAS HAD 100,000 MILE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTIES ON OTHER YEARS OF GRAND CARAVANS BESPEAKS TO THE LEVELS THAT THEY: 1. HAD TO GO TO GAIN PUBLIC TRUST 2. THE RECOGNITION THAT THEY MAY HAVE DESIGN PROBLEMS. LASTLY, AS I HAVE LEARNED, THEIR "CUSTOMER NO SERVICE" DEPARTMENT IS A VERY SHORT ONE WAY STREET. WHEN I CALLED, I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AND INQUIRED ABOUT THE PROCESS TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN IN VERY SHORT ORDER THAT THE FIRST PERSON I TALKED TO WAS ALSO THE LAST PERSON THAT I WOULD TO TALK. HE QUICKLY MADE THE DECISION THE CHRYSLER WAS NOT INTERESTED IN HELPING IN ANY WAY AND THAT HIS DECISION WAS FINAL. THERE WAS NEVER ANY "I AM SORRY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NOT MUCH THAT I CAN DO". IT WAS "YOU KNEW WHAT YOU PURCHASED, AND I AM NOT GOING TO HELP YOU IN ANY WAY". IN FACT HE KEPT REMINDING ME HOW LONG WE SPOKE ON THE PHONE AND THAT I WAS WASTING MINE AND IMPLICITLY HIS TIME. ALL IN ALL A VERY POOR EXPERIENCE WITH A LOUSY PRODUCT AND NON-EXISTENT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

NHTSA #: 10070510
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2003

IN THE PAST THREE YEARS CONSUMER CHANGED FOUR TIMES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS IMPORTED FROM CANADA. *AK

NHTSA #: 10042752
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2003

TRANSMISSION GEARS SLIPPING. SOMETIMES TAKES A FEW MOMENTS FOR IT TO 'CATCH' FIRST GEAR TO GO FROM A LIGHT OR SHIFTS 'HARD' WHEN ACCELERATING. ALSO, DOWN SHIFTS 'HARD' WHEN DECELERATING.*AK

NHTSA #: 10030478
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2003

CHILD WAS ABLE TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKE. *JB

NHTSA #: 10013753
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2003

CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK PRNDL. *JB

NHTSA #: 10000951
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA #: 10002237
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2003

CONSUMER STATES WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 10MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR

NHTSA #: 10002005
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 2002

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA #: 10001620
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2002

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED, ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION.*AK

NHTSA #: 8019114
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2002

THE TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN DUE TO DIFFERENTIAL PIN FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN FOR THE SAME REASON, BUT THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *YH

NHTSA #: 566130
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2002

WHILE DRIVING RPM STAYED HIGH AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. DEALER STATES TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 8008357
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2002

CONSUMERS IS ABLE TO PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR WITHOUT PRESSING BRAKE, THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *AK *YD

NHTSA #: 8007506
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2002

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY AND WAS REPLACED. *YH

NHTSA #: 564820
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2002

WHILE BACKING UP THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, THEN AT 40 MPH TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT. DEALER DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *YD

NHTSA #: 8005672
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2001

WHILE DRIVING TO SUPER MARKET THERE WAS SOME NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. THEN, AFTER PARKING VEHICLE AND GETTING BACK IN, AND TRYING TO PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. *AK

NHTSA #: 899644
mediumPOWER TRAIN
CrashFiled: Nov 2001

VEHICLE WAS PARKED/ ENGINE OFF/ EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT APPLIED, AND 2 YEAR OLD MOVED GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO THIRD GEAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL AND HIT A TREE. NO INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA #: 898821
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Oct 2001

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED AIR BAG INDIACTOR LIGHT WAS ON INTERMITTENTLY SOON AFTER, RADIO CAME ON AND BEEN REPLACED. ALSO, SPEEDODOMETER GAVE WRONG READING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND REPLACED BATTERY. HAS BEEN REPLACE 6 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 897737
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH TRANSMISSION LOST POWER AND CONSUMER MANAGED TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. THEN, TOWED VEHICLE TO A SHOP, WHERE THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT HAD CAUSED THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFOMATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 897423
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2001

TRANSMISSION SHELLED OUT. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN WITH NORMAL USE AND CARE.*AK

NHTSA #: 750202
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2001

TRANSMISSION SHELLED OUT. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN WITH NORMAL USE AND CARE.*AK

NHTSA #: 750202
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2001

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY/ LATE, TSB 21-07-98 WAS ISSUED BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE WAS BEYOND WARRANTY, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT SINCE THE SHIFTING PROBLEM OCCURED PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION THAT REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER TSB. NLM

NHTSA #: 561800
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2001

WHILE TRAVELING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. IT GOT WORISE WHEN BACKING OUT . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 888705
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2001

TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED CONSTANTLY. PRIOR TO FAILURE CONSUMER HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER AT ONLY 70,000 THAT TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT.*AK

NHTSA #: 888348
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2001

THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS PICKING UP MY KIDS FROM SCHOOL WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELRATE AFTER STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A DODGE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. I HAD THE RECOMMENDED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE IS NUMEROUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ABOUT 45K-55K MILEAGE.*AK

NHTSA #: 744582
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2001

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 42K + MILES. CHRYSLER HAS A WELL-DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES. ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THAT CERTAINLY WAS A POSSIBILITY. IF THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DURING ACCELERATION (HIGH LOAD) ONTO A HIGHWAY OR PULLING OUT OF AN INTERSECTION, THE RESULTS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. *AK

NHTSA #: 743390
mediumPOWER TRAIN
CrashFiled: Mar 2001

THERE ARE APPARENTLY NO SAFETY INTERLOCKS TO PREVENT VAN FROM BEING PLACED IN GEAR. THIS ALLOWED MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO PLACE THE CAR IN GEAR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE VAN ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, PINNING MY 9 YEAR OLD SON BENEATH THE REAR AXLE. FORTUNETLY, HE WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, THOUGH,EMERGENCY MEDICAL BILLS TOTALED $11,000. I DECIDED TO REPORT THIS NOW AFTER HEARING OF A SIMILAR INCIDENT ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA, IN WHICH A WOMEN WAS KILLED.*AK

NHTSA #: 742286
mediumPOWER TRAIN
CrashFiled: Mar 2001

TRANSMISSION FAILED REPLACED, NO GEER SHIFT LOCK RESULTING IN TODDLER BEING ABLE TO CHANGE GEERS RESULTING IN CRASH. *AK

NHTSA #: 742162
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2001

I HAVE BEEN TOLD OF MANY OTHER CARAVAN TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE FAILING WITHIN 70000 TO 80000 FILE RANGE. MY EXTENDED WARRANY EXPIRED AT 75000 AND CHRYSLER IS NOT ASSISTING IN PAYMENT OF REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. THIS REQUIRES FULL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION THOUGH I HAVE DONE ALL WARRANTY WORK AT 7500 MILE INTERVALS *AK

NHTSA #: 741812
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2001

VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED DUE TO A LOOSE BOLT IN TRANSMISSION. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA #: 880374
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2001

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH ,HEARD A MUFFLED EXPLOSION WHICH WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION THAT HAD LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING ON RAILROAD TRACK. THERE WAS NO INDICTATION OR PRIOR WARNING OF FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA #: 878426
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2000

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA #: 873235
mediumPOWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Oct 2000

TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WOULD NOT EVEN ROLL WHEN PLACED INTO NEUTRAL. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THE TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL CAME APART CAUSING THE TRANY TO BECOME LOCKED UP. TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T MOVE IN ANY GEAR AND IT WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP AN PUT INTO A GEAR. REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUSHED THE COOLER. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED WITH A 3 SPEED TRANSMISSION THERE IS NO TRANSMISSION COMPUTER TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON IT - THIS WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION WITH A FACTORY REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION $1600.54. AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THE EVAPORATOR HAD CORRODED AND COST TO REPLACE APPROX. $740.00. HAVE NOT REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR YET (GOING INTO COOLER WEATHER).

NHTSA #: 734377
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA #: 732324
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2000

WHEN WE TOWED OUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY LOOKED AT IT FOR TWO DAYS AND REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH OUR VEHICLE. WE URGED THEM TO INVESTIGATE A BIT FUTHER. TWO DAYS LATER THEY FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO BE CONTAMINATED AND PUMP FAILURE. COST $1200, AND THAT TOO TO REBUILD THE TRANS, NOT NEW ONE. I CHECKED ON THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER WEB SITE ABOUT THE PROCEDURE IN SUCH A CASE, AND TRIED TO FOLLOW ALL THE STEPS THEY HAVE DESCRIBED THERE. IT TOOK ME MORE THAN THREE WEEKS TO CONTACT THE DISTRICT MANAGER; THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME HIS DIRECT NUMBER. IN ALL, MY VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR MORE THAN 6 WEEKS. WENT BACK AND FORTH WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER; I ENDED UP PAYING $600 BECAUSE I NEEDED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE SUMMER WAS OVER. I HAVE NOT SETTLED IN ANY WAY. I RECEIVED EXTERMELY POOR SERVICE FROM THE DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA #: 725979
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2000

WILL INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE WHEN IN "OFF" POSITION DURING DRIVING AND BRAKING CONDITIONS. FIRST NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS OLD. FREQUENCY IS INCREASING.*AK

NHTSA #: 725614
mediumPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2000

WHILE TRAVELING UP THE INTERSTATE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN TRANSMISION SLIPPAGE,AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON.AFTER MANUEVERING TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD I CHECKED THE TRANSMISION FLUID LEVEL WHICH WAS GOOD AND ALSO CHECKED THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE(MIL CODE 45).TRIED TO START OFF AND THE TRANSISSION SLIPPED VERY BAD BUT FINALLY STAYED IN SECOND GEAR ALLOWING ME TO RETURN HOME.I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE,THERE HAVE BEEN MANY DODGE CARAVAN OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO SEE IF THIS IS A CURRENT RECALL ISSUE OR IF THERE ARE ANY PARTICULAR STEPS THAT I COULD TAKE TO TRY TO HELP IT BECOME A RECALL ISSUE. *AK

NHTSA #: 724134
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 2000

TRANSMISSION WENT INTO LIMP MODE AT 45 MPH AND THE THIRD GEAR WENT OUT. HAVE HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HAVE CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY HAVE SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP WITH PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. THEY SITE THE VAN IS PASS THE WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA #: 722351
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2000

I WAS PROCEEDING TO TAKE OFF AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY AND TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO REVERSE, BUT NOT FORWARD. I CALLED THE WRECKER SERVICE TO TOW IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. UPON COMPLETE INSPECTION BY OUR INSURANCE CO AND DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A MANUFACTURED PART HAD BROKEN OFF INTO SHAVED BITS AND FELL INTO THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THEREFORE A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *AK

NHTSA #: 722026
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2000

WHILE TRAVELING 40-45 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA #: 860777
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Dec 1999

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA #: 715710
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 1999

THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HANG IN SECOND GEAR.

NHTSA #: 715295
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 1999

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA #: 714561
mediumPOWER TRAIN
CrashFiled: Nov 1999

VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE TO REVERSE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA #: 849731
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 1999

THIS VAN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WILL JERK SUDDENLY AS IF IT IS LOSING POWER. IT ALSO STALLS OUT AND HAS DONE THIS AT SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 40 MPH DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I ADMIT THAT THIS IS A INTERMMITENT PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN THAT COULD BRING SEVERE INJURY TO MY FAMILY.

NHTSA #: 712449
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 1999

UPON TALKING TO THE DEALER SALES MANAGER AND SERVICE MANAGER I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO HISTORY OF TRANSMISSIONS FAILURES IN THE MINI VAN. HOWEVER, ON THE NET THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT REPEATED TRANSMISSION FAILURES FOR THE VANS AND THAT IT HAS BEEN OCCURING SINCE THE LATE 1980S AND CHRYSLER DOES NOT CARE. THEY ARE BASICALLY FORCING PEOPLE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPEATEDLY REPAIR THE TRANSMISSIONS INTHE MINIVANS, BECASUE THE OWNERS CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW CAR AFTER HAVING JUST PAID ALMOST $20,000 FOR THE CURRENT VEHICLE. THERE HAS TO BE SOME CONSUMER PROTECTION SOON TO HELP THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROBLEM AND FOR THOSE WHO SOON WILL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CHRYSLER AND ANY FEDERAL AGENCIES WHO MONITOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. THIS TIME I WAS STRANDED AT WORK AND MY KIDS WERE STUCJ AT DAYCARE UNTIL 8:30 PM. WHERE WILL IT HAPPEN NEXT TIME? WILL ONE OF US BE INJURED? SINCE THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WITH NO WARNING IT IS A VERY SCARY PROPOSITION.

NHTSA #: 712465
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 1999

VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE NEW TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO FAILURE. *ET

NHTSA #: 782872
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 1999

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH TRANSMISSION OPERATED ERRATICALLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER, AND FORCE CONSUMER TO PULL ON THE SIDE OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART AND TURN OFF SWITCH EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES. *AK

NHTSA #: 839789
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 1999

PLEASE MAKE THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER PAY FOR IT. THANKS. NO SAFETY DEFECTS LISTED. *AK

NHTSA #: 707162
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 1999

MAINTENANCE AND PERIODIC OIL CHANGES HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA #: 707128
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: May 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA #: 706412
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 1999

TRANS AXLE FAILED COMPLETELY. YH

NHTSA #: 606537
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 1999

REAR RIGHT TRANSMISSIONS FRONT PUMP SEAL IS LEAKING. YH

NHTSA #: 607353
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 1999

VEHICLE WHINES AT 35-40 MPH AND QUITS WHEN GAS PEDAL IS LET OFF BECAUSE TRANSMISSION NEEDED OVERHAUL. YH

NHTSA #: 607353
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 1998

TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURY.

NHTSA #: 781205
mediumPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 1998

UNSPECIFIED.

NHTSA #: 540843
mediumPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 1998

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA #: 540844
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 1998

TRANSMISSION VIBRATES BETWEEN 3 AND 4 UPSHIFTS RANDOMLY, BETWEEN 30-40 MPH.

NHTSA #: 540857
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 1998

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND WILL NOT SWITCH INTO ANY GEAR. DEALER KNOWS PROBLEM, BUT DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. *AK

NHTSA #: 824509
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 1998

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES. ONE TRANSMISSION BLEW AFTER HALF A DAY. CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 824332
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 1998

TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTOR FAILED AND CAUSED DAMAGE.

NHTSA #: 536432
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 1998

TRANSAXLE SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR WITHOUT WARNING AND WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS TO WARN BIG TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELING BEHIND VEHICLE.

NHTSA #: 531526
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 1998

TRANSMISSION GEARS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE STALLING AND NOISE.

NHTSA #: 531203
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 1998

VEHICLE DRIFTS ON HILLS IF BRAKE IS RELEASED AND ENGINE REMAINS IDLING WITHOUT FOOT ON ACCELERATOR.

NHTSA #: 530640
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 1997

HUB AND WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY FAILED. NLM

NHTSA #: 604435
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 1997

TRANSMISSION REPLACED DUE TO DIFFICULTY SHIFTING/NOISE.

NHTSA #: 515894
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 1997

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED.

NHTSA #: 515894
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 1997

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA #: 514233

Other 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Issues