2000 Dodge Grand Caravan Suspension Problems

Your strut towers have rusted completely through, making your van unsafe to drive. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting 1996-2000 Dodge vans, and the rust has been visible for years but is now critical. Fixing this will likely require replacing the damaged strut towers and possibly the struts themselves.

Your front suspension support system has rusted and corroded significantly, causing the shock supports, framing, and springs to deteriorate. A mechanic found that the driver-side support system failed and the support brackets in the front need to be replaced. The repair will likely involve replacing the rusted suspension support brackets and possibly the springs and shock components.

I BOUGHT A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 2000. IT NOW HAS 244,000 MILES AND STILL RUNS VERY GOOD. I TAKE CARE OF IT AND DO MOST NEEDED REPAIRS MYSELF. I NOTICED A FEW YEARS AGO, SOME RUST FORMING AT THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWERS NEVER KNOWING OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY CHRYSLER/DODGE ON OCTOBER 14, 2002 - BULLETIN # 23-044-02. I WOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE BULLETIN AT THE TIME IT WAS ISSUED. LAST FRIDAY JUNE 20TH, I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT AT MY OFFICE AND THE STRUT TOWER ACTUALLY SNAPPED IN HALF, NOT AT THE TOP WHERE THE RUST WAS! I'VE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN ON ANY VEHICLE BEFORE. THANK GOODNESS I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE 12 YEARS AGO AND THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL, NOT A SERVICE BULLETIN. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER STARTING SHOWING SIGNS OF RUST. INSTALLED THE STRUT TOWER REPAIR KIT. NOW, THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

STRUT TOWERS HAVE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN SEE THE GROUND BY LOOKING THROUGH THE STRUT TOWERS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE IS VERY LITTLE STRUCTURAL SUPPORT LEFT IN THE STRUT TOWERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STRUT TOWERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STRUT TOWERS WERE UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.

DRIVER SIDE STRUT MOUNT DANGEROUSLY RUSTED AND COULD GIVE WAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,900.

THE STRUT TOWERS ARE SO BADLY RUSTED THAT I AM AFRAID TO HIT A BUMP. THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER IS CORRODED AND FLAKING. THERE ARE GAPS WHERE I CAN SEE THROUGH TO THE UNDERSIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION UNTIL I SHELL OUT $400 FOR SOMEONE TO WELD A CAP ON (JUST ONE SIDE). THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, YET THE COMPANY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR ANYTHING. *TR

STRUT TOWER ON THIS VAN IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED. TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT PRESENTS A SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD FOR I AND MY FAMILY! *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOCK TOWER HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAD A 1996 CARAVAN THAT DID THE SAME THING. THERE ARE MANY REPAIR CAPS THAT WILL HELP STRUCTURAL SUPPORT IF THE RUST HAS NOT SPREAD TOO FAR. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS WILL NOT HELP ME. THE RUST WAS HIDDEN UNDER THE PAINT AND EXTENDS 4-5 INCHES DOWN THE STRUT TOWER. WITH THE VEHICLE UNDER WEIGHT AND FROM DRIVING IT, THERE IS NOW A TEAR IN THE METAL ON THE SIDE IF THE STRUT TOWER FROM FRONT TO BACK AT A DOWNWARD ANGLE. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THE LEFT STRUT TOWER WAS FOUND BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO NEED REPAIR IN ORDER TO PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS OF THIS TYPE VEHICLE AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY CONCERN.

TOOK MY VAN IN TO THE SHOP BECAUSE I WAS HEARING A NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN I DRIVE IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT STRUT HOUSING COVER HAD RUSTED AND THAT THE STRUT COULD NOW GO THROUGH THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS AND THAT A KIT HAS BEEN MADE TO REPAIR IT. HOWEVER IT HAS TO BE WELDED TO THE FRAME OF THE VAN AND IT COULD COST UP TO $500.00 JUST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND I CAN NOT EVEN FIX THE STRUT UNTIL THIS IS TAKEN CARE OF. MAKING OTHER PARTS NEEDING TO BE FIXED BECAUSE OF IT. I NOTICED SOME TIME AGO THAT THIS WAS RUSTING BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT NOT BEING A MECHANIC AND ALL. I DIDN'T THINK THAT THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT PART SINCE IT WAS UNDER THE HOOD I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT WOULD RUST. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECT THAT DODGE HAS KNOWN ABOUT AND THAT IS WHY THEY CAME UP WITH THE REPAIR KIT. THAT UNLESS SOMEONE DIES DODGE IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I SURE HOPE THAT NOTHING HAPPENS TO ANYONE BEFORE DODGE DECIDES TO DO SOMETHING. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ALREADY COMPLAINS ON THIS SITE AND THE NHTSA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DID CALL THE CONSUMER CENTER AT DODGE AND OPENED A COMPLAINT THERE SOMEONE SHOULD CALL ME TOMORROW. I JUST HOPE THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO FIX THIS AT NO COST OR NO INJURY TO ME, MY FAMILY OR ANYONE ELSE THAT COULD BE EFFECTED DO TO THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS THIS PROBLEM THEY REPORT IT ALSO THAT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET ANYONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I SURE DO NOT WANT TO GET RID OF MY VAN NOR CAN I AFFORD TO RIGHT NOW. MY VAN HAS BEEN GREAT AND VERY DEPENDABLE UNTIL THIS PROBLEM. I SURE HOPE DODGE OR NHTSA STANDS BY ME AND FIXES THIS PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER LOCATED ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAS RUST ON IT AND HAVE COMPLETELY ROTTED. THE DAMAGE IS VISIBLE WHEN YOU LIFT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

FRONT STRUT UPPER SUPPORT TOWER RUSTED OUT. *TR

STRUT TOWER ON 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

DODGE CARAVAN HAS CORROSION IN FRONT STRUT TOWER. THIS IS A UNIBODY FRAME. WAS TOLD BY A CHRYSLER EMPLOYEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND RARELY DOES CHRYSLER ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. ON OCT 14, 2002 CHRYSLER ISSUED A TSB REPORT #23-044-02, STATING ISSUE WITH LEFT AND RIGHT STRUT TOWERS AND THE CORRECTION OF THE CONDITION. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND CHOOSES TO IGNORE IT. AFTER PHONING CHRYSLER THEY WILL NOT ASSIST ME IN THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS OR BREAKS THEY WILL NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. IF THE STRUT TOWER COMPLETELY BREAKS AS IT WILL, IT WILL RENDER THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE AND POSES A SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO PERSONS. *TR

I OWN A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN 2000, I RECENTLY HAD NEW STRUTS INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND SHOULD BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF,I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1996 TO 2000 CHRYSLER MINI-VANS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

UPPER STRUT TOWERS ON OUR 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ARE RUSTING OUT STRUCTURALLY WITH ONLY 96,000 MILES. IT LOOKS IMPORTANT TO GET FIXED (WHICH I WILL) BEFORE THE FRONT END COLLAPSES! *TR

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. FRONT STRUT TOWERS CORRODED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 62,000 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE FAILURE IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WANTS CHRYSLER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

RUSTING STRUT TOWERS 2000 GRAND CARAVAN. I NOTICED RUST ON THE STRUT TOWER ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I SPRAYED UNDERCOATING ON THE TOP OF BOTH TOWERS TO PREVENT FURTHER RUST. I INSPECTED THE TOPS OF THE TOWERS THIS WEEK. BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TOWER CONTINUE TO RUST IN SPITE OF SEVERAL LAYERS ON UNDERCOATING APPLIED OVER THE LAST YEAR. AS I WAS SERVICING THE BRAKES I DETERMINED IT WAS TIME TO REPLACE THE STRUTS ON THE FRONT OF THE VAN. KNOWING THE TOWERS ARE RUSTED ON THE TOP SIDE I INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STRUT TOWERS THIS AFTERNOON. A CRACK HAS APPEARED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STRUT TOWER ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. I WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TOMORROW. AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH I HAVE FOUND THE RUSTING STRUT TOWERS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN BOTH THE US AND CANADA. THE PROBLEM EXISTS ACROSS SEVERAL YEARS AND MODELS OF DODGE AND CHRYSLER VEHICLES. IF A STRUT RUPTURES A COMPROMISED TOWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED, LIVES CAN AND WILL BE LOST. WITH THE NUMBER OF DODGE AND CHRYSLER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, THE POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IS MULTIPLIED EXPONENTIALLY. I AM SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. SOMEONE MUST BE ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. *TR

MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN VAN HAS A RUSTED SHOCK TOWER ON DRIVER SIDE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. THIS ISSUES HAS BEEN REPORTED ON MANY DODGE BLOG SITES.*TR

1. NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION 2. THE FAILURE OF STRUCTURE SECURING AND RETAINING THE FRONT SUSPENSION (STRUT TOWER) DO TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. UPON FAILURE THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION FALLS APART RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC LOSE OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND SUPPORT. VEHICLE WILL SWERVE RESULTING IN COLLISION OR ROLL OVER. 3. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS A RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STRUT TOWER. *TR

DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER IS RUSTING THROUGH. APPEARS TO BE DEFORMED AROUND THE RUSTED AREA. AT THIS RATE I THINK THE STRUT TOWER COULD FAIL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

SERIOUS RUST THROUGH OF THE STRUT TOWER ON A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN MADE IN USA. SUDDENLY APPEARED AND RAPIDLY PROGRESSING SINCE JAN 2008. BODY VERY WELL CARED FOR - NO ACCIDENTS, NO RUST IN OR OUT TIL NOW. THIS IS NOT COSMETIC AS CHRYSLER ALLEGES - IT IS STRUCTURAL AND A REAL SAFETY CONCERN SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE A REALLY BIG POT HOLE COULD SENT THE STRUT UP THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD! *TR

I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH CHRYSLER MINIVANS REGARDING THE DESIGN OF THE STRUT TOWERS. I OWN A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND SPEAKING WITH MULTIPLE REPAIR SHOPS, IT IS UNFATHOMABLE TO ME THAT THESE WERE NOT RECALLED. THE DANGER FROM WHAT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW, SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY - ESPECIALLY WHEN MINIVANS ARE OFTEN USED TO CARRY CHILDREN AROUND. UNLESS, OF COURSE, YOU DON'T MIND DRIVING AROUND KNOWING YOUR FRONT SUSPENSION MECHANISM COULD PUSH UP THROUGH THE HOOD. IMAGINE BEING ONE RAILROAD TRACK AWAY FROM SUCH A DISASTER AND NOT EVEN KNOWING IT. I BELIEVE THE YEARS AFFECTED WERE 1996-2002. *TR

CORROSION OF BOTH FRONT STRUT TOWERS ON LATE 1990'S - EARLY 2000 DODGE CARAVANS. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY ADDRESS IT IN A TSB. THE REFER TO IT AS A COSMETIC PROBLEM WHEN IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IF NOT REPAIRED AT HIGH COST TO MANY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES, CONTROL WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER. THE RUST HAS WORSENED OVER TIME. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP SO THEY COULD WELD A PIECE OF METAL TO THE STRUT TOWER. THE BODY SHOP STATED THAT WOULD NOT SOLVE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ABOUT MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. OVER THE PAST YEAR I NOTICED SOME RUSTING AT THE LEFT TOP STRUT TOWER. I QUESTIONED IT AT THE TIME, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT SERIOUS. DURING THE PAST WEEK I WAS REPLACING THE AIR FILTER AND NOTICED THAT NOW OVER ONE HALF OF THE STRUT AREA WAS HEAVILY RUSTED AND HAD LARGE CRACKS ON ONE SIDE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER TO SEE IF THE RUST THROUGH WARRANTY WOULD APPLY, OR IF IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE MANAGER LOOKED AT IT, LOOKED UP MY WARRANTY AND SAID EVEN THOUGH THE TIME PERIOD IS GOOD UNTIL 12/2006 THE MILEAGE OF 69700 WAS OVER BY 9750 MILES. HE WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SAID IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS, TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. I SINCE HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS COMPLAINT ON NHTSA, AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY IDENTICAL PROBLEMS, AND CHRYSLER HAS EVEN DEVELOPED A CORROSION KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEE ODI ID: 10147504 CAN YOU ADVICE ME OF MY NEXT STEP. WE ARE NOT DRIVING THE VAN UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. THIS IS A GARAGED VEHICLE. *JB

MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS RUSTING AT THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWERS ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT FAILURE IS IMMINENT. HAD A NOTICE BEEN GIVEN I COULD HAVE PROBABLY GOT DODGE TO WORK ON THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. AS IS IT IS 10,000 OVER WARRANTY, BUT THE PROBLEM HAD TO HAVE EXISTED BEFORE THE WARRANTY ENDED. NO DEATHS OR INJURIES YET. *JB

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE AND WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED LAST SATURDAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE "STRUT"" HOUSING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS RUSTING, FLAKING OFF. I COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALLS OR SAFETY ISSUES NOTED, BUT, APPARENTLY, I AM NOT THE FIRST ONE TO COMPLAIN OF THIS PROBLEM. PLUS, NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CORRECTIVE KIT...SINCE IT'S BACK ORDERED. THE AREA CHRYSLER/DODGE DEALER STATED THAT DODGE DID NOT MENTION THIS UNTIL THE WARRANTY WAS COMPLETED ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE MY WIFE NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SINCE IF THE HOUSING BREAKS, THE STRUT WILL COME THRU THE HOOD OF THE CAR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE STRUT TOWERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN A SALT BELT STATE. UPDATED 5/2/2006 - *NM

MY LOCAL AUTO SERVICE SHOP RECENTLY IDENTIFIED A CORROSION CRACK IN THE LEFT STRUT HOUSING OF MY VAN. I WENT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY INDICATED THE STRUT COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK THROUGH THE HOOD ALLOWING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE. THEY CONTACTED A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY HAD A CORROSION KIT FOR THAT PROBLEM. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT CHRYSLER HAD A PROGRAM TO HELP PAY FOR REPAIRS BUT THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NEAR 100,000 MILES AND IT MIGHT NOT QUALIFY. HE PURSUED IT AND CHRYLSER DID PROVIDE THE KIT AND $200 TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP, WHICH JUST PAID FOR THE KIT AND A SMALL BIT MORE. THE TOTAL BILL WAS $555.00 OF WHICH I PAID $355.00. THE BODY SHOP INDICATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE CHRYSLER INSTRUCTIONS, IF THE PROBLEM GOT MUCH WORSE BEFORE IT WAS CAUGHT, THE ENTIRE STRUT HOUSING MIGHT HAVE TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $2,000 OR MORE. IN TALKING TO THE ORIGINAL SERVICE SHOP, THEY HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF THIS APPARENT DEFECT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PROBLEM APPARENTLY GETS WORSE WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND SINCE CHRYSLER VANS ARE SO POPULAR THIS COULD BE A LIFE SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THOSE NOT AWARE OF THE CORROSION DEFECT, ESPECIALLY SECOND OWNERS (LIKE ME). IF THIS IS A KNOWN POTENTIAL LIFE SAFETY MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WHY ISN'T THE REPAIR COST TOTALLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER AND SHOULDN'T OWNERS BE NOTIFIED EVEN IF THEY BOUGHT IT AS A USED CAR? *JB

I BROUGHT MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN IN FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. SERVICE MGR. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY LEFT STRUT TOWER/STRUT SEATING WAS BEGINNING TO RUST AND THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $700 TO REPAIR. STATED IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED SOON OR COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT FAILS. THE RIGHT ONE IS PERFECTLY FINE. I PROCEEDED TO DO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON "FAILURE". WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED OTHER THAN TSB 2304402? ISN'T THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL? WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE BEFORE I SPEND THIS MONEY THAT I DON'T FEEL IS MY FAULT OR CAUSE? *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A SAFETY EMISSION TEST. THEY SAID THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED AT THE TOP. FOUND THIS OUT ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ( TSB) 2304402, THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER, THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT, BUT THAT WAS BASICALLY IT. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING AND NO NOISE. *AK

DT: NOTICED THERE WAS A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ON JULY 1, 2005. WAS ON VACATION, AND THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE THE GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE ARM, AND IT FELT LIKE DRIVING IN A RUT. A BOLT IN THE CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE; IT WAS TIED TO THE BUSHING. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE IT. *AK

I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM DAIMLERCHRYSLER FOR THE UPPER BALL JOINTS IN MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO. I CONTACTED THE COMPANY TO FIND OUT HOW TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED AS THERE IS NO DEALERSHIP WHERE I LIVE. I LET THEM KNOW I LIVED IN KETCHIKAN, ALASKA. THE WOMAN I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE JUNEAU DEALERSHIP AS IT WAS THE CLOSEST TO ME. I CONTACTED THE JUNEAU DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME THAT HE COULD SEND ME THE PARTS FROM JUNEAU AND I COULD HAVE THE LABOR DONE IN KETCHIKAN, SENDING HIM THE BILL FOR THE LABOR, WHICH I WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR AN ALLOTTED AMOUNT OF MONEY. I AGREED, BUT HE NEEDED TO FIND OUT IF HE COULD SEND ME BOTH BALL JOINTS, AS I HAD ONE BALL JOINT REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2004, WITHOUT BEING REIMBURSED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER. TODAY, AUGUST 1, 2005, THE GENTLEMAN FROM THE JUNEAU DEALERSHIP CALLED TO TELL ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE BOTH BALL JOINTS REPLACED, BUT THAT HE COULD NO LONGER SEND ME THE PARTS BECAUSE DAIMLERCHRYSLER HAD CONTACTED HIM AND NOW PROHIBITED HIM FROM DOING RECALLS IN THIS FASHION AS IT WAS DEEMED FRAUDULENT. I DIRECTLY CONTACTED DAIMLERCHRYSLER AND SPOKE WITH THE SUPERVISOR "KATHERINE" WHO STATED THAT I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO SEATTLE OR JUNEAU TO A DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL OR THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX IT. I TOLD HER I LIVED ON AN ISLAND AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THE FERRY FEE TO DO THAT OR GO WITHOUT ANY TRANSPORTATION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. SHE SAID THEY COULD NOT COMPENSATE ME FOR TRANSPORTATION AS IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MY LIVING ON AN ISLAND, BUT THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE RECALL DONE BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I TOLD HER I DIDN'T WANT THEM TO PAY FOR MY VEHICLE BEING TRANSPORTED, I JUST WANTED THEM TO SEND THE PARTS AS I HAD BEEN TOLD WOULD HAPPEN SO I COULD HAVE IT FIXED. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD NO AUTHORITY TO OVERRIDE THE DECISION ABOUT THE JUNEAU DEALERSHIP. *NM

DT: DODGE MINIVAN 2000 GRAND CARAVAN. CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STRUT PLATFORM WHERE THE STRUT MEATS PART OF THE BODY. ALSO, CALLED STRUT SEATING. THE STRUT SEATING, OR PLATFORM RUSTED PREMATURELY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO GARAGE LAST WEEK, ON JULY 7, 2005, AND MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE RUST WAS THERE, AND THIS MADE VEHICLE UNSAFE. MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN RUST ON THIS NEW VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAD BEEN GETTING COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER. DEALER WAS GILBERTS CHRYSLER DODGE. SHE THEN CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNTIL THERE WERE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FILED. CONSUMER VISITED OTHER DEALERS TO LOOK AT SIMILAR VEHICLES AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN THE OTHER DODGE VEHICLES, BUT NOT OTHER MANUFACTURED VEHICLES.*AK

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE FRONT LEFT STRUT TOWER RUSTED, ALMOST COMPLETELY THROUGH. HAD I NOT NOTICED THIS WHEN CHECKING THE OIL, THE STRUT COULD HAVE BUSTED THROUGH THE TOWER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO BODY SHOPS, BOTH OF WHICH TOLD ME THAT THEY REPLACE A LOT OF THESE. THIS IS A STRUCTURAL PART OF THE VAN, NOT A FENDER OR A DOOR. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS OVER $1200. IN OCTOBER OF 2002, THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED REGARDING STRUT TOWER CORROSION.*AK

I TOOK MY DURANGO IN FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. I ONLY HAVE 52,300 MILES AND USE THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK. I KNOW THE 2-WD DURANGOS ARE NOT PART OF THE RECALL BUT FEEL THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED BECAUSE ITS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 4-WD.*AK

I HAVE TAKEN MY 2000 DODGE DURANGO TO FOREST LAKE DODGE DEALER FOR A CLUNKING NOISE IN MY FRONT END OVER YEAR AGO. I HAD A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS. THEY SAID AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THEY COULDN'T HEAR ANYTHING. AGAIN WITHIN A COUPLE MONTHS I RETURNED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ALONG WITH MY PASSENGER WINDOW NOT GOING UP OR DOWN CORRECTLY. ONCE AGAIN THEY SAID OH YOU NEED SHOCKS AND YOU NEED YOUR SERVICE OF WARRENTY PROFORMED OR YOUR WARRENTLY WONT BE ANY GOOD, SO I SAID YES DO WHAT IS UNDER WARRENTY NOTHING ELSE UNLESS I SAY IT OK, WILL MORE WORK WAS PROFORMED AND I ENDED UP PAYING HUNDRED PLUS DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET. AGAIN THEY SAID THERE WAS NO CLUCKING NOISE NOTED AND THAT THE PASSENGER WINDOW ACCORDING TO THE COMPUTER SAID IT FUNCTIONS CORRECTLY. WILL TO THIS DAY OVER A YEAR LATER, THE CLUCK IS THERE AND SHOCKS AND OTHER MAINTENCE WAS COMPLETED, THE PASSENGER WINDOW MOVES SO SLOW THAT WE DONT USE IT AS IT HAS AND STILL DOES QUIT WORKING. INSIDE WHERE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE COMPOTENT ALSO COMES LOOSE FROM THE MAIN FLOOR. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW MANTO WHICH SCREWS TO THE FRAME OF THE DURANGO. I HAD SIDE STEPS PUT ON AFTER PURCHASE BY CHRY. DODGE IN FORREST LAKE AND DRIVERS SIDE WITHIN IN ONE AND HALF YEARS FELL LOOSE AND THEY SAID I JUST NEEDED TO HAVE SOMEONE PUT IN NEW SCREWS THAT IT WASN;T COVERED. YET WHEN I PURCHASED THEM THEY SAID THAT IF THEY DID IT, ANYTHING THAT MAY HAPPEN WOULD BE COVERED BUT IF SOMEONE ELSE DID IT THEY WOULDNT COVER ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED.*AK

THE FRONT BALL JOINT IS MAKING NOISES AND BLACK LOOKING SOOT ON TIRE RIMS. *JB

MAKE : DODGE MODEL : GRAND CARAVAN YEAR : 2000 MANUFACTURER : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION CRASH : NO FIRE : NO NUMBER OF INJURIES: 0 ODI ID NUMBER : 10100418 DATE OF FAILURE: NOVEMBER 20, 2004. *JB VIN : NOT AVAILABLE COMPONENT: CV JOINT.AXLE PROBLEM SUMMARY: I TOOK MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN ON A FRIDAY TO THE DEALER FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL (CLOCKSPRING- WHICH BY THE WAY THE AIRBAG REALLY STAYS ON NOW, WHERE IT DID NOT BEFORE THE DEALER REPLACED/REPAIRED THE CLOCKSPRING) AND PLUS THE DEALER CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT HAD FOUND A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH THEY WANTED TO FIX. I SAID YES (NOW I SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS) I PICKED UP MY VAN UP ON FRIDAY EVENING AFTER WORK. SATURDAY MORNING I RAN A COUPLE OF ERRANDS AROUND TOWN AND AT 12:30 P.M. BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I PROCEEDED OUT OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE AND ONLY MADE IT AS FAR AS THE STREET BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CALLED FOR A TOW. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT MY WHEEL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE COMPLETELY ATTACHED TO THE AXLE. HE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY INFORMED ME THAT MY CV JOINT/AXLE HAD BROKEN. A BROKEN AXLE ON A 2000 THAT HAS 18,222 MILES ON IT. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS? MY KIDS AND I WERE LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT GOING FAST OR DRIVING DOWN A FREEWAY. NOW I SEE ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR DAKOTA TRUCKS AND DURANGOS, BUT NOT CARAVANS. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT? *JB

I TOOK MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN ON A FRIDAY TO THE DEALER FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL (CLOCKSPRING) AND PICKED UP MY VAN UP ON FRIDAY EVENING AFTER WORK. SATURDAY MORNING I RAN A COUPLE OF ERRANDS AROUND TOWN AND AT 12:30 P.M. BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I PROCEEDED OUT OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE AND ONLY MADE IT AS FAR AS THE STREET BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CALLED FOR A TOW. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT MY WHEEL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE COMPLETE ATTACHED TO THE AXLE. HE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MONDAY INFORMED ME THAT MY AXLE HAD BROKEN. A BROKEN AXLE ON A 2000 THAT HAS 18,222 MILES ON IT. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS? I WAS VERY LUCKY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON A BUSY STREET OR FREEWAY. *AK

A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. CONSUMER NOTICED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THAT THE NOISE WOULD ESCALATE LOUDER AND LOUDER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE WHEEL TO DISCONNECT FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP TRIED TO REPAIR WHEEL BEARING ONCE BEFORE , BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

POPPING NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN TURNING ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE

THERE IS A CLUNKING LOOSE RATTLE SOUND UPON ANY TYPE OF MOVEMENT LOCATED SEEMINGLY AT THE BASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE MUST BE ROLLING FORWARD OR COMING TO A STOP TO BE HEARD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED THE NOISE BUT COULD NOT VISIBLY SEE A PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED I HAVE THE DEALER TAKE IT APART. THE CLUNKING IS GETTING PROGRESSIVLEY WORSE AND LOUD.*AK

REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPAIRED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

FIRST NOTICED BUMPING NOISE UNDER FRONT END WHEN I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND GOING OVER A DIP OR BUMP IN THE ROAD. EVENTUALLY, THE NOISE HAPPENED TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT OR GOING OVER ANY BUMPS OR DIPS IN THE ROAD (EX. RAILROAD TRACKS, SPEED BUMPS ) THE FRONT END OF VAN SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ACTUALLY HITTING THE PAVEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS THE FIRST FIVE TIMES, THEN THE SIXTH TIME WE TOOK IT IN, THEY REPLACED THE STRUTS AND THE SWAY BAR LINK AS WELL. THAT WAS JULY 2001. AS OF 2 WEEKS AGO (DEC. 2001) THE BUMPING NOISE UNDER THE VAN HAS STARTED AGAIN.

DISFUNCTIONAL FRONT END HEIGHT CAUSING FRONT BUMPER TO GRAB WHEN PARKING AT PARKING BUMPERS, WHICH TORE LOOSE THE BUMPER/FENDER. ALSO MAKES IT SO THAT IT BOTTOMS OUT AT NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

VEHICLE CONSTANTLY VIBRATES. FASTER VEHICLE GOES, THE FASTER IT VIBRATES. DEALER HAS REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BEARINGS/ PUT A 2ND SET OF TIRES/ CHANGED STRUTS, AND REALIGNED THE VEHICLE TO RECTIFY PROBLEM, NOTHING WORKS. *AK *SLC

HAVE HAD FRONT-END SUSPENSION CLUNK/KNOCKING SOUND WHEN TRAVELING 30-35 MPH. SERVICE DEPT. HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN TSB'S RELATING, BUT PROCEDURE DIDN'T WORK.*AK

OUR VEHICLE IS ON TRANSMISSION #3 AND IT IS LESS THAN 7 MONTHS OLD. IT ALSO HAS A FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEM THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF ALMOST 30 DAYS AND OUT OF COMMISSION FOR ABOUT 37.

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS BETWEEN 45-52 (MOST PRONOUNCED AROUND 48) AND DID SO WHEN I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT NEW ON 1/14/00. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE I WAS FIRST TOLD IT WAS TIRE BALANCE AND THAT THEY FIXED IT. IT DIDN'T AND I BROUGHT IT BACK. THE SERVICE MAN SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IT WAS COMPUTER TESTED OK AND THEIR MECHANIC ADDED SOME LIQUID TO THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE DRIVEN IT TO FL AND BACK TO TN AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE OTHER COMPLAINT/DEFECT CONCERNS RUSTED FRONT END COMPONENTS. UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS LEFT & RIGHT, TORSION BAR AND OTHER PARTS IN THAT AREA ARE VERY RUSTY. I NOTICE IT WHEN I CHANGED OIL. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND LOOKED UNDER THOSE VANS AND FOUND THOSE PARTS ALSO RUSTY ALSO ON NEW VANS. IT SEEMS THERE IS NO COATING OR ANODIZING ON THESE PARTS AND THEY ARE RUSTING VERY RAPIDLY. I ALSO NOTICED RUST ON THE MAIN CRANK PULLEY OF THIS NEW CAR. *AK

LOWER CONTROL ARM ON MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN SNAPPED OFF AT 25MPH. AS A RESULT OF THE BROKEN BOLT, THE CAR CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. I AM IN THE STRESS TESTING BUSINESS AND I HAD THE BOLT VISUALLY ANALYZED BY MY ENGINEERS. THEY CONCLUDE THE BOLT HAD CONSIDERABLE FATIGUE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I WAS GOING FASTER. I HAVE A MEETING WITH CHRYSLER ON MONDAY TO DISCUSS THIS SITUATION AND MY OPTIONS. I AM VERY CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT I SHOULD DO AND WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE. CAN THE NHTSA HELP ME? *AK