NHTSA — Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip Problems

1996 Dodge Caravan (Page 1 of 4)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
492 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Dodge Caravan brakes problems

brakes problem

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1996 Dodge Caravan Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #63

Dec 022003

Caravan

  • 11,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer complained about ongoing ABS brake problem. ABS light came on and would either go off within seconds or stay on all day. This caused brake failure on separate occasions. Also, brakes failed to stop vehicle immediately, resulting in extended stopping distance, which almost caused a rear end collision. Dealership was unable to correct the problem. They performed a diagnostic test but no failure code was found.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #62

May 062003

(reported on)

Caravan

  • 20,000 miles
When driving under icy weather conditions, when the brakes were applied, the ABS caused the vehicle to propel forward before stopping. The consumer believed the ABS were defective.

- Stillwater, MN, USA

problem #61

Jul 312002

Caravan

  • miles
The brake pedal goes to the floor. It has been almost 3 months trying to get fixed. The first dealer replaced the master cylinder twice and bled air to try to repair. The second dealer performed a brake inspection. They found a lot of air in the left rear line and also bled the ABS system. I also had them check the steering because the air bag light came on when I turned the steerring wheel and steering was noisey, like a groaning sound. They reported the clock spring clicking when the steering wheel was turned causing the air bag light to come on - and there is a moan or a honk noise when turning which would take new P/S hoses to repair. One week later the pedal was once again going to the floor and the ABS still coming on. The dealer said they would order a pump. Which took 2 weeks to get in. When I brought it in they kept it a few days then called to say it needed the ABS hydraulic package at a cost of $2,000+. they recommended I call Chrysler customer service to see if they could assist with the costs. Chrysler customer service said it was a mechanical part that could go out at any time therefore my cost since the van is no longer under warranty (low mileage doesn't matter). I called the dealer and haven't heard back in two days to see what they could reccommend/ I looked on the internet and found this to be a problem with the Dodge cravan so I wanted to file this complaint. Nlm

- Butte, MT, USA

problem #60

May 282002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS light stays on due to defective body control module. Dealer contacted.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #59

Feb 262002

Caravan

  • miles
When brakes are applied in a normal situation front wheels would lock up. Vehicle at a repair shop. Second occurance, vehicle swerved out of control on a slightly slick road.

- North Glenn, CO, USA

problem #58

Dec 012001

Caravan

  • miles
When applying brakes vehicle goes to the floor. Driver has to pump brakes to get vehicle to stop. Cause is unknown.

- Los Vegas, NV, USA

problem #57

Apr 022001

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS braking system light airbag light are on dashboard. Also, horn doesn't work. Dealership is aware of problems. Dealer replaced clock spring. Starter failed and was replaced.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #56

Nov 072000

Caravan

  • miles
Multiple warning lights came on, including brake, air bag, fuel. Horn stopped working.

- Oak Hill, VA, USA

problem #55

Mar 262001

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Ea-01-007; consumer has noticed air bag light illuminated on dashboard. Also, horn was inoperable/ windshield wipers worked intermittently, and electrical door locks failed to lock or unlock. Also, note ABS brake light illuminated on the dash, brakes have failed. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine cause of failures.

- Keaau, HI, USA

problem #54

Mar 022001

Caravan

  • miles
ABS light would come on intermittently. It is now on all the time. Dealer informs me that I need a new relay and hydrolic unit at an estimate of $1492.

- Uxbridge, MA, USA

problem #53

Oct 072000

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

No summary

- Newbury Park, CA, USA

problem #52

Sep 062000

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
While traveling and without any indication vehicle would stall/ windshield wipers would come on, and vehicle would lose all braking power.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #51

Mar 011997

Caravan

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #50

May 282000

Caravan

  • miles
Anti-lock brake light keeps coming on. Brake fluid leaks & it was just changed on 5-31-00. Dealer feels nothing is wrong with vehicle.

- Camillus, NY, USA

problem #49

Sep 241997

Caravan

  • miles
ABS failed.

- Kula, HI, USA

problem #48

May 102000

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving at a low rate of speed and upon depressing brake pedal to make a normal stop, ABS system kicks in, causing poor braking performance, and resulting in extended stopping distance.

- Marretta, GA, USA

problem #47

Sep 241997

Caravan

  • miles
ABS failed.

- Kula, HI, USA

problem #46

Mar 092000

Caravan

  • miles
While traveling at 65mph he consumer applied brakes, and they stuck. Also, cruise control wouldn't shut off. Consumer stopped at a gas station because engine was roaring up. Took fuse from the fuse box.

- Plainview, TX, USA

problem #45

Jan 152000

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The transmission on this car gaves problem at about 3 months since purchase. We brought it and explained that there was something wrong, but they lied to us and said it was not. Eventually, about a year and a half later, the transmissin finally broke and they had to replace it with a new one. After that the car continued to jerk violently wehenever we were going up hill and at 45 mph. We kept bring in it in for them to fix it, knowing that this might create other serious problems with the car, but they continued to refuse to fix it because the jerking motion was not quite as pronounced when their mechanic drove it. According to them, chrisler would not allow them to see the transmission unless it justified it by being completely out of commission. We had them try to service it one more time, but instead, they tried to fix other things in it and even tried to charge me for them. I did not pay because they did not fix the transmission and the other things adjusted had no relation to the problem. About four weeks after this service, I woke up to go to my congregation with my children, when my child informed me that the car was burning. I went to look closely and and saw what looked like a small candle light. I told my children to go inside the house as gas fumes could be leaking and the car could explode. I went up to call the fire dept, which took me about a minute, and by the time I got back, the car was already engulfed in flames. This occurred, without anyone turning anything on, be that ignition or electrical component. This is evidence of one of two things, the mechanic at fitzgerald either deliverately or neglectfully created the hazard when he looked and did the wrong repairs, or this was a factory defect that finally was ascelerated by the constant violent jerking motion created by the transmission ongoing malfunction, which went on for more than 3 years. We are now left without a car that was under warranty (100000 miles) and they refuse to help

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #44

Feb 081999

Caravan

  • miles
Int. Failures of ABS hyd. Package. Dlr. Est. $800 to repair. Recommended driving as-is w/O ABS.

- Lusby, MD, USA

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