10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,545 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1996 Dodge Caravan Owner Comments

problem #11

Nov 232003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

We purchased our 1996 Caravan new and we have had to replace the transmission 3 times (of those 1 time was rebuilt under manufacturer warranty) the last time we had rebuilt was in May 2003 and is already starting to act up again, it is slipping in first gear (between 10-35 mph). We have had the fuel pump replaced twice; we are now having problems with gasoline smell coming from under hood. The timing belt just broke this week. We have numerous oil leaks; we are averaging 3-4 quarts of oil per week; we had one mechanic put dye in the oil and he had us drive it for a few days and then checked it and stated there was 4-5 oil leaks and we would be better off to buy a new car; and we have been told this by several mechanics due to the multple problems we have had. We have also had several problems with air conditioner; and the serpentine belt broke several times under warranty and just had to replace it again this week along with the timing belt and cam seals. We had about 2 pages of of warranty work done and right after warranty ran out it went down hill from there. We also had to replace the clock spring and 6 months later there was a recall on the clock spring and now I cannot find my receipt. We are very unhappy with this vehicle and it has more problems than we can count and we very dissappointed that we paid over $18000 for a vehicle and had to put approx more than $4000 in unneccesary repairs that should have never happened. We have been told by several mechanics that the transmissions in these Caravan are junk and there aer always problems with them and this doesnt seem very fair to us as consumers because we put out trust into Dodge/Chrysler Corp and we ended up with a lemon. Last year I sent an email to chryler and explained the problems and they basicly just blew us off, of course because it wasnt there problem now since the warranty was expired, I will say this I will never buy another Chrysler product again.

- Marion, IN, USA

problem #10

May 232003

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles
Transmission locked up and went out on my Dodge Caravan. We will need to have the transmission replaced in order to continue to drive this vehicle. Luckily we were able to pull over for safety on a major highway. We always pay attention to the upkeep of our vehicles and service them regularly.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #9

Oct 252002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
The consumer states that while driving at highway speeds, he stopped at a rest area and the vehicle started smoking. Transmission fluid started to come out of the fill tube. The transmission and the torque converter was replaced.

- Jackson, MI, USA

problem #8

Oct 042002

Caravan

  • miles

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

Consumer states that the transmission pop out of reverse, the air bag light comes on when turning a corner. Please provide any additional infomation.

- Baldwinsville, NY, USA

problem #7

Oct 022000

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Transmission was rebuilt. Nlm

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

problem #6

Aug 181999

Caravan

  • miles
Poor design of transmission caused differential pin to come out of the differertial unit, rubbing throuh case and causing oil leak. Nlm

- Burnaby, B.C., CD, USA

problem #5

Nov 081999

Caravan

  • miles

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

Transmission failed prematurely causing the vehicle to lunge into the middle of a road. Nlm

- Frostburg, MD, USA

problem #4

Aug 201999

Caravan

  • miles
I detected a problem with the vehicle while still under warranty, however, the dealer did not make a concerted effort to locate the problem. The unusual sound during accelaration escalated to a strong vibration of the steering wheel, which again was not investigated by the dealership. The transmission problem was not detected until the oil leak was investigated (outside of warranty). Chrysler was contacted after this incident as well as discussions with the dealership. I have been very disappointed with the vehicle, and the quality of the product, not to mention the poor treatment by both the manufacturer and the dealership. I will never buy another Chrysler product.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

problem #3

Mar 061999

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle was parked in a parking lot and another vehicle slightly bumped the Caravan, which caused the vehicle to roll back 3 car lengths, resulting in damages, and may have caused injuries. Manufacturer not notified as of yet.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #2

Nov 041998

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
3 speed transmission has been replaced 3 times. Cause unknown.

- Stover, MO, USA

problem #1

Aug 211998

(reported on)

Caravan

  • miles
Child seat shoulder harness james trapping child. Attempts to loosen causes belt to tighten further. Emergency release difficult to use with belts under tension.

- Sumneytown, PA, USA

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