transmission problem
9.2
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$1,706.00
Average Mileage:
151,445 miles
Number of complaints:
8 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replaced transmission (5 reports)
- rebuild the transmission (3 reports)
Helpful Websites About 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission failure
2007Jul 27
(reported on)Grand Caravan 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 118,061 miles
One day when I tried to back my van out of the driveway the engine started back firing and it wouldn't move at all. I soon realised that the transmission was blown. I had bought that van brand new in 1996 with nothing but problems ever since it was new. Anything and everything that could possibly go wrong with a vehicle went wrong with my Caravan but the worst thing that happened was that my transmission failed. Even when it got fixed $2000 later when I drove it on the highway the van wouldn't accelerate until a few seconds later. This is pure and utter bull s*** a transmission should last at least 300,000 km. My 1992 GMC Vandura that I use for work has 374,000 km on it and it still has the original transmission in it. I have yet to see or hear of anybody who has a 1996 Caravan and has not replaced the tranny at least once. In 2003 I traded in my Caravan and I only got $1500 for it (less than what I paid to fix the transmission). I am very thankful I traded it in and so far my 2003 Toyota Camry has been a great car. Never will me or anybody in my family ever buy another Chrysler product! CHRYSLER VEHICLES ARE POORLY DESIGNED, POORLY BUILT AND ARE PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PROBLEMS! If you want a good, reliable vehicle DON'T BUY A CHRYSLER!
2007Feb 11
(reported on)Grand Caravan 3.0
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
I own a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. We purchased it in 1999 with only 26K miles. Within the next 20K miles in 2001, with no warning or signs the transmission went! With only about 46K miles!! PATHETIC!! We bought it used with no extended warranty available so It cost me about $1750.00 to fix!! It then went about another 40K miles and in 2003,,,, again,,,, with no signs or warning....... Bang it went again!!
This time it cost me over $1800.00 to fix. So here we have it,,,, a Vehicle that is about 7 years old,,,, with (about ) 90K miles and its on its THIRD TRANSMISSION!!!
This morning my wife called me and was obviously very upset and frantic. With 106K miles the transmission went again!!! Leaving her stranded in the middle of a busy intersection. This would make the 4th transmission! Thats Crazy!! I am currently unemployed and will not be dumping any more money into this piece of $hit.
I Know that Chrysler corp. has been aware of this problem for years. Does anyone know if Chrysler has offered to do anything , anything at all with this problem? Are there Any Class Action Suits? ANY ACCOUNTABILITY AT ALL BY CHRYSLER???
This is exactly why so many Americans buy imports! I will never buy another US made vehicle again. In my opinion Imports like Nissan and Mitsubishi are far superior in reliability and overall quality. What a Shame.
2006Nov 25
(reported on)Grand Caravan ES 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 245,000 miles
The transmission just went out on the Caravan again!!!!!!!!!!!! It is going to cost $2000.00 to replace the transmission now. I wonder if Dodge has had any engineers redesign the transmissions yet? The van will sit until I can find out IF Dodge has done anything about fixing their problem transmissions!!!!!!! Here's a thought to ALL the car makers, if you can't design a vehicle without problems before putting it out on the market DON'T put it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006Nov 25
(reported on)Grand Caravan ES 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 230,000 miles
I worked at a dealership and had the transmission rebuilt and seen the insides of the transmission, during the rebuild. If Dodge can't hire people with common sense to design the transmissions maybe the public should boycott the brand!!!!!!!!!!! It is utterly ridiculous that you would design a transmission with an aluminum cone in the core of the transmission and then put all the thrusting force of the van's acceleration on a 1" steel pin going through the top end of that cone so it elongates the hole going through that cone and creating filings and thus shredding the gears and clutches in the transmission!!!!!!!! Oh what geniuses they are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006Sep 22
(reported on)Grand Caravan
- 128,000 miles
First it was giving me issues of not having enough power in climbing then the stupid thing just gave up. There are a lot of issues in this van:
1. Fault Code p0134 - Oxygen sensor
2. Fault Code p0131 - Cylinder 1 Missfire
3. Intermittent issues with the wiper switch
4. Intermittent issue with the left turn signal
It is a piece of junk
2006Sep 22
(reported on)Grand Caravan LE
- 190,000 miles
We bought this van used and paid cash ($3500). We had it for about 3 mo. There was a loud pop while going down the road and the automatic transmission wouldn't shift beyond 2nd gear. We stupidly took the dealers recomendation for a transmission "specialist". Took it, and had the transmission rebult. More happened. Read the following complaints I enter.
2006Sep 22
(reported on)Grand Caravan LE
- 200,500 miles
We were on a family trip, only about 200 miles, round trip. Going up the mountains in North Carolina, with my four children ages six and under in the van, we started loosing power. We coasted to the shoulder of the interstate. Had to call for help, and have it towed. This time we found our own mechanic. An old fella that knew his stuff. He said the 96 chrysler trannys where sh*^. He replaced the whole transmission and gave us a nice warranty on it. We were without a vehicle for 4 months. We are just average joes and don't have any money on hand let alone 1,800, The mechanic was nice. Let us make payments, but had to keep the van til we paid for. it We haven't had anymore transmission problems YET (just in case, don't want to jinx us). Trading it in at tax time.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jan 25
Grand Caravan 3.8L
My husband and I have a 1996 Dodge Caravan that we acquired from my mother-in-law 2 years ago. The vehicle only has 54,000 miles on it. My husband was driving it last week and all of a sudden heard this clunking noise, pulled into a driveway and the car died. We had to have it towed to the transmission shop and were told that the transmission was shot and had to be replaced. $2,000.00 later. I have been reading all the complaints about the Caravan transmissions. Chrysler should be ashamed!!! I sure hope the new one lasts and does not go AGAIN like so many other customers. Knowing this has been a problem for so many years and Chrysler does nothing about this, is awful. I will think twice the next time, before I ever buy another Chrysler product.
Christine W.
St. Clair Shores, MI, USA
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