10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,316 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 (Page 1 of 7)

problem #138

Feb 152006

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

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

: the contact stated the vehicle would only go into reverse on two occasions. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted it worked properly. After the second incident the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. They determined the codes needed to be reset. The vehicle performed properly for a short period of time and then it started having problems again. However, this time the transmission would not go into drive until the vehicle was restarted. The manufacturer has not been alerted.

- Yeadon, PA, USA

problem #137

Nov 122004

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles
Transmission at 91,000 miles essentially exploded without warning. Chysler refused to help me I also had to call them back to be informed of the denial. I asked for the name and number of the zone manager and was told I could only get that from the dealer. Tom addis Dodge refuse to identify the zone manager or give me his number. I was then informed the zone manager does not talk to customers, and unless I could produce reciepts for routine maintance from the previous owners (who I cannot identify) there was no discussion, eveb if I had that proof I was told due to the mileage there would be no assistance. I asked to see thier tsb's and the service manager refused to allow me access to them, stating she was concerned about my motive to read them.

- Coeur D'alene, ID, USA

problem #136

Nov 202003

Caravan

  • 22,926 miles
Vehicle leaked transmission fluid. The vehicle was taken to a service station where it was determined that the transmission case was breached by a drive pin which was coming loose from the assembly. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but since the vehicle was no longer under warranty they refused any assistance.

- Brookfield, IL, USA

problem #135

Jun 202004

Caravan 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles

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

As a precaution to other drivers.my 1996 Dodge Caravan 125000 miles, upon leaving a parking lot after a highway speed and city speed trip the vehicle would not move forward.a police officer waved me to stop.upon inspection of the passenger front tire we found the outer tie rod joint broke seperating at the ball socket causing the wheel to not move with the steering.by the grace of god it did not happen on the way with my family aboard.we were able the change the tie outer tie rod so we could return home.the other driver side outer tie rod was replaced the next day as a precaution.is there a recall about these tie rods? the replacement part from a aftermarket parts store appear heavy duty compared to the originals.the original part showed wear on the ball aswell as the socket.the repacement part has a grease fitting to lube the joint and the original does not.please contact me via E-mail if a recall exist or with questions.please inform the public to have these parts inspected before a problems occurs for them. Thank you for listening and best regards /david derouen.

- New Iberia , LA, USA

problem #134

Apr 012004

(reported on)

Caravan 6-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
While driving the vehicle suddenly accelerated and wouldn't reverse. There was a loud noise coming from underneath the hood. The dealership indicated that the transmission failed. Also, there was a fuel leak. The dealership replaced the filler neck front seal. The transmission was replaced. *

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #133

Dec 192003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My transmission broke down on a highway no warning and I almost got kill, speeding cars behind me. My old trans in a 92 Dodge Caravan broke down 3 times and it cost me 9,000 and now my 96 Dodge Caravan the trans broke and I do nt want to pay thousands of dollars so I am planning to sew Dodge for not warning on the trans problem and the new models re not better then the old, and I have proof that self destruct, in bad weathers or out of no where.

- Phila, NJ, USA

problem #132

Dec 032003

Caravan

  • miles

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

While shifting gears transmission down shifted on its own. Driver took vehicle to the dealer for analysis, and mechanic replaced speed sensor.

- Jeannette, PA, USA

problem #131

Nov 202003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles
While driving between 25-35 mph vehicle stopped accelerating. Transmission fluid leaked out. This was due to the differential shaft not being properly bolted at the factory. As a result, it blew a hole in the housing. The transmission case was breached by a drive pin that had come loose from the assembly.

- Brookfield, IL, USA

problem #130

Apr 172003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,625 miles
Failure of transmission.

- Walled Lake, MI, USA

problem #129

Jan 152003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,268 miles
The consumer heard a rattle in the engine. The consumer was told the cover in front of the engine was removed and the tensioner bearing had fallen apart. The timing belt and tensioner was replaced. There was a delay in the shift, and the consumer had to take his foot off of the gas to get the shift up. When the transmission was cold, it would delay engaging in reverse from park. Scc

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #128

Feb 142003

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,750 miles

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

Transmission experiencing 2nd gear slippage causing hesitation and degraded acceleration which is a safety issue for entering highway traffic.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

problem #127

Jan 131999

Caravan

  • miles
While driving the motor cuts off without warning. Dealer notified. Please provide additional information.

- Morgenton, NC, USA

problem #126

Dec 102002

Caravan 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles
The transmission on my 1996 Dodge Caravan has failed again for the third time. It was replaced once in 1997 at 7,000 miles by Chrysler. It was reconditioned in 2000 at 56,000 miles by Chrysler. The most recent failure at 81,000 miles in December of 2002. Chrysler refuses to acknowledge a problem with the transmission and refuses to perform any "good will" repairs.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #125

Sep 092002

Caravan 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
While driving in cold weather the vehicle will not change gears. Also after the vehicle was parked over night it hesitated when moving into the reverse gear then abruptly engaged.

- Lebanon, KY, USA

problem #124

Nov 242002

Caravan

  • miles
While driving approximately 30mph on highway the transmission shifted itself into neutral without warning. Dealer advised that the transmission "blew up".

- Milford, CT, USA

problem #123

Jul 242002

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission would not shift properly while driving. Dealer notified, and made the repairs. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Tustin, CA, USA

problem #122

Jul 252002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have reviewed alot of websites and it seems there have been alot of transmission problems reported on this model of car. Some could have led to accidents, while our car so far involves only transmission fluid leakeage and occasional noise. But, I am afraid this may be Prelude to a full failure. It seems prudent to consider a general recall on the transmission since there seem to have been so many complaints posted on the internet. Even our auto mechanic was well aware of the problem and suggested that we complain to the dealer and see if they would be nice enough to honor some type of compensation!

- Tustin, CA, USA

problem #121

Jul 182002

(reported on)

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving transmission jumps from 1st gear to 2nd gear, causing vehicle to decelerate suddenly.transmission was repaired by an independent mechanic previously; however, problem has reoccurred.

- Saucier, MS, USA

problem #120

Jan 012000

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have had to replace the transmission twice since I purchased it from the dealer. The first time was at around 45000 miles, and the second was around 55000 miles. I have the windshield wipers turning on and off by themselves, the horn stopped working and the air bag light went on. There is a loud wind noise under the car when you drive over 40 mph. The vehicle had approximately 29000 miles when we purchased it, and it has caused us grief ever since. We cannot trade it in, and get what its worth, because of these awful defects, nor do we want to put our children in jeopardy. I cannot drive out of my local area because I am afraid of the vehicle breaking down on the highway.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

problem #119

May 272002

Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, transmission drops out of drive and kicks out of gears.

- Clarkesville, GA, USA

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