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.
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.
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 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!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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. 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 Caravan. What's up with that"
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.
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.
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.
- Hampton, TN, USA
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- Miamisburg, OH, USA