Automatic Transmission problems of the 1996 Dodge Caravan - part 1

: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Failure of transmission.

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.

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

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

When I start to drive the transmission takes a litte time to get speed then when I am stopping and I only have like about 5 miles to go to a complete stop I feel like if the van wants to continue to run or for me is like the transmission and I heard that all Dodge Caravans gets damage from the transmotion and I would like to know which is the list of recall from the my Dodge Caravan please.

Shear pin pulled out and got caught in spider gears. This caused transmission and rear end to go out on vehicle. Contacted dealer. Please add VIN.

While driving about at any mph transmission could decelerate without prior warning. Had to drive off the road. Dealer had been contacted. Please provide more information.

In middle of intersection vehicle stopped moving and engine was still running. None of warning indicating lights came on as vehicle hesitated to cut off. No contact has been made to dealer.

Transmission breakdown caused the engine to shut down, consumer feels there is inferior material used in the pin, the consumer is asking for a refund for repairs and other expenses.

While pulling out of parking lot vehicle just died, no power, consumer felt it was transmission.

Transmission shifts to 2nd gear with no warning and stays there until car is turned off and then on again.

Replaced original transmission at 37,485 miles, Dodge corporation admitted to irregularity with transmission. Replaced transmission with customer $100. 00 payment. Replaced transmission broke again with 55,000 on it due to probably same condition, vehicle has not been diagnosed as of this time. Dealer thinks is the same failure.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

My transmission needs to be rebuilt with approximately 82,000 miles on my vehicle. It is going to cost nearly $2500. 00 to make this repair. Shouldn't the company be held responsible for this cost? why should I? I have had gm cars that exceeded 100,000 miles without a single problem. It seems that I am not the only individual facing this problem with the company.

We have had other people with the same problems please help us!!!!. No safety defect.

While driving about any speed transmission will loosen. Could step on fuel pedal and vehicle will not accelarate, will lose power steering into the vehicle and it will stop by itself.

Transmission had to be rebuilt. Lost power on interstate but family in jepordy. According to transmission repair vendor not uncommon for Dodge minivans. Please notify if there is any recourse or opportunity to file complaint with others.

Second failure at 83,310 miles on 2/1/02 at 65-75mph on interstate highway.

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.

Transmission will not sift into reverse when cold, and does not shift into other gears properly. When engine is warm transmission gets better.

No summary.

Transmission fell apart. Yh.

In second failure transmission--and front wheels--locked when accelerating from a stop light (speed about 5mph) in the center of an intersection.

The transmission quit,had no prior warning. Not able to shift, engine still running, had vehicle towed to mechanic.

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.

Major transmission problem with Chrysler, this is our second and last Chrysler!!.

Transmission slows down if you accelerate to quickly, also jerks and engine check light comes on. Shuts off during warm days. Very poor design of vehicle.

When the vehicle is put in reverse vehicle will roll forward for about six inches and will completly stop after that. When vehicle is in neutral, vehicle will not move at all. Delaer has inspected the vehicle. Manufacturer has been notified.

I purchased this new vehicle 3/99. I don't feel it is fair to pay so much for a new car only to have such a major component break after 3 years. In 2/99 I took the cr to the dealers for the annual inspection, and was told it needed $2,000. 00 in repairs. One of the repairs was to service the transmission because it started to jump when put in reverse. I took the car to another mechanic whom I paid $1,400. 00 for the work. A few weeks later, we were taking a 150 mile trip one way to take my nephew back to school. We got there and 50miles into the return trip I was on the PA turnpike when I heard what I thought was a siren. We looked around and saw no flashing lights. We started up an incline and the car started to slow down. As it did, the sound of the siren also started to deminish and I realized that the siren we heard was coming from my car. We were 100 miles away from home and had to have the car towed back to philadelphia. It was taken back to the mechanic who I paid for the repairs, and after he had time to check the problem out, I was told I needed a new transmission which would cost me $1,200. 00. I am currently without a car, and still owe $10,000. 00 on this vehicle. I do not see the justice in having to pay for a brand new car, only to have such a major component give after only 3 years on the road. For that, I would have taken my chances with a used car. My mechanic informs me that he has seen numerous Dodge vehicles come into his shop with transmission problems. He told me that there is a band in the transmission that snapped, and he has seen this sort of problem on other occasions with Dodge products. This is my second time contacting you regarding this problem, and I would appreciate a response. There has to be a way to protect the consumer from this sort of thing. I only buy us cars so that I can help in the effort to keep America working. If I have to just live with this loss, then I may have to rethink my next purchase very hard. *a.

Transmission gave out with out warning.