Automatic Transmission problems of the 1997 Dodge Caravan - part 1

Transmission is being rebuilt again this is my third transmission. The original was replaced at 16,500 miles with a remanufactured from Chrysler transmission,which an independant shop purchased from darrow Dodge and has installed it,and now only after 31,000 miles first gear went out on it and it is being rebuilt now. There is a definite problem with their transmissions and should be recalled.

I consider ourselves fortunate after scouring thru the numerous customer complaints on the 1997 Dodge Caravan. We bought the vehicle used in 1999 with 23,000 miles on it. It was mainly used to transport myself and our three children all under the age of 6 at the time, but now my husband drives it back and forth to work. We to have had the intermitent ghost wipers ever since purchasing the vehichle and were constantly told by the dealer that nothing was wrong or could be found to be wrong. We have within the last six months replaced the drive belt, the water pump, & timing belt due to routine maintenance. However, the transmission at 123,000 miles just went out on my husband while he was driving down the road. We are told that it will cost $1,500 to fix. We have chosen to get it fixed, but at the time of that decision did not realize the number of complaints about the Chrysler transmissions. This is definitely a safety issue, as the van left my husband stranded in the middle of an intersection with oncoming traffic. Will it take someone getting killed before Chrysler is held responsible for these defects? I do not like the fact that my husband will be driving this vehichle again, once the tramission is repaired. As I stated above I consider ourselves one of the fortunate ones to not have experienced so many problems as other owners have had with their vehichles, but when will the time come to hold Chrysler responsible for their shody workmanship? I can honestly say this is the first and will be the last Chrysler car I ever own. My other car is a Ford f-150, which I am very proud to drive!.

Took my car in for a transmission to be serviced, picked my car up a hour later. He transmission locked on me. I had my vehicle towed to another shop. The total ost of repairs was $1400. 00.

1997 Dodge Caravan transmission has been replaced three times. When the transmission pan was removed, the mechanic found metal contamination and broken parts.

When shifting from park to drive vehicle will lunge forward, accelerator not applied. Please provide additional information.

The transmission overdrive blew. I was approaching an intersection when I lost power. This cause the car to come to a stop in the middle of the intersection, causing several cars to swerve in order to avoid a collision.

While on the highway at 70 mph the transmission shifted to 1st gear causing the van to slow suddenly. Nlm.

Transmission replaced. Informed by 5 professional mechanics that the transmission in our model is of poor manufacturer's design , and is on going problem with all 1996 & 1997 Dodge Caravans which Dodge refuses to acknowledge. The vehicle would "jump" out of gear & no accelerartion was possible. Our problem was detected early and repaired before any serious accident occured. Because we are sure Dodge is aware of this problem they should be responsible for the cost of the repairs on our vehicle! because our problem was detected early, our family avoid serious injury. I am very disappointed that this company is allowed to get away with avoiding responsibility for their own poor workmanship! I am filing complaints with any & all applicable organizations & agency about this problem.

I was trying to back out of my drive and the car failed to move.

No summary. Dt.

While driving, vehicle started to make a funny sound, vehicle started to lose power when applying gas. Took vehicle to a mechanic, and they stated it was a problem with the transmission. Dealer has not been contacted. . Consumer stated both planetaries had to be replaced.

Van in reverse backing out of my garage, we heard a large knock from the engine and the van rocked. At this point the van locked up, could not move in reverse or drive. The vehicle was locked up to the point that it could not be pushed in nuetral, the tires even skid on the driveway when being pulled onto the back to the tow truck. Transmission repair ($1800) required. Was told that "planetary" exploded and destroyed transmission, a typical problem with Chrysler 3 speed transmissions. Called Chrysler customer service, but denied any help due to over warranty and did not purchase an extended warranty (they just want money). It didn't matter that I had transmission service in Jan. 01 and everything looked fine. This a very dangerous problem, I had my wife and 2 and 4 year old children in the van. What happens if vehicle locks up on the highway?? please look into this before someone gets killed.

While driving vehicle suddenly slowed down and eventually stopped. After dealer inspected vehicle it was determined that gear had broken, affecting transmission.

While driving 25 mph in middle of intersection vehicle stopped moving, but engine was running. Ttok vehicle to dealer who found that transmission needed to be replaced.

We have already fixed the transmission three times and this will be the fourth. We have had a breakdown a year after the first repair. Exactly a year later it breaks down again. Then eight months later it breaks down for a third time. Now exactly a year later it breaks down for a fourth time. They insinuate it is our driving but then this should have happened with all of the cars we have owned. We are not careless or inexperienced drivers. Who would be responsible the manufacturer or the repair company (in this case aamco)?.

After stopping at light, van would not move. Van towed to dealership. Owner told that van needed a new transmission.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Just don't understand how a transmission can die after three years os services . I have had other Chrysler cars that last for 9years and no problems. Some how I need to find out if there is a problem with transmissions . I have heard of other people complaining about thier transmissions as well. I f you can give me any help in trying to get Chrysler to replace this with no charge it would be much appreciated.

Transmission was replaced. Nlm.

Had brake trouble; told needed new master cylinder at same time told needed new transmission. . . . When I asked why both would need replaced so soon, dealer said "these things happen"; both issues could have led to major safety issue. I use this vehicle to transport my two children, both under age 4; then dealer failed to correct brake problem (left air in the lines) which led to brakes continuing to lock. . . Another major safety issue! I was told the calipers needed to be replaced as well. . . But brakes continued to lock until they finally discovered air in the brake lines! I thought this might be an isolated incident until I checked with colleagues who also own Caravan with similar problems. . . Checked NHTSA web site and was shocked at the number of similar complaints!.

Vehicle well maintained, was reported today to need major transmission seals and gaskets replaced due to leaks and stress cracks. With only 44,300 this repair bill will cost around $700. Seems Dodge is having problems with the transmissions because of the 5 other issues 5 of our friends and relatives had with transmission problems. Do you have others who have contacted you with simular problems?.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

My tranmission has gone 4 times the first time was 3 days after purchase and problems continue.

I took my car in for repair on 3/6/00-dealer could not even diagnosis problem for 5 days. Finally told me that the transmission was gone. Did repairs which took a total of 8 days and charged me almost $2300. 00. I reas in consumer report the Dodge Caravan having issues with the transmission going out way before its time, and that the 97 Caravans may have defective tranis-so I followed up with a call to the main office and spoke to someone named coleen phelps today at 800-992-1997 and she said she knew nothing about that, and these sort of out of warranty issues are dealt with on a individual basis- she put me on hold for a couple minutes and came back and said that-since my vehicle is way out of warranty they would not help me with any of the cost that I had to endure. I explained that it is still not even 100%-it still does not shift properly and I had to pay for 8 days of a rental car last time it was in-do you guys compensate with a vehicle while re-looking at the problem-she said that it is doubtful. But I can ask the dealer-in other words they are not big on keeping customers. My company purchased 4 1997 Dodge Caravans and all of them have had transmission jobs at least once-some twice-we will no longer purchase any more doge vehicles for this company.

A pin in the transmission came loose and moved forward into the transmission assembly, making a hole the size of a silver dollar in the transmisison. This van is only 3 years old, and 75,000 miles is not a ridiculous amount on today's engine's & transmissions. I would like to know if this pin that came loose has been a problem for any other owners. The entire transmission had to be replaced, at a cost of $2000. 00.

The vehicle transmission needs to be replaced/overhauled for the second time, the consumer is requesting assistance for the cost of the repair. Nlm.

I was parked at burger king, turned the ignition and put my Caravan in reverse to get out of my parking space. To my surprise, the car gave a sever jolt, and would not go into reverse. . . . I tried again and the same jolt occurred, this time sounding like stuff inside was being smashed up (like a trash compactor sounds). I tried to get it into drive (even though I was almost as far up as I could go) and it wouldn't budge either. . . The sounds getting worse. Afraid I was crushing things inside, I turned the car off. My two children and I walked the mile or so home and I called a tow truck. The mechanic said it appeared to be a transmission problem. Once he looked it over and took the transmission out, it was a severe problem, "bizzarre" is the exact word of the mechanc who asked me if I had any warning signs. I had none. He said he couldn't believe the extent of stuff broken apart inside the transmision like broken glass. . . And said he could not even come up with an explanation of how it might have occured since it was so unlikely for a car this new (97) with only 43000 miles and then for the "rear planetary (sp) gear carrier to have been mutilated like it was without the front happening. I have photos to show the horrific damage. And I am reporting this because, god forbid, I had not been parked but stopped for a light or something or on a dark road or wherever, I cringe at the thought of the accident that could have occurred with this happening with absolutely no warning and I feel Chrysler should answer to this!!!!!!!! I did call their customer svc center to report this and to demand restitution as it cost me $2134; they did not want to know nothing since I had not brought it to a "chrylser/Dodge dealer" to be fixed. . . . The catch 22 is that I did not do so because I was passed my warrantly and my experiences with dealers' service center prices for major work has been beyond my pocketbook!!! please investigate this matter.

Manufacturer contacted and refused to help even though vehicle had such low miles.

Had lost timing belt from transmission due to leakage. Transmission would shutter & clunk when in low speed & jerk. Also, brakes would squeal/squeak & grind loudly when applied. Had them replaced.

While driving transmission would clunk into gear before taking off. Also, lost reverse gear and low gea. , vehicle was inspected / repaired at a independent shop. Can NHTSA provide information concerning this condition is normal for this mileage of 52,000.

While driving at 35 mph car started to feel as though it was in neutral. Car would continue to drive, but only at about 25mph. There could have been an accident because there were other cars present.

No summary.

Was coming off highway at approximately 25 mph when transmission exploded, causing the wheels to lock up and come to a complete stop without any warning, dealer claims that a pin within transmission broke off, causing the transmission to explode.

Transmission jumped into reverse, vehicle lost control, resulting in a collision.

In the reverse position in which the indicator is on "r" but actually the vehicle is not in reverse, but in drive position. Intermittently, the speedometer malfunctions. Also, a no start condition. Please provide further information.