Differential Unit problems of the 1999 Dodge Caravan

I am a licensed day care provider who transports several small children daily. My vehicle is a 2000 Dodge Caravan. On Tuesday, my transmission failed without warning while I was on the interstate with five children inside. I was horrified. My transmission needs to be replaced, which will cost upwards of around $2000. I did research on the internet and I have discovered some disturbing facts. Chrysler vans from 1998-2002 have a reputation of having this type of failure happen. The cause is a differential pin that shoots through the casing of the transmission. There is nothing the consumer can do to prevent this. Newer models of the Caravan 2003 and later have the same transmissions but they now have metal plates installed which keep the pins from breaking through the casing. I tried to get assistance from chrsyler directly, but according to their customer service department, there has been no problem with these transmissions. I asked them why then were there several stories on the internet of customers having the same problem that I just experienced. They replied that there is nothing they can do to help me. My transmission did not wear out, it failed. The differential pins shot out and broke the transmission casing. If you call locally or across the country and try to locate a used transmission for 1998-2002 Chrysler vans you will discover that the majority have the broken cases caused by the differential pins. Thus, they recommend replacing with a new transmission that has the corrected plates inside. I also discovered that at lithia Dodge, they have on an average 2 or more of these vans coming in with the same defect. They charge the customer to replace a transmission that they know has a defect, yet they do not take responsibility for it. There are millions of Chrysler's on the road. It is a safety hazard to have these vehicles on the road that can fail without any prior notice.

Differential pin came loose and blew a hole through the transmission. Failure caused van to break down on the freeway. Transmission was completely ruined and would have had to be replaced. Possible starter damage as well. Quotes for repairs were around $3,000, so we decided to junk the car. It was only 5 years old with 62,000 miles at the time. '99 Dodge Caravan.

Transmission failed at 41,500 miles. Differential pin keeper broke which did major damage to the rest of the transmission.

Consumer's wife was driving when there was a big noise. Later found out that there was a hole in transmission. There was no kind of warning. No injuries. Consumer was informed that the differential pin broke. *.

On April 18, 2002 I took the vehicle into the dealer for them to investigate a noise which sounded like metal on metal. Service drove my vehicle and after hearing noise for himself, they put it on the rack and said "we tightened a few things" (on worksheet stated "checked engine") and said to come back if additional problems. On the morning of may 2, 2002, I returned home from an errand and parked my van in the garage. Later that day I went outside and noticed drippings in the street in front of my home into my drive and garage. Backed the car up a little and discovered a pool of pinkish fluid. Neighbor came over and verified that it was transmission fluid. I called dealer and was told to drive the vehicle to their service department. I did so. Left the vehicle. They called me later in the day and informed me that my van needed a new transmission. The explanation was that "differential pin came loose and went through case. Not rebuildable. " so, the transmission was replaced. I have written to Chrysler and the local dealership is aware of that; in fact, last week, district people were to have been here, supposedly to meet on this; however, I have received no information from them regarding the resolution of this.

While driving at approximately 25 to 30 mph, a noise was emitted from front of vehicle, as if the vehicle had started dragging a metal can. Shortly afterwards vehicle lost all power. After inspection of problem, a puddle of transmission fluid began forming under vehicle. Dealership stated that a pin in differential broke, which ruined transmission. Please provide any additional information/attachments.