general problems of the 1999 Dodge Caravan

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle failed to function as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

1999 Dodge Caravan. Consumer states problem with vehicle engine the consumer stated the engine was replaced in 2003 and again in 2010.

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan se. While driving approximately 30 mph, smoke began to emit from the front end of the vehicle. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road and detected smoke and sparks underneath the hood area. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated the failure was related to the engine wiring harness. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Corrosion of left forward strut tower. During scheduled oil change, saw extensive corrosion on left shock tower in engine compartment. The corrosion appears to have developed from inside the shock tower and only became apparent recently. Corrosion is affecting the outboard half of the shock tower and affects two of the three bolts holding the strut to the tower. Took the vehicle to the dealers body shop. They said there is a factory kit to fix this problem, but they were not impressed with its structural strength or appearance. Suggested replacing strut tower as a better option at the cost of $1300. 00. Said Dodge would not provide any warranty because the vehicle has 116k miles. Asked service manager if they had seen this problem before, said they had repaired a few, and this defect seems always to be on the left side of Caravans. He also said that he had not seen any strut towers fail, but researching this web site there have been numerous failures and constitutes a safety defect, the manufacturer needs to correct.

The oil pan is rusting out and will require replacement.

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 mph the serpentine belt failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer a third time where the serpentine belt was replaced again however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified the third time. Additionally, the contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 00v268000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that a friend had jumped his vehicle due to the battery had failed when gasoline started to spill onto the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times but the contact stated that the service rep disconnected and the call would be redirected. The failure mileage was approximately 202335.

Warranty 36,000 miles/3years. Dropping van off for routine brake job, van died in garage parking lot, temp guage had no indication anything wrong,tailpipe smoking, , had police stop by to see, garage looked at engine fly wheel fell off and head gasket melted. Car only has 54,000 miles on it. Contacted Chrysler nothing they would do. The garage I have it at is not more than 5 minutes from a Dodge dealer, they would not even send anyone to look at the engine to agree or disagree what had happened. Cannot get the car towed because the engine is apart and will cost $800 to put the broken engine back in the car and that again to have Dodge take it apart. It is amazing that the temprature guage would not indicate that my engine had gotton so hot that the head gaskett melted and the fly wheel fell off. This car had regular oil changes ect at walmart. They never indicated fluid problems.