Differential Unit Problems of Dodge Caravan

: the contact stated the vehicle wheels locked up due to a differential pin when the transmission fails on a front wheel drive vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, but not a service dealer to look at the issue.

See all problems of the 1997 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.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

The differential drive pin in the 41te model automatic transmission falls out , locking up the front wheels. And stalling motor. Then transmission will blow apart sending pin and fluid gears randomly.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Transmission failed at 86000 miles. The transaxle was perforated by broken pin. The 2nd transmission at the transmission shop could not be installed because of a crack in housing due to same problem. Transmission #3 that was installed lasted about 3 months and failed in the same manner. #4 could not be installed because it arrived with a crack in housing due to same problem. I now have transmission #5 installed in this vehicle. The failure is a pin in the transaxle becoming loose and flying out at a high rate of speed. The pin then creates a hole in the transmission case and allows fluid to escape causing transmission failure. The pin is usually stopped by the transmission case but it is only a matter of time before one flies out and injures somebody. Roll pin that secures gear pin is breaking. This is a manufacturing defect. Total cost of repairs was $1950. 00.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

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.

While driving, the vehicle stalled. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for an analysis. The consumer was told the transaxle drive pin had sheared off and had blown completely through the transmission and the housing. The transmission and the differential had to be replaced.

Differential pin broke while driving in a normal manner. Pin went through casing of transmisson , and reuined the transmission which otherwise would be fine. Vehicle only had 75 ,000 miles and always regularly maintained.

While driving the automatic transmission outer case ruptured and the transmission blew out. When this occurred the van stalled without warning. The cause of the transmission failure has not been determined. The differential pin which broke and came out through the case. Service dealer have made diagnostics and repairs on transmission on the vehicle.

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

While driving between 25-35 mph vehicle stopped accelerating. Transmission fluid leaked out. This was due to the differential shaft not being properly bolted at the factory. As a result, it blew a hole in the housing. The transmission case was breached by a drive pin that had come loose from the assembly.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

1998 Dodge grand Caravan sport (68,000 miles) driven on dry pavement on a clear day at speed limit or below (45mph zone) threw differential pin through transmission housing, destroying transmission. Vehicle was transported to dealer and assessed. Repair cost (new transmission) stated to be $3,445. This vehicle was purchased new from herb gordon Dodge of silver spring, MD. Research indicates that this is a recurring problem with this make and model of Chrysler produced vehicle.

I was driving down the highway at 60 mph when I heard a loud noise and my car shook. I pulled over and looked for a flat. There wasn't one. My power train differential pin went through the casing rendering my transmission useless, it had to be towed to the shop. The repair bill is $2500 for a new transmission. The transmission repair shop said this is very common on these vans. A search on the web revealed they usually blow out between 60,000-70,000 miles. This is a major flaw in the transmission. A phone call to Chrysler was useless. 8jb.

Without warning, the transmission began to leak - approximately 1 quart a week - and became difficult to shift. At times it simply failed to go into gear. Upon diagnosis of the leak, I was informed that a differential pin had come loose and began destroying the interior of the differential. $1850 to repair on a 3 year old vehicle. According to the mechanic, this is very common on Chrysler products.

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, consumer heard a loud noise and vehicle would not pull. Took to dealer, and dealer indicated differential pin broke in transmission. Chrysler paid for half of the bill.

At 35 mph, the planetary gears and transmission exploded without warning. Consumer has contaced dealer.

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.

Many people I have spoken with, including the employees at kennedy transmission, have said these transmission have a reputation of going out around 60-70,000 miles. Our differential was also damaged. The parts needed for this repair, I was told, is on a national backorder because this is such a common occurance. Shouldn't the consumer be forwarned about have a $2800 repair after 60,000 miles? otherwise, shouldn't they put in a different transmission in these Mini-vans?.

Transmission fluid was leaking out on driveway. Took vehicle to dealer, and informed by mechanic that differential pin had worked loose. It was moving or swerling around inside & ruined differential/casing. Had replaced transmission with a rebuilt one.

Differential pin has come out of differential unit rubbing though case causing the transmission to leak. Yh.

My new Caravan had only been driven 23,577 miles. The case of transmission was rubbed through by the differential pin moving out of the differential unit.

Poor design of transmission caused differential pin to come out of the differertial unit, rubbing throuh case and causing oil leak. Nlm.

Differential blew up . Pin blew through the transmission into spider gears - left two holes the size of a fist in the case. Pin broke into three pieces - mechanic found pieces in transmission.

Vehicle had fluid leaking. Took vehicle in to dealership to have it checked. The mechanic took transmission apart & noticed pinion pin & gears were very badly damaged. The pinion pin had detached from transfer case in the differential.

Since transmission failure occurred eight months after warranty expired, dealership wouldn't cover the cost of replacing the transmission. A faulty pin in the differential unit where in manufacturer is aware of. The pin broke and went right through the transmission case.