Front Suspension Strut Problems of Dodge Caravan - part 1

Front strut mounts on every 96 thru 00 Caravan, voyager, Chrysler minivans that I've looked at,have serious rust problems, especially the left side, resulting in the strut itself breaking through and hitting the bottom of the hood, and resulting of loss of control of the vehicle when this happens. The repair cost to have this repaired is very costly,$300-1000 to make the vehicle safe to drive. I would like to see the NHTSA look into this problem on all 96 thru 00 Mini-vans before somebody has a failure while driving with their family, and have a fatal accident. Please cure this problem before and not after people are killed due to this structural front strut tower failure.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

The strut tower on the 1997 Dodge Caravan, that has only 85,500 miles rusted and needed to be replaced. After researching this problem I discovered that this was a common problem. Dodge admitted to a design flaw for the premature rusting strut towers. A tech service bulletin from Chrysler dated October '02 explicitly stated that all '1996 to 19'99 Chrysler vans Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler, had the problem with the strut towers. All of them will eventually rust from the bottom up. As I stated, the strut towers were defective in there design. Chrysler has a warranty part number 05086513aa but refuses to fix a known dangerous defect, because the van is over the 7 year, 100,000 mile, which ever comes first warranty. This is outrageous, especially since this van has been taken to the Dodge dealer for almost all maintenance needs and yearly state of maine safety inspections, and this issue was never mentioned. Clearly, when the rusted strut tower gives, the strut will come up through the hood. At that point, lives will be in danger, as the probability of losing control of the vehicle is inevitable. Please consider this my formal complaint. Will Chrysler live up to the responsibility and repair this know defect for those of us out of the warranty timeline.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

On 1999 and possibly 2000, or other models, Dodge Caravan/grand Caravan the top of the drivers side & possibly passengers side 'strut tower' rusts out. Most body shops avoid messing with this due to liability issues.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The driver's side strut tower was rusted, and the mechanic and the body repair shop stated that the failure was common for this type of vehicle. Diamler-chrylser stated that the warranty expired, and the repair would be at cost to the contact. The current and failure mileage were 67000.

The strut covers have rusted and now there is a great likelihood that the strut will shortly come through the cover and possibly come through the windshield. This problem isn't that visible without looking for it.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

I am the owner of a 2000 Dodge grand Caravan. Both strut towers in the front of the vehicle are rusting out. There have been several complaints on this defect & research on the internet has shown numerous service bulletins out about this problem. And Chrysler is not doing anything to resolve this major safety hazard! there has not been a failure as of yet, but if not addressed quickly there is a great potential for a major accident!!! Chrysler should be responsible for this manufacturer defect!.

: the contact stated while the hood was raised, rust was noticed on the strut tower. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, which determined the strut tower should be welded or replaced. Updated 05/03/06.

: the contact stated during a state inspection the dealership noticed corrosion on the front driver side strut tower. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer, which determined the strut tower needs to be replaced. The dealer is awaiting the replacement part.

The contact stated while getting an oil change he was informed that the driver's side strut tower support was rusted and cracked. The manufacturer offered no free remedy. No repairs have been performed. Updated 01/11/06.

Strut towers rusting . Caller had oil changed, and the attendant told him that strut towers were rusted. Dealer said they have not seen anything like that. Manufacturer will offer no help.

Consumer was changing the oil on the vehicle when he noticed that the spring on the mcpherson strut was breaking off. This could cause the hood on the vehicle to pop off, increasing the risk of a crash.

Strut tower corrosion - failure in near future 1998 Dodge Caravan 86000 miles quoted $ 800 to repair this should be a general recall by manufacturer !!!!!.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan and the strut towers rusted out on the top in the engine compartment. He noticed this at the beginning of the year when he had the engine cleaned. The contact talked to Chrysler, and they said they would not help him because the corrosion warranty expired. The consumer felt this was a safety issue. Chrysler came out with a kit to fix this problem.

Left strut tower rusted almost through. Mechanic refused to replace strut. Currently searching for repair alternative.

This is related to complaint 10090457. My 1997 Dodge Caravan has excessive rust at the top of the driver-side strut cap. Large chips of rusted metal can easily be removed with a screw driver. I would like to know if there is a risk in continuing to drive the vehicle. I bought the vehicle new in late 1996, and have kept it in minnesota since. The rest of the body has evidence of early rust that, in a couple years, will be ugly, but looks ok now and is typical for an 8-yr old car in minnesota. Chrysler has issued a service bulletin, which describes the problem as cosmetic, but they have also provided a repair kit. The kit uses epoxy to glue on a replacement cap, so that suggests the problem really is cosmetic. However, I have not been able to have it fixed because the body-shop manager at the dealership said the kit is out of stock. Is it safe?.

While the vehicle was at a repair shop mechanic determined that the housing area which held the front strut rusted.

Consumer took the vehicle to dealer for routine maintenance, and mechanic determined that the strut tower needed to be replaced due to corrosion. A recall was issued for this problem but the consumer's vehicle was not included due to vine. The consumer had to pay $500 for the repairs.

Preparing for trip, noticed large amount of rust/corrosion on driver side strut tower. Large chuncks of rusted metal loosened when lightly touched. This was within two weeks of an oil change, lube and filter at the dealership where purchased in 1999. Had checked by local mechanics, all said, "get rid of the car". Did research and discovered service bulletin was issued regarding this problem. Dealership stated "never seen this before. .

While driving the vehicle consumer heard a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that the struts rusted.

The front strut tower on the driver's side rusted. This could have resulted in the strut tower breaking . If this occurred, the left front suspension could collapse , and would cause the front wheel to lock while driving. The dealership did not know what caused the tower to rust, but it could be caused by road salt.

The vehicle was taken to an inspection station for its scheduled inspection. The vehicle was rejected due to rusted strut towers.

The left front strut tower assembly was rusted, which could cause the strut to come out on the side of the vehicle. Consumer anticipated that this could cause the front end of the vehicle to drop unexpectedly.

Complaint received via e-mail. I discovered that my Dodge Caravan, 1999 driver's side strut tower rusted significantly ,and may possibly break. This could lead to a potentially serious problem later. I think that this probably was due to defective material used by a Chrysler supplier. Chrysler should consider this a serious issue, and at least warn people who have their cars, or pay for the repairs/replacement of the strut towers. The tower was not replaced. Two estimates were quoted at over $1000.

Strut towers rusted thru great looking van on out side I have seen more of these . The local weldig shop does these jobs vrey often for 1200 bucks!.

While getting service on my 1996 Dodge grand Caravan se VIN/2b4gp44r9tr670549 rust was observed on the body strut mgt tower located in the left front of the vehicle this tower is a main part of the front suspension system. Failure of this part of the vehicle due to rust out from the inside can cause the front suspension to collapse at normal driving speeds.

Driver's side strut tower rusted and was coming through the top of the vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, but problem was not resolved.

Consumer states that the vehicle's front struts are rusted. Dealer notified. The dealer stated that the vehicle should be condemned because of the severity of the rust. The rust was not easily detected because it was under paint.

Consumer states vehicle's left front strut tower is cracked on top. Dealer notified. The mechanic stated that this wasn't an unusual failure and without repair, the problem will get worse until the suspension breaks.

Strut tower corrosion on 1999 Dodge Caravan. *** no answer required***.

1998 Dodge Caravan with strut problems concerning rust. Customer states that the struts mount totally rusted out. Customer states that this could cause a serious accident if this problem goes un-repaired. The consumer was informed by a mechanic, that there is a design defect with Caravans. The mechanic went on to say the struts were mounted under the hood. The consumer received several opinions and was told that eventually the struts will force their way into the engine compartment. The manufacturer was aware of the problem and provided dealers with a repair kit which welds a new strut over the old one.

Struts came undone and fell off while driving. Vehicle has had continuous problems with the struts and strut mounts. Dealer has serviced 8 times. Struts have to be constantly tightened every 6000-9000 miles.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Left front strut was fractured and dragging to the ground when driver was backing out of driverway. Tire was making a grinding sound due to tire rubbing against it.

The vehicle had significant rust on strut towers, so much that it would mot pass inspection and severla mechanics expressed concern about the suspension falling out of the vehicle.

The driver's side front strut tower was deteriorating and detached from the frame of the vehicle. The dealer could not determine the cause of the problem.

During a routine maintenance check mechanic found that struts were popping through the strut tower. Strut tower had to be replaced.