Transmission Failure problems of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan

At 91,000 miles the vehicle had a sudden and catastrophic transmission failure. Given the fact that we have had a number of neighbors & friends also experience Grand Caravan transmission problems in 97 & 98 models, there obviously is a major design problem. I had owned a 1989 Grand Caravan that had two transmissions replaced under warranty. I took a chance going back to Chrysler and lost the bet. While Chrysler "customer no service" has told me "sir, when you signed the dotted line, you knew the warranty was 36,000 miles", clearly the public perception is that transmissions in $30,000 automobiles should last more than 90,000 miles. While Chrysler can hide behind the warranty all they want, they clearly are breaking with the public''s trust. The fact that Chrysler has had 100,000 mile drivetrain warranties on other years of Grand Caravans bespeaks to the levels that they: 1. Had to go to gain public trust 2. The recognition that they may have design problems. Lastly, as I have learned, their "customer no service" department is a very short one way street. When I called, I described the problem and inquired about the process to file a complaint. I was shocked to learn in very short order that the first person I talked to was also the last person that I would to talk. He quickly made the decision the Chrysler was not interested in helping in any way and that his decision was final. There was never any "I am sorry about this problem, but there is not much that I can do". It was "you knew what you purchased, and I am not going to help you in any way". In fact he kept reminding me how long we spoke on the phone and that I was wasting mine and implicitly his time. All in all a very poor experience with a lousy product and non-existent customer service.

Consumer states while wife was driving the vehicle at 10mph the automatic transmission failed prematurely. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Ts.

Consumer stated that while driving at any speed and without warning transmission failed causing the vehicle to accelerate. Dealer notified. Ts.

While driving transmission failed, almost causing a collision.

The transmission failure occurred without warning. I was picking up my kids from school when the car would not accelrate after stopping for a traffic signal. The car was brought to a Dodge dealer and I was told a new transmission was needed. I had the recommended routine maintenance done on the car. I have noticed that there is numerous customer complaints about transmission failure about 45k-55k mileage.

Transmission failed replaced, no geer shift lock resulting in toddler being able to change geers resulting in crash.

Transmission failed at 42k + miles. Chrysler has a well-documented history of transmission failures. Although we did not have an accident due to transmission failure, that certainly was a possibility. If the transmission failed during acceleration (high load) onto a highway or pulling out of an intersection, the results could be catastrophic.

Upon talking to the dealer sales manager and service manager I was told that there was no history of transmissions failures in the Mini van. However, on the net there are thousands of complaints about repeated transmission failures for the vans and that it has been occuring since the late 1980s and Chrysler does not care. They are basically forcing people to pay thousands of dollars to repeatedly repair the transmissions inthe minivans, becasue the owners can not afford a new car after having just paid almost $20,000 for the current vehicle. There has to be some consumer protection soon to help the thousands of people who have already had the problem and for those who soon will. I am very disappointed in Chrysler and any federal agencies who monitor this kind of problem. This time I was stranded at work and my kids were stucj at daycare until 8:30 pm. Where will it happen next time? will one of us be injured? since the transmission goes out with no warning it is a very scary proposition.

Transmission failed causing a serious accident and injury.

Transmission has failed constantly. Prior to failure consumer had numerous problems with transmission. Cause unknown. Dealer told consumer at only 70,000 that transmission would need to be replaced or rebuilt.