Nine problems related to automatic transmission park/neutral start switch have been reported for the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While allowing vehicle to idle in park in residential garage, driver stepped inside house and within 30 sec heard loud crash. Upon investigation found vehicles engine idle at 5500 rpms and had collided with washer/dryer 4ft in front of vehicle. Damage was to the w/d and minor scratches were found on bumper. Air bags did not deploy. Washer was total loss.
Vehicle can go into any gear without pressing on brakes. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further information.
Vehicle was turned off with keys and vehicle started rolling back, and hit a parked car. Consumer was taking vehicle in as of 14th of may to determine cause.
Consumer is able to shift gears without applying brakes.
While the van was running two year old child was able to shift gear from park to reverse without brake application, causing the van to crash through the garage . Manufacturer was notified about the problem. Manufacturer stated that there was not a standard that would keep this from happening. Please provide any further information.
Shift indicator gear does not contain a locking mechanism, allowing child to engage gear resulting in a vehicle collision.
Vehicle wa sparked using the gear shift. Key was removed from the ignition. After several moments, vehicle roled slightly forward, picke dup speed and crashe dinto a tree, stopping it. Gea rshift was not in park after the collision.
The van can be pulled out of park without stepping on the brake, kids often go to the front of a parked vehicle. If the ignition is on the van can be put in gear by just pulling down on the gear change handle. Many cars have a lock out this should be required. A response would be appreciated.
While vehicle was parked on a slight incline with four kids inside vehicle rolled backwards down driveway into a house. Emergency parking brake was not applied. Consumer stated that incident occurred because vehicle was not equipped with shift interlock. Please give any further details.