Eight problems related to automatic transmission park/neutral start switch have been reported for the 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My 10 year old daughter accidentally knocked the shifting lever out of park with out her foot on the brake. The van went in to neutral and came down our drive way and hit a snowbank coming close to a foot from hitting my home. The door hit my husband's truck and crushed the drivers side door on the van into the fender. The lift gate on the back caved in. Luckily my daughter was able to get out from between the door and the van before it rolled. It never should have shifted with out the brake being pressed.
Vehicle was parked/ engine running/ emergency brake not applied, consumer was outside of vehicle when her 3 year old shifted lever from park to drive and vehicle took off. Consumer was able to stop vehicle. No injuries.
Gear shift can be moved out of park and shifted into any gears without applying brakes or without having key in ignition, causing vehicle to roll and hit neighbors parked vehicle. Estimated property damage was $3,000.
2 year old child was able to shift vehicle out of gear without applying brakes . Consumer stated all Chrysler vehicles do not have a safety feature to prevent this from happening. Vehicle rolled over a hill into woods/ hitting trees, and going into a ditch. Caused $6000 damage. Child had a large bump on head.
In the driveway was able to move gear shift lever without stepping on the brakes. Contacted dealer, and was told that they changed the design in the 99 models.
Driver had turned vehicle on, but left it in park, shift lever was bumped slightly and jumped from park into reverse. Had contacted both manufacturers, was informed that problem was normal for that vehicle. Consumer was informed that the vehicle was designed without the interlock system.
Vehicle not equipped with shift interlock device whereby allowing our children the potential to shift vehicle out of park and creating a runaway condition. Our two year old son has watched us enought that he knows how to put the keys in the ignition and pull the gear selector arm down. Concerned about families and others safety.
In light snow plastic gear that controls windshield wiper arm has stripped off, causing it to become inoperative. 2. Also there is no safety lock for gear shift that prevents vehicle from rolling in case someone moves gear shift without applying brakes.