Wiring problems of the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan

While driving I smelled smoke. I couldn't see where it was coming from so I continued driving. Then I saw smoke coming out from behind the panel on the passenger side rear sliding door. I then pulled over to see what was going on. I couldn't see a fire from inside and the door didn't feel hot. I walked around to the outside and touched the door, which was hot. I then noticed burn marks through the paint. I went back into the van and pulled part of the panel away and saw flames inside the door. I then took a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. I called 911 and asked for the fire department.

I purchased a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan new. Over the last year I have had multiple electrical problems. The problems caused basically two effects. The first one was that the vehicle would shut off and either not start or have difficulty starting. The second was that every time you step on the brakes, the wipers, heat, and radio would quit. At first the dearler bonneville & son could not find the problem even after putting a scope on it at the exact time the trouble occurred. I took it to an independent shop and they found a grounding stud in the door jam on the drivers side was very loose, $250. 00 later it was ok. After a month the trouble came back. This time the dealer, bonneville & son found that one of the wires in the main wiring harness was rotted, $215. 00 later it was ok. Another month gone by, having the same trouble again. Bonneville says the only way to be sure to fix this completely is to replace the whole main wiring harness at a material cot of $1400. 00. I've tried to get crysler and the dealer to fix this with out me spending more money on rotting wires in a vehicle that's just three years old. They would not. I will never by a Chrysler product again!!!.

On 9/3/04 there was an electrical fire in the left sliding door of our 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan ex (purchased new). Previously brought it to an authorized Dodge dealer with complaints of right & left sliding doors not functioning properly. Dealer released the car stating there is nothing wrong with it. My 2 kids and I were in the cars minutes prior to it catching fire. Major damage done but Dodge wants to repair the electrical damage and for us to continue to drive it hoping that the right sliding door does not catch fire. Cannot be sure that the smoke smell will ever come out of the upholstery or that mold will not build up in the seat cushions from the fire dept putting out fire. Do not feel safe in the vehicle!!!.

While sitting in the vehicle and idling consumer noticed smoke coming from the front end. Consumer left the vehicle, and saw that fire was rising up from beneath of vehicle. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. Vehicle was totaled. Dealer examined the vehicle, and could not determine the cause of the fire.