Battery Cable problems of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan

On Friday, 10/28/2016, I was traveling on flat rock rd. In starr SC coming home from work. I crossed over railroad tracks and the rear passenger door started trying to open on its own. The door made a loud noise and the door light on the dash lit up. I pulled over. The door continued trying to open until I opened the hood and disconnected the battery cable. When I checked the door, it would not open and was smoking. I noticed smoke coming from the bottom back corner of the door on the outside. I saw a flame inside. I had nothing to extinguish the fire with so I flagged down a passing motorist who thankfully had a jug of water. By this time, the door and trim under it were actually burning. I extinguished the fire and found the fuse for the door and pulled it. Later I found out that the vehicle had a recall for this and that the recall work was supposedly performed. I contacted Chrysler and they sent an inspector. Recieved a letter today denying responsibility. I have a partally burned vehicle whose doors won't open (presenting a safety hazard because I have children and they could not get out if this happened again). I am terribly afraid to drive the vehicle anywhere now because of this.

Sept 2015-my engine shut off while driving at 25mph and the horn and wipers went crazy. I was able to pull car to side of road safely. Feb 2016- took van in for recall for new key fab. The following week the car went crazy when I pushed unlock button to get into the vehicle using the new key fab. Horn went off, wipers squirting fluid and doors locked on me except for the rear hatch. Took into dealer they changed the clock spring. March 2016- vehicle went crazy again (horn, wipers, doors) I got into vehicle through rear hatch, unlocked hood, turned key to start to see if I could unlock, car started. I tried to turn off and engine kept going without key in ignition. I got out disconnected battery cable and the vehicle. Was still going crazy and the engine was still running for about 10 minutes. I took vehicle into dealer they first stated it needed new battery cables. . I told them that will not fix the issue. . It is more than that. Keep the vehicle until you find the real solution. Now the dealership is telling me it is the integrated power module ($950) on top on the clock spring that they replaced for ($550). I feel like the dealership is just reaching for solutions and ion the meantime I have to keep paying for their testing.

Drove to nearby town and made several stops for shopping, but kept the car running for the ac as people were inside the vehicle that included my disabled veteran husband and his aid. At the last stop, the engine was turned off and the car was parked about an hour. Returned and the engine would not start. All warning lights were on and the inside lights were working. No sound from the engine like a dead battery or bad starter. Called and a sears employee came with a booster box. Box reported battery was putting out 12. 7 volts. He tried jump starting with battery cables. No sound from engine. Called two insurance companies that were trying to arrange transport and an hours later tried the key one more time and it started. Drove home without stopping. Once I got home and turned off the engine I tried to start it again and it would not start. Appeared the problem did not solve itself.

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact mentioned that no warning lamps were illuminated on the instrument panel. The horn and windshield wipers activated, and wiper fluid started spraying before the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was maneuver to the shoulder where he removed the battery cable and fuses that governed the horn and wipers in order for the failure to stop. Also, the transmission failed to shift and there were multiple electrical popping noises throughout the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the wireless module was defective and as a result, the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the remedy failed to correct the problem. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 76,000.

Vehicle started to accelerate on its own. It made it a foot or so before stopping. Soon after, the vehicle at random turned on the wipers and horn. Ignition became non-responsive and I had to pull battery cable to silence everything. Had to take it to the dealership for repair and received lecture about not pulling battery cable and was charged $90 so a tech could fix this. The tipm module had failed and needed to be replaced.

Washed van, parked it in driveway. Suddenly horn is beeping, lights flashing, wipers going and wiper fluid spewing out. Could not turn off with panic button. Could not open doors with fob. Put key in lock and button came up but car kept pushing it into lock position. Finally was able to hold door handle and when lock came up opened door. Could not turn van off. Disconnected battery cables and let vehicle reset itself. Seemed fine. Took out later in the day and wipers and fluid came on again and lights began to flash. Power steering and brakes engaged and could barely get safely off road. After engine turned off by itself could not restart it. Had it towed. Dealer now trying to figure out what is wrong. No computer codes so will probably get vehicle back stating no errors are found. I do not feel safe in this vehicle any more. Dodge should be made to diagnose and fix this problem before someone gets killed. If you view edmunds. Com and carcomplaints. Com/Dodge/grand. . . You will find that many people are complaining about this same problem. Consumers should probably file legal actions before many people get killed because their vehicles seem to have a mind of their own and stop whenever and wherever they so desire. Who can we get to help us resolve this very serious problem with Dodge Grand Caravans????.