Engine Problems of Dodge Grand Caravan

On 7/2/11 I was heading south on the berlin turnpike in newington, CT. Turned around at the light to head north on the berlin turnpike and as I was making the turn, the etc & esc lights came on. The car would not move more than 5 mph. With oncoming traffic heading toward me and narrowly being hit by oncoming cars, I put on my flashers and proceeded into the nearest parking lot. I turned the motor off and back on again and the car seemed normal. I proceeded home immediately where I called Dodge dealer. Brought the car in for service on 7/2/11 and they gave me a loaner. Said they couldn't look at it until 7/5/11. Service manager told me today that they couldn't reproduce the situation and I could leave the car for further inspection or pick it up. Since this could have been resulted in a deadly accident, I opted to leave the car and follow up with letters to Dodge's president and NHTSA.

See all problems of the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Several problems with 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. . . .

See all problems of the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Brand new vehicle with 321 miles, 2 major manufacturer defects. #1. Rear window seal leak . #2 major internal engine defect (lifters need to be replaced).

There are two major problems with my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. First there is a serious vibration in the front wheel/tires. I have replaced 8 tires (in 30000 miles!), both front axles, all three motor mounts, and had the transmission overhauled, as well as having three alignment checks. The vibration is still there. The second problem involves the windshield wipers. The front wipers were, for a time, coming on any time they felt like it; this was remedied by replacing the multi function switch on 09/21/01. Since then, the rear wiper will occasionally come on for one swipe when I first start the vehicle - annoying, but not an immediate hazard. But today, my windshield wipers quit working at all. They will only work if I put the wipers on interval - in which case they do nothing for a time, then make two to four swipes, then wait a while, make one or two swipes, wait a while, etc. They will make one high speed swipe across the windshield if I press the washer button in. I spent $80 today so the Dodge dealer could tell me this was caused by a body control module failure. This repair costs over $400. . . And researching a used part online, I learned that both the wheel shimmy problem and the windshield wiper problems are not unique to my car but are very common issues with the Dodge caravan/Chrysler town & country/Plymouth voyager family. Losing your wipers, having them come on at random when they take a notion to, and a non-stop shimmy in the front are each, by themselves, serious safety issues warranting a recall. Collectively, they spell out a lack of concern that daimler Chrysler has for the safety of those who drive their products. It is my understanding from my online research that Chrysler was aware of the problem as long ago as 1998 but deliberately ignored its own information. It is apparent that the only way these safety issues are going to be addressed is if the federal government takes them to task.

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The engine "blew up". Apparently there was an oil problem" on the inside of one side of the engine and a chunck of it actually "blew off". The entire engine had to be replaced including hoses, etc. The original engine had only 77,326 miles!!! I have spoken with many people who have had to replace their engines in this same Mini-van at or around 70,000-80,000 miles! not only that, but I spoken with and was warned that this would probably happen by the owner of an auto body shop, prior to this happening. He said "we see these engines on these Mini-vans go bad right around 70,000 miles, lynn". This seems to be a chronic problem for the Dodge/Chrysler Mini-van.

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1999 Dodge Grand Caravan 3. 8 engine camshaft broke with 54,000 miles on it. Had oil change every 3 to 5000 miles. Now I need a new engine and Dodge wont help and I think they should since I spent 28,000 on this van.

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I bought the vehicle in August 2002 with 15250 miles. Had the vehicle in for warranty repairs on 12/2002, 1/2003, 3/2003, 4/2003, 5/2003 - 6/2003, again 6/2003, 12/2003, 3/2004 motor blew. Vehicle has 45,000 miles and a blown motor. Dodge refuses to repair the vehicle. They tell me its due to lack of maintenance and then failed to ask me for maintenance records. The service dealership is gathering my service records to present to the district manager to try to change his mind. Vehicle is a lemon but because of the mileage, fails to fall under the lemon law. Dodge wants me to pay $5500 for a new motor. Don't think I should based on the vehicle history. Please help!!!.

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Rocker arm pedistal sheared off cylinder head causing internal engine damage. Multiple repair centers believe cause is design flaw of cylinder head.

On January 24, 2003 at about 10 p. M. My 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan just stopped dead while I was driving on route 7 in ridgefield CT. The engine with 67,000 miles just seized up. I was able to use the cars momentum to pull to the side of the road, but if this had happened on a highway, we might have had a serious problem.

While driving at low speeds, the van lunged forward. The actual cause was undetermined, but the dealer stated the engine's front cylinder malfunctioned. This condition was considered a defect per mechanic(s). This problem existed in this make/model for some time and had many complaints and repairs. There was no help given by the dealer.

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Chrysler refused to help with the over $600 repair bill for head gasket. Did not call them on the valve cover gaskets in October. Now with the failure of the head gasket it makes me wonder why the failure of their gaskets. This is premature failure on both cases. Chrysler refuses to stand behind their vehicles. No wonder they will soon drop out of the big three.

Support for rocker arm broke off at 82,890 miles. From review of the NHTSA records, this has occurred for numerous customers, but it has not been recalled. As this is part of the head casting, I would expect it to last the life of the vehicle. Ts.

The head gasket for the vehicle developed a hair line crack which leaks antifreeze down the backside of the engine block. This occurred after standard warranty expired with a milage of only 57000 miles. The leaking creates an oder from the evaporation of antifreeze which is clearly detectable from within the vehicle cab. This problem equates to an estimated repair cost of $1000. 00+. It is my understanding after talking to several mechanics that this is an epedemic typical of this engine. The auto manufacturer is aware of this problem but has done nothing, that I'm aware of, to rectify this problem for current owners apart from making the owner repair the defect at their expense (without having purchased an extended warranty). I'm deeply disgusted with the manufacturers attempt to ignore this design flaw.

We were driving down the interstate and the van came to a sudden stop. With the thought of engine trouble furthest from our minds with only 48000 miles on the vehicle. We were told that the camshaft was broke and no explanation given, we were told by the dealer it was rare but that one of their technicians had seen this in about 2-3 other vans like ours. The dealer refused to pay anything and daimler Chrysler was notified and although they would not admit to factory defect they did reluctantly pay half of the more than 3000. 00 in damages. The vehicle was inspected by a none Dodge dealer first who could not believe how bad the engine looked for 48000 miles. We purchased the vehicle in March of 2001 from the dealer and the engines appearance was good we owned it less than 4 months when malfunction occured. Chrysler was contacted directly by us and told us this was rare, however for one technician to see 2-3 vans besides ours in one state does not seem that rare to us.

Consumer had to put excessive amounts of antifreeze into vehicle. Consumer took vehicle into a private mechanic that looked at engine and found a hole, pin sized near cylinders of the engine which is where antifreeze is leaking. Mechanic stated this could have been a factory defect because appeared to be in molding of engine. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

The fuel rail started leaking after removal; trying to change valve cover gaskets & using a certified auto mechanic, he verified the proper instructions for removal w/ the mitchell's service manual & now they are leaking fuel that could cause a fire; talked to Dodge parts counter & they are aware of problem & said they have modified the part but will cost me $160 for replacement of their poorly designed part. No recalls are listed and now a small job has turned into an expensive one.

At the dealership, they called them the valve retainer seals. I have heard repeatedly that it is a common problem with 3. 0 l engines, and I would love to have the person that chose to put these engines in, knowing they would have this very expensive problem down the road, to pay for it. I was assured that I was getting a good van when I bought it used and it has numerous problems. I have 3 kids to worry about, I don't need to fork out $500 to fix a "common problem". And I also hate to think that I'm polluting the environment immensley in the mean time.

Engine cylinder head broke, causing the engine to knock. A recall has been issued on these vehicles, however this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Manufacturer has been notified.

The cylinder head replaced because of rocker arm shaft failure. Yh.

D. I. S and crankshaft sensor failed. Yh.

Engine camshaft failure.

Camshaft failed.

Broken engine mount failed.

Rocker arm within the engine broke, causing vehicle to become inoperable. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.

Consumer states rocker arm support broke.

Pedestal holding the rocker arm broke causing rocker arm shaft to break, also the transmission has broken this is still a new vehicle and these two items should not have broken the rocker arm and pedestal should not have broken I fill this is a design defect because of the way it broke and could have caused serious problems are damages. I also would like for this to be looked into. The local dealer told me that.

The piston ring in the engine had excessively worn.

Bolt that secures the rocker arm to the engine head were not drilled deep enough to allow even tension to secure the rocker arm shaft properly causing it to break and resulting in violent vibration. Nlm.