Strut Tower Problems of Dodge Grand Caravan - part 1

Strut towers on my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan have rusted through. Visible, significant rust has been present for at least 7 years, however, it is now not driveable. I did not realize this is such a broadscale, significant problem to most owners of 1996-2000 vans. Please recall this mess! strut towers are not cosmetic!.

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Driver strut tower gave away do to rust. I need help paying for the van to get fixed. This is the only car I have for my family and we can not afford an other car right now. Pleas let me know what I can do about this.

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While driving on busy urban highways with limited or no shoulder, the vehicle started making clunking noises, originating from the left side, when driving over bumps, potholes and other road irregularities. Not wanting to pull over in an area with limited shoulder lanes, I continued driving, but the noise became progressively worse over a period of 50 miles or so, to the point that I was actively seeking a safe place to pull over and check the vehicle. Before I had a (safe) opportunity to do so, a much larger clunk was heard, and the vehicle instantly experienced greatly impaired directional control. I immediately slowed, and was able to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop on the shoulder. Visual inspection immediately showed that the front driver side wheel had excessive negative camber. The strut shaft was also no longer mated to the steering bearing at the top of the strut tower, and was resting against the side of the strut tower. The top surface of the strut shaft had an irregular, rough feel to it, suggestive of brittle failure. After limping the vehicle down the nearest off-ramp (approximately 1/2 mile) at low speed (10 mph) I parked he vehicle, and had it towed to a local pep boys, which replaced both front strut assemblies.

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I bought a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan new in November of 2000. It now has 244,000 miles and still runs very good. I take care of it and do most needed repairs myself. I noticed a few years ago, some rust forming at the top of the strut towers never knowing of the service bulletin issued by Chrysler/Dodge on October 14, 2002 - bulletin # 23-044-02. I would have paid more attention to this issue if I would have known about the bulletin at the time it was issued. Last Friday Jun 20th, I was pulling into the parking lot at my office and the strut tower actually snapped in half, not at the top where the rust was! I've never seen this happen on any vehicle before. Thank goodness I was only traveling about 10 mph when it happened. The bottom line is that I should have been made aware of this very serious safety issue 12 years ago and this should have been a recall, not a service bulletin.

Strut towers have completely rusted through to the point where I can see the ground by looking through the strut towers from the inside of the engine compartment. There is very little structural support left in the strut towers.

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while having the vehicle repaired, it was found that the strut towers needed to be replaced. The strut towers were unable to be repaired due to excessive rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 206,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced by a private mechanic, the mechanic stated the driver's side strut tower was severely rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 136,900. Mah.

Nothing has happened yet, but fear of front end collapse is mounting. The strut towers look severely rusted even though older and newer vehicles of the same make and model do not demonstrate this potential failure. It seems that if this fails that the strut would push through the tower causing front wheel to move up and back resulting in loss of control, sudden swerve, and potential catastrophic collision.

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The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the brakes were applied but the vehicle did not respond. The contact added brake fluid to the vehicle and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic discovered that the strut tower was rusted and the wheel cylinder had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified and told the contact to bring the vehicle in for repairs at the contact’s expense. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,852.

The strut towers are so badly rusted that I am afraid to hit a bump. The driver's side strut tower is corroded and flaking. There are gaps where I can see through to the underside. This is a safety issue and my vehicle will not pass inspection until I shell out $400 for someone to weld a cap on (just one side). This is a known problem, yet the company has not issued a recall or anything.

Strut tower assembly corrosion (struts assembly could collapse) I am proud owner of Dodge vehicles for many years and drive a 98 Grand Caravan. When the vehicle was taken for a strut repair the mechanic refused to replace the struts as he found the corrosion and said its a safety issue. To my surprise this is a very important safety issue for many american families who own a similar model minivan. I want the safety authorities to look into this matter immediately. All the vehicles with a similar problem should be recalled immediately before someone is injured or god forbidden looses their loved one in an accident. Came to know that this has been a common issue in these minivans and surprise the inspite of knowing the issue there was never a recall ???. I am a family person and cannot purchase another car in these trouble time and request the authorities take this to the right people and get a recall out. Hopefully this may save someone. I think have done my job and it is your turn now.

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Left strut tower completely rusted out. Major safety problem that Chrysler knows about and should b recalled.

Strut tower on this van is almost completely rusted. To continue driving it presents a serious road hazard for I and my family!.

Strut tower housing on drivers side of vehicle under the hood is severely rusted. Upon taking the vehicle to a mechanic to have it repaired, I was informed that this is a common problem with this type of vehicle and has to go to a body shop for repair. I took the vehicle to a body shop who informed me that there have been 4 other customers come in with the same issue in the same place on the same model of vehicle within the last year. This causes a huge safety concern as this housing is what holds the strut in place on the vehicle. If the weakened structure fails, the pressure of the strut will cause the strut to fly off and out of the vehicle with great force. This will not only cause the suspension to fail, but the velocity of the strut itself would be a safety concern. Dodge has enacted recalls for the same situation on earlier models of the vehicle, but the recalls were enacted after my vehicle was manufactured. The cost to repair the vehicle into safe operating condition is $2000.

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the strut tower was corroded. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the strut tower was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was not available. The VIN was not available.

I have 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan and noticed rust bubbles at the top of the strut tower mounts with a routine inspection. The driver's side is significantly worse than the passenger side. I knocked on the area with my hand and about half of the strut tower metal support fell apart! the strut support is now just being held in place with one nut and minimal metal. I went online and noticed that this is a common problem with Chrysler minivans and that Chrysler have been aware of the problem for years and had issued a technical sales bulletin back in 2002 on this strut tower rust problem. This should be a warranty issue and Chrysler should have issued a recall years ago. Considering that these minivans are used primarily as a family transport vehicle, this rust problem is very dangerous and there should be a recalled ASAP! this is the first I have ever seen anything like this and have owned numerous vehicles including an older car driving in the same environment.

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. While inspecting the vehicle the contact noticed the front driver side strut tower was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians informed the contact that there was a kit that could be installed to repair the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

Rusting strut tower 1999 Dodge caravan. Rusted through to the engine compartment.

Strut tower on 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan rusted through.

The drivers side strut tower starting showing signs of rust. Installed the strut tower repair kit. Now, the drivers side strut tower is completely rusted through.

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. When the vehicle was taken in for tire maintenance, the mechanic noticed that the front driver's side strut tower mount was rusted. The dealer stated that the repair would cost $1,000. The manufacturer would not assist with the repair because the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 131,000.

Front strut towers rusted through. Nothing has been done to correct the failure yet, but if it completely rusts, I'm sure an accident will happen because nothing will be supporting the front of the vehicle.

Dear staff members: I am the original owner of a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan with 104,000 miles on it. The front strut towers are rusting badly and I was told by a Dodge mechanic at sherman Dodge in skokie, illinois (where I bought the van) that the strut will pop through the hood anytime and would cause the lost control of the vehicle. This is a design defect and I would very much like to see Dodge pick up some, if not all of the repair cost. I also inspect the underside of the vehicle and discovered pretty serious rusting at various structural component. Dodge need to show "american" responsibility when it comes to safety issues of their products. Thanks. Wl, chicago, IL.

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan strut towers rust problem. The driver side strut tower is about 60% rusted out. What will happen when the rust can't hold the strut major safety problem. Failure could lead to loss of control, and passenger injury or deaths.

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the strut tower located on the front of the vehicle has rust on it and have completely rotted. The damage is visible when you lift the front of the vehicle. The vehicle will be diagnosed by the dealer. The failure mileage was 128,000.

Strut towers rotted out at 90000 miles, replacement caps were purchased from Dodge dealer and installed as per factory TSB . . . . Strut towers are rotted below repair caps again. . . . Approx. 150000 miles now on van, struts are also in need of replacement however this can not be done due to severity of rust damage. . . . This is obviously a factory defect. . . Resulting in an unsafe condition. . . Chrysler is well aware of this issue and should be held responsible . . . This is a serious safety issue affecting tens of thousands of vehicles. . . Not just a few here or there - the question should be how many are not affected??? I'm actually considering searching for a lawyer to start a class action lawsuit against Chrysler . . . Something needs to be done!.

The strut tower on the 1997 Dodge caravan, that has 99,500 miles rusted and needed to be replaced. After researching this problem I discovered that this was a common problem. Dodge admitted to a design flaw for the premature rusting strut towers. A tech service bulletin from Chrysler dated October '02 explicitly stated that all '1996 to 19'99 Chrysler vans Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler, had the problem with the strut towers. All of them will eventually rust from the bottom up. As I stated, the strut towers were defective in there design. Clearly, when the rusted strut tower gives, the strut will come up through the hood. At that point, lives will be in danger, as the probability of losing control of the vehicle is inevitable. Please consider this my formal complaint. Will Chrysler live up to the responsibility and repair this know defect for those of us out of the warranty timeline.

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Driver side strut tower is rusting through. Appears to be deformed around the rusted area. At this rate I think the strut tower could fail and cause an accident.

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop for normal maintenance. The mechanic stated that the strut tower was corroded. The failure is due to defective material from the manufacturer. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact wants Chrysler to pay for the repair. The current and failure mileages were 105,000.

I recently became aware of the problems with Chrysler minivans regarding the design of the strut towers. I own a Dodge Grand Caravan. After doing research on the internet and speaking with multiple repair shops, it is unfathomable to me that these were not recalled. The danger from what is clearly a design flaw, should have been addressed by the company - especially when minivans are often used to carry children around. Unless, of course, you don't mind driving around knowing your front suspension mechanism could push up through the hood. Imagine being one railroad track away from such a disaster and not even knowing it. I believe the years affected were 1996-2002.

2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. Front strut towers corroded and needed replacement at 62,000 miles.

Serious rust through of the strut tower on a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan made in USA. Suddenly appeared and rapidly progressing since Jan 2008. Body very well cared for - no accidents, no rust in or out til now. This is not cosmetic as Chrysler alleges - it is structural and a real safety concern since it looks like a really big pot hole could sent the strut up through the windshield!.

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan - corrosion in driver side strut tower resulted in a cracked strut tower and insecure strut mount.

Hello, my complaint is about a about what I consider a design and materials defect on the strut tower mounting on my Dodge caravan. There is considerable information about this defect on your website as well as others and I feel that a recall is way past due on this issue. I did contact Chrysler at their request and provided the information which they requested. Their response was that there was no recall on this item and because I was the third owner of this vehicle that there was no further assistance which they were willing to provide. I am hoping that you will be able to assist me with this problem in getting a fair response from Chrysler. I would also like to share my past correspondence with Chrysler with you along with some photos.

1. Normal driving 2. Rusting driver side strut tower 3. Has not been fixed yet, but have been quoted $600 - $1000.