Suspension Problems of Dodge Grand Caravan - part 1

Transmission.

See all problems of the 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Was driving home from work (on city streets) and noticed that the engine seemed to be idling higher than normal rpms. Van would not shift from first gear and would not accelerate beyond about 30 mph, very sluggish, while rpms rose above 3k and engine made a grinding/whining sound. No warning lights of any kind came on while driving or while stopped. While stopped at a traffic light, heard several loud clunks from under the hood and van had difficulty accelerating from stop. Was able to get it to the shop where they diagnosed transmission failure - the mechanics couldn't get it out of first gear by the time they were done looking at it and had to push it off the lift. Total cost of a remanufactured transmission plus new hubs and axles because they couldn't get the old ones removed without damaging them to remove/replace the transmission was $5600. Van has 128,000 miles.

See all problems of the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

I drove like regular the transmission was starting to delay in response but nothing to this extreme. I parked it after an evening of m working; once parked the vehicle will shift through all gears but only park is engaged and stays engaged even while shifting to r, n, d it only stays parked. This is a safety issue as I can not even get it in neutral to tow and get it looked at or anything. I was not expecting it to not engage ever again so my vehicle is on an angle parked and I cannot gear shit it to n to get it moved and out of the road. Also the sway bar seems to be faulty as well. I think that’s suspension but it rocks back and forth really badly actually while taking on bumps or cracks it’s caused concerns enough that I stopped having my 3 children in it now while driving until an investigation is completed.

See all problems of the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

The van slid backwards then accelerated at a higher speed going from a stop to slowly with a light tap on the gas pedal. The speed does not go higher than 15mph with the rmp too high when this occurs. It jerks back when trying to drive it forward. Has not left the dealership parking lot. Drove out 3mile out with this occuring. 3 attempts to fix. Still not driving well and can't leave the dealership lot.

There is a creaking noise in the front end of the Dodge caravan. Upon inspection at a service station, it was identified as a bushing that was partially missing on the front subframe crossmember attachment to the chassis. When attempting to purchase a replacement bushing from Chrysler it was discovered that the bushing was no longer made for this vehicle. Instead Chrysler now makes an entire new subframe crossmember with fasteners, that will need to be purchased and installed. It seems like this the bushing part was defective and therefore Chrysler made an adjustment which is now going to cost a lot more money to repair. This should be a recall and not an expense to the consumer.

The steering and wheel alignment of the vehicle is habitually misaligned and pulling drastically to the right. The vehicle has been serviced and aligned multiple times, and the auto mechanic shop says that the alignment can no longer be set properly. They charged me extra for some additional part to help correct this and allow the vehicle to be aligned, however that did not help. Although the steering wheel appears in alignment, the front wheels continue to pull sharply to the right, causing a safety issue because the vehicle is constantly trying to move to the right.

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced abnormal vibration and shaking. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who rotated the tires, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

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Wheelchair-accessible conversion by fr conversions includes a repositioned rear suspension panhard rod, the sole lateral stability link for the axle. The repositioned chassis mounting bracket for the panhard rod separated from the van in a straight-road single vehicle highway rollover crash. Evidence currently supports that this bracket mounting (welded to the conversion's sheet metal) may have partially failed prior to the rollover crash. The loss of function of a panhard rod reduces vehicle controllability. This complaint submitted by a third party not involved with the incident.

See all problems of the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan fractured rear axle check engine warning indicator illuminated, not diagnosed by a dealer yet the contact was concerned about the suspenssion and repairs paid by the contact the contact stated that while traveling approximately 40 mph, a loud rattling noise emerging from the rear of the vehicle started. The vehicle was diagnosed by a neighbor mechanic, that determined that the rear axle was fractiured and needed replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact also wanted to mention that the vehicle had been repaired at the dealer benitez Chrysler,Dodge,Jeep, carretera 3, km 77. 2, bo rio abajo, humacao, pr 00791, approximately 6 times for the egr( exhaust gas recirculation ). The vehicle was repaired for the axle. The approximate failure mileage was 99,207. Bp.

See all problems of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Driving 50 mph and hit small bump in road steering wheel started wobbling very bad slowed down 20 mph and it stopped.

See all problems of the 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Front right strut spring breaking at the upper tip 2-3 inches. This is the 3rd of our Grand Caravans that this break has happened to in the exact same spot. It's hard to see so you have to look closely at the very tip or it won't be noticed.

See all problems of the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Rear suspension rattles even over little road imperfections. Brought to dealer only for them to tell me all new Grand Caravans rattle over bumps. Concerned over premature suspension failure maybe by faulty or Dodge not using appropriate shocks or other means of dampening rear suspension. Ing better new shocks.

See all problems of the 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

This is the 2nd of our 2009 Grand Caravans with the same failure in the exact same location. Pass side strut spring broke off at the upper end about 2-3 inches off the tip. Very hard to spot so look closely. 1st one was caught on a state inspection and this one was caught during routine pm. Is this a common problem?.

Donald dufty donald. Dufty@mobilityworks. Com sold me unsafe 2011dodge van the front end vibratea after 20 to 30 min of driveing very bad the tires dry rotted not I had the dealer check it out this in water for long time note: I am emailing the n h t s a & b. B. B louis lavolpe jr louislavolpe@comcast. Net donald dufty donald. Dufty@mobilityworks. Com sold me unsafe 2011dodge van the front end vibratea after 20 to 30 min of driveing very bad the tires dry rotted not I had the dealer check it out this in water for long time note: I am emailing the n h t s a & b. B. B louis lavolpe jr louislavolpe@comcast. Net.

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This is concerning our 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan that was modified by ams vans inc; VIN number is 1d8hn54px8b141619. The rear axle beam currently has two fractures in it, which makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. I recently took the van into an auto shop for diagnostics because the rear wheels were making noises. Upon further inspection, we noticed the rear axle had two severe fractures along the c-channel, which makes the vehicle unsafe to drive.

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the front driver side wheel had become bent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver side front bearing had failed causing damage to the front axle. The contact indicated that the damage had occurred while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

Dodge Grand Caravan sport. Has rear axel craked. This problem can put the vehicle usafe on the road, and also cause death or injury.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Vehicle has extreme vibration problem occurring at approximately 40 and 80mph this eventually caused it to stop running. Vehicle was towed to a service center where no problem could be found. However, transmission fluid was added and transaxle oil filter was changed. Problem not resolved. Eight months later engine mounts needed replaced due to shift in engine/transmission by 6 in. Problem not resolved. Two weeks later transmission filter changed, fluid and dr tranny added. Problem not resolved. Vibration stops when gas is no longer applied however returns at approximately 30-45mph. Problem has been noticeable for over 2 years.

See all problems of the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Recall.

See all problems of the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Part 1 1/2 the gas line decaying and the suspension strut mounts rusting away, both of these are deadly, a rusty/corroded break line will just leak a drop at the time, most people just refill the fluid reservoir and never think about again, eventually the break line fails all at once, this is because you actually put more pressure on the lines than usual and the weak spot ruptures like a weak spot in a balloon would. That means that you were in a bad situation already and now you don't have any breaking power at all. What do you think happens next??? all break lines are stainless steal so as to resist rust and corrosion, the only reason a break line fails in this little amount of time is because the manufacture is producing an inferior product and should have already been made to correct the problem. Now,, the strut mounts, as soon as the company found out that they had a problem with the mounts rusting they should have recalled the vehicles and sprayed $10 worth of undercoating over the parts after removing the rust to stop any more rust from forming. If the strut mount is rusted enough, it can fail at any time "usually when at higher speeds and you hit a bump in the road,, that sends an extra amount of force to the suspension. The strut comes up through the hood and the wheel may go any way and hit any part of the wheel well and suspension the axle may come out of the wheel or transmission , all of that means you may have total lose of breaks and or steering. All 3 of these problems could have easily and should have been corrected when first realized many years ago, instead they kept right on manufacturing vehicles the same way with the same imperfections and if you go to a dealer today with either of these problems they will say it is the first time they have herd of it, it out of warranty, etc. And will not even think about fixing it unless we pay.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Part 1. . . . I used to be a mechanic and tow truck operator. My Mini van "like most others" is usually driven by a female & with a load of children. If driving in rain or through a water puddle the belt jumps off causing loss of power steering overheating battery drain etc, is a dangerous even deadly problem, if a turn is needed at the time this belt jumps off, even a strong healthy man can leave the line of intended travel and hit what ever is in the way, a curb, a pedestrian or even cause a head on collision. This mostly happens during rainy/nasty days & because of the complexity of replacing the belt, and the damage that is caused when it comes off, the vehicle usually requires a tow 4 repair. It is stated that, when a consumer makes a complaint & if the same complaint is repeated an investigation will be started. This is an old problem with many, many, many complaints yet, I see "no action, not even an investigation into this problem", why?? consumers are depending on you "safecar. Gov, NHTSA" etc. What will it take, "a death" to start an investigation? or, should I say, how many??? I know there has been accidents because of this, and a lot of damage just from the belt as it jumps off and goes flopping around, not to mention the people that burned up their motor even started a fire trying to get home, to a shop etc. This problem has been a plague since day one and should have been at least fixed on the next years model but Chrysler just ignored it. Their have been many vehicles with these serpentine belts,, Chrysler vans is the only ones that I know of with this particular problem. This is a deadly problem that should be repaired by the Chrysler corporation since they knew about the problem from the start and just flat out ignored it. The gas line decaying and suspension strut mounts rusting away on these same models will be my next post.

While driving our 2009 Grand Caravan to work, there was a loud clunk in the rear of the vehicle and the vehicle swerved to the left across the center line and off the left side of the road. Thankfully there was nothing coming the other way. I parked the car in a lot and called my husband. When he arrived, it was discovered that the rear axle had broke in two pieces. This vehicle has always been well maintained and has less than 70,000 miles on it. We have not taken it in for repairs yet but im sure that this safety item will be on our dime and not Dodge.

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the shock support and the framing near the front of the vehicle was rusted to the point of corrosion. The contact mentioned that the springs were faulty and deteriorated near the shock support and the framing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the support system on the driver side failed and the support brackets needed to be replaced in the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v480000 (air bags); however, the contact was not notified of the safety recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

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I've have this 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan, the strut mount housing is rusted so bad I'm afraid to even drive it anymore. The metal is almost completely rusted away. There is one rusted ring that holds the strut to the body. It started about 5 years ago with a small rust hole on both side. I thought it was just rust from the bad winters we get in the midwest. When moving at a slow speed (15-20mph) the van feels like your on a pitted dirt trail and nothing but side to side shaking. This has to be a major safety issue for both the driver and the people on the road. I see these vans all over the place and they all have the same problem!.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

I was at a stop sign on the corner of ferry and eighth in niles, mi getting ready to turn northbound; a truck was going southbound and it was blizzard and icy conditions out, he was going to fast and when I turned right, he hit me on the drivers side spun my vehicle around twice and ended up hitting both sides of the vehicle in the front of the van taking the whole front end off. Neither air bags went off and my granddaughter was also in the front passenger seat. He was going fast enough that I ended up northbound kitty corner across the road and he ended up in a telephone pole. Both of his airbags went off in his truck upon impact. The bumper, headlights, frame was bent, the hood, the whole front end was smashed, (over $8000 of damage), but no airbags. I could feel the impact from the crash and ended up having to have physical therapy and my granddaughter had to go to the er. . Both vehicles had to be towed. I had the van fixed at a licensed shop, when I called and asked Dodge why neither airbag deployed, because they stated that their are sensors that go off on impact and my bumper had to be replaced, they stated, no reply, because I had not had it done at a Dodge dealership. I am still having therapy for hip and back from impact and settled with insurance. I'm just wondering why the airbags did not go off on impact, other vehicle was going faster than what he should have for conditions and more than 25.

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15v264000 (suspension). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

The brakes calipers/brakes are seizing up, after complete replacement of all brake components, this problem reoccurred in less than 5000 miles, at the same time, the axle bolts were loose and the car became very unstable.

Driver side front strut mount dangerously rusted, could cause fatel accident.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Driver side strut muont dangerously rusted and could give way.

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that a loud noise emitted outside of the vehicle while driving approximately 25 mph. Upon completing a turn, the vehicle began to wobble violently as the passenger's side of the vehicle slightly collapsed to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated that the front axle was fractured and the frame was completely rusted. The axle was replaced. In addition, the brakes would not respond whenever depressed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000. Kmj.

Strut broke ,started to rub on tire ,made it to repair shop only to be told that the strut housing is all rusted out.

2010 Dodge Grand Caravan with one passenger (driver) was hit by a driver running a red light at ~ 50mph. The collision occured at the front right (passenger) side of the Grand Caravan. The collision was severe and the van was totaled out as a result of this accident. Although the accident was a side impact none of the side airbags deployed, only the front air bags deployed. The driver of the van suffered head injuries due to contact with the side window of the van during the crash.

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The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 30 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and there was an abnormal vibration coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front passenger suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300.

I purchased this car used in August, after reading reviews I discovered the rack and pinion was an issue on this van, so I asked the previous owner wether they had any issues and they replied they had just replaced the rack and pinion due too a severe power steering fluid leak. After hearing this I figured that meant problem solved. Unfortunetly its now not even a month and a half later and am noticing a severe powesteering leak, my mechanic is telling me the rack and pinion has failed once again and needs replacement. Usually this part last the lifetime of any other vehicle. I am concerned and very displeased about this issue as it can be very dangerous for my family and I as well as other motorist on the road. I also suspect I am not the only one experiecing this repeatively. Is there a recall im unaware of, what can I do? I was quoted between $700-800 for this job by three mechanics. Is this something Dodge may be liable for?.

See all problems of the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan 🔎.

Drivers-side front strut cap rusted. The rust is at the top of the strut cap housing and has not broken through yet. I went on-line to research this issue and see that there are many owners of the same 2000 caravan with the very same issue. Some with extreme rust. If this fails during driving, there is a extreme high chance of an accident. I am surprised that there is no recall on this issue. I am not a structural engineer but by all accounts, this is a safety issue that should be a recall issue. Does it take one or more accidents before this becomes a recall issue?.