Problems with 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SUSPENSION

Our vehicle is on transmission #3 and it is less than 7 months old. it also has a front end suspension problem they haven't been able to fix. it has been in the shop a total of almost 30 days and out of commission for about 37.

First noticed bumping noise under front end when i was making a right turn and going over a dip or bump in the road. eventually, the noise happened turning left or right or going over any bumps or dips in the road (ex. railroad tracks, speed bumps ) the front end of van sounded like it was actually hitting the pavement. the dealership replaced the sway bar bushings the first five times, then the sixth time we took it in, they replaced the struts and the sway bar link as well. that was july 2001. as of 2 weeks ago (dec. 2001) the bumping noise under the van has started again.

Lower control arm on my 2000 grand caravan snapped off at 25mph. as a result of the broken bolt, the car came to a screeching halt in the middle of the road and the left front tire was at a 90 degree angle. i am in the stress testing business and i had the bolt visually analyzed by my engineers. they conclude the bolt had considerable fatigue. i am very concerned about this defect. i would have been killed if i was going faster. i have a meeting with chrysler on monday to discuss this situation and my options. i am very confused about what i should do and what my rights are. can the nhtsa help me? *ak

The automatic transmission shudders between 45-52 (most pronounced around 48) and did so when i drove the car off the lot new on 1/14/00. when i took the car to the dealer for service i was first told it was tire balance and that they fixed it. it didn't and i brought it back. the service man said it sounded like the torque converter. it was computer tested ok and their mechanic added some liquid to the transmission. i've driven it to fl and back to tn and the problem still exists. the other complaint/defect concerns rusted front end components. upper and lower control arms left & right, torsion bar and other parts in that area are very rusty. i notice it when i changed oil. i went to another dealer and looked under those vans and found those parts also rusty also on new vans. it seems there is no coating or anodizing on these parts and they are rusting very rapidly. i also noticed rust on the main crank pulley of this new car. *ak