Problems with 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan EQUIPMENT

While going to pick my children up from school, the windshield wipers started going off by themselves and the radio started changing channels. the van quit and smoke began to come from out from under the hood. upon opening the hood, noticed a fire on wires below. fire was put out but children were in the van. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge grand caravan. when the air conditioner is activated, the passenger side floor becomes damp. also, the lcd screen on the radio no longer operates. the vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer. the contact was unable to determine the cause of failure. the current and failure mileages were 96,000.

Air bag light comes on randomly.airbag faulty . dealer replaced them at cost $338.00. should have been covered with only 44450 miles on 2002 dodge grand caravan. very dissappointed with this vehicle,always in shop. engine 4 times,tie rod ends, brake calipers ,air condition compressor locked up. etc. *ak

We have chased power steering issues throughout the lifespan of my 2002 grand caravan sport. noise , shaking and vibrating. local dodge dealer replaced everything - pump, reservoir , lines , service bulletins and recalls. even replaced the rack and pinion at 70,000 by the 6th trip in , they replaced the reservoir screen . fixed all noise and issues . now , at 110,00 miles ,the rack and pinion is leaking like a sieve and no one will address the issue that this part only has 35,00 miles on it and it was not the broken part in the first place . *ak

Replacement of both link sway eliminators and bushings and nuts all were loose and worn, this is the third time replaced. *nm

I own a 2002 dodge grand caravan (we have had the van for 3 months, the previous owner was an 81 year old lady). out of nowhere my radio started having a major malfunction. when i turn on the vehicle the radio is at full blast if you touch the volume knob it goes off but when you touch it again i goes back to full blast. there is nothing abnormal that i have done other than use it like every one else. i also discovered a mysterious puddle on the passenger floor board which when it dried it turned white. the first thing i did was take it to the dodge dealer and told them the problem. the first thing they asked me was if i had a warranty, i said no. they told me that there was nothing they could do. they said " we don't have anyone here that can look at it and if we did we couldn't fix it anyway". they said " all we can do is sell you a new radio for $300". so then i called daimler chrysler, and they said the same thing as the dealer. about a month later i was given a recall notice from autosite .com, it said there was a recall for my year and model van. (campaign # 04v531000) i called daimler chrysler back and asked about recall and reminded them of my problem. they said " your specific vehicle was not included it that recall and there is still nothing that we will do". i have three children one of which is a four month old baby that ride in this van. i would hate to think of the possible hearing damage that could cause. i have many friends who are looking at purchasing a new van and we have told them not to buy a dodge because of the customer service that we have received and the lack of help that dodge has given to us. we also just had to replace our transmission that cost $1500 with only 60,000 miles. we would like to know if there is anything that you can do to help us. *nm

2002 dodge grand caravan sport with 35,000 miles. recalled twice for steering fluid hose replacements in 2004. after first hose was replaced, minivan started leaking power steering fluid. received another recall notice for another steering hose replacement. took it in to have that replaced, told them to look into the power steering fluid leak, they said they would. they fixed the recall hose, made not mention of leaking fluid. fluid did not leak for several weeks, then started leaking again. took it back in for 3rd recall (radio vent slots), as well as smoking engine and again mentioned leaking power steering fluid. dealership said they'd look into it. dealership conducted 27 point inspection on own will, did not find leaking power steering fluid (aug. 2005). fluid has been leaking since then. noise in power steering consistently audible, and increasingly louder at all times. now, dealership says the rack and pinion are cracked and need replacing. dealership says this is in no way related to power steering hose recalls or neglect to address power steering fluid leakage. am taking minivan to independent technician for review of rack and pinion and opinion on next step. *jb

The air conditioner functions intermittently. all of the usual items were checked, i.e. compressor and lines checked for leaks, system charged. the dealer has told me that the part that they need to fix the problem is, in his words, "on double secret back order". he said that the star master techs at daimler-chrysler will not release the part yet because they are not done checking it out to see if there are any other issues with them. he also stated that he has a stack of work orders with a similar problem, all waiting for the a/c control module (which is the part needed apparently). normally it would not be a problem, but my wife drives the grand caravan and normally has our sons in the car and the temperatures lately have been very high causing undue stress on her and the children.

I have had numerous problems with the veh since it was purchased new , may 2002. veh has a rough idle while stopped in gear, dealer states they are waiting for a computer update. to date still have problem. problem with starter , same grinds on first start in extreme cold weather. dealer replaced 2 starters and flywheel. problem with trans, hard bang felt when slowing up between 8-5 mph. said problem is intermittent and dealer has not driven veh long enough to get condition. dealer has replaced numerous parts of trans, problem still exist. car has been in several times for power steering leak and vibration. numerous parts replaced. i have contacted chrysler and spoke with the district manager and advised him of all the complaints with veh and problems that still exist. i told him i did not want the veh . he advised me he would look into my file and call me back.its been two months and i have left him several messages and he still has not returned my calls. his name is [xxx]. chrysler has left me no choice but to file the lemon law. as of today i am waiting for a hearing date too be set. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

When a/c is on passenger floor gets soaked. rotting out the carpet and floor mat. as well the radio stops working for periods of time. *tr

Lodged a complaint with government immediately at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline -----original message----- from: [xxx] on behalf of cnd evening news sent: friday, december 19, 2003 4:10 pm to: [xxx] subject: fw: dodge problem -----original message----- from: [xxx] [mailto:[xxx]] sent: thursday, december 18, 2003 7:36 pm to: cnd evening news subject: dodge problem hello my name is [xxx], i am from brooklyn, new york. what you've have just reported, also happen to husband [xxx] vehicle. the only thing is that it is a 2002 caravan. right now brooklyn dodge service center has our vehicle since monday 15 2003. we've been having these problem since march 2002 two weeks after we bought the vehicle. we have tried everything to resolve this problem with daimler-chrysler. we too are seeking the help from a lawyer this coming monday. please see that the right people get this information that the grand caravan has these problem and more too. i would like the number or website for the national highway traffic and safety please. i am [xxx] *la information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr