1996 Dodge Caravan ES 3.3 liter

Summary:

This vehicle will be the death of me

Faults:

70000 miles the transmission blew

66000 the radiator coolant fans went out

71000 serpentine belt broke

71500 van recall for the rail

80000 the van started to shake/rattle

81000 I tried to trade in the van and they said that it was less than half the value that I paid.

81500 the tires were replaced, struts replaced, axles replaced, motor mounts replaced.

General Comments:

This is the worse vehicle that I have ever owned, I am stuck with it for the next 2 years. Dodge doesn't care that they are the worst company for making vehicles. The money that we have put into this van and still it does not drive down the road like it should. I wish that I would have listened to my husband and just stuck with a Chevy. This is unsafe for my children and my grandchild to ride in. I was such a fool to think that because the dealer told me that this was the best van for the money that he would tell me the truth.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th November, 2002

10th Nov 2002, 00:37

I understand fully what you are going through. I just recently traded my cra*..ooops, 96 caravan in for a 2000 Bonneville. Thank the Lord the dealer paid off what I owed on the van and gave me a great deal on the car :) That van was the biggest nightmare in repairs I've ever seen. I probably paid for it three fold just in repairs!

Believe me when I say I did my homework this time before buying another automobile!

1996 Dodge Caravan LX 3.5 V6

Summary:

A vehicle that was a great idea poorly engineered!

Faults:

This car has two sets of problems.

First, the car seems to be inflicted with an electrical poltergeist. Windshield wipers come on when you hit a bump in the road. When you turn on the ignition, one in five times the ABS light on the dash will stay on, and I'll know that all of the electrical devices are not working. I'll have engine power, but no windows, and no power to dash instruments.

The second set of problems concerns the anti-lock breaks. At low speeds, the brakes don't always hold. More than once in heavy traffic, I have applied the brakes under 15 MPH, and nothing happens. Pumping the brakes brings them on line. Also, when braking at any speed, hitting a bump while breaking can make the brakes let go.

We have had one accident in bumper to bumper traffic when the brakes did not hold.

General Comments:

Although I love the van's interior for its roomy and comfortable cabin, I would not buy Dodge again. The service people are wonderful and efficient, but I believe that they are working against poor engineering design. Is it really necessary to drive every electrical system off of one 18 foot long belt that is prone to break? It is frustrating to be dead in the water in February because an air conditioning compressor seized up and tore the belt!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th November, 2002

22nd Apr 2003, 22:50

My compressor just seized up on my van as well. Fortunately, I was able to get home with my belt in tact, but I am equally as frustrated with the electical misgivings of this vehicle.

23rd Apr 2003, 12:28

When my Caravan was 4 years old, we had to replace the AC compressor for $1400. The odd electrical behavior is also frustrating - windshield wipers that go on when I turn a corner. But I often forgive many things, because I am so comfortable with the interior space and ride.

13th Oct 2004, 01:10

Town and country (same thing)

Wipers intermitant Just like Dodge Speakers, Remove computer and resolder PC boards. Don't buy parts get them to fix their poor printed circuit work.

1996 Dodge Caravan ES

Faults:

I'm not going to put the miles of each incident here, it would take too long.

We had to replace the wiper switch because they came on whenever they wanted.

Engine sensor light came on and we had the fuel injection throttle cleaned and flushed.

Had to have the transmission rebuilt. We took it to someone other than the Dodge dealer to save a few hundered dollars. They didn't tighten the ground wire which caused many more problems. After the care was driven a couple of hours it would drop down from high gear. Sometimes the van would start and sometimes not. Sometimes the wipers would just come on instead of starting.

Replaced 2 relays and a controller on the transmission.

Bought one tire.

Got freon for the air conditioner.

Brake pad kit.

Water pump and belt.

Fuel tank seal.

Clean and brake adjustment.

Solenoid and relay.

AC pump.

AC Compresor and Belt.

Rebuilt starter.

Recharge AC.

Transmission cables.

New motors for 3 of the windows.

Clock spring. This was when the air bag light came on.

Align tires.

2 new tires.

Water pump.

Trans service, pan off.

Rear brakes.

Now a terrible vibration, seals worn on the drive shaft.

6 + years owned cost of maintenace including oil changes. $11,000.00.

General Comments:

I love this van, it rides real nice and is very comfortable.

It's costing us too much to own.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 5th October, 2002