1996 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 3.3L

Summary:

About average with tranny and paint issues

Faults:

I have had 2 new transmissions with the Grand Caravan. Luckily, I had an extended warranty when the first tranny failed at approximately 85,000 miles.

Then, the next tranny failed after a Firestone closed-loop transmission fluid change. This is an apparently bad process for changing tranny fluid. Firestone paid for 2/3 of a rebuilt tranny. It has lasted about 30k miles or so with slippage. When the tranny goes the next time, the van will be put to sleep.

General Comments:

For a 10-year old car, I'd rate it fair besides the tranny problems. However, almost ALL the paint has peeled from my roof. The car has hauled around a lot of kids and their stuff during harsh winters and mountainous terrain...

Overall, I'd give it a high "C"...

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

Review Date: 26th February, 2006

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan

Summary:

Bad

Faults:

General-- After 484,000 one would expect things to wear out. They have, two sets of front axles, two air conditioner overhauls, 3 sets of rear wheel bearings, transmission failures (four overhauls, the last one at 465,000 miles caused me to install a rebuilt transmission. (It seems to be better than the original one.)

Windshield wipers come on without warning, dealer unable to repair. I removed them and turned them one notch in one direction or the other and it solved the problem. Dealers apparently do not know how to do this.

General Comments:

It's been a very good car except for the transmission problems, they make it unreliable and a disgrace to Chrysler Corp and I won't be buying another one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th February, 2006

7th Feb 2006, 08:21

Gee, only 484,000 miles? What a piece.

7th Feb 2006, 16:44

Only 484,000 miles. Consider yourself extremely lucky. Especially with a Chrysler.

7th Feb 2006, 20:15

And people wonder why their cars are having engine and transmission problems prematurely when their 16-year-old kids are beating the **** out of them. Your parents need to buy you a '78 Nova for 300 bucks and let you beat on that, and leave the minivan alone.

4th Apr 2006, 16:35

It's a Dodge Caravan, drive the **** out of it. Their worthy of nothing more than a junk yard.

19th Jul 2006, 17:06

I've had my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan for over 10 years now and it still runs like a champ and looks almost new. And I thought 106,000 miles was a lot! I never imagined a vehicle could make it to 200,000 let alone almost 500,000. Sound to me like you have gotten your moneys worth out of that one! This year my "mommy mobile" will be handed over to spend the remainder of it's life as our company van and I'll move on to something new. I am sad to say good-bye. It's been a great vehicle. Oh sure, a few problems like locks on the sliding doors needing replacement, the phantom windshield wipers and the air conditioning unit being on the fritz, but doesn't every vehicle have something? I don't sweat the small stuff. I would recommend a Dodge Grand Caravan to anyone.

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan LX 3.3

Summary:

Maybe it should have been a moble home

Faults:

• Wiper turn-on turns on the blinker

• No AC

• Hole in the compressor

• Power steering leak

• Speed sensor /transmission shot

• Gas hog!

Every problem listed by others!

The only good comment I will make is I only paid $2,000 four years ago and driving it was never embarrassing. Well, It was because it was a mini van, but not because of its looks.

General Comments:

If you live, pay-check to pay-check, great car!

When the dodge caravan first came out, it had old car problems, but it still looks new.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th January, 2006

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3 V6

Summary:

Great people mover with incredible storage, but a mechanical nightmare

Faults:

The engine blew at 80,000 miles. The driver side sliding door stopped working 70,000mi. Electrical issues: door locks horn, windshield washers inoperative. Transmittion slipping intermittently since 55,000mi.

General Comments:

Very good seating and storage. Has a place for everything. The kids love it! Mechanically not sound at all. Lots of intermittent electrical problems and repairs are very expensive. The vehicle is also highly sought after by thieves. Mine was stolen twice in two different states. IF dodge could solve the technical issues this would be a perfect vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th January, 2006