Comments: 1-15, 16-23
Honestly it seems everything.
Transmission, all parts. Leaking, limping, sensors, grinding, bumping, cruching. Expensive to fix every time. I had it go out on me twice, for different reasons so it was not under warranty. Both at 151-152 K miles. Each time at $1100.
All these fixes I did myself in the heat of Texas summers glaring off the driveway.
Speed sensor 151k $40.
EATX relay sesnosr 152k $40.
Knock Sensor 152k $40.
Oxygen Sensor 151k $40.
Coil Pack 157k $80.
Brake pads 152k $20.
Calipers $40.
Solenoid pack 152k $190.
ECM computer 157K $200.
A/C always has leaked.
Water pump 156k $28.
Temp sensor 153k $20.
Alternator 156k $139 (Very hard fix that took off my fingernail, you had to loosen the muffler pipe and bring the alternator out from under then darn thing)
Belt tensioner 156k $53.
Battery 156k (happens) $59.
Battery terminals 156k $5.
Serpentine belt 156k $20.
Heater core hose $15 VERY HARD FIX I needed the hands the size of a 5 year old.
Spark Plugs $15 (BACK ones hard to fix.. Just horrible)
PCM computer flash 153k $90.
Thermostat 152k $5 (30 minute fix)
This van was a nightmare from the beginning.
We did buy it used, and it seemed to run great when I test drove it. I am very mechanically skilled, and knew that of course any used car would need reapairs (especially at 150k miles) but boy was I in for a surprise.
I have done everything to this van. In no way could I type every single repair I have done to it because I would be sitting here for the rest of the day. There were problems from power windows, door locks, crazy sensors, electrical problems, steering colum problems, and all type of things I don't have the time to get into detail about.
The parts for this van were expensive. Nothing in comparison to my chevy caprice.
My wife and I bought this van while she was pregnant with our second child. We had the dream of having something that we could rely on just to get around the local small town we lived in. This van caused horrendous problems to us.
We do not have a lot of money. That's why I always chose to fix it. The parts were outrageous, and the fixes were very hard since the engine actually sits sideways.
The transmission is nutorious for being a flop. Even the 2005 models have problems, and Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge (same van called "Caravan or Voyager or Town and Country").
These vans "suck" so bad, that there is even a website help forum http://www.allpar.com/forums/ that has a minivan section with over 8,000 posts on it. These things are breaking down everywhere, and a message forum like that is just proof.
After all of my numerous fixes (I haven't listed even 1/8th of them) the van is in my driveway unable to start.
The trouble with these minivans is that they are money pits, and create a sense of not knowing what to do about them. Because after you spend $190 on a selonoid pack, fix the brakes, and numerous sensors, everything else starts breaking. But then you sit here knowing you already have so much money in it, and don't want to get rid of it because you don't want to lose your money. So you decide to go ahead and fix the next thing that is broken - and it never stops breaking.
We homeschool, don't have money, and Chrysler has damaged our family severely.
My advice for everybody who sees this is: Never for ANY reason buy one of these pieces of junk. Even if it is new, you will see in numerous places where they have failed on people. I'm a reasonable guy, not much of a critic, and do not complain much - But this thing was so horrible, that I had to say something.
I know more about Chrysler vans now, that I could be hired as a mechanic at a dealer. I know what a Clutch Volume index from a TCM computer is. (part of the transmission read of clutch indexes). Normal home mechanics, are not supposed to know about junk like that. I just wanted to do spark plugs, occasional reasonable mechanical repairs - etc.
It's just too much. Men your wives will sit stranded, and so will you if you are with them in these vans. I've known people stranded in 2005 models even. No reliability at all.
Please everybody do yourself a favor and run like if these vans were the red death disease. In 5 years, I've driven it 7,000 miles. That's it. Half of this was in limp mode stuck in 2nd gear.
Next week, I'm finally going to watch the tow truck take it away to the junkyard. I wouldn't be surprised, though I'm a nice guy, if naturally my middle finger will stand point up to it as it leaves my driveway.
Sorry to hear about your troubles. From what I have seen, the Chrysler vans seem to get mixed reviews. I hate to say this, and am not trying to make light of your situation, but the van did have 150,000 miles... Naturally, there are good cars with that mileage (obviously not yours), but they need to have been taken very good care of, to still be solid with that kind of mileage.
My personal policy is to drive cars to the ground, rebuild them, and drive them to the ground again. I have bought high mileage cars, but pretty much expect that they will need (and eventually receive) a complete mechanical rebuild. I have better things to do with my time, and in fact do not even remotely enjoy doing this, but I refuse to pay the outrageous prices auto manufacturers are charging for vehicles these days.
We must do what we need to do, to survive in this crazy society... I think you can relate.
Interesting, amazing review.
Hard to believe these vans give so much trouble, year after year.
Www.donotbuydodge.ca is also an interesting site.
Chrysler deserve to go out of business.
I am sorry that you choose to be so negative. You bought a Junker that already had 150K Miles on it. These Vans are outstanding value. I have had my 1992 Dodge Caravan for 12 years now and asides from One Sensor and a Back Brake Rebuild at 142k Miles I have not had to do anything apart from Routine Maintenance. Please do not blame the Manufacturer for your lack of routine Servicing. How hard do you drive this Vehicle?
I agree 150k is a lot.
But honestly, when you have 10 things break in the same 2 weeks, then 20 things break on the 3rd week, it's just too much.
I would NEVER buy a Chrysler again. I don't see huge forums for repair for honda or toyta.... Ford for that matter - specifically for minivans with 8000+ questions. You can find 10 times as many Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler van questions than any others.
If it were a 1992 Grand Marquis or Crown Victoria, you could reasonably expect to run it for many more years without being overcome by problems.
But these things are DELIBERATELY designed to fall apart.
Make no mistake, this is EXACTLY what Chrysler want to happen.
I also have a Chevy Caprice, an '87 with 165,000 and a '93 van with 130,000. We bought the van lightly used in April '94 and hardly had any problems with it, sounds like you've got a bad one. Parts are expensive for both cars if you go to the dealer.
The A/C needed recharging a few times, new trans in '95 and a few switches here and there, but other than that it's as reliable as the Caprice. I hope our van doesn't get like yours when it gets that mileage. The paint sucks on it, as does the black painted trim (now faded gray) it wasn't very shiny when it was new and now it peels, but everything else held up well.
YOU chose to get an automatic transmission van.
YOU chose to get a V-6 van.
Both are known to be problematic. Why not do research first?
I did. My '92 has a 4 cylinder engine and a manual transmission. 167k, no major (hardly any minor) failures. Still on it's original clutch. Head has never been off.
27mpg on the highway doesn't suck at all.
Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.
I know someone who has a 92 Caravan with the 4 cylinder and an automatic transmission. How hard is it to find the manual transmission to do a swap?
Can somebody please tell me what a "Plymouth" is???
I have a 89 dodge caravan, v6 106K miles, for the last 5000 miles, the transmission bucks and jerks after 10 minutes, the frt end wobbles between 45 and 65 MPH, the gas regurge dumps fuel over board whenever it has a mind to, the frt windows are so tight in the tracks that the will not move, every piece of trim in the thing rattles, the headliner desolved after 60K miles. the paint fell apart by 80K and the dallas season are not so bad and the thing has been garaged much of the time. just a big piece fo crap, plain and simple. oh yeah the air com system died at 40K, compressor lock up, hoses split, evaporator welds cracking, typical american built garbage
I buy and sell used cars for a living and these are an excellent example of what I call bingo cars. If the deal is so good on one that I consider buying one it is with the full intent and knowledge that I must sell the car at a low price so it can be in and out of my hands before the car "calls bingo" or in other words "takes a dump". Some other examples: Ford escort/ mercury lynx, Ford ranger, Ford aerostar. Most post 79 domestic small cars fit this as well and anything post 79 domestic is crap compared to before, "thanks government"...
If you want reliability from a domestic go chevy astro or other non small vehicle. Otherwise stick with the pros and go Honda or Toyota.
95 voyager was my old van one 4cy great van no problem, but tranmission would need a quart a week.
To the reviewer: Chrysler mini-vans have always been problematic to say the least. My folks drive a '93 Grand Caravan they bought in '95. From the get go, the van had all kinds of little niggling electrical problems. Then the transmission problems kicked in. Chrysler has known about their faulty transmissions for YEARS. To this day the very same design is put in every Caravan. My folks' van currently has 140,000 miles on it. My Dad's pretty ferocious about regular maintenance, but you can't prevent faulty parts from failing. Right now the van has no instruments or lighting due to a bad computer module. The transmission shifts pretty clunkily. Other than that, the van still runs pretty good and serves as a get around town back up vehicle.
You can say what you want about this van and that. the very bottom line is the asian companies can make vehicles that get better mileage and last twice as long under the same conditions. It's a supply and demand market, as long as the new car buyer in the USA keeps buying this junk, the big 3 will keep making it. That's it and that's all. Chrysler has had the most popular minivan for 20 years running and it happens to have the worst transmission. Eell, that just tells them that consumers must like to replace trannies. Why would they change a vehicle that sells like mad? They wouldn't and haven't.
I have had three vans. One a 1990 Dodge Caravan with a 4cyl. auto. The thing was gutless and it had chronic steering column problems. I was so happy to unload that van. Not learning my lesson I bought the first of two 1992 vans. A Dodge Caravan and a Plymouth Voyager. The Caravan was new and had a V6 auto. The speedometer stuck from day one. Other than that it did fairly well until around 78k miles. The motor on the driver's seat burned out. Most the plastic internal pieces began to warp and crack. Even tho the van was always garaged. I began to get all sorts of electrical glitches and sensor misinformation. The overdrive in the tranny went out and thus took out the entire tranny to the tune of $1600.00. Just today my other 1992 van dropped the overdrive and will need a tranny overhaul. It has an easy 112k miles. I am done with Chrysler vans.