1993 Dodge Caravan from North America - Comments

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.

Did I misread your review, or is it true that your van is 12 years old and has over 150k on it?

If you, let me ask you this- WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?

Oh, and by the way -Chrysler discontinued the PLYMOUTH (with an 'H') nameplate years ago.

Even the new ones are junk so you have no chance with an old one.

Try an old Mercury Grand Marquis instead.

Www.donotbuydodge.ca.

To the first poster-- give the guy a break!

All those things he had listed should not have broken down so fast and frequent. Last year I had the (un) priviledge to own a Chrysler Concorde. Piece of junk that left me stranded over and over. No more Chrysler/Dodge for me.

Anyway I have a 1991 Oldsmoble Cutlass Ciera SL with 170,000 miles. The only repairs I have had to do was in a years time were the brakes and intake manifold.

This car is older than this guy's van. And I have had other good high mileage cars as well that did not need constant repairs.

Yeah, and how amny miles did your "junk" Concorde have on it, 140k?

You guys with you're old rats crack me up when you bash a manufacturer because you took a chance on an old junk and lost!

Here's my story:

Bought my '93 Grand Voyager with 130k on it for $3600. Now it has 187k and I have only had to replace a water pump. It's been out west (we live in WI) 4 times including a trip up Pikes Peak. Don't know how bad you guys' vehicles were beat before/during your ownership, but sounds like you just were unlucky. If mine disintegrated today, I can say I definitely got my $'s worth.

I have to say I love Dodge.

My first car was a 1961 Polara that cost me all of $50. The front seat was made of electrical tape and that thing was like a moving tank. I was safe as a babe in her mom's arms in that thing.

Then I got a brand new from the factory Chevy Malibu - to make my parents not worry. MISTAKE. I broke down so much in that junker, it spent more time on the hook than on the ground. I got stranded in two blizzards back in the 70s and bought more starters than I care to admit. The carb was the problem. But my hard headed husband refused to believe me. DUHHH.

I got smart and went back to Dodge. Got a 1978 Magnum and adored it. Never gave me a moments worry. Not one dime other than maintenance on it. I sent it off to car heaven in 1998 with less than 40,000 miles on it. I had really no use for it and it rusted away in my drive. The frame eventually cracked and it was quickly snapped up for parts. It was a great car.

Now I have a 1992 Dodge Minivan. I bought it used so I know the old saying. After 100,000 is when the car started giving me problems. It's been radiator, transmission, headlights, brake lights, turn signals, starter, oil leak, did I mention starter?, tie rod, tie rod again, lets make it three tie rods, front end alignments, and several thermostats. Are we being unreasonable to expect/hope for cars to outlast 100,000 miles anymore?

I'm divorced now and maintaining the car on my own. Tonight after the engine cools I have to replace another thermostat. :( It's what you have to expect to own a vehicle. Sometimes it costs money, but I still love Dodge. It's basically a pretty reliable machine. Better than I could say for my ex. And he was a Dodge mechanic!

Yeah sorry, I bought a Caravan, I have an 06 with 26,000 miles on it. Just picked it up from a service today, I brought it in because the brake light stopped working, turns out the brake switch at the pedal was bad and needed replacement. However while it was in service, they also replaced front left and right tie rods, and a new water pump because they saw my water pump had a leak. So I got charged for radiator fluid, even though I was only low due to the piece of junk leaky water pump at 26,000 miles. So I guess by the time this thing hits 10,000, I will need a few more sets of tie-rods... This SUCKS.

I have a 92 Chrysler Town & Country. I bought it 10 years ago with about 40,000 on it. It has over 150,000 now. I have exactly the same experience as the original writer. This car is nothing but a nightmare. It is always in need of repair. Nothing holds up. My Chevy Suburban and Tahoe (both bought as high mileage vehicles) never seem to need anything while the tired old minivan just constantly needs hundreds of dollars more work. We would've all been better off if we had just let Chrysler go belly up the first time they asked the gov't for money. I HATE my minivan!

I'm helping a friend work his 97 Caravan, because the fan relay went out. The night we fixed it, the tranny went into limp mode, I have the good scanners and tools, but codes read out for the tranny. According to my friend this is the 3rd time, says it's always something.

I myself drive a 64 El Camino, 64 Chevelle, and a 69 Chevelle (my wife's hot rod). I have had my run ins with 4, yes 4 lemons. All bought brand new, 98 Dodge Dakota, 98 Dodge Club Cab, 98 Chevy Silverado, and a 00 Silverado, All piles of junk.

I bought an 02 F-350 in late 01. This truck went 359000 miles and all I did was replace a 30 cent O-ring on the external oil pump. Traded for a family rig, 05 Ford Excursion, big mistake, this truck is a bigger pile of junk than all the others.

My point is simply this, there is no PRIDE left in the term AMERICAN MADE, like there used to be. Nothings hand torqued, it's all done by machine, The same way it's done in Japan. So why are ALL the American manufactures putting out junk. They need to go back to basics, so us consumer don't have to worry if were getting a Friday Car (guys in a hurry to leave work) or a Monday Car (hungover or just don't want to be there).

Even with all these problems, I still buy American, but I buy OLD SCHOOL!

Let me add to this in the following manner: I have a 1993 Mitsubishi Eclipse (the lowest model) and a 1993 Dodge Caravan LE (limited edition) with tons of fancy crap on it.

The only things that went bad on the Eclipse were brakes, tires, a battery (once in 10 years), a thermostat once, tie rods three times (I beat the crap out of that thing, so I expected it). Oh, and a transmission, but it just happened to fail the day after I took it to be inspected, so it had to be the them.

I've overheated it many times, ground out the bottom many times, ran it low on oil many times (it leaks), I only get an oil change once a year, a deer hit it while going 45 and it just crumpled the front left fender and door (nothing broke). I honestly didn't expect it to last more than 5 years so I didn't bother to take care of it well. It's 16 years old now and the only reason I'm getting rid of it is because the windshield is cracked and it'll be $400 to replace.

The Caravan, on the other hand, I've been meticulously taking care of all the fluids and regular maintenance. I baby the thing while driving. It's needed two fuel pumps, a radiator, a radiator fan, the alignment needs to be readjusted every year, the rear wheel bearings go out every two years, starter and alternator went bad, the radio went out, three of the speakers died. I can't remember what else needed to be done, but I've spent a lot of time with it on jacks.

So to bottom line it, the Eclipse has twice the miles and abuse and half the work needed. The Caravan has half the miles, better care, and twice the work.

Yet another who would like a lifetime warranty, I guess.

I love it when people buy cars, and then when it comes time to do maintenance, it's a piece of junk. Or they buy one that has high miles one it already, and the second something goes wrong, its junk. Whatever. I've owned numerous Dodges, as well as GM's and Fords. Never any problems. All these people that claim they maintain meticulously are probably the ones who complain when they have to change their oil.