1st May 2003, 13:03
Where do I start?? My transmission fluid is always leaking (started last year). I took it to the service department of a local Dodge dealership. They said it was the engine oil that was leaking, not the transmission. What??!!! I'm no dummy!! I know the difference between engine oil and transmission fluid. Besides that, my driver side power window is dead. (A piece of wood wedged between the window and the panel is the ONLY thing keeping the window up. I have a Dodge Intrepid as well... WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!!!) My air conditioner is on the blink. Hey... the Intrepid is in the same condition. What gives??
This just in. I JUST received a call from my mechanic as I was typing this message... THE ENGINE IN MY '96 GRAND CARAVAN JUST DIED!! It will cost $2,100 to repair. This just happens to be the final year of the payments on the van, not even worth the value of the vehicle. I'm fed up with Chrysler/Dodge. Phooey!!!
21st Aug 2003, 16:03
We've had little trouble with our '96 Grand Caravan with 150K so far. The electrical system that year was new and relays seem to be buggy.
24th Aug 2003, 21:23
My 96 Grand Voyager SE is now sitting in my driveway with a 2nd Broken Belt Tensioner. I have also repalced the turn signal switch due to wiper problems. Just after the warranty expired the gas gauge got crazy. I you fill up past 3/4 it doesn't function right.
11th Dec 2003, 13:45
Shoot, I wish I had read all this information before trading my Ford van for a 1998 Dodge Caravan.
The day after getting the van, I drove to get the tag transfered. It shredded the serpentine belt, and left stranded on the side of the road. I went ahead and changed the tensioner pulley as well, because I heard it would shred another belt if not replaced. It seems the front main oil seal is leaking. It makes lots of strange sounds, like a thump when I apply the brakes over on the passenger side some where. Now the oil pressure light is coming on, it just did it at idle at first) After it was warm) then started staying on. Changed oil and filter, added slick-50, still comes on. I pulled sending unit and checked it with a gage. Ih went to 75 pounds when cold, but gradually as it warmed up, it dropped back to about 10 pounds at idle.
Can't even sell or trade one with the oil pressure light on. When I rev it to 3.000 RPM, it comes up to 50 pounds oil pressure. It has 197,000 miles on it and must be worn out. Of course the dealer I got it from had to know this, since it was one of his rental program vehicles. He also knew it would be fine for a short test drive though.
So, we got took.
We are poor folks and can not afford a lemon to fix.
Hope the dealer sleeps well at night. We won't
4th Jun 2004, 01:19
I've own my van (1996 se) less than 6 months and the air condition quit. The mechanic fixed the a/c, but then the fans quit, burning the a/c motor up. It was replaced, but the mechanic straight wired the fans to the fuse, which causes short outs in the electrical system.
Why can't he just replace the fan relay and be done with it?
6th Jul 2004, 07:41
My van is now in the shop needing $2100 worth of work. The harmonia balance wore out, breaking, and causing damage to the short block. The relay switch is still burned out. I'm still making $300/monthly payments for another year and a half. I have no warranty left. What should I do? HELP ME!!!
12th Mar 2003, 16:51
I have a Grand Caravan 1996, 3.3 engine. We have owned it for a year and a half. It has been nothing but trouble. As I sit here writing this, it's in the shop. Transmission is shot. I have been told, in the process of trying to find a transmission, that this is a very common problem and Chrysler is well aware of this problem.
Besides the transmission, we have had trouble with the brakes, an electric window and a thermostat. We will be getting rid of it and will never buy a Chrysler product again.