1996 Dodge Grand Caravan LX review from North America
"A nice car if you sell it at 60,000 miles, but a money pit after that"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Two transmissions have failed at 69,000 mile intervals.
Air conditioner evaporator needs replacing.
Fuel tank was replaced under warranty.
Front rotors warp every two years or so and have to be replaced instead of simply being turned.
Some sort of noxious mold grows in the heating system and periodically gives the driver a sinus infection even though it has been treated several times.
General comments?
Chrysler knows how to build a nice looking and well appointed vehicle. The cars are well thought out from a creature comfort point of view. However, engineering and testing of components during the development cycle is non-existent. I usually don't take out extended warranties, but I did on this car because I had a bad feeling about it after our first one. My wife liked the van so much in the beginning that I succumbed to buying it. The extended warranty got us through the first transmission, but not the second or a host of other problems. I am going to give it away to charity because no one will buy it even if it is fixed.
Recommended reviews
| 1996 - Grand Caravan LE 3.3 V6 Bad year for an OK mini van |
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| A high maintanance headache |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 1996 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.3 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 2 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 138000 miles |
| Previous car | Dodge Caravan |
| Date of Entry | 21st May, 2003 |