Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-67
I have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan eX with 3.8l engine. I bought in Feb 2005 with 59k miles, it now has 119k on it. I have the clunking noise in the front end as described by numerous others on this site. Mechanic said don't worry about it if the noise doesn't bother you. I have had absolutely no problems with it so far. I would definitely by another one.
Mine gets about 22 mpg, but the wife has a serious lead foot. I did hope to get a little better gas mileage. I have found if the gas pedal sticks a little, just take off the air cleaner and spray a little carb cleaner in the butterfly valve and that should do it.
About the problem with the fill up pump shutting off...it's probably because someone already removed the tank and while installing it back on might have squished a vent and for the gauge problem you probably need a new fuel pump...
Does anyone know the address to send my complaints to the President of Chrysler? I have had all these problems and some! And I own a Dodge and Jeep -- both with real issues.
I have a 2002 Gr Caravan El with 105K miles and replaced the AC compressor, stable bar bushings, brakes twice (which is normal), water pump, thermostat, and most recently I was quoted $700 for replacing the catalytic converter because it acts is if it's about to stall when it's cold, but runs fine after it warms up. I'm having the fuel system cleaned, hoping it's just a sticky butterfly on the throttle system. I've also run into the intermittent problems with the passenger side window motor, but don't care to get that fixed just yet. The blower fan went out some time ago, and Dodge wanted way too much to replace it as they said they'd have to take the dash apart to get to it. A buddy of mine looked into it for me, and it was nothing more than a fuse of some sort. I thought I was being smart by paying the vehicle off and hanging on to it, but with several thousand dollars put into it after payoff, I'm wondering if I wouldn't have been better getting rid of it and purchasing the Odyssey I almost bought instead of the Caravan to begin with.
"I'm wondering if I wouldn't have been better getting rid of it and purchasing the Odyssey I almost bought instead of the Caravan to begin with."
Maybe you'd rather have paid $3,500 for a new transmission on the Odyssey, in addition to the "Honda markup" price. Take your pick.
I also have a 2002 caravan with 118k miles and have had ALL the typical problems: Transmission ($1700), A/C compressor ($400), bushings, breaks, power steering, passenger window motor, Fuel gauge works when ever-- I have to track my miles so I won't get stranded?! Now the best part is that after fixing everything that went wrong with the van, it's up for sale! I think my next car will be a nissan... do you blame me?
I own 2002 Grand Caravan EX with 90K miles. I have also seen the same scenario of problems as described in many comments on this site including my second round of sway bars and bushings replacement which irked me when it wasn't covered in my 5 year warranty at about 35K miles. The one recurring problem that no one has mentioned so far is the need for replacement motor on the power sliding side doors. I have read about this on other complaint sites. The automatic door opened intermittently with the button and binds when I try to open it manually. I paid $500 for Dodge to replace the motor in March 2006, 18 short months ago. Well, here I go again. The same motor needs replacement again. Aggravating!
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport -
I just purchased a gently (or so I thought) used Dodge Grand Caravan Sport - 69K miles, interior and exterior almost showroom good. Did realize that I would have to purchase at least two new tires for the winter and was told that the brakes had been done. Well, as it turns out, the tires on the van were the factory originals and were dry rotting on the sidewalls - hence, four new tires AND to top it off, new brakes and rotors for the front. Apparently, only the rear had been done. I choke and paid the $980. A little over a week later, with no other warning - no sounds, no starting problems, nothing, the van begins to 'shudder' when idling. I ran an errand, start her up again and the engine light comes on. I now replace (again factory original still in the van) the plugs, wires, fuel filter, and a belt. They were shot and the most likely culprits. Alas... no. My mechanic believes it might be the ignition coil, but after all I've been reading, I'm getting really $$ scared! On the tester, it read (and I saw this) #2 cylinder misfire. Any thoughts or suggestions?
2001 Grand Caravan SE,
We have 120k miles on the vehicle and overall have been pleased with the vehicle. Of course, now that I say that, it probably is falling in on itself in my garage. We have had the same issues mentioned above:
1. Clunky front end - I agree this sounds like a clearance issue in the sway bars. It started very early on and we have ignored it. No problems yet.
2. Air compressor - we replaced one under warranty. I see two issues - 1) It is undersized for the van 2) The compressor (1 of 2) is located in the back side at the bottom of the engine. I do not believe it is adequately insulated from the engine block. It gets very hot.
3. Sticking power window - I fixed this problem the first time by pulling the actual motor out of the housing. It looks like a rubber grommet disintegrated all over the windings. I used compressed air and cleaned out the armature. It worked fine for about a year and half. It is not hard to replace.
These are definitely design issues that should have been taken care of by now.
2002 Dodge Caravan SE.
About 95,000 KMS, and have had the brakes done twice and early on at 20,000 - transmission (under warranty). Lately the new annoying problem is this noise in the front end. Bushings replaced and such, but still there. Get this, is worse when underbody is wet. Seems to be on the right side in the strut area. Feels/sounds like a metal-on-metal noise and I can even feel it through the steering wheel at times.
Jan 8,2008. I have a 2001 Dodge Caravan with 98,000 miles. Has a lot of room and have hauled a lot of building supplies, including plywood & drywall. But sorry to say had a lot of the above mentioned problems. Front end noise. Put grease fittings in struts, so they could be greased, that helped some. Air conditioning went out and had to be replaced. After filling up with gas, the gas gauge needle goes crazy-up and down 3 or 4 times, sometimes even the next day. Drivers window sticks in down position sometimes, then is OK. The engine light came on and stays on for no apparent reason. But I like the way the cruise control is situaited on the steering wheel and how easy it is control without hitting the brakes and I like driving it and the seats are comfortable.
I posted back in July regarding my 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport. Unfortunately, I'm baaaaaack! I had an ECM (brain) replaced when it shorted out due to a malfunctioning MUX ignition switch. At least that's what they told me, who knows what really happened. I paid a lot of money, that's what I remember best. Anyway, I picked up the van and it worked fine for a few months, then the ABS light came on again. I thought, "Gee I should fix that" but I now have dealer-phobia and besides, everything I've read says you can drive without ABS as long as you realize you're going to slide, and I was OK with that. But then it happens again. I go to start the van and NOTHING. I have it towed, thinking maybe it's the starter, and the guys at the local shop tell me it's electrical and refer me to the dealer. I have it towed to dealer. Dealer says it's a starter fuse. Replaced, works fine, but they don't know where the short happened and their main electrical guy just broke his hand and is on the way to the hospital. Hm. I still see a connection with whatever's tripping my ABS and the failure of my van to start, but nobody else wants to look at it that way. This was such a FANTASTIC vehicle until last summer. I'm heartbroken at the problems and have lost all faith in the dealer. I really don't know what to do. I certainly wouldn't feel good selling this an to anybody now.
I have a 2002 Grand Caravan and am having the intermittent window issue. It seems I need to get a new motor for it.
For the person who commented in December about your van sputtering when you first start it, and then to come back to a dead van. I had this issue just last week at 77K. Brought it to the shop where the mechanic said it was the ignition coil. Paid $600 for towing and to get the van fixed, just for it to happen again four days later. I tried starting the van and it smelled of gasoline. Luckily the mechanic paid to have it towed to his shop and changed the oxygen intake exchange. It has been five days and seems to be doing great.
Other than these two recent inconveniences, I have had no problems with the van. After reading these posts though, I am thinking this is just the beginning of an expensive journey.
I have a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport with something over 100K miles on it with the clunky front end. We were told that it was probably loose struts when we got the van for our business. Since it ran okay otherwise we didn't worry it too much. Now that we sold the business and want to sell the van, it's a problem. I replaced the struts and that didn't fix the problem. When I jacked the front end up on one wheel, the free wheel would rock side to side, but not up and down, so I suspected something in the steering. First diagnosis by a repair shop said an inner tie rod, but when they got into it, they said the rack and pinion. Supposedly, they replaced the one in it with a used tight one, but the clunk is still there. They're not going to charge me for the rack and pinion, but they recommend a factory replacement rather than a rebuild. It's interesting to see the sway bar and bushings mentioned here. Certainly replacing the bushings is cheap and easy try at a fix for me, but I'm still suspicious of the steering gear.
I purchased a used 2002 dodge caravan (not grand), with 159,000 kilometers (about 98,000 miles). everything is in mint condition outside and in. I've had it for afew weeks now, but I slowly started to hear a squeaking noise from the engine. Now its weird because its unlike any other squeak I've heard. First off it ONLY HAPPENS when the engine revs low, at about 500-700 RPM's just when the engine is fully warmed up. Also the squeaking ONLY happens when I am at a stop sign (while on drive gear)... if I put the car on PARK the squeaks goes away alittle, but once I put it to drive and stay holding down the brake, the squeak starts back up again. it's a very annoying squeak. I know its not the engine belt, but I have no idea what it is. if the engine is cold and I start it up the squeak is not there cause the engine is reving at 800-1000 rpms' warming itself up. I think I might have to get it check, catch the problem before it escalates to something bigger..