I had a recall for sway bars. Other than that, it was totalled. Before then nothing went wrong at all.
In December of 05, I had 5 people in the van, and I was hit at about 70 mph, according to the Highway Patrol, by a drunk in a Ford F-350.
Yes the van fell apart, but I was so impressed with the way it fell apart. Engine and transmission seperated and went in the ditch. Other than in the cab, air bags did great, every one in the van went to the hospital and was bandaged up, and I had a broken arm. We all went home the same night. The guy in the F-350 was in hospital for 7 months, hurt bad, you do the math. Ladies, you can ride in this vehicle with your kids safely in all seats. Remember, kids in back, not near air bags. For a head on collision of that nature I'm very impressed.
I now have a 06 Grand Caravan SXT and love it just as well as I did my old one.
You didn't get hit head on, because if you did, at 70 mph by an F350, you would be dead. Seeing as the slope of the front of your van would send the much taller truck into your windshield and roof effectively slicing your heads off. You most likely got a front corner clip (a very aggressive 70mph one at that).
But either way, it's better than believing a SUV is safer etc etc...
The officer said it was a combined speed of 70 mph, and yes it was an offset head on collision. By him saying it was a combined speed of 70 mph, I'm guessing one was going 30 and the other 40 mph. Yes, I do agree if we both were going 70, yes we all would have been killed.
I'm also very impressed with the safety of Chrysler products. Last year another driver ran a stop sign and I broadsided him in my 2001 Dakota pickup. The impact was so severe that a golf umbrella behind the console was catapulted thru the windshield. The air bags deployed, but it was like hitting a giant pillow rather than the harsh blast some people say they have experienced from air bags deploying. Other than severely bruised ribs from the shoulder harness I didn't receive a scratch. I was also amazed at how well the Dakota faired in the crash. The engine still started and ran, the radiator was not even leaking, and except for sheet metal smashed against the front tires it was driveable. The other vehicle (a Toyota Tundra) had the entire drive train basically severed and was not even movable. The entire truck was bent into a "V" shape.
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