1996 Dodge Caravan from North America - Comments

Transmission broke last week - this was the last straw!

Calipers froze up.

Rotors replaced 3 times in 6 years.

Emergency brake catch broke.

Horn would not work.

Airbag light stayed on.

Rear seat belts were defective (recalled)

Head gasket blew at 30,000 miles and again last week.

Alternator belt came off right after purchase.

Under no circumstances, do not purchase a '97 Dodge Caravan! As someone else said, it is the money pit on wheels.

A Piece Of Junk!!!

(I couldn't agree more, as a previous surveyors title read this seems to be the most appropriate title in my viewpoint)

I have purchased 6 used cars in the past 13 years and have not had as many problems combined, as the 1996 Dodge Caravan I purchased. I purchased the vehicle in January of 2001 with 60k miles for $11,xxx and purchased a dealer extended warranty for 2yrs/24k miles for what looked like a great vehicle. However, I was soon to realize that was a mirage. below is a list of problems and repairs that I've encountered. which will be coming to an end by the end of this year 2004 but will be paid off in July 2004. What follows is the nightmare.

1. Trouble with ignition

(within the 1st couple of weeks, oh and they installed a new battery before I drove off the lot this I witnessed) This was one of the most annoying problems I've had with the van. I would be in my car ready to go to work and put the key in the ignition turn and it would not start, it was not even turning over. This would happen at any time. Sometimes I could go a week without having this problem, but never an entire month not one full month for about 2 1/2 years. The van had been to 2 or 3 authorized Dodge dealerships for resolution of the problem and also 3 auto mechanics shops for specialty areas of engine & electrical. To make matters worst, when I'd take the van to the dealer to be repaired I was told that they could not find anything wrong and that the van would have to be brought back when it actually happened. As fate would have it, the van always started when at the dealer and then acts up latter that night. What luck. I even called Chrysler Headquarters in regards to this. To see if there was some kind of recall on this problem and there were none.

2. Transmission repaired 6 times (yes I said six)

(at a cost of $2200. All except for one occurrence was the car would not go reverse)

3. Driver-side Airbag & cruise control lights

(Paid for the repairs, then later received a recall notice in the mail from the manufacture stating this was the clock spring. It stated if you have already paid to have this work repaired you would be reimburse upon them receiving receipt etc. That took 8 weeks to receive.

4. Cooling fan module.

5. Air Conditioning.

6. Front Driver-side rotor

(replaced with new)

7. Front Caliber (driver-side)

Problem on the front driver-side, the brake pad would stick to the rotor and wouldn't release. Therefore causing the brake pad to be worn down to the brake shoes thus causing them to cut into the rotor.

8. Emergency Brake handle came out of the housing assembly.

9. Front Axles

(replaced with new. I was told that this was caused by being stuck in the snow, which I didn't believe)

10. Horn.

11. Recall on child integrated car seats.

12. Recall on Fuel line.

13. 3 Recalls total.

Through my unfortunate experience and a test of patients, I've come to this conclusion. This will be my last used vehicle and I would never buy an American vehicle again period. They are just not built like their foreign competitors, period!!!

Finally yet importantly, my final comments are. I would never purchase another Caravan, Ever. You couldn't even give me another Dodge Caravan or any other Dodge product period.

Earnest

emedford@netzero.com.