Brakes are a yearly wear issue, the design stinks, requiring front brakes to be replaced every 12,000-15,000
miles and the rear brakes every other year.
I've had to replace the O2 sensors, water pump and the belt tensioner right after the warranty expired.
The horn, wiper control switch door jamb latch and 3 recalls under warranty.
Aside from those issues which happened awhile ago, the vehicle has settled comfortably into middle use with light daily use.
This vehicle requires routine maintenance and it runs like a champ.
Change that oil! ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY FLUSH AND CHANGE THE TRANNY FLUID WITH MOPAR OR 7160 TRANSMISSION FLUID, every 15,000 miles like clockwork, the oil change place just can't do this spend the extra $40 and have it done right! That's why so many people have problems they cheap out on these things! Keep the coolant level up there.
OEM battery lasted me 6 years before replacing.
Gas mileage is mediocre so keep it tuned up and tire pressure checked and tires rotated for maximum efficiency.
We love this vehicle like it's family.
Change transmission fluid every 15000 miles?!?!
I own a 1985 Chevrolet Citation and the transmission fluid has never been changed.. All original with a top-up every few years or so.. Same for our 92 Ford Aerostar..
So what you are saying is totally dumb.. No way I'm paying to have transmission fluid changed every 15,000 miles..
Transmissions should last the life of the vehicle with changes to the fluid and filter every 60,000 to 70,000 miles.. or none..
I just changed the transmission oil and filter + gasket yesterday because there was a leak from the old silicone gasket. I changed the gas filter as well since the mechanic recommend it. My caravan is a 1999 SE with 3.3 engine. Bought in 2001 with 57000 miles. So far in the last 2.5 years, at 78500 miles, other than the regular oil and coolant change, I have had no problems. The suspensions are not great, as the other reviewer mentioned, but the road handling has been good, especially on highways. The gas millage is not great either, but OK, 18 city and 23 on highway. The dealer replaced the battery when I bought the car, so I have no trouble starting since. The anti-lock break was a bit scary the first time I used in a snow day in Montreal, but not so bad when used in New York City.
Both me and my wife have no complaints about this car. We drove it from New york to Toronto, to Montreal, to Disney in Florida. It has been working fine. we are hoping that it continues to work fine for us.
With all the repairs you've had to make, and all the excessive maintenance you're having to do, it doesn't sound very "good" or "solid" at all to me. For all that money and time you've wasted, you could have easily afforded the "Honda prices."
I am thinking of buying a dodge caravan for my wife and two girls. after reading all these reviews I am really scared!!!
Should I be?cannot afford new one so was thinking of 95-98
what do you think?
Owner of 1997 Dodge Caravan, excellent riding, fairly good on maintenance, although the 3.0 litres motor, has a weakness for the automatic transmission, around the 104,000km, which has to be replaced, otherwise a great family van. Don't expect to tow large boats or otherwise, as it's low on the ground and has a front traction.
You just lucked out dude, not changing your fluid especially on Fords. You sound like a cheapskate to me. I'd hate to see what the rest of the car looks like...
I don't need that oil filter, I just changed it last year!
A fool is what you are sir!
Ever try buying a Honda Odyssey friend? You are lucky to get it at sticker. When things go wrong I fix them, I don't wait till I get around to it. Honda's and Toyota's are overpriced and the quality is slipping. Plus I own my vehicles outright how many of you can say that?
Yeah, transmission fluid does not need to be changed every 15,000 miles. I had that done on my Cadillac with 125K, the fluid never was changed. One week after Aamco changed the fluid, my transmission totally failed, 1500 bucks later I could drive my car again.
It seems to me that vehicles are getting to be more maintainance costly and not as reliable as they once were. My friend has a '78 Nova with a 305 V8 and the good 'ol, I wish they still made, TH 350 tranny. 230 000 kms and the tranny fluid has never been changed. Original fluid since 1978. All city miles to boot and some trailer pulling. I still recommend fluid changing, but I just have to point this out.
I really have to agree with the guy from November 3rd. It seems to me that dependability and ruggedness has been sacrificed for neat little electronic and power gizmos that break down in a few years, becoming nuisances. Everybody keeps talking about how you need to buy a "new" car, a "good" car, assuming that new = good and that old = bad. Like this guy's friend's Nova, I never once was annoyed because my '67 383 Chrysler had the power windows quit working, or the power locks, or the heated seats burned my A**, or the trunk CD changer quit working, or the "check engine" light kept coming on. A check engine light--ha ha ha! And as for the 727 Torqueflite automatic transmission--there is nothing more bulletproof. The technology of automobiles has been compared to the advancement of aircraft, in which also the technology is great, but requires constant maintenance to keep the technology working. Our society seems to have become less mechanically savvy, and just assumes that a car is like a TV and will work forever as long as you keep pushing the "On" button.
Regarding the automatic trasmissions, read this:
http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html.
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