I have had the computer "brain" replaced twice because the power sliding doors quit working. This 2nd time, I got 3 months on the doors before they've quit working again. Compared to the first replacement, this was good. I only got one week on the first replacement before the doors quit. The doors did work for one full year after I bought it. Of course, the Dodge dealer/service says they cannot work on the doors until "they" see them not working. Since the initial phase of the problem is sporadic, I have to be lucky to be close to the dealer's shop when the doors aren't working. So, the doors basically have to be "dead" before the dealer service is any help.
I had the driver's side seat heater replaced in the second winter of use. Now, in the third winter (beginning of winter), the passenger side seat heater has quit working. Naturally, I'll have to go through the process of taking the van to the dealer, let them see it's not working, they'll order the part, and then I'll have to go back for the replacement.
After a 1 1/2 years, the speedometer started running in reverse. That wasn't nearly as good, though, as when the latest new computer was put in. I lost 6,000 miles on the odometer on that replacement. The dealer did not respond to my query when I told the service manager that I lost 6,000 miles.
The engine has picked up a "heartbeat," and the service folks cannot find out what it is. So, they've told me not worry about it.
I had the sway bar links and bushings replaced at 37,000 miles.
The bottom line on this car... I went back and purchased the maximum car extended warranty before the 36,000 mile warranty expired. The van has spent more time in the shop than all other cars combined that I've ever had.
Durning the first year both front power windows motors have been replaced twice, but there has been no recall mind you. Also durning the second year my AC had to be replaced the condenser. The power steering pump went out as well. I have not been pleased with the problems and I have never owned a car with so many problems early on.
I too am very disappointed with my 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport. In the last month I spent almost $5,000.00 in repairs.
My AC Compressor pump went out a year ago, I wrote to Dodge and that ended up being a recall and thankfully I was reimbursed.
My Power steering gears broke, which needed to be replaced.
Now, I just got my van back from a two week torture at the mechanic and $2800 later, for a broken gear in the transmission which both mechanic and Specialty transmission place state should not have happened and to keep my receipt as they would bet this should be a recall. We will see about that.
I told Dodge I feel I bought a lemon and would never buy from them again. Oh, I should also mention my car only has 76,000 miles on it. More than the others, but come on... cars are suppossed to be built better. Instead they make you feel like it is programed to break. If you are looking for a used van, strongly suggest not this one. It is a nice ride and very comfortable, but not again in this household. I am not even finished paying it off. I do have other things that are happening, but have not taken it in as scared that will be a 1200 dollar bill such as window gears do not work in the rain and my light in dash for seat belt comes on when it wants too.
Have enjoyed my 2001 Caravan v6 Sport. It is comfortable except not enough leg room in the second and third row seats. I have had to replace the driver side power window motor twice. I just replaced the front end bushings and sway bar at 49,000 miles. I also just replaced the radio/CD player which just up and quit. I'm glad I purchased an extended warranty.
2 months ago my wife and I purchased a 2001 dodge grand caravan sport because it was so comfortable to ride in and only had 66,000 miles. after 2 months the check engine light is on constantly. the dealer will get the light to out and tells me it is related to the fuel cap. but as soon as we drive away the light comes back on. now the transmission sticks in gear (feels like 2nd gear) I can shut the van down and sometimes it will shift correctly, but then the next time it might stick in gear again. when hitting any rough spot in the road, it sounds like the whole bottom of the van is about to fall out. wish we hadn't purchased this van.
Hah! Many of these are the same problems we have with our '01 Grand Caravan ES!
At about 20,000 a strut plate went bad. The power steering pump was loud, but the dealer didn't know what was wrong with it - even though I pointed out that I had read that there was apparently a problem with the hose on these. They assured me that if there was, they would know about it.
A couple of visits later, they replaced the hose. Also, coincidence or not, the gauge lights didn't work. They had the van for a few days, and said I could leave it overnight for them to fix. I said I would bring it back. By the time I did, the 3/36 expired, and electrical problems apparently are not covered. I had to pay $100.00 for them to fix something that I consider they broke. I argued this, but they wouldn't give me the van until I paid.
The drivers window would be sporadically inoperative, and the dealer would not fix it until they "saw" it not working. They didn't "see" it, of course, until after the 3/36 warranty was up, so we had to spend $50.00 on the extendeds' deductible!
Ah, those front sway bar bushings! The dealer wanted $200.00 to replace as they were not covered under the extended warranty. I did it myself - the bushings cost $20.00.
Now, at 53,000, the front end is making horrible noises! Rattles and clunks. I believe it is the strut plates (again)!
These costs are small compared to some, but this is our first new vehicle. Frankly, I think next time I will stick to used! They cost less, and these kind of problems are expected of a used car - not a new one!
I have one quick thing to say about one of the above comments, from 14th Nov 2005, 19:32. They own and Caravan and say there isn't enough leg room. That's because it's a Caravan, not a Grand Caravan. We (my wife and I) looked at the Caravan and having 4 kids we decided there wasn't enough leg room for the kids in the back. I suggest if you have 1 or 2 kids and own a Caravan, take out the two middle seats (or one). Then there will be more rear leg room.
A few years ago Chrysler went through a period where their parts suppliers were pressured to cut prices. I believe many went overseas to have parts manufactured cheaper. I repair my 2001 Caravan myself and many parts I removed are marked as made in China. I wonder what percentage of parts of a Chrysler product are made there? It is hard to believe that things like suspension bushings, small motors, clocksprings, trim and other previously durable parts should only last 35k miles. I never replaced a bushing in all of the many previous cars I owned. I recently bought a Toyota Solara and the quality difference is startling.
We also have a 2001 Dodge Caravan with multiple problems. Both driver windows periodically work, it is making strut noises as listed above and the radio just quit working. I have gotten on a few websites and there are some recalls regarding these problems. We did purchase an extended warranty, but have gone over the mileage allowance (of course) which means it is no good anymore. Any fixes for the radio?
2001 grand caravan new rack and pinion at 50 k, new power steering pump, ac complete, alternator, clocksprings, front end bushings, computer brain boxes, rear tailgait motor, power window motors, seems the check engine light goes on every other oil change. Glad I got extended warranty and gald I will buy Japanese next time. Never again Chrysler.
Hello people, I am Gilbert, from California USA.
Just to let ya'll know, I SHOULD HAVE listened to you guys (and all other reviews stating to AVOID DODGE/CHRYSLER products)
We had just bought a nice used 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan on Sept 2007 (labor day weekend) with 97,000 miles EVEN AFTER I had read the CARSURVEY.ORG reviews of these vans. I had bought it cause I thought you guys are exaggerating about how bad they are.
I had bought it, cause me and my wife REALLY liked how these look, and LOVED the room and great comfort. NICE! The biggest reason was the price! $4500 for a 6 yr old Van. What's funny is the 2007 models look exactly like the 2001 models (2001's are the 1st year of the redesigned Grand Caravan). That's neat, cause our van looks newer than a 2001. People will think I paid $10k to $15k haha.
The caravans are due to be redesigned for 2008!
WELL anyways. When we got it, I saw the nice big yellow light... The dreaded Check Engine light. hmmmm I wonder. But salesman told me they need to smog it. I take it to salesman, they fixed it. I was NOT charged (law says seller has to smog before sale). Salesman told me it was an oxygen sensor. I get it back. Perfect now, cool, happy now. We went to visit my wife's family the next day. When I was driving for a visit to a lake with the family, suddenly I was hearing a noise, like if van had slightly loud exhaust or as the motor mount is shot. OH GEE, I hope it's not big!! That noise comes on suddenly, at any time. When we leave lake, and night falls, suddenly the dreaded Check Engine light comes back on, OHH GEE. Going home next day, ABS light comes on too! ARRRGGG!!! My wife gets concerned.
A couple days later, I decided to use this Dodge Caravan to go to work, on my way, suddenly the transmission STOPS shifting gears, it STAYS ON SECOND GEAR. OOOHH WWOOOWWW, what's this going to cost me...
I got very depressed and even my wife did too. It got me super tense. (and by the way, I been diagnosed for depression). OHH GEE, DO I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION? I wonder? Being depressed for a day, I take to a transmission shop. The MOMENT mechanic heard the dreaded word "Dodge Caravan" He knew ALL about it!!! WWOOOOOOWWWW he knows. You know what that tells me, That's HOW CRAPPY Dodge products are!! They fix these "left and right"
Well anyways he tells me, it is likely that the problem is electrical. (the sensors and computer on transmission). He told also, that is what made the Check Engine light come on. The transmission must be in the "limp mode (stays on second gear) " I was now relieved a little.
ALL THIS "DRAMA" happened in just one week after buying (and at 97k miles). GEE.. So many problems already!!! That's an american car for you (and me sadly) I comment the SAME THING ALL OF YA'LL say, You guy were RIGHT, Dodge/Chrysler REALLY ARE LOW QUALITY. ***** I DO NOT RECOMMEND YOU BUY ONE, STAY AWAY ******
I have a 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage. It just turned 150,000 miles today (9-13-07). I had this japanese car for 6 years, and NEVER NEVER gave my ANY problems like this before!!! I even had an 1985 Mazda 626, with 200,000 miles when I sold it on june of this year 2007, I NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS!!! Both of these are "J" cars (ones with 1st letter of VIN # being a J)
So as of now, its not fixed yet. Good thing I don't need to use it. I use my 97 Mirage for work. Has any one had the experience on the transmission too? As of now, because we had JUST BOUGHT this van, I refuse to get rid of it right now, AND I'm NOT GOING TO RID! I don't want to see thousands of $$ LOST IN A INSTANT (probably worth $3500 as is now, glad I paid $4500 and not $10000)!!! I like it better, that I see a nice looking van parked on driveway even if needing some repair, than get rid of 1 week after buying.
One other comment I have to say too, NEWER vehicles SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS so early in their lives. ESPECIALLY NEW CARS. (American cars for that matter) WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE QUALITY OF TODAY'S CARS!!! They seem to be MORE problems with NEWER cars then the cars of 10 or 20 years ago. WHAT HAPPENED car manufacturers, what happened to you guys!!!
AS FAR AS I'm CONCERNED, I WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY DODGE products. Or for this matter, American!
I had VERY bad luck with american cars I bought, Ford Taurus (tranny dies at 113k and Ford Escort (engine dies at 133k) both 1994's. The last american car I bought was in 2000, I never wanted ameican, but 6 yrs later I decided I wanted to give american ONE MORE CHANCE cause I really like some things about american cars, after this "drama" within 1 week after buying, YOU GUYS BLEW IT!!!
Some of you commenter's probably will scald me: Well that's what you can expect from a used vehicle!
Well how come I NEVER HAD THIS "DRAMA" on ALL "J" cars I EVER OWNED!!!
ALL THIS HAS BEEN PROVEN TO ME!!!
To add to comment I made regarding the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan (sister, brother-in-law, brother, husband also have Dodge's). I believe if you treat vehicles with the utmost respect and not beat it to death, many of the listed problems will not accure. It is not an off road vehicle and should not be used as so, etc.
Hello all, I'm back... Gilbert.
I have encountered the most disapointing news... I have took our Dodge Caravan to a local transmission shop.
But before I did, I went to a local Autozone, I got the codes for the Check Engine light. They are as follows: PO700 - Transmission Control system malfunction, PO740 - Torque Converter clutch, circuit malfunction, and PO755 - Shift solenoid B malfunction.
I gave these to the tech. I leave the van, he calls me back in an hour. Then tells the DREADED words I DID NOT want to hear: You need a new transmission!!!
UNBELIEVABLE I say. It is UNBELIEVABLE just after JUST buying the van, and driving it ONLY 500 miles, I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION! A VERY VERY disapointing experience, and at ONLY 97000 miles, GEE.
Now this is to show all of you what happened to me! DON'T YOU GO THROUGH WHAT I'm GOING THROUGH... DON'T BUY ONE OF THESE DODGE'S YOU'LL REGRET IT! Trust me!!
Well anyway, Tech tells me, its going to be $1700 to do it, and will take 3 days.
I wonder, how could the trans need to be replaced when it was running perfectly (no slipping, noises, "the works"). It was running perfectly when the van SUDDENLY went to "limp mode". I wonder if they are NOT telling me the truth? I'm thinking about getting a second opinion before replacing the trans. One thing I know, I DON'T THINK IT TAKES THAT LITTLE TIME to replace the trans.
I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO YOU GUYS (Carsurvey.org reviewers!) I SHOULD OF, SHOULD OF!!!
With things the way they are for me, I think I'm going to have to fix it. They offer a 1 yr, 12000 mile warranty. I was thinking after fixing, I keep it till the warranty expires, and BEFORE warranty expires, Ill GET RID OF THIS THING... BUT knowing my luck, I wouldn't be surprised that the engine, or power steering AND EVERYTHING ELSE to fall apart just before I get rid of it!!! I think Ill fix it then sell it right away!!
I DON'T THINK I could drive a single mile on this "Pic N Save" quality product without worrying what will break NEXT... FORGET IT, I'm NOT going to KILL myself worrying too much, I'm been diagnosed with Anxiety as it is, I DON'T NEED THIS!
And for this matter, I can tell you, this is the WROST vehicle I ever owned.
IM GOING BACK TO JAPANESE!! Any japanese name car that has the letter "J" as the first letter of VIN number, that's how I know it's japanese or not. Because many japanese name car are NOT all made in Japan. Including many Toyota's and Nissan.
OR BETTER YET, ILL RESEARCH, on CARSURVEY.ORG website
NOW YOU GUYS, LISTEN to what your reveiwers are TELLING YOU, Thanks, and good night. (for me, it will be a nightmare!)
It was anxiety NOT depression (from my last post.
NEVER AGAIN NEVER NEVER NEVER!!! Thunb's DOWN for Dodge yeah!
I'm back again with story of trans giving up just after buying our van.
I had just picked up our van from the transmission shop. I paid a total of $1796 (ugh!) for a rebuild. It runs nicely now. NO check engine lights (for how long, I wonder?)
While this trans was being worked on, I had asked the mechanic to call me when they have the trans taken off and taken apart. I just want to take a look. (to BE SURE they're doing the work!) I saw that the clutch parts, one looks somewhat "scoured", and one starting to fall apart (just a little though).
Mechanic had also told me, that this trans came from a wrecking yard (junk yard), cause he saw (and showed me) the writing in yellow, on the trans case, obviously indicating a wrecking yard.
Hmmm, I fiqured that, THIS VAN had a transmission done BEFORE!!! So this van had a transmission done for sure 2 times! ALL BEFORE 100k miles.
So based on what I saw, and the check engine light codes, It seems that the torque converter was no good, and this bad part had STARTED to contaminate the rest of the trans. (or that's what mechanic told my anyway)
thus, this trans was in the BEGINNING stages of giving up.
As far as what I choose to do, now that trans is done. I decided I'm going to keep the van for a while, I'm going to use on weekends ONLY (not to go to work and back)
At least I don't have to worry about the trans, it's warranted for 12k miles/ 1 yr. This is what I call.. Peice of mind!
I will keep THIS Dodge, BUT I probably will NEVER another Dodge.
My daughter has drove mine the past 2 weeks because her Mazda 626 broke and won't start, and now she is telling me that it is taking her 3-4 tries to get my van to start.
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