Comments: 1-15, 16-17
Thermostat stuck 1 week after we bought the car.
Transmission went out at 42,000 miles.
A/C air moves from upper vents to lower vents, depending on engine speed.
This car epitomizes "unreliability". We had previously owned a 1994 Plymouth Voyager and put nearly 150,000 miles on it with no major problems. We felt we needed to upgrade to have a more reliable vehicle. But this 2001 model has left us at the side of the road in 20,000 miles than the 1994 did in 145,000 miles.
I work for a company that makes cast aluminum parts for various automotive manufacturers. If one of our parts fails, then the automotive manufacturers come down on us, big time. We also hear from them when they want annual price decreases. But, if they can't pass the buck they won't take care of their customers and when was the last time they gave THEIR customers price reductions year after year?
I feel very cheated after reading so much about how so many people love their Dodge Caravans. My 2001 Caravan, brand new off the lot, broke down on me on day #2 of owning it. It needed a new transmission module. They had the car over 2 weeks. Less than a yr later it went in again for a coil pack replacement. This week it is giving me problems again, as the engine has started to jump and skip while idling. I wish it were easy to just return it and get another one.
I own a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan EX, unfortunately. Thirteen times to the shop in 3 and 1/2 years. Chrysler and the Dealer have treated us very poorly. I'll never buy another Chrysler product, nor will any of my 5 children. See the detail below:
* September 5, 2001 - Mileage 5,457 - Rear Lift Gate failed, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - Adjustment.
* October 12, 2001 - Mileage 7,050 - Rear Lift Gate failed, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - Special Order Parts
* November 3, 2001 - Mileage 7,870 - Rear Lift Gate failed, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - Install Special Order Parts.
* November 8, 2001- Mileage 8,086 - Rear Lift Gate failed, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - Repaired Connection.
* November 21, 2001- Mileage 8,095 - Rear Lift Gate failed, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - Replaced Motor Assembly.
* May 10, 2002 - Mileage 16,575 - Recall, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
* June 10, 2002 - Mileage 21,561 - Battery Died, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - Replaced Battery (This Required Towing Service)
* October 30, 2002 - Mileage 29,097 - Lights and Horn Flashing uncontrollably, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - Cleaned/Dried Front Control Module (This Required Towing Service)
* March 21, 2003 - Mileage 36,422 - Engine running rough, bucking and jerking, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - Replaced #3 and #5 Spark plugs.
* August 10, 2003 - Mileage unknown - Battery Died. Action - Self replaced battery. (Note: Two Batteries in Two Years)
* September 25, 2004 - Mileage - 52,741 - Air Condition stopped cooling, Anti-Lock Brake Light Activated, Headlights Flicker intermittently, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - 1. Replaced Condenser and Drier for Air Conditioner 2. Replaced ABS Control Module for Anti-Lock Brake Light problem 3. Replaced Front Control Module for Headlight problem. 4. Additionally Transmission failed on mechanic test drive, requiring replacement of Transmission Control Module... Total Cost for these 4 repairs $1,604.16
* October 8, 2004 - Mileage - 53,051 - Headlights flicker intermittently, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Action - Replace Body Control Module.
* October 25, 2004 - Mileage - 53,??? - Headlights still flicker intermittently, brought to the Dodge dealer for repair. Received it back this evening November 4, 2004.
That is just SICK. They changed number #3 and number #5 spark plugs. What a DAMN JOKE. I'm sorry, but that is just the sickest thing I have ever heard in terms of automotive repair. It sounds like they charged you to take out each of the 2 dollar spark plugs more than for the whole cost of changing all of them.
I can't believe that at all, when you change spark plugs, you change ALL of them, sooner or later the rest of them will follow.
Once again, that is the ultimate example of how dealership knows how to take the money out of your pocket, especially when one knows nothing about vehicles.
Dodge probably charged 100 dollars for inspection and 50 dollars for changing one spark plug, that's a total of almost 200 dollars, even half of that is too much.
I own a 2002 dodge grand caravan sport put 90854km on it have put no money in to it as it never had a problem every car company have a few car were the build quality slips past dodge has the highest quality of any mini van.
I own a 2001 chrysler voyager, spent more time down than any vehicle I ever owned combined, WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK, I hope they spent my purchase money for this vehicle wisely because I would NEVER buy one of their vehicles again, by the way did I forget to mention I am a mechanic, thanks for letting me vent.
Dodge: Never again.
My 2001 Dodge Caravan (now nearing 70000 well cared for miles) just got back from another trip to the shop.
Last week I took it in for brakes, found out the computer, oxygen sensor were all bad, needed fixing, that along with front suspension parts that were in horrible shape, the total bill with all misc expenses: $1700.
I get the car back, now none of the interior lights or the rear-window wipers work. I took it in this morning, they charged me $100 to re-program the computer.
I argued that since they had reset the computer the last visit, this must have had something to do with it, they argued no and said that I would have to pay for the repairs, that it must have just been a coincidence. Yeah, right.
So far I think I've sunk nearly $5000 into this piece of crap, and finally have had enough.
In addition to similar air conditioning problems as mentioned here, mine completely blew-up. Turned on the A/C, smoke poured from under the hood, all good fun.
What else, front windshield wiper motor seems to be going, the auto rear-lift gate has been repaired a few times, not working again...
I will never consider Dodge again, will always recommend against them to anyone who will listen.
The initial year or so was good, it was a nice car, still looks good, but I can't rely on this anymore at only 70,000 miles. I've had cars well into 100,000+ miles with very few fixes other than normal maintenance.
GM is no better, my wife's car has been nothing but trouble.
I've made the decision, never again will I buy from an American car company. 10 years ago, I would have never even considered that, but when all I hear about from the owners of Toyota, Honda, Nissan are good things, well it's time that I join that club.
I have a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. I bought the extended warranty and paid an extra 1800 for it.
Since the day we bought the van at 33,000 miles, the car has always jerked. I tried to explain this to the dealer, they said it was a coincidence, you need new tires.
At 77,000 miles, my air stopped working. 8 trips later and 5,000 charged to my extended warranty, it was fixed.
Now we are at 117,000 miles and the fuel injector is totally messed up. We are having to replace the computer and the housing for the fuel line is shot-So far about $1200.00, I hope this fixes it. I have always been scared of the words new transmission or new engine. These are minor in cost compared to the other crap that you have to pay for.
Never buy American again. The dealer is out to make more money and take all of your time.
As an automotive tech of 23 years, I can in good faith say some things I believe for sure.
Chrysler techs and service counter "people" have their hands tied. They are very limited as to what they can say that they know is wrong with your ride. Big business crap.
The Chrysler computer systems are very good. They have a computer for each mechanical device (engine, trans, body etc.) and they work.
Issues arise from a trickle down affect. 1 triggers this issue, 1 responds and so on.
In my opinion, do not go to chryco dealer. I have had many Caravans. Sold on 3 years ago with 373,000 on it = still runs like bear with very minamal repair. It now has 475,000 and he loves it. Sold 1 a year and a half ago with with 368,000 on it, it now has 414,000 and he will not sell it for anything.
It is all in the tech working on it. I find it amazing that people want to go to the factory to get the work done. Do you not think the factory is going to do what it can to cover its butt? Find a real good tech, let him know your car, and let him work on it. Ask around, find a real good shop and go with it. I have never worked at a dealership, I never will, I will go on welfare before I would. Short answer, at the dealership you understand one make only, as an independent tech I have to know them ALL.
Never Again!! 2001 Dodge 1500 pickup. I bought this truck new having been a Dodge customer for over 25 years, what a headache this truck has been. One week after purchase yoke in steering column sticks in place tearing all wiring out for horn, turn-signals, airbag. Had to be towed to dealership to fix defective part. after 2 months module in transmission fries losing 1st gear, returned to dealer to replace defective part. At 52000 miles AC condenser fails, $800.00 to replace defective part. At 64000 miles AC condenser fails $500.00 to replace defective part, At 68000 miles total transmission failure,$2400.00 to replace defective part. On top of everything else dashboard is turning to powder, cracking and caving in. Needless to say I will never buy another Chrysler product again.
Dodge junk
I own a 2002 dodge grand caravan and it eats brakes like you won't believe. I had to replace the passenger switch for the window to go up and down, and the whole a/c unit. If you turn on heat or a/c it will start on fire. It cost over 1000 bucks to replace. I will never buy a Chrysler product again.
To the last poster, you and I have a lot in common as I am taking my wife's 2001 Grand Caravan in this Friday to have the third set of rotors put on. I will admit though that it may be partly due to the driving style of my wife that ruins these rotors on an annual basis. I say this because my Dakota pickup does not share this problem, which I drive almost exclusively. We bought the van used three years ago, and the rotors only last about a year. Right now when braking, you cannot believe the steering wheel shake. Thankfully, the last set of rotors had a one-year warranty, so all I will have to pay for is labor.
Can anyone tell me why rotors wear out so quickly on these vans?
Wow, what an eye opener. I've been driving a 1994 Grand caravan for the past 7 years and have nothing, but good to say about it. It's got almost 300,000 km on it, and the only thing not working is the a/c. There's a minor leak somewhere and not worth fixing. I agree with one of the previous commenter's that the most important thing you can do for your vehicle is find a good tech. I trust mine and he takes care of all our vehicles - 6 cars in the past 25 years. The car gets checked thoroughly each oil change and I don't allow problems to develop and cause a domino effect. I'll never buy a new car again, and simply don't like the imports.
I sell Toyotas and love my Grand Caravans. I have a 1996 with 150k miles which I've taken to Florida 4 times (I live in NJ) and have had it up-to 90 mph loaded with my family and luggage on our way down to Orlando during the peak of summer, and never had an issue with the van. I also have a 2001 AWD Sport which I love, and marks 96k miles and has also been to Florida with no issues. For the money and styling of the vehicles, they can't be beat. Just make sure you know how to buy, before you buy.
I have a 2005 Caravan, and it has been pretty good overall. I too had a problem with it running rough (and check engine light), and the dealership found an engine miss, traced to a spark plug. So they replaced ONLY that ONE spark plug - give me a break! Out of warranty, the problem returned - I went to an independent technician, who found another plug bad. He replaced them ALL (as you should). Eats brakes - went through them at 8,000 and 17,000 miles - the dealer said it was the way my wife drives (BS!). I recommend installing the best pads and rotors to get any kind of life out of them - better quality parts got me 40,000 miles. I think that when push comes to shove, the Caravan is a good value (Keep the dealership service though, and go to an independent).
I have a 2001 Grand Caravan Sport with 65K and have not had any severe problems. I love my Van and will recommend to all my friends and family. I believe in regular maintenance and proper care in operating of vehicles, they will last a very long time (for instance not slamming on the brakes not gunning the engine all the time, etc., let the Motor warm up before taking off). My sister and Brother-in-law have had 3 Dodge Vans: a 1974, 1996 and a 2001 (1996 with about 120K is now my brothers), I purchased one of my sisters Dodge Van's and in turn sold it to a friend 120K (who ran it into the ground, could not afford to keep up with the regular maintenance). My Husband had a Dodge Ram 250 Van Conversion (sold at about 104K miles) & know he has a Dodge Coach House (with about 68K), both ran well.