1993 Dodge Caravan LE from North America - Comments

I'm on my FIFTH transmission, my SECOND Anti-Lock brake system, my fourth serpentine belt idler pulley (and, because of that, I'm also on my second waterpump), my second interior carpet and my second rear tailgate latch.

I HATE THIS CAR! It is, by far, the worst vehicle I ever owned. I was far happier with a beat-to-heck pumpkin orange used 1986 Toyota Tercel with a balky CV joint than I am with this car. Chrysler have been absolutely no help. If I hadn't elected to get the 7/70 warranty, I'd be SOL.

Avoid all Chryslers with the electronic overdrive transmission (now renamed to 41TE, or something like that). In general, I would recommend avoiding all Chrysler products, but certainly ones with electronic transmissions (this includes the "tiptronic" -- if they can't get a four-speed automatic working after 14 years of trying, what can you expect from them with more complicated systems!?!)

I have 1993 Caravan with the 3.0 motor and the 3 speed tranny. I don't have the ABS brakes and its been totaly trouble free. All I do is change the oil. I did replace the timming belt at 110,000 miles, not because I had to, but I've heard you should at 100,000.

The 3 speed tranny has been perfect so far.

I have a 1993 Dodge Caravan LE - I can honestly say it is the biggest piece of crap I have ever been in.

The ABS - bendix brake system is a piece of crap too. First week of owning it the sensor blew and the shop/authorized dealer had it for 7 days waiting for a part to arrive from 100 miles away! A load of crap I say!

Anyhow, the brakes are the worst - the sensor is blowing now and the dealers are giving me the run around. The engine is so so, the ball joint and axle - had to replace them. A few other odds and ends but hey, we all know that Dodge makes death traps because they can!

I have a 1993 Plymouth Grand Voyager 100K. It is now on it's second transmission after first replacement lasted only 26K. Been through two water pumps, starter, and constant velocity joint. Has been repainted twice (dark metallic blue). Paint just won't stay on. I still like the van even though it is scary to think of what might break next. For the record tho... I have learned my lesson and will not buy another Chrysler product until they get their act together.

I have a 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan SE, and it is frankly the best vehicle we've ever owned. It's a 3.3L auto transmission, but we've had hardly any problems with it at all, beyond having to add certain fluids lately (power steering and brake fluid). The only major work it's had is a new water pump, which was a small and relatively cheap repair. Frankly I love it, and will be buying another one when the time comes.

Hey everybody, How about a class action lawsuit on these

transmission failures? I did buy my 93 caravan used, but

if Dodge is made responsible, maybe they will not try to

push this kind of junk on the unsuspecting public. I would

like to thank the people at dodge for 2 important lessons

learned. (1) Research a automobile before purchase, (2) Get

out of Dodge and stay out!

Does anyone know if there is a class action suit on these transmissions? I know the name of some attorney, Brian Hufford, has been floating around the net, but these posts are a few years old. I had to spend $1800.00 of my money to get this piece of junk replaced.

I am sour right now, since I just had to bring my Caravan back last night (12/16/02) for it SECOND ABS recall repair in less than 40K. As a matter of fact, the brakes completely failed on a major highway less than 100 yards from the dealer. I am so lucky that I did not rear end someone, or have someone rear end me. It was snowing and freezing rain, while I had to stand outside of the van awaiting help.

My van is a 1993, but it only has 77K miles on it.

Any help would be appreciated. I want my money back!!!

I have to say my 1993 Dodge Caravan is the worst automobile I have ever owned. I have been through three transmissions, and the brakes that were fixed under a recall are still, on again off again, trouble. Service is deplorable-unless of course-you are interested in a new automobile. A class action lawsuit could be the ticket to accountability. Certainly my letters to their corporate offices have not seemed to bother anyone. Interested in getting together on that lawsuit visit me at Bettylynnschweitzer@hotmail.

1992 Plymouth Voyager 3.0 liter 107,000 kilometers ABS never functioned, but that is O K with me. Guess what the transmission is gone on the blink. I do my own mechanical work, so I have looked into this problem a great deal. A rebuilt is just replacing a problem with a problem. Same as buying one at a wreckers. I took the transmission out, stamped it for identification, purchased a rebuild kit. It is going to a re builder. In the area I live in the average cost to operate a vehicle per year is 8,904 dollars. Although Chrysler should have remedied this long ago I see it as buyer beware. Would I purchase another? Not on your life.

I agree that my 1993 Dodge Caravan is the absolute worst vehicle I have ever owned. It has left me stranded on the roadside 4 times in 2 months. Water pump, rear wheel cylinders, front wheel bearings, ball joint, and who knows what today's problem is. I hate this vehicle, and would never ever buy another one.

From my experience as a farmer and millwright, my experience has been that all things break. It's not a question of "if" but "when." However, your experience is truly anomalous, and I think something other than design or manufacture flaws are at fault. I would investigate your driving habits or the repair shop for an answer.

Are you doing something to cause the transmission to go into second gear limp-home default mode, parking it and calling for a wrecker and having the transmission replaced under warranty? The transmission computer will reset just by turning the key off and will exit default mode the moment you restart. Perhaps the problem is not the transmission, but the controlling computer.

Four failed idler pulleys indicates some other unrepaired misalignment. I've had only one idler pulley fail in 500,000 miles of driving. I've had two 4-speed automatic transmissions last 250,000 miles each in use under the very severe northern Minnesota and rural North Dakota driving conditions I've put my vans through.

Blaming the driver? Come on, "limp mode" and Dodge/Chrysler are practically synonymous. Are you trying to say that Dodge owners are somehow worse drivers than everybody else? Get real.

I just got a 1990 Caravan LE. The thing won't keep running. Turns off driving down the freeway, any where without warning. We have changed fuel pump and other pieces, but still no luck. Does anyone have an ideas? I don't feel safe for my kids and self.

I agree that most dodge four speed auto transmissions are crap. I seemed to have lucked out on my 92 Caravan LE though. (3.3 V6 4spd auto. 266,000kms on original tranny. Bought it second hand so must have been well maintained all its life. The van was stolen for a month and abused. It now makes a whistling/hissing sound when it shifts from 2nd to third gear. Trans shop says it's the original one and its time for a rebuild. It would have still been OK if it wasn't for those f#%*ing car thieves.

Hello, I have had a used 1993 Dodge Caravan for three years now with no problems. The transmission is starting to slip, but the car had 187,000 miles on it. It hauls everything from family to IKEA beds to lawn mowers. I'm going to get a used or rebuilt transmission and keep for the next five years. I live in Germany, so used parts are a lot more expensive than in the USA, but I feel that it is well worth the money. Sorry to hear of your problems, but I like this car.

Pertaining to the ABS brake problems. Has anyone out there tried to replace the bendix10 system with a regular power brake system? I was thinking of doing this with a system from a junk yard. Just looking for some input from someone who has attempted this. Thanks.