NHTSA Complaint #10464475 — 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

THE TIPM MODULE (TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) IS DEFECTIVE, AND INTERMITTENTLY DRAWS THE BATTERY DOWN. AFTER KEEPING THE VAN FOR SEVERAL DAYS, OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP (BLUEBONNET MOTORS) IN NEW BRAUNFELS, TX, DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY IS FINE, BUT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE TIPM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO UNITS AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT AT THIS TIME (SEVERAL HUNDRED ARE ON BACKORDER, AND NONE SCHEDULED FOR PRODUCTION). CHRYSLER HAS NOT OFFERED TO COVER THIS UNDER RECALL, AND WE ARE TOLD IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET WE READ MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TIPM PROBLEMS, INCLUDING: WIPERS STARTING BY THEMSELVES; WINDSHIELD SPRAYERS SPRAYING WITHOUT WARNING; HORN WILL START HONKING OUT OF CONTROL: LIGHTS FLASHING UNCONTROLLABLY (ALL OF THESE WHILE DRIVING); AND EVEN ONE UNIT THAT CAUGHT FIRE. OUR DEALERSHIP HAS INDICATED THAT THE SYSTEM INDICATES THAT AT LEAST SIX VEHICLES HAVE BEEN FLAGGED AS COMPLETELY UNUSABLE. WE FEEL THAT WE ARE DRIVING A ROLLING TIME BOMB, WITH THE POTENTIAL TO EITHER LEAVE US STRANDED, OR CAUSE HAZARDOUS DRIVING DISTRACTIONS AT ANY TIME, OR BOTH. *TR