NHTSA Complaint #703002 — 1996 DODGE CARAVAN

SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR VAN IN AUGUST OF 1997, WE HAVE HAD MANY REPAIRS AND VISITS TO THE DEALER. AS OF TODAY, THEY HAVE NOT FIXED OR DIAGNOSED THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR APPLYING MY BRAKES, A CRUNCHING SOUND OCCURS ,AND I CAN FEEL IT IN THE PEDAL. IT IS A FAIRLY LOUD SOUND AND THE VIBRATION IS DISTRACTING BECAUSE YOU LOSE YOUR BRAKE PEDAL FOR A PERIOD OF 1-2 SECONDS. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER DODGE CARAVAN OWNERS AND PLAN TO TAKE A DETAILED SURVEY ON THIS MATTER, BUT, NONE TO THIS POINT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM OR ANTILOCK BRAKE COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH IS UNDETECTABLE. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR ALL THE TIME, AND NOT UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. THIS, ALSO, LEADS ME TO THE CONCLUSION THERE IS A MAJOR SAFTEY DEFECT HERE. I HAVE HAD THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY CANT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO, GET IN AN ACCIDENT? I HAVE ASKED THAT THEY RECALL MY VAN, REFUND FULL PURCHASE PRICE OR REPLACE MY VEHICLE WITH ONE SIMILAR TO MINE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM: TODAY IT WAS IN FOR BRAKES AND A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. PREVIOUSLY, CATALYTIC CONVERTER/ BLOWER MOTOR/BATTERY/ SPEED SENSOR AND ANTI RATTLE BUMPERS THAT STILL HAVENT CORRECTED PROBLEM/FUEL FILTER GROUND STRAP AND FUEL FILLER TUBE GROUND STRAP HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ALSO, DEGLAZED BRAKES, BUT STILL BRAKES SQUEAK.FINALLY, HEADLIGHTS REPLACED W/HOUSING/LAMP, AND WHATEVER ELSE THEY HAVE DONE TO IT WHILE IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW. IT HAS BEEN THERE SINCE TUESDAY FEB.02. THIS VAN IS NO WAY WORTH THE HASSLES THAT I HAVE BEEN PUT THROUGH AND I DONT THINK ANYONE SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS SO EARLY ON. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THIS MODEL AND HAVE FOUND ATLEAST 100 COMPLAINTS FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND OTHER MAJOR REPAIRS AND UNDIAGNOSED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. I THINK IT IS TIME SOMEONE STEPPED IN AND TOOK A GOOD LOOK AT THIS 96 VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS NOT UP TO SAFTEY STANDARDS BY A LONG SHOT. THANK YOU.