NHTSA Complaint #711134 — 1994 DODGE CARAVAN

THE VAN'S ENGINE WILL INTERMITENTLY CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TOWN. IN MOST CASES THERE IS NO WAY TO WARN DRIVERS APPROACHING FROM THE REAR THAT YOU HAVE NO POWER OR ARE STOPPED IN THE ROAD. (WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OUT THERE IS NO WARNING OR NOISE. THE ONLY WAY THE DRIVER KNOWS THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING IS THAT THE POWER STEERING IS GONE OR THE VAN DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN THE DRIVER STEPS ON THE GAS PEDAL.) RESTARTING THE ENGINE MAY TAKE 4 TO 6 TRIES BEFORE YOU CAN PLACE THE VAN BACK IN DRIVE AND CONTINUE. EVEN IF THE DRIVER WERE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES OR TURN ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, OTHER CARS AND MACK TRUCKS APPROACHING FROM THE REAR HAVE A TENDENCY TO RUSH UP ON THE REAR BUMBER BEFORE THEY REALIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS IS, OBVIOUSLY, VERY UN-NERVING ESPECIALLY TO THE DRIVER WHO IS TRYING TO RESTART THE VAN BEFORE SOMEONE RUNS INTO HIM. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 6 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS STALLING PROBLEM IN EITHER A DODGE VAN OR CAR THAT HAS THE 3.0L ENGINE. MOST HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR DODGE DEALER AND HAVE SOLD THE UN-REPAIRED VAN OR CAR RATHER THAN ARGUE WITH THE DELERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE STALLING PROBLEM IN MY VAN HAPPENED ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS WHEN IT WAS NEW AND IT DID NOT REALLY SEEM TO BE A SAFETY PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IN THE PAST YEAR THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO THINK TWICE ABOUT GETTING OUT ON 495 AT RUSH HOUR FOR FEAR OF BEING RUN OVER. DODGE HAS JUST SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE FOR AIR BAG WIRING ON THIS VAN, PLEASE GET THEM TO RECALL THE VANS AND CARS THAT USE THE 3.0L ENGINE TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS STALLING PROBLEM. *AK