NHTSA Complaint #722776 — 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS BETWEEN 45-52 (MOST PRONOUNCED AROUND 48) AND DID SO WHEN I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT NEW ON 1/14/00. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE I WAS FIRST TOLD IT WAS TIRE BALANCE AND THAT THEY FIXED IT. IT DIDN'T AND I BROUGHT IT BACK. THE SERVICE MAN SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IT WAS COMPUTER TESTED OK AND THEIR MECHANIC ADDED SOME LIQUID TO THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE DRIVEN IT TO FL AND BACK TO TN AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE OTHER COMPLAINT/DEFECT CONCERNS RUSTED FRONT END COMPONENTS. UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS LEFT & RIGHT, TORSION BAR AND OTHER PARTS IN THAT AREA ARE VERY RUSTY. I NOTICE IT WHEN I CHANGED OIL. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND LOOKED UNDER THOSE VANS AND FOUND THOSE PARTS ALSO RUSTY ALSO ON NEW VANS. IT SEEMS THERE IS NO COATING OR ANODIZING ON THESE PARTS AND THEY ARE RUSTING VERY RAPIDLY. I ALSO NOTICED RUST ON THE MAIN CRANK PULLEY OF THIS NEW CAR. *AK