NHTSA Complaint #742757 — 1995 DODGE CARAVAN

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW. I HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND TIRE ROTATED AS INSTRUCTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I BELIEVE THE TIRES SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN 28,XXX MILES AND THE BATTERY BEYOND 36,XXX MILES. IN THIRTY YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SO MANY FAILURES WITH A VEHICLE. THE DRAWER UNDER THE PASSENGER HAS NEVER CLOSE, THE VINYL FABRIC THAT WRAPS AROUND THE DRIVERS SEAT IS TORN DUE TO CRACKING, NOT ABUSE. THE HORN HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS NOW STARTED TO RUST. I HAVE HAD WHAT I REFER TO AS A LIGHT SHOW ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS JUST FLASH ON AND OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN THIS OCCURS, BELLS CHIME AS WELL. THIS WILL OCCUR FOR DAYS AT A TIME AND THEN CEASE. THE PAINT ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, BELOW THE HEADLIGHTS AT THE BASE OF THE BUMPER IS FLAKING OFF. THIS AREA OF THE VEHICLE RECEIVES THE MOST ABUSE FROM ROAD DEBRIS AND SHOULD HOLD UP BETTER. EVEN THOUGH A HEAD GASKET AND SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE ENGINE WILL INDICATE IT IS OVERHEATED ON OCCASION. BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT OFTEN. EVERYTIME I TURN THE VEHICLE ON I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. WHOEVER HAS HAD A CAR WHERE THE HORN DOESN'T WORK, THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FALLS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE HOOD RELEASE LATCH FAILS AND HAS TO BE REPLACED, INTERIOR LIGHTS WHICH FLICKER ON AND OFF AT RANDOM, PREMATURE REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES, SEATS FABRIC WHICH CRACKS, AND, OF COURSE, THE HEAD GASKET. EVEN THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER SAID IT WAS UNUSUAL GIVEN THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR AT THE TIME. I NEVER KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN I GET INTO THE VEHICLE, IT JUST SEEMS LIKE TOO MANY THINGS ARE OCCURING. DUE TO DISTANCE, THE DEALER THAT SOLD US THE CAR DID NOT DO ANY REPAIRS. SEVERAL OF THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE BY ROYAL GATE DODGE, 15502 MANCHESTER RD., ELLISVILLE, MO 63011. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AND FOR LISTENING*AK