NHTSA Complaint #762046 — 1999 DODGE CARAVAN

ON APRIL 18, 2002 I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO INVESTIGATE A NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE METAL ON METAL. SERVICE DROVE MY VEHICLE AND AFTER HEARING NOISE FOR HIMSELF, THEY PUT IT ON THE RACK AND SAID "WE TIGHTENED A FEW THINGS" (ON WORKSHEET STATED "CHECKED ENGINE") AND SAID TO COME BACK IF ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. ON THE MORNING OF MAY 2, 2002, I RETURNED HOME FROM AN ERRAND AND PARKED MY VAN IN THE GARAGE. LATER THAT DAY I WENT OUTSIDE AND NOTICED DRIPPINGS IN THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME INTO MY DRIVE AND GARAGE. BACKED THE CAR UP A LITTLE AND DISCOVERED A POOL OF PINKISH FLUID. NEIGHBOR CAME OVER AND VERIFIED THAT IT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID. I CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I DID SO. LEFT THE VEHICLE. THEY CALLED ME LATER IN THE DAY AND INFORMED ME THAT MY VAN NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE EXPLANATION WAS THAT "DIFFERENTIAL PIN CAME LOOSE AND WENT THROUGH CASE. NOT REBUILDABLE." SO, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. I HAVE WRITTEN TO CHRYSLER AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THAT; IN FACT, LAST WEEK, DISTRICT PEOPLE WERE TO HAVE BEEN HERE, SUPPOSEDLY TO MEET ON THIS; HOWEVER, I HAVE RECEIVED NO INFORMATION FROM THEM REGARDING THE RESOLUTION OF THIS.*AK