NHTSA Complaint #769076 — 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VAN SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VAN OFF THE TRACKS BEFORE THE TRAIN CAME BY. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO ACCUSED ME OF NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINING THE TRANSMISSION. MY HUSBAND TAKES CARE OF THE MAINTENANCE ON THIS VEHICLE AND FOLLOWED THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS. THERE WAS NEVER ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO IT'S FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP HAS STATED THAT THE COOLER ON THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES A BACKFLOW OF FLIUD IN THE LINES FORCING THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO DROP METAL SHREDS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THEIR OPINION IS THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A CHRYSLER DESIGN FLAW. JUST FROM THE LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH WE HAVE DONE ON CAR POINT, IT IS VERY COMMON FOR THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE VANS TO FAIL BEFORE THEY REACH 50,000 MILES. I WAS LUCKY THAT MINE LASTED UNTIL 60,000. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS MINIVAN, INCLUDING A DASHBOARD MELTING OVER THE AIRBAG AND A BELT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED 2X ALREADY AND QUITE POSSIBLY A THIRD NOW. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO STANS BEHIND THESE VANS BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT OF THE MILEAGE WARRANTY AND IT'S NOT RIGHT. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS AND CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE MINIVAN TRANSMISSIONS THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. ANOTHER MOTHER MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY AND GET HER VAN OFF THE RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION. DT FAILS.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.