1997 DODGE CARAVAN Power Trainautomatic Transmission Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY TOOK THREE WEEKS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND, BEFORE THE CONTACT COULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, THE NEW TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY NEW REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE AT THE COST OF $900. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR THREE WEEKS, SOMEONE IN THE SERVICE CENTER CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. THE MILEAGE INFORMATION AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE O-RINGS ON THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE FAILING. CHRYSLER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 192,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

THE VAN HAS A HARD TIME GOING IN REVERSE WHEN IT IS COOL OUTSIDE. AND WHEN GOING IN DRIVE THE VAN HAS A HARD TIME SHIFTING INTO ANY GEAR. SOMETIMES THE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE SPEEDOMETER FLIPS OUT AND SHOOTS TO 0 TO 80 3 TIMES BEFORE IT STOPS AND GOES BACK TO THE RIGHT SPEED THAT I AM GOING. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WHEELS LOCKED UP DUE TO A DIFFERENTIAL PIN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILS ON A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, BUT NOT A SERVICE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE.

TRANSMISSION FAILED, VERMONT, 2003. REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION @ 114,152 MILES - WILSON DODGE, VT - AT 134,826 MILES, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING - HAD NOTICED CLUNKING OCCASIONALLY IN REVERSE. COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER -IRA DODGE, MEDFORD MA RE: CLUNKING: WAS INFORMED THAT THE LEAKING OR TEAR DOWN FOR CLUNKING NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - TO BE MY EXPENSE - SOUND NOT EASILY REPEATABLE - DEALER STATED $150 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. ARGUED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER SAYING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS UNDER WARRANTY - HE WAS NOT SYMPATHETIC. CONVINCED HIM TO HAVE HIS MECHANIC TEST DRIVE THE VAN AFTER FIXING THE LEAK (WHICH HE INDEED DID - MILEAGE OUT WAS 134828) AUGUST 2005 - MILEAGE 148781 - LOUD BANG WHILE BACKING UP IN THE HOTEL PARKING GARAGE. CALLED MOPAR CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-992-1997 - DATE 8/20/05 - TOLD THAT WARRANTY WAS GOOD IN CANADA BY REP; GIVEN THE NAME OF THE MONTREAL DEALERSHIP...

1997 DODGE CARAVAN TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES.*MR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS REMOVED, THE MECHANIC FOUND METAL CONTAMINATION AND BROKEN PARTS. *JB

TRANSMISSION IS BEING REBUILT AGAIN THIS IS MY THIRD TRANSMISSION.THE ORIGINAL WAS REPLACED AT 16,500 MILES WITH A REMANUFACTURED FROM CHRYSLER TRANSMISSION,WHICH AN INDEPENDANT SHOP PURCHASED FROM DARROW DODGE AND HAS INSTALLED IT,AND NOW ONLY AFTER 31,000 MILES FIRST GEAR WENT OUT ON IT AND IT IS BEING REBUILT NOW.THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

DT: TRANSMISSION: CONTACT STATES VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, AND AGAIN AT 50,000 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, THE TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN REBUILT. AT ABOUT 70,000 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. TRANSMISSION SERVICE MECHANIC STATED THAT THESE VANS NEEDED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND ANOTHER COOLING SYSTEM INSTALLED.*AK ENGINE: CONTACT STATES THE OIL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FULL OF OIL. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS SAID THERE IS NOT ENOUGH OIL PRESSURE TO KEEP OIL ON THE BEARINGS.

1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SUFFERED TRANSMISSION FAILURE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR IN JAN 2005 THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS CHANCE THAT REPLACING THE FLUID AND FILTER MIGHT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM REMAINED AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WOULD BE FOR THE SECOND TIME. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO SECOND GEAR. DEALER STATED TRANSMISSION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

I BOUGHT THIS VAN NEW IN 1997 JUST AFTER BUYING THE VAN THERE WAS TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE I FEEL IT IS THE LIFTERS BUT DEALERSHIP SAYS NO IT WAS THE FUEL PURGE VALVE. THE NOISE COUNTINUES TO GET WORSE AND I AM SURE THE NOISE IS THE LIFTERS WHEN I CHANGE THE OIL TO 10W-30 THE NOISE GOES AWAY. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT APPROX 50K MILES. THE VAN HAS RECENTLY BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE TRANSMISSION TWO OR THREE TIME SINCE NOVEMBER 2003 APROX. 90,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HANGING UP IN SECOND GEAR WHEN DODGE RETUNED TO ME THE TRANSMISSION SHUTTERED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE SHOP FOR THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN IT IS LEAKING FROM THE OUTPUT SHAFT SEALS AND WHILE IN PARK WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE VAN JERKS FOWARD LIKE THE TRASMISSION IS STILL ENGAGED. THIS ALL...

A BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD EITHER FROM THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE NOISE OCCURED WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. DEALERSHIP WASN'T PROVIDING ANY ASSISTANCE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE NOISE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING OVER WATER PUDDLES CONSUMER NOTICED THE SERPENTINE BELT FROZE, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *AK THE POWER STEERING HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE GEARS WOULD SLIP WHEN SHIFTED, THE WATER PUMP LEAKED, THE BELT TENSIONER FELL APART, THE CONSUMER WOULD LOSE THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER,THE A/C DID NOT BLOW COOL AIR DUE TO A LEAKING EVAPORATOR, AND THE BELT TENSIONER WOULD STICK AND MAKE NOISES WHEN DRIVING THROUGH WATER. *SC *JB

WE BOUGHT THIS VAN ONE YEAR AGO AND SO FAR WE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OXYGEN SENSOR, SPEED SENSOR, HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHENEVER THEY WANT NOT JUST THE 16 MPH THING, BALL JOINTS ARE CLUNKING, THE CD PLAYER QUIT AND THEN SOON AFTER FM RADIO ONLY AM WORKS. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING GEARS. DEALER'S MECHANIC RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

I CONSIDER OURSELVES FORTUNATE AFTER SCOURING THRU THE NUMEROUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ON THE 1997 DODGE CARAVAN. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN 1999 WITH 23,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS MAINLY USED TO TRANSPORT MYSELF AND OUR THREE CHILDREN ALL UNDER THE AGE OF 6 AT THE TIME, BUT NOW MY HUSBAND DRIVES IT BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. WE TO HAVE HAD THE INTERMITENT GHOST WIPERS EVER SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICHLE AND WERE CONSTANTLY TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG OR COULD BE FOUND TO BE WRONG. WE HAVE WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS REPLACED THE DRIVE BELT, THE WATER PUMP, & TIMING BELT DUE TO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION AT 123,000 MILES JUST WENT OUT ON MY HUSBAND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WE ARE TOLD THAT IT WILL COST $1,500 TO FIX. WE HAVE CHOSEN TO GET IT FIXED, BUT AT THE...

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 39,000 MILES. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION ON 1997 DODGE CARAVAN.*MR IGNITION TUMBLE WAS REPLACED, FAN ASSEMBLY.*TS

WE HAVE HAD OUR VEHICLE SINCE 1999 AND HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE. THIS IS OUR THIRD CHRYSLER/DODGE VAN AND THIS IS THE SECOND OF THE THREE TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE FIRST HAD THEM AT 37,000 MILES AND THIS ONE IS HAVING THEM AT 71,000 MILES. WE WERE SMART ENOUGH TO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR BOTH VEHICLES, UNFORTUNATELY, ON THE CURRENT VAN THE WARRANTY RAN OUT LAST MONTH...BESIDES THE POOR ENGINEERING OF THE TRANSMISSIONS THIS VAN HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE ROD AND FRONT END NOISE AS WELL AS GOING THROUGH FRONT BRAKES RELATIVELY QUICKLY (WE DO NOT DRIVE IT ROUGHLY AND IT IS MAINLY USED TO TRANSPORT OUR KIDS AROUND OUR COMMUNITY APPROXIMATELY. 12000 MILES OR LESS A YEAR SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT. *LA

TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A TRANSMISSION TO BE SERVICED, PICKED MY CAR UP A HOUR LATER.HE TRANSMISSION LOCKED ON ME. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER SHOP. THE TOTAL OST OF REPAIRS WAS $1400.00.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING LOST OF ACCELERATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

TRANSMISSION FAIL TO MOVE VEHICLE, ACCOMPANIED BY WHIRRING SOUND.*PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770862

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FOWARD, UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FOWARD, UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NO SUMMARY. DT

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR CAUSING THE VAN TO SLOW SUDDENLY. NLM

WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD, ACCELERATOR NOT APPLIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB

THE TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE BLEW. I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHEN I LOST POWER. THIS CAUSE THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, CAUSING SEVERAL CARS TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO AVOID A COLLISION.*AK

CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGAGING ON COLD START. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. *TT

TRANSMISSION REPLACED. INFORMED BY 5 PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR MODEL IS OF POOR MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN , AND IS ON GOING PROBLEM WITH ALL 1996 & 1997 DODGE CARAVANS WHICH DODGE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THE VEHICLE WOULD "JUMP" OUT OF GEAR & NO ACCELERARTION WAS POSSIBLE. OUR PROBLEM WAS DETECTED EARLY AND REPAIRED BEFORE ANY SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURED. BECAUSE WE ARE SURE DODGE IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS ON OUR VEHICLE! BECAUSE OUR PROBLEM WAS DETECTED EARLY, OUR FAMILY AVOID SERIOUS INJURY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS COMPANY IS ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH AVOIDING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN POOR WORKMANSHIP! I AM FILING COMPLAINTS WITH ANY & ALL APPLICABLE ORGANIZATIONS & AGENCY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH, SPEEDOMETER KEPT MOVING BETWEEN 20MPH AND 90MPH, WITHOUT DRIVER DECREASING OR INCREASING IN SPEED. OIL LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING ALONG WITH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE OIL, THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS FRAYED ON ONE SIDE EVENTUALLY COMING OFF IDLE PULLY, LOSING STEERING ABILITY, CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND SPEEDOMETER AND FIXED THE PROBLEM AS A GOODWILL GESTURE.*JB

I WAS TRYING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVE AND THE CAR FAILED TO MOVE. *AK

WHILE BACKING OUT, NOTICED VEHICLE HAD NO TAIL LIGHTS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND REPAIRED VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED EVERY YEAR. *AKPROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING. A DODGE MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCH ON THE TRANSMISSION. *JG

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO IN REVERSE. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER FEELS THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SHOULD REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY PRODUCT. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING LOST ALL GEARS, WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. WHEN APPLYING GAS VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. CONTACT DEALER. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER FEELS THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SHOULD REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY PRODUCT. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A FUNNY SOUND, VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER WHEN APPLYING GAS. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK. CONSUMER STATED BOTH PLANETARIES HAD TO BE REPLACED.*JB

MY TRANMISSION HAS GONE 4 TIMES THE FIRST TIME WAS 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE AND PROBLEMS CONTINUE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, PREVENTING VEHICLE FROM OPERATING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. VEHICLE SLOWLY LOST POWER, AND NEALRY SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN DISTRIBUTOR BEARINGS SEIZED UP AND CAUSED TRANSAXLE TO LOOSEN UP. TRANSMISSION THEN FAILED. VEHICLE IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INDICATED PLUG ON TRANSMISSION CANISTER CAP HAD MELTED. THIS HAPPENED AT 78,000 MILES. HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM REAPPEARED IN NEW TRANSMISSION. HAD PREVIOUSLY SMELLED SULFUR LIKE FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE. VEHICLE GAVE BIG JERK , AND MADE A LOUD NOISE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. ALSO, NOTICED GRAYISH SMOKE IN REAR. AT DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC NOTICED PLUG, MADE OF PLASTIC, HAD MELTED LIKE THE FIRST ONE.*AK *SLC

RADIATOR LEAK CAUSING ANTI FREEZE TO ENTER TRANSMISSION AND CAUSE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. $2100 REPAIR AFTER OWNING VEHICLE 1 YEAR, TOTAL MILAGE 58620. SEEMS TO BE A RATHER COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE

VAN IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, WE HEARD A LARGE KNOCK FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VAN ROCKED. AT THIS POINT THE VAN LOCKED UP, COULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED UP TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD NOT BE PUSHED IN NUETRAL, THE TIRES EVEN SKID ON THE DRIVEWAY WHEN BEING PULLED ONTO THE BACK TO THE TOW TRUCK. TRANSMISSION REPAIR ($1800) REQUIRED. WAS TOLD THAT "PLANETARY" EXPLODED AND DESTROYED TRANSMISSION, A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER 3 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS. CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT DENIED ANY HELP DUE TO OVER WARRANTY AND DID NOT PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (THEY JUST WANT MONEY). IT DIDN'T MATTER THAT I HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICE IN JAN. 01 AND EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. THIS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, I HAD MY WIFE AND 2 AND 4 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE VAN. WHAT HAPPENS IF VEHICLE LOCKS UP...

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM TAIL PIPE. THEN, WHITE SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER STOPPED CAR AND TURNED IGNITION OFF. CONSUMER EXITED THE CAR, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS MAY RELATED TO RECALL FOR FUEL LEAKAGE. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS IN SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON FEBRUARY 16TH, 2001. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. AFTER DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT GEAR HAD BROKEN, AFFECTING TRANSMISSION.*AK

I HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURES IN MY STEERING COLMN WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO USE MY HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND I AM AFRAID THAT MY AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALONG WITH ABS AND INTERMITANT OTHER LIGHTS. I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. SLIPPING FROM TIME TO TIME. THE REAR A/C FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS IN THE LOW AND HIGH POSITION. TRASSMISION GIVES OFF A BURNING SMELL WHEN HOT.*AK

CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO GARAGE AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE. IT WAS A BROKEN PIN FROM TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

3RD GEAR CLUTCH PACK IN TRANSMISSION FAILED AND VEHICLE STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE AN EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE AT LOW MILEAGE.*AK