1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline Problems

CAMSHAFT ON 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FAILED (BROKE INTO TWO PIECES) WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE OHIO TURNPIKE WITH FAMILY (TWO YOUNG CHILDREN) IN THE VAN - FAILURE OF ALL POWER ASSIST AND FOWARD MOTION (OTHER THAN COASTING) WAS IMMEDIATE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT THE TIME AND IF THE ROAD HAD BEEN BUSIER THE POTENTIAL EXISITED FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY/DEATH. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 98,100 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME (3.3L ENGINE). THIS FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO CHRYSLER TSB 09-008-01 WHICH DISCUSSES CAMSHAFT FAILURE WITH CAMSHAFT BEARING WEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DAIMLER/CHRYSLER "STEP UP TO THE PLATE" ON THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OCCURING. I WILL BE CONTACTING D/C TO PURSUE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE NEW ENGINE AS AN EVENT LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR.

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED. *MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*JB BATTERY, BATTERY CABLE, ALARM SYSTEM, STARTER AND CRANKSENSOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER STATES COMPUTER POSSIBLY CAUSING STALLING. *TT

CONSUMER STARTED THE ENGINE WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 33-0270-578. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COULD SMELL GASOLINE, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND HEARD A FUNNY NOISE, SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CLAIM 35-W757-894. *SLC

CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE SMOKING, VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE FLAMES COME OUT, CONSUMER HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT VEHICLE IDLING FAST AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE, CLAIM 52-2509-400. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE, ABOUT 4 OR 5 HOUSES DOWN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 49-3238-941. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN CARPORT, CLAIM 03-3171-084. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 04-1215-889. *SLC

CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 33-0270-578. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE, HE PULLED OVER AND HEARD A FUNNY NOISE, THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HOOD, CLAIM 35-W757-894. *SLC

CONSUMERS DAUGHTER INFORMED HER THAT VEHICLE WAS SMOKING, CONSUMER WALKED OUT TO SEE VEHICLE SMOKING AND IN FLAMES, PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD COMPLAINED THAT VEHICLE IDLED FAST AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE, CLAIM 52-2509-400. *SLC

CONSUMER WAS DROPPING OFF NIECE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY, AFTER DRIVING PAST 4-5 HOUSES, CONSUMER SAW ORANGE AND STOPPED, VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, CONSUMER HAD HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL LINE, CLAIM 49-3238-941. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN CARPORT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 03-3171-084. *SLC

CONSUMER TOOK CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND COULD SMELL GAS, CONSUMER HAD RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALER HE DID NOT BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH THE RECALL, AFTER PACKAGE, VEHICLE WENT INTO HOUSE, NEIGHBOR CALLED HER AND STATED HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED, CLAIM 20-5211-880. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 04-1215-889. *SLC

CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 33-0270-578. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SMELLED GASOLINE, HE PULLED OVER AND HEARD A FUNNY NOISE, THEN SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HOOD, CLAIM 35-W757-894. *SLC

CONSUMERS DAUGHTER INFORMED HER THAT VEHICLE WAS SMOKING, CONSUMER WALKED OUT TO SEE VEHICLE SMOKING AND IN FLAMES, PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD COMPLAINED THAT VEHICLE IDLED FAST AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE, CLAIM 52-2509-400. *SLC

CONSUMER WAS DROPPING OFF NIECE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY, AFTER DRIVING PAST 4-5 HOUSES, CONSUMER SAW ORANGE AND STOPPED, VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, CONSUMER HAD HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL LINE, CLAIM 49-3238-941. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN CARPORT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 03-3171-084. *SLC

CONSUMER TOOK CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND COULD SMELL GAS, CONSUMER HAD RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALER HE DID NOT BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAD TO DO WITH THE RECALL, AFTER PACKAGE, VEHICLE WENT INTO HOUSE, NEIGHBOR CALLED HER AND STATED HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND WAS TOTALED, CLAIM 20-5211-880. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 04-1215-889. *SLC

1996 DODGE CARAVAN HAS THE VERY COMMON DODGE OIL LEAK...AIRBAG LIGHT ON ALSO..HORN DOES NOT WORK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STALLLED WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER THEN REPAIRED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER STARTED THE ENGINE WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CLAIM 33-0270-578. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COULD SMELL GASOLINE, CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND HEARD A FUNNY NOISE, SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CLAIM 35-W757-894. *SLC

CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE SMOKING, VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE FLAMES COME OUT, CONSUMER HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT VEHICLE IDLING FAST AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE, CLAIM 52-2509-400. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THOUGHT IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE, ABOUT 4 OR 5 HOUSES DOWN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 49-3238-941. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN CARPORT, CLAIM 03-3171-084. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 04-1215-889. *SLC

ONE YEAR AFTER THE VAN WAS PURCHASED IT STARTED TO STALL. THE STALL OCCURRED AND CONTINUES TO OCCUR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON IN HOT WEATHER. THE VAN WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TWO DEALERSHIPS WITH NOT SUCCESS. SERRAMONTE DODGE HAD ME PUT A CO-PILOT ON MY CAR WHICH WAS TO RECORD THE INCIDENT. WHEN I RETURNED THE CO-PILOT WITH THEY SAID THEY LOST THE DATA WHEN THEY TRIED TO DOWNLOAD THE INFORMATION. THEY WOULDN'T PUT THE CO-PILOT BACK ON. THEY WILL NOT CHECK THE PCM COMPUTER TO SEE IF IT IS FAILING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE PCM SHOULD RECORD AN ERROR MESSAGE WHEN THE VAN FAILS, BUT THE PCM MODULE NEVER RECORDS ANYTHING. THIS IS WHY WE ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE PCM MODULE. IF IT WAS WORKING RIGHT IT WOULD RECORD THE FAILURE. 5 YEARS LATER I STILL HAVE THE...

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE ENGINE IS RIUNED DUE TO A 'DOMINO' EFFECT OF DAMAGES BEGINNING WITH THE A/C COMPRESSOR LOCKING UP.*AK

CONSUMR WAS BACKING OUT AND NOTICED AN OIL SPOT ON THE GROUND. OIL WAS LEAKING. MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FOR 1/2 .CONSUMER FOR FINANCIAL REASONS WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE. DEALER STATED THAT NO DAMAGE WOULD BE DONE TO VEHICLE IF CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT WHILE THE PROBLEM EXISTED. CONSUMER RETURNED TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT LOWER HALF OF ENGINE CYLINDER AND SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. *AK

COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALLS. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS AT SLOW SPEEDS AND WHEN COMING TO STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY, VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES. NLM

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES, ENGINE STALLS WHEN BRAKING, SLIDING POWER DOOR LOCKS REPLACED 4X.

I STILL HAD OTHER COMPNENTS REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE, BUT YOU DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR ALL MY INFORMATION.

THIS IS A DAMEGED TRUCK SINCE THE BEGINNING, IS A FAILURE TRUCK, I DONT WANT IT

AT 48,000 MILES VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING OR AT A STOP POSITION. BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK *JB

LIKE 1,000 OF OTHERS, OUR ENGINE CUTS OUT ANY ANY SPEED CAUSES LOSE OF STEERING.

REPORTING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHEN A/C OR DEFOGGER ARE USED. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON SIX OCCASIONS, AND DEALE R INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

VEHICLE STOPS WITHOUT WANDERING FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. MANY OCCURRENCES BUT DEALER CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM AND DENIES ANY REPORTS OF SIMILAR OCCURENCES WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE WAITING FOR AN INCIDENT TO HAPPEN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THERE ARE SEVERAL NOTICES OF THIS PROBLEM TYPE UNDER EDMUNDS.COM. THANK YOU.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STILL ENGAGE BY THEMSELVES ORIGINALLY REPAIRED 05/99. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT30904 MILES. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HORN STOPPED WORKING HAD TO REPLACE CLICK SPRING. CAR STALL WHILE DRIVING SAID IT NEEDED TUNE-UP. WHEN USING AC OR DRIVING IN RAIN AND MAKING A TURN STEERING GETS STIFF AND CANNOT CONTROL. INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES. HAD TO REPLACE AXLE DUE TO IT BEING BENT WHEN NEW TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN. HAD TO GET NEW TIRES BECAUSE AXLE THREW OFF BALANCE. KEEP REPLACING BATTERIES. DROVE CAR FOR 10 MINUTES AND FAN CAME ON AND STAYED ON AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH ENGINE CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. MECHANIC SAID TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

DEAR NHTSA, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD THIS VAN ONLY 7 MONTHS!!! WE HAVE A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE THAT HAS 97,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WE TOOK A TRIP IN THE LAST WEEK TO CALIFORNIA TO SEE OUR DAUGHTER WHEN THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. EVEN THOUGH WE COULD NOT SEE OR HEAR ANY PROBLEMS, WE TOOK IT TO A DEALER IN RENO, NEVADA - (3223 MILL ST, RENO, NV 89502 -- #(775)-323-3106). THEY SAID THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED REPLACING. AT A COST OF 300 DOLLARS, WE AGREED IN HOPES THAT THE LIGHT PROBLEM WOULD BE CURED EVEN THOUGH NOTHING SEEMED WRONG. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING, WE NOTICED THAT THE VAN WAS RUNNING TERRIBLY AND WOULD DIE WHEN STOPPED. FRUSTRATED THAT "NO" PROBLEM WITH OUR VAN PROGRESSED TO WORSE WE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK...

BELTS BECAME BADLY FRAYED AND TATTERED PREMATURELY; 3 DAYS AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE BELTS, THE ENGINE DIED ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WE NEEDED TO BE TOWED FROM THE FREEWAY TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEM AND THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT AWAY.

ALL OF THESE BREAK DOWNS HAVE COME WITH IN THE 9 MONTH PERIOD THERE ARE OTHER BREAK DOWNS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SAID LIKE THE MAIN COMP (EMC COMP),3 SENSORS AND ABOUT 5 RECALLS IN THIS TIME PERIOD WE CONTACTED DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS VAN AND TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO AND NOTHING WAS DONE.WE FEEL THIS VAN WAS A LEMON AND WILL CONT TO HAVE PROBLEMS WE ASK THAT DODGE STAND BY THERE NAME AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *AK