I HAVE A 1998 GRAND CARAVAN SE WITH 85000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED RUSTING AND CRACKED METAL IN THE AREA OF THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS COMMON, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. ALSO CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE IN DETROIT, AND WAS ALSO TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD AS T…
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I HAVE A 1998 GRAND CARAVAN SE WITH 85000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED RUSTING AND CRACKED METAL IN THE AREA OF THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS COMMON, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. ALSO CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE IN DETROIT, AND WAS ALSO TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD AS THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE 3 YEAR/36000 MILES WARRANTY. I SINCERELY HOPE THIS SITUATION IS LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF ONE OF THE STRUTS GOES LAUNCHING THROUGH THE HOOD!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10082795
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2004
Suspension
SAME ISSUE AS ODI COMPLAINT 10074411 - METAL AT TOP OF WELL HOUSING STRUT/SPRING COMPONENTS, DRIVER FRONT, RUSTING. COULD CAUSE SUSPENSION FAILURE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10078881
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2004
Suspension
THE DRIVER SIDE, UPPER METAL PORTION THAT HOLD THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT THE METAL IS NOT HOLDING ANY MORE. THUS MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10074411
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2004
Suspension
THE STRUT TOWER FOR MY 1998 GRAND CARAVAN IS RUSTING THROUGH. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A MECHANIC, HE STATED IT IS A PROBLEM ON MOST OF THE CARAVANS. WE ALSO CAUTIONED ME THAT THE STRUT WILL CAUSE THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO BUCKLE. HE SAID IN ABOUT A YEAR THERE WILL BE MANY CRASHES CAUSED BY THIS FAILURE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10063627
103,000 miles · Mar 15, 2004
Suspension
DRIVER SIDE FRONT STRUT IS RUSTED. VEHICLE IS PULLING HARD TO THE LEFT, MAKING TURNS TO THE LEFT VERY DIFFICULT. ALSO, TURNS TO THE RIGHT ARE EQUALLY TOUGH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063233
87,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
ALMOST ALL OF THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ONLY TO FIND THAT LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER, JULY 2003, THE EVAPORATER IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $750.00.
NHTSA ODI #10071262
95,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure
THE CAR IS ON IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION. WE LIKE THE CARAVAN AS A PACKAGE, BUT QUALITY IS LACKING AND PROBLEMATIC. THE MOST CRITICAL PROBLEM IS BODY RUST THROUGH. THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOCK MOUNT TOWER IS RUSTED THROUGH AND CHRYSLER OWNER RELATIONS REFUSING TO FIX IT. NEVER MIND THAT THE DEALERS SAY THE PROBLEM IS PREVALENT AND CH…
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THE CAR IS ON IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION. WE LIKE THE CARAVAN AS A PACKAGE, BUT QUALITY IS LACKING AND PROBLEMATIC. THE MOST CRITICAL PROBLEM IS BODY RUST THROUGH. THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOCK MOUNT TOWER IS RUSTED THROUGH AND CHRYSLER OWNER RELATIONS REFUSING TO FIX IT. NEVER MIND THAT THE DEALERS SAY THE PROBLEM IS PREVALENT AND CHRYSLER USED TO FIX IT BUT RECENTLY STOPPED PAYING FOR (PERHAPS DUE TO FINANCIAL AND MARKET CONDITIONS).
NHTSA ODI #10070507
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2003
Suspension
ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THIS VEHICLE, THE FRONT SUSPENSION TOWER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS SEVERELY RUSTED AROUND THE STRUT MOUNT. THE RUST IS COMING THROUGH FROM UNDERNEATH. IF IT RUSTS THROUGH COMPLETELY THE STRUT WILL COME UP THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WILL PROBABLY BE AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE W…
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ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THIS VEHICLE, THE FRONT SUSPENSION TOWER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS SEVERELY RUSTED AROUND THE STRUT MOUNT. THE RUST IS COMING THROUGH FROM UNDERNEATH. IF IT RUSTS THROUGH COMPLETELY THE STRUT WILL COME UP THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WILL PROBABLY BE AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE WILL PROBABLY GET HURT. IN MY INVESTIGATION OF THIS DEFECT, I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS INCIDENCES OF THE SAME RUST FAILURE IN THE SAME LOCATION ON CHRYSLER MINIVANS BUILT FROM 1996 TO 1999. THIS INCLUDES THE CARAVAN, VOYAGER, AND TOWN & COUNTRY MODELS, AS WELL AS THE GRAND VERSION OF EACH. THESE SIX MODELS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TOGETHER WHEN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM. THEY EACH EXHIBIT THE SAME DEFECT IN THE SAME LOCATION. I REFER TO IT AS A DEFECT BECAUSE CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEIR MECHANICS REFER TO IT AS A DESIGN FLAW. THEY HAVE A WARRANTY PART#05086513AA FOR REPAIRING THIS DEFECT; YET THEY OFFER NO COMPENSATION TO OWNERS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY COVERAGE. IF YOU INVESTIGATE THIS DEFECT YOU WILL SEE IT CLEARLY WARRANTS RECALL STATUS.
NHTSA ODI #10051299
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2003
Suspension
MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FAILED A STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION DUE TO SAFETY RISKS CAUSED BY SIGNIFICANT RUSTING OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT SUPPORT TOWER. TOP OF STRUT SUPPORT TOWER WAS APPROXIMATELY 75% RUSTED THROUGH. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN OBSERVED IN OTHER SIMILARLY AGED DODGE VANS. MECHANIC ALSO STATED…
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MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FAILED A STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION DUE TO SAFETY RISKS CAUSED BY SIGNIFICANT RUSTING OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT SUPPORT TOWER. TOP OF STRUT SUPPORT TOWER WAS APPROXIMATELY 75% RUSTED THROUGH. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN OBSERVED IN OTHER SIMILARLY AGED DODGE VANS. MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE LEVEL OF RUSTING WAS HIGHLY EXCESSIVE AND NOT NORMAL SINCE STRUT TOWER LOCATED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IS NORMALLY PROTECTED FROM ELEMENTS. POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE RUSTING DUE TO DESIGN OR STRUCTURAL DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10050694
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2003
Suspension
THE CONSUMER NOTICED RUST AROUND THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED. *NLM THE CONSUMER NOTICED RUST AROUND THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED. THE STRUT TOWERS ARE RUSTED THROUGH. THESE SUPPORT THE MACPH…
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THE CONSUMER NOTICED RUST AROUND THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED. *NLM THE CONSUMER NOTICED RUST AROUND THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED. THE STRUT TOWERS ARE RUSTED THROUGH. THESE SUPPORT THE MACPHERSON STRUTS/SUSPENSION/AXLES AND STEERING. THE DODGE DEALER I WENT TO SEE SAID HE IS SEEING THIS SHOW ON VANS. THE LOSS OF THE STRUT SUPPORT. *MR
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT WEBBING WAS INCORRECTLY ROUTED AROUND THE METAL REINFORCEMENT BAR ON THESE SEATS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CHILD SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROUTING OF THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING AND ANY FOUND INCORRECT WILL BE PROPERLY ROUTED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6
EA04013 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Opened Jun 4, 2004 · Closed May 25, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
THE DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING CAN DEVELOP AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CONDITION RESULTING IN NONFUNCTIONAL DRIVER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED), AND/OR STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).IN ITS OCTOBER 5, 2004 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL AND REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL MY 1998.5-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER MINIVANS, BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1998 AND AUGUST 2000, WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS.IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT ON MY 1998.5-2000 MINIVANS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.THE DETAILS OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION ARE DESCRIBED IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S LETTER (SEE RECALL NO. 04V-480).THE AGENCY BELIEVES THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE VEHICLES COVERED ONLY BY THE LIFETIME WARRANTY.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE PAGE 2 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
RQ04001 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Opened Jan 28, 2004 · Closed Jun 4, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
COMPLAINTS REPORT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, AND THIS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND/OR CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).THIS IS INDICATIVE OF AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CLOCKSPRING FAILURE (RESULTS IN NON-FUNCTIONING DRIVER'S AIR BAG), SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE CONDITION THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S RECALL OF MODEL YEAR 1996-1998.5 MINIVANS (RECALL NO. 02V-293).THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-013).
EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring
Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak
Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System
Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
No summary supplied.
PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity
Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
There is no summary currently available
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