1998 DODGE CARAVAN Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 130,000 FAILURE MILEAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING MAKE A STOP THE CONTACT PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT STARTED PUMPING THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, BUT IT DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE ROLL TO A STOP. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CALLED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE INTERRUPTER VALVE ON THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 130,000

TL*- CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND SAID THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT LEAKED AND IT CAUSED BRAKE FAILURES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56400, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56500.*AK

Mileage: 56,400

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE CARAVAN AND WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND APPEARED READY TO FAIL. THE CONTACT DIDN'T PROVIDE ANY MORE INFORMATION. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 56,234.*AK

Mileage: 56,234

DT: THE CONTACT STATE THAT 1998 DODGE CARAVAN WAS HAVING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH STARTING AND STOPPING. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. THE VEHICLE ONLY DID THIS WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START IT. THIS HAPPENED EVERY DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR OR FIVE TIMES. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM

Mileage: 90,000

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT REACH THE FLOOR, AND THE BRAKES HAVE JUST FAILED. THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, AND BRAKES FAILED , RESULTING IN A CRASH.*AK...HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO STATED THAT FRONT DISC BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER PAID $160.OO TO REPLACE BRAKES. *AK *SB

Mileage: 80,000

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT REACH THE FLOOR, AND THE BRAKES HAVE JUST FAILED. THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, AND BRAKES FAILED , RESULTING IN A CRASH.*AK...HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO STATED THAT FRONT DISC BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER PAID $160.OO TO REPLACE BRAKES. *AK *SB

Mileage: 80,000

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. IT WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS. CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND H WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN 03E450000, 03E530000, AND 00V268000. *AK

Mileage: 148,500

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL ABS LIGHT COMMENCED TO ILLUMINATE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE BEFORE STOPPING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK

Mileage: 62,000

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS MODULAR UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SKIDDED INTO EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED TWICE. THE DRIVER 'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS DEAD ON ARRIVAL. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED TOTALED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

BRAKE LINE ERUPTED BECAUSE OF CORROSION. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. *AK

Mileage: 63,600

TRANSMISSION ------------ SUDDEN FAILURE OF ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE GEARS. KEY OFF-ON BRINGS BACK FORWARD DRIVE FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS THEN FAILS AGAIN. NO REVERSE GEAR AT ALL. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC INDICATES 3 TRANSMISSION ERRORS RELATED TO SHIFTING. SENSORS LOOK OK. SHOP HAD TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF OVER $2,000. BRAKES ------ EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS. MUST BE REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR NOW. FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED IT DESTROYED ONE BRAKE ROTOR -- HAD TO REPLACE THAT. NOW, AT THE FIRST SIGN OF BRAKE SQUEAL I MUST CHECK AND REPLACE THE PADS AS THEY ARE CLOSE TO WEARING OUT. GENERALLY GET LESS THAN 15,000 MILES PER SET.

Mileage: 69,000

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE FAILED. THE DRIVER USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. *NLM PH *JB

Mileage: 42,733

I HAVE TO CHANGE MY FRONT BRAKE PADS ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH DUE TO THE BRAKES GET TO HOT AND USUALLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE PAD JUST FALLS OFF WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. I HAVE TAKEN THIS PROBLEM IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS VERY HAPPY THAT IT WAS STILL COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER HAD MY VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WHEN I GOT MY VAN BACK IT WAS FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS, AND THEN THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS COSTING A FORTUNE TO KEEP UP THE BRAKE PAD MAINTENANCE. I CONSIDER THE BRAKES ON A VEHICLE A LIFELINE AND AM SURPRISED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. EVERY PERSON I KNOW THAT OWNS A DODGE CARAVAN HAS THE SAME COMPLAINT. I BOUGHT MY VAN 01/01/00. *NLM

Mileage: 74,795

I ONLY HAVE 35,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND OF COURSE THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT. THIS HAS ALREADY COST ME OVER $200 TO REPAIR BRAKES BECAUSE OF ROTORS, NOT BAD BRAKES. NOW I NEED $1000 HEAD GASKET WORK. STARTER ONLY SEEMS TO START WHEN IT WANTS TO. VERY TEMPORAMENTAL. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE THAT A 35,000 MILE CAR WOULD HAVE SO MUCH WRONG SO SOON. DT

WHEN ON A EXIT RAMP GOING DOWNHILL, BRAKE PEDAL WENT CLEAR TO FLOOR, NO SLOWING. CAR TOTALED TRYING TO SLOW DOWN BY HITTING GUARD RAIL AND DUMP TRUCK. SAFETY CHECK BY AUTO SHOP SAID FAILED MASTER CYCLINDER. TWO OTHER DRIVERS DROVE CAR THAT DAY WITHOUT NOTICING ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS. NO FORWARNING SUCH AS SQUEAKY OR GRATING SOUND ON BRAKING OR SQUISHY BRAKING BEFORE. SINCE THEN HAVE HEARD OF TWO OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS WITH FAILED MASTER CYCLINDER WITHOUT ANY FORWARNING. VERY DANGEROUS. *AK

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC INDICATED EXTERNAL CYLINDER GASKET WAS GONE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VAN HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, POWER STEERING LOSS, BACK WHEELS ON FIRE, COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND ENGINE WOULD SEIZE AND STOP. *YH

AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN, WHO HANDLES THE FLEET FOR A STATE AGENCY, I UNHAPPY THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FROM THE MANUFACTURED AS RECALLS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WHICH SEEMS TO HAPPEN AROUND 35,000 MILES OR IF THE VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE PARKED FOR ANYTIME OVER TWO WEEKS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SMELLED SMOKE. THEN, DASHBOARD WENT BLANK. CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM EDGE OF HOOD, HE PULLED OVER AND SAW FLAMES FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. DEALER DETERMINED ABS SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE. DAMAGE UNKNOWN. *AK *YH

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON, AND CONSUMER SAW SOMETHING HANGING FROM UNDER THE CAR, IT WAS SERPENTINE BELT. THEN, THERE WAS NO STEERING OR BRAKING.*AK

CONSUMER STATES LEFT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE LOWER THAN THE RIGHT AND THE BRAKES WEAR DOWN ONLY ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE, VEHICLE SKIDDED WHEN BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT CONSUMER WAS ADVISED FRONT CALIPER, ROTOR AND BRAKE PADS WERE NEEDED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN, DEALERSHIP ADVISED CONSUMER THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY VEHICLE WAS SKIDDING, CONSUMER IS HAVING TO REPLACE THE ROTOR, CALIPER AND BRAKE ONLY ON FRONT SIDE EVERY 8000 MILES, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY DELEARSHIP THAT THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY SIX MONTHS. *JB KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION, DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE CYLINDER AND IT BROKE, DEALER REPLACED. TAPE DRAGGED IN THE TAPE PLAYER, DEALER REPLACED. AT TIMES WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, THERE IS NO RADIO, LIGHTS, OR HORN, DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. SLIGHT FLUID LEAK FROM TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE,CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION JERKED. ARM REST FASTNER BACKED OFF. LEFT FRONT BRAKES CONTINUE TO WEAR AND PULL VEHICLE, BRAKES LOCK UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID. *SLC

ABS PROBLEMS. BRAKES GO OUT EVERY SIX MONTHS ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. ROTORS, AND CALIPERS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VAN SKIDS. THIS CONDITION CAUSED A CRASH IN 2/99 AND 2/00. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM.

WITH THE MINIVAN IN REVERSE GEAR BACKING UP,AT 5MPH FROM A DISTANT OF 100FT AND THEN APPLY BRAKE PEDAL, FAIL TO STOP THE MINIVAN.THE ENGINE PICK UP SPEED,WHILE FOOT IS STILL ON BRAKE AND MINIVAN IS TURN TO LEFT MOVING IN A CIRCLE IN A PARKING AREA CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY MINIVAN AND ANOTHER CAR PARK IN AREA.*AK

WHILE DRIVING COULD STEP ON THE BRAKES PEDAL AND VEHICLE WILL START SHAKING WITHOUT A NOTICE OF BRAKES WORKING. *AK IN LOW IDLE WITH BRAKES ON, VEHICLE START SHAKING AS IF IT WOULD DIE (ENGINE SHUT OFF). *YH

WE BOUGHT THIS VAN IN JANUARARY 1, 2000 WE HAVE HAD THIS VAN FOR A YEAR NOW AND HAVE HAD THE BRAKES DONE ON IT 8 TIMES. THE BRAKES GET SO HOT THAT IT MELTS THE VALVE STEMS. ALSO WHEN WE BOUGHT THIS VAN THE YELLOW LIGHTS ON THE FRONT DASH FOR THE REAR WINDOW WIPER AND THE OTHER LIGHTS SURROUNDING THAT LIGHT KEEP BLINKING AND WONT STOP BLINKING UNTIL DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES. THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE LIGHTS STOP BLINKING. *AK

DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS WERESEVERLY CORRODED CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT N A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES AND FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER ON 03 JUL 2000. MASTER CYCINDER FAILED AGAIN,AND CONSUMER HAD KNOW BRAKES. THEN, AGAIN ON OCT 7TH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, CONSUMER FELT THIS VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE WERE KIDS IN VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES AND FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER ON 03 JUL 2000. MASTER CYCINDER FAILED AGAIN,AND CONSUMER HAD KNOW BRAKES. THEN, AGAIN ON OCT 7TH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, CONSUMER FELT THIS VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE BECAUSE THERE WERE KIDS IN VEHICLE. *AK

BRAKE ROTOR RUSTED AND CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE. NO ACCIDENT RESULTED. DEALER CLAIMS THAT IT IS NOT AN ITEM WHICH IS COVERED BY WARRANTY. I AM APPEALING TO CHRYSLER AS THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE PAST. NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL ON EARLIER CHRYSLER VEHICLES FOR BRAKE ROTOR CORROSION. RECALL NO. 98V005. *AK

ANYTIME BRAKES ARE APPPLIED SUDDENLY OR IN SLIPPERY WEATHER CONDITIONS, VEHICLE WILL SHAKE & MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED. *AK

ANYTIME BRAKES ARE APPPLIED SUDDENLY OR IN SLIPPERY WEATHER CONDITIONS, VEHICLE WILL SHAKE & MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, ANDTHE BRAKES JERK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE MAKES A SQUEAKING SOU, AND THE PEDAL HAS TO BE STOMPED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE STOPPED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FUTHER INFORMATION. *AK

FRONT DISC BRAKES FAILED. MJS

FRONT DISC BRAKES FAILED. MJS

FRONT DISC BRAKES FAILED. MJS

I WAS SLOWING DOWN TOWARD A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ABOUT 35-MPH THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BRAKES WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR COULD NOT STOP. CONSEQUENTLY I COULD NOT AVOID A COLLISION. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IMPACT WAS INCHES JUST ABOVE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER, TO MY SURPRISE. I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW THE LIGHT CAME ON ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, THE DELER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BUT IT WAS THERE AND NOTHING WAS FIX. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

THE ABS FAILURE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. ONCE ON, IT STAYS ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SWITCHED OFF. PROBLEM WAS VERY INFREQUENT THROUGH THE WINTER, BUT RETURNED AS WEATHER BEGAN TO WARM. RECENTLY HAVE FELT BRAKE PEDAL PULSATION AS LIGHT WAS COMMING ON , EVEN AT LOW SPEED STOPS. DEALER SAYS LIGHT MUST BE ON SOLID IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE. *AK

THE ONLY REASONS AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED WAS THAT NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME ,AND I RESUMED MY RATE OF SPEED. I ENDED UP 10 FEET FROM A BUSY STREET BEFORE THE VAN STOPPED. MY SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN THE VAN WITH ME AT THE TIME. I ALSO FEEL FORTUNATE THAT ONLY 1 BRAKE FAILED. *AK

WHEEL CYLINDER, SHOE AND LINING AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.

WHEEL CYLINDER, SHOE AND LINING AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, WENT TO APPLY FOR THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP THREE TIMES.CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS DUE TO PADS BEING BURNED UP. WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES.

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, WENT TO APPLY FOR THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP THREE TIMES.CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS DUE TO PADS BEING BURNED UP. WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES.

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE, PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS WHICH WERE REPLACED. ALSO,CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHENEVER BRAKE ARE APPLIED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

POWER BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.