1999 DODGE CARAVAN Vehicle Speed Control Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

Mileage: 134,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. AFTER SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SPED UP TO 55 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE THEN APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING, THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD ACTIVATE ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRUISE SERVO/ACTUATOR. THEY ALSO RECOMMENDED AN ENGAGEMENT SWITCH. UPDATED 09/30/11*JB

Mileage: 42,000

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAD RECALL IN 2004 TO REPLACE A CLOCKSPRING, BUT DEALER AVOIDED THIS AFTER CUSTOMER'S 3 OR 4 TRIES IN 2004. ON 06-16-2010 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE, (ALL [XXX] BROKE LOOSE!) THE MOTOR HIT HIGH REVOLUTIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY "LOCKED" UP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED AS IT TRAVELED BACKWARDS AND FINALLY HITTING AND TOTALING 2 VEHICLES AT OVER 50 MPH.NOTE: SINCE ABOUT 2007 A BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 152,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ,AND THE HORN FAILED TO WORK. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON CLOCK SPRING AFFECTING EARLIER MODELS.*AK RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V480000. FOR THE AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED PAPERWORK ON A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CLOCK SPRING REPAIR. *TC

Mileage: 59,000

THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. UPON HAVING THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING RECALL 04V480000 REPAIRS PERFORMED DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE HORN FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE RECALL PART, AND CHARGED THE CONSUMER $100.00 TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL SPEED DUE TO LUNGING AND STALLING. DOES THIS WITH OR WITHOUT THE AIR CONDITION ON AND ONLY UPON ACCELERATION. DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS ON AN INCLINE OR NOT-ALWAYS UPON ACCELERATION. VERY UNSAFE AND I AM VERY WORRIED AS I TRAVEL ALONE WITH A TODDLER IN THIS DAILY. *JB

Mileage: 110,000

I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM REPORTED UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER RQ04001. I HAVE A NONFUNCTIONAL HORN, CRUISE CONTROL AND A AIR BAG LIGHT.*AK

Mileage: 116,550

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. FOLLOWING THAT THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER CALLED IN TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. *AK

Mileage: 85,000

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN STOPPED WORKING. *AK

Mileage: 73,000

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. AS A RESULT, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. A RECALL FOR THE CLOCK SPRING WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO MODEL YEAR. *AK

Mileage: 111,000

AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND HORN, CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING. DEALER SAID ITS MY PROBLEM & WILL COST $300+. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROB. & OTHER YEAR MODELS RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. *AK

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, AND WITHIN SECONDS, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN BECAME INOPERATIVE. RECALL 02V293000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. HOWEVER, SPEED CONTROL/HORN ASSEMBLY, AND HEAT SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND CLOCKSPRING WAS REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS, HITTING A NEARBY TREE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. *AK

ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT (AT FIRST, INTERMITTENTLY, THEN CONTINUOUS) FOLLOWED BY LOSE OF CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN FUNCTIONS.VEHICLE TYPE: 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. APPROX. MILEAGE: 91400. *AK

Mileage: 91,400

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VIN: [XXX] THIS VAN IS A LEMON FROM DAY 1. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, OWNER OF LANDMARK DODGE IN GA, MEDIATION, ARBITRATION, CONSUMER ACTION LINE, AND ANY OTHER PERSON THAT WOULD LISTEN. THIS VAN HAS QUIT ON ME AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. SOMETIMES ON RURAL ROADS. SEVERAL TIMES ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE LAST MAJOR INCIDENT OCCURRED ON FATHER'S DAY WITH SIX FAMILY MEMBERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE IT QUIT. IT WOULD NOT STARTAFTERWARDS. WE WERE ON A BUSY HWY 19/41 IN JONESBORO. SEVERAL OTHER TIMES, I LOST MY SPEEDOMETER, AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAVE HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, LEAKY DOORS, INOPERABLE WINDOW MOTORS, HALTED INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, SLUGGISH LOCKS, ETC. I WANTED TO KEEP MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT IS VERY UNSAFE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO TRADE IT IN. THAT WAS NOT MY INTENTION WHEN I PURCHASED IT.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 90,193

DODGE CARAVAN 1999: WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL ON HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE TURNING OFF CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKING HARD. 911 EMERGENCY OPERATOR WAS CALLED VIA CELL PHONE. MY WIFE (THE DRIVER) WAS INSTRUCTED TO TURN ENGINE OFF AND PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AS IT GLIDED SLOWLY TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE AWAIT WORD FROM THE DEALER ON THE CAUSE. *JB

Mileage: 85,000

THE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY FROZE, WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *JB

Mileage: 7,000

IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER GETS STUCK ON A NUMBER BUT THE CAR IS STILL GOING FASTER OR SLOWER THAN SHOWN ON THE DISPLAY. IT STAYS STUCK FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN IT HAPPENS. I TRY NOT ACCELERATE AND EVEN APPLY THE BRAKE, HOWEVER, THE NEEDLE REMAINS STUCK. THEN IT EVENTUALLY GOES BACK TO NORMAL. IT JUST RECENTLY HAPPENED AGAIN, SO I WAS CHECKING TO SEE IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT WAS INVESTIGATED AS I SEE HERE, HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT RECALLED. THIS IS A DEFECT. I AM SURE, NOT POSITIVE THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARAVANS. NOTE, AUTOMOBILE STILLS ACCELERATES AND SLOWS BUT THE ACTUAL SPEED IS NOT KNOWN BECAUSE THE NEEDLE IS STUCK. *JB

Mileage: 40,900

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CLOCK SPRING IS GONE BAD CAUSING THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO WORK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH

CONSUMER PLACED VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF BACKWARD, HITTING A TRUCK. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

IN OUR 1999 CARAVAN, SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORK. THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY WOULD COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE PARKED. AT THIS TIME NEITHER THE HORN, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL STILL COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. WE CALLED THE DEALER'S REPAIR SERVICE AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY THOUGHT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CLOCK SPRING MECHANISM. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR PHYSICAL INSPECTION/ DIAGNOSTICS, AN OPEN CIRCUIT WAS DETECTED AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING INDEED NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME THE NECESSARY PART IS BACKORDERED (ON A NATIONAL BASIS) AND IS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD US THAT IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. SINCE WE DRIVE OUR MINIVAN PRIMARILY WITH OUR ENTIRE FAMILY ON BOARD (IE, MYSELF, MY SPOUSE, AND 4 YOUNG CHILDREN) I AM GREATLY CONCERNED THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATLY FIXED. UPON VIEWING YOUR WEBSITE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS HAS BEEN STARTED BUT DID NOT FIND OUT THE STATUS OF THIS INVESTIGATION. IF THESE PARTS ARE "NATIONALLY" BACKORDERED, THAT SHOULD TELL YOU THAT THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM OUT THERE. IF EVEN ONE OF THOSE VEHICLES IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY, THERE IS SEVERE RISK OF PHYICAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER/PASSENGER AND POSSIBLY ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS IN THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR INVESTIGATION AND REQUEST A RECALL. ISN'T SAVING A LIFE THAT IMPORTANT? WE ALSO ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY CLOSE TO $300 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND INSTALLATION OF THIS CLOCKSPRING (IF WE CAN GET ONE), FOR SOMETHING THAT APPEARS EVEN TO AN AMATEUR DETECTIVE TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND A VERY SERIOUS ONE! PLEASE HELP!*AK

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELETATE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. NLM

ONCE AT A STOP VEHICLE STARTS TO RACE, DEALER WAS CONTACTED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A OIL CHANGE, WHILE VEHICLE WAS UP ON GREASE RACK, ENGINE STARTED TO RACE, CAME OFF THE RACK. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT ON 24-JUL-2001 DEALERS REPORTED IT AS A SURGING PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE AIS MOTOR, THIS HAS NOT STOPPED THE RACING OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND SHE IS A PARAPLEGIC IN A WHEELCHAIR, CONCERNED ABOUT HER SAFETY. *YD

VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE CHANGING GEARS. ALSO, HAS PROBLEMS ACCELERATING. WHEN CONSUMER KEEPS TRYING TO MAKE VEHICLE ACCELERATE IT WILL SHUT OFF. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

1999 GRAND CARAVAN PURCHASED NEW , TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH APPROX 10000 MILES REPAIRED, STILL NOT RIGHT DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. CAR CAN LUNGED FORWARD WITH VERY SLIGHT PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL TAKEN FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE BY INDEPENDENT STATION, FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING SAID POSS SEAL WORN AT 17000 MILES.CAR HAS VERY UNUSUAL ACCELERATION PATTERNS I AM THE FULL TIME DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE AND AFTER TWO YEARS I STILL AM UNSURE ON HOW TO HANDLE IT WHEN ACCELERATING TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. ANOTHER PROBLEM WE HAVE SEEN WITH IT IS THE BRAKES. WE HAD IT BACK TO DEALER AT 10K MILES FOR NOISE FROM BACK WHEELS, THEY TOLD US IT WAS A LOOSE CAR SEAT , WHAT DO THEY THINK WE ARE STUPID. THE WHISTLING HAS BEEN CONSTANT , EVEN AFTER TELLING THEM TO LOOK INTO IT THIS TIME THEY SAID THE HUBCAPS WERE BENT AND THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THAT, THEY NEVER CHECKED THE BRAKES ,LOW AND BEHOLD, WE NOW NEED A $400 PLUS FULL BRAKE JOB. I AM SO FED UP WITH THIS DISASTER OF A CAR.ANY INFO ON BULLETINS IN. *AK

WHENEVER TRYING TO PUT VEHICLE INTO GEAR VEHICLE WILL, WITHOUT NOTICE, ACCELERATE EVEN WHILE CONUSMER HAS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AK INTERLOCK SYSTEM WAS NEVER INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES HE CAN MOVE THE GEAR LEVER AT ANY TIME. *SLC

VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, RESULTING IN A COLLISION.*AK

SPEED SENSORS HAVE FAILED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 12 WEEKS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY AND VIOLENTLY. ALL DASH GAUGES ALSO GO DEAD INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES IN THIS SAME TIMEFRAME. (JULY 21- OCT 16) CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER TILL THE VEHICLE BREAKS AGAIN. (CHRYSLER FILE # 7858395)

CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOISE AND IT IDLES ERRATICALLY, VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE TRAVELLING 60 MPH, ON ONE OCCASION, DEALER FOUND THAT A PISTON HAD FAILED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. BRAKES SQUEALED, DEALER CLEANED AND SANDED PADS AND ROTORS. VEHICLE SHOOK AT SPEEDS ABOVE 70 MPH, DEALER BALANCED AND ROTATED TIRES. CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG ODORS THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR INOPERABLE. ALTERNATOR BELT CAME APART. ACCELERATOR RATTLES. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES DECELERATION. CARPET BUCKLES. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOISE AND IT IDLES ERRATICALLY, VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE TRAVELLING 60 MPH, ON ONE OCCASION, DEALER FOUND THAT A PISTON HAD FAILED, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. BRAKES SQUEALED, DEALER CLEANED AND SANDED PADS AND ROTORS. VEHICLE SHOOK AT SPEEDS ABOVE 70 MPH, DEALER BALANCED AND ROTATED TIRES. CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG ODORS THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR INOPERABLE. ALTERNATOR BELT CAME APART. ACCELERATOR RATTLES. VEHICLE EXPERIENCES DECELERATION. CARPET BUCKLES. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, THIS PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. DEALER REPLACED THE IAC MOTOR AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD/ DOWNSHFITED DUE TO TRANSMISSION GOING BAD, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCASSIONS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND ACCELERATED WHEN PUT IN DRIVE CAUSING DAMAGES.