2001 DODGE CARAVAN Electrical System Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

Mileage: 176,000

PULLED VEHICLE OUT OF GARAGE AND SHORTLY AFTER FIRE STARTED TO COME UP OUT OF THE DASH. COMPLETE LOSS. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO TRY TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT IT SPREAD IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.. THIS WAS NOT MY CAR BUT MY MOTHER IN LAWS. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. HORN WILL NOT WORK .CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT THESE DEFECTS ARE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. THIS WAS A MATTER OF RECALL FOR THE DODGE CARAVAN AND GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY FROM THE 1996-2000 MODEL YEARS. OUR CAR IS 2001 MODEL AND IS NOT IN A RECALL LIST, BUT IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT FIXED IN 2001 YEAR MODELS. AM I ALONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS UNFIXED PROBLEM? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WAS COMING HOME WHEN I SMELT A BURNING SMELL. I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT IT WAS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT STILL SMELT THE SMELL. I TURNED BACK ON THE CAR TO PULL OVER MORE IN THE LIGHT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON (IT WAS DARK). WHEN I TURNED BACK ON THE CAR NOTHING ON THE DASHBOARD WORKED, NO BLINKERS, NO TEMP GAUGE, NO GAS GAUGE, NO RPM, NO SPEEDOMETER. ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER, STILL AT THE GAS STATION I DECIDED TO PRESS THE TRIP BUTTON AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON BUT MY DOOR AJAR BUTTON FLASHES ON AND OFF INCLUDING THE LIGHTS THAT COME ONE WHEN THE DOOR OPENS, WITH THE DINGING AND THE LOCKS GO CRAZY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, NO I DID NOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE I THOUGHT FOR SURE IT WOULD CATCH FIRE. BUT IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE THEY HAVE JUST FAILED TO REPORT IT SO IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED! I HAD ALL MY 5 CHILDREN WITH ME, I THANK GOD WE WERE ABLE TO STAY SAFE. I LOCAL DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT AND SAYS IT IS THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS MELTED AND THAT IS WHY I WAS SMELLING A BURN SMELL. *TR

Mileage: 119,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL THE KEY FINALLY FRACTURED WHILE IN THE IGNITION. SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WITH ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2001 DODGE CARAVAN - A/C SYSTEM & DASH/ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL AND LIGHTS - HAD VEHICLE FOR ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS, TOTAL FAILURE OF A/C SYSTEM. DEALER REPLACED SYSTEM. SYSTEM WORKED APPROXIMATELY THREE (3) YEARS, THEN HAD ANOTHER TOTAL FAILURE OF SYSTEM, ALONG WITH FAN SPEED SWITCH NO LONGER WORKING MEDIUM AND HIGH SPEEDS. VEHICLE PAST WARRANTY SO HAD PRIVATE MECHANIC REPLACE EVAPORATOR. HAD TO PULL DASH OUT TO REPLACE EVAPORATOR, AS NO ACCESS TO MAKE REPAIR UNDER HOOD, COST OF $1,500 DUE TO LABOR INTENSIVE PULLING DASH FOR A/C REPAIR. AFTER DASH PULLED OUT AND REINSTALLED, DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT A FEW DAYS AFTER A/C REPAIR. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO PRIVATE MECHANIC, STATED INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS WERE FALLING OFF, PAPER/ADHESIVE ADHERING COMPONENTS TO DASH DRY ROTTED AND NO LONGER STICKING. NEEDED NEW PANEL AT COST OF $1,000. THESE ITEMS WERE REPAIRED IN SUMMER MONTHS. IN WINTER, DISCOVERED HEATER DID NOT WORK. HAVEN'T REPAIRED THAT YET. *TR

Mileage: 50

2001 - DODGE CARAVAN - FAILURE OF HEATER SYSTEM AFTER DASH PULLED FOR A/C REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

2001 - DODGE CARAVAN - LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT FELL OUT, HANGING ON BY WIRES. TOOK TO PRIVATE MECHANIC, SAID DEALER HAD TO FIX. TOOK TO DEALER, STATED COULD NOT REINSTALL, NEEDED WHOLE NEW UNIT FOR DRY ROTTED RUBBER GASKET. TOOK VEHICLE TO HOME DEPOT, BOUGHT 1 TUBE OF BLACK EXTERIOR SILICONE CAULK. DROVE VEHICLE HOME, AND CLEANED AREA AROUND REAR TAIL LIGHT. PUSHED LIGHT BACK INTO PLACE AND CAULKED AROUND DRY ROTTED RUBBER. TAPED TAIL LIGHT TO BODY ASSEMBLY (BE CAREFUL TO USE TAPE WHICH WILL NOT DAMAGE VEHICLE). LEFT VEHICLE TO SIT STILL FOR 24 HOURS AS CAULK DRIED. MADE THIS SIMPLE REPAIR MYSELF FOR $2.86 WHEN THE DEALER WANTED OVER $500 TO REPAIR. WHAT A RIP OFF WHEN THEY CAN'T EVEN MAKE A VEHICLE THAT LASTS, THEY HAVE TO PRICE GOUGE THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND RESPONDED AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $1000. THE DEALER WILL ALSO PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IN ORDER TO DETERMINE ADDITIONAL FAILURES THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE CONTROL MODULE TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

HERE'S A DEAD GUY FROM A BAD DODGE CARAVAN CLOCKSPRING THAT YOU REFUSE TO RECALL BEYONG FY2000. WHAT IS IT YOU GOVERNMENT GALLOOFS DO ALL DAY? NEW YORK - A FAMED STRONGMAN WHO ONCE LIFTED 3,200 POUNDS AT CONEY ISLAND DURING ITS HEYDAY AND WAS STILL BENDING QUARTERS WITH HIS FINGERS AT AGE 104 DIED MONDAY AFTER HE WAS HIT BY A MINIVAN. JOE ROLLINO WAS STRUCK AS HE CROSSED A MAJOR STREET IN BROOKLYN, AND SUFFERED A BROKEN PELVIS, HEAD TRAUMA AND BROKEN RIBS. HE DIED A FEW HOURS LATER AT AN AREA HOSPITAL. POLICE SAID THE DRIVER WAS GOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND HAD NOT BEEN DRINKING. NO CRIMINALITY IS SUSPECTED, BUT THE DRIVER WAS ISSUED A SUMMONS FOR A DEFECTIVE HORN. *TR

HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD DIES, INTERMITTENT. THE PROBLEM SHOW WHEN I USED THE TURN SIGNAL, THE DASHBOARD DIES ENTIRELY AND THE HEADLIGHTS GOES OFF, IT HAPPENS EVERY 2 OR 3 DAYS, AFTER A FEW MINUTES THEY WORKED AGAIN. IT HAPPENS TO ME MORE THAN 10 TIMES. I SOLDER THE TERMINALS AT THE ELECTRICAL BOX THAT ACCORDING TO THE ELECTRICAL DIAGRAM FEED THE TURN SIGNAL, DASHBOARD AND HEADLIGHTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT 2 YEARS AGO, SINCE THEN THE PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED ANY MORE. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

SINCE LATE SPRING 2008, THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2001 DODGE CARAVAN HAVE INTERMITTENTLY FLICKERED AND GONE OUT, THEN COME BACK ON. THIS CONTINUED OFF AND ON UNTIL I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EXPERT (ENORMIS, ERIE PA) IN JULY OF 2009. THEY REPLACED THE FUSE BOX FOR THE VEHICLE AT A COST OF APPROX $430. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO DO THIS WITH APPROX. SIX OTHER VEHICLES RECENTLY. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, HAVING YOUR HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT NIGHT ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, ESPECIALLY WHILE IT IS RAINING. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL PART:THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES AND I WANT TO BE RE-IMBURSED!!! I AM AN ATTORNEY AND KNOW A DANGEROUS DEFECT WHEN I SEE ONE!!!! *TR

Mileage: 13,400

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN SE. BEGAN TO HAVE MALFUNCTIONS WITH BOTH FRONT WINDOWS IN 2004. I HAD THIS REPAIRED ALONG WITH SOME OTHER MAINTENANCE IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. THIS YEAR IN SEPT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLATLINED AS WELL AS THE TURN SIGNALS. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, RPM, ODOMETER, TEMP GAUGE AND TURNING SIGNALS. THEY WOULD OCCASIONALLY BEGIN TO FUNCTION AGAIN BUT HAVE ONLY DONE THIS ONCE OR TWICE OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AT A COST OF OVER $900. *TR

2 DAY'S AGO MY RADIO/CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKED. THE POWER IS CONSTANTLY, IT IS SHOWING THE LAST RADIO STATION THAT WAS ON AND THE DISPLAY ALSO SHOWS DISK SONG 7. NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUSH THE POWER BUTTON. THEN TODAY WHEN I PUT MY 4 WAYS ON THE REAR WIPER STARTED GOING AND THEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW. NOW IT WILL NOT WORK AT ALL ALONG WITH THE FLUID DISPENSER. I CHECKED THE FUSES AND THEY ALL APPEAR TO BE OK CAN'T TELL WITH THE SOLID BLACK ONES THOUGH. ANY ADVISE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *JB

2 DAY'S AGO MY RADIO/CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKED. THE POWER IS CONSTANTLY, IT IS SHOWING THE LAST RADIO STATION THAT WAS ON AND THE DISPLAY ALSO SHOWS DISK SONG 7. NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUSH THE POWER BUTTON. THEN TODAY WHEN I PUT MY 4 WAYS ON THE REAR WIPER STARTED GOING AND THEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW. NOW IT WILL NOT WORK AT ALL ALONG WITH THE FLUID DISPENSER. I CHECKED THE FUSES AND THEY ALL APPEAR TO BE OK CAN'T TELL WITH THE SOLID BLACK ONES THOUGH. ANY ADVISE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *JB

WATER PUMP REPLACED ON VEHICLE. AFTER THAT WHENEVER IT RAINS, THE FOLLOWING INTERMITTENTLY DO NOT WORK -- WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DEFROST/HEATER, RADIO/CLOCK, POWER WINDOWS. TOOK TO DODGE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. PROBLEM THOUGHT TO BE VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM. REPLACED -- THAT DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IN SHOP ALMOST A WEEK AND PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. THOUGHT TO BE ELECTRICAL. *NM

Mileage: 81,000

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2001 DODGE CARAVAN SE AND HAD ENGINE & ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING OVER THE BRIDGE OUT OF NEW YORK CITY, THE CAR FILLED UP WITH WHITE SMOKE OF A REALLY TOXIC SMELL. GREENISH BROWN FLUID LEAKED OUT AT MY FEET. SEVERAL TIMES I WENT TO HAVE IT FIXED, ALL THE FLUIDS WOULD LEAK OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, I WOULD TAKE IT BACK TO ONLY HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. FINALLY THEY CLAMPED A HOSE UNDERNEATH THE CAR CAUSING FLUIDS TO SWISH BACK AND FORTH IN THE DASH AREA SHORTING OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND MY LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF. (VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE WITH CHILDREN). WENT THROUGH THE LEMON LAW UNIT WITH A JUDGE THAT DID NOT USUALLY WORK IN THAT COURT, AND LOST THE CASE AFTER PAYING A LAWYER $2000. THAT WENT OUT ON DISABILITY! I HAD NO JUSTICE AND STOPPED PAYING ON THE CAR. IT WAS REPOSSESED AND SOMEONE ELSE IS PROBABLY DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS CAR! *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION THEN LOCKED UP, NOT ALLOWING THE CONTACT TO CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 8/16/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 56,485

DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS ARE OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE AND HEADLIGHTS ARE OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. PROBLEM IS POWER DISTRIBUTION BLOCK. DEALER STATES NOT SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT WARRANTY DUE TO 1 YEAR AFTER 3 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. *JB

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING. MAINLY OCCURS DURING RIGHT TURNING EVENTS. LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE (AIR BAG) DURING A RIGHT TURN EVENT. WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE LIGHT WILL RESET. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING MY OWNERSHIP, AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WEATHER RELATED. *NM

DRIVER'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE HORN WILL NOT OPERATE. THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES GOES AWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK ALSO, THE HORN MAY NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED I.E. IF A CHILD RUNS OUT IN FRONT OF MY VAN. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION.

Mileage: 19,900

DT: THE CALLER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM. HE STATES THAT HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AT NIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL SHUT OFF AS WELL. SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME BACK ON, AND SOMETIMES THEY WON'T COME ON AT ALL. ALSO, THE HORN BLOWS, AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL BE ON, AND THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. DEALER SAID THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ANOTHER DEALER REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. MANUFACTURER SAID TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH DEALER.*AK

Mileage: 45,000

DT: THE CALLER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM. HE STATES THAT HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AT NIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL SHUT OFF AS WELL. SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME BACK ON, AND SOMETIMES THEY WON'T COME ON AT ALL. ALSO, THE HORN BLOWS, AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL BE ON, AND THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. DEALER SAID THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ANOTHER DEALER REPLACED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. MANUFACTURER SAID TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH DEALER.*AK

Mileage: 45,000

DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RECALL OF EARLIER MODELS OF THE SAME CAR WHERE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. THE STEERING WAS NOT AFFECTED .THIS CAUSED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACT CALLED DODGE AND TOLD THEM.HE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST WEEK. *AK

Mileage: 87,000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS THE BATTERY DIES. ALSO, SOME OF THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON, AND SOME WON'T. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WILL COST $90.00 JUST TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS STARTED WITH THE RADIO, THEN ESCALATED WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS TURNING ON THEN OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO INSPECT VAN UNDER THE RECALL RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM. *TT

Mileage: 48,000

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 04V480000 CONCERNING AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK *TC

Mileage: 23,644

OWNED A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH BOARD IN THE CENTER. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AS WELL AS MY OTHER CAR AND GARAGE DOOR. *JB

THERE IS A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE COMPUTER CHIP THAT HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT ANY SPEEDS OF 45 MPH OR GREATER. *AK

Mileage: 39,100

ALL GAUGES AND LIGHTS ARE NO ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE SPEED ODOMETER DOEWS NOT WORK. THE RPM STAYS AT 2000 EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE AND AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON, GAUGES STARTED ACTING UP, AND HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER. ALSO, HAD NO BRAKES, AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. HEARD A POPPING NOISE UNDER HOOD. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE AND AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON, GAUGES STARTED ACTING UP, AND HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER. ALSO, HAD NO BRAKES, AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. HEARD A POPPING NOISE UNDER HOOD. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE AND AIR BAG LIGHTS CAME ON, GAUGES STARTED ACTING UP, AND HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER. ALSO, HAD NO BRAKES, AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. HEARD A POPPING NOISE UNDER HOOD. *AK