1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Electrical System Problems

MY VAN WAS PARKED OUT SIDE LUCKYS ON MITALDA NEAR W MAUDE AVENUE IN SUNNYVALE CA 94086 I WAS USING THE WATER REFILLING STATION AND STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE WHEN I TURNED AROUND I IMIDEATLLY NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TAILLIGHT WAS ON FIRE. NOT HAVING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER I TOOK THE BOTTLE OF WATER I HAD IN MY HANDS AND STARTED TO THROW WATER ON IT UNTIL THE FLAMES WENT OUT. WHAT IN THE HELL WOULD MAKE THAT HAPPEN? IS MY VAN UP FOR RECALL? I JUST PURCHASED THE VAN JUST A WEEK AGO. IT HAS BEEN A NIGHT MARE FOR ME NOT TO MENTION EXTREMELY COSTLY REPLACING EVERYTHING'S THAT'S BEEN GOING OUT. THE A/C CLUSTER THE DASH CLUSTER THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR. THE REAR VENT MOTOR. COUNTLESS BULBS AND FUSES.

Mileage: 158,182

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

Mileage: 77,000

AT RANDOM GAUGES WILL STOP WORKING ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE ABS LIGHT WILL TURN ON. *TR

THIS IS ACTUALLY MY MOTHER'S VAN AND A VAN THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY OWNED. IT SEEMS THAT THESE VEHICLES SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM NOT DISARMING AS YOU TRY TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. YOU CAN UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT AS SOON AS YOU GET IN THE VEHICLE AND TRY TO START IT, IT IMMEDIATELY SHUTS BACK DOWN AS A SECURITY PRECAUTION. A SIMPLE SMACK ON THE DASH CURES IT RIGHT UP, BUT BEING AS HOW IT'S MY MOTHER'S VAN NOW; SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO SIMPLY "SMACK" THE DASH AND GET EVERYTHING WORKING AGAIN. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE READ ABOUT IT THROUGH SEVERAL DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED IT MYSELF ON TWO SEPARATE VANS. I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT DAIMLER/CHRYSLER SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND NOT HAVE THE CONSUMER FIX IT, SEEING AS HOW IT IS AND ISSUE THAT'S BURIED IN THE DASHBOARD AND NOT OUT IN PLAIN SIGHT, LIKE SOME MECHANICAL ISSUES. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, BECAUSE IT COULD SET OFF THE AIRBAG AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. WELL, WITH ME HAVING TO SMACK THE DASH SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES, HER SPEEDOMETER IS OFF BY 50 MPH NOW. I AM HOPING FOR A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS ISSUE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONE MORE GOOD WHACK COULD SET OFF THE AIRBAG AND REALLY INJURY SOMEBODY. THANK YOU. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FROM A PRIVATE PARTY IN 2009, AND SHORTLY AFTER THE GAUGE CLUSTER STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON WHICH ON CHECKING WITH MY MECHANIC SAID MY ABS SYSTEM IS NON-FUNCTIONAL AS IS ALL OTHER INSTRUMENT RELATED READINGS. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE PANEL CAME BACK ON AND WORKED FOR AWHILE THAN SHUT OFF AGAIN. SOMEONE SAID HIT THE PANEL FACE AND THE GAUGES SHOULD COME BACK ON. I DID AND IT DID. FOR AWHILE. OVER TIME THE GAUGE FAILURE INTERVAL GREW SHORTER AND SHORTER, AND HITTING THE PANEL FINALLY FAILED TO RETURN THE USE OF THE GAUGES. TO REPLACE THIS GAUGE CLUSTER IS AN $800.00 PLUS REPAIR IN A SHOP WITH A REBUILD PANEL COSTING OVER $200.00 BY ITSELF. I DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT A DEALER WILL CHARGE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I HAVE LEARNED THE GAUGE FAILURE CULPRIT IS COLD SOLDER JOINTS ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CLASS OF VEHICLE. THIS DEFICIENCY CAN EASILY BE AVOIDED BY BETTER QUALITY CONTROL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

Mileage: 106,500

CAR HAS FAULTY GAS GAUGE AND DESPITE HOW MUCH GAS I PUT IN, WILL TOGGLE BETWEEN HAVING GAS TO EMPTY AND SITS ON EMPTY, HAS RUN OUT OF GAS AS A RESULT, HARD TO START AND NOW WILL NOT START. ALSO HAS MANY ELECTRICAL QUIRKS, TURN HEADLIGHTS ON INBOARD DASH LIGHT GOES OFF AND VICE VERSA. HAD SOMEONE FIX FAN TO GO ON WHEN PLUGGED INTO BATTERY SINCE CANNOT GET INTO COMPUTER DASHBOARD AND INTERNAL HEAT FAN STOPPED WORKING, ALSO INDICATORS WORK SPORADICALLY (SO EVIDENTLY AN ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATIONS ISSUE). I'VE READ THAT THIS YEAR HAS HAD RECALLS DUE TO FAULTY FUEL HOSES/LINES AND WHEN USING AFTER MARKET FUEL FILTERS EVEN FROM NAPA WHICH WILL CAUSE FUEL LINES TO BECOME FAULTY. MY VAN FALLS WITHIN THIS YEAR, BUT I WAS TOLD MY SPECIFIC VIN # DIDN'T APPLY. VAN IS 3.3 LITER ENGINE, V6. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE STORE, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL PACK MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE OF THE COIL PACK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ UPDATED 03/08/12

Mileage: 122,000

MY VAN WILL SHUT OFF AND COME BACK ON WITHOUT WARNING SO LONG AS YOUR FOOT IS ON THE GAS. IF YOU ARE COMING TO A STOP IT WILL SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY BUT WILL RESTART. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND IMMEDIATELY GO BACK OUT WITH NO CODES STORED. THE CRANK AND CAM SENSOR HAVE BOTH BEEN REPLACE BY THE DEALER BUT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN GOING INTO A CORNER OR THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN IT COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. THIS STARTED IN 2006 AND IS STILL GOING ON. *TR

Mileage: 74,953

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHIFTS, THE VEHICLE MAKES AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IT OPERATES NORMALLY. THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND WILL START BACK UP, BUT IT IS UNRELIABLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REV AND HAVE TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE REVVING TO STOP. IF THERE IS A POWER FLUCTUATION, THE REAR WIPERS WILL TURN ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. THE HIGH BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK, BUT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE PARKING LIGHT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED. HE REPLACED THE BULB, BUT IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IS CONSTANTLY REPLACING THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS. THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF; HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND THERE IS A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY IS RUSTING AND ROTTING. THE ROCKER PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,766. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08.*JB

Mileage: 149,766

1997 GRAND CARAVAN SE - REPEATED INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF DASH GAUGES. WHEN THIS OCCURS, NO FEEDBACK FROM CAR ON SPEED OR GAS LEVEL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS OCCASIONAL STALLING. MULTIPLE OTHER CONSUMERS APPEAR TO HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. SEE HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T220421.HTML FOR POSTINGS. THE MECHANIC DID NOT FIX, WOULD APPARENTLY HAVE TO THROW PARTS AT IT (LIKE MANY OF THE CONSUMERS DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE POSTING WITHOUT SUCCESS). THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

I OWN A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE ALL WHEEL DRIVE. MY VAN HAS 185,000 MILES ON IT APROX. AND HAD 149,000 WHEN PURCHASED IN 2004. I AM HAVING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VAN FROM THE GET GO TO CURRENT. MY FRONT WIPERS WILL COME ON BY THEM SELF AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND THEY REFUSE TO SHUT OFF. I HAVE TO PULL MY CAR OVER AND SHUT IT DOWN AND HOPE WHEN I START IT NEXT THAT THE WIPERS WILL STAY OFF. JUST RECENTLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS POPPING OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. MY REAR A/C AND HEATER BLOWER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. I GO THROUGH HEADLIGHTS LIKE IM DRINKING WATER AND MOST RECENTLY MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER NO LONGER HAS POWER TO IT. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE MY CELL PHONE IN THE VAN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN TO MY MECHANIC AND HAVE HAD REPAIRS DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUES BUT THEY SEEM TO BE UNREPAIRABLE. I ALSO OWN A 1996 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER THAT HAS THE SAME VERY WIPER ISSUE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER. *TR

Mileage: 149,766

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILS FREQUENTLY (ONCE OR TWICE WEEKLY) WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAY CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TO SEVERAL HOURS. WHEN IT OCCURS, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES ON WHILE THE GAUGES ARE OFF. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR SPEED, RPM'S, FUEL LEVEL ETC. ETC. ON OCCASION, HITTING THE DASH WILL CAUSE THEM TO COME BACK ON, BUT NOT ALWAYS. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

DIGITAL DAHBOARD DISPLAY GOES BLANK WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER CANNOT READ ANY GAUGES. *TR

Mileage: 113,000

THE GAUGE CLUSTER ON OUT 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS FAULTY. WE CANNOT TELL HOW FAST WE ARE GOING, WHAT GEAR THE CAR IS IN,ETC. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE MADE TO FIX! *TR

Mileage: 184,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FLAMES TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BEFORE EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 176,000.

Mileage: 176,000

THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 1997 GRAND CARAVAN AND A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I GOT TO WORK I CUT THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. IT DID START BUT THE CUT OFF. THEN IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. NO DASH LIGHTS ANYTHING. I WAITED ABOUT 3 HOURS AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME AND THE DRIVER GOT IN AND TRIED TO START IT, AGAIN IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. HE LEFT THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION WHILE WE TALKED AND THEN ABOUT A MINUTE LATER THE DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND HE STARTED IT. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ON THE WAY TO WORK ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE DASH AND I PULLED OVER AND CUT THE CAR OFF. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES I TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE? *NM

Mileage: 131,000

1. WIPERS TURNS ON AUTOMATICALLY - USUALLY WHEN A TURN SIGNAL IS ON. 2. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON FREQUENTLY WITH P1698 CODE AND NO OTHER PENDING CODE. PRESENT INTERVAL AT AN AVERAGE OF A WEEK. DEALER CANNOT FIND THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. FOUND OUT THIS INCIDENT IS VERY COMMON AS DISCUSSED IN SEVERAL CHATROOMS. INCIDENT USUALLY STARTS WITH ABS LIGHT ON THEN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DIES, FOLLOWED BY AIRBAG LIGHT THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. AT INCIDENT, POWER DOOR LOCKS DOES NOT WORK. AT INCIDENT, SOMETIMES ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN OFF AFTER S SHORT DRIVE THEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL WORK. 3.REAR INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN LIT EVEN WHEN DASH SWITCH IS OFF AND NO DOOR AJAR. SOMETIMES A SINGLE INTERIOR LIGHT TURNS ON WHEN STARTING ENGINE AND REMAIN LIT. *JB

Mileage: 120,000

1. WIPERS TURNS ON AUTOMATICALLY - USUALLY WHEN A TURN SIGNAL IS ON. 2. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON FREQUENTLY WITH P1698 CODE AND NO OTHER PENDING CODE. PRESENT INTERVAL AT AN AVERAGE OF A WEEK. DEALER CANNOT FIND THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. FOUND OUT THIS INCIDENT IS VERY COMMON AS DISCUSSED IN SEVERAL CHATROOMS. INCIDENT USUALLY STARTS WITH ABS LIGHT ON THEN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DIES, FOLLOWED BY AIRBAG LIGHT THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. AT INCIDENT, POWER DOOR LOCKS DOES NOT WORK. AT INCIDENT, SOMETIMES ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN OFF AFTER S SHORT DRIVE THEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL WORK. 3.REAR INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN LIT EVEN WHEN DASH SWITCH IS OFF AND NO DOOR AJAR. SOMETIMES A SINGLE INTERIOR LIGHT TURNS ON WHEN STARTING ENGINE AND REMAIN LIT. *JB

Mileage: 120,000

NO AIRBAG, NO HORN. *NM

Mileage: 85,000

DT: 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1996. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO FIXED THE MASTER CYLINDER BECAUSE THE LIGHT TO AIRBAGS STAYED ON. THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS BLINKED OFF AND ON OCCASIONALLY. WHEN SEEING THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THE CONSUMER COULD LOOK AT THIS AS A WARNING, BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE HOW FAST SHE WAS GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS THERE WAS IN THE GAS TANK. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. I THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP IN 2003, AND THEY CHANGED THE CLOCK SPRING. ALSO, THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. FIRST, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF, NOW ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT NOTHING WAS WORKING ON DASHBOARD. *AK

I HAVE A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, AND WHILE I AM DRIVING, THE ENGINE JUST STOPS WORKING AND MY STEERING WHEEL GETS VERY HARD TO MANUVER. I TOOK IT THE THE CAR DEALER AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.*AK

Mileage: 97,450

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 00V268000 CONCERNING FUEL LEAKAGE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE CHECK UP, AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE PROPERLY. ON MA 3, 2004 WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER THEN TURNED ON THE VEHICLE BACK ON AGAIN RETURN BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MECHANICS IDENTIFIED THAT THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ON THE ORIGINAL FUEL RAIL. THE GAS LEAK WAS STILL PRESENT AND COMING FROM THE BUSHINGS. *SC THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 119,000

REPORTED PROBLEM TO DODGE CORP. SEVERAL YEARS AGO ABOUT WIPERS COMING ON BY THEMSELVES. WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE NO RECALL, NO REMEDY. ON THIS ISSUE, MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE HANDLED BY A RECALL. SECONDLY, AND MOST RECENTLY. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED. DODGE REPRESENTS THAT TIME/MILEAGE PRECLUDES REPAIR AT THEIR COST. REAR WING VENT WINDOW QUIT WORKING APPROX. A WEEK AGO (MAR. 2004). VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE FALLING APART ELECTRONICALLY. MILEAGE/WARRANTY SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. DEFECTS ARE DEFECTS. RECALL REQUESTED. *JB *NM

Mileage: 92,000

WHILE DRIVING REAR RIGHT AUDIO SPEAKER CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A LARGE BURLAP BAG. *AK

Mileage: 100,000

HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. *AK

FAN BELT KEPT SLIDING OFF GOT BROKEN. *PH THIS PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR WHEN IT WOULD RAIN OR SNOW. THE PART WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD COME ON. *SC

Mileage: 72,742

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED THREE YEARS AGO: WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES FOR NO REASON, CD PLAYER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES HAYWIRE AND WE LOSE THE GAUGES AND MILEAGE, POWER DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, KEYLESS ENTRY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, AIR CONDITIONER ODOR AND FAN PROBLEMS, SOMETIMES COOL AIR SOMETIMES NOT AND THE LIST GOES ON. *LA

Mileage: 49,000

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WE HAD PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND AIR BAG LIGHT. WE FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM, AND IT WAS CORRECTED BY THE DEALER. WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD AFTER THIS RECALL, OUR HORN WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED BY THE SAME DEALER,(COST ALMOST $200.00). THREE MONTHS AFTER THE HORN REPLACEMENT, IT WENT OUT AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO CHARGE. I'M NOT A MECHANIC, BUT IT SOUNDS TOO COINCIDENTAL THAT WE HAD HORN PROBLEMS AFTER THE RECALL WORK. OUR VAN HAS 61,412 MILES ON IT. *LA

Mileage: 61,198

MY 97 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT CAUSING THE GEAR SELECTOR, ABS, AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO DISPLAY ON THE DASH. DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.

Mileage: 55,000

CAR HAD SERIOUS DAMAGE WHOSES SOURCE CANNOT BE DETERMINED BY DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WILL NOT INVESTIGATE.

Mileage: 63,000

WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON A FUEL RAIL PROBLEM. ON 10/08/02 MY WIFE TOOK OUR VAN IN FOR THE APPOINTMENT AT SAVANNAH DODGE FOR THE REPAIR. WHEN SHE PICKED IT UP THEY TOLD HER THEY NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY HAD DIAGNOSED IT AS A CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. THEY TOLD HER IT WOULD BE $181 TO REPAIR IT. WE TOLD THEM WE WOULDN'T DO IT THEN. ON NOVEMBER 5 MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A LEFT FRONTAL COLLISION AND ONLY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN OUR CAR. THAT IS NOT THE POINT OF MY COMPLAINT. TODAY WE RECEIVED A HAND WRITTEN POSTCARD FROM THE DEALER SAYING OUR CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A FACTORY RECALL CLOCKSPRING B24. I THOUGHT THIS WAS QUITE UNUSUAL THAT THE NOTICE CAME FROM THE DEALER AND NOT CHRYSLER. I JUST DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT IN AUGUST 2001 TSB 08-010-01 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM, AND THERE'S QUITE A CONSUMER CONTROVERSY OVER WHETHER THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM OR NOT AND WHETHER IT WARRANTS A SAFETY RECALL. SO WHAT'S SUDDENLY CHANGED? IS IT REALLY A RECALL OR IS THE DEALER JUST TRYING TO DRUM UP BUSINESS? THIS SEEMS TO BE AN UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICE. I HAVE SAVED THE POSTCARD IN CASE YOU'D LIKE IT. DT

HORN DOESN'T WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. DT

MY HORN DOES NOT WORK. MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. INTERMITTENTLY, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON ALL BY THEMSELF. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG IS FUNCTIONAL OR NOT. DT

OUR HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERATIVE. OUR AIRBAG LIGHT IS LIT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. MR

AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD, AND HORN / CRUISE CONTROL OPERATE POORLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN DIDN'T WORK. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

CLOCKSPRING "SPRUNG" 3 YEARS AFTER MANUFACTURE BUT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE HORN DIDN'T WORK, AIRBAG DIDN'T WORK, CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK. OTHER INCIDENT IS ROUGH ENGINE DURING IDLE AND POWER SURGE IF GOING UP HILL*AK

CLOCKSPRING UNIT FAILS TO PROVIDE POWER TO AIRBAG, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES IN STEERING WHEEL. THIS UNIT CAN FAIL IN AN ACCIDENT AND PREVENT AIRBAG FROM BEING DEPLOYED. DC HAS SOLD OVER 150,000 REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRINGS AT OVER $250 A PIECE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURES DEFECT. I WAS UNABLE TO BLOW MY HORN AT ANOTHER DRIVER TO GET HIS ATTENTION. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HOWEVER UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED AS I AM WITH NO HORN, NO CRUISE CONTROL CONTROLS, AND AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON, AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL INTREMITTENTLY NOT WORK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT ON , HORN & CRUISE CONTROL ARE NOT WORKING

THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE NOT FUNCTIONING, AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY.

THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL! NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT AND HORN FAILS AT ALL TIMES. *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER.*AK

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE STARTER MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, THE FRONT WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN, THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR LOCK WILL NOT WORK FROM THE KEY CONTROL, THE WIPERS OCCASIONALLY GO ON WHEN THE DIRECTIONAL IS ACTIVATED, ALL THE BELLS AND LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH THE DOORS LOCKING FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, CONSUMER STATES IT SEEMED LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. *SLC

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON/ HORN DOES NOT WORK, AN D CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. *AK

THE IGNITION WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. *YH

VHEICLE WAS JUST PARKED WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED TO FIND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED CONSUMER WAS TREATED FOR SMOKE INHALATION. CONSUMER DIDN'T HAVE ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING JUST BEFORE PARKING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING FUEL FILTER AND FUEL PUMPS PROBLEMS AND HAD BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE INCIDENT.*YD

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND HORN/ CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. DEALER REPLACED CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY.*AK

VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS CONSISTENTLY AND RAPIDLY CONSUMED BATTERIES, ALL BATTERIES WERE UNABLE TO BE INSTALLED. *JG

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION, CLOCKSPRING, FOR THE AIR BAG FAILED. AIRBAG, HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROL INOP.

WHILE DRIVING CLOCK SPRING BECAME INOPERABLE, FORCING AIR BAG TO DISENGAGE, AND HORN TO BECOME INOPERABLE ALONG WITH CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN USED AT HIGH SPEED COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE HORN FAILS TO FUNCTION, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK POSSIBLE CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *JB

WIRING HARNESS FIRE AT BATTERY AND UNDER HOOD FUSE BLOCK, CLAIM 20-5416-549. *SLC

THERE WAS A WIRE THAT SHORTED AND CAUSED A FIRE, CLAIM 15-3062-363. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND IT IGNITED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY, CLAIM 15-3030-879. *SLC

CONSUMER STARTED TO SMELL BURNING WIRES, THE BATTERY WAS SITTING ON TWO WIRES OF WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED WIRES TO SHORT OUT, CLAIM 13-7061-575. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND IT IGNITED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY, CLAIM 15-3030-879. *SLC

WIRING HARNESS FIRE AT BATTERY AND UNDER HOOD FUSE BLOCK, CLAIM 20-5416-549. *SLC

THERE WAS A WIRE THAT SHORTED AND CAUSED A FIRE, CLAIM 15-3062-363. *SLC

CONSUMER STARTED TO SMELL BURNING WIRES, THE BATTERY WAS SITTING ON TWO WIRES OF WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED WIRES TO SHORT OUT, CLAIM 13-7061-575. *SLC

HAVE DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. RESULTS IN LOSS OF HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, AND AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINING LIT AT ALL TIMES.*AK

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. THE HORN AND SPEED CONTROL ARE ALSO INOPERABLE WHICH OCCURRED ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATE OCCASIONALLY EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS ALSO MOVE WHEN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ARE ACTIVATED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AIR BAG, HORN AND SPEED CONTROL PROBLEMS ARE CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA. A FAULTY CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY IS THE POSSIBLE CULPRIT.*AK

CLOCK SPRING FAILED, DISABLING HORN, AIRBAG, AND CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $250 FOR THE REPAIR. SINCE THEN, TWO OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR HAVE HAD THEIR CLOCK SPRING FAIL, AND THEY HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (08-010-01) FOR THE REPAIR, BUT REFUSES TO PROVIDE THE REPAIR AT NO, OR A REDUCED, COST. AS THE HORN AND AIRBAG WERE DISABLED, I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED AS A SAFETY ISSUE RECALL.*AK

INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL, PREVENTING CONSUMER FROM READING SPEED/FUEL LEVELS AND WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT "BODY CONTROL MODULE" COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THIS PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CIRCUIT BOARD.*JB

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR A WEEK; HAS STAYED ON PERMANENTLY EVER SINCE OCT 8, 2001. CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS. HORN IS STILL WORKING AS OF 10/21/01.

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED AIR BAG INDIACTOR LIGHT WAS ON INTERMITTENTLY SOON AFTER, RADIO CAME ON AND BEEN REPLACED. ALSO, SPEEDODOMETER GAVE WRONG READING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND REPLACED BATTERY. HAS BEEN REPLACE 6 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

WIRING HARNESS AT BATTERY AND UNDER HOOD FUSE BLOCK CAUSED FIRE, CLAIM 20-5416-549. *SLC

WIRING HARNESS AT BATTERY AND UNDER HOOD FUSE BLOCK CAUSED FIRE, CLAIM 20-5416-549. *SLC

AIRBAG, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN WERE INOPERABLE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 45MPH AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED ON/OFF UNTIL IT REMAINED CONTINOUSLY ON. PROBLEM EFFECTED HORN USAGE AND CRUISE CONTROL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEING BROKEN. *AK

CRUISE CONTROL IN-OP. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD. *AK

HORN DOESN'T WORK. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD.*AK

CRUISE CONTROL IN-OP. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD. *AK

HORN DOESN'T WORK. CLOCKSPRING WAS BAD.*AK

WHILE IN DRIVEWAY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED TO 30-40 MPH IN A SHORT DISTANCE WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. PRIOR TO INCIDENT CONSUMER SMELLED WIRES BURNING. *AK

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. *AK

OUR HORN DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE AND AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER A YEAR.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT ON, NO HORN, HAUNTED WIPERS WORK WITHOUT ACTIVATION

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD AND HORN IS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK POSSIBLE CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *SLC

AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND REMAIN ONCE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED. HORN ALSO FAILED TO WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *AK

CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY FAILURE (AIRBAG LIGHT; NO HORN; NO CRUISE CONTROL). *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON - CRUISE CONTROL, HORN INOP, CLOCKSPRING IS BROKEN, COMMON PROBLEMS. *AK

A WIRE SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 15-3062-363. *SLC

A WIRE SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 15-3062-363. *SLC

CLOCK SPRING FAILED CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO REMAIN LIT AND THE HORN WILL NOT WORK WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER THE EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT AND REPAIRS EXCEEDED $200. *AK

WHILE STOPPING ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER FROM BEHIND, CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. THEN, CONSUMER RAN INTO A FENCE. PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE AND HUNG DRIVER BY LEFT ARM. DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, FELL BACK, AND HIT CHILD IN CAR SEAT IN THE HEAD, THE MIDDLE SEAT WHERE TWO TODDLERS WERE, ALSO BROKE AND FLIPPED BACKWARD, CONSUMER WAS INJURED, ALSO STATED HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK, POSSIBLE CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. *SLC

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS, AND HAD NOT ASSISTED CONSUMER. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *YH

WHILE TRAVELING AIR BAG INDICATION LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. ALSO, HORN DID NOT NOT WORK. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AS WELL, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP THE AIR BAG PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE RELOADED AND THE ESTIMATED COST WOULD BE $400-$500. *JB

BEGINNING ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD BE INTERMITTANTLY ILLUMINATED. WHEN IT WAS ON, THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK. WHEN IT WAS OFF, THE SYSTEMS SEEMED TO WORK FINE. NOW, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS OFF ALL OF THE TIME AND ALL OF THE SYSTEMS ARE FAILING TO WORK. ADDITIONALLY, ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE FIRST IN SEPTEMBER 2000 AND MOST RECENTLY APRIL 2001, WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED ON, NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL ON THE DASH OPERATES. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND START AGAIN, THEN IT WORKS. WINDOWS, AIRCONDITIONING, RADIO, HEAT, ETC.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION . UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. SINCE INCIDENT, SRS LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING, AND HORN ASSEMBLY/ CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE.*AK *SLC

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ALSO, HORN ASSEMBLY AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE INOPERABLE.*AK THE CONSUMER HAD TRADED THE VEHICLE. *YH

STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT LOCK WHEN MOTOR IS SHUT OFF AND IN PARK. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN TRYING TO START THE ENGINE, I TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE LIGHTS AND RADIO DO NOT WORK. EVENTUALLY, IT WILL START AND THE CLOCK HAS RESET TO 12:00 AND RADIO POWER IS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AT LEAST 10 OCCASIONS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED MORE DETAILS. THANK YOU! *AK

CLOCK SPRING FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSED LOSS OF AIR BAG, HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROLL. CLOCK SPRING FAILED WHERE THE MANUFACTURE PLACED A PLASTIC STRIP ON THE SPRING CABLE THAT PUT A SEVERE BEND IN CABLE CAUSING IT TO BREAK THE CIRCUIT AND LOOSE THE VITAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE.

MY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, I HAVE NO HORN, AND I HAVE NO CRUISE CONTROL... WHEN I CONTACTED DODGE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WOULD COST APPROX. $100.00 TO PUT ON ANALYSIS, AND SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS... THEN I READ THIS ARTICLE LAST NIGHT, STATING 164 PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM... WHAT DO I NEED TO DO.. WILL THE DEALER, FIX THIS AT NO CHARGE?*AK

WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SHUT OFF, AND SOMETIMES HORN WOULD NOT WORK, AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON. CONSUMER TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING. SO THEY REPLACED IT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VAN STARTED SHAKING, TURNED OUT TO BE THE DISTRIBUTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (NOT THE CAP). *AK

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED SMOKING COMING FROM ENGINE, VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE CONSUMER PUT FIRE OUT WITH WATER HOSE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THIS WAS 2ND TIME VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE CONTAINED TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY, APPARENTY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND IT IGNITED THE ENGINE, CLAIM 15-3030-879. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE CONTAINED TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONLY, APPARENTY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND IT IGNITED THE ENGINE, CLAIM 15-3030-879. *SLC

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATING ON THE DASH. ALSO, THE HORN IS INOPERABLE AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK, DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN A CLOCK SPRING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATING ON THE DASH. ALSO, THE HORN IS INOPERABLE AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK, DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN A CLOCK SPRING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (#24-06-97) INDICATES CONNECTOR 'CORROSION' PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSES FRONT HVAC BLOWER(FAN) TO NOT OPERATE ON SOME OR ALL SPEEDS EXCEPT 'HIGH'. WHILE REPLACING RESISTOR AND CONNECTOR (PER THE BULLETIN) I FOUND THEY WERE NOT ONLY RUSTED TOGETHER, BUT THE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AT ONE OF THE CONTACTS (FROM THE RESISTANCE CAUSED BY THE RUST) INDICATING A HIGH POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE OCCURRING FROM THIS COMMON PROBLEM. I HAD TO WORK VERY HARD TO PRY THE CONNECTOR FROM THE RESISTOR SO I IMAGINE MOST TIMES THIS PROBLEM IS SERVICED THE CONNECTOR IS JUST CUT FROM THE WIRING HARNESS AND DISCARDED WITH THE RESISTOR STILL CONNECTED SINCE BOTH ARE TO BE REPLACED ANYWAYS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE POSSIBLE MELTING OF THE CONNECTOR NOT TO BE NOTICED OR REPORTED IN MANY CASES. 'UNDERHOOD' MAY BE MISLEADING IN THIS CASE ALSO, AS THE RESISTOR IS MOUNTED THROUGH THE FIREWALL INTO THE VEHICLE AND IT'S VENTILATION SYSTEM !

CONSUMER WAS AT A GAS STATION WHEN VEHICLE STARTED SMELLING, WIRES MELTED, BATTERY WAS SITTING ON TWO WIRES OF WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED WIRES TO SHORT OUT, CLAIM 13-7061-575. *SLC

CONSUMER WAS AT A GAS STATION WHEN VEHICLE STARTED SMELLING, WIRES MELTED, BATTERY WAS SITTING ON TWO WIRES OF WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED WIRES TO SHORT OUT, CLAIM 13-7061-575. *SLC

1)CLOCK SPRING ASSY. FAILED DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. IT CAUSES AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON DISABLING AIR BAG, CRUISE AND HORN ALSO WONT WORK. I HAVE A DIGITAL PICTURE OF THE FAILED PART IF YOU WOULD LIKE IT. 2) BELT TENSIONER JUST BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC CAUSING NO POWRER STEERING AND VERY LITTLE BRAKES. APPEARED THE STUD THAT GOES THROUGH IT SNAPPED INTO. *AK

WE RETURNED HOME AT 1:00 PM. WE WERE LEAVING AGAIN AT 1:20 PM. MY WIFE NOTICED THE VEHICLE SMOKING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. I OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTED A SMALL FIRE DOWN NEAR THE OIL FILTER. WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARRIVED AND STATED THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT AT OR NEAR THE STARTER. DODGE WAS CONTACTED AND BEGAN A FILE (#6224504) ON THE EVENT. THEY SENT A REPRESENTATIVE, MIKE GIGANTE, TO OUR HOME ON 09/16/99 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. HE COULD NOT SPECIFICALLY SAY WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE BUT HE DID STATE THAT THE FIRE OCURRED AT THE STARTER. WE ARE NOT PRIVY TO THE REPORT FILED BY MR. GIGANTE. DODGE CLAIMS THAT A LETTER WAS MAILED TO US ON THE 21ST OF SEPTEMBER. TODAY IS THE 27TH OF SEPTEMBER AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT. THE WOMAN AT CUSTOMER SERVICE READ THE LETTER TO ME ON 09/27/99 WHICH STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO US. WE STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE; WE CURRENTLY HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE EVEN IF IT IS REPAIRED UNLESS WE KNOW THE CAUSE ; DODGE'S RESPONSE IS UNACCEPTABLE TO US; THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY REASONABLE CONCLUSION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. AFTER WE GET THE BURNT STARTER MOTOR REPLACED COULD IT SPONTANEOUSLY SHORT CIRCUIT AND CAUSE A FIRE AGAIN? WE HAVE THREE YOUNG CHILDREN AND FEAR DRIVING THE CAR AFTER IT IS REPAIRED. WE CANNOT PARK THE CAR ANYWHERE WITHOUT WONDERING WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF A FIRE STARTS AT NIGHT TIME OR WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE OR INSIDE OUR ATTACHED GARAGE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER; WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OURSELVES AS WELL AS FOR OTHERS DRIVING THE 1997 GRAND CARAVAN.

FUEL PUMP BROKE WHILE IN MOTION. HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO, BELT TENSIONER BROKE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH/COMPUTER CHIP HAD FAILED & THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP FUNCTIONING AT 65MPH, AND BATTERY WENT DEAD & CAN NOT BE RECHARGED. *AK

FUEL PUMP BROKE WHILE IN MOTION. HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO, BELT TENSIONER BROKE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH/COMPUTER CHIP HAD FAILED & THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP FUNCTIONING AT 65MPH, AND BATTERY WENT DEAD & CAN NOT BE RECHARGED. *AK

CONSUMER PARKED VAN IN A PARKING LOT AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK

BATTERY FAILED.

BATTERY FAILED. *YC

ELECTRICAL FIRE.

ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND REMAIN ON FOR SECONDS TO NEARLY AN HOUR. DURING THIS PERIOD, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS AND POWER LOCKS BECOME INOPERABLE. THERE'S ALSO A STRAINING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER TESTED VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM.

CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH HIS CONVERTED VAN WHEN HE TRIED TO GET IN OR GET OUT OF VEHICLE. THE RAMP DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, SOME OTHERS BOTTOMS DID NOT WORK. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK

FUSE BOX SHORTED OUT CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.

OWNER STATES THAT WHILE FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, OWNER NOTES THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK