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Vans & Minivans Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler Minivan Problems & Solutions 
4276 messages, Last post on Oct 23, 2006 at 1:11 AM
You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum. Your Host is Karens
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This topic is for those who are experiencing difficulties with their Dodge Caravan. Here is a link to the prior discussion: Dodge Caravan Problems KarenS Vans host |
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Hi I replaced two connectors that attach to the speed sensors on my 93 caravan tranny using the kit for that purpose from Chrysler. It appears to have helped the frequency that the limp mode occurs, but it still does occur. I might have another loose wire in the miles of wiring in the vehicle. oh well. It is odd but I noticed that going thru a turn at speed seems to cause the problem. any one have a solution? I don't want to sell or trade before I fix it. etag |
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In the last 20 plus years we have owned a van/minivan and a station wagon/ sedan. The unfortunate tradeoff has been that the quality level of the station wagon sedan from Toyota and Honda do not compare with the quality level of Ford and Chrysler. After reading the Troubles with Grand Caravans / Voyagers, we have been quite fortunate. In 117,000 miles, one set of struts, warranty covered, one transmission at 75,000 warranty covered, one ABS pump warranty covered, one radiator, 3 sets of tires, 3 batteries, 1 set of rear shocks,cassette player plays only the right channel, rear window wiper does not work, 1 set of new wires plus routine maintenance. Nonetheless our 96 Honda Accord Wagon has 55,000 miles with only rountine maintenance. The 87 Toyota Corrola went 93,000 miles on routine maintenance with no brake problems as long as you used Toyota parts,a timing chain and a battery. The 79 Toyota Corrolla wagon went 119,000 miles on routine maintenance, 1 battery (at 110,000) and 1 starter replacement. Needless to say as we begin the search for a replacement for the 91 Caravan it warms my heart to see Toyota and Honda finally have viable alternatives to the Chrysler products. |
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| I have a 89 grand voyager with 4 speed automatic and 140,000 miles with no trouble. I drive very fast (80 mph), tow small trailers (not at the same time, the trailer couln't take it), go offroad hunting, and haul tons on kids and other crap. My family has had over 6 chrysler minivans and 1 has had the transmission problem. It was cured easily by changing the fluid to the correct Mopar type, NOT DEXTRON!!!, I don't know if this has been discussed here before but the Dextron will NOT work in the chrysler. Even the dipsitck and the Chilton's manual say Dextron, they are wrong. My van has started to smoke a little and now I am considering rebuilding the heads. I just can't bring myself to mess with a otherwise good thing. I always get over 20 mpg, I love my van, and I may own many other cars in my life but will always have a Chrysler minivan to cover all the other's shortcomings! | |
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The dipstick dictates the wrong fluid? AMAZING. guitarzan Community Leader/Vans Conference |
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DC Can't even manage to get the fluid recommendation right on their own dipstick. UNBELIEVABLE!!! On second thought, it is a Chrysler product. I believe it! |
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| It is a confusing, tough decision to make when deciding on purchasing a new minivan. Big money investment! I used to (until recently) sell GM products and after the bad comments from owners on the GM minivans, I wouldn't want one. The quality control is the pits and long term problem-free durability is looking very unlikely. I've always had good luck with the Chrysler products I've owned including a 1988 Voyager. The van finally was sold at around 158,000 miles when it started to "nickel and dime" me which may have been in part due to greedy and B.S. slinging mechanics... I don't know... I'm mechanically inept. So now I'm looking at a 2000 Dodge Caravan Sport. Checked out the Toyota Sienna and didn't like the blind spot on the C-pillar, and seating position wase not as comfortable as in the Dodge. Price on the Toyota is sticker or more. The Honda Odyssey is a nice van... love how the back seat folds down into the floor. But the radio is worse than my Metro's and the local Honda crook... I mean Dealer... is charging a whopping 10 grand over sticker! And that's on a used "demo" model! No way am I paying over MSRP. The Mazda is too small and too underpowered. The Nissan Quest is nice, but crash tests are horrid, back seat can't be taken out, and kinda expensive for an overall mediocre van. Ford Windstar was a nice ride, but for me personally, the seat cushion was too long and hit me in the back of my knee... very uncomfortable. And so I am back to the Dodge. Good discounts allow for me to dip into my pocket and purchase the extended warranty (a good bet with the reputation of these vans). Still don't think any van on the market is worth the price they are sold for, but what can the consumer do? Thought about a used van, but with the low interest rates on the new models, it's actually less costly per month to buy new. Also have the new car warranty so you're not paying car payments AND repairs. Anyone have any comments on the Caravan Sport with the heavy-duty suspension. Good, bad or ugly responses appreciated. I'm interested in the short-wheelbased model, not the grand, which according to Consumers Reports has a better repair record and is Recommended. | |
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Personally, I wouldn't touch any DC product with an extremely long pole (even with a Hungarian). Experiences of friends, comments of mechanics whom I trust and reading here was more than enough for me! Remember, even if all of your problems are covered under the extended warranty. What is your time and aggrivation worth? Time spent at the service dept, time spent stranded on the road, etc. In most parts of the country, you can get an Odyssey for MSRP. Suggest you check out the "Honda Odyssey Prices Paid" topic for recommendations of dealers and stratigies for findig one. |
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The only US vehicle I've ever owned is my current '93 Caravan 80,000 miles, most frustrating vehicle I've ever owned--typical trans. and a/c problems. I also own a 90 Nissan Maxima 152,000 miles routine maintenance and 1 rusted exhaust pipe at 135,000 miles. What is so interesting is how people accept their fate as a chrysler product owner saying things like "I've only had 1 transmission problem and it was fixed under extended warranty--I like my car". What? Folks, the transmission SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS for at least 150K miles of driving! You SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BUY an extended warranty in order to be a happy customer. |
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| I understand where you're coming from concerning the problems that seem to occur on the Chrysler vans. I've talked to owners of these vans and, even with some repairs under their belts, are overall very pleased with the vans. Hmmm... maybe it's the syndrome of just liking the vehicle so much, you're willing to put up with the "quirks." I had an '88 Voyager. Loved the doggone thing! But, had replaced the a/c compressor, had engine work done to the tune of $900 to stop smoking and oil gulping, brake caliper fell apart (130,000 miles), steering rack needed work, then started encountering some computer and/or some other expensive repair at about 158,000 miles that caused the van to want to stall when stopped with the a/c running. So, I got rid of the ol' gal. But boy did I love that van. Why? I dunno... I guess like someone says they love their spouse even though they forced them into bankruptcy and cheated with the FedEx delivery guy/gal... still, you love 'em. I know, doesn't make sense when all those statistically reliable Toyotas and Hondas are cruisin' down the street. But I just LIKE the DC vans... the power seats fit me perfectly and after a rather nasty back injury, comfort is important. I like the Honda too, but refuse to pay sticker plus when the Dodge Caravan stickered at $26,715 is now on sale for $20,986. For a difference of about 6 or 7 thousand from the Honda, I'd rather put the savings in the bank and put that towards a new van when my old Dodge finally bites the dust. It's like anything else I guess, when emotions set in, reasoning goes out the window. And those dang Caravan Sports are just soooo cute! Also, I had purchased a brandy new Honda Civic wagon back in '84. My experience with the Honda was awful. It died in my garage and had to be towed. It rattled and clunked within a year's time like it was 10 years old. The The engine performance and power dropped dramatically after about a year old and the parts and repair bills were astronomical. I traded it in in '87 for a new Dodge Shadow ES turbo. Never had the Dodge back to the dealer for anything! Run like a dream until some moron rammed into the back of me and crushed the life outa the poor thing. But even then, I walked away from the accident angry, a sore neck, but without a scratch after being hit at 45 mph by a Pontiac 6000. So, even with Honda's good record and lots of personal testimonies as to the greatness of these cars... I still say it's a gamble. I had a '91 Metro... great little car... now I bought a '98 and am in the middle of Lemon Lawing it for ongoing brake problems that eat up rotors every two months. Go figure. | |
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