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Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler Minivan Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

4276 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2006 at 2:11 AM

You are in the Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Voyager, Plymouth Voyager, Chrysler Town and Country, Van

Messages Page 132 of 428

#1306 of 4276 Last Caravan by oreste1

May 23, 2002 (6:39 am)

I have to agree with dmathews3 about DC. In the past I have owned a 1991 Gr Caravan
and have had a 1994 all wheel drive at work. I presently own a 1999 Grand Caravan ES
and it will be the last.
 The others had their problems but it seemed the folks at Dodge were more open and willing
to help. The 1991 went 185000 miles but got too expense to put any repairs into. The 1999
seems to be even more prone to problems. Here is the list of problems.
Master cylinder reservoir replaced twice, steering column replaced twice, transmission
sensors replaced once, serpentine belt tension idler pulley replaced twice, rear wheel bearing
replaced once, Anti-sway bar bushings once, first set of braked lasted 64000 miles had them
replaced last April(01) second set lasted 31000 miles this April(02) I had a new set of brakes
install, they lasted 1000 miles, had another set put on under waranttee they lasted 1200 miles
and they had warped rotors.I pick the van up today with another set of brakes, new rotors, drums,
 and pads. How long will these last is anybody's guess. I asked the service rep if maybe there was
a problem with the ABS system that was taxing the front brakes too much. He said the tech said
"No it was working fine" . When I asked him why I got 64000 mile on the original and have so
many problem now he stated , to my dismay, that DC uses a lower quality brake set-up on repairs
because"Dodge people do not want to pay for extra quality parts". I seems to me that
factory replacement parts should be the same quality as original equipment. If I want original
equipment I have to special order and pay more for the better quality. Since April I've
put over $2000 in repairs to this vehicle. My problem is not only the repairs and cost but also
with the attitude they have. In addition to this vehicle I also have a 1997 and a 1998 Pontiac
Grand Prix. These two vehicles have been rock solid with just normal maintenace. You be
the judge. Also as a special note, the 1999 ES comes with 17" wheels/tires.
(215-60-17) there is only one tire that is made for that rim, that is a Michelin MX4. There is no
other Michelin, Goodyear, Cooper, Toyo, Yokohama or any other tire in the whole world that
will fit on. The Michelin MX4 is a fine tire except in snow then driving become real interesting
especially if the front rotors are warped.

#1307 of 4276 driver's side sliding door... by gmusic7

May 23, 2002 (8:50 am)

help please...
 
there is a problem with my parent's 1997 sliding door. the door will not lock by using either the power lock switch or by manually locking.
 
is there a way to open/remove the door panel to get to the locking mechanism?
 
my goal is to at least be able to lock the door manually.

#1308 of 4276 oreste1 by 4aodge

May 23, 2002 (11:36 am)

I'm sorry to hear you have had so many problems with your 1999 Grand Caravan ES. The ES is a very nice model; it's too bad you have had to put so much money and time into repairs. To me, it sounds like you got a lemon. But that's just me. My friend has a 1999 Grand Caravan ES 3.8 they use to tow a camping trailer. Their van has been very reliable and hasn't had any problems. Good luck in the future.

#1309 of 4276 4cyl 3spd vs v6 by buyersoon

May 23, 2002 (8:45 pm)

Is it true that the 4cyl Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth minivans DO NOT experience the problems that the v6's do????
I have gathered also that these minivans have AC problems?
I am in the market for a used minivan. Am I right that post 1997 minvans are better?

#1310 of 4276 4 cylinder by hersbird

May 23, 2002 (9:16 pm)

I posted a response to this over at the transmission forum.

#1311 of 4276 Tires on ES by hersbird

May 23, 2002 (9:26 pm)

Michelin does make their studdless snow tire the Artic Alpin in that size as well. I am thinking of switching to 17" or 18" wheels on our 2000 sport and would go with a 225/55/17, that is only 2/10ths of an inch shorter and a little wider then the stock size. Tire Rack lists 29 different tires in that size ($91-$310 each), sure to have something to fit your driving style. Hardly anybody (about 3 different companies) makes a tire the same as on my Dakota either (255/55/17), but a least the Dakota can handle a large varaity of other sizes (going to go with a 275/50/17).

#1312 of 4276 buysersoon by 4aodge

May 24, 2002 (12:15 am)

I wouldn't buy any Chrysler minivan older than a 1999 model. From what I've read, Chrysler made some significant changes to the transmission in 1999 and started using a new type of fluid. We had a 1998 Grand Caravan that went to 70k miles without any problems, but I'd still be safe and limit myself to a 1999 or 2000 model year Chrysler van. Whatever you do, do not buy a 1996 or 1997 year van because many of those had serious problems , especially with transmission and A/C.
 
Good luck!
 
-Adam

#1314 of 4276 c01 by tomtomtom

May 24, 2002 (10:23 am)

very interesting explanation/ theory on why people would buy a DC van one after another...

#1315 of 4276 Re repeat buyers by backy

May 24, 2002 (3:29 pm)

As a repeat buyer of Dodge Caravans, I can tell you it wasn't because of poor trade-in value. I bought a new '91 base Caravan for $13,000--4 cyl. with a hose-em-out interior. I sold it privately eight years later for $5900. That's pretty good resale value I think. I leased a new '99 GCS because of A) ride and handling, B) comfort and features, C) styling, D) great dealer service on my '91 van, E) great lease deal (under $300/month for a $28,000 MSRP van with almost nothing down), and F) the only other van I had an interest in, the new-for-'99 Odyessy, had a very long waiting list and a take-it-or-leave-it full sticker price. BTW, at that same time a friend of mine was on a waiting list for the Odyssey, got fed up and went and bought a loaded T&C Limited. He's very happy with it.

Messages Page 132 of 428

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