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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 89 of 428

#878 of 4276 Re: Chrysler Minivan Transmissions by dave210

Nov 07, 2001 (3:39 pm)

Since when did I say they had good transmissions? I was the one talking about how my friends have had problems with their transmissions.
 
But I've been one of the lucky ones, and I will continue to support Daimler-Chrysler. Other than my first Chrysler van, my 1996 and 2001 were and are mechanically perfect, with the 2001 also being quality perfect.
 
I'm not the only one who is in the niche that wants luxury and utility, because the LXi pre 1999 used to account for nearly 80% of the T&C sales. Now I'm not sure now what the figures are since with the demise of the Plymouth Voyager, Chrysler is now stacking rental lots with stripped base T&C's...something I DON'T agree with.
 
Anyway, until Honda comes out with an Acura van or Toyota ups its size and luxury content, I'm sticking with Chrysler. I've had good luck with them, and if you can believe, I LIKE the gizmos, gadgets, style, and utility.
 
That's great the some people think minivans should be modestly equipped with bad styling, but remember the days when SUV's were REAL trucks, and not luxury-like vehicles with such names as Mercedes, BMW, or Lexus gracing the hood?
 
For now, I'm going to take my automatic triple zone air over a folding magic seat, but maybe in a couple of years, Honda and Toyota will realize there are people like me who would be happy to buy from those brands if they added just a little more luxury. I'm guessing that day will eventually come, most likely in the new 2003 Sienna. Just a guess.

#879 of 4276 Chrysler Transmissions by crkeehn

Nov 07, 2001 (4:16 pm)

Based on what I was reading on other internet sites, especially the Allpar site, they stated that a large number of the transmission problems were the result of using the wrong fluid. Apparently the 4 speed transmissions are very sensitive to the ATF used and the wrong one will really damage the unit. 2000 model year and newer should only use ATF+4.

#880 of 4276 Wrong Fluid by dkrab

Nov 07, 2001 (7:46 pm)

I have a '91. Replace tranny at 58,000 miles. Serviced it regularly, never put anything in it but Mopar trans fluid as specified. Also had to have rings replaced at 58,000 because it was burning a quart of oil every 800 miles (3.3L). Chryslers 7/70 powertrain warranty saved me thousands of dollars. I wouldn't own a DC product without an extended warranty, period.
 
Now have 137,000 on replacement trans, and it still seems fine. I'm getting rid of it while it still drives good. It will likely be fine for years to come; not every single Mopar tranny is bad. But it sure seems like too many of them are. I sure wish they would get rid of that tranny, but they are still using it in the new vans today. Maybe it's better now, but I would not bet 25K to find out.

#881 of 4276 odssey by 4aodge

Nov 07, 2001 (11:53 pm)

it is really a shame how the odyssey owners come into forums that have nothing to do with their vehicle and bash DC minivans left and right. i don't believe there has been a dc van owner come into the odyssey PROBLEMS (yes thats right, the flawless odyssey has problems as well) and bash the owners and their cars.
 
no one here has said that chryslers transmission have had a perfect or even good reliability history. not even dc van owners like myself.
 
however, there are many owners out there with dc minivans that have never experienced and serious mechanical problems, myself included. we have owned two of these vans and both performed flawlessly. not all odyssey owners can say that, even those who own 2000 and 2001 odyssey vans.
 
if you like boaring, boxy, blan cars...go with the odyssey. if you want a car that is fun to drive, looks good, has plenty of features and creature comforts, go with the dc minivans. the choice is up to the consumer and most still go with the dc minivans.
 
-adam

#882 of 4276 odssey by 4aodge by dmathews3

Nov 08, 2001 (4:25 am)

4aodge says: it is really a shame how the odyssey owners come into forums that have nothing to do with their vehicle and bash DC minivans left and right. i don't believe there has been a dc van owner come into the odyssey PROBLEMS
You shouldn't make a statement that you can't back up. Ask carlton1 or a few others who are always there doing what we are doing back in self defence. Yes we have problems too, but not nearly as many as you do. Sounds like the new Caravans are better than old, except for a couple of big ones, really big ones, like leaking gas, but only time will tell.

#883 of 4276 dmathews3 by 4aodge

Nov 08, 2001 (4:01 pm)

The odyssey owners would like to think every 2001 dc minivan out there will leak gas if it gets into a serious accident, but this is obviously not the case. There are so many more 2001 dc minivans on the road than there are odyssey vans and im sure because of the great number of them, a good few have gotten into some serious accidents. I have not heard of one case where a dc minivan has exploded or combusted as a result of a serious crash, contrary to what odyssey owners would like to believe. It's just another excuse for people who want to rationalize buying a boring, boxy, blan minivan. I really feel sorry for the poor odyssey owners who bought the van because of honda reliability and then have faulty accord breaks, transmission problems, and sliding door problems. what a let down that must have been.
 
the three B's used to describe the odyssey...BOARING, BOXY, BLAN. I am quite happy with my perfectly reliable T&C. I have a reliable car that has some personality (yes, even tho its a van) and is fun to drive. too bad the odyssey owners have to live with the three B's.
 
-Adam

#884 of 4276 Ody Owners on this Board by dkrab

Nov 08, 2001 (6:02 pm)

Adam, maybe there are Ody owners posting on this board, but I am not one of them. Right how I own a 91 Ply G.Voyager with 137K miles on it. I am working on getting an Odyssey, though. There seems to be DC owners bashing Honda on the Honda boards. Hey, if that's what they want to do, fine, whatever.
 
"Boaring" should be spelled "boring" (you got it right in one place, anyway). "Blan" should be "bland." Are you describing the DC vans? This is a DC vans problems board, isn't it? I know you are describing the Ody, just ribbing you. But you should know that there are thousands and thousands of intelligent, rational adults deciding every day to buy that boxy, boring Ody. I know, I am one of them. Let me tell you why. My 91 Ply G.Voyager, which I bought new, had the transmission fail before 60K. I was very careful with it, too, because I had heard of problems with them starting in '89. When I asked the service dept. about the problems with earlier models, they assured me many changes had been made and the unit was sound. Regular fluid changes, Mopar fluid ONLY. At 58K, it started dropping into 2nd gear at will. Sometimes it would never shift beyond 2nd. Chrysler replaced the trans under warranty. Now here it is, 10 years later, and DC is STILL using that trans. They say it's fixed. I am not going to be fooled twice. It is simply not as reliable as the average minivan tranny. That is a proven fact. As the 99 and newer ones get older, we'll see how the trend goes, but they will have to get the statistics from someone else. I won't be driving a DC. Other problems included paint peeling off, piston rings seized to pistons (chryco paid for that, too), AC compressor went out (and its big-time expensive), serptine belt tensioner keeps failing, can't keep it aligned, starter stopped, rattles, rattles, rattles. And that's the stuff I can think off off the top of my head.
 
As for the Ody, I know it isn't perfect. They had some trans trouble, I know. But I doubt you will see a discussion about it still going on 8 years from now. Honda tends to learn from their mistakes and work on making real corrections. I have seen it myself, and not just from Honda. Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, VW/Audi, do it, too. Even Chrysler learns and corrects, as proven by the newest vans. I drove one, and it drives great. It's quiet, smooth, refined, much better than my 91. I would buy it, except for the fact that they still have not replaced the trans, and I did not care for their attitude in the past. But no car, van or truck from any maker is bulletproof. Maybe you have one that is serving you well. That's great, more power to you. Nothing wrong with getting your money's worth. I suspect, however, some of it is attitude. If you like your vehicle, you will be less critical of it when something does break. If you don't like it, you will complain. Human nature. You could have two identical vehicles with exact repair records, and the guy who likes his will say it's mostly trouble-free, and the guy who doesn't like it will say it's a rolling junk heap. I have had 3 Accords. One of them gave me trouble. But I liked it anyway. What helped me like it in spite of the trouble was Honda's attitude toward correcting the trouble. They were not condescending and did not try to blame me, they just checked out the problem and fixed it. When the paint peeled off my Chrysler, I thought I was never going to get them to make it right. Somehow it must have been my fault, they implied, asking if I had ever run it through a high pressure car wash, if I park it in the garage, etc. They knew they had a problem, they were even fighting a lawsuit over it, and I get that?
 
So, I would not question people's judgement too harshly. Most here have spent the time to come to rational conclusions, even if they are not all the same conclusion. Enjoy your DC van. I'll enjoy my Ody when I get it.

#885 of 4276 starting probs by wilsoncj6

Nov 08, 2001 (9:01 pm)

i'm having a problem starting my van. i'll turn the key to start and just get a click, like it's a dead battery. well, it's not, and i checked the starter solenoid and it's fine. i'll turn it to start about 20 times and then suddenly, it'll start. doesn't matter warm or cold, same thing. ignition switch problem???

#886 of 4276 The 3 B's for Caravan by dmathews3

Nov 09, 2001 (1:11 pm)

Big junk, bigger junk, and biggest junk. Maybe DC is making them better like starting probs by wilsoncj6. If they won't won't start than they won't fall a part.

#887 of 4276 dmathews3 by steeleng

Nov 09, 2001 (3:00 pm)

Remember what Thumper's father told him in the movie "Bambi."
 
Most people are here to either find solutions to problems with their vehicles or to find out what to expect from a certain vehicle. If you have something constructive to add please do so.

Messages Page 89 of 428

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