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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
| 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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I bought the Grand Caravan ES model in May of 1998. All the extras on it. Brand new. At 42,000 miles the transmission goes out on it as I am coming home from a business trip. Towed to the dealership - for a new transmission. Van was exactly 1 year old. I was told from the dealership that I should have taken out the extended warranty. Can you believe that a $30,000 + van has a transmission that goes out in exactly 1 year -with only 42,000 miles on it - and serviced exactly as recommended in the owners manuel. My feeling is that you shouldn't have to take out an extended warranty on a $30,000 van. A van of this type should last well over 100,000 miles if maintained correctly. I can't wait for my Honda Odyssey to come in. I hope to have better luck with that van. I will pay more for a reliable product. I hope the Honda Odyssey is as reliable as has been written about . I will let you know within a year. I put over 40,000 miles on my vehicle each year. I won't be buying anymore Dodge / Chrysler products. They may look nice, but having a nice looking vehicle on the side of the road with the hood up - waiting for a tow truck is not my idea of fun. When you are at the gas station filling up next time, and you see someone with a dodge / chrysler van, ask them about their van. More than likely, they will tell you about their problems with them - especially the transmissions, and what number they are on . (in transmissions)
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| I understand your aggrivation with the tranny on your DC van. I've read that around 40,000 miles the transmissions (4-spd) goes kapput. Not good, but it does point out that spending the extra couple bucks for an extended warranty is wise. As for Honda Odyssey... read some of the posts from owners in Town Hall. The Hondas ALSO have been having transmission problems! I've read a suprisingly substantial number of complaints on this van as well. The only van that seems to be very dependable is the Toyota Sienna. It is also very expensive with no discounts (at least at my local Toyota dealer) and I've seen some "off-lease" and used Sienna's that seem to be falling apart. Similar Chrysler vans seem to take the abuse in stride (except for that blasted transmission thing). Reading all this only confirms my opinion that probably the Caravan will be my next vehicle. But I will check out some Toyota dealers in "the big city" first just to see if there are any negotiations and try the van with the power seats. | |
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| Let me be certain I understand. You know the caravan transmission is junk, but you plan to buy one anyhow??? Complete failure is "that transmission thing"? | |
| You know that Dodge has a transmission problem, but you plan on buying one anyway. No wonder they haven't fixed the problem. You keep buying them, and pay for the new transmissions, or the extended warranty. Who are the idiots? Not Chrysler, if you keep letting them get away with this. | |
We are very worried about the fuel smell in our 93 Grand Caravan. At first, the dealer said it was due to cracks in the gas filler tube. That has been replaced, the gas cap has been replaced, the problem has returned, and the dealer has no idea as to the cause. Has anyone else had this problem?
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You've got to look at the whole equation before determining your decision. Yes, the transmissions have a reputation for problems (although I've read quite a few comments and spoke to people who've never had a problem). But it is still more cost effective to get the extended warranty and buy the DC van, than pay sticker plus for a Toyota or Honda and still run the risk for repairs that will, on average, cost more than the Chrysler. It's a risk. Yes, Chrysler should re-do those transmissions if the problems are this widespread. But for the six or seven grand difference between a Caravan and Oddey, that's gotta make you go "hmmmm."
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| The possibility of being stranded on the road make me go hmmmmm. You need to determine how much you're willing to pay for reliability over the time you intend to keep the van. For me, I'd pay more up front in order to get a van that will likely go 200,000 miles. | |
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I have one of the first new style DC minivans. My 1996 was first on the road in 9/95. Have I had problems?... yes. Has it been worth it?...yes. I bought a '96 SE Grand Caravan with the rear air/heat and BUILT in CHILD SEATS, the biggest plus in the minivan market. When I bought this van, NO ONE built anything like it. I had it in for service under the standard 36/36 warranty 8 times before it ran out. I got lucky on the tranny. I saw a oil leak at 32K, and they rebuilt the whole thing (I didn't know about the tranny history then). After the warranty ran out, I have replaced the A/C comp., the belt tensioner, Rad. Fan switch, rotors where defective (pitted/flaking), and a couple of other small things. I now have 72K on it, it's paid for, and I plan on keeping it till it dies for good. It still meets everyone of my families needs, which the other vans couldn't meet back when I needed to buy one. Would I buy another??? Yes! I might change my mind when someone else builds a minivan that will haul by family of four + friends with all the extras including pulling my pop-up camper at 75 mph on the highway. |
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| Can you say "the Odyssey can!"? | |
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