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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 95 of 429

#932 of 4276 Chrysler FWD Minivan Transmissions by dustyk

Dec 15, 2001 (6:27 pm)

For what its worth....
 
We are considering the purchase of a new minivan and have driven them all. My wife (who will be a major contributor to this decision) likes the Chrysler Town & Country the best. It is without a doubt the most comfortable and nicest to drive of them all.
 
I am concerned about design and assembly quality and have heard about premature transmission failures with Chrysler minivans. I have been talking to the local transmission shops to get some idea of what they're seeing. I've also been driving by and taking notes on what brands are in the lot awaiting repair.
 
Now supposedly all Chrysler transmissions are bad according to a lot of people that I talk to. This might surprise some of you, but I'm not seeing many Chrysler minivans at any of the area shops! Out of the 231 cars and trucks I've logged over the last 7 months at three shops, only 14 were Chrysler minivans. These were in the range of 1989s to 1996s. Nothing before or after those years.
 
At two of the shops they said early 4 speed electronic transmissions had a seal failure problem that was very common. However, these same two shops said that newer versions were not a problem.
 
We do know several people that have had transmission problems with their Chrysler minivans and in each case it was later determined that the wrong transmission fluid had been installed when the transmission maintenance had been performed. The bottom line here is do not use Dexron type fluid.
 
The owner of the third shop did say that "Chrysler transmissions are junk." However, at his shop I could only count 2 Chrysler products over the same period. He said GM's were the best, and maybe they are, but 54 of his transmission jobs were done on GMs, another 22 were Fords. I noticed his personal vehicle was a Chevy Tahoe and I suspect he is unable to give me an unbiased opinion.

#933 of 4276 We like our T&C by phkck

Dec 15, 2001 (7:05 pm)

We too had the same dilema. What finally swayed us was the free powertrain warranty for 7 yr 100k warranty thru Dec 01.
We enjoy the power doors and liftgate.
The transmission failings seem to have improved and as you stated the proper transmission fluid seems critical.
And as you have seen any make can have failures. In the last 2 months we have had family members replace transmissions on a Continental and Suburban. Luck of the draw I guess.
Good luck in the mini-van hunt

#934 of 4276 Honking by scottandkimr

Dec 15, 2001 (7:40 pm)

I have a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. It has recently started occasionally honking as if the panic button were pressed. The honking starts a few minutes after locking the van. The van does not do this every time it is locked, only intermittently. We took it into the dealer, who replaced and recoded the batteries on the keyless entries.
 
I did not think this was the problem, because on some occasions it had started honking after we were well out of range of the van. Anyway, I was right, the van still has the problem. I took it back in today and they could not reproduce the problem (again, it happens only occasionally).
 
I could not find the problem listed in a TSB or similar complaints. I have a friend with a Chrysler minivan that had the exact problem. They had the alarm disconnected. The Dodge dealer that that was not doable, because the entire system works together and disconnecting the horn alarm would affect the entire system.
 
Does anyone know what the cause is or have any recommendations for repair? Has anyone else experienced this?
 
Scott

#935 of 4276 Chrysler FWD Transmissions by 4aodge

Dec 15, 2001 (8:55 pm)

dustky, it is a FACT that Chrysler has improved the quality and reliability of it's vehicles over the last several years. As for transmissions, it seems to me that alot of the problems occured in pre-1998 model year vans, although I have only a few problems from people I know who have 98-01 model DC minivans. Nevertheless, Chrysler has improved a great deal over the years and according to a service manager at a local Chrysler dealership, their transmissions for the 2001+ model years are "rocksolid."
 
As for me? My family has a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country LX 3.3L van that now has 33k miles on it and has had no problems. The van still drives and looks just as new despite a year and 3 months of hard and sometimes very fast driving. There are three neighbors on my street who also have DC minivans (one neighbor actually has two DC minivans, a 1999 and a 2000 model, both 3.3L) and none have had any serious problems with their vans.
 
I also agree that there is no other minivan on the market that has the comfort features and excellent drive/handling that the DC minivans have. Also, the free 100k mile warranty that Chrysler is offering makes buying a DC minivan now even better. Good luck with your purchase!
 
-Adam
(16/M/CA)

#936 of 4276 Re: Honking by mrbizness1

Dec 15, 2001 (11:55 pm)

Try checking the door contact switches
(especially on the sliding doors)they could be dirty, causing the interior lights to activate
and setting off the alarm.

#937 of 4276 Minivan Transmissions by lucierjim

Dec 16, 2001 (9:18 am)

After researching all the minivan offerings, I purchased a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan about 6 weeks ago. To my wife ane I, no other van came close to the rock solid feel of the Dogde.
I was concerned about transmission problems, but could find no real data that gives the Dodge a worse rating than others. Several negative articles were so biased, I totally discounted their value in our decision. We know several neighbors with various makes of minivans and have heard as many opinions as there are owners. I can say that the most loyal owners are the Windstar fans who also seem to be spending a lot more time and money keeping the things running.
My past experience with FWD cars is limited to a 1996 Saturn and a 1999 Honda Civic. The Saturn has had no transmission trouble in 125,000 miles other than the GM clunk between first and second. The Honda at 48,000 miles is just off it's first rebuild on the tranny at $1,650. Anyone want a cute white Honda tin can.
So far, the Grand Caravan is quickly winning over all drivers in the house, it's peppy, quiet, and fun to drive. Time will tell.

#938 of 4276 by eneth

Dec 16, 2001 (12:09 pm)

It would appear that the 96-2000 models at least are turning into the DaimlerChryser version of the Ford Pinto story:

http://www.detnews.com/2001/autosconsumer/0112/16/a01-368193.htm

#939 of 4276 by emale

Dec 16, 2001 (5:07 pm)

the 41te tranny used in the dc minis is now a pretty decent unit. major internal seal upgrades were instituted in '96 and a significantly upgraded differential saw its way into the vans in late '99 or early '00. also, better electronic torque management and upgraded tranny fluid are now used. the dc mini's tranny is now at least on par with other trannys of the same type.

#940 of 4276 amen to that by 4aodge

Dec 16, 2001 (5:27 pm)

Emale, the current improved status of the Chrysler 41TE transmission that you speak of is true but I doubt you will convince many Honda owners of that. Many of them still refuse to believe that Chrysler has improved their products over the years.
 
As for me, my 2000 Town & Country LX with 33k miles continues to run great, and is still on it's origional transmission.
 
-Adam

#941 of 4276 Fuel Rail Leak in DetNews Article by dkrab

Dec 16, 2001 (7:55 pm)

This leak did not first start with the '96 model. My '91 Plymouth Grand Voyager sprang a leak in exactly the place described in the article. Chrysler would not pay for a fix, even though they were recalling the LH cars with the same engine for the same problem. I paid $890 to get it fixed at an independent shop.
 
Now it appears that Chrysler should pony up. Anybody else with a Chrysler van with the 3.3 or 3.8 engine have experience with this leak?
 
On the transmission issue raised here, I hope DC has fixed the problem. It started with the "Ultradrive" in '89. When I bought my '91, I specifically asked what was done to correct the problems. I was told that new seal material and an added internal seal was the fix, and my new van should be just fine. It failed at 58K. Mopar fluid only is all it ever saw. I don't think they meant to lie to me back in '91. I think they really thought they had it fixed. They really think they have it fixed, now, too. Just like in '92, '93, '94, '95, '96.... Get the extended warranty, just in case. It may indeed be fixed, but I would be more comfortable with a couple more years of good statistics and reports, from more than just two or three regular posters on the boards here.

Messages Page 95 of 429

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