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Chrysler Minivan Transmission Problems

1833 messages,  Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 3:54 AM

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

#1478 of 1833 2002 Grand Caravan Transmission Issue??? by classic7 Sep 29, 2007 (10:35 am)
Replying to: shipo (Sep 26, 2007 4:49 am) Hey, slightly off subject but it seems a few of you might know what you're talking about so I have ask!   Our 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport is leaking trans fluid and the tranie has slipped a few times. Like shifted up late or shifting down harshly.   My husband is about to throw the car away as he's heard of so many trans problems. Our warranty has run out as we're at 85000 miles.   Although my husband usually know what he's talking about, most of his experience is with old muscle cars and classics and he wants a 4wd so his opinion might be tainted .   Does anyone think these symptoms warrant concern? Anyone have experience with this or know where to send us for more information? Replies to this message: shipo (Sep 29, 2007 12:41 pm) classic7 (Oct 03, 2007 7:59 am)
#1479 of 1833 Re: 2002 Grand Caravan Transmission Issue??? [classic7] by shipo Sep 29, 2007 (12:41 pm)
Replying to: classic7 (Sep 29, 2007 10:35 am) Given the fact that you have a leak, the transmission might be slipping due to low fluid and nothing more. Were I in your shoes I'd take it to a dealer and have them give it a good look-see. A simple pan gasket leak is exceedingly simple to repair, however, if the leak is coming from some of the other seals, they're more expensive to repair but still WAAAAY cheaper than a new car. In fact, even in the unlikely event that you have to buy a whole new transmission (about $2,600), that's still way cheaper than buying another car.   The good news about these vans is that, aside from what appears to be a slightly higher incidence of transmission repairs than most other brands (except apparently Honda), the rest of the vehicle is quite robust. FWIW, our two Grand Caravans (one older than yours, one newer) have a combined 250,000 miles on them and they run as well today as they did when they were brand new.   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: classic7 (Oct 03, 2007 7:59 am)
#1480 of 1833 Re: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan [brokenspoke] by tom166 Oct 02, 2007 (7:55 pm)
Replying to: brokenspoke (Sep 26, 2007 5:26 pm) I've driven a Kia as a rental and was quite pleased with it. If a dearlership was in my town , I would have bought one. Wish that I had gone the extra 45 miles to buy one
#1481 of 1833 Re: 2002 Grand Caravan Transmission Issue??? [shipo] by classic7 Oct 03, 2007 (7:59 am)
Replying to: shipo (Sep 29, 2007 12:41 pm) Thanks. We owned a Crysler Plymoth Voyager that had about 250,000 miles on it, about 5 years ago. It did have one engine rebuild and 1 tranie replacement but it was a good car, nonetheless.   I think I'll suggest having the Caravan checked out before we go the new car route...   Thanks Shipo!
#1482 of 1833 1998 plymouth grand voyager, transmission problem by intraspec Oct 07, 2007 (1:21 pm)
I just bought a 1998 plymouth voyager and the transmission doesn't shift properly.   It shifts ok when taking off but once it goes through all the gears it will down shift and stay like that until I   come to a stop and then it starts all over again.   Sometimes it will shift normally while getting on the highway but then downshift and stay there   but then nothing it's like it's in neutral what can this be???
#1483 of 1833 Re: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan [brokenspoke] by twocycle2 Oct 07, 2007 (6:06 pm)
Replying to: brokenspoke (Sep 26, 2007 5:26 pm) I consider my transmission "bad" because a $30,000.00 van should not be "annoying" or "not comfortable" the $12,000.00 KIA i rented last week shifted smoooooth as silk every time, i guess im just expecting too much from my $30,000.00 Chrysler.   I have had similar exeriences, and I have to agree and disagree with you....my 2006 Caravan (3.3L) has the same "annoying" characteristics as my parent's 94 T&C and 91 Dodge Dynasty. It absolutely amazes me that this transmission still stumbles on the 1-2 upshift after nearly 20 years of production. However, I have found that this is not necessarily a cause for concern about longevity....both of my parent's transmissions lasted 90k miles with no problems at all, though both units started to fail at 90k. My wife has a Hyundai Sonata (which uses a transmission of similar design) and it shifts flawlessly every time....smooth as silk every shift. Overall, I love my Caravan and view the transmission as adding personality to it, but quite frankly, there is no excuse for Chrysler to still be having these issues with a 20 year old design. Maybe the new 6 speed will be better....   Twocycle2 Replies to this message: brokenspoke (Oct 08, 2007 4:41 pm) tom166 (Oct 08, 2007 5:11 pm) tom166 (Oct 09, 2007 10:18 am) twocycle2 (Oct 08, 2007 5:40 pm) superwoody (Oct 08, 2007 6:11 pm)
#1484 of 1833 Re: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan [twocycle2] by brokenspoke Oct 08, 2007 (4:41 pm)
Replying to: twocycle2 (Oct 07, 2007 6:06 pm) this is not a stumble from 1 to 2 it is a thump hard enough to rattle the dash, i agree it probably will not effect longevity but it will effect resale value, how do you explain this poor shifting to a potential buyer who is probably already cautious of these transmissions? and a trans failing at 90K is not acceptable to me   Brokenspoke Replies to this message: tom166 (Oct 08, 2007 5:11 pm) tom166 (Oct 09, 2007 10:18 am) twocycle2 (Oct 08, 2007 5:40 pm) superwoody (Oct 08, 2007 6:11 pm)
#1485 of 1833 Re: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan [brokenspoke] by tom166 Oct 08, 2007 (5:11 pm)
Replying to: brokenspoke (Oct 08, 2007 4:41 pm) Tomorrow is supposed to be the fix date for my 07 Caravan.I would bet money that it's not going to happen. Will let you know. Replies to this message: tom166 (Oct 09, 2007 10:18 am)
#1486 of 1833 Re: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan [brokenspoke] by twocycle2 Oct 08, 2007 (5:40 pm)
Replying to: brokenspoke (Oct 08, 2007 4:41 pm) and a trans failing at 90K is not acceptable to me   No argument here....I think the average lifespan for these transmissions is about 100k, which in modern times is ridiculously little....there are posts on this board of people who have gotten over 150k, but they had to do numerous fluid changes and treat the tranny very gently all it's life to get it there. People can make all the excuses they want, but I've had experiences with Chryslers and Oldsmobiles in the 80's that went 100k miles with no trans problems.....the old 3 speed Chrysler trans were nearly bullet proof.....even my 91 Ford Escort went almost 100k with no trans problems and only one fluid change. My only point is that these quirks don't necessarily mean there is a problem (though the thump you describe is not normal), but even with a properly operating trans, you will be lucky to get 100k out of it. Chrysler is going to be replacing a bunch of these under their new lifetime warranty.   I know that some of you on this board have a lot more technical expertise than I do....can you shed any light on why, after nearly 20 yrs, these problems still exist?   Twocycle2 Replies to this message: superwoody (Oct 08, 2007 6:11 pm)
#1487 of 1833 Re: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan [twocycle2] by superwoody Oct 08, 2007 (6:11 pm)
Replying to: twocycle2 (Oct 08, 2007 5:40 pm) "I know that some of you on this board have a lot more technical expertise than I do....can you shed any light on why, after nearly 20 yrs, these problems still exist?"    Twocycle2   Denial!!

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