Chrysler Minivan Transmission Problems

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2067 messages, Last post on May 12, 2013 at 11:00 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

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#343 of 2067 Anecdotal experience with Automatic Transmissions by hansienna

Aug 24, 2003 (10:20 am)

Only one DC minivan has had transmission failure of the many owned by people I know. That was a 1996 T&C LXi used to tow a large trailer all the time and the transmission failed at 180,000 miles.
     Meanwhile, 3 sisters in a family I know had purchased Ford Taurus. The 1990 Taurus transmission failed at just over 100,000 miles, the 1993 Taurus transmission failed at 115,000 miles and most recently the 1994 Ford Taurus transmission failed at 58,600 miles.
     A 1997 Ford Escort was purchased to replace the 1990 Taurus, a Camry LE replaced the 1993 Ford Taurus, and now a 2003 Camry LE replaced the 1994 Ford Taurus.
     The 1997 Ford Escort was given to the daughter of the owner of the 1990 Ford Taurus when she got a new Odyssey EX. The manual transmission of the 1997 Ford Escort broke (along with many other problems with the 1997 Ford Escort) so the daughter got rid of the 1997 Ford Escort and got a used 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager which she loves.
     I think DC minivan transmissions are now reliable and hope my son's 2002 Grand Caravan Sport will have no problems. He got the GC Sport even after knowing of my experience with the 1970 Dodge van. Should I give him the benefit of the doubt since he was only 2 years old when I got the 1970 Dodge van and 8 years old when it was traded on a 1976 Volkswagen Bus?

#344 of 2067 Transmission Blues by seversuave

Sep 25, 2003 (2:32 pm)

I have a 1999 T&C LXi with only 36K on it now out of warranty, and now the transmission is acting up. It has a history under warranty of at least two visits to the dealer for transmission problems and fluid leaks. Now, the dealer replaced a solenoid unit, and the valve body, and thinks it is fixed, but I am not so sure. Has cost me $830 so far. The dealer thinks I am just having some bad luck...Any advice?

#345 of 2067 reply sever by pluto5

Sep 25, 2003 (4:03 pm)

Try calling DC customer service and ask them to cover it. If they say no, try again another day cause they may have met their quota for goodwill repairs. The dealer will typically not help because they make more money if they do the repair for you than for DC.

#346 of 2067 2003 Grand Caravan Trans problem by meola5

Oct 03, 2003 (7:04 pm)

#1 of 2 2003 Grand Caravan transmission problems by meola5 Sep 26, 2003 (4:35 pm)
My Grand Caravan has 6,ooo miles on it and its been to the dealer 2X for transmission work. At 5000 miles the trans pump went, causing it to jump down into gear at 40 miles per hour. Now the car shudders when upshifting from first gear at around 10 miles an hour. The dealer said the second trans problem was a failed injector port on cylinder #3. On my way home from the dealer I felt the same problem at 10 miles an hour. Ths is my 3rd GC. Had a 96 with no problems. My 2000 had the transaxle blow at 16,000 miles, but that was a lease, so who cares. This one I bought. Big mistake.

#347 of 2067 ATF Usage in Chrysler Automatic Transmissions by dustyk

Oct 11, 2003 (2:47 pm)

Please excuse me if this information is redundant.

There are general rules that apply to Chrysler-built automatic transmissions:

*DO NOT use Dexron, Mercon, ATF+ "booster" additives for Dexron/Mercon, or any "universal" type of ATF under any circumstances, regardless of the year.

* Whether FWD or RWD (truck), any transmission originally equiped with ATF+4 must continue to use ATF+4 (Chrysler 9602), pn 05013457AA. Only ATF+4 should be used to add or flush in these transmisions.

*ATF+4 can be used to top-off vehicles originally equiped with ATF+3. ATF+3 should NEVER be used to top-off vehicles originally equiped with ATF+4.

EXCEPTION - Jeep AW & AX transmissions (4.0 6-cyl engine), and 1999 and older mini-vans with 3-speed or 4-speed automatics, should continue to use ATF+3.

REFERENCE: Chrysler service bulletin #21-006-01

Regards,
Dusty

#348 of 2067 98 Plymouth Grand Voyager Transmission Replacement by clainesse

Oct 30, 2003 (8:12 am)

Anyone have a clue of the maximum cost I should pay to have the transmission replaced by a new one, including parts and labor???

#349 of 2067 Re: transmission replacement by dustyk

Oct 30, 2003 (5:42 pm)

When you say "new," does that mean a factory supplied brand new unit, not rebuilt or reconditioned, I'd say it would be over $3000. I don't think you'd find one for a '98 anyways.

Some transmissions are rebuilt by vendors who supply general service repair places as a stock item. These are usually more expensive.

I would suggest an independent rebuilder. Often times when only the defective components are replaced the cost is much lower. But that all depends on what has failed.

On Chrysler mini-vans the price around here is anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $1500 - $1800 for more extensive repairs.

Regards,
Dusty

#350 of 2067 2001 T&C transmission problem by mmisbin

Oct 30, 2003 (7:18 pm)

Will be picking up my T&C LXi after a full week at the dealer for a bad torque converter and some other transmission repair. We have had the car for slightly over 2 years, with 28k miles so it was done under warranty. I think I read in this forum that all Chryslers purchased after July 2001 are covered under a 7y/70k limited powertrain warranty, is this true? We love the luxury and comfortable ride of this vehicle but are concerned about getting stuck again in the future both for the cost of the repair and having the van out of service for an extended time. Anyone know about this limited power train warranty?

#351 of 2067 mmisbin by eandlcubed

Nov 04, 2003 (5:11 am)

the 7 yrs powertrain warranty is for autos made after 7/2001. the important word is "made after" since you could have bought the van made before 7/01 but was bought after 7/01, then the extended warranty doesn't apply at least where i am.

#352 of 2067 My trans went at 83,000 by jackleg

Nov 26, 2003 (7:13 pm)

2001 Town and Country trans dies at 83,000 2 weeks ago . A/c compressor and drivers side window motor at 77,000.
Mechanic knew it was the trans after a 2 minute conversation . I think he loves Chryslers . The guy will retire a rich man .
My advice is to dump any Chyrsler minivan while you can and don't end up like me . 2,500 bucks in repairs just to trade it in . Didn't get the A/C fixed ($1200 more) as it is almost winter and no one checked at the trade in . Not that that mattered anyway as NO dealer wanted to give me anything close to what I owed on it . They all told me my best move would be to trade it back to Chrysler I would get the best value BUT I would be buying another Chrysler . I refused to do that and had to eat the loss on top of the 2500 in repairs . Good luck because if you are on this page the worst has probably already happened . I know no car lasts forever but major failures like mine are just unaceptable . I never envisioned this van not lasting 5 years without drivetrain failures . Then I started doing some research on the web and found that it is more common than I could've ever imagined .

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