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Chrysler Minivan Transmission Problems

2070 messages,  Last post on Jun 02, 2013 at 12:09 PM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum.

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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Messages Page 37 of 208

#358 of 2070 191,000 miles with one minor problem by blk97aurora

Dec 31, 2003 (10:37 pm)

My wife and I just bought a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT to replace our 1990 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE, which has been totaled due to a rear-end collision.
 
The GV (3.3-liter) has 191,000 miles on it; transaxle fluid was changed once at 100,000 miles. The only problem in all those miles was one speed sensor replacement. When I ordered the GV in 1990, I specified the AHT trailer prep package which included (as is still the case, I believe) an auxilliary transaxle oil cooler. I don't know for sure how much that cooler may have helped, but I have added aftermarket coolers to my vehicles before and after the 1990 GV.

#359 of 2070 Dodge Gr. Caravan 1996 Transmission by ace33

Jan 09, 2004 (10:43 pm)

We are looking at a 1996 GC with 127,000 miles.
How many miles can you get out of these vans? Do they have major transmission or engine problems
at that mileage? Obviously a car that old will need some TLC but we are wondering what major things we might be getting into. Thank you!

#360 of 2070 At that kind of mileage and age.. by vcheng

Jan 10, 2004 (7:03 am)

...you are looking at a vehicle with most of the life of its major components used up. A lot depends on the maintenance history of course, but No.1 on the list of potential failures would be the transmission, followed by things such as alternator, water pump, belt and tensioner, AC compressor, evaporator, suspension ball joints, shocks, etc. etc. If cared for, the engines tend to be robust, but there is a lot of other stuff that can cost a lot to rectify.
 
Unless the price is great, I would suggest looking at a newer one with less mileage. There are a lot of choices with these vans, and it should be possible to locate a better one easily.

#361 of 2070 04 Transmission Noise by sxt4me

Jan 12, 2004 (7:23 pm)

Anyone just purchase a new 04 T&C w/3.8L? Do you hear a wining sound that kicks in as you slow down, or are coasting to a stop, especially down hill?. We have a new 04 Grand Caravan SXT that is making an annoying high pitch wining sound as the van is coming to a stop. When the gas is pressed slightly the sound goes away and then comes right back when the gas peddle is not pressed. Dealer says transmission is normal. We are test driving a new one on the lot tomommorw to compare.

#362 of 2070 Dodge Gr. Caravan 1996 Transmission by rg144

Jan 14, 2004 (1:33 pm)

I have a '96 at 125K and it is running fine. Tranny does a funny wiggle at times and the A/C is dead. The wipers died and it cost $400 for the control computer. I think with *any* used vehicle you role the dice - who knows what could fail. If well maintained I don't see why 200K is not possible but you should see if they changed the oil every 3k since it *will* smoke soon if not. I like the following with GC: exhaust systems really last (my 1985 Caravan never needed a thing), better ride than Ford's, 3.3 has plenty of power.
 
One other note - I was going through serpentine belts pretty quick and had even replaced the tensioner. I finally fixed it myself by putting a shim on the bottom side of the tensioner (just a washer on the peg of the tensioner) because it was not aligning with the next pully - Pep Boys and mechanics had failed to spot it.

#363 of 2070 Trans died at 70,000 miles by nvbanker

Jan 15, 2004 (11:59 am)

Guess I will join this forum for a while. My 96 Caravan has had the very best of care and maintenance, and I really thought I would get a couple hundred thousand miles out of it before something this major happened. But the transmission started acting wierd between gears for a few weeks, then self destructed totally. Complete new unit required, including casing, which was cracked by flying internal parts, the dealer tells me. $2600 for those who would like to know. 3/36 warranty on the new one. I haven't put a new transmission in any car I have ever owned before, so I'm disappointed.

#364 of 2070 Would you please... by vcheng

Jan 15, 2004 (12:44 pm)

....tell us a bit more about the maintenance done, especially to the transmission? Thanks. I have a 99 GCS coming on to 60k miles, and I just want to hear more from other people about whether I should be thinking of selling it before something like this happens.

#365 of 2070 Tranny dies at 24500 miles by rinfantino

Jan 15, 2004 (3:40 pm)

The transmission on my 02 Voyager completely disintegrated over the holidays - the day after a long trip. Had it towed to the dealer - completely covered under warranty. Very unhappy with this van - the second Voyager. Also had major problems with the brakes/rotors not covered under warranty, but that is for another board. I am looking elsewhere for another van. Just hope my Jeep stays together longer.

#366 of 2070 maintenance by nvbanker

Jan 15, 2004 (5:10 pm)

I simply had all maintenance done per specs in the manual, by the dealer since new. The car was never abused, or over loaded. There's no neglect, no abuse, and the dealer agreed. The transmission threw a differential pin, that broke the casing and got jammed in the cogs, he said. Whatever that means.

#367 of 2070 Transmission cogs by just4fun2

Jan 16, 2004 (8:42 am)

Yes, very disappointing when that happens. Honda Odys transmissions were having bearing failure and that caused the bearing to break into pieces causing transmission failure.
 
Every make has some horror stories. Good Luck.

Messages Page 37 of 208

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