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Chrysler Minivan Transmission Problems

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

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 9 of 207

#78 of 2067 Transmission Problems by omahadad

Feb 23, 2001 (9:34 pm)

I don't know. I wish I could find out how many transmissons Chrysler is replacing per year on models produced in the last five years. I can tell you that we are still waiting for our transmission to be replaced. The dealership did not have any on hand, although they had two on order. The first time the transmission went out (in 1998) it took four weeks to get a new one. We've only been waiting one week, so far, this time. I don't know if I can draw any conclusions from the wait. I can tell you that a co-worker of mine bought a new 2000 Town & Country LXi a year ago, and had the exact same thing happen to his transmission three weeks ago that happened to mine in 1998. The locking pin fell into the transmission while the van was moving and tore it up inside.
 
Chrsyler builds a very pretty and very comfortable van. I just don't think quality is part of the package, and it's not just the transmission I am talking about. I expect some things to wear out with time, but I have never had a vehicle with so many problems, especially one that just sits in the garage most of the time. This van only has 39,600 miles on it! The only reason we've kept it is we keep thinking that there can't be anything else go wrong. It's all been replaced once. That's not 100% accurate, but it sure feels that way.
 
If you're going to be seduced by the Chrysler's good looks and sumptuous interior, I think you've got to protect yourself and buy an extended warranty.
 
As for us, it's too late. We'll pay our half for the re-manufactured transmission, and gamble that nothing else major will break on it. I'll try to get some additional money from Chrysler through small claims court. And, I think I'll start parking the van in our driveway. Too many things have broken on it just sitting in the garage.

#79 of 2067 AOL and DC transmissions... by fishtaco

Feb 24, 2001 (12:39 am)

What a combination! You never know when either one will leave you stranded...My 96 GV went through two trans (52k, and 88k, no help from the factory), and alot of brake problems (especially the rear). This early 96 vehicle also must have had 5 or 6 recalls that I can recall. One last word from me, and it will probably irritate some in this Town Hall--If your car no longer inspires your confidence to drive it, get rid of it!

#80 of 2067 So you go to this place... by steine13

Mar 08, 2001 (2:45 pm)

...where all the bikers hang out. You climb on a table and yell "Harley's suck!" You get beat up. That's clearly wrong, but what did you think was going to happen?
You buy this Chrysler minivan with an overdrive transmission. It craps out after 60k miles. DC doesn't stand behind their product. That's clearly wrong, but it isn't exactly a surprise either...
They've been putting crappy transmissions in the vans for over a decade now. Why do you folks keep buying these things? And if people keep buying them, why should DC change anything?

#81 of 2067 steine13 by hersbird

Mar 09, 2001 (9:30 am)

If you go to that same bar and yell, "Honda's Suck!" all you'll get is free beer.

#82 of 2067 1995 Caravan by marc36

Mar 22, 2001 (6:42 am)

Back to the initial question. My 1995 Caravan's transmission went bad on me about two years ago at about 45k miles. Symptoms were: only during cold starts in the morning, I'd start the car and put it in reverse to back out of my driveway; pushing accelerator produced no movement, just a high revving of engine; after about 10 seconds of this, car would lurch into motion with a very loud THUMP!; then it was generally OK until the next cold start (a long sit or the next morning). Since this was awhile ago, I can't remember the precise figures but the local Dodge dealer agreed to split the repair cost 1/2 with me. I think I ended up paying about $600 or so. This was only after persisting and saying "I was aware of many many such problems, had many details from the internet, and would bring in examples if necessary". They balked a little, maybe to see how persistant i'd be but basically cut the 1/2 deal with me within two phone calls, not too bad. I could have argued more, but needed to get the repair done to get car working and move on in life. Good luck to all with similar problem.

#83 of 2067 Transmission Problems by dmarkson

Mar 23, 2001 (10:45 am)

My 93 GC had it's transmission go last fall. I had 69750 miles, just under the 7/70K warranty. It was replaced at no cost. The symptoms were exactly the same as "marc36"'s. When it was cold it took about 10 seconds before it would go into reverse. Other than that the van has been pretty good. In 73K miles I went through two sets of brakes, two sets of tires, shocks, battery, A/C o-ring, belt adjuster gizmo, and of course, the transmission. I had all the recommended service done, was not hard on the transmission, did no towing. I drove a 2001 T&C and it was pretty nice, but the engine/transmission sound identical to my 93, I know they are the same. That one fact made me decide to never buy another one. I know it must be cheaper for them to replace transmissions rather than redesign it like they should, but they apparently did not take into account people that were fed up with it. Based on a small survery at work, everyone I talked to that has/had a Chrysler 3.3L/4 speed van has had transmission problems. That is a miserable record. I think that the transmission problem keeps resale values down too. My new Odyssey will be in next week. Then I'll see just how much I'll get for the GC. I'm sure that it will be substantially more than the Honda dealer was going to give me

#84 of 2067 dmarkson by hersbird

Mar 25, 2001 (11:07 pm)

if your new odyssey goes 8 years and 69750 miles without a transmission problem it will be the new ody record. Of course the record you got with your Dodge has been broken by hundreds of thousands of owners, far more Chrysler minivans have gone 100,000 and beyond on the original transmission, not 1 Odyssey has. You actually may wish for worse luck with the ody because it will have to fail much quicker to still be covered by the factory warranty like your Dodge was. Just a thought.

#85 of 2067 by eneth

Mar 27, 2001 (6:05 pm)

Of course, _was_ is the operative word. Transmission replacement costs were eating Chrysler alive - which is why the warranty _is_ now 3 years/36,000 miles, just like the Honda.
 
If you want a longer transmission warranty, you need a Toyota or a Mazda.

#86 of 2067 Chrysler vs Honda Transmission by dmarkson

Mar 29, 2001 (10:33 am)

Of course there are more Chrysler transmissions over 100K than Honda because there are far more Chrysler vehicles made. My neighbor just bought a new GC so we'll be comparing stories over the next few years. They had a ton of trouble with their last GC, but they had a requirement that they have 3 seats available in the 2nd position and the Honda can't do that. I like the GC, our choice was down to the GC and the Ody. If the GC has such an improved tranny, they should be giving the 7/70 warranty and proving everyone wrong. That might have made a difference to me. The GC seats, looks and stereo are superior to the Odyssey IMHO. I haven't decided whether to go with an extended warranty on the Honda. I have not had one on the last 4 cars and it would have been a waste in all cases. However, if my '93 didn't have the 7/70 then I would have wished for the extended warranty!

#87 of 2067 Transmission by greg116

May 03, 2001 (12:42 am)

Our 1990 Dodge Caravan SE 3.0L 4-speed auto had the transmission problem, right before the warranty ran out. We took it to a repair shop... not sure of the name, think it was a tire place or something... in downtown Victoria, BC. They said they saw what was wrong and could repair it, and they did. The odo just recently rolled over to 170,000KM (can anyone do the conversion to miles for me???) and the tranny's never had a problem since. Engine's in good shape too. In fact, aside from normal wear and tear, it's been pretty nice. It's only left my mother stranded once with a dead fuel pump, but other than that its been great.

Messages Page 9 of 207

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