Reliabilty: What Kind of 4th Generation Issues/Repairs Did You Have Done

Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 5:11 PM

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#1 of 1 Reliability: What Kind of 4th Generation Issues/Repairs Did You Have Done by masterpaul1 Aug 26, 2009 (5:11 pm)
Hi All, I thought I'd share our repair history with you in hoping to help someone down the road to see the type of repairs they may be looking at in the future. (Rather you are a current owner or looking to purchase one in the future.) Please include the year, make, model and mileage of you vechicle. (2001-2007) We have an 01 DGC EX, w/3.8L engine that we bought used in Sep. 2003 with 39K. Right now, we have over 115K and she’s still running good and everything is working like it should. Well except one of the dash lights that illuminates the HVAC power switch went out this year. (But know big deal.) I will list all of our repairs, but these are the one’s that I think failed prematurely. 1) Both front power window regulators and motors had to be replaced right after purchase in 2003. (Warranty) 2) link and sway bar bushings have been replaced twice since ownership in 2006 and 2008. (2006 covered warranty) 3) Replaced transmission control module, was leaking a little in 2008. 4) Rear hatch is rusting along the seams. 5) Rear heater hoses underneath replaced because of rust in 2009. 6) Battery replaced in 2004. (Warranty). We did have the extended warranty and most stuff prior to 2007 was covered by it and it paid for it’s self. These are the other repairs: 1) Water pump replaced along with pulleys and drive belt in 2008. 2) Rear hatch latch had to be replaced and computer software upgraded. (This was a TSB I believe) 3) Outer tire rods and upper ball joints in 2008. 4) Oil pan and valve cover gaskets replaced in 2008. 5) Replaced thermostat and housing bolt when it broke off in 2007. 6) AC recharge in 2007. 7) Trans. flush twice. 8) Coolant flush once. 9) One wheel stud broke off last month while on the express way 2009. 10) Four new tires. 11) Brakes all around twice. 12) Replaced front drivers mat, because my hill wore a hole in it from going from brake to gas paddle 2009. 13) Spark plug and wires. 14) Both head light bulbs once and I think one or two tail lights. 15) Had to disengage the emergency latch on the crank down spear, because it was stuck closed and wouldn't’ let the spare tire down. (No problem know.) 16) Replaced Emergency brake paddle and cable from dally use. I only apply it now, when parked on uneven surfaces instead of all the time. 17) Passenger mirror after someone broke the mirror. 18) Replaced rear shocks with manual air shocks in 2009. 19) Had fuel injection cleaning done. We have never been stranded and most of these repairs were caught, before things broke or went wrong, during regular routine maintenance visits. Towed only once, when the water pump went. I was able to drive back home when this happened, but had to be towed to the dealer for the repair, since over 45 miles away. Our van has been very reliable and I am confident that from what I am hearing, from previous generation owners, that we will be able to go well over 200K, if taken care of and maintained properly. I hope this helps

#1 of 1: Reliability: What Kind of 4th Generation Issues/Repairs Did You Have Done by masterpaul1; Aug 26, 2009 (5:11 pm)

Hi All, I thought I'd share our repair history with you in hoping to help someone down the road to see the type of repairs they may be looking at in the future. (Rather you are a current owner or looking to purchase one in the future.) Please include the year, make, model and mileage of you vechicle. (2001-2007)

We have an 01 DGC EX, w/3.8L engine that we bought used in Sep. 2003 with 39K. Right now, we have over 115K and she’s still running good and everything is working like it should. Well except one of the dash lights that illuminates the HVAC power switch went out this year. (But know big deal.) I will list all of our repairs, but these are the one’s that I think failed prematurely.

1) Both front power window regulators and motors had to be replaced right after purchase in 2003. (Warranty)

2) link and sway bar bushings have been replaced twice since ownership in 2006 and 2008. (2006 covered warranty)

3) Replaced transmission control module, was leaking a little in 2008.

4) Rear hatch is rusting along the seams.

5) Rear heater hoses underneath replaced because of rust in 2009.

6) Battery replaced in 2004. (Warranty).
We did have the extended warranty and most stuff prior to 2007 was covered by it and it paid for it’s self.

These are the other repairs:

1) Water pump replaced along with pulleys and drive belt in 2008.

2) Rear hatch latch had to be replaced and computer software upgraded. (This was a TSB I believe)

3) Outer tire rods and upper ball joints in 2008.

4) Oil pan and valve cover gaskets replaced in 2008.

5) Replaced thermostat and housing bolt when it broke off in 2007.

6) AC recharge in 2007.

7) Trans. flush twice.

8) Coolant flush once.

9) One wheel stud broke off last month while on the express way 2009.

10) Four new tires.

11) Brakes all around twice.

12) Replaced front drivers mat, because my hill wore a hole in it from going from brake to gas paddle 2009.

13) Spark plug and wires.

14) Both head light bulbs once and I think one or two tail lights.

15) Had to disengage the emergency latch on the crank down spear, because it was stuck closed and wouldn't’ let the spare tire down. (No problem know.)

16) Replaced Emergency brake paddle and cable from dally use. I only apply it now, when parked on uneven surfaces instead of all the time.

17) Passenger mirror after someone broke the mirror.

18) Replaced rear shocks with manual air shocks in 2009.

19) Had fuel injection cleaning done.

We have never been stranded and most of these repairs were caught, before things broke or went wrong, during regular routine maintenance visits. Towed only once, when the water pump went. I was able to drive back home when this happened, but had to be towed to the dealer for the repair, since over 45 miles away. Our van has been very reliable and I am confident that from what I am hearing, from previous generation owners, that we will be able to go well over 200K, if taken care of and maintained properly. I hope this helps