Dodge VAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
138 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
60,932 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1976 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 48 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 138 complaints (8.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 17 | 12.3% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 8.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Tires | 11 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Seats | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Tires: 11; Electrical System: 7; Suspension: 7; Tires:Tread/Belt: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Seats: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 90 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 30 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2000: 21; 2001: 15; 2002: 12; 2003: 16; 2004: 11; 2005: 30; 2006: 15; 2007: 8; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10015105 · 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)
THE STEERING IDLER ARM BRACKET BROKE, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 761588 · 2002-05-06 (May 6, 2002)
I WAS DRIVING MY 1977 DODGE VAN WHEN THE STEERING BECAME VERY ERRATIC WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE I CAN SEE NO POSSIBLE WAY FOR THIS TO BE MY FAULT THE FRAME AS WELL AS THE STEERING BOX BRACKET ARE TORN IN HALF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 761588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 855115 · 2000-01-19 (January 19, 2000)
THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857577 · 2000-02-25 (February 25, 2000)
FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS AND DISC BRAKES WERE RUSTED, CAUSING POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THERE WAS VIBRATION IN FRONT END. ALSO, BRAKES WERE ONLY ABSORBING PRESSURE ON ONE SIDE. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MULITPLE BRAKE PROBLEMS, INCLUDING FRONT WHEEL ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, WHEEL BEARINGS, ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN REPAIRED/REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857577 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873482 · 2016-06-09 (June 9, 2016)
I PURCHASED 1977 DODGE VAN. NEW IN 1977. THE HEADLINER CONSTANTLY FELL DOWN ON ME. THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE FIRST YEAR USING A LOCK OUT TORQUE CONVERTER. BUT CHRYSLER DID NOT USE A BRACE FOR THE SHAFT, SO THE SHAFT WOBBLE EVERY TIME IT ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED AND DESTROYED MY TRANSMISSION AT 12,500 MILES. IT HAD A 12,000 MILE WARRENTY AND CHRYSLER WOULD NOT REPAIR. I HAD TO PAY TO FIX IT. THE ENGINE BLEW UPO AT 13,000 MILES, AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE CYLANERS HAD INDENTATIONS IN THEM., HE SAID THE WORKERS ARE UPSET WITH CHRYSLER AND ARE SAB…
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552761 · 2000-06-22 (June 22, 2000)
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 40,000 MILES. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124270 · 2005-06-06 (June 6, 2005)
THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS WITH THE GAUGES. MY ABS AND CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND THE GAUGES GO OUT. I CAN TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING I CAN TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE AND MY DOORS WILL NOT LOCK THEMSELVES. I HAVE HAD THE COMPUTER RESET. WE HAVE DICONNECTED THE NEGITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND RECONNECTED IT. WE HAVE BEAT ON THE DASH TILL THEY COME BACK ON. THESE ARE ONLY TEMP FIXES BECAUSE PRETTY SOON HERE COMES THE LIGHTS OUT GOES THE GAUGES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO BECAUSE APARENTLY AFTER ABOUT 79000 MILES THE TRANSMISSI…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232794 · 2008-07-01 (July 1, 2008)
I OWN A 1997 DODGE VOYAGER VAN AND HAVE BEEN HAVING CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE PS, AC, AND ALTERNATOR BELT SLIPPING OFF, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE PS AND ALTERNATOR MOUNTING BRACKETS. AT BEST, I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME USING THE ELECTRICITY FROM THE BATTERY TO POWER THE SPARK PLUGS AND HAVE NOT HAD PS BECAUSE OF THE SLIPPED BELT. THE MOST RECENT EVENT HAPPENED ON 6/30/08. SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, AND MAY OF THIS YEAR. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP AS MANY TIMES. THE PS MOUNTING BRACKET IS GOING TO NEED REPLA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10232794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742804 · 2001-03-21 (March 21, 2001)
THE WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM WAS FOUND TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT A FEW MONTHS AGO. WE HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM FIXED ONCE & JUST FOUND OUT THAT IT IS RUSTED AGAIN TODAY. IT WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME BY GOODYEAR (WHERE SON WORKS). IT COST ABOUT $1000.00 THE FIRST TIME TO FIX IT. THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING A GOOD WHILE BACK, WAS FIXED & STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. THE FUEL TANK PROBLEM WAS FIXED TWICE, BOTH TIMES UNDER WARRANTY IF I REMEMBER RIGHT. WE HAD IT FIXED AT A DODGE DEALERSHIP IN HAMILTON. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM EVERY SINCE IT WAS FIXED T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071562 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
WHEN THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, IT RUPTURED THE GAS TANK FILLER TUBE. *PH *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564001 · 2002-01-17 (January 17, 2002)
WHILE MAKING A TURN INTO DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE STALLED, DEALER STATED THE AUTOMATIC IDLE SPEED MOTOR THAT REGULATES THE IDLE OF THE MOTOR WAS CARBONED AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109655 · 2005-02-02 (February 2, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109655 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0