1999 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls

SOMETIME WITHIN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP. THE MECHANIC WHO USUALLY WORKS ON OUR VAN (NOT AT THE DEALERSHIP) INFORMED US THAT THERE WAS A "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" CONCERNING THE "CLOCK SPRING." I TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE AIR BAG CHECKED, & SHOWED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. THE CLOCK SPRING WAS, IN FACT, DEFECTIVE. WE OWN A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN.

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000214 at NHTSA ↗

TO: WHOM IT MAY CONCERNS: I AM WRITING TO YOU AS A DISSATISFIED DODGE CARAVAN OWNER. I PURCHASED MY VAN BRAND NEW ON MARCH 1999. I HAVE HAD CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR, SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT: A) ON JANUARY 24, 2000 WE REPLACED THE , SENSOR, TRANSAX LE, TURBIN INPUT IN THE TRANSMISSION. B) FEBRUARY 17, 2000 WE REPLACED THE BATTERY. C) FEBRUARY 20, 2001. WE REPLACED THE EVAPORETOR, SUCTION LINE, LIQUID LINE AND THE COIL IN THE AIR CONDITION UNIT. D) REPLACED THE WINDOW LIFT MOTOR. E) JANUARY 8,2002 …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000250 at NHTSA ↗

MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN "AIR BAG" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MY CLOCKSPRING NEEDED REPLACEMENT, BUT THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THE CURRENT RECALL. I FIND THE EXPLANATION THAT MY PROBLEM IS "COINCIDENTAL" TO THE RECALL OF THE 1996-1998 VEHICLES SOMEWHAT DUBIOUS. IF THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CLOCKSPRING WAS INSTALLED OFF CENTER ON THE EARLIER VEHICLES CAUSING A SUBSEQUENT FAILURE, IS IT NOT LIKELY THAT MY PROBLEM WAS SIMILARLY CAUSED, WARRANTING A REPAIR AT CHRYSLER'S EXPENSE?

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000542 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER STATES WHILE BRAKING HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING, NOTIFIED THE DEALER REPAIRED AND REPLACED ROTORS 5000 MILES LATER PROBLEM RECURRED. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001549 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER STATED THE CLIP ON THE SEAT BELT WHICH LOCKS THE SEAT BELT, ISN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CAR SEAT IN PARTICULAR, THE CONSUMER USES AN ADDITIONAL CLIP TO SECURE THE SEAT BELT. SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001970 at NHTSA ↗

NHTSA#15350-02-V-293-000: AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING: CLOCKS SPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS. THIS RECALL APPLIED FOR THE 98. CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS VEHICLE WITH AIR BAGS. CRUISE CONTROL STEERING WHEEL THIS VEHICLE IS YEAR 1999. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002036 at NHTSA ↗

CONTINUOUS BRAKE PROBLEMS/FAILURES DUE TO PITTING & CORRODING OF THE FRONT DISC ROTORS. REAR BRAKE DRUMS NOT ADJUSTING PROPERLY (HAVE NEVER ADJUSTED). ROTORS REPLACED BY DEALER AND NOW REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AGAIN. ENTIRE REAR WHEEL BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACED, STILL NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. VEHICLE HAS NEVER STOPPED CORRECTLY IN FOUR YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Owner-reported narrative. 60,985 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003018 at NHTSA ↗

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED CLOCK SPRING COD. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE SAME AS NHTSA RECALL 02V293000 FOR 1997 & 1998 CHRYSLER/DODGE VEHICLES.

Owner-reported narrative. 44,422 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003174 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-09-13 (September 13, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 2004-10-06 (October 6, 2004)

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Reported: 1999-05-06 (May 6, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT FOR FLEET SALES ONLY. THE HEADLAMP MODULE DOES NOT IDENTIFY THE PARK LAMP AS "DRL" AS REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.

Remedy: ALL FLEET OWNERS/OPERATORS WILL BE MAILED NON-REMOVABLE DECALS WITH THE REQUIRED "DRL" LETTERS.