7.0

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,375 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #8

Nov 042003

Grand Caravan

  • 67,000 miles
While driving consumer heard a noise coming from the rack and pinion. Also, there was vibration in the steering wheel when driving over a minor bumps.

- Pawlet, VT, USA

problem #7

Jan 012001

Grand Caravan

  • miles
While traveling at approximately 35 mph during snowy conditions power assist steering belt tensioner broke, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle. Dealership did not inform the consumer as to why this defect happened. Approximately four weeks after this event, consumer lost control of vehicle again, this time rack and pinion steering caused this defect. Dealership informed consumer this could have been due to fluid burning, nothing more specific was said. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #6

Sep 192000

(reported on)

Grand Caravan

  • miles
While driving at any speed, there was a clicking and popping sound in the steering column. Van was taken to the dealership the third time for this problem. First time a new spring was put inside steering column. Second time steering column was replaced. Finally, rack and pinion was replaced about three weeks ago.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #5

Nov 101995

Grand Caravan

  • miles
I question the need for a new fuel tank I paid for - $594.31 parts and labor. The tank only leaked when it was full, and when I questioned the service rep, he replied that the "tank is made of plastic and can crack just from the sloshing of fuel." Not a good reason. And now I have a recall for the same problem I described to the service rep. I thought the "known problem" with the windshield wipers was fixed when the dealer replaced a windshield that had been scratched by "impulsive wipers." Not so. They still misbehave and I'm told it will be $280 to repair, out of warranty. Three rack and pinions right off the bat. I am told that this vehicle qualifies as a lemon - but I like it and just want to be treated fairly as to need for repairs and their cost.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #4

Sep 221997

Grand Caravan

  • miles
I purchased this vehicle October of 1995, in March of 96 the fuse block had to be replaced along with a multi function switch because the wipers would come on by themselves while I was driving, a contact and plunger kit because the right sliding door would not always unlock when using the unlock button, the fuel tank was replaced because it only held 12 gallons of gas when it was supposed to hold 18 - 20, the tank was installed so that the tank was bowed in the middle and the front door panel was reattached to the door and the left sliding door was repaired because it would not unlock with the key. In August of 1997 the switch for the interior lights was replaced because the lights would flicker, the left side sliding door lock was replaced again along with the rear door latch. In Sept. 0F 97 a gear was replaced for the power steering, the left sliding door had moulding replaced because the clips were broken. In August of 98 the stereo was replaced because the treble would fade, the vehicle shut off while I was driving no one could explain this phenomenon, the relay switch was replaced and the rack and pinion was replaced also the multi-function switch was replaced again. In Sept. Of 98 the car was back in the shop because the air bag light came on. Evidently when they replaced the relay switch just 7 days earlier things in the dash started working that had not worked up til that point for instance I was not aware that the chime would go off if the blinker was left on for over a mile. It took 7 days to get my car back because they found out that there were never any screws holding the air bag in the module so as far as I know for the two years that my husband and I were driving this car there was no protection by and air bag. This past week July 1, we were on vacation and we had to replace the transmission to the tune of $L771. The car is back in the shop today (7/6) because it appears that the transmission continues to slip and run at high RPM.please help!!

- Amherst, NH, USA

problem #3

Jan 011997

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rack and pinion failed causing noise.

- Mission Vi, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 161996

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Steering is very wobbly & very loose; speed would vary when it happens. Would pull to right & drift; intermittent grinding in steering mechanism; would lock up when parking or backing up; took to dealer 3 times & had rack & pinion, steering pump replaced, but problem still exists.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #1

Nov 041996

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rack and pinion steering failed.

- Escondido, CA, USA