Title: 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan Review: The Lousiest Car I have ever owned Date: 5-3-2016

I have a Grand Caravan, 2005 with a 3.3 V6 engine and it has been the lousiest junk vehicle I have ever owned since 1986. I would equate the craftsmanship to absolute shabby to spare the real things I wish to say, and it has been a problem-laden car for some years, with mileage currently at 139,471. As a result of several repairs, and loss of time, as well gobs of money I have arrived to a point of complete disgust for this vehicle. I have also contacted Chrysler whom has not owned up to any of the mechanical defects of the vehicle, only to be ignored. If you want to make friends with a mechanic, buy a lemon of a car like this. Here is a list of everything I have replaced on this heap needing to be recycled: • Serpentine Belt • Alternator • Starter • Front Tie Rods, all • CV Axles in the front (both) • Water Pump • Tensioner • Serpentine Belt • Head Gasket • Head • Valves • Valve Guides • Radiator • Struts, all 4 • Excessive Oil Use • Rear Bearings on both wheels (this occurred after the brakes overheated on highway 285 in the mountains, and luckily we did not get killed as a result when one seized up, and the other failed). This was a result of a defective ABS computer causing the rear brakes not to disengage. This resulted in the rotors fracturing, and the car becoming dangerous. As well both sets of brake pads in the rear were fried.

• ABS Sensors (3) • 1 seat belt clasp, drivers side • Most of the emissions components, excluding the catalytic converter, (think about this issue if you plan to live in most of the lower 48 with a registered vehicle). • 6 fuel injectors • ABS computer system (anti-lock brakes computer). • Entirely new brakes on an average of 20k to 30k miles several time as the rotor & caliper design is insufficient for the vehicle weight. This includes brake rotors. • Brake Calipers ( both front ) 2 times • Air conditioning compressor • EGR • Gas Cap • Air conditioning components • 1 piston & surrounding components in the engine • Windshield wiper arms (both). These locked up together at night while it was raining on the freeway with poor visibility. I was almost killed as a result, as I could not see and went down the side of a steep embankment before stopping. • Ongoing rack and pinion leak • Ongoing rust problems An absolute Grade F for this Car, and I will never buy another Dodge I am at the point of deciding if the engine will last after the premature repairs, and based on the complete lack of confidence I have with this vehicle. If I have to replace this car prematurely, I will never by another Dodge or Chrysler, ever. I wouldn't allow you to park one in front of my house either. I would not be caught dead in this sCrappily constructed junker either. Aside from the problems listed above the car has developed rust spots indicating a shabby paint job done, as the car has not been scraped/scratched or physically damaged in these areas collecting rust. Aside from this, the vehicle requires heavier weight motor oil than needed in order not to use so much oil, as well, to pass emissions that started occurring at low mileage as opposed to higher mileage, which indicated poor craftsmanship in the valves or compression rings (the motor). This is indicative of undue oil loss which takes vigilant monitoring on my part to ensure the engine does not incur additional damage. Not Even Worth the Gas to Me Being self employed if I had to deduct the cost of the vehicle, repairs, and all other expenses, I would be facing surpassing the Score and sitting at a stinky desk justifying equipment vs. profit on an ongoing basis. Consider buying a more reputable mechanical vehicle if you wish to avoid this. Not to mention, the cost of having to avoid business growth, and personnel quality of life, as a result of the financial burdens this car has put on myself, and my family has made this vehicle into a money hostage-taking situation. Thinking in disgust about all the parts I have had to buy, and paying all the mechanics to keep me from being unemployable, and unable to earn income has also brought me to absolute disgust with this Dodge Not-So Grand Caravan as well. My Summary The biggest aggravation for me is when this vehicle put my life and my family's life in danger, aside from the ongoing plague of mechanical problems that have cut me out of working, as well my money that could have had far more benefit to myself, as well, my family. Aside from being saddled and taken hostage by failing emissions components that made the car un passable in Colorado until I repaired them, (that also applies among most other states), I have been forced to make repairs that are highly rare/premature in many peoples instances to keep the vehicle operable, and am therefore able to back my claims that this is a highly defective vehicle, that should result in lawsuit against Dodge. This all would not be so painful if I already was not in debt to other creditors that could divert money away from my person.

Author: Nick Teti, Highlands Ranch Colorado