73000 miles. 3000 past the initial warranty. All of the maintenance was done by me and a couple of other places like Walmart, Meineke, places like that. Some initial maintenance checks were done at the dealer but I don't have any records of this.

Unfortunately for me when this happened I was stationed in Germany with the US Army. I took it first to a German Mechanic who was highly recommended by many Americans. He looked at it and told me initially that I needed a new drive shaft. I went and bought a new drive shaft and oil pan accessories, and bearings ($450 for all those parts). So went and took the parts back to him and he started taking the engine apart and found 2-3 inch metal shavings, pieces in the oil pan. The oil pump had failed( I never got any warning of problems with this, ie.warning lights, low oil). So he said I need a new engine. So now after 30 days (this was right before the holidays) the place I bought the new crankshaft from wouldn't take it back (don't forget I am in Germany so had to pay for shipping from the States too).The German mechanic didn't charge me for doing all the diagnostic work he did but I know that they will probably charge me a lot here.

So I emailed Dodge/Chrysler. They told me to take it to the Chrysler/Mercedes dealer out there. They said it could cost up to 80 Euros an hour for maintenance to tear down the engine and find the problem. 1-2 days of work at 80 Euros an hour. That is more money than Uncle Sam pays me in the Army. So I had to ship it back here with me to NY. I also had to pay $340 to tow it up here where I live from NJ/Edison Port. Anyone have any Idea what I should do? It drives but sounds, and feels like it will die at any time. I have one more payment and it is paid off but now it looks on the outside like a new vehicle but drives like its 40 years old.

2005 Dodge Grand Caravan - $33K Lawn Ornament

Engine started "pinging", thought it was a belt. One day the pinging went to banging. I dropped the oil pan and noted that Cyc #3's connecting rod bearing was VERY loose. Replaced all the bearings. Piston #3 needed to be plastiguaged and had a larger bearing installed (.25 under). This is a "hail Mary" fix since the damage to these bearings usually means the engine is shot. The fix did not work.

Called Dodge. I am 6,000 past warranty. They offered to "extend" the warranty but a) needed a dealer to look at it ($80) and b) needed the service records.

Took vehicle to dealer, the mechanic turns it on, then off, and says "it's a connecting rod bearing". All that for $80. Wow. What a deal. Gave the service records to the dealer. My bro-in-law did all the service to the car since I bought it for his sister as a wedding present! He's a certified mechanic WHO USED TO WORK FOR THE DEALER! We gave the logs over to Dodge. Dodge scoffed at them and said "these are not receipts!" They recommended an engine tear down and inspection ($1,500 dollars!!!) and even then, no guarantees.

Lessons learned:

1. You change the oil on your car yourself, Dodge will use it against you. 2. They are drumming up work for their dealers that may have no favorable outcome to you. 3. My mechanic said the connecting rod bearings were substandard and that he used to see it a lot while a mechanic for the Dealer. 4. Their cars blow up right after warranty!! 5. $1,500 for a tear down versus $1,400 for a new engine. Duh. 6. After 4 cars, I'll never, ever buy a Dodge again. I'm done. My other car is a Toyota, has the same service from the same person, over 142,000 miles, and purrs like a kitten. This Caravan just got over 70K and it blew...

I took my 2005 Grand Caravan in for a routine oil change and tire rotation at a five star dealer {which is where I purchased the vehicle from new}. When I got it backed it ticked like the damn crocodile from Peter Pan. I took it back and was advised that I needed new lifters. The dealer gave me some BS about how it was because I didn't change the oil every 3k miles. I think that this is bullshit but I don't say anything. They have my vehicle for the day - no rental so I'm making arrangements for child pick up etc. I'm called at 3:30 in the afternoon by the dealer who says that they fixed the lifters but now they need to order me a short block because the noise is still there. When I ask why I am again told that it was because I did not change the oil every 3k miles. Now, I have a 1999 Grand Caravan that my spouse drives and he seldom changes the oil and when he does he doesn't end up needing a brand new engine - and that vehicle has 125k plus miles on it. Then the dealer tries to make me feel grateful that they are going to fix this problem under warranty - well I would hope so..... I then do some internet research and find that I am not the only person who has faced this problem - albeit most at just around 36K miles - and all of them were told the same thing about the oil changes - even those that could verify that they HAD changed the oil every 3k miles. I've been told I could file a complaint with Chrysler but not to expect much - they apparently don't want to hear about these issues. I have always owned a Chrysler product. My father and brother work in the automotive industry so I have always tried to buy American as well..... however, this is turning into the van from hell and I can't afford to replace it right now. But I guarantee my next vehicle will be a Toyota or a Honda..... if you want to know why we keep losing business to overseas companies it's because American products are built for crap and Americans are more interested in making money than quality. I'm by no means pro-foreign but if I can purchase a quality foreign vehicle or a piece of junk American vehicle I'm going for quality.