10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 7 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 44,212 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
As previously occurred, Chrysler concealed a known safety defect from its customers and then refused to help with repairs. The defective component is called the totally integrated power module (or tipm). The tipm consists of a computer, fuses, and internal relays, and is responsible for controlling and distributing electrical power to the entire vehicle'everything from steering and brakes, to the alarm, headlights, and the fuel pump. Since the tipm controls power to a wide variety of essential vehicle systems, including safety and security systems, the defect often leaves the vehicles incapable of providing reliable or safe transportation. Many class vehicles fail to start (or take dozens of attempts before the engine will turn over) because of the defect, and vehicles start up at other times only to stall, sometimes while traveling at high speeds. Vehicles also continue running without the key in ignition. The tipm defect has caused headlights and taillights to suddenly shut off. It has also caused horns to honk, car alarms to sound, and windshield wipers to activate all on their own. The tipm has also caused airbags to not deploy in some scenarios.
- Kingwood, TX, USA
Electrical flips out randomly for no reason. The car gets turned on and lights on the dashboard go on and off. The vehicle dings and the windshield wipers go bacl and forth. I caught it on camera. We turned around and went home. We are unsure if out vehicle is even safe to drive and we have kids. So we are stranded and can't afford to fix an issue that Dodge says doesn't exist. This has been happening for years of and on but now it is trying to do it while we drive. It will not let me upload video but I can email it to someone if they need it.
- Troy, MT, USA
Defective tipm, lost electric power in 2013 at 26,000 miles. Part replaced, paid $1200. Defective tipm, lost electric power in 2017, at 36,000 miles. Only 9000 miles later, part needs to be replaced again, cost estimated around $1300. The same part in other year models were recalled, 2008 model was not included in the recall. Contacted Dodge, they refuse to take responsibility for this reoccurring and life threatening problem, caused by defective tipm. Luckily, both times it happened, the vehicle was not in traffic.
- Valparaiso, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V373000 (electrical system, air bags) and 16V047000 (air bags). When the contact attempted to shift gears, the transmission seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wireless ignition node module and the occupant restraint controller needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the issue recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,222.
- Tao Baja, PR, USA
Vehical's horn will sound, windchill wipers go off and spray washer fluid, and doors will lock themselves. This will happen whether the van is running or not. Started 1 and half years ago. Taken it to dealership twice and they cant find anything wrong with it.
- Peoria, IL, USA
My van was one year old (2009) when it first activated the horn (off and on making a weird warbling half honk sound) and wipers/spray while driving down the highway on a highway switch ramp at 65 mph. It lasted about a minute and then stopped. We were on a trip so we asked when we got back to the Arkansas dealership. They told us it was likely corrosion (on a brand new car that was driven in normal circumstances). They said it wasn't covered under warranty and we didn't have proof. It repeated about once every 6 months or more. Now (about once a month)the battery dies randomly and the horn/wipers/etc go off randomly while it's just sitting there and driving down the road. I've had to jump it 5 times without any warning. I've double verified that the alternator/battery are in great shape. Really Dodge ! a brand new car and you couldn't help us!
- Providence, UT, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (electrical system, air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Rockford, IL, USA
Bought this van in Aug. 2009 loved it at first..then things started happening. Would hesitate while driving, never die on me but still feels like it will sometimes.. steering wheel has locked on me several times. Different panel lights come on and go off since day one. Have changed brakes way more than should of been necessary..other repair to brake system. Had power steering line changed. About 6 months ago, panel lights started coming on more often, then the gauges wouldn't work, wipers come on and won't stop. Headlight flash on and off or don't work at all; turn signals work on and off, power locks come on and off, can't roll windows down or up from drivers side or lock or unlock doors.everyday it gets worse. Took it to Dodge dealer 11/2016 cost about $100 to tell me, its not a call back and not related to the ignition problem, and in my passed complains they had didn't have any of these problems listed, even tho I had told them about them before. So because control lights had went off at that time they couldn't do anything. It was probably an electrical problem and the last time they did one it too about 10 hr.to find the problem. ($128 an hr) I can't afford that and I think Chrysler should stand behind their cars. Now for the last 2 weeks all of these things stay on and continue to do it all. Low mileage 81000 always taken care of, now I'm 70 yrs old and have a van that I'm afraid to drive...this happens while driving and sitting still.
- Lake Station, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving approximately 65 mph, all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The seat belt chime sounded, the windshield wipers activated without being turned on, and the exterior lighting began flashing. Also, none of the doors would unlock from the inside. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder and came to a complete stop. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the totally integrated power module failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
- Sennimore, WI, USA
On Friday, 10/28/2016, I was traveling on flat rock rd. In starr SC coming home from work. I crossed over railroad tracks and the rear passenger door started trying to open on its own. The door made a loud noise and the door light on the dash lit up. I pulled over. The door continued trying to open until I opened the hood and disconnected the battery cable. When I checked the door, it would not open and was smoking. I noticed smoke coming from the bottom back corner of the door on the outside. I saw a flame inside. I had nothing to extinguish the fire with so I flagged down a passing motorist who thankfully had a jug of water. By this time, the door and trim under it were actually burning. I extinguished the fire and found the fuse for the door and pulled it. Later I found out that the vehicle had a recall for this and that the recall work was supposedly performed. I contacted Chrysler and they sent an inspector. Recieved a letter today denying responsibility. I have a partally burned vehicle whose doors won't open (presenting a safety hazard because I have children and they could not get out if this happened again). I am terribly afraid to drive the vehicle anywhere now because of this.
- Anderson, SC, USA
Vehicle randomly has electrical problems. Lights flicker off and on, wipers start without prompting, dash lights flash and RPM lever goes crazy.
- Saint Rose, LA, USA
The tipm went out as I was driving 64 mph and every light on my dash came on. Luckily the car kept running and did not cause a serious accident. 1/2 of the electrical components on my car no longer work and I'm going to have to spend over $700 to fix a problem that Dodge knows fully about and has not issued a recall. They should based upon the numbers of people that have this same problem.
- Milton, DE, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the horn, locks, and window wipers functioned independently and the tranmission failed. All the warning indicators were illuminated. The failure occurred various times. The dealer diagnosed that the tipm failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. The VIN was not provided.
- Homer Glen, IL, USA
My family and I were driving down the street to go to the hospital to see our new addition to the family then all of a sudden the wipers flew on, the dash board lights were blinking and the dinging from all the lights on the dash was going off also my head light were blinking on and off.
- Syracuse, NY, USA
After parking my car, after about 5 minutes, the horn started blowing, the wipers, front and rear started running and the washers started spraying. The door locks started locking and unlocking on their own. The car, when started had no dash lights, or gauge function. The drivers electric seat started adjusting itself. Radio came on and off on its own. Car acted like it was possessed. I had to unhook the battery to make everything stop. Please note, the car was parked in my driveway when all of this occurred.
- Kirkwood, NY, USA
Tipm module malfunctioning. Wipers and horn will go off randomly, transmission will disengage at the same time. Power steering shuts off as well during episodes while driving! I have had to stop on the freeway with my kids in the car and restart the car.
- Avon, IN, USA
Intermittent electrical problems - replaced tipm at my own expenses. 6 months later, vehicle would not start, no electrical power - only security light flashing. Took to Firestone, they could not diagnose, then towed to Chrysler dealer - could not find anything, reconnected tipm connections, vehicle started and ran ok. There are multiple problems with this design/generation of the tipm (as seen in forums) - even had to change at my own expense, still have random/intermittent electrical problems - is this vehicle safe to drive - will the airbags work, if needed? why has this vehicle not been recalled and the tipm replaced/redesigned - this is a massive safety issue with these minivans!
- Gilbertsville, PA, USA
This has been an ongoing issue. My doors unlock and lock while I'm driving. My wind shield wipers go on by themselves and my door ding goes off while I'm driving and all doors are securely closed. This is an issue that keeps being brought up and ignored for several drivers, not just my family. When I stop they will do it also but more often than not its when I or others are driving.
- Kalispell, MT, USA
On the 24th of August, the car was taken in for repairs related to several recalls including the ignition and air bags. After the work was done, the air bag light came on. After speaking to a mechanic over the phone, an appointment was made for septermber 9th. However when the car was brought in to be looked at, the employee I spoke to would not accept the problem as part of the recall work and wanted to charge a diagnostic fee. I have since had the car checked by a different mechanic whose opinion is that the previous work done on the car is what is causing the current air bag problem, and therefore I would like the work to be done without cost to me as per the warranty on the recall work.
- Durham, NC, USA
- Memphis, TN, USA