The room.

Unsafe vehicle.

We have only had this van for 18 months, and we have replaced our serpentine belt 7-8 times. Yes, it comes off very easily in the rain or if you drive through a puddle. To us, it is a real safety issue, because you lose your power steering, power to the alternator, power to the water pump, which means you'll overheat. If you are driving in a busy street on wet roads, and you lose everything source of power to your vehicle, don't ya think it could be a "little" dangerous? Well, our problems started a month after we got the van. It only had 36,000 miles on it. Of course, we called the dealership and they wanted to charge us for it. We had bought an extended warranty so we took it to a mechanic we trust. But now we've found other people with the same problem, and apparently in June of 97, Chrysler came out with a TSB about the serpentine belt problem. Fairbanks Dodge told me I would be surprised how many towed in vehicles they get on a rainy day because people drive through a puddle and the belt just comes off. No big deal. They also told me that Chrysler is redesigning the 2003 Grand Caravan with some kind of protection shield so the pulley system won't get wet. Well, if I had known that when we bought our van, they obviously did, then I would have waited for something better. Now after reading all these reviews, we are getting ready to purchase another extended warranty so we can look forward to the other problems. I'd recommend a Honda Odyssey. I know I won't buy another dodge.

Roomy w/ a nice body style.

Front wheel drive & not enough power.

I bought this van second hand and within six months the A/C went out. Took it to a repair shop where they said they've had several other Carvan's that were found with a leak in the a/c evaporator core. (same as mine's) Seemed to be a somewhat common problem which will cost about 1500 to repair. Checked around and could'nt find any recalls for this problem.

Alot of space. Comfortable seats. Rear heating a cooling nice. No blocked out spots when looking behind. Has nice get up and go. My brother in law who is a mechanic said to see if the engine was made in the USA or China. The USA ones seem to hold up better. I did'nt find that out until after I bought the van and have not checked yet.

Air conditioner will turn itself off every once in awhile, epecially at speeds ove 50 miles. You need to turn it back on. Has a "chirping" noise up front by the dash. No cup holders in front at all and no CD player. I know these are minor things but have only had the van 5 days

I just bought my 16 yr. old son a '91 Dodge Caravan because he is in a band and wante something with room to haul his music equipment. I know absolutely nothing bout cars but had my mechanic check it out. He said for the price we paid it was worth the chance. He also said that the worst thing he heard about the vans were transmisson problems. But like anything you buy used you're taking your chances. It could last five years or five days. But after reading this I am very nervous. I'm wondering if we should turn around and sell it before something serious does go wrong.

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I own a '96 Chevy Blazer and love it. Have had no major probems except the air conditioner pump has gone out. My husband has a 2002 Toyota Tacoma and is very happy with it also.

Spacious, nice shape and design.

Brakes and air condition. Should I be afraid about transmission? Also comparing with other models Chrysler cut down a lot of small things, like interior pockets and so many other things offered by other car makers included in the base package.

I have bought it because I had an used one '94 model which was running without any failures till 100000 miles when I sold it. The actual owner is still driving it and it has around 130000 miles, again, wihtout any major failures.I forggot to tell you - was made in Canada. The new one offered me surprises from the first time. The brakes are pulsating and the air condition died after 7000 miles in the midle of a torrid summer. The air conditioning compressor has been changed by the dealer after three weeks of waiting. No parts were available and the car is made in America. I have been to two dealers to check my brakes and of course the air condition. The brakes are still not fixed and the aircondition was fixed after I have visited the dealer 3 times. Ones he told me that the car is fixed and than when I was about to take the car, they took my keyes back saying that the car was not actually fixed. this was done at Laurel Dodge, Maryland. With this services and so less help from Dodge Customer Service I would not recommand to buy a Dodge. Should I tell you that I am looking for a Honda Odissey?

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None

room-quad seating,reliability of the 3.3L engine

transmission

Bought in 94 with 60k this has been a great van,lots of room (GrandCaravan),good traction in snow and rain,reliable 3.3L engine.It has just passed 251k and no major repairs other than a Starter motor, Fuel pump and one power Window Lift,brakes at about every 70k which is better than average i think. The usual trans rebuild was done but that was at 140k and the rebuild is going strong still.

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It was great for hauling anything and it was very good on gas. We could drive all week on a tank of Gas and it was not expensive to fill up. Maintainance was easy as everything was right on top, with in reach.

The seats that were removable took a weight lifter to remove or return to the van. The transmission was the main problem. It started to leak fluid and after having it worked on over and over we gave it away.

When we got this van it smoked, but we figured that was to be expected with all the miles it had on it.(over 100,000) Then the transmission started to act up. We ended up making a gift of it to my mother to use as a trade in for a car for herself.

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1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. We had the same problem with the transmission. My husband who was the Service Manager at a local garage before said that they had a lot of these vans come through with the sa

I love the room for hauling people or stuff. Mostly I haul stuff these days. It's peppy and comfortable to drive, although I miss a sporty feel (can't have it all!). I would love the built-in child seats if my kids were still little. Mostly I run around with just the 2 front buckets, or sometimes with the long bench seat behind, which gives me room for 5 people and still plenty of space behind the seat, so it's very versatile.

Poor heater and heat distribution. Ridiculous pull-out cupholders (so shallow the cup falls over--I bought a console). Door locks are awkward to access from inside. Water from end of driver side wiper goes up the windshield right in your line of vision. It doesn't have the seats with wheels so it's tough maneuvering that seat into position. Nothing major. Heater is the most annoying when it's really cold.

I've had this van since 11/94 --it had 10K on it and I just passed the 70K mark (last 5 years very low mileage due to job practically next door). Have never had any problem with it. Routine maintenance only--oil changes, pack rear wheel bearings, replaced brake pads once. I plan to do some service soon (serpentine belt, coolant flush, tranny service) which should have been done sooner. You folks are making me nervous, though, about the tranny because my 70,000 power train warranty just expired. 3.3 engine has been very reliable and peppy. Winter traction is good, even on the hill I live on and the winding steep road.

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Chevy Sportvan (70-something) International Scout Traveler 1980 Ford Taurus 1990

Interior room, design and ride.

Transmission

My wife and I have been very happy with this van -- until today when, at 47000 miles, the transmission started acting up. The amber "check engine light soon" came on and I noticed on the freeway that I could not go over about 40-45 mph without risking serious damage to the motor. Now, I purchased a used Ford Exploerer from Ourisman Dodge in 1999 and traded it in a year later becasue of transmission issues. But, I thought with a new vehicle, I (and my wife) are good drivers and we would not have the same problem as those who abuse their vehicles -- wrong again.

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None (possibly none ever again). In four more years we're getting a Suburban.

It's an attractive van. But looks are very deceiving.

Transmission Belts That's it so far.....possibly more to come

I really liked the vehicle for about the first 8 months. Then my accessory belt snapped. Two months after that, my serpentine belt was beginning to fray (I knew this because the frayed pieces were pounding against the underside of the hood), so it was replaced. Six months after that, I was driving it when the new serpentine belt snapped. That was pretty scary. Thank God I was only traveling 10mph or so thru a residential area. I can't imagine what would've happened had I been on the thruway!! We received dealer coupons recently in the mail for various service checks, so we took the van in to have the A/C serviced and the belts checked. The A/C was fine, but they had to replace the serpentine belt AGAIN. It was only 6 months ago that we changed it! A week later, the transmission was acting up (keep in mind, the van is only 2 1/2 years old with a little more than 30,000 miles on it), so I dropped it off at the dealer and they had to replace a sensor. The transmission is still acting up, but at least it's shifting into 2nd gear instead of lugging along in 1st. The dealer recommends that I get the transmission serviced. OK fine, but I've had 2 other vehicles before this one and my husband drives a Chevy Lumina (1996) currently, and I can't remember ever being told that I needed my transmission serviced. To be honest, the transmissions never broke down, and two of the vehicles I had for over 10 years. I am thinking of purchasing an extended warranty. It will probably be costly, but less so than the future costs repairing the problems that are, no doubt, forthcoming. In the meantime, I do worry about transporting my child in the van. Also, I've come to the conclusion that I'll need a cellular phone for added comfort when I'm stranded. I think Dodge should strike the ideas of DVD players and TV screens in their vans, and replace them with a free cellular phone to call for HELP!!

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No vans, but I owned a 1992 Ford Escort for 10 years. I owned a 1982 Toyota Celica for 10 years. Purchased a used 1996 Chevy Lumina last year...so far, so good.

Looks good!

Serious problems with the serpentine belt and tensioner on 96-99 Caravans, Brake system, transmission failures that can almost be counted upon at 70,000 miles

I have a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan that has 65,000 miles. This vehicle is a death trap and has various problems that should be recalled by Chrysler. Of the issues most dire, the transmission has sensor failures, the brakes use way too much fluid and the one that has me most upset is the serpentine belt failures that cause the vehicle to loose all control. I have replaced the belt several times and the tensioner several times in just a two year period. This condition is deadly and will kill someone if it hasn't already. My wife has lost the belt twice in the rain and the van continued rolling without her being able to control the steering. The first time she rolled thru one of the busiest intersections in our town and barely escaped a wreck. The second time she was driving in a very light drizzle and it came off again. This second time was 7-4-02 and I couldn't believe it but this thing came off again for the third time on 8-30-02. A brand new belt and tensioner on 7-6-02 and there we were stuck again less then 2 months later. Luckily, I was driving the van so I could experience this loss of control that has my wife, children and I scared to ride in this van. Only after I threatened a letter to the State AG's office, my insurance provider and local news exposure did my servicing dealer change their arrogant stance to one of true concern. They miraculously produced a tech bulletin from 7-2-1998 that addresses the serpentine belt failure and agree to install the new bracket fix that is advised. Why in GOD's name is Chrysler risking the obvious danger of this problem by only helping those customers that will not accept the standard belt/ tensioner replacement that is offered by the so called service professionals. Anyway, I am seriously considering a suit against Chrysler and my servicing dealer for previous repairs that could have been avoided and wrongful endangerment of my family from 1999 to the present. If anyone out there has similar grievances with their van please email me at DamFrazee@aol.com to join a possible class action against Chrysler for knowing about this problem for years.