1986 DODGE CARAVAN

4 recalls, 55 complaints

SUSPENSION

Defect Description

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS... Read more

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSS... Read more

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

6,903 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

Defect Description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS.... Read more

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.

411,678 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

Defect Description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. I... Read more

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.

1,262,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

SEATS

Defect Description

FIRST REAR SEATS WERE INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT LEFT SIDE SEAT RISER WHICH CAUSES FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE SEAT AND SEAT BELT LOADING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, SEATING SYSTEMS. ... Read more

Remedy

REPLACE INCORRECT SEAT RISERS.

275 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

55 total complaints 6 crashes 2 fires 7 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK	11
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT	4
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE	4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	3
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK	2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP	2
TIRES	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY	2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER	1

Incident date: Jul 4, 2001

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE, HE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, HE NOTICED THAT LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. *AK THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE IS FIRESTONE DAYTON THOROBRED STEEL P235/75 R15 M/S.*JB

WHILE TRUNK LID WAS OPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION TRUNK LID DROPPED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. PLEASED PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

1 injured

Incident date: Apr 15, 2000

VEHICLE PROCEEDING DOWN FREEWAY-LEFT REAR TIRE DISINTAGRATED. WHEN TIRE BLEW-THE TIRE COMPONENTS COMPLETLY TORE OFF THE FUEL FILLER INLET HOSE, AT THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING ENTIRE CONTENTS OF FUEL TANK TO POUR ONTO ROADWAY. THIS IS A SIXTEEN PASSENGER CHURCH VAN. FUEL DID NOT IGNITE. IF IT WOULD HA... Read more

Incident date: Apr 15, 2000

CORROSION WITHIN THE ENGINE AT THE FIREWALL, CAUSING GROUND STRAPS TO SEPARATE, AND RESULTING IN FUEL SPRAYING ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, GAS WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL FILTER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

REAR FISHTALES WHEN BRAKES ARE MODERATELY APPLIED.LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS IMMINENT IN WET WEATHER.

Incident date: Jun 16, 1999

PLASTIC CAN'T BE USED FOR RADIATORS!

1 injured

TRANSAXLE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOCKUP TWICE.

Incident date: Oct 30, 1998

EGR VALVE KEEPS MELTING IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. REPAIRS WERE MADE AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED IT COULD BE FUEL LAYING IN THE SYSTEM, PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

SERPENTINE BELT FAILED.

THE PROP ROD FOR THE HOOD CAME LOOSE AND FELL ON THE OWNER'S HEAD. MECHANIC SYAS MAY HAVE BEEN FAULTY. *AK

Incident date: Dec 12, 1997

ENGINE DIESELS AND RADIATOR BURST.

Incident date: Dec 12, 1997

ENGINE DIESELS AND RADIATOR BURST.

Incident date: Dec 6, 1995

DIFFICULTY GETTING REPAIRS DONE, RECALL #6404.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED, THEN WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD, HEARD EXPLOSION, THEN BLACK SMOKE POURED FROM ENGINE, FLAMES ENGULFED VEHICLE TOTALLY, NO INJURIES. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Apr 1, 1996

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR INOPERATIVE.

Incident date: Oct 18, 1996

VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

Incident date: Nov 15, 1990

POOR SEAT AND SHOULDER BELT PERFORMANCE, THE LATCH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE CONSUMER HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO GET OUT. *AK

Incident date: Apr 9, 1996

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE IN HALF AND THE DRIVER FELL BACK AND ENDED UP IN THE REAR SEAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Incident date: Nov 1, 1995

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FIRE CAUSED BY THE RUBBING OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKING INTO THE WIRING HARNESS. TT

Fire

Incident date: Jan 12, 1995

REAR HYDRAULIC LIFTS DO NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER. TT *JB

Incident date: May 1, 1995

CLIPS THAT ATTACH REAR DOOR LATCH ARE COMING OFF DOORS. TT

Incident date: Jun 13, 1994

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *AW

Crash

Incident date: May 1, 1993

REAR HATCH LATCH FAILED, CAUSING REAR HATCH TO OPEN, RESULTING IN AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL EFFECTS BEING TOSSED OUT ONTO ROAD. *AK

Incident date: Aug 1, 1995

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GEAR, PARKED ON FLAT SURFACE ROLLED AND DOWN ENBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION. TT

Crash

Incident date: May 9, 1995

REAR MIDDLE LAP BELT FAILED, CAUSING INJURY DURING ACCIDENT, ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT. *AW

1 injured

Incident date: Jul 6, 1995

THE REAR LIFT GATE HYDRALIC HINGES DO NOT WORK AND WILL NOT HOLD UP THE BACK; HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. *AK

Incident date: Jul 4, 1995

HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING ON HWY, LOSS OF VISIBILITY. TT

Incident date: Jun 7, 1995

REAR LIFTGATE OPENED BY ITSELF. TT

Incident date: Jun 10, 1995

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT INTO POSITION. TT

Incident date: Jun 1, 1995

THE REAR LIFTGATE HAS COME OPENED ON (5) FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS SPILLING CONTENTS. TT

REAR LATCH DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, DOES NOT STAY LATCHED. TT

Incident date: Apr 9, 1995

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HWY, REAR DOOR CAME OPEN AND PERSONAL ITEMS CAME OUT. TT

Incident date: Apr 12, 1994

SPARE TIRE DROPPED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. TT

HYDRAULIC CYLINDER LIFT STRUTS ARE INOPERATIVE, LIFTGATE WON'T STAY UP, WILL DECEND UNEXPECTEDLY, WITHOUT WARNING. TT

Incident date: Mar 14, 1995

POWER DOOR LOCKS FAIL INTERMITTENLY. *SKD

FRONT CENTER SEAT BELT AND TWO REAR SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERATIVE, BECAUSE WON'T COME OUT OF ASSEMBLY. TT

Incident date: Mar 27, 1995

THE BOLT CONNECTING THE STEERING HAVE COME LOOSE. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT

Incident date: Mar 11, 1994

VAN WAS IN AN ACCIDENT REAR HATCH LATCH CAME OPEN VAN WAS TOTALED. TT

Crash

Incident date: Nov 15, 1993

IN 7:00 POSITION HIT REAR HATCH GATE OPENED AND EJECTED CHILD THROUGH THE REAR. TT

Crash 2 injured

WHILE DRIVING, WHEN HIT BUMP, TAILGATE DISENGAGES AND SOMETIMES FLY UP, DEALER'S REPLACED BOLTS WHICH TEND TO LOOSEN AND HAS CAUSED ELECTRIC SHORT IN WIPER SYS.

WHEN WEATHER IS COLD IT SEEMS THAT THE TAILGATE LATCH WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. TT

Incident date: Jul 1, 1994

REAR LATCH HARD TO LATCH AND SOMETIME POP OPEN. TT

Incident date: Oct 16, 1987

EXPERIENCD INTERMITTENT REAR HYDRAULIC STRUT FAILURE, LIFTGATE FALLS DOWN, NO WARNING. TT

REAR LATCH GATE OPENED UP AND WILL NOT LOCK. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT

Incident date: Mar 3, 1995

RIGHT-SIDED ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN ACTIVATED FOR EXITING VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Showing 50 of 55 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, DODGE CARAVAN

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1997

REAR SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED JANUARY 16, 2002, BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS ALLEGING THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAILED ON CERTAIN 1997 AND 1998 MODEL YEAR CARAVAN AND VOYAGER VEHICLES.THE REPORTS INDICATED A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE ENTERED THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM, THUS CAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO JAM OR ... Read more

RQ, Open , Model Year: 1991

REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT

ON MAY 7, 1997, CHRYSLER FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL 436,000 1992 DODGE CARAVAN/GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER/GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE LIFTGATE SUPPORTS; SAFETY RECALL 97V-079.ODI HAD INVESTIGATION THE REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT PROBLEM FOR 1991... Read more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 1989

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION FAILED TO PRODUCE A QUALITY TRANSMISSION IN ITS MODEL YEAR 1989 MINIVANS, WHICH CAN FAIL IMMATURELY

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1994

AIR BAG CIRCUIT/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR