Dodge Grand Caravan Minivans | Wagons
Dodge Grand Caravan Minivans | Wagons
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[Feb 04, 2001]
Mike Paulick
Model Reviewed:
/Caravan
Strength:
Roomy, comfortable drive, solid.
Weakness:
Classic Dodge Caravan transmission problem. After van has been sitting for awhile, shifts HARD from second to first (whiplash-hard), enough to make the wheels "chirp" on the pavement at times. Sometimes (like when its cold out or rainy) it will not shift up from second to third. I have to put the van into neutral and turn the engine off and restart the car to get it to shift properly. I have the factory AM/FM/CAS - I get no FM reception. The air conditioning still works, but the air vents will close when the van is accelerating - have to turn off the fan then turn it back on to get it to work again. I have noticed that the breaks seem to wear at an excelerated rate. I'm very disappointed with Chrysler. I love this van other than the transmission (the AC I can live with - it still blows cold air). I'm in the market for another vehicle, but I could not bring myself to buy another Chrysler product - it's just irresponsible for a company to keep selling these vehicles with a KNOWN faulty transmission. The transmission problems started a few thousand miles after the warrany had expired. I've suffered with it for three years never knowing when the next hard shift will be the last. I will not get this thing fixed - I've read too many reviews where people have new transmission problems when they get the old one replaced. Similar Products Used: None |
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[Feb 04, 2001]
Susan
Model Reviewed:
Grand Caravan SE
Strength:
Creature comforts. Love the integrated child seats and keyless entry.
Weakness:
Transmission! Transmission! Transmission! This is the most expensive, yet the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned! We currently have less than 9,000 miles on our van, which is 7-months old and we are on our third transmission. This transmission is not working either! The transmission will not engage into reverse with out "clunking" into reverse. We are currently in arbitration trying to get Chrysler to buy the van back. I wish that I had done my investigation before buying this vehicle, I definately would NOT have bought it. If you go to a search engine and look up Chrysler lemon, Chrysler transmission, etc. you'll see what I meen! We also have had a front end suspension problem since 500 miles that they can't seem to fix. Our van was in the shop for 25 days just in January alone. I beg you NOT to buy a Chrysler product! If I could leave a zero rating for this vehicle I would. I am not generally a negative person, but this vehicle deserves it! Similar Products Used: Jeep Cherokee- no problems...bought it used for only 13,000 and NEVER a problem. I wish I would have kept it. |
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[Feb 03, 2001]
Michael
Model Reviewed:
Grand Voyager LE
Strength:
Good Looking Vehicle, Lots of room.
Weakness:
This was by far the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned. I don't even want to thing about the amount of time I was without the vehicle while it was in the shop for repairs and rental cars because the dealership that was so friendly to me while I was in the middle of the purchase would not pay for a rental or give me a loaner even though I bought the most expensive extended warranty on the market. I had to replace the transmission twice before the vehicle had 60,000 mile on it not to mention the multitude of other problems. This is a 2.5 star rating vehicle in my opinion and it only gets that much credit because it does have some very nice features and appointments. When the vehicle does run PROPERLY it is a fun vehicle to drive. Similar Products Used: Against Ford, Chevy and Toyota which I have owned different cars and trucks from all three manufactures I would not even consider buying another Dodge or Chrysler product right now and I work for Chrysler. |
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[Feb 03, 2001]
Liz
Model Reviewed:
grand caravan
Strength:
Rides like a car, very comfortable. Like the dual A/C controls.
Weakness:
We have owned 5 grand caravan and have never experienced a constant engine "ticking" noise that you can hear sitting in the front seat of the 2000 van. It is VERY annoying but the dealership claims it is a "normal" noise since another 3.3L 2000 caravan on the lot makes the same noise, only not as loud. I have asked the district manager to do some research and find out what is making this noise. Someone has to know if it a normal noise. I am not happy with the 2000 van because of the constant ticking noise, that currently is unaccountable for. Obviously we have been pleased with the grand caravan in the past as we keep buying them. Generally speaking we have been very happy with the performance and handling of the grand caravans as well as the comfort of driving one. When friends ride with us that have been in other makes of vans they always comments how smooth the ride is. Similar Products Used: Owned Dodge/Chrysler minivans since 1988. |
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[Feb 05, 2001]
Taynn Pedroza
Model Reviewed:
Dodge Caravan SE
Strength:
None!You never know if the transmission is going to work from day to day. This car does not hold its value at all.
Weakness:
Transmission, water pump, pealing paint, just falling apart every day. How many people can say that their car has 75,000 miles and three transmissions! We purchased this van after our first child was born. Two other coworkers also purchased this van same make and model. All three of us hit the 30,000 mile mark and the transmission (you guessed it) went to sh*#! Coincidence, I think not! This product was doomed from the get go. Unfortunately we stuck with it and had our transmission repaired. Mistake!!! At 70,000 miles we were told that we needed another transmission. Unbelivable!!! We couldn't even trade it in because the transmission just stayed in first gear. In addition, the paint is completely peeling off the hood, the shock on the hatchback has popped off twice, the starter has gone out and the water pump is just hanging on. What a huge disappointment. I would never ever buy another Dodge product again! Similar Products Used: This was our first minivan. I have owned three Honda Accords in the past and plan to go back to Honda to buy the Honda Odessey. |
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[Feb 05, 2001]
Melissa
Strength:
Lots of room. I had throughly enjoyed my van and until I have seen all the reviews thought I would buy another one. I have 115,000 miles on mine and love it. It drives like a dream. I always said I would never own a van as I have always driven small cars however, since owning this I do not ever want to go back. Any problems I have had so far have all been minor. And the dealers at the Dodge dealership have so far been most helpful. I get GREAT gas mileage. I couldn't believe all that I read regarding this. I get over 300 miles to a tank in town and over 420 miles on the highway. I would say for a car this big that's great. I keep the oil changed and the points and plugs,wheels rotated, etc. and so far have been terribly happy with it. I hope to drive it past 250,000 miles.
Weakness:
Replaced the brakes several times but my husband says I am hard on brakes so I can't completely blame the van. The paint was shoddy but the dealership replaced it. Sometimes when on a big hill and at a stop the transmission will stick in 2nd gear however, coming to a complete stop and putting it in park then back in drive seems to take care of that. My reason for the rating is that overall I have been happy with my van and have not experience a great deal of trouble. No more than any other car that is 6 years old. Similar Products Used: I have never owned a van, prior to this I always owned a toyota and compared to the toyota which I liked I would say this van is great also. |
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[Feb 12, 2001]
Jodi
Model Reviewed:
Dodge Grand Caravan
Strength:
Slidding doors on both sides. Fits all of my children(5)
Weakness:
It is hard to know wear to start. Right now it is in the shop and has been there for over a week. The air conditioning has gone out with leaks in the front and the back that is costing us $1500 to repair and then they called us 3 days ago to tell us that we have a cracked head and that cost us $400 to find out. We also need to have the back break pads replaced. (just did that in Nov 99.) In Nov 99 we left from a oil and filter change with a bill of over $800 with all the things they found wrong.? This time it is going to cost me over $3800 to get my van back. Our service engine soon light goes on and they tell us there are too many codes that come up to know exactly what is wrong. And yes we have the phantom wipers also. On top of all the major problems we have also replace the rear view mirror that just fell off the window one day, the plastic runner that holds the seat had to be replace and the counsel handle broke and had to be replaced. Not a good track record. The first dealer I delt with was very poor and during a maintance on one of the many recalls. They had us come back in because they put the wrong piece in. The dealer we are working with now is more customer caring and even gave us a vehical to drive at their cost. I would not recommend this vehical to anyone due to the number of problems we have had. Stick to a forign model. My repairs are going to cost more then the van is worth. Dodge stinks. Similar Products Used: Ford Windstar: I should have just replaced the air conditioner and kept it. |
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[Jun 07, 2001]
Rick
Model Reviewed:
Grand Caravan
Strength:
Superb handling
Weakness:
Poor mechanical quality and reliability Although I drove Mazdas through the latter half of the '90s, I figured I'd get a new 2001 Grand Caravan, since they were accompanied by so much hype, plus I also felt a slight obligation to go back to owning a vehicle made in my home town! Similar Products Used: The 1986 Plymouth Voyager - bought new - Excellent. My '92 Voyager - bought new - was a mechanical disaster. This 2001 Grand Caravan started having problem too early (4100 kms) - not a good sign. |
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[May 09, 2001]
Devon
Model Reviewed:
/Caravan SE
Strength:
It picks up awesome speed and drives so smoothly. I is really nice and clean. Compared to our old car, the Caravan is awesome. On top of it all, we get 24 miles to the gallon.
Weakness:
There are not very many downs at all. The only thing that I can think of is that it is kind of big. I have never had such a nice car and I am so in love with this car. It is so nice. This van is a very good vehicle for a family with kids and/or grandkids. I would buy it again, that's for sure! Similar Products Used: My sister has a Ford Windstar and the Caravan is so much nicer even though hers is a 2000 and mine is a 1997. It drives better than any vehicle that I have driven. |
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[May 09, 2001]
David
Strength:
It gets up to speed fast. It is a V6 and gets 21 miles to the gal.
Weakness:
I had the used 96 plymoth Grand Voyager a week and I had to have a new tire, valve cover gaskets. I have had problems with the 2 sliding doors clicking, I have had problems with the radio. The radio broke and blacked out and I checked the fuzzes and I could not find the problem. I have had problems from day one but I got a lean holder fast thru the dealership but the dealership is helping me because I told them I would find a way to cancell the lean and I would tell people I got a car that costed too much and did not work right from there dealership. Similar Products Used: The Van drives better then the 4X4 we own. |


