Looks,Handling & Room

Noisy and not good on braking

Took delivery of caravan in March of 99. Liked room and both sliding doors
and the ride was good. At 20,250 miles the front breaks had to be replaced and I don't feel that was a normal maintenance since I've had Dodge,Plymouth,and Chrysler cars breaks last 50,000 miles before maint. had to done.At 23,500 the air conditioner went out and the compressor was replaced under warrenty. Now at 24,000 the transmission went and I had to have it towed to dealer for repairs. I feel this car could be a lemon and I may not buy another Caravan. Most of the driving is of local nature and veh. was never overloaded and no towing done.

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92 Dodge Aries,88 Plymouth Volaire, 92 Chyrsler Labaron

Styling is second to none. Price is on-target.

Too noisy and quality is questionable.

(pre 1997 Model) - I'll be the first to admit it, but it was the styling that got me to buy the van. Compared to what was out there at the time, it was quite beautiful (and still is). And the price was very reasonable. Unfortunately, you get what you pay for. Cabin noise is very bad and the car itself is not particularily well built. Also, after only one winter here in Quebec, the car immediately began to show signs of rust. Other things that bugged me were its pea-sized gas tank and the day-time headlights which burned out faster than cheap XMas lights. Otherwise, it is a car that holds its own and gets you and your cargo from point A to point B.

Appearance and ergonomics, performance when operating correctly.

Total lack of confidence in the vehicle, poor design of left driveshaft and transmission (which we replaced at 56k miles).

I have encountered a SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE which Chrysler should remedy with a recall. The following incident occured July 14, 2001 and the vehicle had 63,262 miles on it. This is a CRITICAL PART FAILURE caused by rusting, and owners of vehicles of about the same age as mine (6 years) should be WARNED. I have reported this to the NHTSA, but I have no idea how efficient they are. Notifying Chrysler was a frustrating waste of time. I will never buy another Chrysler vehicle.

The left driveshaft interconnecting shaft on my 1996 Caravan sheared at the outer edge of the damper weight. I was driving with my family, was stopped at a red light, and heard and felt a loud thump when I attempted to move the car when the light turned green. The car would not move. I looked under the car and saw that the left driveshaft (axle) was sheared.
The car was towed and repaired at a Dodge dealer. I could not get a satisfactory explanation from the service department as to why this had happened.

I have kept the damaged part. The "tuned damper weight" which encircles the "interconnecting shaft" at about midpoint on the shaft had rusted and rotted out (etched) the circumference of the shaft, weakening the shaft and creating a stress fracture point which will shear under normal stress loads. The shaft is 27mm in diameter where it is not corroded, but at the cross-section where it sheared at the outer edge of the rubber cover of the damper weight, the shaft is corroded down to 21mm, more than a 22% reduction in shaft diameter! Apparently the metal used in the damper weight is subject to severe rusting, and the rubber cover around the weight traps moisture. NOTE: the tripod and CV joints are NOT damaged; the driveshaft assembly is literally broken in half.

If this had happened while we were in motion we could have been injured or killed, particularily if I had been driving on the highway or making a turn with oncoming traffic. This is a SERIOUS safety issue. Because it is caused by corrosion over time weakening the driveshaft, I am very concerned that driveshafts of this design (or lots using this combination of materials) will be breaking more and more frequently (approximately 6 years before failure?), causing accidents, injuries, and deaths.

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Have driven Ford minivans which do not handle as well and are not as comfortable.

Looks

under powered brakes
belt tensor broken twice.
water leaks into car from AC condensation

I purchased the van in late December of 2000. It was used with 24,000 miles.
In Aug. 2001 it turned over 36000 mi. One week later the belt tensor pully
shaft broke off in the bracket. When I started to remove the defective part I noticed the wiring and fuel lines had been left un attatched in the area I was working. This leads me to think this is not the first time this has happened on this van. I suspect it is a design flaw or inferior parts are being used by mopar.

The brakes are weak and lack stopping power.

In a way I am happy this happened. I was about to buy a 2001 Dodge Dakota
Quad cab. Now I am going back to Ford pickups. My 89 F-150 with 180000. mi
is still going strong.

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NA

Design, Comfort, Appearance, Utility.

Chrysler Quality! Chrysler Service Departments, I've been to many and I mean many, they're all terrible. Chrysler Corp. you have to play hardball to get them to honor their warranties. Their Transmissions crap out between 50K - 70K, and the exterior paint peels after three years. Buy the extended warranty to cover the transmission!

This is our second Chrysler Van, they're very well designed, spacious, comfortable family vehicles especially for long trips. They can't be beat for praticality, fuel efficiency and general reliability. However, I'd be hard pressed to pay more than $24,000 for one again! Chrysler quality and service is terrible! They're what gives American Cars a Bad Name! Be prepared to fight for warranty work! It's too bad, the design of the vehicle is in my opinion the best. Unfortunately the quality of the components are poor at best. Chrysler could learn a thing or two from Toyota & Honda when it comes to overall quality. Although, the Mitsibishi 3.3 liter engine is bullet proof, a must if you're considering Chrysler.

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Honda & Toyota vans are FAR superior in quality but not in design!

Comfortable for long trips. Roomy for driving children around.

Continuous Electrical Problems.
Transmission is crap!
Brakes and ABS system can drive anyone insane.

Horrible experience with this van. The brakes have had to be replaced at least once a year. The tires wear quickly. The electrical problems have been endless. Check engine light, air bag light, abs light all keep showing up. Fuses blow all the time. Power window and lock motors have been replaced at least three times. The back wiper motor has had to be replaced twice. The defrost system in the back window shattered the back window in the middle of a highway while driving in a snow storm with my infant daughter. The motor for the back wing windows gave out and I have not replace it. The A/C did not work for 2 years and all of the sudden the dealer tells me it just needed re-charging. Talking about the dealer service, it could not be worse. When I tried to fix the A/C before they told me the whole system had to be changed ($1500) now two years later, they figure it just need to be replaced. Have encounter endless stalling and transmission problems. Awful, awful vehicle! Do not recommend anybody buys it.

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This is our first van. We also own a 92 Saturn which has not given us any big problems and already has about 200,000 miles.

Hmmm... let me see...oh ya ...it was a non-smoking vehicle so it doesn't smell like an ashtray

Just where do I begin??!?!?

A GREAT BIG PILE OF POOP!!! I am so disgusted and as soon as I get the pile of junk back from the transmission shop I am trading it in ...Bought this van in oct. 2000 and hope to not have it by this oct.
I had a Honda (accord) before this and absolutely loved it!! But with the new baby we just had to have something bigger for our family of 5.
--Brakes are bad (not fixed yet)
--Also have the service engine soon light on most of the time but I am told "not to worry" just a "fluke"
--Inside lights don't work ...never had since I've had the darn thing
--A/C bad (fixed 2 wks. ago) ($62.80)- that is just an a/c charge ...(basically just a bandaid)
--Serpentine belt went 2 wks. ago ($40.00 -- we installed ourselves)
--Paint job just HORRIBLE--chips and peeling everywhere
--Now the TRANSMISSION...great surprise huh!! been in shop for 10 days ($1200--I bought an extended 3 yr warranty ...but get this ...it is not covered because it is a "wear" item....what the #%&!$ is up with that...
I guess I am one of the lucky ones because I have a whopping 87000 miles and from reading other postings it usually goes much sooner. I have a feeling that these problems are just the beginning....SO IN SUMMARY ....TOMORROW I AM LOOKING FOR A NEW MINIVAN....NO...NOT A CHRYSLER, DODGE OR PLYMOUTH...NOT ON YOUR LIFE!!!
I have never had such a cheap piece of crap....I am so angry and feel sooooo ripped off...WORST CAR PURCHASE EVER...my first chrysler purchase AND LAST!!! ANYONE THINKING OF BUYING ONE JUST READ A FEW OF THESE REVIEWS AND MAKE YOUR DECISION VERY WISELY....YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID...I WISH I HAD!!!!!

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HONDA ACCORD--AWESOME VEHICLE...WHOLE HEARTEDLY RECCOMMEND..PONTIAC FIREBIRD (OWNED 7 YRS NEVER A MAJOR PROBLEM)...CHEVY MALIBU (GOOD SOLID VEHICLE)

roominess,visability, seating arrangments

suspspension, heat and a/c very weak, interior plastics very fragile,manual windows that will not stay open, head gasketts, wiring(seems hap hazard), van itself is easily stolen as a child with a screw driver could run off with your investment!!

this is my second caravan, my first was an 88, that brought all my three kids home from the hospital as they were born, for that reason i would have love to keep it but would have had to give back one child to cover repair bills. anyway out of sentiment we bought another and i guess we must have gottin one made on a wednsday because in the year and a half we,ve owned it we have not had any major failures ,as we did with our first caravan. as of right now my day time running lights flicker on and off as i apply and release my brakes, my emergency brake indicator light also goes on and off in tandem, but all in all we,re cautiously happy as we all are aware of the potential tranny woes that can spring up at anytime, and yes i really do think the service personell at all chrysler dealerships could use a human relations course. the sliding door i find can be of concern around small children as it rolls shut even on the slightest of inclines, little fingers are in danger of being sqwat. do some homework and take your time and i,m sure you can come across a tuesday or wednesday caravan somewhere :-)

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also own an 91 tercel and the caravan does what it is supposed to do as does the tercel, which is to move you about cheaply and reliably

My likes it because it's easy to load children.
If you don't start it and drive it it won't brake

Brakes, transmission, door latches, wiring, interior design, body flexing

Brought it to haul the kids, had 48K on it now only has 55K.
Brake problems right off.
Had chrysler products before, but never one this poorly assembled and designed. Transmission in for repair now, AC clutch shot, eats belts, under the seat drawer won't stay shut, jammed something under it so it will.
I compare this vehicle to the toacco companies, they should stop advertising it and manufacturing it.
Hope to unload it soon, and I hope if no one reads this before I do.

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Nothing to compare it to, not going to give Chysler a chance with another lemon.

excellent motor,well built

TRANSMISSION

plenty of room,comfortable.Nice drive,but,a serious money pit.I had two transmissions replaced under extended warranty,again when warranty ended and now the van sits a big white lawn decoration,new computer system,new battery,new tires,etc....with,yes a transmission problem,this time the transmission literally shot a whole through itself.Talk to a transmission specialist before buying one,seems everyone except dodge knows about the tranny problem!A real shame because other then the awful transmission,an excellent ride.

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plymouth voyager-much more comfortable,better drive,more solid then the voyager-same transmission