Air Bags. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

46 crash reports14 fire reports28 injury reports

Power Train complaints

96 reports

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90,000 miles · Feb 27, 2004

Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING SOUND COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING AND STALLED. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT HOLES WERE PUNCHED INTO THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING CASE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10059907

41,500 miles · Feb 23, 2004

Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 41,500 MILES. DIFFERENTIAL PIN KEEPER BROKE WHICH DID MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE REST OF THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10058732

62,474 miles · Jan 29, 2004

Power Train

Read full complaint

LAST WEEK MY WIFE WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK WHEN SHE THOUGHT SHE RAN OVER SOMETHING. SHE SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERED AND IT SCARED HER A LOT. I'M JUST THANKFUL SHE WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE PUT HER LIFE, AS WELL AS OTHERS, IN DANGER. SHE WAS TURNING A CORNER AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGED FOR LEFT HAND TURNS AS WAS ONLY TRAVELING AROUND 25-30 MPH. WHEN SHE LOOKED SHE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. THE CARAVAN SUDDENLY STOPPED. SHE GOT OFF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND MAKE IT HOME, ABOUT 5 MILES. I HAD THE CARAVAN TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH DODGE CARAVAN'S WITH AN ENGINE RATING OF 3.1 TO 3.8 LITTER AND THE 41TE TRANSMISSION. I NEED THE CAR SO I HAD IT FIXED FOR $2,265. F DODGE (CHRYSLER) KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHY IS IT STILL HAPPENING TO OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE? *AK

NHTSA ODI #10055148

66,000 miles · Jan 23, 2004

Power Train

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10055738

72,366 miles · Oct 3, 2003

Power Train

AT 72,000 MILES MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO A PINION IN THE PINION SHAFT COMING LOOSE AND TEARING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION CASING. OVER $2400 WORTH OF WORK WAS REQUIRED. NO INJURIES, BUT I LOST CONTROL WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO THE GRASSY EDGE OF A RURAL ROAD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041204

34,000 miles · Sep 12, 2003

Power Train

THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. *AK *TS THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR WAS NOT COMPLETELY IN DRIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10026920

33,466 miles · Sep 2, 2003

Power Train

TRANSMISSION INPUT AND OUTPUT SENSORS FAILED RESULTING IN VERY HIGH ENGINE RPM AND VEHICLE (FORWARD) OPERATION IN LOW GEAR ONLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037067

60,000 miles · Jul 24, 2003

Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT 40/50 MPH A PIN FROM THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLEW OFF AND BLEW THE TRANSMISSION. ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030017

67,700 miles · Jul 12, 2003

Power Train

NEEDED TO REPLACE INPUT/OUTPUT TRANSMISSION SENSORS. NOT ONLY HAVE WE HAD THIS DONE BUT A NUMBER OF 1999 CARAVAN USERS WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025951

52,000 miles · Jun 17, 2003

Power Train

A BOLT IN THE TRANSMISSION BROKE AND DISLODGE A BEARING THAT BLEW A HOLE IN THE HOUSING. THIS RESULTED IN VEHICLE BEING UNABLE TO GO INTO GEAR, AND DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10024216

Official recalls

04V480000 · Air Bags

Oct 6, 2004

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V076000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Mar 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

01V119000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Apr 11, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VAN, WAGON, PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Sep 13, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

99V116000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

May 6, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT FOR FLEET SALES ONLY. THE HEADLAMP MODULE DOES NOT IDENTIFY THE PARK LAMP AS "DRL" AS REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.

Remedy: ALL FLEET OWNERS/OPERATORS WILL BE MAILED NON-REMOVABLE DECALS WITH THE REQUIRED "DRL" LETTERS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA04013 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Opened Jun 4, 2004 · Closed May 25, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

THE DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING CAN DEVELOP AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CONDITION RESULTING IN NONFUNCTIONAL DRIVER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED), AND/OR STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).IN ITS OCTOBER 5, 2004 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL AND REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL MY 1998.5-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER MINIVANS, BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1998 AND AUGUST 2000, WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS.IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT ON MY 1998.5-2000 MINIVANS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.THE DETAILS OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION ARE DESCRIBED IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S LETTER (SEE RECALL NO. 04V-480).THE AGENCY BELIEVES THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE VEHICLES COVERED ONLY BY THE LIFETIME WARRANTY.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE PAGE 2 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

RQ04001 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Opened Jan 28, 2004 · Closed Jun 4, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

COMPLAINTS REPORT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, AND THIS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND/OR CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).THIS IS INDICATIVE OF AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CLOCKSPRING FAILURE (RESULTS IN NON-FUNCTIONING DRIVER'S AIR BAG), SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE CONDITION THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S RECALL OF MODEL YEAR 1996-1998.5 MINIVANS (RECALL NO. 02V-293).THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-013).

EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring

Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak

Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System

Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

No summary supplied.

PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity

Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

There is no summary currently available