Faults:

Transmission lock-up at 70000 (common).

Radiator leak at 120000.

Rear bearing at 130000.

General Comments:

This car is running fine at 170,000 miles. It has never been kept indoors, always parked out in the weather with lots of snow, no rust anywhere.

Original exhaust, original battery, original plugs, original serpentine belt, original alternator, etc.

Ran engine on Mobil-1 from the beginning, it now uses no oil. Everything works.

I work on cars, have done all the work on this myself (dealer warranties always seem to be useless anyway), but I haven't had to do much. This is amazing to me, this car just doesn't die.

Got a 2005 now as I just don't trust a car that old on long trips, selling it on craigs list. The 2005 will be my 4th Grand Caravan. Raised 5 kids in these.

Faults:

I have had most if not all of the front end problems listed here.

General Comments:

I do most of the work on my van myself, and I have replaced or had replaced the sway bar mounts, sway bar linkage, struts and strut plates, control arms with ball joints, rack and pinion, and power steering pump. I also was chasing this elusive CLUNK noise in the front.

After changing the struts and strut plates, and everything else mentioned, it was still there. Turns out that the strut plates I got from a local chain parts store were junk from the get go. They would make a metal to metal sound at just about any crack in the road (and I live in Michigan, home of the largest pot holes).

Also if I jacked the van up, they would creak at the top of the strut. So I had them replaced with Monroe brand. Problem fixed. The OEM parts are also quality (believe it or not); just check prices.

I also am going to have to replace the sway bar bushings again. I noticed that the sway bar seemed to be worn a little thin where the mounts rub them. My mechanic friend suggested that when I replace them to wrap the bar with electrical tape and then coat it with white grease (lithium based) to compensate for the slight slack from wear. Sounds back yard, but cheaper than a new sway bar.

Also, DO NOT buy after market sway bar links!!! They will wear out quick. OEM is the way to go with this one. I know.

My front end is solid again. Well except the sway bar mounts (their next again, OEM). I do recommend OEM parts for most applications.

Just another note, the after market power steering pump was junk too, get OEM.

Remember I have 160,000 on this vehicle, and the aftermarket parts only lasted 1-1.5 years.

Faults:

Took in for routine oil change to dealer; was told my transmission solenoid was shot but it never leaked or anything. They replaced it under warranty, but when I drove away, the whole dash lighted up with all the lights, i.e. air bag, everything.

Took it back, replaced rad fans, same problem, took it back, replaced computer control module, same problem.

Took it back from May until September and they kept replacing things. Finally in September was told it was AC. I phoned Chrysler down east and was told the AC compressor was a "recall", but neither the dealer nor I was never notified of this, and it was replaced for free.

I also have a clunking noise in the front end that 3 different mechanics cannot find. Have done stabilizing links, still clunks?

General Comments:

If anybody is having problems with the AC, it is a Dodge Caravan recall and should be fixed for free.