2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD recalls and complaints

Problem: Curt mfg is recalling certain class 3 receiver hitches, p/n 13347, sold as aftermarket equipment for use on 1997-2007 chrysler town and country vans, 1996-2007 dodge caravans, and 1996-2004 plymouth voyager vans. When the hitch is loaded to the maximum rating, the hitch may fracture or break at the bend location where the main body of the hitch meets the hitch muffler strap.

Risk: If the area in question fractures or breaks, this could cause an unstable driving condition, possibly resulting in a crash.

Remedy: Curt mfg will notify owners of record and will replace the hitch free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during august 2010. Owners may contact curt mfg at 1-715-831-8713.

Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 dodge caravan, grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, alaska and the district of columbia. The front crash sensors may crack under certain environmental conditions and allow water to enter into the sensor. This can cause the sensor to become inoperative and illuminate the airbag warning light. These sensors were added to enhance the performance of the airbag system in certain frontal crashes.

Risk: If the front crash sensors become inoperative, the driver is immediately alerted by illumination of the airbag warning light and the vehicle should be promptly serviced. Until the vehicle is repaired, the airbags may not provide the enhanced protection in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will replace the front airbag sensors with a new design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety improvement campaign will begin during june 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Problem: Eagle eyes is recalling 11,534 headlamp assemblies, p/nos. Cs090-b001l and cs090-b001r, sold for use as replacement equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the lower beam photometry requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Eagle eyes will notify owners and offer replacement headlamps free of charge. The recall began on september 30, 2008. Owners may contact eagle eyes at 1-800-568-1098.

Problem: Maxzone is recalling 2,520 headlight assemblies, depo brand, p/nos. 3341103l-as and 334-1103r-as sold for use as aftermarket equipment for 2001-2007 dodge caravan passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Maxzone will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on june 16, 2008. Owners may contact maxzone at the following locations: 1-888-286-1188 (wa, or, ca, id, nv, az, mt, wy, ut, co, ks, nm, ok, tx, ar, la, ak, hi) 1-877-253-8930 (me, nh, vt, ma, ct, ri, ny, nj, pa, md, de, wv, va) 1-800-859-4755 (nc, sc, ga, fl, tn, al, ms) 1-866-783-6858 (nd, sd, ne, mn, ia, mo, wi, il, mi, in, oh, ky).

Problem: Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as dot-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles may not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 205, "glazing materials."

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Remedy: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and reimburse wholesale customers for current inventory and at a specified rate for replacing their customer's glass. Wholesale customers can contact safelite's wholesale division, service autoglass toll free at 1-888-246-6298. The recall began on january 15, 2008.

Problem: Certain minivans are being recalled that were originally sold in or currently registered in the 27 states plus the district of columbia that use greater amounts of salt for winter road deicing. The up-front (uf) air bag sensors that contain brass bushings installed in these vehicles may corrode and crack allowing water to enter the sensor. These sensors provide enhanced air bag performance in certain types of frontal crashes.

Risk: In one of these crashes, with one or both of the vehicle's uf sensors inoperative, the occupants will not benefit from the enhanced air bag protection that these sensors would provide.

Remedy: For vehicles registered in the recall states, dealers will replace the original uf air bag sensors with ones with greater corrosion resistance. Vehicles registered in other states will obtain a lifetime free replacement of any uf sensor that fails. The campaign began on july 2, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Problem: Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain ford, daimlerchrysler, and jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the brand names of napa, raybestos, aimco, ac delco, carquest, bendix, and wagner. Only products that were manufactured from july 27, 2005 through january 17, 2006 (date codes 0529 through 0602) are subject to this recall. When subject to very cold temperatures, an internal seal in the master cylinder could lose flexibility and may cause brake fluid to leak.

Risk: Loss of brake fluid can lead to a decrease in brake line pressure and an increase in stopping distance, which can result in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Affinia (brake parts, inc.) will replace the subject brake hydraulic master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on march 20, 2006. Owners can contact affina group customer service at 1-800-323-0354.

Problem: On certain vans and sport utility vehicles, the front windshield wiper motor armature shaft may break.

Risk: During certain operating conditions, loss of front windshield wiping capability could occur, and the driver's vision could be obscured which could result in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper motor free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2006, to dodge durango owners. Minivan owners will be notified during july 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Problem: After performing the ncap test, it was discovered that on certain minivans equipped without the available "stow 'n go" seating option, the right front seat belt retractor assembly may have been improperly assembled.

Risk: As a result, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant during certain crash conditions, which can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the retractor assemblies and any seat belt assembly that does not have the stake will be replaced. Owner notification began on february 23, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.