Ownership Cost for 1997 Dodge Caravan Base
Estimated: $23916 over the next 5 years
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depreciation | $984 | $472 | $413 | $374 | $335 | $2578 |
| Insurance | $1451 | $1502 | $1554 | $1609 | $1665 | $7781 |
| Fuel | $1857 | $1913 | $1980 | $2059 | $2152 | $9961 |
| Maintenance | $40 | $253 | $137 | $225 | $1038 | $1693 |
| Repairs | $91 | $323 | $353 | $487 | $612 | $1866 |
| Taxes & Fees | $24 | $24 | $24 | $24 | $24 | $36 |
| Total Ownership Costs | $4448 | $4466 | $4441 | $4756 | $5805 | $23916 |
| Model year | COMPONENT | Complaint |
| 1996 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | THE VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE WE WERE GETTING GAS,THE ENGINE WAS OFF.THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE.THE FIRE CHIEF SAID THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR GOT TOO HOT, CAUGHT THE WIRING SYSTEM ON FIRE, AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE. HE SAID AS WE WERE GETTING GAS WE WERE FEEDING THE FIRE.ALL MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WHILE IT WAS BURNING. THE FIRE DEPT. FILED AN OFFICIAL REPORT. CHRYSLER INVESTIGATED, KEPT US WAITING FOR A MONTH. THEN SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THEY WON'T LET US SEE THE REPORT. THEY WON'T LET US SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. WE HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE CAR SINCE THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT MAY BE EVIDENCE. THE INSPECTOR TOLD US OFF THE RECORD THAT THERE WERE HOLES BURNED IN THE TOP OF THE GAS COMPARTMENT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.ANOTHER MECHANIC QUESTIONED WHETHER OR NOT THE CONVERTOR WAS SHIELDED AND WAS A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE GAS COMPARTMENT. *AK |
| 1997 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | THE FRONT, DRIVER SIDE CALIPERS DO NOT RELEASE WHICH OVERHEAT THE WHEEL. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE BRAKE PADS HAVE SHEARED OFF, AND WHEN THE TIRES ARE REMOVED TO INSPECT, STUDS EASILY BRAKE OFF. SEARS AUTO CENTER BROKE OFF TWO STUDS AFTER THE 1ST INCIDENT, AND I BROKE OFF ONE STUD AFTER THE 2ND INCIDENT ON JUNE 15, 2001. THE NEGHERBON SERVICE DEPT HAD REPLACED THE CALIPER KIT (SPRINGS AND TRACKS) ON 3/13/01. THE WHEEL GETS SO HOT THAT YOU BURN YOUR FINGER IF YOU TOUCH IT. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME. THE OVERHEATING HAPPENS DURING TIMES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE USED OFTEN (BENICIA IS VERY HILLY), AND DOES NOT HAPPEN DURING HIGHWAY RIDES, WHEN THERE IS NO TRAFFIC. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN THE BRAKES STARTS TO HEAT UP DO TO USE, THE CALIPER DOES NOT RELEASE AS FREELY, AND EVENTUALLY LOCKS UP AND DOES NOT RELEASE AT ALL (AFTER THE 1ST INCIDENT I HAD TO HAMMER OFF THE OLD BRAKE PADS/CALIPER ASSEMBLY FROM THE ROTOR). HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP IDENTIFY THE ROOT PROBLEM BEFORE THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS OVERHEATING WILL CAUSE A BLOWOUT OR A WHEEL TO COME OFF IF THE STUDS FAIL WHILE THE VAN IS BEING DRIVEN.*AK |
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