---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 11 May 96 22:09:57 -0500
From: Sherry McCollum 
To: Charlene M Blake 
Subject: Chrysler problems

-- [ From: Sherry McCollum * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

Hello Charlene!
I have been reading your information in the newsgroups on the internet for
several days now. I, likewise, am a dissatisfied customer with my van. I
owned one of the original Caravan's for 10 years with excellent service and
minor problems. We purchased a new '93 Plymouth Voyager LE in '93 and it has
been the van from h--- ever since then. We first noticed loud wind noise
especially from the passenger side. There was also in my direct line of
vision a blurred wavey line all the way across the windshield that distorted
vision while driving. We took the van back into service and they said they
saw the line and would replace the windshield. They also found out the
windshield was not properly installed at the factory and that was the cause
of the wind leaks and loud noise. Upon bringing the van home there was no
improvement in the noise at all and the line of blur was only lower but
still there. Back I went and found out that they didn't have the windshield
but only particially installed. I was told that they could not put another
windshield in cause all vans were that way that they had. I have driven
rental ones and this was not the case. They would not help any further on
the windshield. I just have to drive with my seat fully elevated inorder to
avoid the distortion. They agree it is there, just will not do anything to
fix the problem.
They did reset the windshield and the wind leaks and roaring continues. This
has been an ongoing battle with the dealer for 3 years now. Each visit I was
told they adjusted the door or did tweaking and it should be fixed. Until 9
months ago when I was asked to ride with the service manager to evaluate
problems was I told (just he and I were in my van) that I should just be
thankful that I have one of the better '93 vans, that he owns one that has
the same problems but his are worse. He told me it was a design defect and
they could not fix some of my problems. Furious--yes I was because I have
been lied to for almost 3 yrs. I have since found out that a dealer will
tell you he has adjusted and worked on your car when in reality there was
not to be a problem found but you thought there was, so in order to satisfy
you and shut you up they do this. Therefore a problem is shown in your
records when they tell me there really was never a problem. Strangle them--I
would love to.
Another problem I have had for 2 1/2 yrs. was the airconditioning resonating
. All this time they told me they were working on it and it was never fixed.
I had to find a TSB they swore did not exist and that still did not fix the
problem either. Right after that they were issued another TSB on this same
problem and the fix seems to be holding for the time being. This was another
problem the service manager told me to just shut up about and trade vans.
Could not be fixed. Or I could just live with it. This resonating was at a
frequency that would hurt your ears. Also all thru my problems their
favorite thing to say is that they could not duplicate the problem--
therefore there was not a problem.
I have had a series of other problems but a big one now is the transmission.
For 3 years I have been fighting these people. I have had a problem with
limp-in and other things. My problem comes and goes and what a run around I
have been given. Like you, I don't give up. I have 57,000 miles on my van
and it is the only one the dealership has under a warranty that long. I
became so tired of dealing with patronizing, condescending service people
that I went to one of the owners. I have worked with him for a while now and
I don't know where this is going. They are very afraid I will bring this out
in the open that they have been willing to work on my van to keep me quiet.
They totally redid my transmission 9 months ago. The problems popped up with
the transmission only a couple of times since then but we thought they were
just flukes. About a month ago the limp-in and other stumblings occurred and
as of today my van has been in the shop almost 2 weeks. They were told we
want a new transmission and a list of other things fixed. The dealer said he
thought it was time he got us out of this van. Too many problems. He asked
Chrysler for financial assistance--refused us flat out. I saw the fax. This
last Mon. I was asked to come in and drive my van all over town and make the
transmission fail. They said in 255 cranks that the computer showed no
failure problem, therefore there is no problem. I worked with these people
for 3 hours and could not get the van to fail. I told them the problem was
sporadic. Didn't buy that. Many other problems they know exist and have said
so now. The dealer said he wants to fix all the problems--except can't seem
to know what to do about wind leaks. The dealer agreed that I just may have
a defective design in the van. Oh geez!! The best I have been offered has
been 10,000 for my van with no help from Chrysler. No way!!! Especially with
all I have been reading about this van now. Since last Mon. I have not heard
one word. They said they would try to deal a second time with Chrysler and
make me another offer. I forced them to give me a vehicle. I asked for a
new'96 Town & Country. Eventually I did get this to drive. Would you believe
it shows some of the problems that others have been referring to. I really
like this van but the problems worry me a lot. 
I have not experienced failure with my ABS brakes on my '93 van. I do notice
that when I go over bumps and railroad tracks that these brakes give way
under my foot. They don't completely hit the floor but they sponge out on me
. The dealer said they are suppose to do this. Yet, I have driven quite a
few rentals and other vans and cars--Chrysler--and have never felt this same
thing. I have been asking them this for 3 years now and to find out about
the recall--oh my--Is what I am experiencing like what you felt?? I need
ammo to go back to this dealer. I know now that my brakes are in recall but
the transmission is not.
What problems did you have with your transmission? I will fight to the
bitter end for this. Money does not grow on trees and my daughter is driving
this van. Her safety is highly important also. Any help for any of this
would be welcome with open arms. Do you know of any people with wind leak
noise?
I have also read of people who have had their vans bought back by Chrysler.
After all I have been thru they have the nerve to tell me I don't have
anything to complain about. The dealer so far has been on our side. Not one
cent have I paid for repairs and am driving one of their vehicles. I know I
am fortunate to have an avenue to work thru but I need more ammo in order to
get a fair deal. Compared to other vans, I prefer this '96 overall. The
problems are making me think long and hard. Tums are controlling this battle
so far. And the battle is getting very tiresome.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for just listening.
A fellow pained van owner---
Sherry

PS--The dealer is doing a number on me somewhat by saying--I am not sure
that anything we do will make you happy. You seem to have made up your mind
that this van can't be repaired. Well duh!! After 3 years what else can one
think. They may be working with me but that undercurrent is still there and
we are finding out more lies and slippery dealings. Nowadays the consumer
has their work cut out for them.
You are welcome to use this info in your records. All of this is on the
level and documented--just totally unresolved.