Statue of limitations on this repair?

[Mark72]

I purchased a used 2000 dodge caravan in 2005. At that time, there was no rust on the left front strut tower. Over the years, it has rusted completely through and I just found out today that there use to be a recall on it (TSB 23-044-02). If the strut tower fails and the strut punches through, catastrophic loss of contral would occurr. As I am the second owner and was never aware of the recall until now, do you know if there is a statute of limitations on something like this? Would the dealership repair this for me at no cost? There is strut replacement kit I found that costs around 200.00 but the labor would be an additional 600.00 give or take. Also, if any of you who have worked in a service department know about this, your advise is greatly apreciated.

 

[Johnny]

Mark, that is a very interesting question. Have you checked with your local Dodge dealer? Logic tells me they should honor their TSB but logic also tells me it won't happen on a 10-year old vehicle.

Let us know.

 

[Mark72]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Mark, that is a very interesting question. Have you checked with your local Dodge dealer? Logic tells me they should honor their TSB but logic also tells me it won't happen on a 10-year old vehicle.

Let us know.


Yep, that's what I'm going to do on Monday since the service dept is closed today. I also filed a formal complaint with the NHTSA due to the seriousness of this issue and the fact that loss of life could occurr should the part fail and I go head on with a semi.

 

[motorguy222]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
Mark, that is a very interesting question. Have you checked with your local Dodge dealer? Logic tells me they should honor their TSB but logic also tells me it won't happen on a 10-year old vehicle.

Let us know.


You are probably right,they should but it is a long shot.It wouldnt hurt to check though.

 

[demarpaint]

Great question. Was it an actual recall or a TSB? A recall would log the vin # in the system, and if the repair wasn't made and the car somehow slipped through the cracks so to speak, they'd 'probably' have to fix it. Especially if it is a major safety issue. If it was just a TSB and not a recall, I'd say don't hold your breath.

Let us know what happens.

 

[Bluestream]

If you do take it back to the dealer, the first thing they will ask is "did you buy it new" answer this question "yes" if not, you will be treated like a dog...

 

[Mark72]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
If you do take it back to the dealer, the first thing they will ask is "did you buy it new" answer this question "yes" if not, you will be treated like a dog...


But they would run the vin and see that i'm the 2nd owner right? they won't treat me like a dog either because I work for State Farm Ins which is headquartered right here in the same town I live in, and we are the dealerships bread and butter

 

[doitmyself]

To my knowledge, there was just a TSB on this issue, not a safety recall. The cost of repair is on the owner.

There is lots of talk about this at allpar and how to install the repair kit (no welding, epoxied in).

Discussion at this site claims that Chrysler said it was a "cosmetic" defect. Yea right.
http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Complaint/1999/Dodge/Grand+Caravan/Frame

Rant on.....I have lost my patience with Chrysler after 18 years of loyalty. My daughter's Sebring had disintegrating aluminum rear strut mounts (a common problem) and Chrysler handled it the same way.

Rant off....But, other mfg. are guilty as well....GM intake gaskets, Toyota sludge engines, Ford truck spark plug threads,.....sigh

 

[Mark72]

Well, I'm gong to the wall on this.

 

[bullwinkle]

Just goes to show you-Ford is repairing their rusty Windstar rear axles, but the Chrysler owners are SOL!

 

[Mark72]

Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Just goes to show you-Ford is repairing their rusty Windstar rear axles, but the Chrysler owners are SOL!


We'll see. Also...any of you caravan owners notice a sound coming from the suspension area of the van when you turn into a driveway that might be angled? Do you hear a bumping/thumping sound or some sort of sound like somethign is loose under there? I Just hope it's not related to the strut tower issue

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: Mark72
Well, I'm gong to the wall on this.


Been there, done that. Wear a padded helmet.

I had some front suspension bushings replaced on my '05 Caravan that were noisy on bumps...this one was under warranty.

Many are reporting that you can get both sides repaired for about $300 total. I guess it depends on the degree of rust and the shop involved. Chrysler recommends using their special epoxy also.

http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/auto/par...html?3593=45316 $15 each +/-

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Great question. Was it an actual recall or a TSB? A recall would log the vin # in the system, and if the repair wasn't made and the car somehow slipped through the cracks so to speak, they'd 'probably' have to fix it. Especially if it is a major safety issue. If it was just a TSB and not a recall, I'd say don't hold your breath.

Let us know what happens.


I agree, a recall would be covered for as long as the vehicle is out there regardless of the owner. A TSB is really just an aid for the technician to repair the vehicle and would usually only be covered if the vehicle still had a warranty.

 

[eljefino]

^ what's to keep the strut from "punching up" through the middle of that cheezy dorman riveted in chunk of sheet metal?

 

[Scienceman]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
If you do take it back to the dealer, the first thing they will ask is "did you buy it new" answer this question "yes" if not, you will be treated like a dog...


Lying will get you nowhere.

 

[Mark72]

drove the van again about 15 min ago...as far as the thumbing sound I hear...it does not make it when turning..only when I turn into my driveway which is slanted up to the sidewalk, then levels out. when it hits the slanted part, i here thumping from the suspension area.

 

[NEOhio_Bob]

This is a long-standing, well-known, well-documented problem with these vehicles...that's why Dorman makes a kit for it. No offense, but the reality is that you have an 11 year old vehicle in a snow belt state where the roads are black in the summer and white (with salt) in the winter. If you want to scare yourself some more, look underneath the van at the brake lines and fuel lines that are about to fail because they are also rusty and corroded. I'm not defending Chrysler - the strut tower design is mediocre at best - but the tinworm seems to get pretty aggressive with lots of things at around the 10 year mark.

For what it's worth, the Dorman kit works pretty well to buy some more time for the vehicle - the hot tip is to have somebody weld it in for a few dollars.

 

[Mark72]

Originally Posted By: NEOhio_Bob
This is a long-standing, well-known, well-documented problem with these vehicles...that's why Dorman makes a kit for it. No offense, but the reality is that you have an 11 year old vehicle in a snow belt state where the roads are black in the summer and white (with salt) in the winter. If you want to scare yourself some more, look underneath the van at the brake lines and fuel lines that are about to fail because they are also rusty and corroded. I'm not defending Chrysler - the strut tower design is mediocre at best - but the tinworm seems to get pretty aggressive with lots of things at around the 10 year mark.

For what it's worth, the Dorman kit works pretty well to buy some more time for the vehicle - the hot tip is to have somebody weld it in for a few dollars.


No offense taken..yes, our roads are white with salt. dust clouds everywhere when cars go down the road. I beleive what some of you say that this could be a dead-end for me, but I'm still going to grind my axe. I have the time and will take no effort. In the end, I guess I"m going to have to have it repaired because I can't afford another vehicle now, and the engine is in perfect condtion. And yes, I'm not very impressed at all with the structure of the vehicle. The only thing nice about it is the engine which runs very smooth.

 

[NEOhio_Bob]

Yes, that's the problem we have in the midwest...the drivetrain is perfectly happy to keep going down the road after the body has turned to rust and dust around it...LOL

 

[exranger06]

When it comes to recalls, there is no statue of limitations. Once a vehicle is recalled, the automaker must repair it no matter how old. My Explorer was recalled way back in something like 1996 for the liftgate struts. The bracket welded to the liftgate could break off, leaving the liftgate unable to stay up on its own. For some reason, my parents never had this fixed. About 4 years ago (the vehicle was 12 years old and the recall was about 10 years old at the time) one of the brackets broke. A quick Google search showed it was a recalled item, so I brought to the Ford dealer. It was fixed absolutely free of charge with no hassle from Ford or the dealer.