1977 Dodge Van problems
The Dodge Ram Van (also known as the Dodge B-series) is a range of full-size vans that were produced by Chrysler Corporation from the 1971 to 2003 model years. Replacing the Dodge A100, the Ram Van transitioned to a front-engine drivetrain configuration. Mostly offered as a cargo van and a passenger van, the model line was also initially offered as a cutaway van chassis.
The B-series van line was produced across 32 years of production, making it among the longest-lived platform designs in American automotive history. Much of the exterior and chassis underpinnings saw only gradual changes during their entire production, with three distinct generations developed. Alongside its use by Dodge, the full-size van range saw rebranding during the 1970s for both Fargo Trucks and Plymouth (marking the debut of the Plymouth Voyager nameplate).
For much of its entire production run, Chrysler produced B-platform vans at the now-demolished Pillette Road Truck Assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; prior to 1980, the model line was also produced at Saint Louis North Assembly (Fenton, Missouri). In 2003, the Dodge Sprinter (a rebranding of its Mercedes-Benz namesake) was introduced, replacing the B-series van entirely from 2004 to 2009. Since 2014, the Ram division has offered the ProMaster to the full-size van market, a rebranded Fiat Ducato.
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Common 1977 Dodge Van problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1977 Dodge van, here are some common problems reported:
- Transmission Shifting Problems: Some owners have reported shifting issues with the Dodge Grand Caravan, particularly in the 2014 model year. Problems include downshifting after pressing the gas pedal, difficulty maintaining a constant speed, shuddering, stalling on downshifts, and occasional harsh upshifts. Factory service bulletins have addressed these shifting issues related to the automatic transmission operation.
- Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) Problems: For the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan, issues with the TIPM have been common. Symptoms include difficulty starting the vehicle, random opening of windows and doors, and the minivan cranking but not starting. While there are temporary solutions shared online, the problem tends to recur, and Dodge has not issued a recall to address this widespread issue.
- Engine Stalling: Some 2009 Dodge Grand Caravans have been reported to suffer from engine problems, including abrupt engine stops while driving, traction control light coming on before stalling, loss of power steering, engine misfires, starter issues, excessive oil consumption, and the check engine light turning on. Dodge addressed this problem by issuing a recall for the 2009 models.
These issues highlight common problems faced by owners of the 1977 Dodge van, ranging from electrical and transmission issues to engine stalling and TIPM malfunctions. Addressing these problems promptly can help maintain the vehicle's performance and reliability.
1977 Dodge Van car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Van problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Structure problems
- Steering problems
- Tires problems
- Power train problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1977 Dodge Van vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1977 Dodge Van complaints
The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1977 Dodge Van.
POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1977-11-23
- Components: POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I PURCHASED 1977 DODGE VAN. NEW IN 1977. THE HEADLINER CONSTANTLY FELL DOWN ON ME. THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE FIRST YEAR USING A LOCK OUT TORQUE CONVERTER. BUT CHRYSLER DID NOT USE A BRACE FOR THE SHAFT, SO THE SHAFT WOBBLE EVERY TIME IT ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED AND DESTROYED MY TRANSMISSION AT 12,500 MILES. IT HAD A 12,000 MILE WARRENTY AND CHRYSLER WOULD NOT REPAIR. I HAD TO PAY TO FIX IT. THE ENGINE BLEW UPO AT 13,000 MILES, AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE CYLANERS HAD INDENTATIONS IN THEM., HE SAID THE WORKERS ARE UPSET WITH CHRYSLER AND ARE SABATOGING THE VEHICLES. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY BANGED THE JUGS WITH A BALLPEEN HAMER, AS HE FOUND THE HAMMER IN THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR, THAT WAS MAKING A RATTLING SOUND. THE HEAD OF HE HAMMER FIT THE INDENTS IN THE JUGS PERFECTLY. THE DAY I BOUGHT IT IT STOPPED RUNNING 60 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION BOX WAS BAD. BECAUSE I WAS MORE THAN 50 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM, I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK INTO THE SHOP. ABOUT 1 HOUR AND 20 MINUTES AFTER I DROVE OFF THE LOT. THIS VAN WAS HORRIBLE. CHRYSLER DID NOT HELP AT ALL BECAUSE I WAS 500-1000 MILES BEYOND THE 12,000 MILE WARRENTY. >THE METAL IN THE VAN STARTED TO RUST AFTER 8 MONTHS. CHRYSLER SAID I WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE ON OF THE WHEEL WELL WELD WAS LEAKING, WATER CAME INTO THE VAN THRU IT FROM OUTSIDE... BUT, IT RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT , SO I WAS NOT COVERED. I HATE CHRYSLER.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-01-22
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH A TIRE BLOW OUT OCCURRED.*MR THE RIGHT REAR TIRE DIDN'T DEFLATE WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED. CONSUMER HAD FOUR TIRES TO FAIL AS A RESULT OF TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. *PH *JB
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-25
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: FAILURE OF FOUR PIRELLI LIGHT TRUCK TIRES.*MR TIRE EXPLODED OFF THE TIRE CARCAS*TS
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: VIN#B25BE7X
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING BRACKET AND CHASSIS BROKEN THIS IS A RECALL ITEM#80V027000 I WOULD LIKE THIS REPAIRED SOON I NEED THIS VEHICLE. *AK
STEERING,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-04-29
- VIN: BP58E7X1348
- Components: STEERING,STRUCTURE
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING MY 1977 DODGE VAN WHEN THE STEERING BECAME VERY ERRATIC WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE I CAN SEE NO POSSIBLE WAY FOR THIS TO BE MY FAULT THE FRAME AS WELL AS THE STEERING BOX BRACKET ARE TORN IN HALF. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-04-29
- VIN: BP58E7X1348
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING BOX BRACKET FAILED AND EVEN THE CHASSIS WAS TORN IN HALF THIS WAS VERY DISTRESSING AND I KNOW THIS IS NOT MY FAULT II FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM THE RECALL CAMPAIN NUMBER WAS 80V027000 I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT GETTING THIS REPAIRED BY DODGE THANK YOU. *AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STRUCTURAL FAILURE AT THE STEERING BOX BRACKET AND THE RAIL WAS RIPPED INTO, CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL WHERE THE MANUFACTURER WOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM OR BUY BACK THE VEHICLE, DEPENDING ON WHICH WOULD BE CHEAPER.*JB
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-10-17
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE FRAME CRACKED CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS. MJS
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