Autoblog

Consumer Reports calls out "Five Popular Cars To Avoid"

George Kennedy — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Toyota

Those crusaders of shopping empowerment over at Consumer Reports have put together a list of five cars to avoid, even if their sales numbers suggest otherwise. CR points out that just because a vehicle is making a lot of buzz and ringing cash registers, that doesn't necessarily make it a wise choice for buyers. According to the report, these are vehicles that either tested poorly or have been experiencing poor reliability in their new car surveys.

Perhaps of little surprise is the presence of the Honda Civic on this list. The latest Civic has been getting dinged by auto critics left and right, and CR specifically points to a "Choppy ride, noisy cabin, vague steering, and mediocre interior quality" as reasons for its inclusion on the list. Its a good thing, then, that a short-term update is its way.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Consumer Reports once again voices its disapproval of the Toyota Prius C. We knew they weren't in love with it when they reviewed it back in May, and apparently the passage of time hasn't softened their opinions of Toyota's least-expensive hybrid.

Check out the gallery of all five cars that Consumer Reports is telling buyers to avoid and then weigh in with your thought in Comments.

Consumer Reports calls out "Five Popular Cars To Avoid" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marchionne confirms Compass, Town & Country to die; Dart to get SRT version

Zach Bowman — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Minivan/Van, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has shed a little light on the future of a few Chrysler products, including the Jeep Compass, Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Dart. While speaking at the Chrysler Belvidere Assembly Plant, Marchionne said both the Jeep Patriot and Compass will continue to be build at the facility through 2014, at which point it will be replaced by a new model. The executive was mum on the Patriot's future, however. Marchionne also tipped his company's hand on the development of a Dodge Dart SRT model, saying the machine is coming. Right now, the company is simply trying to decide "how big an engine we stick in it."

That has to be a fun debate.

Then there's Chrysler Town & Country. We've already heard word that Chrysler aims to kill off either the Dodge Grand Caravan or the Town & Country, and now it appears the latter is destined to leave the market. Marchionne said the Grand Caravan will be the automaker's only minivan moving forward and that Chrysler will fill the void in its lineup with a new, smaller upscale crossover. Details are slim on that model, though other reports have suggested the machine may resemble to the unloved Mercedes-Benz R-Class.

Marchionne confirms Compass, Town & Country to die; Dart to get SRT version originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uncle Sam's shopping list for government fleets

Zach Bowman — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Police/Emergency

Edmunds has taken a closer look at which vehicles are most heavily favored by the federal government by evaluating percentage of model sales in 2011. Not surprisingly the Chevrolet Caprice topped off the list with a whopping 79.2 percent of sales going to government agencies, while the out-to-pasture Ford Crown Victoria took second with 57.2 percent of total sales. But that's pretty much where the predictability comes to a close. The Chevrolet Express van takes a distant third with 10.7 percent. Like the Ram Dakota, which came in fifth at 9.2 percent, we imagine that has more to do with the number of civilian models sold each year rather than any great number of government service vehicles on the road.

Other notable models include the Ford E-Series in seventh place, the Ford Expedition in eighth and the Dodge Grand Caravan in ninth. Even the old Chevrolet Impala made the cut with 5.3 percent of its sales heading off to government duty. That's good enough to nab the machine 10th place. Head over to Edmunds to have a look at the full list.

Uncle Sam's shopping list for government fleets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Streamlined Chrysler minivan lineup to get different branding in U.S. and Canada

Zach Bowman — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Chrysler, Dodge, Canada

The Detroit News reports that while Chrysler is only expected to offer one minivan going forward, the vehicle will carry two different names depending on where it's sold. The Dodge Grand Caravan is expected to carry on in Canada while American buyers are likely to continue to be able to buy the Chrysler Town and Country. Reid Brigland, the head of the Dodge brand, said that the Town and Country resonates better with American buyers.

As you may recall, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has said that the automaker will only offer one minivan by 2013. In addition, the next-generation Chrysler minivan will offer optional all-wheel drive and have a nine-speed automatic transmission. Buyers will also be able to chose between standard sliding doors and a people-mover configuration with traditional hinged entrances. Chrysler also plans to take the compact-van fight to the Ford C-Max with a smaller platform as well.

The Detroit News says that the next-generation Chrysler minivan will continue to be built in the automaker's Windsor, Ontario facility.

Streamlined Chrysler minivan lineup to get different branding in U.S. and Canada originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge, Toyota duking it out for minivan sales title

Chris Shunk — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Chrysler, Dodge, Toyota

We know minivans aren't all that exciting, but automakers take the sliding door segment very seriously. Chrysler takes special pride in its minivans, which makes sense because Team Pentastar all but invented the segment. Toyota takes just as much pride in the Sienna, which continues to sell well in the face of months of parts shortages due to the Japanese earthquake.

Right now, the two minivans are duking it out for sales supremacy, and Dodge is winning by a nose. Automotive News reports that Dodge has sold 92,930 Grand Caravan models so far in 2011, but the Sienna is down less than 1,000 units with 91,955 copies sold to date. And don't count out the Honda Odyssey. The Odyssey is a close third with 86,436 units sold, beating out the Chrysler Town & Country by 8,000 units. Chrysler can boast a combined 171,185 minivan sales so far in 2011, with 200,000 total 2011 sales within the realm of possibility.

With the Grand Caravan versus Sienna sales battle so close, we're guessing minivan buyers could turn out to be the biggest winners. It's a fair bet that one or both automakers will add incentives to the vans in an effort to secure the sales title, which will mean lower prices for buyers.

Dodge, Toyota duking it out for minivan sales title originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #251

Dan Roth — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Mazda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Rumormill

Chevy Colorado, rotary not dead, Caravan and Avenger dead, Nissan IQS, VW Golf R

Episode #251 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, with Chris, Zach and Dan making up this week's crew. Topics include the next-generation Chevrolet Colorado being confirmed for the U.S. market, Mazda confirming via Twitter that there will be a new generation of the Rotary engine, Nissan's troubles with the JD Power Initial Quality Study scores, Sergio Marchionne's plan to axe the Dodge Grand Caravan and Avenger and the Volkswagen Golf R pricing information. Your questions and comments power the last third of the podcast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #251:

In the Autoblog Garage
2011 Infiniti G37S Journey Special Edition

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 01:04:48

Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
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Autoblog Podcast #251 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Ram Cargo Van starts rolling in Windsor

Noah Joseph — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Canada, Ram

Call it a Caravan, call it a Voyager, call it whatever you want - just don't call it a Dodge. Because while it may look exactly like a Dodge, it's actually a Ram. And as the suits in Auburn Hills will point out, the Ram truck brand is no longer under Dodge's purview.

What it's actually called is the Ram C/V, which doesn't stand for Commercial Vehicle but for Cargo Van. It's the panel-wagon version of the Dodge Grand Caravan, and it's just entered production in Windsor, Ontario.

The Class 1 commercial vehicle offers 1,800 pounds of cargo capacity and 3,600 pounds of towing capability for a Gross Combined Weight Rating of 8,750 pounds, all the while delivering up to 25 miles per gallon on the highway. It also gets a heavy-duty radiator and transmission oil cooler over the family-hauling version. It's ready to order now from your local Ram dealership.

Continue reading 2012 Ram Cargo Van starts rolling in Windsor

2012 Ram Cargo Van starts rolling in Windsor originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler recalls 300,000 minivans for airbags that could spontaneously deploy

Zach Bowman — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Recalls, Safety, Chrysler, Dodge

Chrysler has announced that it is recalling 299,178 minivans for a potentially dangerous HVAC fault. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, certain 2008 Chrysler Grand Voyager, Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan models could have air conditioning systems that leak condensation onto the occupant restraint control module. This can cause the airbag light to illuminate and may eventually lead to the accidental deployment of the supplemental restraints. The vehicles in question were manufactured between June 24, 2007 and July 30, 2008, and NHTSA warns that an accidental airbag deployment could cause occupant injury or lead to a serious accident.

Chrysler dealers will replace the occupant restraint control module free of charge once the recall begins this month. At this point it's unclear whether any work will be done to the HVAC system to prevent condensation from causing the same issue in the future. Click past the jump for a look at the full recall notice. Owners may contact NHTSA or Chrysler for more information.

Continue reading Chrysler recalls 300,000 minivans for airbags that could spontaneously deploy

Chrysler recalls 300,000 minivans for airbags that could spontaneously deploy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cars.com performs ultimate minivan shootout. Guess who won...

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 29 May 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Chrysler, Dodge, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen

Cars.com rounded up the year's crop of new minivans for a comparison, the rare thrill being that minivans from every major maker are completely fresh for 2011. The entrants were the Nissan Quest (pictured), Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town & Country, Volkswagen Routan and Dodge Grand Caravan.

The testing format was also novel, in that Cars.com paired its own editors with reviewers from USA Today and the MotorWeek television show, plus the Weatherby family, an 'average' family of five - husband, wife and three kids.

After three days of testing and the tallying of numerous criteria, there was, of course, one 7-seater to rule them all. We won't tell you which one it is, but its reviews included both "It doesn't look like such a mommy car" and "Distressingly ugly in profile." The Cars.com video review is after the jump, or head over to the link for the long-form skinny.

View Poll

Continue reading Cars.com performs ultimate minivan shootout. Guess who won...

Cars.com performs ultimate minivan shootout. Guess who won... originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 May 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ram unveils Caravan-based Ram Cargo Van

Zach Bowman — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Chrysler, Dodge

Ram C/V - Click above for high-res image gallery

Don't call it a Dodge, whatever you do. Ram has officially yanked back the sheets on the newest addition to its growing stable of workhorses - a Grand Caravan-based cargo van built to cater to the small business owners of the world. Along with solid side panels down the vehicle's flanks, the Ram C/V packs a flat load floor and a load-leveling suspension. Under the hood, buyers will only be able to get the new Chrysler 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine helps provide what Ram calls a class-besting tow rating of 3,800 pounds.

The Ram C/V also boasts an economy mode to maximize fuel efficiency, and Chrysler says that buyers can expect around 25 mpg highway.

The van is also loaded with heavy-duty kit like a more robust radiator, transmission cooler and stiffer rear coil springs. Combined, the pieces help the vehicle serve up a Gross Combined Weight Rating of 8,750 pounds with an 1,800-pound cargo rating. Hit the jump for the full press blast, or check out Ram's new Ford Transit Connect fighter out in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Ram Cargo Van

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Ram unveils Caravan-based Ram Cargo Van

Ram unveils Caravan-based Ram Cargo Van originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mommies on Minivans: Practical, but where's the style?

Zach Bowman — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Detroit Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Etc.

2012 Ford C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota can call the Sienna a swagger wagon all it wants, but the slogan isn't going to make moms any happier about hopping behind the wheel. According to The Detroit Free Press, most mothers aren't fooled by gimmicky marketing or the latest attempts to redesign the minivan as a stylish piece of transportation. Reporter Krista Jahnke followed a group of mothers from Detroit.MomsLikeMe.com as they toured the Detroit Auto Show to critique the latest wave of minivans.

What did they think? While the vast majority appreciated the added creature comforts of the newest generation of family haulers, they still seemed to feel that the minivan was always going to be a practical choice first and an aesthetic one dead last.

One woman even admitted that she cried the first time she had to drive a minivan. Admittedly, we feel her pain.

The crew took the time to check out the all-new Ford C-Max, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan and Volkswagen Routan, and was kind enough share its opinion on each. Despite its significantly smaller size, the C-Max fared well amongst those who know minivans best, while the Grand Caravan was penalized for its cavernous, grime-trapping center console. Head over to The Detroit Free Press to see all of their impressions.

Gallery: 2012 Ford C-Max

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Mommies on Minivans: Practical, but where's the style? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler recalling nearly 370,000 minivans over potential airbag flaw

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:34:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Safety, Chrysler, Dodge

2008 Chrysler Town and Country - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has put out a notice that it will be recalling 367,350 minivans in both Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan flavors. The reason? The airbags might go off when you don't want them to. Water leaks in 2008 model year minivans may accidentally trigger a warning light and/or accidental airbag deployment.

The culprit is an HVAC hose grommet that was improperly installed. Moisture can then collect in the minivan's carpet and drip into the airbag deployment module. Chrysler will begin notifying owners of the recall in February, and as always, the fix will come at no cost.

Gallery: 2008 Chrysler Town and Country

[Sources: BusinessWeek, Reuters]

Chrysler recalling nearly 370,000 minivans over potential airbag flaw originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #202 - SEMA, reliability, Chrysler interiors and the Cadillac ATS

Dan Roth — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, SEMA Show, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Mazda

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

It's time for Episode #202 of the Autoblog Podcast, and the cast of characters keeps on revolving as auto show season starts ramping up. Steven Ewing joins Chris and Dan this week to kck the ball around about SEMA, the Consumer Reports Reliability survey for 2010, the refreshed Dodge Grand Caravan and Avenger and the Cadillac ATS. We wrap it up with your feedback and questions before calling it a night at the hour and a half mark. Thanks for listening, see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #202 - SEMA, reliability, Chrysler interiors and the Cadillac ATS

In the Autoblog Garage:

Mazda3 (Japanese spec)
Subaru Outback 3.6R

News Topics:

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Steven Ewing
Runtime: 1:35:53

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #202 - SEMA, reliability, Chrysler interiors and the Cadillac ATS originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler announces pricing for refreshed 2011 Dodge vehicles

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Dodge

2011 Dodge lineup - Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler has bombarded us recently with a huge onslaught of changes for the 2011 model year. In addition to the updated ~~Sebring~~ 200 and Town & Country that wear the Pentastar badge, nearly the entire Dodge model line has been reworked for 2011. To recap, the Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey are either all-new or refreshed for the new model year, and the automaker has just announced pricing for the full grip of improved vehicles.

Starting with the all-new products, the 2011 Charger will be priced from $25,170 for the base SE model, which features the automaker's new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and rear-wheel drive. If a fully loaded, Hemi-powered Charger R/T AWD is more your thing, expect to pay $37,320. In addition to the Charger, Dodge debuted the wholly revamped 2011 Durango, which shares its platform with the much-improved Jeep Grand Cherokee. A base, rear-wheel drive Durango Express will set you back $29,195, and pricing goes all the way up to $43,795 for the top-end Citadel AWD.

The rest of the Dodge lineup offers mild exterior refreshes, Pentastar V6 power and huge interior improvements. The 2011 Avenger sedan starts at $19,245 for the four-cylinder Express model, with the $23,545 Lux trim topping things off. The family-friendly 2011 Grand Caravan will command $24,995, and the 2011 Journey rings in at $22,245. Last, but certainly not least, is the 2011 Challenger which makes use of a new 305-horsepower V6 for the base SE, priced from $24,670, and that hot new SRT8 392 will set you back $42,555.

Look for all of these updated Dodges to hit dealerships in December. For the full list of pricing and trim levels, follow the jump to read Chrysler's press blast.

Note: All prices listed above exclude their respective destination charges, which can be found in the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Lineup

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler announces pricing for refreshed 2011 Dodge vehicles

Chrysler announces pricing for refreshed 2011 Dodge vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 Chrysler Town & Country nip/tuck spotted

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:34:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Chrysler, Dodge

Toyota and Honda may be improving the images of their minivans, but we mustn't forget about the company that started it all: Chrysler. The very first Dodge Grand Caravan went on sale 27 years ago, and through all of the ups and downs that the automaker has faced over the years (especially in recent times), the Grand Caravan and Town & Country twins have always been a mainstay.

The current pair of minivans was introduced for the 2008 model year, so it's only fitting that a slight mid-cycle refresh is on deck, and the folks at The Detroit News have snagged some spy shots of a Town & Country prototype out testing. In addition to modest exterior updates that include things like LED taillamps and a reworked rear bumper, expect Chrysler's new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 to be slotted under the hood. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, this should account for a healthy improvement in fuel economy, not to mention power.

What's most important for minivan shoppers, though, is interior refinement, and the 2011 T&C is expected to get a host of cabin upgrades. More comfortable seats, higher-quality materials and an integrated center console will be on hand, and we'd expect the nifty Stow 'N Go and Swivel 'N Go seating configurations to carry over, as well. Look for similar improvements to make their way into the Dodge Grand Caravan, as well. Thanks for the tip, Aaron!

[Source: The Detroit News]

Spy Shots: 2011 Chrysler Town & Country nip/tuck spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chrysler prepping manlier minivan

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:36:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Dodge

2008 Dodge Caravan R/T concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Is a "macho" minivan even possible? Toyota's exploring the "Swagger Wagon" angle with the Sienna SE, and Dodge is apparently going to try and find out with a new variant of the Grand Caravan. Minivans are generally not aspirational vehicles; people buy them because they need the utility. Of course, that's not a bad thing - people haulers were created for a reason.

However, Dodge is going to try and spread the appeal beyond kiddie-schlepping moms to attract more men into the fold. A "sportier-looking" front end paired with a black-and-grey interior doesn't seem like it'd be enough to swing much of the male demographic. After all, how sporty can you make a big box without a total redesign?

The new model will reportedly draw from the Caravan R/T concept that was quietly displayed at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, and it could debut within a few months. The Chrysler minivans have a lot to offer in terms of packaging, but their interiors leave much to be desired. If Chrysler substantially upgrades the look and feel there, its vans could land a few body blows in the battle against the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. But adding a hood scoop and big wheels? Not the answer.

Gallery: Dodge Caravan R/T concept

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Report: Chrysler prepping manlier minivan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler recalls 285k 2008-2009 minivans over fire risk

Chris Shunk — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Safety, Chrysler, Dodge

Dodge Grand Caravan - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the second time in 2010, Chrysler minivans have landed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website for a major recall. Back in February, over 312,000 2005 and 2006 model-year Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country minivans were recalled for an airbag issue. The latest recall involves 284,831 2008 and 2009 model year vehicles that "may contain an improperly routed wire harness may have a condition where the sliding door hinge bracket can make contact and wear through the wire insulation." If the wiring insulation wears down enough, a short circuit could occur inside the door, overheating the latch and possibly causing a fire.

Owners of affected vans manufactured between February and September 2007 can take them to the nearest Chrysler dealer for a free repair. Hit the jump to read over NHTSA's press release.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Chrysler recalls 285k 2008-2009 minivans over fire risk

Chrysler recalls 285k 2008-2009 minivans over fire risk originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Confusing new Dodge Caravan commercials aren't helping

Chris Shunk — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Minivan commercials typically showcase to potential customers as many creature comforts as possible in the span of 30 seconds. That makes perfect sense, right? Chrysler uses just such a time-tested formula for its latest Dodge Grand Caravan commercial, but there is a bit of a catch. See, while the ad shows off the Grand Caravan's FLO TV, voice activated navigation and available WI-FI hotspot tech, it also appears to have been written by the Mad Hatter.

The ad is called Turncoat, and the tagline is, "It has everything, so you can do anything." So far, so good. But wait. A bunch of guys are driving through the desert in three black Caravans on the way to the emergency room. Apparently, the world is looking for surrogates. Weird. We can't even begin to understand what the hell is going on here, so we're going to let you hit the jump and view it for yourself. And if you get it, feel free to explain it to us in the post-jump comments.

Added bonus: Check out the second, equally puzzling Grand Caravan commercial after the jump. The spot appears to be a cross between West Side Story and CATS, the musical. Seriously.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Video: Confusing new Dodge Caravan commercials aren't helping

Video: Confusing new Dodge Caravan commercials aren't helping originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 May 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler recalls 312,000 2005-2006 minivans over airbag issue *UPDATE

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Safety, Chrysler, Dodge

Just because Toyota may be garnering the most attention for its current recall crisis, it isn't the only automaker having issues. Chrysler has just released its own recall which affects more than 312,000 2005-2006 Town and Country, Caravan, and Grand Caravan models.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the minivan's front crash sensors may crack "under certain environmental conditions," which can then cause water to seep into the sensor. We're guessing that these environmental conditions refer to cold temperatures, since the list of states affected by this recall are mostly in the northern half of the U.S. If water does enter the sensor, it can trigger the airbag fault warning light and may hinder the performance of the overall airbag system.

In the event of airbag warning light illumination, owners are asked to have their vans serviced immediately to correct the problem. The full recall campaign will begin in June of this year, and owners can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 for more information. Click through the jump to read the official NHTSA statement.

UPDATE: Chrysler informs us that this is not an official recall, but rather a "safety improvement campaign" that was reported in early January.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Chrysler recalls 312,000 2005-2006 minivans over airbag issue *UPDATE

Chrysler recalls 312,000 2005-2006 minivans over airbag issue *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler to resume leasing vehicles soon?

Chris Shunk — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Earnings/Financials

2009 Dodge Ram - Click above for high-res image gallery

In late July 2008, Chrysler announced that it would stop leasing vehicles effective August 1. The news helped exasperate the decline of Chrysler group vehicle sales while giving customers fewer options for getting into a new vehicle. After leasing was discontinued, Chrysler's market share dropped from 11.3% to 9.2%. The decline came in part because of Chrysler's very public bankruptcy proceedings and its lackluster product lineup, but there is little doubt that the end of vehicle leasing was also a major contributor to the automaker's precipitous decline.

In an effort to get back on the right track, Automotive News is reporting that dealer sources say leasing could return to the Pentastar as soon as September 18. Chrysler is reportedly waiting until after next Tuesday to make an announcement so it can look over residual value data from the Automotive Lease Guide before making a final decision. Chrysler, which uses GMAC as its finance arm, could follow General Motors' lead and offer leasing only on select vehicles. AN estimates that the Dodge Ram, Journey, Nitro and Grand Caravan, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Chrysler Town & Country could be among the vehicles ready for lease duty.

Gallery: 2009 Dodge Ram

[Source: Automotive News]

Chrysler to resume leasing vehicles soon? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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