Why Are So Many of Dodge Caravans Rusted Out

My best guess is that the auto companies are constantly playing around with coatings systems.....................primer and paint combinations.

While longevity is part of the equation, the primary concern is cutting costs........................it doesn't always work out. Nor is the public made aware of these changes.

I haven't seen any warranties on the paint.

I've driven vans my whole life, I've owned chevy, ford and dodge brands...The only ones that never rusted were chevy astrovan and gmc safari, basically the same...

Yes.

First, your roads have excessive salt is one reason. Just wait and it will find its way into your new vehicle in time. Your environment is one of the most hostile environments for corrosion.

The second reason is the type of paints and the process used to treat the metal. The EPA mandates changes to the chemicals used and it creates big problems for manufactures to adjust and work around to get the process working its best. When they do the EPA changes the rules again and you end up with another run of crappy painted and protected vehicles.

A good example was the Ford in 1990. The paint was so bad it would literally peel and flake off.

Correct about the salt.

I never see rusted vehicles here in Arizona. Faded paint? Yes.

How could I have forgotten to mention the good old EPA?

Yep.............between the government forcing low VOC coatings, and near impossible CAFE standards, things are pretty tough for auto makers. At least here in North America...........................then when things go wrong, they get sued.

Fortunately for them, the burgeoning Asian markets will likely help them to survive.

Eventually, the rust may become a problem of the past.

http://news.cnet.com/Here-comes-the-everyday-carbon-fiber-car/2100-1008_3-6114289.html

out here its a remote area its a combo of salt n sand i know the sand is punching small holes in the paint one stone flew into the windsheild gotta damm chip in the thing it also seems the glass in it is really crappy scratches a lil bit too easy ive done glasswork before and this seems like an inferior piece of work maby im fussy but hell 20 grand for this YEEESH gimme an old mustang a buick wildcat or somthing that resembles a REAL CAR lol man im not single anymore am i lmfao love my family but miss the days of yore my wife is 10 yrs younger than me she doesnt know how good life was once upon a 70,s ago ( other than the energy crisis back then )

I had a 2005 Dodge Caravan with rusted rocker panels,doors, hood , rear hatch. Just sold it for nearly nothing . The Chrysler rust problem really reared it's ugly head with the Plymouth Volare. Fenders actually rusted through from inside to perforate , some believe it or not before they left the dealership ,NEW. This rust problem was solved when Lee Iacocca took the helm of Chrysler by galvanizing the inner pannels.

I noticed alot of comments about possible bad paint. 99% of real rust problems are those from the inside out, actual holes not surface rust from chips or bad paint.

My wife also has a 2005 vehicle, a Honda CRV which endured the same harsh road salt etc. conditions with zero rust. So where did Chrysler go wrong? As a former 4th generation Chrysler dealer and certified body repair person I finally gave up on Chrysler products and bought a Tacoma.