Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. While driving 5-30 MPH, the steering wheel makes a popping, kicking, and creeking sound. The contact scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle inspected. The current and failure mileages were 30,000.
2003 Dodge Caravan steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 41, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. A noise was present in the engine area. The cold weather was a factor. The mechanic stated that there was an internal leak and that her rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The repair was made a year ago. The contact is aware of the safety risk since the rack and pinion could result in her losing steering control and resulting in a crash. The current and failure mileages were 68000.
Steering rack and rack problems 2003 dodge caravan went out at 60,000 miles.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. While driving over a bump or making a turn at any speed, the contact could hear a thumping noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The dealer informed him that the steering rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle has been diagnosed twice by the dealer for the same failure. The current mileage was 51,000 and failure mileage was 48,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. While attempting to turn the vehicle at 5 MPH, the contact heard a sound for the first ten minutes of driving, and then it would stop. The vehicle was serviced by the dealer, but the failure persists. The failure mileage was 18,380. Updated 05/20/08. *lj the consumer had problems with the power steering, transmission, rear lights that were hanging, the rear wiper came off, the sliding door did not shut properly. The clockspring was replaced. The engine light was on, the water pump was coming apart the valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket were leaking. Updated 05/20/08.
Solution to: odi case number: 10218207 details: 2003 dodge caravan. Whining noise when engine is first started. Sounds like power steering pump. Checked fluid, but level is fine. No leaks anywhere. Mechanic can find no apparent problem. In warmer weather the noise is diminished, but still present. I purchased vehicle new. It has 71,000 miles. I tried a power steering conditioner that is suppose to stop whining. The whining worsened for a while. Never got better. From personal knowledge there is a flaw in the design in the filling tank design for the power steering on this van. Fill with power steering fluid above the full mark to the bottom of the fill tube on top but just below the filler cap plug when put back on. This will stop all noise from the power steering pump.
2003 dodge caravan. Whining noise when engine is first started. Sounds like power steering pump. Checked fluid, but level is fine. No leaks anywhere. Mechanic can find no apparent problem. In warmer weather the noise is diminished, but still present. I purchased vehicle new. It has 71,000 miles. I tried a power steering conditioner that is suppose to stop whining. The whining worsened for a while. Never got better.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. The contact heard a loud noise coming from underneath the hood. The noise becomes louder when the vehicle is cold. The dealer stated that the power steering pump was defective and replaced the lines on the power steering pump. However, the dealer failed to replace the power steering pump. The current mileage is 51,000 and failure mileage was 35,000.
Dt*: the contact stated upon starting the vehicle, a noise was heard and continued for 20 minutes. The noise returned on every restart. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the power steering pump reservoir and piping needed to be replaced. Updated 10/17/2006 - the consumer explained that the noise was from the power steering pump design location and installation by dodge when the vehicle was built. A service bulletin was issued for the noise problem but it was never recalled. The system design did not allow power steering fluid to return from the fluid reservoir to the pump as quickly as the pump demand required.
Dt*: the contact stated while turning the steering wheel to the right or to the left; a whining and grinding noise is heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealership four times. The water pump, the power steering pump and the alternator have been replaced. The repairs have not corrected the problem. Updated 2/24/2006 -
Took my 2003 dodge caravan in for an oil changes and was informed by the dealership (after hearing a knocking noise) that the followings things need to be replaced on the van that on has 51,000 miles on it: steering rack and front sway bar bushings along with the alternator and belt.
Dt*: the contact stated there was a knocking sound coming from the driver's side of the vehicle. This happened every time the vehicle was driven over a bump in the road. It was taken to the dealership for maintenance and the noise was inspected. They recommended replacement of the alternator, rack and pinion steering, and sway bar bushings. Due to the low mileage on the vehicle the contact was seeking a second opinion before making any repairs.
Dt: contact stated the vehicle made a growling noise. On colder days one could hear noise more often. In warm weather one would not hear the noise as often. He contacted the dealer, the dealer determined that rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. They suggested he contact the manufacturer.
My 2003 dodge caravan, with 40k miles, went to the shop today for new tires. At that time I also asked that the front end alignment be checked and corrected, if necessary. A short while later I was contacted by the manager stating that they could not do a front end alignment due to the tie rod ends being so loose and worn out. We live on a paved road. The vehicle was never in a front collision or even hit a curb, to my knowledge. The vehicle is now parked awaiting new tie rod ends. I can't believe that chrysler would put such junk on a car in such a critical safety area. I wonder how many more dodge caravan's have a similar serious problems?
Dt: the contact states there is the federal safety agency recall campaign 04v386000 concerning the steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections. The dealer told him that the solution called for the replacement of the power steering fluid with transmission fluid. The steering wheel made noise when turning. The steering wheel did not make this noise before the recall work was completed. *ak updated dec 7 2005.
Dt: contact owns a 2003 dodge grand caravan sport. Over a period of one year has had a steering problem. While driving the vehicle there is a whining noise that appears to come from the steering. This happens every time the vehicle is started and continues for approximately 8 minutes. The noise gets louder as the steering wheel is turned, and feel a slight vibration underneath the driver's side floorboard. This is more noticeable when he turns the wheel. The service dealer replaced two power steering pumps, and provided a replacement of the rack and pinion, the last time at the service dealer they replaced a power steering hose and installed an nc for customer satisfaction. None of the replacements or repairs has remedied the problem. The cost of repairs has been covered 50/50 by the consumer and the dealership. The manufacturer referred him to the local service dealer. As of the last time the vehicle was serviced on september 7, 2005, however, the problem still exists. The problem seems to be getting progressively worse since the last time the vehicle was serviced.
Grinding noise from power steering system.
The consumer had several problems with his 2003 dodge caravan; such problems were a knock in the transmission and 2 brake jobs. *jb the two brakes jobs occurred within one year. The steering wheel knocked (recall campaign #04v386000), the vehicle had broken down at 8k miles, the wheel alignment was off, the gear panel illuminated, and the window had become loose. 80% of the vehicles problems was under 10k miles. The rotation noise continued and the rubber lining around the sliding door was coming off. Other problems: when the vehicle would be taken out of park to drive, all of the lights would illuminate, the front rims/hub caps were dirty due to excessive leakage around the brakes, even during normal washing, there was a mild ringing noise in the vehicle, the front door rattled, the rear tail lamp was damaged, the brake light and back-up lights had gone out, the brakes were going bad again, the engine would sputter due to no fuel pressure, the vehicle would pull to the left, when the driver door was shut it made a loud rattle sound, there would be a delay in the transmission when going uphill, when sitting at idle, the engine would sound as if it were revving but the gauge did not display this. *sc
2003 dodge grand caravan locked up.*mr the vehicle steering lock up while driving. The consumer managed to pull the vehicle over onto the side of the road. The dealer determined that a belt had sheared off and caused a leak. Shortly after the repairs were made the consumer received a recall for the upper power steering return hose and believes that this recall is related to the problem her vehicle had. The consumer request reimbursement for repairs.
Consumer stated the vehicle caught fire. Fire started from the engine. The insurance company stated it was a power steering hose that ruptured.
Dt consumer stated the power steering hose is crossing over the water line and the clamps leading to the radiator. He states this could cause loss of steering control and the vehicle has been repaired. *jb
The power steering rack and pinion assembly on my 2003 dodge caravan has had to be replaced twice in 50000 miles of driving. There was no specific event leading to these componant failures. The defect causes rough vehicle handling I.e. Alignment problems. This will be the third rack and pinion assembly installed on this vehicle, factory installed and two replacements. Originally installed assembly was discarded. The two repalcements were performed by the original selling dealership, monroe chrysler superstores, using mopar replacements.
2003 dodge caravan had problems with the power steering pump.*mr the consumer stated when he made a left turn a loud noise was heard.
Streering wheel no longer locks when key is removed. We have several dodge mini vans (years 03,04) in our work fleet and 4 of the 5 have the same problem.
While driving consumer heard a grinding noise coming from the power steering column. Dealership will be notified.
Recall 04v386000/power steering fluid leakage: dealer refused to honor consumer's recall notice.
When driving any speed steering wheel jerked and made a squeaking noise. Dealership informed the consumer that the problem perrtained to power steering pump failure. The problem was not resolved.
While driving, the steering wandered on its own. The driver noticed that the steering wheel would make a loud squeaking noise. The consumer took the vehicle to the mechanic for an inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. Please fill in additional information.
Power steering pump whines when vehicle has been driven at highway speeds for a period of time. When vehicle comes to a stop a loud whining noise comes from power steering. Whining is aggrevated when steering wheel is turned from side to side. Noise changes with speed of the engine. My fluid level is at normal. My dealers answer was to overfill the reservoir with fluid. Now that the fluid level is completely filled to the top of the reservoir, including the neck of the reservoir, the noise has gone away. It appears the reservoir is too small for the vehicle.
My new 2003 dodge caravan se has a pronounced bias to the left when driving at speed on an interstate highway. I believe this has both safety and tyre wear implications. My local good year dealer said it's a problem with vehicle alignment after putting the car up on a lift. The dealer has said it's a problem with the tyre. The car will be serviced at the dealr on 11/14/2003.
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