2003 Dodge Caravan: whining or grinding noise

7 of the 195 complaints about the 2003 Dodge Caravan describe whining or grinding noise.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 4%
typical mileage: 35,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 13 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Whining or grinding noise by model year

2005
7
2004
1
2003
7
2002
1
2001
1
2000
2
1999
1
1998
1
1997
1
1996
1
1995
2
1994
1
1990
1

What owners say

Filed Dec 14, 2010 · Steering · 35,000 miles · 00

2003 dodge caravan power steering problem when cold start the car, the power steering pump makes a whining noise. At the beginning the power steering is solid hard, so I cannot turn the wheels. After a minute the car struts driving normally. The power steering pump was replaced by chrysler dealership, but the problem came back after 2 years again. When you read the automotive forums for dodge caravan, a lot of people have the same problem.

Filed Jul 18, 2008 · Fuel system · 50,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 dodge caravan. When the vehicle was started in hot weather, the contact heard a loud whining noise coming from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they stated that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 69,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 09/16/08. *lj update 09/18/08.

Filed Mar 13, 2008 · Steering · 22,000 miles · AA

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.

Filed Feb 16, 2008 · Steering · 68,000 miles · AL

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.

Filed Jan 27, 2006 · Steering · 26,053 miles · OK

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 -

Filed Oct 11, 2005 · Steering · 35,000 miles · WI

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.

Filed Feb 10, 2004 · Steering · 18,144 miles · IN

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.