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.
Dodge Caravan whining noise problems
27 of the 10,018 owner complaints about the Dodge Caravan describe whining or grinding noise, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 27
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,394
- typical mileage
- 38,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 5Grinding brakes 4Steering noise 2Harsh shifting 2Sudden acceleration 1Won't shift 1Oil consumption 1Jerking 1
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. The contact started the engine and heard a whining noise. It then stopped after the vehicle warmed up. After a month of experiencing this noise, she took the vehicle to the dealer. The mechanic diagnosed the failure as a gasket in the rack and pinion steering. The leaking racket was replaced and the issue was repaired. The contact believes that a recall should be issued because it is a fairly new vehicle with low mileage. The failure mileage was 38,000 and current mileage was 40,000. Updated 07/17/09 *bf the rack and pinion was leaking and eventually replaced. Updated 07/17/09.
2004 dodge caravan sxt. ' whine' noise and high frequency vibration in the steering wheel. Noise is most noticeable in cold weather and when wheel is turned right or left. Vehicle has 54 thousand miles now. Dealer did a factory bulletin on this issue at about 30 thousand, did not fix problem and resulted in the smell of fluid/chemical in the passenger compartment that was very slow to go away. Disgusting !
Car was making a whining noise when running. It became higher pitched when turning, sometimes a grinding noise.
2005 dodge caravan with 65000 miles had a whining noise coming from under the hood when cold. Took van to local dealership and was told that rack and pinion was leaking and would need to be replaced as well as the power steering pump and reservoir. Total costs exceeding $1000! I see many of the exact same complaints about this model of van. A 3yr old vehicle with this amount of mileage should not need to have the steering system replaced! If this were a random occurrence, I'd just feel like we had some bad luck. But with all the other complaints, it seems as though dodge has a problem that could turn deadly if the steering goes out completely!
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.
I have a 2002 grand caravan. There is a loud whining sound from the steering column. I have complained of this problem from the time it was purchased. Originally the dealership said they could not duplicate my complaint. After the warranty expired I was told there was an internal leak in the steering column and the rack, pump and lines needed to be replaced. This was done and the noise is still there.
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.
There was a high pitch whine if the engine was on. This noise persisted in all gears and speeds including stopped with the transmission in park. Added ps fluid as it was low and the noise stopped. Took the car in to the dealer and they found a leak in the rack and pinion. As car was just out of warranty dealer will repair for a reduced cost. Part is ordered and will be done soon.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Dodge Caravan whining noise
Which Dodge Caravan years have whining or grinding noise problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (7 complaints), 2005 (7 complaints) and 1995 (2 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix whining or grinding noise on the Dodge Caravan?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,394 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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