Ea 01 007 air bag clockspring: consumer states the air bag light remains on while driving, also the horn and the cruise control works intermittently when turning to the right. The dealer notified. *jb dealer stated it could be a bad wire int he steering column or the clock spring, but could not determine problem unless steering wheel is taken apart.
1996 Dodge Grand Caravan steering complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 74, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While trying to start vehicle consumer heard a loud grinding noise, and then a loud pop. When trying to drive off consumer did not have any way to control vehicle. Contacted dealer.
I have a grand caravan es purchased new in 1996. About two years ago the air bag, cruise control and the horn all quit at once. Being under extended warranty I returned the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a broken clock (sp.) spring located behind the air bag. This device apparently affects all three non-working systems, and was not a warranty item, $350 to fix. The dealer said it was a problem with dodge trucks and a recall "could be in the works" additionally, for some reason during cold weather my turn signals stop working, as the lever enters the stalk in the clock spring area I suspicion it is affecting them also.
Water gets on power steering belt, making it difficult to steer vehicle. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information.
Belt tensioner failed causing loss of steering. This is the 2nd time this component has failed. This is also the second time I've had problems with the cruise control. This time the problem is the clock spring, also causing the horn and air bag system to be inoperable.
Battery cracked and leaked acid into wiring cover and air cleaner housing causing vehicle not to start, battery was replaced and began to leak again approximately four months later, seven months later the battery had to be boosted to start vehicle, again dealer replaced the battery, battery was replaced a fourth time along with a faulty starter.
I have had my serpentine belt and tensioner replaced twice, once at 32000 (under warranty) and once at 73000 miles. The dealer charged me the full $200 for the repair in spite of the fact that I'd had it replaced at 32000m and it is a known problem with a service bullitin. The failure causes the power steering to cease opperating. I also had a broken gear tooth in my transmission at 73,000m. The dealer was going to charge me $2100 for a new transmission, but I decided to take it elsewhere and have yet to have it fixed.
Vehicle loses power assist in rain or while riding through a water puddle. Consumer was turning into a subdivison and steering got hard. Consumer almost hit a large brick planter. Has contacted chrysler by writing letters and making phone calls, but no action has been taken. *ak consumer stated that dealer previously replaced the tensioner and belt because the vehicle was slipping when driving in the rain.
While traveling at approximately 35 MPH during snowy conditions power assist steering belt tensioner broke, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle. Dealership did not inform the consumer as to why this defect happened. Approximately four weeks after this event, consumer lost control of vehicle again, this time rack and pinion steering caused this defect. Dealership informed consumer this could have been due to fluid burning, nothing more specific was said. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Vehicle travels through water and power assisted steering control goes out. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
A piece inside steering wheel control unit broke. Also, air bags/ horn, and cruise control do not work. Has not contacted dealer yet.
Slow driving 25mph thru 1-4" standing water causes steering wheel to become extremely unresponsive & hard to turn.
On freeway, heard clunk, wam...power steering died, about lost control as steering went manual. Tow guy said these fail alot. When will the federal safety agency recall these things...? When some one dies...?
Belt tensioner locked up twice in the last 8 months, causing loss of power steering control and potential for serious accident. The power steering belt was thrown off the belt tensioner and destroyed twice, once in march 2000 and again in november of 2000.
When you go through a puddle of water you lose your power steering. I took it to my mechanic and he claims that this model van has that problem. If not aware of problem could cause a serious accident.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
While driving in the phoenix area making a normal left turn at a street intersection, suddenly my steering wheel jammed, so that I was unable to straighten up at the end of the turn and had to brake sharply and stop, else hit cars on the left waiting for their light! In the few seconds of this process I felt a "clicking-grinding" of what sounded like broken plastic inside the steering column housing. Had I been in heavy traffic or other circumstances, the defective part and jammed steering would have caused a serious accident with injuries or fatalities. Inspection showed a broken white nylon or plastic piece in the named turn-signal switch module, requiring replacement of the module. Part.
While driving at any speed, there was a clicking and popping sound in the steering column. Van was taken to the dealership the third time for this problem. First time a new spring was put inside steering column. Second time steering column was replaced. Finally, rack and pinion was replaced about three weeks ago. Please provide any further information.
The vehicle lost its power steering, cooling system, etc. When the tensioner went bad and the engine belt came off. My local service station advised they have had to replace numerous tensioners on this make/model, and they're surprised there hasn't been a recall - especially considering the danger involved. The dealer (herb gordon dodge) advised that there is no problem with the tensioner, and that it is "normal wear" for it to go bad at 76,000 miles. In case the problem is not unique, I wanted to report it. I have had numerous problems with this vehicle.
Part breaks off at shoulder. It is obvious that the part was cracked in the heat treating process when it was made based on the discoloration in the area where the crack was located. Failure of the part , which is sudden, dissables the power steering and the water pump. Engine failure will follow.
Lost power steering. Could have been serious at higher speed.
Windshield wipers still engage by themselves originally repaired 05/99. Transmission went out at30904 miles. Airbag light came on and horn stopped working had to replace click spring. Car stall while driving said it needed tune-up. When using AC or driving in rain and making a turn steering gets stiff and cannot control. Interior lights flash dealer could not duplicate. Power door locks lock and unlock by themselves. Had to replace axle due to it being bent when new transmission was put in. Had to get new tires because axle threw off balance. Keep replacing batteries. Drove car for 10 minutes and fan came on and stayed on after car was turned off.
Anytime it rains or water puddles on the street , if I drive over it the steering becomes extremely stiff and sometimes you can't steer at all. I have noticed that even a small amount of water splashes under the right front wheel (the serpentine belts' location) the belt immediately squeals and is difficult to steer. If the compressor is on either the air conditioning or the defroster, and water is splashed on the belt the vehicle ha little or no steering. During a right turn at a green traffic light water splashed the before mentioned area and I almost hit another vehicle in the other lane that was preparing to make a left turn! Is there any recall or some kind of panel that can protect the water pump assembly from water contacting the belt and thus leading to little or no steering capabilities?
I question the need for a new fuel tank I paid for - 594.31 parts and labor. The tank only leaked when it was full, and when I questioned the service rep, he replied that the "tank is made of plastic and can crack just from the sloshing of fuel." not a good reason. And now I have a recall for the same problem I described to the service rep. I thought the "known problem" with the windshield wipers was fixed when the dealer replaced a windshield that had been scratched by "impulsive wipers." not so. They still misbehave and I'm told it will be $280 to repair, out of warranty. Three rack and pinions right off the bat. I am told that this vehicle qualifies as a lemon - but I like it and just want to be treated fairly as to need for repairs and their cost.
Steering tends to hang,rattle & grinding noise,hard turning left or right.dealer checked all suspension,said steering box was bad.I know the vechile has a lot of milage but I have never had a gear box go bad under normal driving conditions.the steering has tried to lock up several times(felt a catch in the wheel) but released pressure then was ok.had dealer check for problem. Could not duplicate.would cost $500.00 to replace steering box.
This vehicle has been the worst vehicle I have ever owned because of continuous ongoing problems ,the biggest of which was the engine head failure which cost me about a $1,000.00 thats with dodge paying an additonal $800.00 for the parts. Now a year later, my transmission is failing and does not change gears. Please help I promise not to buy a chrysler product again, I swear. All the other problems have been nagging, but tolerable. But this is too much.
Power steering has failed on several occasions causing temporary loss of steering control. Mjs
There was a loss of power steering and power brakes due to the idler pulley breaking off. Also, vehicle overheated quickly. Dealer has the vehicle. Needs new idler pulley.
Intermittently while turning, steering wheel locked up for less than a minute which could have caused a crash. Dealer has not been contacted.
Ie98054, while driving over a water puddle vehicle lost power steering for that moment which could hav e caused loss of control. After it was out of the water, a squeaky noise was heard and vehicle returned back to normal. Dealer replaced steering belt tensioner and serpetine belt. Problem is reoccurring. Please provide further information.
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