1996 Dodge Grand Caravan: loss of power steering

Filed Aug 31, 2010 · Steering · 90,000 miles · WI

1996 dodge grand caravan - lifetime lubricated tierod end separated resulting in a loss of steering - the rubber seal deteriorated the grease was gone and the ball joint corroded to the point it fell apart - wife was parking the van at the time - could have been much worse she was 150 miles from home at the time less than a month later I saw another dodge caravan broke down on a highway right front tire not facing as it should - I suspect another tie rod end failure - now I know these bearings can be manufactured so they can not separate - aircraft rod end bearings come to mind - isn't a loss of steering a good enough reason to make a part so it cant fail?

Filed Apr 12, 2008 · Engine · VA

The serpentine belt chronically has fallen off and been replaced on the car. It has fallen off twice in the first year that we purchased the car new. When it falls off, there is no power steering. Fortunately up to this time my wife was not driving highway speeds. It is a fatality waiting to happen with this design.

Filed May 3, 2005 · Engine · 160,000 miles · FL

I have a 1996 dodge grand caravan . In september of 2004 the serpentine belt came off in the rain causeing loss of steering and overheating alarm. I replaced the tensioner and belt and thought it was fixed .to date I have had to put the belt back on at least 7 times and replaced it with a new one three times .but the problem is still there wet roads or rain and the belt comes off.looking on the internet I see this is a widespread problem .ive worked on cars most of my life and have never had this kind of problem.have your experts look at the tensioner and idler pulley design they are smooth without sides to keep the belt on them.this should be a major recall.

Filed Feb 12, 2004 · Engine · 109,000 miles · OH

When driving through water serpentine belt slipped off from the engine, causing vehicle to lose power steering. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Feb 5, 2004 · Engine · 98,000 miles · NC

While stopped the belt tensioner snapped and caused loss of power steering. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Steering, Visibility · 85,000 miles · MI

The serpentine belt that runs the car jumped off track the first monday in october when it was raining. I first noticed my power steering went out. Then a few minutes later it over heated. So when I got under the hood to find out what the problem was, it was the belt it was not broken just off track. Had it fixed. The same thing happened again on october 25, 2003 some 3-4 weeks later. Again it was raining. The person who fixed it the 2nd time states that every time it rains and if I get water in my undercarraige it is going to pop off. This is very discouraging, I am the single mother of four young girls and I should not be afraid to drive my van when it is raining. Can someone please make some sense out of this for me.

Filed Apr 26, 2003 · Electrical · 27,900 miles · CA

Re:dodge grand caravan se, l996 continual problems with electrical system. Sudden lack of power when driving on freeway, narrowly avoiding serious accidents. In researching on various web sites, this seems to be a recurring problem for other owners as well. The dealer has kept the car twice so they could 'duplicate the problem', they replace one sensor or another. Last replacement seems to have worked but still don't trust the car and won't drive on freeway or far from home. Now have trouble starting the car, the dealer said it's probably the crank sensor. They say since I only have 33,000 miles on the car, it shouldn't be the starter. Also, I have history of the wipers turning on and off whenever they feel like it. They also establish their own rhythm when working. The wiper sensor has been replaced 3 times. The computer never shows an error code so obviously, it isn't working either. The speedometer will float and sometimes will show 0 miles an hour when I'm moving. They replaced the speedometer sensor twice and now it seems to be working. I have seen all of these complaints listed on various web sites. The dealer acts like I'm crazy and they have never heard of these problems before. My main concern is the sudden lack of power, the engine just turns off, no power steering either when this happens. I wonder how many accidents have been a result of this obvious defect... As soon as I can afford it, I will be replacing this van with a non-dodge vehicle.

Filed Aug 20, 2002 · Airbags · VA

The airbag-indicator light started lighting up intermittently, at first, but now stays lit all the time. I soon discovered that the horn, another safety feature, is also disabled/nonfunctional, as is the cruise control. These three features, two of them being important safety features (airbag and horn) , are all apparently wired together into one circuit. I took my van to a mechanic who checked fuses= ok; problem is "airbag clockspring." he contacted 3 other mechanics and a dodge dealer, and all said they were familiar with this problem with dodge caravan, and the problem is with the airbag clockspring. The mechanic explained the clockspring needs to be reset, but he and other mechanics won't attempt to fix, as they're worried about deploying airbag. The 2 dealers said the airbag may deploy on its own, or not deploy at all -- and that repair involves replacing the airbag clockspring. I'm upset and want chrysler to pay for this repair -- this is not a maintenance item/issue -- this is a safety issue -- when the airbag light comes on, indicating failure (clockspring), the horn also is disabled. You cannot pass inspection w/out the horn working. I'm afraid airbag will deploy accidentally while I'm driving. I cannot afford this repair -- est. $95/clockspring + $200/labor = $300 or more! The mechanic knew of at least 1 other person who had exact same problem with caravan; also, the two dodge dealers in my area also stated they very familiar with this problem occuring in the dodge caravan! Many of these failures are occurring, & most people are not reporting them!! In addition, mechanic said horn could be rewired to bypass the airbag/cruise con. Circuit, for ~ $50 -- but still have to worry about airbag deploying at wrong time/not at all + still have no cruise control. Also in steering, there's a loud whiney noise when steering wheel is turned;other times loss of power steering=difficulttosteer! +serpentinebelt broke off at ~32,000 mi!$700torepair!!

Filed Aug 31, 2001 · Acceleration, Steering · WI

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.

Filed Jun 26, 2001 · Engine · VA

Serpentine belt tensioner shaft sheared as a result of no lubrication. Instantaneous loss of power steering and vehicle control resulted in a very close call. I believe the non-lubricated shaft permitted corrossion and subsequent seizure and shearing of the assembly shaft. It is a design deficiency, in my opinion of course.

Filed Jun 1, 2001 · Steering · AL

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.

Filed Apr 3, 2001 · Airbags, Suspension · IL

Air bag light comes on when steering wheel is turned. Probable clock spring failure. Front strut tower severely rusted. If strut tower fails, loss of steering control may result.