The power steering/power brakes have been locking/failing intermittently for the past year. Took the car to the shop in july of 2001 and was told the steering wheel problem was due to humidity and loose belts and the weather would improve the performance. Noticed that when the steering locked, I was driving the car between 5 and 10 miles per hour. Also, when steering wheel locked, power brakes would fail. Had to literally stand on brake pedal or turn off car ignition to stop car. Threw car in park and turned the ignition immediately to regain steering and brakes. Had no steering capability at all. This problem has happened about once every 2 months but seems to be getting more frequent with 3 failures in the past 2 months. Took car into dealer on 6/24/02 and they worked on it for a couple of days before deciding the problem was some part of the steering column. They could replicate the problem with the steering but not with the brakes. They replaced some component of the power steering and released the car 6/26/02. Picked up the car on 6/27/02. The next day, 6/28/02, both steering locked and brakes failed. Will have car towed to shop today. Both son and husband have also experienced this problem while driving. Son nearly hit a tree when steering locked. Said "check oil light " came on dash. Said the only way he could stop the car was the turn the ignition off while in drive. We had noticed the problem more when making a turn. Husband said the problem happened to him this past friday (6/28/02) and he wasn't turning at all. We do not see "check engine" light flashing on when this problem occurs. We are all scared to drive the car because we are afraid it will stall or the steering wheel and power brakes will fail to work at high speed.
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 33 of 33, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicles electrical system has consistently and rapidly consumed batteries, all batteries were unable to be installed.
While driving, consumer could smell smoke, pulled over and smoke and flames started coming out of the hood, fire originated from a leaky power steering line at the rear of the power steering pump, claim 05-4462-943.
While driving on highway heard a whiring noise. Then, power steering went out, consumer could not turn wheel with out excessive force. *ak consumer states no prior indication of a problem, no leaks of fluid, which is checked every 3000 miles, mechanic advised consumer that cables or lines were rusted and one was completely broken.
Heard a noise while driving about 5 MPH. Then, power steering went out. Pulled over, and had vehicle towed to dealer. Serpentine belt had too much tension and broke.
Steering wheel does not lock when motor is shut off and in park. On several occasions, when trying to start the engine, I turn the key and nothing happens. The lights and radio do not work. Eventually, it will start and the clock has reset to 12:00 and radio power is off. This has happened on at least 10 occasions. Please let me know if you need more details. Thank you!
Air bag light is illuminating on the dash. Also, the horn is inoperable and cruise control failed to work, due to a malfunction in a clock spring in the instrument panel. Consumer has yet to contact the dealer. Please provide any further details.
I was driving down the road when I heard a loud pop and not more than ten seconds later I lost all power steering. I barely managed to steer my van into a parking lot on my right. Ourisman dodge dealership in virginia states that the serpentine belt tensioner was broken and serpentine belt borken. Also found power steering pump pully broken. They removed power steering pump and replaced the pully. Installed new serpentine belt and tensioner. Thank you.
Part 4612894ac tensioner caused the failure of part 4861322 belt-drv with A/C. The first occurrence, 10/98, resulted in the car coming to a dead halt. Had this occurred a few minutes earlier, while on the tollway, I would not be here to write about this. Since then, the battery failed 1/10/2000 (possibly related) and the tensioner/belt failed soon after, resulting in water pump failure. The tensioner, belt and pump were replaced. A coworker advised me that his tensioner has failed 4 times - approx. Every 15,000 miles. My occurences have happened within similar timespans. I have no confidence in the vehicle, as I dread the failure of the tensioner while on my daily commute to work at expressway speeds. A sudden stop with the failure of the belt is extremely hazardous.
On march 29, while traveling at a low speed in a parking lot, the tie rod simply fell away from the front passenger wheel. As it was under a service contract, we had it towed to the dealer's service department, where they re-attached it. Still concerned, we returned the van on march 30 for a thorough inspection. They assured us it was safe to drive. Less than 100 miles later, on april 4, the tie rod disengaged a second time. Fortunately we were in the process of parking. The van is currently at the dealer's shop. Their comment was that it was inconceivable that the tie rod would simply become disengaged, and they claim to be flabbergasted that such a thing should happen twice. It's frightening to think that we've dodged two bullets.
While driving, consumer smelled smoke, pulled over and smoke and flames started coming from the hood, fire originated from a leaky power steering line at the rear of the power steering pump, claim 05-4462-943.
While driving, the operator experienced total loss of power assisted steering. Mini-van became difficult to control. A very potentially dangerous situation. Luckily not a congested traffic area at the time or curvy road or snowy road. This is unusual since my vehicles are routinely well cared for. I have 2 other vehicles together totaling nearly 400,000 miles on original engines. Current diagnosis (vehicle still in shop), total power steering assembly failure (appx. $800).
While driving vehicle, as I was trying to execute a left hand turn the steering became extremely hard and I hand to forcefully turn the steering wheel.right after that incident I noticed that the steering was difficult in both directions, while the car was being driven and also while it was idiling. I called chryler cutomer service to let them know about the problem but they basically told me I was on my own do the the vehicle being out of waranty. I had researched and found out that I was not the only customer who had complained about the steering,and that there were many instances of rack and pinions failing and being replaced by the dealer. These particular vehicles are also prone to a variety of steering related problems which are common knowledge and there are a numerous amount of technical service bulletins issued in regards to these problems. I took my vehicle to three different mechanics and they all gave the same diagnosis and all were surprised to see that a fairly new car would have this type of problem so young in its life.when I asked how much it would cost to fix they all were saying $700-800 dollars and, all of them were having a hard time from chrysler getting a new rack and pinion as I was told there was a national backlog order on this particular part. No safety defect mentioned in summary.
When driving through puddles at any speed, the power steering goes out. Dealer recently replaced belt tensioner, but this did not solve problem.
Power steering completely went out momentarily. Dealer said "nothing wrong." *k
Belt tensioner suffered catistrophic failure causing main belt to disengage and sudden loss of steering.
Alarm system replaced several times. Yh
When driving in city or on freeway the belt comes off and the power steering goes out. Shortly after the warning lights come on, battery not charging ex. Dealership will repair belt. The last time dealer changed belt.
Rack and pinion steering malfunctioned.
Was traveling about 10mph & making a left turn. Heard loud creaking noises from steering column. Took to dealer at least 4 different times. Vehicle under warrnaty & dealer refused to look at it or repair vehicle.
Vehicle makes loud groaning noise when steering wheel is turned.
Numerous times over the last (3) or (4) months the harness on the integrated child seat became so tight around child that owner had to use the auxiliary release. *ak air conditioner has given consumer problems on 4 different occasions. Abs light illuminated, brakes were noisy and were replaced. Power lock failure. Power steering problem, consumer did not specify.
Engine block failed.
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