2003 Dodge Grand Caravan: whining or grinding noise

Filed Jul 1, 2009 · Steering · 28,000 miles · TX

Power steering makes terrible whining noise and steering wheel shudders and is hard to turn - worse in colder temperatures. Problem started when van had less than 30k, it now has 58k miles. Van has ext. Warranty through dodge covering even seals & gaskets, but since dealer calls this a "nuisance" problem - it's not warranty. We are very, very frustrated with dodge.

Filed Jan 15, 2009 · Steering · 40,000 miles · IL

About six months ago, my wife's van has been making a whining sound from the steering pump. The noise intensifies once the steering wheel is being turned. I was told that the steering pump may have to be replaced. Eventhough this van is 6 years old, it was in storage for 3 years. The car was operated once a month in storage. This shouldn't be happening.

Filed Nov 11, 2007 · Steering · 40,000 miles · MD

Van has been to the dealer 6 times for steering problem whining noise rack was replaced once and pump was replaced 3 times.

Filed Mar 16, 2007 · Steering · 29,000 miles · ND

2003 dodge grand caravan. High pitched whining sound while turning steering wheel. Comes and goes. Fluid level is fine. Fluid color and smell is fine,no air bubbles in fluid.seems to be the worst after driving highway speeds then driving in town. Sometimes goes away after shutting vehicle off for a few minutes. Dealer recommends a flush. Bought vehicle used at 29000 miles. Problem seemed to start shortly after. A $80 flush isn't going to fix the problem after reading about the same problem others are having. Seems like some sort of restriction on the intake side of the system.

Filed Jan 2, 2007 · Steering · VA

Whenever the temperature is 40 degrees or colder the power steering system in my 2003 dodge grand caravan admits a loud high pitch whining sound, the steering wheel can be very hard to turn until the engine is warmed up, and also a shudder is felt thru the steering wheel. This problem has occurred every year since we have owned the car, occurring when the weather cools off. We take it into the dealer every year. For the past 2 years the solution has been to flush the system and tighten the hoses. This year the solution is suppose to be a power steering fluid cooler, which the car is now out of warranty, will cost $220.00. I refuse to pay for this work has the problem has occurred every year, and only now is there a redesign for the system that never worked properly in the first place. When I contacted dodge corporate office for resolution on this matter, I was last told to take the car to the dealer. But the cooperate agent could not tell me what the dealer was going to do or at what cost. Basically I am getting the round around for what is a safety problem that will cause an accident.

Filed Oct 22, 2006 · Steering · OH

Power steering was making a whining noise about a year after we got it, I took it into the dealer and they could not find a problem. After 4 visits back to the dealer they replaced the power steering rack 6 months later the noise is back. I know of 3 other people that have the same mini van and they all have experienced the same problem.