As I was driving my 2005 dodge grand caravan, the dashboard flickered and then the car shut down. Power steering was disabled but I was luckily able to drift it to the side of the road. After researching online, it seems this electrical shut down is ongoing and problematic for this year and make. I had little children in the car and without warning the car dies. This needs to be a recall as it poses serious safety concerns for the driver of the vehicle and cars around it. Had I been on the highway, I would not be able to tell you about this incident. When I brought the vehicle in to the dealer, I was told it needed an electrical system software update otherwise it will get progressively worse. The dealer also explained that the other electrical issues that I have been having - tail lights burning out, sliding doors opening/closing, window not going down, power locks locking and unlocking) were also a part of this software update. Yet, it is not a recall because it is not considered a safety issue. I am appalled that we have to pay for this software update, that dodge and the federal safety agency have been aware of this issue and that is not considered a safety concern. Recall this make and model for this issue immediately. The car dying in the road is a major concern. The doors closing without notice could have killed my four year old, instead I threw my body in the middle to protect her. Please, please, please recall this to save lives. There are so many of this make and model car on the road with little children inside.
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan steering complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that vehicle was completing state inspection when he was informed that the rack pinion steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The rack and pinion are severely leaking and also getting really hot and causing the leaking fluid to fume into the cabin of the car...this has caused worry for inability to steer at high speeds and also light headedness in car from collecting fumes into cabin at stops...so many have reported this and I am regrettably now one of them...
Immediately after making a right turn, the steering wheel locked. The lower speed and adequate shoulder on the road are the only things that kept me from going into the ditch. It ended up being a steering gear that was replaced to fix the problem. It has went bad 3 more times since.
2005 grand caravan rack & pinion leak failure- it began as a slight grunt when turning the steering wheel while sitting still, like in a packing lot, then I took the van in for a vehicle safety inspection for plate renewal when I was informed I had a bad right strut and a leak, they replace the strut and re-aligned the front end but informed me I would have to replace the rack & pinion box to fix the fluid leak. I did not believe them so I took it to another shop for a second opinion, and for sure that's what it is and the expected repair cost to be near $1000.00 the van only has 80,100 gentle miles on it, I can't believe this failed already, I treat this van really well. Since then I have learned this is a big problem with this van, little did I know when I bought it brand new in 2005. I am the only owner and driver of this van.
Took my 2005 grand caravan to the dealership due to a loud noise when turning. Was just informed by dealership that I need a power steering pump, and rack and pinion, bushings and bearings. Also need a new radiator. This is ridiculous for a barely 6 year old vehicle with 70,000 miles on it. I have also had the problem with headlight not coming on when you flip the switch. That is a huge safety issue!
I own 2005 dodge grand caravan. Recently I noticed a whinning sound from front end when I turn the steering wheel. Itook it to amechanic he said I had leaking steering rail. I only had 60000 miles im told this rail is something that should never have to be replaced unless of course its damaged by accident. Ive visited forums online and found that lots of other owners of this van have problems with steering system vibrations and loss of power assist, just as I have. I dont thik this is safe.
Bought a used 2005 grand caravan 4 months ago. Took it to the dealership today to have the airbag sensor replaced (recall item). The dealership did a "courtesy inspection" for and found a leak in the power steering rack, play in the left tie rod, and a left front axle seal. The vehicle only has 54,000 miles on it so this should not be failing this soon (as I see it is with many other peoples' vehicles).
Power assisted steering rack on 2005 dodge grand caravan sxt 3.8l seals leaking causing possible loss of steering.
Tl*the contact owns 2005 dodge grand caravan. While the contact was driving approximately 5 MPH attempting to park, the steering wheel began to vibrate when making a turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they replaced the steering rack and the inner tie rod ends. In addition, on a different occasion the vehicle exhibited an extremely loud rattling noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and an independent mechanic replaced the sway bar end links and bushings to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 42,943. Updated 03/16/11 *bf updated 04/27/11
2005 dodge grand caravan failing steering rack.
Vehicle shuts down without warning;power door locks inoperative at times;premature failure front stabilizer bushings;premature failure outer tie rod end. No repairs made but estimates have been obtained.
Started hearing grinding noise when turning several months ago. Dodge dealership diagnosed it as faulty strut and spring and replaced. Grinding noise continued. Now, dodge dealership diagnosed as leaking power steering rack - want $1,100+ to replace.
2005 dodge grand caravan 3.8 steering noisy and rack & pinion leaking. Had to replace steering rack and reservoir. $1000 and only had 50000 miles. Had it to dealer 2 times for steering noise under 3-36 warranty.
Power steering leak , rack and pinion 2005 dodge caravan.
Power steering makes grinding noise. The noise doesn't happen all the time usually when driven alot. Took it to dealer they said they couldn't find any problem. I looked online and read that there are many complaints about this problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. When the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for regular maintenance, it was discovered that the steering wheel column rack was leaking power steering fluid. The dealer estimated that it would cost $1,000 to replace the rack. There were no recalls listed for the failure. Due to the fact that the vehicle was one month out of warranty, the manufacturer would not assist with the repairs. The VIN was not accepted by the system. The failure and current mileages were less than 17,274.
We have taken our 2005 dodge sxt grand caravan in numerous times for electrical problems which most of the time they can not duplicate. Then on monday march 23 after leaving the city and bringing my children home from school I went to make a left hand turn and my steering column locked up and I could not complete the turn. With oncoming traffic and traffic behind I had no choice but to gun the engine and go into the field. I stopped the car with brakes that worked, at least, and turned the vehicle off. I then restarted the vehicle and there was complete free play in the wheel. I turned the wheel all the way to the right and there was a clunk and then I again had regular movement of tires with the wheel. I immediately called my dealership and told them what happened and that I was bringing it in with my dad following behind. Tomkinson dodge has had it for 2 days and told me that they know there is a problem but since it is under warranty and they can't pinpoint the problem, warranty won't pay until they know what the problem is. It is too expense to let a tech get inside and take things apart to find the actually problem. They told me I need to drive it again and it will be fine, but if it happens again to let them come and tow it and don't touch anything. If it happens again! If it happens again my children and I could be dead. I was just lucky to not be in too busy of a place unlike I had been a half hour before. So there was a failure but nothing is being done to fix it because it may be to expensive for the dealership.
Normal driving, vehicle has been involved in no accidents. At about 34,000 miles on vehicle, and 3 and a half years old, airbag light on dash started illuminating. Would turn off sometimes, but usually stayed on. Dealer diagnosed failure of "clockspring" in steering column, which had to be replaced at cost of about $250.00.
Van started to make a loud sound from the engine area. Took the van in to see what was wrong, first garage could not identify the problem in november. Took the van in again 12/21/08 and they identified that the rack and pinion was going out and leaking fluid. That was making the noise. Was informed that this is not a common repair and it is unusual for this type of repair to have to be done on a vehicle that gets regular maintenance and has never been in any kind of accident. The mechanic said he had seen several of the same vehicle with same problem. It appears to be a manufacturer defect in the build of the rack and pinion system.
Bad noises from steering column and right front suspension.
Rack and pinion on 2005 dodge caravan - noticed many others have same complaint. Internal seal on assembly is wearing out around 65000. Must replace entire rack and pinion assembly. How many before recall?
I have a 2005 dodge grand caravan and when I have reach 35000 miles I notices that my power steering fluid kept get low, but I could not find any leaks to show me that I had a problem. This was doing the winter time in ohio with snow on the ground with made it even more strange that I did not see any oil leak in the snow showing me that I had a problem. Then when I reach 50000 mile my brake started squeaking and I knew it could not be my brake pads on the front because they had been replace about 18 month back. I just thought it was just some road grime that might have got on the rotor. When the sound did not stop I recheck the pad to make sure that they was still good and that when I found out that my steering boot was leaking and some of it was getting on to the on to the rotor. So by change I decide to check the internet to see it if anyone else had this problem and I was surprise to find out just how many people did. Therefore I discovered your site and again was surprise to find out how many complaint that you have had about this insure yet you still had not did anything about it. As I said the fluid is leaking on to the disc rotor meaning that this is a more serious problem not only this is a serious problem the complete failure of the steering:rack and pinion:rack, either way you look at it either you won?t be able to stop or you loose control of the vehicle which mean it is more serious than you or anyone else could even imaging and I can not believe that you have not did anything about it all because no one has died yet. If everyone knew just how unsafe this vehicle really is they would be getting rid of this vehicle as fast as they could because their family lives are at stake here not the builder, designer, or the president or ceo of chrysler but the people who entrust these very people with a safe product.
At about 12,000 our 2005 dodge grand caravan developed a thumping/binding in the steering/front axle. We had it in several times during the warranty period for the same problem; both axles were replaced and the steering column was replaced also, yet the thumping/binding never truly went away. Shortly outside the comprehensive warranty period, the right front axle broke. Fortunately it was in a parking lot, not on the highway. The right axle was replaced, but now the thumping/binding is back just like it was when we first started pursuing getting the problem fixed. The van only has 30,300 miles on it.
From the day I drove this brand new vehicle off of the dealers lot I began complaining about a noise when I turned right. I brought it in several times to have it checked out and was told that they could not duplicate the noise so all was fine. Eventually it got so bad that the front end was bouncing. They finally determined after 22 months that it was a bad sway bar bushing that needed to be replaced.
Purchase of used dodge grand caravan & then found out 1 week later that the rack and pinion area leaks & the entire rack needs to be replaced.
Took my 2005 dodge grand caravan to the dealer for an oil and filter replacement and was told that I had a leak rack and pinion steering assembly. Never had a problem with the steering, and no leaks on my garage floor, but the dealer rep insisted that this was a problem that could get worse. Part is back-ordered, which makes me wonder if this is a common problem that needs to be recalled.
Power steering rack defect.
Purchase of used dodge grand caravan & then found out 3 weeks later that the power steering boot fails & entire rack needs to be replaced.
Told that power steering rack has failed and needs replacement, along with ps pump. 50,800 miles on vehicle. $1500 estimate, not covered under powertrain warranty, and can't be done anyway due to 10,000 piece backlog on the parts needed! This appears to be a very common problem, based on the number of complaints I see on this site for this particular vehicle and it's siblings (chrysler t&c, and neighboring model years), and the afore mentioned backlog. Why is this problem not being investigated and why is it not subject to recall? It is clearly defective design, many reports on this site for failures at relatively low mileage. This vehicle purchased as a cpo in jan 2006 with 19k mi.
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