I bought a 2005 grand caravan in may 2005. The rack and pinion rack completely failed in december 2005 at 9870 miles. It was replaced under warranty. My van begin making the same noises and losing power steering fluid. When I had it checked at the dealership today, I was informed that my van was leaking power steering fluid and that the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. The mileage on the van is 42,726. Even the service advisor remarked that the rack and pinion should not have to be replaced at 42,726 and that it was unheard of to replace it twice in less than 2 and a half years and under 43,000 miles. From researching online I see that I am not alone. This is happening frequently. I believe this is a safety defect that needs immediate investigation, before the defect results in a fatality. The dealership said it is not covered under the powertrain warranty and since I am beyond 36,000 miles the replacement will cost about $850.
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan steering complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Sporadic noise coming from car engine, and some difficulty turning at times. After a thorough inspection, a mechanic found that it is a faulty rack and pinion. Subsequent, have found numerous complaints, including at following site: http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/chrysler-town-and-country/t4icmksnnrm7ajfie/ this has potential serious safety issues with regard to steering. Please investigate a recall for this problem. Thanks.
I have had my 2005 dodge grand caravan for almost 2 years it has only 64, 000 mile on it. About two weeks ago we started hearing a sound when starting the van and when you turn the steering wheel, usually lasts until you drive for a awhile then it comes and goes. We took it to the dodge dealership and they said it was the racket pinion gear and would cost a little over $900 to repair. I called around to a few other car repair shops and they all said are you sure that is the problem, they have never heard of a vehicle needing that replaced that early. So I got online and did some research and found that there are many people with the same problem, all occurring with miles ranging for 15,000 to 75,000. I came across your web site and see that this has been investigated before. This I a problem that needs to be fixed, it is not just some random malfunction. I request that you reopen this investigation.
Premature steering rack seal wear and leaks resulting in fluid loss and potential loss of control in emergency situations. Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles, 70% of which was freeway use. Dealer called the problem a well known problem, also va state safety inspector also mentioned know problems with this critical vehicle system. Dealer quoted $1000 to repair.
Whining noise coming from steering unit. Minimal power steering fluid loss. First dealer could not diagnose problem, then misdiagnosed. Second dealer diagnosed as needing new rack.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that the power steering rack failed. When the steering wheel was turned, she heard a loud noise. The noise has grown progressively worse. The dealer stated that several vehicles were experiencing the same failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 57,000 and failure mileage was 56,500.
Steering fluid leak at rack and pinion (steering);dealer says that unit needs replaced. Fluid loss could result in lack of steering control.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that there is a leak in the steering wheel column. The dealer informed her that the parts were on back order and they did not know when they would be available. The repair will cost $550. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 44,000.
I have had to replace the power steering rack in 2005 grand caravan twice now. The first time was under warranty at 32,000 miles. The latest failure is now at 75,000 miles. The 5 star dealer replaced the rack both times. All maintenance has been done by the dealer and on schedule. I think that it is ridiculous that I am on my 3rd power steering rack in less than 80,000 miles. This has to be a design or manufacturing flaw and should be part of a recall.
In 2005 we purchased a new dodge grand caravan and had it modified for my husband to drive from his wheelchair, spending $50,000 total for this vehicle/modifications. In the span of two years, we've had electrical issues ' door locks not working part of the time, battery drain that can't be located, bad door sensors, etc. We also replaced the rack and pinion unit (under warranty). Just 18 months later the rack and pinion unit was bad again. Since it was out of warranty, we spent $1,129 to fix it. It's ridiculous that this part went bad again so soon. Do we have to spend $1000 every year to replace this obviously defective part? The dodge dealer my husband worked with informed him that the rack and pinion unit now comes with a cooler to help with this issue, so obviously dodge is aware that this part is defective and has a short lifespan. If this is the case, why wasn't a recall sent out to add the cooler to this unit. I'm very dissatisfied with our dodge van and will probably never purchase from dodge/chrysler/jeep again! Shouldn't a recently installed part last longer than 18 months? Isn't that reasonable? We've gone through two rack and pinion units in the last two years for a 2005 vehicle ' that's ridiculous! Shame on dodge for not assisting customers with this known defective part! On top of your average dodge grand caravan customer, there are a lot of disabled customers out there who have spent above and beyond what it should cost to drive and to have that vehicle break down continuously sucks!! My husband can't just hitch a ride with a neighbor or even rent a car for that matter. He had to miss work while dodge spent an entire day replacing a part they just replaced a few months ago. I'm just wondering what will break next!
Power steering rack / gearbox defect. 2nd. Time needing to be replaced. On manufacturers back order. Dealership said 10,000 on national back order. I cannot drive this vehicle until it is repaired.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that he was unable to turn the steering wheel. The power steering hose came loose then the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure however; they reattached the power steering hose. The failure mileage was 20,000 and current mileage was 40,000. Updated 03-04-08
I am in the process of replacing the rack in the steering component of my van for the second time. The first was 6 months after purchase, now a year and a half later and out of warranty. I researched this problem and found several databases of numerous complaints of the same thing. I purchased this vehicle thinking it was safe for my son and am now afraid of driving it.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. While driving 45 MPH and decelerating, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. She took her vehicle to an authorized local dealer and they stated that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 67,000 and current mileage was 68,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. The contact took her vehicle to have an oil change and a leak was discovered in the power steering rack. The dealer stated that the steering gear needed to be replaced. Prior to going to the dealer, the contact heard a loud noise when turning in either direction. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 65,432. Updated 01-15-08. *kb updated 01/15/08
Steering rack rapidly degraded and "was about to fall out of car". Seems like dodge mini-vans have lot sof problems with this. I had this happening my old van twice but it was a slower progressive problem . My new van started to make some noises on occasion. Shops checked it out but couldn't find any problems.... I continued to drive it... Over course of one week noise increased a bit and brought back in... Shop's words " steering rack was about to fall out".. Many people are not as attune to noises and sensations as I am. I could easily see someone else driving without detecting this problem having a serious steering failure.
2005 dodge grand caravan was serviced at 42,000 miles because of a moan/fog horn like sound while turning. Dealer stated this was due to failed power steering system, which was leaking internal, as vehicle has no visible signs of power steering fluid leaks. Vehicle has been serviced routinely at a 5 star dealership and was just in for an oil change 3 weeks ago. Power steering failures on this vehicle appear to be widespread and should be recalled & covered under warranty as several technical service bulletins have been released proving system design flaws, defects & problems. This problem should be investigated further by the federal safety agency as this contains serious safety defects in their design.
In february 2007 noted high pitched noise - particularly at idle. Sometimes when turning. Felt like it was coming from the steering wheel. Took it into the dealer and they replaced the power steering pump. Warranty expired in august and noted the same noise in september. Took van back into the dealer and they replaced the steering gear. Parts and labor nearly $600. I feel the reason the pump failed the first time was overwork due to the gears and it should have been replaced while under warranty. Service department recommended I contact chrysler warranty. I am still investigating how to reduce/eliminate the charges.
I recently had my 2005 dodge grand caravan, 28000 miles, serviced only to find out that my front brakes are 100% gone, my throttle body is plugged up, and I had no power steering fluid. Of course, as the dealership tells me, the warranty does not cover any of these repairs that need to be done.
2005 dodge caravan that when it rains the power steering goes out making the vehicle almost impossible to control. I have taken it to two different dealers, tarpon dodge and clearwater autoway dodge to have them figure out a repair. Both dealership said they could not do anything until chyrsler came up with a fix. The service manager from tarpon dodge told me not to drive in the rain and avoid puddles if I did drive in the rain and to slow down. I then sent letters to chyrsler customer care requesting a fix or replacement vehicle without penalty from the lease company. Customer care said that there was nothing they could do. Drive slower and avoid puddles. I live in florida, when it rains, it rains. All of our street turn into giant puddles and if I were to drive much slower, I would be going backwards. The power steering going out is frightening and dangerous. It comes back then you are over reacting to compensate for no steering. At one point I could not negotiate a turn after already moving into it and then the steering came back on and I nearly went through a fence and field. I have an illness that reduces my strength and makes handling this van without power steering even for 30 seconds almost impossible. This has been going on now for over a year. Four times in the shop after a rain storm and the power steering has gone out.
2005 grand caravan sxt was purchased on january 12, 2005. This is my second dodge caravan. My first was a 1999. On december 21, 2005, after less than one year, with 17248 miles on the vehicle, the rack and pinion assembly failed and needed to be replaced. I brought it in because I was hearing a whining sound when I turned the steering wheel and there were oil spots on my garage floor, under the front left side of my vehicle. I was told by the dealer that this was a known problem and, since it was sitll under warranty, I wasn't to worried as long as it would be fixed. On may 22, 2007, after less than one and a half years after the first rack and pinion replacement and with 41558 miles on the vehicle, the rack and pinion assembly failed and needed to be replaced, again. I brought it in because this time I was hearing a loud rubbing/whining sound when I turned the steering wheel to the left and there were oil spots on the same spot on my garage floor, under the front left side of my vehicle. I don't understand how I need to put a third rack and pinion assembly in my van after only less than two and a half years of ownership and only 41558 miles on the vehicle! I was told that it would cost me around $800-$900 for the repair, parts and labor! I have to pay that amount of money every year, or year and a half, for a known problem?
Over time the front end of the vehicle developed a whine that sounded like a piece of debris stuck in the cooling fan. However, there was no debris. The whine continued to worsen over several weeks. We took the vehicle to a repair shop and found that the power steering pump leaked, leading to damage to the rack and pinion system. The entire rack and pinion had to be replaced. However, to make matters worse we had to wait 3 weeks for parts, and continued to drive the vehicle in winter with the possibility that the power steering would fail at any time. We were told that there was a 3 week wait because parts were not available due to so many rack and pinion failures around the country. If there were that many failures this deserved a recall. This happened at 38,000 miles, and so was out of warranty and the repair cost was approximately $1300.00.
This is an abbreviated copy of the second letter I have sent to dodge the first letter was sent in sept, 2006. The power steering goes out intermittently when it rains. Unable to control vehicle. Feb 20, 2007 dodge customer assist ctr power steering failure due to rain 2005 dodge caravan VIN: [xxx] this is the 2nd attempt to get dodge or chrysler to care about the vehicle built that has a power steering flaw. It is apparent from your lack of correspondence or communication that your company does not care about its customer??s safety. Upon your advice, I have taken the van to a different service center, autoway in clearwater, fl. The service advisor told me that there was nothing they could do until chrysler comes up with a fix for the problem. As I have stated in previous correspondence, my wife drives the above mentioned vehicle 99% of the time. She loves the convenience, performance and most of the time the handling of the van. However, when it rains, which is often in florida, the power steering ceases to function without warning as she is driving. This is a major safety issue. My wife is unable to control the vehicle without power steering and it is just a matter of time before a major accident occurs. We have brought the vehicle into tarpon dodge four times for the same problem within the last nine months. The last time, jan 2007, I was told each time that there was nothing to do except avoid the rain. Not acceptable. I was also told that the service manager was going to get with chrysler to determine a solution. To date no phone calls. I previously called tarpon dodge ser. & spoke to a mr. Littlejohn. He told me that he has seen several caravans with the same power steering problem. He told me that they were trying to get some answers from chrysler. My wife on feb 13, 2007 was taking her father to lunch when a major rain storm occurred. The power steering went out 6 different times as she was trying to get home. *nm
I am concerned with overall quality control on this vehicle. I purchased this vehicle new to provide safety and comfort for my growing family. I was disappointed in the vehicles performance and gas mileage during the first several weeks of ownership. I returned the vehicle to the dealership and they replaced the oxygen sensor units that they said where defective. Several months later the heater/air conditioning blower went out. Next with less than 20,000 miles on the vehicle I had to replace the brakes. Now with less than 28.000 miles on the vehicle I noticed that the passenger side floor was soaked, the vehicle was making unusual sounds when turning and the passenger side door would not close automatically. At the dealership I found out that the rack and pinion steering unit had failed along with the the cable on the passenger side door. On investigation of the water leak the dealership found that the passenger side pillar had not been sealed properly to the roof causing water to run into the van and rot the carpet. While the vehicle is in for repairs the dealership is also replacing the heater/air conditioner blower which is making grinding sounds again.
My wife and I purchased our 2005 grand caravan new two years ago. Several weeks ago I found a large puddle of fluid under it. It had 28,000 miles on it. We took it to the local dealership and were informed the power steering rack was leaking and would need to be replaced. It was fixed under warranty. Just last weekend I came home and found another puddle under our van. We took it in again and were told it needed a new radiator this time. After the work was finished I talked with the service manager about the power steering rack and he stated they had replaced approximately 100 of them this winter. He said he could not believe dodge was not looking into this more thoroughly. Needless to say, I did not take this information as very converting knowing my warranty will expire in about 4,000 miles.
Every time I took my van in for an oil change I was told the power steering fluid was low, obviously didn't think much of it at the time. I started hearing a whining sound 5,000 miles after the warranty was up, took the van in and they found the power steering rack leaking fluid, reservoir empty and blocked with p/s gear remains, and p/s pump noisy. They replaced the p/s gear, pump, and reservoir at my expense of $1200.00. I wouldn't think that a 2005 van should have major power steering problems after 2 years. I believe this is a manufacturing problem.
The first time the power steering rack was replaced in jan 06 with 26,424 miles on the vehicle. I noticed power steering fluid was leaking which the dealer determined was a bad power steering rack. The same problem occurred again in jan 07 with 35, 649 miles on the vehicle. This time there was a distinct humming sound that caused me to bring the vehicle in for repair. I asked the dealer if this was a recurring problem and he stated it was not but reading other complaints, it certainly is not an isolated incident.
1) leaking transmission fluid; noisy steering 2) no failure, promptly took to mechanic 3) replaced steering rack, front- end aligned.
I purchased a cpo 05 grd caravan from a local dealer. Within months the electric door locks would go up and down while unlocking the doors by the key, would go up and down while traveling down the road & while opening the electric windows while inside the van..* * the steering wheel would lock up while pulling out onto the road. My wife and kids could have been killed by the approaching fully loaded log truck. The van was taken to the lithia in roseburg & was informed of the issued. It was inspected and the reply was that "they could not find any problems & they said they could not get the door locks to go up and down. The van was taken in a 2nd time on 07/28/2006 with the same issues, again they kept the rig and told us they could not get the door locks to do anything. On 04/07/2006 the van was taken in to lithia after kendall said that they could not work on the van because of us buying it from lithia. So the van was returned to lithia with the same problems along with the rt rear brake light staying ..you know the sad thing is I still own 15k on this van. The steering on the van locked up again while traveling down the road and almost caused an accident with my wife and kids in the van. I just pray that when we take it in for the "4th time" and we leave it at the dealership to fix, that they will get it done right and that if we either keep the van or trade it off that nobody gets killed from this major safety issue. I feel that I have been shafted due to having a cpo and dodge dealers are not able to do their job due to skills or ?. I sure hope that if you are in an accident and your unable to get out of the van due to the door locks you don't burn up or if you can not open the door that hopefully somebody can get the door open from the outside of the van. Oh I forgot, when I go over a speed bump it sounds like the engine is going to drop out.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 10 MPH and turning right, there was a clicking noise coming from the steering column. The steering became very tight to the point of almost locking up. Excessive force was required to turn the steering wheel, accompanied by a noise as if there was plastic fracturing inside the steering column. The horn, the radio controls, the air bag, the traction control switch, and the switch that controlled the pedal distance all disengaged at once. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who determined that the clockspring had detached. The first 3 times this had occurred, the clockspring was replaced. The fourth time, the steering wheel and the clockspring were replaced. This was the fifth occurrence. In this instance, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The problems persisted in spite of all the repairs. The manufacturer was also notified.
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