2005 Dodge Grand Caravan: loss of power steering

Filed Sep 25, 2018 · Steering · 200,000 miles · WI

Van lose power steering during heavy rain only. I purchase this van in june/july 2018 recently had power steering check and no issues found. Yet this the fifth time this has happened. Today I was driving in the rain to pickup my daughter from school and it happened again. The wheel tighten up and I was unable turn. I had to turn on my hazards light and turn car off in the middle of the road. After letting vehicle sit about 15 minutes I was able to drive home. I repeat it only happens in the rain why I believe there is a manufactor defect and needs to be recalled.

Filed Nov 4, 2015 · Brakes, Fuel system · 142,000 miles · ID

Last night - for the 4th time now - after filling the tank at the gas station, my car just died. The first 3 times it was when I stopped at the stop sign leaving the gas station parking lot. Last night, it was after I was out on the main road and in heavy traffic. It was stop and go rush hour traffic, so I was thankfully only going approx 15-20 miles an hour. Power steering was lost, brakes were practically non existent. Barely managed to pull off into a parking lot and was able to set the parking brake to finish stopping. Once stopped and in park, was able to start it right back up. Every time this has happened it has been right after fueling up. I never thought much about it the other 3 times, but this time was different, and very dangerous. I was almost hit from behind because I instantly lost power, then I almost hit another car to my left because of the unexpected loss of power steering. I could hardly manage to get into the parking lot and almost hit the curb/sign/another car. Was scared to drive home the rest of the way. Now after reading the other posts here, I'm afraid to ever get gas again!!! This is unacceptable dodge...you obviously know about this problem and do not care about your customers. Well, this is one customer you will never have again. I'm in the market for a new car, and guess what will not be sitting in my driveway ever again?

Filed Jan 3, 2015 · Fuel system · 105,000 miles · NJ

Every time after refueling the car with a full tank, after about a mile of driving the engine will stumble or die altogether. This causes loss of power steering and power brakes.

Filed Dec 28, 2014 · Fuel system · 133,689 miles · WA

Roughly 4 blocks after refueling an almost empty tank, the engine in my 2005 dodge grand caravan stalled at approximately 25 MPH, right before a 90 degree right turn. Because the engine is quite at nearly idle, I did not notice the engine stopped until I started into the turn. With the engine stalled there was no power steering or power brakes. If I was not a relatively strong person, I would not have been able to steer the car around the corner and to the side of the road in a safe fashion. I doubt that any other member of my family would have successfully negotiated the corner since it almost felt like the steering wheel was locked and the result would have been a significant accident at the very least with the on coming traffic. I was not sure if I might have done something to cause the stall and it did not reoccur, that is until the next fill up today. Fortunately it was not as big a deal today as I was driving at a higher speed (40 MPH) at a different location and all that happened was brief loss of power and stumbling over a distance of about 1/4 mile and then resolved itself, which caused no threat to safety like last time. However it proved that there was a problem that consistent with 2 refuels in a row. After searching the internet for these symptoms, it would seem that lots of people are having this problem with 2004 and newer chrysler minivans and other models, due to a defective valve in the evaporative emission system in the top of the gas tank that can only be fixed by replacing the entire tank at a cost of about $600.

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Steering · 22,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel became hard to turn when the contact drove over a puddle of water. The failure was recurring over a period of nine years. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who replaced the serpentine belt and idler pulley however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.

Filed Dec 19, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 120,000 miles · KY

After filling vehicle with fuel, our van has been stalling upon stopping at a light within 5 minutes of leaving gas station. Most recently vehicle cut off less than 1/4 mile after refilling when driving on road. When this happens, electric of vehicle shuts off along with losing power steering. The problem of vehicle shutting off has gone on intermittently for about 1-2 years now but is getting worse. Until about a week ago, this always happened at a stop but the last incident is concerning considering it happened while the vehicle was in motion. This is a serious safety issue, especially considering my wife uses this as primary transportation for her and our 3 children. What if this cuts off on the highway or in an intersection? I did a lot of research online trying to find possible root causes. There seems to be an overwhelmingly large number of people having this issue with the 3.8 liter v6 on dodge/chrysler minivan models in the 2003-2007 range. I am also told the only way to fix this is to replace the entire gas tank due to a faulty valve/separator. I hope that chrysler is willing to do something about this problem at no cost to the customer considering the high level of danger that we are presented with here.

Filed Feb 23, 2011 · Steering · 91,000 miles · AE

Power assisted steering rack on 2005 dodge grand caravan sxt 3.8l seals leaking causing possible loss of steering.

Filed Mar 3, 2008 · Steering · 42,726 miles · VA

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.

Filed Nov 16, 2007 · Steering · 42,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Jul 13, 2007 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

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.

Filed Jun 21, 2007 · Steering · 24,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Feb 20, 2007 · Steering · 24,000 miles · FL

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