2005 Dodge Grand Caravan: whining or grinding noise

Filed Aug 5, 2015 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · FL

After filling the fuel tank up, the vehicle stalls, stutters, or shuts down after entering into traffic. After it does shut down, it is typically difficult to restart. The type of driving environment does not matter - city/community stop and go traffic or highway speeds for extended periods of time. After the vehicle is restarted, we do not have a problem again until the next time the vehicle needs to be refueled. The gas tank, fuel filter, and fuel pump were all replaced by the dealer prior to 100,000 miles to eliminated a high pitched whine coming from the fuel tank area every time the fuel level dipped below half a tank. Most of the time, the vehicle decides to stall or shut off as we are accelerating to join traffic - leaving from the gas station. On multiple occasions we have almost been hit from behind because the vehicle just stops. The exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, upstream and downstream o2 sensors have all been replaced with oem/manufacturer standard parts.

Filed May 5, 2015 · Locks, Steering · 124,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that the entire door latching system failed and the steering wheel emitted a loud whining noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated the door latches needed to be reprogrammed and the power steering fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 6/24/15*cn updated 10/12/2017

Filed Feb 5, 2008 · Steering · 25,630 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jun 6, 2007 · Steering · NY

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?

Filed May 11, 2007 · Steering · 38,000 miles · UT

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.

Filed Jan 16, 2007 · Steering · IN

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.

Filed Nov 17, 2006 · Brakes, Steering · 5,500 miles · GA

Since purchasing in 2004. I have had to take back the van numerous times to complain to the dealership about noises while driving in the steering brakes and front right wheel base area. Brakes popping and scrubbing, wheel base makes a scrubbing/cracking noises, and there was a whining noise while slowing at stops and in parking lots. They have replaced a map light. My sliding doors have stopped working once but the problem has not occurred again to take to the dealer. At a red light when it turned green I went to go and the engine cut off would not restart immediately. Luckily no one was behind me and no oncoming traffic. I was on a hill and able to roll to the side and put the van back in park to restart. 08/11/05 took to dealer ship and they performed a computer flash update and listed a label aut and label gen part. Here are the service dates when I took in it each time to complain about steering and driving noises. 08/04/05 took to dealer ordered parts serviced on 08/11/05 replaced power steering reservoir. 11/17/05 replaced rack and pinion. 08/16/06 took in brakes starting making noises told we had 20% left at 16,812 miles they told us to replace the brakes. 08/16/06 also had them look at the same noise as before and they lubed/greased strut dust covers. 11/08/06 took back for same noises and they replaced the sway bar links found my steering fluid low, replaced fluid and stated they could not find any cracks/leaks. I am still hearing noises come from the right front wheelbase. The power steering fluid has fixed the whining noises as of today. The brakes are not popping. They said the sway bar links fixed the popping.