2006 Dodge Grand Caravan: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 3, 2017 · Fuel system · 109,000 miles · CA

We purchased van new from dodge dealer in september of 2006. About 5 months ago my wife (normally drives) stalled pulling toward an intersection shortly after she drove from filling the gas tank. The van runs fine otherwise and now has about 112k miles. This happened to her a few more times (very stressful losing power steering and brakes). Therefore, one fill-up to check it I drove the car and it did the same a couple minutes after fill-up driving 1/4 mile slowly in nearby home depot parking lot (afraid I would hit someone trying to turn (similar conditions as my wife had). The van will restart after trying a couple of times and then run fine for the rest of the tank. We have been forced to stop filling the tank above 3/4, an inconvenience to plan for but seems to eliminate that problem; but I am not sure how much longer that will work. In doing research I understand other dodge van owners in that year range have had this problem. Apparently, due to the design of the valve that is failing the entire gas tank must also be replaced which is very costly. I feel that chrysler used a very poor design or part where if only the valve fails that the entire gas tank must be replaced. The van runs fine, we like the van and were planning to drive it many more miles but at this point the costly repair involved is a good portion of the vehicle value. I think that chrysler should help us in repairing this issue. It is obviously a safety issue when driving the car, and a design flaw in my opinion in that failure of a small component requires the whole gas tank system to be replaced. Please let us know chrysler's position on this issue. We realize that the vehicle is out of chrysler's warranty but feel this is something that should have been rectified when the issue became known a number of years ago. Thanks in advance

Filed Sep 10, 2014 · Fuel system · PA

After filling my gas tank, I drove approximately 2 miles and the car totally lost power and stalled. The entire dash panel died and I lost all steering capabilities. This has happened multiple times and I no longer fill my gas tank to the fullest capacity for fear that the car will stop.

Filed Jul 2, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 69,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge grand caravan. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The brake pedal went straight to the floorboard when it was depressed and the contact stopped the vehicle using the emergency brake. The vehicle was able to be restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure had not recurred. The failure mileage was 69,000. Updated 08/28/14*lj the consumer stated while driving the vehilce lost engine power, brakes, and steering. Updated 09/2/2014

Filed Apr 20, 2012 · Steering, Transmission · 104,000 miles · FL

This has occurred multiple times in the six months since I have owned this vehicle. Any time it rains, especially if my vehicle goes through a puddle, the power steering is greatly affected. The most recent time, the power steering was completely lost and I had to use all of my strength to maneuver the car into a safe location, out of traffic. The battery light came on and my car acted like it was going to stall. The belt squealed and then everything resumed... Until I hit another puddle. In the times this has happened before, it was not nearly as long of a loss of power steering, nor did the battery light come on; the belts squealing always signals that the steering has resumed. My mechanic is baffled and we are scared to drive our vehicle, specifically in the rain. From my research, this is a common occurrence.

Filed May 13, 2010 · Steering · 51,863 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 dodge grand caravan. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lost power steering. The contact drove the vehicle to an authorized dealership where the power steering gear pump, rack and pinion, power steering reservoir, high pressure line and the power steering belt were replaced. The failure mileage was 51,863. The current mileage was 51,868. Updated 08/17/10. *lj updated 08/23/10

Filed Jan 10, 2009 · Engine · 35,000 miles · MI

When driving in wet conditions, particularly splashing through water, the vehicle serpentine belt begins to chatter and the vehicle experiences a brief reduction/loss of power. This becomes particularly troublesome when pulling out into traffic. The dealerships have stated that there is no mechanical defect with the vehicle that they can find. This happens on repeated occasions and can be reproduced even today. It has been occurring for some time now.