2006 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems

Filed Aug 21, 2019 · Steering · 80,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge grand caravan. While driving various speeds, the contact heard noises coming from the steering column. The contact drove to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The mechanic also stated that the VIN was included in an unknown recall; however, no recall was found. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2018 · Steering · 75,000 miles · TX

When driving in rainy conditions (note: wet road, not high water), power steering failed and van was uncontrolable. This has happened 2x in the past year. Dealership says this is a common issue with this model, as water can get to the power steering belt. They offered no solution. I nearly ran into a ditch as I was unable to steer. Thankfully I was able to stop the car without causing an accident, but this was a dangerous situation. Both times this happened I was driving on a city street in rainy conditions.

Filed May 11, 2015 · Steering · 40,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 dodge grand caravan. While driving at approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and caused the contact to crash into a curb without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2015 · Fuel system, Steering · 135,000 miles · GA

Refueled vehicle normally. Drove 1 mile, while turning corner the engine stalled completely, steering became sluggish. This has happening approximately 50% of the time after we refuel the caravan. It is extremely dangerous as we lose control of the vehicle.

Filed Jan 8, 2015 · Steering, Transmission · 75,000 miles · FL

When it rains or the street is wet the power steering randomly goes out. The happens when turning out of a driveway, turning a curve or getting out of a parking space. It has happened on the road a few times, but usually happens just after starting the car and beginning to move. It only happens when it has been raining or I go over a large puddle of water. The problem has been consistent for about a year. I have discussed the problem with the dealership where I purchased the van, carmax. They have not heard of this problem, but did replace an undercarriage shield. The problem continued after the shield replacement. Carmax then directed me to this website.

Filed Dec 22, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 64,155 miles · AZ

Our air bag light comes on after repeated, exact turns of the steering wheel. Has to do with the steering wheel clock spring. It only illuminates in temps over 70 degrees or so. We live in the desert of arizona and have been excluded in previous recalls. We are afraid the air bags will not work properly in the event of a crash.

Filed Nov 21, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 220,000 miles · MI

Over the last several weeks my 2006 dodge grand caravan with a 3.8 liter engine will stall out several times after refueling. It will restart & stall several times before the problem seems to rectify itself. All power assisted steering is lost and the vehicle becomes difficult to steer safely. Power braking is also affected. There have been a couple of occasions where I have been turning into traffic and had the vehicle stall. One time I was unable to complete the turn and stay in my lane. On one occasion I breached the lane to my left. While traffic was traveling in the same direction I was, another motorist had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting me.

Filed Sep 10, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 108,437 miles · MI

Van stalls after filling the grand caravan with fuel. Loses steering and speed.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 100,000 miles · IL

My son was driving my van on the interstate when suddenly everything on the van shut off. Luckily, there were no vehicles immediately behind us .he said that he bumped the ignition with his knee.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 5,758 miles · IL

For no apparent reason, the engine shuts off while driving. The clock remains on, but accessories such as the heater also shut off, and I have no power assist with steering. So far, it's happened within 5 minutes of start-up; the outside temperatures were below freezing, but the engine has not always been cold. 1/17/07 approx. 5 min. After I'd been driving, at about 30mph, I realized the noisy fan for the heater turned off. I thought maybe the new van has a feature I didn't know about, where it reaches a set temperature then shuts off automatically? Then I realized the radio had also gone quiet. I tried to accelerate but it wasn't responding, so I went to pull off on the shoulder and discovered I didn't have power steering, either. Fortunately, I was able to brake. I turned the key to the off position, restarted the van, and it seemed to work fine. At no time did I see a check engine light. 1/18/07 I had driven to a gas station, turned the van off to fill the tank, and restarted it a few minutes later, to drive away. I accelerated about 5 feet before the van turned itself off again. I stopped, moved the key to the off position, restarted it, and went on my way. 1/24/07 I backed out of the garage, but after I accelerated in reverse, about 10 ft. Down the driveway the van turned itself off again. Other days I had the heater/accessories running, but this time nothing else was turned on. The clock remained lit, so it doesn't seem like a battery issue. I turned the key to the off position and restarted the van, resumed my drive, and made an appointment with the dodge dealership under warranty. They said there were no computer codes showing; they drove 17 mi. But couldn't duplicate the problem. Since then, the van has only shut off by itself once more when my spouse was driving, but now it seems like a probable ignition switch safety issue to investigate.