The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the water pump was replaced. The contact stated that several months later, while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where a power steering flush was performed; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic replaced the steering pump, which seemed to correct the failure. The contact then stated that the whining sound returned without warning. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the valves inside the engine connected to the fuel injector were defective and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that after the diagnostic tests, the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Dodge Grand Caravan steering lock-up problems
53 of the 13,443 owner complaints about the Dodge Grand Caravan describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 53
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical mileage
- 95,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 17Engine failure 8Won't start 4Power steering loss 4Loss of power 4Warning lights 3Fuel pump 3Check engine light 3
What owners say
The TIPM failed which caused a loss of power to the vehicle and power to the fuel pump. I was driving at approximately 60 MPH when the vehicle lost all power and the steering wheel felt locked. I was unable to turn the steering wheel as the Dodge Grand Caravan came to a quick stop as if it was out of gas. Luckily I reacted quickly and was able to avoid an accident. After approximately 10 minutes of trying to restart the vehicle and drive to a safe location the vehicle restarted. This happened again when I was driving and came to a red light at a major intersection and the vehicle stalled out as if out of gas and the steering locked. I again tried to restart the vehicle intermittently for 15 minutes; after which it finally restarted, and I was able to drive and get out of the intersection without an accident. I was lucky that this didn't cause an accident. The other times the defective TIPM and power to the fuel pump caused the vehicle to fail to start and left me stranded. I have had the vehicle diagnosed and the TIPM repair price is quite expensive. The vehicle did not have any check engine or warning lights before this occurred. I have read many similar complaints of this occurring with others driving Dodge/Chrysler vehicles. I feel that there is evidence that the TIPM and the fuel pump on the 2011 Dodge Caravan are safety concerns. Every experienced mechanic I have spoken with is aware of the common issue with the TIPM, and power to the fuel pump and vehicle. Although I avoided an accident there is a concern for everyone's safety.
Driving down the highway when steering locked up on a curve. Managed to get the car to the side of the road, but would only drive around 25 mph after that. Upon having a shop look at it they stated that the transmission pump went out. They said they can put transmission fluid in and it will drive fine for a bit, but because the pump is not working it will not work long term. An indicator light did come on a couple days prior.
While pulling into a parking lot, the engine suddenly died with no indicator lights or warning of any kind. Steering locked up and brakes were not functional. Coasted to a stop in a stall and put the vehicle in park. Restarted it without incident but I'm afraid it will happen in much more dangerous conditions
While driving after taking a left turn, in the middle of driving the steering locked up and the rpms went down and stopped driving. The dashboard was still lit normally. Turned car off and would not restart.
9:45 pm I had just taken the exit for 781 off off I-81 in jefferson county, ny to head to fort drum. I was in the right hand lane. I set the cruise control to 62, the speed limit is 65. It was about a mile or so down from the on ramp when the van shut off by itself at 62mph. There was no electrical or lights, not even the headlights worked. The steering wheel locked, the brake pedal locked and would not work. I had no control. There is no road lighting in that area and no other cars were around so I could not see the road or anything around me. My first instinct was that I needed to try to get out of the middle of the highway because no other cars could see me but the vehicle was still moving. I tried the hazard lights and they worked so I tried as hard as I could to pull the wheel to the right to get to the shoulder. I ended up hitting a guard rail and that's what ultimately stopped the vehicle. I was able to put it in park, and then I called 911. I tried to restart the vehicle and it worked fine. It took about 15 minutes for the police officer to arrive. She asked what happened, looked at the guard rail and the vehicle. I gave her my license, insurance and registration and she did the paperwork. I left the scene in the vehicle at 10:35pm. There is damage to the right side bumper and wheel well as well as damage to the hub cap. This was terrifying to experience. I am very, very lucky that I was alone on a straight, one way piece of highway. Total loss of control of the vehicle at a high rate of speed could have resulted in a catastrophic accident had the circumstances been different. I could have gone into oncoming traffic, I could have been rearended, my children could have been injured. There is an open recall for this model year grand caravan and the powertrain control module, but if I input my VIN it says there's no recalls for that VIN.
When exiting the freeway, the power gave out and the steering wheel locked up. However, the car did not shut down it was still running but was unable to steer. The engine light is on, had it checked out and there's issues with the heads. There has been extendes warranties for this issue but VIN is not included.
Airbags lights keep going on and off. The vehicle stalled out during moving and the steering locked up.
While driving the vehicle at random speeds. My dodge caravan will just shut down. I have noticed on a couple occasions all of the dash lights will come and then engine will shut down. Lose of steering and brakes. I have managed a few times shifting to neutral and quickly restarting. An the few times it would not start ive managed to get off the road with steering wheel locked and brake pedal that wont depress. Sit for a minute put in park an restart. This has happen over 18 times of owning the vehicle for a year
For the past couple years my van just turns off when I'm driving. Nobody can figure it out. Then my doors randomly open. This happens anywhere. Interstate or in town. Steering wheel locks up and I have to put in numeral and start. This happens daily.
Related recalls
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, jeep wrangler, chrysler 200, chrysler 200 convertible, dodge avenger, dodge nitro, jeep liberty, dodge caliber, jeep compass, jeep patriot, dodge grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
- Risk
- A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 4, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 11V315000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans equipped with 3.3 or 3.8l v-6 engine, the upper power steering cooler hose may split and cause a fluid leak.
- Risk
- Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under hood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the upper power steering cooler hose. This recall began on september 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V386000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans equipped with 2-spoke luxury wheels manufactured july 1992 through june 1993; or equipped with 4-spoke sport wheels manufactured from july 1992 through september 1993. The steering wheel armature stamping can crack and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
- Risk
- If the steering wheel separates from the center hub attachment to the steering column, loss of control can occur increasing the risk of an accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for cracks and any wheels with cracks will be replaced. All other vehicles will have a reinforcement plate installed to prevent steering wheel separation in the event cracking occurs.
Recall number 00V305000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- The steering wheel armature stamping can crack and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
- Risk
- If the steering wheel separates from the center hub attachment to the steering column, loss of control can occur increasing the risk of an accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for armature cracks in the center hub attachment area. Any steering wheels showing cracks will be replaced. All other vehicles will have a reinforcement plate installed to prevent steering wheel separation in the event cracking occurs.
Recall number 96V229000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Grand Caravan steering lock-up
Which Dodge Grand Caravan years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (8 complaints), 2012 (7 complaints) and 2011 (6 complaints).
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