NHTSA Complaint #10139272 — 2003 DODGE CARAVAN

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. OVER A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR HAS HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A WHINING NOISE THAT APPEARS TO COME FROM THE STEERING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND CONTINUES FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MINUTES. THE NOISE GETS LOUDER AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED, AND FEEL A SLIGHT VIBRATION UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. THIS IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN HE TURNS THE WHEEL. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED TWO POWER STEERING PUMPS, AND PROVIDED A REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK AND PINION, THE LAST TIME AT THE SERVICE DEALER THEY REPLACED A POWER STEERING HOSE AND INSTALLED AN NC FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. NONE OF THE REPLACEMENTS OR REPAIRS HAS REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. THE COST OF REPAIRS HAS BEEN COVERED 50/50 BY THE CONSUMER AND THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HIM TO THE LOCAL SERVICE DEALER. AS OF THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2005, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED.*AK