NHTSA Complaint #10190520 — 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

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. *AK