1996 DODGE CARAVAN Steering Problems

11 NHTSA complaints on file

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Steering Issues in the 1996 DODGE CARAVAN

11 steering complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 DODGE CARAVAN. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 0 resulted in injury.

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

All Steering Complaints

#10522678 | July 1, 2013

THIS VEHICLE HAS A CHRONIC DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THROWING ITS SERPENTINE BELT WHENEVER THE TENSION PULLEY GETS WET. SOON AS THE BELT IS THROWN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING, AND IT STEERS 10 TIMES WORSE THAN A MACK TRUCK. THE LACK OF STEERING IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD TO EVERY OTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. AS IT HAPPENS SUDDENLY BY DRIVING THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE, ETC. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO TIME TO REACT. IN ADDITION TO LACK OF STEERING THERE IS NO ALTERNATOR OUTPUT, RESULTING IN RAPID BATTERY DRAIN. ALSO THERE IS NO COOLANT SYSTEM FAN RESULTING IN RAPID ENGINE OVERHEATING. THIS DESIGN FAULT HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR WELL OVER A DECADE, NO MAKE THAT 2 DECADES, BUT CHRYSLER HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM DATES BACK TO ALL CHRYSLER MINI-VAN DESIGNS FROM THE EARLY 1990S TO AT LEAST 2000. IF THE LACK OF STEERING IS NOT A SAFETY...

#10319470 | March 13, 2010

1996 DODGE CARAVAN - RIDICULOUS....ALMOST EVERY PUDDLE MAKES BELT SLIP OFF AND POWER STEERING BECOMES DANGEROUS. THIS IS THE 14TH TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON ALL OF THESE VANS OR A REIMBURSEMENT PLAN FOR THIS OR BETTER YET.... A FREE FINAL FIX!!!!!! *TR

#10071164 | April 22, 2004

THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT. IT CAN SLIP OFF. WHEN IT DOES, YOU POWER STEERING GOES (SAFETY) AND YOUR CAR CAN OVERHEAT WITHIN MINUTES. YOU ARE STRANDED. PUTTING THE BELT YOURSELF IS NOT EASY, EVEN WITH THE DIAGRAM (THANK GOODNESS THEY HAVE THE DIAGRAM UNDER THE HOOD FOR OTHER MECHANICS, DO IT YOURSELFERS) THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT NOT A RECALL. I THINK THEY PUT ON A BRACKET WHICH WILL HELP KEEP THE BELT ON TRACK IN CASE OF WET WEATHER.

#10004599 | January 24, 2003

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER WHEN IT RAINS. CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP. TS *DT

#8018885 | September 17, 2002

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A RAIN PUDDLE YOU SERPENTINE BELT, THAT CONNECTS ENGINE TO THE COOLANT FAN ETC., FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING.CONTACTED DEALER. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 4 TIMES.*AK

#720418 | March 21, 2000

FAILURE OF THE 'CLOCK SPRING' CAN PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT OR EVEN CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN TO BIND, RENDERING IT INOPERABLE. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY DEFECT, CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REPAIR AT NO COST AS PER FEDERAL LAW.

#822188 | April 1, 1998

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

#528605 | March 2, 1998

STEERING PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED.

#816399 | September 16, 1997

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE THROUGH A PUDDLE AND GETTING WET THE STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. DEALER CANNOT FIX. *AK

#809903 | March 12, 1997

CONSUMER HAS HAD STEERING REPLACED ON DEC. 1996 AT 4-5 THOUSAND MILES. CURRENTLY, THE STEERING IS GOING BAD AGAIN, REPLACED AT MARROONY DODGE 21151 NW 2CD AVE. MIAMI FL. 33169. GAS TANKS ARE PLASTIC. *AK

#808281 | January 28, 1997 Crash

OWNER STATES WHILE DRIVNG VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SNOW BANK AT 5MPH, CAUSING FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE, OWNER QUESTIONS THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE IN AN IMPACT. *AK

Other 1996 DODGE CARAVAN Problem Areas

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