2003 DODGE CARAVAN Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO FAIL WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V386000 (STEERING) WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I HAD ALREADY SENT INFO TO DOL (BELOW) ON 03 CARAVAN I FROM UNLICENSED DEALER MICHAEL RANKIN. PLEASE SEE COMPLAINT FORM INATTACHMENT -IT'S TOO LONG TO ADD. THEY'RE IN PROCESS OF CHARGING MICHAEL RANKIN ON 12 COUNTS FOR DIFFERENT VEHICLES SOLD,AND ASESSING MONETARY FINES. I HAVE DONE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS TO THIS POSTAL FLEET VEHICLE.ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCED MECHANISS AT 32,300 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD ALREADY BEEN REBUILT -IMPROPERLY. I'M COMPLAINING BECAUSE I WAS STUCK ON FAST MOVING ARTERIAL WITH LEAKING TRANSMISSION (UNSAFE CONDITION) BECAUSE OF IMPROPER REPAIRS ,AND COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE IN CONJESTED TRAFFIC 1621-72ND ST EAST,TACOMA,WA 98404. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THAT MOMENT AND AT ANOTHER DIFFERENT TIME WHEN DRIVING.THIS IS THE UNSAFE PART. THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME APPROXIMATELY $1500 AND ALSO TOLD ME IT HAD TRANSMISSION ALREADY REBUILT AND (4) LOOSE BOLTS ON PUMP SEAL, ALSO HAD A "PRE OWNED" USED? WRECKING YARD TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH WAS...

WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT TURN ALLOWING ME TO START THE CAR. WHEN I CALLED THE DODGE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME TO INSERT THE KEY PULL IT TOWARDS ME THEN INSERT A FLAT HEAD SCREW DRIVER IN THE KEY AND TAP 2 TO 3 TIMES THEN TURN THE KEY. I WORKS LIKE THAT EACH TIME BUT THE SYMPTOMS MATCH THOSE DESCRIBED IN TV ADS PROMPTING DANGER OF HAVING THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN UNSUSPECTING AND CAUSING ACCIDENTS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHEN IT IS RAINING OR ROAD IS WET THERE IS A TENDENCY TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING FOR A MOMENT , ONE TIME STEERING BECOME VERY STIFF CANNOT TURN RIGHT /LEFT , 2ND TIME WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND IT WAS RAINING COULD NOT CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE HEADING FOR 10 - 20 SECONDS, THIRD TIME REPEATED WHAT HAPPEN 2ND TIME ON SAT 29 NOV 2011. *TR

2003 DODGE CARAVAN POWER STEERING PROBLEM WHEN COLD START THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAKES A WHINING NOISE. AT THE BEGINNING THE POWER STEERING IS SOLID HARD, SO I CANNOT TURN THE WHEELS. AFTER A MINUTE THE CAR STRUTS DRIVING NORMALLY. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED BY CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AFTER 2 YEARS AGAIN. WHEN YOU READ THE AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS FOR DODGE CARAVAN, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS A QUADRIPLEGIC WHO HAD A WHEELCHAIR INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE BY MANUFACTURERS NAMED INDEPENDENT DRIVING VEHICLE. BRAUN, ANOTHER MANUFACTURER HELPED TO PRODUCE VEHICLE EQUIPMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW THE DRIVER TO SIT IN A WHEELCHAIR WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED AFTER HITTING A CURB AND DRIVING OVER AN ENTRAPMENT. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER (THE QUADRIPLEGIC) WAS KILLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A WITNESS TO THE CRASH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HEADING TOWARD A THREE-WAY INTERSECTION AND INSTEAD OF GOING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, THE VEHICLE DROVE STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

I AM ON MY THIRD RACK AND PINION FOR THE STEERING MECHANISMS FOR THE 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT THAT WE OWN. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005 WITH 28000 MILES WITHIN THE YEAR I REPLACED MY FIRST RACK AND PINION (2006). SINCE THEN I REPLACED ANOTHER ONE (2008) AND NOW AM HAVING TO REPLACE ANOTHER. I CAN'T AFFORD THIS AND AM HAVING TO CONTINUOUSLY DRIVE A CAR WITH DEFECTIVE STEERING. EVERY MECHANIC I CALL SAYS THAT THE DODGE VANS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HORRIBLE RACK AND PINIONS AND THAT NO ONE WILL WARRANTY THAT PART. CAN YOU HELP ME? THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED NOT JUST ACCEPTED. *TR

SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPING. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL YEAR MODELS OF CARAVAN AND HAVE FOUND THIS PROBLEM TO BE CONSTANT WITH ALL. DURING RAIN OR OTHER WATER ON THE ROAD CONDITION, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS ENOUGH TO INTERFERE WITH VEHICLE OPERATIONS UNTIL THE WATER IS DISPLACED FROM THE BELT. IF A DRIVER IS NOT PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION OR IS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT THE TIME, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE POWER STEERING, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ALTERNATOR, OR LOSE OF ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE AXLES. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE STUDIED AND REMEDIED TO PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRENCES. IF THE FIX CAN BE RETROFITTED TO PREVIOUS YEARS, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PROVIDE THE REPAIRS AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THIS CONDITION BEGAN WITH THE PURCHASE DATE THROUGH TODAY. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT CONTAINED TO ONE ENGINE SIZE. *TR

MY 2003, 6 CYL, 3.3L, DODGE CARAVAN, LOSES IT'S POWER STEERING WHEN IT RAINS AND YOU HIT EVEN A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER. THE WATER SHIELD IS IN PLACE. THE DODGE DEALER SAYS IT IS COMMON TO ALL THE CARAVANS AND THERE IS NO FIX. I CALLED MAIN DODGE HQ WHICH CONFIRMED THIS. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 5-30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A POPPING, KICKING, AND CREEKING SOUND. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. A NOISE WAS PRESENT IN THE ENGINE AREA. THE COLD WEATHER WAS A FACTOR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LEAK AND THAT HER RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE A YEAR AGO. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE RACK AND PINION COULD RESULT IN HER LOSING STEERING CONTROL AND RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68000.

STEERING RACK AND RACK PROBLEMS 2003 DODGE CARAVAN WENT OUT AT 60,000 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE STEERING RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED TWICE BY THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT; A WHINING AND GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. THE WATER PUMP, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 2/24/2006 - *NM

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...

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LOCKED UP.*MR THE VEHICLE STEERING LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT A BELT HAD SHEARED OFF AND CAUSED A LEAK. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE UPPER POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE AND BELIEVES THAT THIS RECALL IS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM HER VEHICLE HAD. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *NM

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WANDERED ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB

MY NEW 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SE HAS A PRONOUNCED BIAS TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING AT SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I BELIEVE THIS HAS BOTH SAFETY AND TYRE WEAR IMPLICATIONS. MY LOCAL GOOD YEAR DEALER SAID IT'S A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE ALIGNMENT AFTER PUTTING THE CAR UP ON A LIFT. THE DEALER HAS SAID IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE TYRE. THE CAR WILL BE SERVICED AT THE DEALR ON 11/14/2003.*AK