2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Steering Problems

AFTER GOING THROUGH WATER PUDDLES, THE CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE WHEEL TURNED BUT AS IF THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE CAR ALSO HESITATES AS IF THE ENGINE WILL STALL. *JS

2004 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 3.3 ENGINE. RACK AND PINION BINDING IN TURNS. CORRECTIVE ACTION HAD TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION. 83000 MILES ON VAN. STARTED OUT AS A POPPING NOISE AND GOT PROGRESSIVE WORST. *TR

UNUSUAL GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A COLD DAY, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED AND WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V38600 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THE SECOND REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $400. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY DECLINED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,355.

EVERY MORNING THE STEERING GROWLS AND MAKES NOISE UNTIL THE VAN WARMS UP. THE DEALER THAT HAS DONE ALL REPAIRS ON THE VAN SAYS THE RACK IS GOING OUT. I HAVE WATCHED THE FLUID, AND SEE NO LEAKS, NOR HAVE I HAD TO ADD ANY TO IT. IT SEEMS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF GRAND CARAVAN OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY VAN, THAT I LOVE, IS A 2004 WITH 110,000 MILES. I AM GOING TO CHANGE THE RESERVOIR TO SEE IF THIS FIXES THE PROBLEM. BUT I THINK DODGE SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS WHEN LOTS OF THEIR VANS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, IT IS CALLED DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. *TR

VEHICLE HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT AND RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IS LEAKING. BASED ON RESEARCH OF OTHER COMPLAINTS, IT IS APPARENT THAT THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT AFFECTS STEERING. THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T FAIL, BUT IT WILL DETERIORATE UNTIL ALL OF THE FLUID LEAKS OUT AND THEN POSSIBLY DAMAGES THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS ULTIMATELY COULD CAUSE THE PUMP TO LOCK UP OR IN SOME CASES, LEAK FLUID ON TO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND CAUSE A FIRE. THE REPAIR COST FOR THIS ISSUE IS ~$800-900. MY ESTIMATE WAS FOR $820 (EXCLUDING A NEW ALIGNMENT). *TR