1993 DODGE CARAVAN Steering Problems

I HAVE A 1993 DODGE CARAVAN. I HAVE SPENT OVER $10,000.00 ON REPAIRS SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 1993. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH DODGE. I'VE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS ON VARIOUS COMPONENTS, THEY WERE CORRECTED AND ARE NOW AGAIN DEFECTIVE INCLUDING MY SEATBELTS, ABS SYSTEM, AND STEERING COLUMN. I AM NOW NOTICING THAT THE PAINT IS ERODING ON THE TOP OF MY VAN. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER DODGE CARAVANS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THE EXACT SAME PATTERN OF CORROSION. IT APPEARS THE PAINT IS WEARING OFF ON THE TOPS OF THE CARS, THEN THE HOODS AND SO ON. IT EVENTUALLY RUSTS THROUGH AS I'VE SEEN ON AT LEAST 20 DODGE CARAVANS. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED PAINT WEARING AWAY LIKE THIS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES THAT I'VE OWNED AND MUCH OLDER THAN 10 YEARS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT SOMEWHERE IN THE PAINTING PROCESS, PERHAPS THE PRIMER OR THE PAINT ITSELF. THIS IS THE THIRD LETTER I'VE WRITTEN AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM ANYONE. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PAINTING PROCESS OF THESE VANS. I BELIEVE IT IS ALSO OCCURRING IN OTHER YEAR MODELS. THANK YOU, SUSAN DEANFRASIO. *JB

DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT STEERING COLUMN WAS EXCESSIVELY LOOSE. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE FRONT COVER, TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, WATER PUMP AND OIL PUMP. *AK *CB *NLM

Mileage: 91,800

THE CONSUMER INQUIRED AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HIS COMPLAINT WAS ON FILE REGARDING AN EXCESSIVELY LOOSE STEERING COLUMN, BECAUSE HE NEVER RECEIVED ANY LETTER TO SIGN. *PH *JB

THE BALL JOINTS AND STARTER FAILED, THE BRAKE LINE WAS BROKEN, THE SIDE DOOR FELL OFF, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OIL AND COOLANT FAILURES. ALSO THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN OUTER ROD END INSTALLED AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. *JG *JB

THE SLIDING DOOR SEPARATED FROM THE HINGES, ALSO THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL, COOLANT, BALL JOINTS, STARTER, BRAKE LINE, TIE ROD, TRANSMISSION, EXHAUST AND THE FRONT BRAKES. TS *JB

INTERNAL FAILURE OF COMPONENT NOTED BY KNOCKING NOISE IN STEERING GEAR BOX. ADDITIONAL PLAY IN STEERING NOTED AND OTHER OWNERS HAVE STATED SAME PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE PLACING VEHICLE IN REVERSE THEN IN DRIVE STEERING WHEEL FELL ON DRIVER'S LAP, RESULTING IN VEHICLE BECOMING INOPERABLE.*AK

STEERING WHEEL BROKE OFF PRIOR TO RECEIVING MANUFACTURER RECALL, CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

STEERING WAS LOOSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID NOT TO DRIVE BECAUSE RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE ON RIGHT SIDE. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY, AIR CONDITION FAILED AND MAJOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR.*JB

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

IN EVENING CONSUMER TRIED TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE AND EFFECTED STEERING COLUMN OPERATIONS. *AK

ENGINE BELT CAME OFF, CAUSING STEERING FAILURE. DEALER REPAIRED BELT, BUT PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK WHEN DRIVING 38 TO 42 MPH STEERING WHEEL IS VIBRATING. CONSUMER STATES PRESSURE PULLEY OR TENSIONER KEEPS BREAKING BOLT, IT DOES NOT TAKE PRESSURE, AT SPEEDS ABOVE 38 MPH IT VIBRATES LIKE IT'S GOING TO COME OFF. *SLC

THE PROBLEM STARTED SHORTLY AFTER I BROUGHT THE VAN. THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD "FREEZE" & NOT TURN WHILE MAKING CORNERS SOMETIMES. THIS HAPPENED 4-6 TIMES BEFORE THE STEERING FINALLY "BROKELOOSE" AND ALLOWED ME TO STEER (IT HAS BEEN FOR THE MOST PART BEEN STEERING OK SINCE THIS HAPPENED). BUT, WHEN THIS HAPPENED ("BROOKLOOSE" IN THE STEERING COLUMN) THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT HAS BEEN ON EVER SINCE,(THE AIR BAG HAS NE VER DEPLOYED & THERE IS NO PASSANGER AIRBAG) & THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK SOMETIMES NOW. I FEEL THIS WAS/IS A PROBLEM & SHOULD BE LOOKED AT! I WOULD LIKE THE MGFR.(DODGE) TO ISSUE FREE INSPECTION CERTIFICATES & THEN OFFER TO FIX THIS IF IT A MGFR.'S DEFECT. ONLY THEN WOULD I FEEL COMPLETELY SAFE! *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL9700V305000/ STEERING WHEEL, AND HAS CONTACTED CARWAY CHRYSLER (911 NORTH SALISBURY BLVD. TELE 410-749-1301)ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE NOVEMBER 2000. DEALER CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T HAVE PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL. CONSUMER FELT RECALL WAS NOT BEING DONE IN TIMELY MANNER, AND WAS DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE IN CONSUMER'S HANDS, THE METAL NEXT TO THE WELDS HAVE CONTINUOUS CRACKS, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO RECALL 00V305. *SLC

STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-305. NLM

STEERING WHEEL BROKE AT THE BASE AND CLOCKSPRING BROKE. NLM

WHIILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVE WAY DRIVER LOST STEERING CONTROL BECAUSE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. DEALER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. VAN WAS REPAIRED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

WHILE BACKING OUT STEERING WHEEL BROKE OFF. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

THE STEERING WHEEL JAMMED AND STUCK AFTER MAKING A TURN DUE TO A BROKEN SAFETY DEVICE (CLOCK SPRING) UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE AIR BAG, THE HORN AND THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT TO FAIL. YH

WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH AND PULLING OUT A PARKING SPACE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, PARTS BEING REPLACED. *AK *ML

WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE OFF IN DRIVER'S HAND. WAS TURNING STEERING WHEEL COUNTER CLOCKWISH AT THE TIME. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HANGING BY THE WIRES. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED IT WAS NORMAL WEAR & TEAR. MECHANIC WILL REPAIR STEERING WHEEL. *AK

POWER STEERING FAILED. NLM

PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION. OBVIOUSLY CHRYSLER HAS NOT SOLVED THIS PROBLEM AS YOU MAY HAVE BEEN LED TO BELIEVE SINCE BOTH THE ORGINAL AND NOW THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS FAILED. ALSO, WHAT LEGAL REMEDIES ARE AVAILABLE TO ME UNDER THE LEMON LAW?

RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED.

FAULTY POWER STEERING UNIT.

STEERING NOISE.

STEERING WHELL STARTED TO MAKE CLICKING SOUND, BECAME UNBALANCED AND JUST CAME OFF. *AK

CONSUMER WAS COMING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND NOTICED A SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN , THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT BREAKING AWAY FROM THE STEERING GEAR BOX. CONSUMER HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS COMING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND NOTICED A SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN , THE POWER STEERING WAS LEAKING DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT BREAKING AWAY FROM THE STEERING GEAR BOX. CONSUMER HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED. *AK

INNER TIE RODS FAILED TWICE. OUTER TIE RODS FAILED ONCE.

INNER TIE RODS FAILED TWICE. OUTER TIE RODS FAILED ONCE.

POWER STEERING LEAK.

VEHICLE BEING PARKED, BRAKES FAILED (ABS), HAD REPAIRED 2 WKS LATER, THEN DAUGHTER DRIVING VEHICLE, AT STOP LIGHT, STARTED TO MOVE AND INNER TIE ROD BROKE.*AK

POWER STEERING BELT/TENSIONER NOISY. *DSH

POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER FRACTURED. COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. *AK

POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER FRACTURED. COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE. *AK

THE STEERING BELT TENSIONER FRACTURED AND CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND THE WHEEL LOCKS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

BELT TENSIONER FAILED AFTER STARTING FROM INTERSECTION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

BELT TENSIONER FAILED AFTER STARTING FROM INTERSECTION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

THE POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER MAKES YOU LOSS CONTROL OF THE CAR YOU CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. TT

BROKEN STEERING BELT TENSIONER, LOSS OF POWER STEERING. TT

THE POWER STEERING SPROCK BROKE IT MAKES THE STEERING HARDER. IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CRUVE. TT

POWER STEERING TENSIONER BELT LOOSENING. *SD

STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE, EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. TT

SUDDEN LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE STEERING BELT TENSIONER PE95-012. *AK

THE STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE AND CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

#PE95-12, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY BELT TENSIONER BROKE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

INSTALLED NEW SERPENTINE BELT BEFORE GOING ON TRIP; WHILE PARKING, POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE COMPLETELY OFF; BELT FOUND UNDERHOOD. TT

STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE. *SD

POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

DRIVE BELT POPPED OFF, CAUSED VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND LOST STEERING CONTROL. TT CONSUMER STATES TENSIONER PULLEY LET GO. *SLC

BELT TENSIONER FAILED W/BELT LOSSENING WHILE DRIVING, TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. TT CONSUMER STATESH POWER STEERING WAS LOST, MECHANIC FOUND BELT OFF TRACK DUE TO FAILURE OF TENSIONER. *SLC

POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

THE OWNER IS HAVING PREBLEM WITH THE STEER BELT TENSIONER. TT

THE OWNER IS HAVING PREBLEM WITH THE STEER BELT TENSIONER. TT

POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE, CAUSING THE BELT TO COME OFF. *SD

POWER STEERING TENSIONER BENT, CAUSING FAILURE. *SD

POWER STEERING TENSIONER BENT, CAUSING FAILURE. *SD

VEHICLE STALLS OUT DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT ANY SPEED, RESULTING IN HARD BRAKING AND STEERING. TT *JB

POWER STEERING TENSIONER BOLT BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *SD

ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, DEALER REPLACED ABS SWITCH, FRACTURED STEERING BELT. TT

POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER FRACTURED, RESULTING IN HARD STEERING, REPLACED BELT TENSIONER AND BELT. TT

STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE, TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. TT

# PE95-012 THE STEERING BELT TENSIONER WAS MAKING NOISE CONSUMER REPLACED IT . TT ALSO ELECTRIC MOTOR FAILED UNABLE TO OPERATE DOOR LOCKS.*JB

POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE AND BELT FELL OFF. TT

#PE95-012 THE STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE, #EA94-028 THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND BRAKES FAIL THREE TIMES THE STEERING IS NOT ALIGNED RIGHT . TT

THE STEERING BELT TENSIONER FELL OUT . TT

BELT TENSIONER FRACTURED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL, REPLACED BELT TENSIONER AND BELT. TT

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER #PE95-012. TT CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED IT, HOWEVER THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK IN AND THIS TIME DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TIRES, CONSUMER CHANGED THE TIRES AND THIS TOO DID NOT HELP, DEALER CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM, POSSIBLY STEERING OR SUSPENSION RELATED. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING JUST WENT-CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. TT

STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED, HIT A UTILITY POLE, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

STEERING BELT TENSIONER FRACTURED, RESULTING IN POWER STEERING LOST AND VEHICLE OVERHEATED. TT CONSUMER STATES DESIGN OF THE PART IS POOR WITH METAL TO METAL CONTACT UNTIL CENTER PIVOT BOLT FREEZES TO THE HOUSING AND THE BOLT SHEARS. *SLC

EXITING PARKING LOT BELT TENSIONER FAILED W/LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

POWER STEERING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TT

COULD NOT TURN VEHICLE TO RIGHT, DUE TO FAILED POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER. *DSH

POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER HAS FRACTURED, LOSS OF POWER STEERING. TT

STEERING BELT TENSIONER FROZE IN PLACE MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT, HAD TO REPLACE. TT *SLC

THE STEERING BELT JUST SNAPPED AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, RE-ENTERED NOTICE VEHICLE STEERING DID NOT WORK, DUE TO TENSIONER BELT COMING OFF. TT

HAD PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BELT TENSIONER BREAKING. TT

REPLACED POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER.

POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *DH

VEHICLES STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE AS CAR CAME TO A STOP. (PE95-012). TT

STEERING BELT TENSIONER FRACTURED; CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. TT

WHEN MAKING PRIMARY LEFT TURNS, SOMETIMES RIGHT TURNS, LOSS TOTAL POWER STEERING; EXTREMELY DIFFICULT MAKING TURNS;TAKES ABOUT 3 TIMES NORMAL TIME TO MAKE TURN.

POWER STEERING WHEN TURNED IN A TIGHT RADIUS WHINES. *SD

(919-848-3455H)IDLER PULLEY SNAPPED OFF CAUSING LOSS POWER STEERING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

(919-848-3455H)IDLER PULLEY SNAPPED OFF CAUSING LOSS POWER STEERING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

STEERING RACK FAILED, CAUSING GREAT DIFFICULTY IN STEERING VEHICLE. *AK

POWER STEERING FAILED. *SD

LOST CONTROL OF STEERING WHEN POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER FRACTURED. TT

STEERING MAKING A LOUD NOISE BECAUSE OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID. *AK

STEERING FROZE FOR APPROX 5 MINS-SOUNDED LIKE A KNOCKING NOISE. TT

HEARD SOMETHING FALL FROM UNDER VEHICLE WHICH AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING. TT

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. *AK

REPLACED RACK AND PINION STEERING. TT

OUTER TIE ROD BROKE, RESULTING IN THE TWO FRONT WHEEL GOING OUT IN DIFFERENT DIRECTION, REPLACE OUTER TIE ROD. TT

REPLACED STEERING PUMP TWICE.

VEHICLE STALL OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING, RESULTING IN NO STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY, REPLACE CAM AND CRANK SENSOR/FUEL PUMP ASSM AND ELEC. SYSTEM, TO NO AVAIL.