2005 DODGE CARAVAN Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIRS BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AN INDEPENDENT TOWING COMPANY TO A SALVAGE LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. BLEVINS SEAWAY MOTORS (98 CENTER ST, MASSENA, NY 13662, (315) 764-0283) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

Mileage: 136,000

2005 DODGE CARAVAN MINI VAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. *LD *JS

AS I WAS DRIVING, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON MY 2005 DODGE CARAVAN WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE MINIVAN FAILED COMPLETELY, SHUTTING DOWN MY POWER BRAKES, POWER STEERING, ALL DASHBOARD INDICATORS, AND ALL VEHICLE LIGHTS (INCLUDING THE FOUR-WAY FLASHERS). FORTUNATELY, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WE TOOK IT TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AFTER IT HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME, A DODGE DEALER MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM LOCKING MECHANISM HAD FAILED AND SHORTED OUT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND WOULD COST $900 TO REPAIR. IT ALSO COST AN EXTRA $500 TO REPLACE THE MECHANISM THAT THE PART IS ATTACHED TO BECAUSE IT HAD RUSTED SO SEVERELY. THESE INCIDENTS WERE FRIGHTENING BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT A HIGHER SPEED OR AT NIGHT SINCE ALL MY LIGHTS WOULD HAVE SHUT OFF. I WOULD CONSIDER BUYING A NEWER WHEELCHAIR VAN IF THEY WERE NOT SO INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE.

Mileage: 75,010

SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED HIS VEHICLE, I HAD THE FRONT END REALIGNED. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE INNER TIE ROD BOOT WAS DAMAGE AND THE TIEROD END WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAD THE INNER TIEROD REPLACE BUT WE COULD NOT FIND A REPLACEMENT. BOTH BOOTS,LEFT AND RIGHT,. WERE DAMAGED AND THE GREASE WAS LEAKING OUT. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED ON THE STEEL TUBING WHERE A RUBBER AND METAL CLAMP HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FRAME BEHIND THE ENGINE. WATER, SALT AND DIRT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE AS IT WAS CAUGHT IN THE CLAMP ASSEMBLY. RESULT WAS A FAILURE IN THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAN OVER THE CARE TO THE GARAGE. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LOCATED ON THE STEERING WAS PUSHING AGAINST THE PLASTIC AND CAUSED IT TO DETACH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

Mileage: 86,000

ON MY 2005 DODGE CARAVAN THE STEERING SLIPS WHEN I START THE CAR ~ THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER THE CAR IS LEFT IN THE RAIN. THE STEERING CATCHES AFTER A MINUTE AND THEN IS FINE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FIRESTONE AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

I HAVE A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN THAT I HAVE HAD FOR 2 WINTERS NOW AND BOTH WINTERS IT HAS BLOWN THE POWER STEERING PUMP LEAVING A GIANT RED PUDDLE ON THE GROUND AND A GIANT REPAIR BILL ON MY WALLET! I HAVE DISCUSSED IT WITH MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD TO EXPECT THIS AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR! I DO NOT FIND THIS ACCEPTABLE. THIS TIME IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY BUT LAST YEAR IT HAPPENDED ON THE ROAD AND ALMOST LANDED IN THE DITCH AS A RESULT!*CW

Mileage: 58,000

HAVE 2005 DODGE CARAVAN SXT- TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP FOR 60K MAINTENANCE, MILEAGE AROUND 61,500 AT THE TIME. WAS TOLD THAT SEAL IN RACK-AND-PINION STEERING UNIT WAS LEAKING AND WHOLE UNIT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, SOONER OR LATER. ESTIMATED COST AT THE TIME (JUNE 1, 2009) WAS $750. PUT FLOOR COVER IN AGARAGE AND HAVE NOTICED NO LEAKS TO DATE. NO NOTICEABLE STEERING FLUID DEPLETION TO DATE. NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN STEERING FUNCTION SO FAR. WILL CONTINUE TO OBSERVE FOR LEAKS AND MONITOR FLUID LEVELS. LOOKS LIKE A COMMON 'FIX' APPLIED TO THESE MODELS WHETHER THE ACTUAL NEED IS SMALL OR LARGE. THERE IS SOME SEEPAGE IN CERTAIN BEARINGS/SEALS THAT IS A NORMAL PROCESS, SO I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN...SO, I'LL WATCH AND WAIT. *TR

Mileage: 61,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STARTED THE ENGINE AND HEARD A WHINING NOISE. IT THEN STOPPED AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMED UP. AFTER A MONTH OF EXPERIENCING THIS NOISE, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A GASKET IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. THE LEAKING RACKET WAS REPLACED AND THE ISSUE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE IT IS A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 07/17/09 *BF THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING AND EVENTUALLY REPLACED. UPDATED 07/17/09.*JB

Mileage: 38,000

CAR WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHEN RUNNING. IT BECAME HIGHER PITCHED WHEN TURNING, SOMETIMES A GRINDING NOISE. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE AUTOMATED POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM BE RESET. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,220. UPDATED 02-23-09 *BF UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

Mileage: 50,000

2005 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 65000 MILES HAD A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN COLD. TOOK VAN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RESERVOIR. TOTAL COSTS EXCEEDING $1000! I SEE MANY OF THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL OF VAN. A 3YR OLD VEHICLE WITH THIS AMOUNT OF MILEAGE SHOULD NOT NEED TO HAVE THE STEERING SYSTEM REPLACED! IF THIS WERE A RANDOM OCCURRENCE, I'D JUST FEEL LIKE WE HAD SOME BAD LUCK. BUT WITH ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH DODGE HAS A PROBLEM THAT COULD TURN DEADLY IF THE STEERING GOES OUT COMPLETELY! *TR

Mileage: 65,000

ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASING A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, THE RACK AND PINION HAS TO BE REPLACED. ORIGINAL COMPLAINT # 10225466 4/23/08. *TR

Mileage: 113,700

ENGINE NOISE TURNED OUT TO BE A LEAKING POWER STEERING RACK, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $866.91. THIS APPARENTLY IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

THE AXIAL ARM CONNECTING THE STEERING TO THE WHEEL IS INTERNALLY DEFECTIVE. IT WAS COMPLETELY BROKE AT A STARTING POINT. THE CAR COULD NOT BEEN DRIVEN, BECAUSE IT JERKS IN THE SAME PLACE WITH NO ADVANCES. IF THIS ( AXIAL BROKEN) HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD FLIP UPSIDE DOWN. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND THE STEERING GEAR ARE GOING OUT ON OUR 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. THERE ARE SEVEN (7) VANS AHEAD OF OURS WITH OUR DEALER. I SPOKE TO CHRYSLER AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. THEY WANT US TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VAN EVEN WITH THIS ISSUE. THEY ARE UNABLE TO GIVE US A DATE WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 28,000

THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND THE STEERING GEAR ARE GOING OUT ON OUR 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. THERE ARE SEVEN (7) VANS AHEAD OF OURS WITH OUR DEALER. I SPOKE TO CHRYSLER AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. THEY WANT US TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VAN EVEN WITH THIS ISSUE. THEY ARE UNABLE TO GIVE US A DATE WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 28,000

RACK AND PINION WENT OUT (LATER DIAGNOSED BY DEALER) ON HIGHWAY. STARTED TO STEER VERY HARD AND HAS NOW LOST ALL POWER STEERING. *TR

I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A MAIN HIGHWAY AND I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE, A LOUD THUD AND SCRAPING NOISE ONTO THE ASPHALT. I COULD NOT MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY OTHER CARS THAT ARE USUALLY TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY 211 IN BARROW COUNTY. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY WITH A GULLEY ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE AND HEAVY 5:00 TRAFFIC ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. DUE TO THE INABILITY TO MANEUVER THIS VEHICLE, THE TAIL END WAS BARELY OFF THE HIGHWAY. PEOPLE WOULD HONK AT ME AS THEY SPED BY. I HAD MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE 2ND ROW SEAT, AND HAD TO GET OUT OF THE VAN, MAKING SURE I WOULD NOT BE STRUCK BY SPEEDING CARS, AND DETERMINE WHICH WAY TO GET HER OUT SAFELY. I TOOK HER OUT THE BACK OF THE VAN VERY CAREFULLY. THIS ENTAILED HER HAVING TO CLIMB OVER THE 3RD ROW SEATING. IF THE VAN WOULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK, IT WOULD HAVE ROLLED DOWN THE EMBANKMENT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THIS WAS THE 4TH CARAVAN HE HAD TOWED THAT DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP IS REPAIRING AT A COST OF $500.00 TO ME PLUS TOWING OF $50.00. I CALLED DODGE AS THIS IS THE 2ND DEFECT WITHIN 4 MONTHS OF OWNING THIS VAN. THEY TOOK THE REPORT AND THAT WAS IT. THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR EITHER REPAIR. THE FIRST WAS IN APRIL, THE ENTIRE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, COSTING $900 AND THREE WEEKS TO REPAIR IT. AKINS FORD IN WINDER DID BOTH REPAIRS. *JB

Mileage: 32,000

THERE WAS A HIGH PITCH WHINE IF THE ENGINE WAS ON. THIS NOISE PERSISTED IN ALL GEARS AND SPEEDS INCLUDING STOPPED WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. ADDED PS FLUID AS IT WAS LOW AND THE NOISE STOPPED. TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A LEAK IN THE RACK AND PINION. AS CAR WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY DEALER WILL REPAIR FOR A REDUCED COST. PART IS ORDERED AND WILL BE DONE SOON. *TR

FLUID LEAKING FROM POWER STEERING UNIT. WILL REQUIRE INSTALLATION OF NEW RACK AND PINION. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF UNRECOGNIZED BY VEHICLE OWNER AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT IN LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER VEHICLE. THIS IS ON A 2005 VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OF THESE SITUATIONS ON THIS VEHICLE. AUTOMAKER IS NOT NOTIFYING OWNERS. THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT SHOULD NOT FAIL FOR THE LIFETIME OF A CAR IN MOST CASES. SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL KNOW INSTANCES IN MY AREA, I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART. I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD THAT THERE WAS A 2 TO 3 WEEK BACKORDER ON THE PART. IT HAS NOW COME IN AND MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED. *NM

Mileage: 40,000

NOTICED CLUNKING SOUND IN FRONT OF 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH A WHINING SOUND. CONTACTED CHRYSLER REFERENCE # 15812736 AFTER FINDING ISSUE WITH POWER STEERING RACK AND SWAY BAR. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN FATALITY DUE TO STEERING DEFECT. DEALER REPAIRED DEFECT AT MY COST. TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $1394.43. THE LOSS OF MY PEACE OF MIND WAS PRICELESS. *JB

Mileage: 56,400

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING UNIT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES AND NOW WILL BE THE 5TH TIME. *NM

Mileage: 15,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD WHINING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THE DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 47,525

CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT AS IF ONE OF THE CALIPERS IS HANGING UP HAS BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR SAME ISSUE NOW THE 3RD DEALER CLAIMS THE TIRES NEED TO BE ROTATED (VEHICLE ONLY HAS 11,000 MILES) AND AN ALIGNMENT OF WHICH THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER AT THIS POINT AS PER REPRESENTATIVE OF DODGE CORPORATE OFFICE THIS IS A "MAINTENANCE ISSUE SUCH AS AN OIL CHANGE" YET THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE FROM DAY ONE! NOT TO MENTION HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE ONE TIRE ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE TIRE ON THAT SIDE IS WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE AS WELL. VEHICLE WAS ALSO BROUGHT IN FOR THE ABS LIGHT STAYING ON. *JB

Mileage: 6,830

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 5-35 MPH ALONG WITH A CLANKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING AREA. THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE OUTER TIE ROD BECAUSE IT WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE NO LONGER PULLED TO THE RIGHT BUT THE CLANKING NOISE CONTINUED. *AK (12/08/05) THE COMPONENTS AFFECTED WERE THE RIGHT TIE ROD, SWAY ELIMINATOR LINKS, BUSHINGS AND NUTS. *SC *JB

Mileage: 41,000

2002 DODGE CARAVAN, STEERING PROBLEMS, NOISES, RATLLING, SHAKING. TRIED TO FIX 4 TIMES. FINALLY WE TRADED IT IN FOR 2005. SAME PROBLEMS STARTED UNDER 10,000. IN SHOP NOW 2ND ATTEMPT TO FIX. ALSO VAN LOOSES ALL POWER AND STEERING WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES.

I PURCHASED A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN 3 WEEKS AGO. ON THE FORTH DAY THAT I PURCHASED IT (I HAD DRIVEN IT ABOUT 50 MILES), THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. THIS MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ALTHOUGH WE DID MAKE IT HOME. I WAS A HORRIBLE LEAK AND IT SPRAYED THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. (WE WERE LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NOT A FIRE) IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT A CLAMP HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY ATTACHED AT THE FACTORY AND WAS RE-ADJUSTED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE RELATED TO THE CURRENT RECALL OF THE V-6 MODELS (OUR CARAVAN IS A FOUR CYLINDER).

Mileage: 285