2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning, the vehicle made an abnormal growling sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering fluid was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V386000 (Steering) in 2004. The failure mileage was approximately 329,281.

Mileage: 329,281

THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS THAT ARE VERY SERIOUS. FIRST, IN 2017 AS I WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE, I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE. AS I ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT ONTO THE ROAD, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND IT WAS ONLY WITH EXTREME FORCE AND SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES THAT I KEPT FROM RUNNING THROUGH THE GUARDRAIL, AND DROPPING DOWN TO THE INTERSTATE BELOW. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN AND STOPPED ON THE OVERPASS UNTIL MY STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. YES, MY ENGINEER HUSBAND KEEPS UP WITH ALL OF OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING THE BELTS. NEXT, WITH AN UNUSUALLY HEAVY RAIN THIS PAST WEEK, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PARKING FOR AN HOUR, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN WHEN I ATTEMPTED GO AGAIN. I RESTARTED THE CAR FIVE TIMES BEFORE THE STEERING UNLOCKED. ALL WEEK, DURING THAT HEAVY RAIN, THE STEERING LOCKED REGULARLY. THESE PROBLEMS ARE ALL OVER THE WEB. WOMEN AND CHILDREN EVERYWHERE ARE IN DANGER OF DYING FROM SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM? IF YOU ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, THEN YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BEING SUED ALONG WITH CHRYSLER, FOR ALLOWING THIS TO CONTINUE UNCORRECTED.

Mileage: 238,958

I AM THE VICTIM OF A FRAUDULENT CLOSE OUT OF A FACTORY RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX ONE OF THEIR OWN RECALLS ON A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THREE DEALERSHIPS TO TRY TO GET SATISFACTION. TWO OF THOSE HAVE SINCE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. THE THIRD REFUSES TO HELP IN ANY WAY. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT SOME DEALERSHIP HAS ALREADY CLOSED OUT THE TICKET FOR FIXING THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE ON MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CAR WAS NEVER FIXED: IT STILL HAS THE FACTORY HOSE. FINALLY I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE WHERE A FORMER CHRYSLER TECHNICIAN WORKED WHO WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM.. HE SAID THAT NOT ONLY HAD THE RECALL NEVER BEEN DONE, BUT THE DESIGN WAS FAULTY. THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE IS SO SHORT THAT THE SYNTHETIC ATF THAT IS USED AS POWER STEERING FLUID FOAMS UP CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH BELCHING OUT FLUID, POWER STEERING FAILURE, PUMP FAILURE AND EVENTUALLY RACK AND PINION FAILURE. I TOLD HIM NOT TO TOUCH THE POWER STEERING BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS NEVER PERFORMED. HE AGREED THAT THE REPAIR HAD NEVER BEEN DONE AND ESTIMATED THE REPAIR COST AT $800.00 TO PUT A NEW RACK AND PINION AND TO REPAIR THE FAULTY DESIGN PER THE CHRYSLER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. MY PROBLEM NOW IS THE PUMP HAS GONE BAD TOO WHICH WILL ADD ANOTHER $500.00 TO THE PRICE. MY DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VIN IS [XXX]. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? MY PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX]. THE PHONE AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT REFUSES TO HELP IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 71,000

POWER STEERING IN 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS FAILING FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW. I HAVE TWICE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. IT FAILS DURING WINTER MONTHS. *TW

Mileage: 80,000

THIS MODEL HAS STEERING ISSUES. WITH ONLY 60K MILES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION 2 SEPARATE TIMES ALREADY AND NOW THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS GOING OUT. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

I OWN A 2003 GRAND CARAVAN CURRENTLY WITH 43,000 MILES ON IT. AT A LITTLE LESS THAN 40,000 MILES THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTING MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE, DIDN'T MATTER IF YOU WERE TURNING THE WHEEL OR NOT; MORE OFTEN ON A RAINY OR COLD MORNING, NOW ITS ALL THE TIME. I CONTACTED DODGE SINCE I HAVE AN EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN, TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE NO COVERAGE ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP OR RACK AND PINION, BUT IM COVERED ON THINGS THAT MY HUSBAND COULD DO IN THE BACKYARD. WHAT A STORY I WAS FED, WHEN I BOUGHT THIS $900 COVERAGE. I WAS TOLD TO GO TO A CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER AND PAY $65 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, UMMM IT DOESN'T REQUIRE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, IT REQUIRES 30 SECONDS OF LISTENING. THEN AND ONLY THEN WOULD THEY CONSIDER POSSIBLY HELPING ME WITH THIS REPAIR. WHEN I BOUGHT THE SERVICE PLAN, I WAS TOLD $100 DEDUCTIBLE FOR ALL REPAIRS, END OF STORY. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE WITH MILEAGE COULD HAVE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS ALREADY. DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO HELP!!!! *TR

Mileage: 39,000

POWER STEERING MAKES TERRIBLE WHINING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS AND IS HARD TO TURN - WORSE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. PROBLEM STARTED WHEN VAN HAD LESS THAN 30K, IT NOW HAS 58K MILES. VAN HAS EXT. WARRANTY THROUGH DODGE COVERING EVEN SEALS & GASKETS, BUT SINCE DEALER CALLS THIS A "NUISANCE" PROBLEM - IT'S NOT WARRANTY. WE ARE VERY, VERY FRUSTRATED WITH DODGE. *TR

Mileage: 28,000

THE 2203 GRAND CARAVAN HAS HAD A RECALL ON THE UPPER POWER STEERING HOSE AND WAS SERVICED. A RECURRING NOISE STARTED. UNDER A EXTENDED WARRANTY THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE RACK ONCE. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE LAST SERVICE THE NOISE CAME BACK AND LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE INTO THE COOLER BLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. (NO CRASH) REPLACED HOSES WITH BETTER CLAMPS AND BACK FLUSHED POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. INTERNET SOURCES HAVE INDICATED A FILTER SCREEN IN THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. COULD THIS BE CAUSING THE LARGE LISTING OF SAME PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET? *TR

Mileage: 72,422

ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, MY WIFE'S VAN HAS BEEN MAKING A WHINING SOUND FROM THE STEERING PUMP. THE NOISE INTENSIFIES ONCE THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING PUMP MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. EVENTHOUGH THIS VAN IS 6 YEARS OLD, IT WAS IN STORAGE FOR 3 YEARS. THE CAR WAS OPERATED ONCE A MONTH IN STORAGE. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

POWER STEERING FAILS ON 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ON MORNINGS WHEN IT RAINS. HUGE SAFETY RISK SINCE VEHICLE CANNOT BE TURNED WITHOUT EXTREME MANUAL EFFORT...IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY WIFE! DEALERSHIP SAYS RACK AND PINION IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACING ($1400). INTERNET SAYS THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THESE VEHICLES FROM 2002-2006! WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR A SAFETY RETROFIT? *TR

Mileage: 175,000

POWER STEERING PUMP WAS VERY NOISY AND STEERING WOULD BECOME STIFF UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS A POOR DESIGN OF FILTER IN POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. *TR

Mileage: 67,000

2003 GRAND CARAVAN SPORT, STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF DURING WINTER FOR THE FIRST 5 TO 10 MINS IN THE MORNING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE RISK OF A CRASH OR SERIOUS INJURY WERE INCREASED. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. AS OF OCTOBER 6, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 17,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNS THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND WAS SERVICED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SAFTEY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND A POSSIBLE FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. UPDATED

Mileage: 5,000

I HAD THE POWER STEERING UPPER HOSE RECALL DONE BACK IN MAY OF 2005. BEFORE THEN I WAS NOT HAVING ANY TROUBLE WITH NOISE. SINCE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE I AM HAVING ONGOING NOISE FROM MY POWER STEERING. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK ASKING ABOUT THE NOISE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINEERS KNEW ABOUT THE NOISE AND WERE WORKING ON IT. LAST WEEK, MARCH 27, 2008, I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM CAN'T BE FIXED HOWEVER, IF I WAS WILLING TO HAVE IT FLUSHED FOR ABOUT $150.00 THAT THIS MIGHT HELP WITH NO SURE GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD IMPROVE. I THINK THE TECH MIGHT HAVE NOT PROPERLY FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURE TO FIXED THE RECALL WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE CONTAMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS HAS CAUSED ME THIS PROBLEM. *TR

THE RACK AND PINION STEERING IS LEAKING ON MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE SEALS TO BLOW OUT AND LOSE POWER STEERING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND RACK I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ONE AT 58,000 AND NOW AT 91,000. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

NOISE IN STEERING WHEN FIRST STARTED TOOK IT TO DEALER SAID IT WAS INTERNAL LEAK IN RACK & PINION CHECKED SERVICE RECORD AND SAW THAT RACK&PINION WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO.CONFRONTED SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY SAID WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IN MY OPINION APART AS IMPORTANT AS THIS SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ONE YEAR. ALSO NOTICE THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

VAN HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR STEERING PROBLEM WHINING NOISE RACK WAS REPLACED ONCE AND PUMP WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TWO TSB'S THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE WHEN THE RECALL WAS DONE HAVE NOW COST ME $300.00 BECAUSE CHRYSLER DOES NOT FEEL RESPONSIBLE, SINCE THEY WERE NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THEY DO DEAL WITH THE STEERING,THAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY..I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2 UPDATES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL 2000-2004 CHRYSLER VANS.

Mileage: 40,000

GROANING IN POWER STEERING, DEALERSHIP FITTED PS COOLER AND EXTRA LENGTH OF HOSE - DID NOT FIX PROBLEM *TR

Mileage: 30,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN DECEMBER 2003, FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AT 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON APPROXIMATELY TWELVE OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, HEARD THE NOISE, AND STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG THE 2003-2005 GRAND CARAVANS. ALTHOUGH THE MECHANIC COMPLETED OTHER RECALL REPAIRS, HE FELT THAT HE COULD NOT REMEDY THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE TO WORSEN. THE CONTACT HAS DOCUMENTATION OF ALL THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 23,100 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,025.*AK

Mileage: 2,025

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. HIGH PITCHED WHINING SOUND WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL. COMES AND GOES. FLUID LEVEL IS FINE. FLUID COLOR AND SMELL IS FINE,NO AIR BUBBLES IN FLUID.SEEMS TO BE THE WORST AFTER DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS THEN DRIVING IN TOWN. SOMETIMES GOES AWAY AFTER SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. DEALER RECOMMENDS A FLUSH. BOUGHT VEHICLE USED AT 29000 MILES. PROBLEM SEEMED TO START SHORTLY AFTER. A $80 FLUSH ISN'T GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER READING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM OTHERS ARE HAVING. SEEMS LIKE SOME SORT OF RESTRICTION ON THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE SYSTEM.

Mileage: 29,000

RACK AND PINION SEALS LEAKING DEALER REPLACED RACK & PINION 2/21/06 RACK AND PINION SEALS LEAKING AGAIN, CAR REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDING REPLACEMENT AGAIN 2/2007. *JB

Mileage: 35,567

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HUMMING AND LOW GRADE VIBRATION THAT ONE HEAR COULD WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEED, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT THEREWAS A DEFECT IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE THIS VEHICLE HAD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80000 , AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102000.*AK

Mileage: 80,000

TL *- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE VIBRATED, BUT DID NOT STALL WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED SINCE JUNE 2006. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE OIL PAN AND DIP STICK HAD GREY DEBRIS IN IT, AND THE MAGNET WAS NOT IN THE RIGHT LOCATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RETURNS COOLER SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED A BURNING SMELL UNDER THE HOOD ,AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. THE DEALER DID NOT CONFIRM IF THERE COULD BE A FAILURE IF SHE DIDN'T REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RETURN COOLER. HOWEVER, HE ADVISED HER THAT THE NEW PART WILL ELIMINATE THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. EACH VISIT TO THE DEALER/REPAIR SHOP THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A NEW FAILURE INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL CONCERN. THE DEALER STATED THE CONTACT SHOULD ALSO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RETURN COOLER. . THE CONTACT ALSO REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRES ON TWO OCCASIONS SINCE 2004 DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR. THEY MECHANIC STATED THAT A CARRIAGE BOLT WILL CORRECT THE TIRE FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 74,385

WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS 40 DEGREES OR COLDER THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ADMITS A LOUD HIGH PITCH WHINING SOUND, THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE VERY HARD TO TURN UNTIL THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP, AND ALSO A SHUDDER IS FELT THRU THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EVERY YEAR SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR, OCCURRING WHEN THE WEATHER COOLS OFF. WE TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER EVERY YEAR. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS THE SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO FLUSH THE SYSTEM AND TIGHTEN THE HOSES. THIS YEAR THE SOLUTION IS SUPPOSE TO BE A POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER, WHICH THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, WILL COST $220.00. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THIS WORK HAS THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EVERY YEAR, AND ONLY NOW IS THERE A REDESIGN FOR THE SYSTEM THAT NEVER WORKED PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHEN I CONTACTED DODGE CORPORATE OFFICE FOR RESOLUTION ON THIS MATTER, I WAS LAST TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. BUT THE COOPERATE AGENT COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE DEALER WAS GOING TO DO OR AT WHAT COST. BASICALLY I AM GETTING THE ROUND AROUND FOR WHAT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB

POWER STEERING WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER WE GOT IT, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. AFTER 4 VISITS BACK TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK 6 MONTHS LATER THE NOISE IS BACK. I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME MINI VAN AND THEY ALL HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS POPPING NOISE AND A PRONOUNCED VIBRATION WITHIN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE BUSHINGS WERE NOT REPLACED, WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED, THE POPPING NOISE PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED IT WAS BOTH TIE ROD END BALL JOINTS THAT WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

Mileage: 64,375

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2004. I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS MAKING A HUMMING NOISE. TURNING, AND IDLING. I ALSO NOTICED THAT IT WAS SPORADIC AND WOULD GO ON FOR DAYS AND THEN ONE DAY WOULD NOT MAKE A SOUND. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW. I CHECKED IT MANY TIMES AND IT WAS FINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED AND THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR POWER STEERING TO BE FLUSHED. I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IT IS NOT ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS AT ALL!!! WE ARE ABOUT AT 54,000 MILES AND THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO OR SO. *JB

Mileage: 50,000

MY 2003 NEW DODGE CARAVAN HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED X3, AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED X1 THEN REPAIRED AGAIN X 2, REPLACED STARTER, WHEEL BEARING, TIE ROD & CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 30, 000 MILES AND IS ONLY AT 60, 000 MILES. THE DEALER NOR CHRYSLER CORPORATION WILL REPLACE OR REFUND THIS CAR STATED IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER LEMON LAW. MULTIPLE TIME LOST FROM TAKING IN THIS CAR TO BE FIXED ALONG WITH EXTRA MONEY SPENT TO GET RENTALS WHILE THIS CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. *JB

Mileage: 30,000

I HAVE A 2003 GRAND CARAVAN THAT I PURCHASED NEW. THERE WAS SPORADIC SHUDDERS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM WHEN NEW AND AT LOW(PARKING LOT) SPEEDS. NOW AT APPROX 62000 MILES I HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK AND POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE TUNE OF APPROX $1100 (NOT COMPLETED AT THIS TIME) THERE IS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THIS FAILURE. THIS FAILURE AT THIS LOW MILEAGE CANNOT BE NORMAL WARE AND TEAR. THANK YOU. *NM

Mileage: 62,000

VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN STEERING MY VEHICLE, WHEN BACKING UP. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTED SHUTTERING AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS FIXED. THEY REPLACED A HOSE, AND ADDED AN ADDITIONAL COOLER. HE STATED THERE WAS A TECHNOCAL SERVIC EBULLETIN (TSB) FOR THIS. IT WOULD NOT COMPLETELY CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE HAS A RELATIVE WHO WORKS FOR CHRYSLER, AND HE STATES THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THE 2003-2005 MODELS. *AK

DT: THE CONTACE OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. THE THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THAT ONE OF THE TIRES HAS LESS THAN TREAD, THE OTHER THREE HAVE APPROXIMATELY TREAD. THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE IN THE SNOW AND RAIN. VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE WHILE IN REVERSE OR WHEN SLOWLING. HE HAS NOTICED THE SOUNDS BECAUSE OF THE VIBRATION. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER MAY HAVE TOWED SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE TIRES TO WEAR, BUT THE CONTACT SAID THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY USED UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE CONTACT FELT IT MAY BE FROM THE FRONT END BEING OUT OF ALIGNMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED RACK AND PINION STEERING WASA REPLACED. THE DEALER WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE TIRES, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE TIRES. *AK

Mileage: 25,000

DT: CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE DECEMBER 2003 AND HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED IN FEBRUARY 2004, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE SERVICE DEALER IN MARCH 2005, AND SHE HAD THE PUMP REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS DOING THE SAME THING, AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES WHEN TURNING THE CORNER OR WHEN PARKING. IT WOULD HUM ANYTIME THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED.*AK *JB

Mileage: 27,000

DT: BEGINNING LAST YEAR OWNER WAS HAVING REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END, TWO OR THREE PEOPLE LOOKED AT IT AND COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THEN ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOUND THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS THE BUSHINGS HAD NOT BEEN GREASED, AND ALL FRONT END SUSPENSION BOLTS WERE LOOSE. NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AS FAR AS OWNER KNOWS. AS OWNER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THERE HAS BEEN A CRACKING NOISE AND A SNAPPING NOISE THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THERE ARE NO OTHER PROBLEMS, PROBLEM WITH FRONT END SEEMS TO BE FIXED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED 15 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. THESE REPAIRS HAVE HAD TO DO WITH STEERING AND SUSPENSION NOISE. THERE HAVE BEEN BUSHINGS REPLACED, STEERING FLUID REPLACED, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES.*AK

Mileage: 12,100

NHTSA RECALL 04V386000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE.*AK

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 04V386000. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO GET THE VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE PARTS AND WILL NOT RESPOND TO CONSUMER. *JB

A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS ISSUED. CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V386000 *TC

Mileage: 26,000

THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED. THE POWER STEERING LEAKED AND REPLACED UNDER RECALL 037. *BF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING HOSE BLEW OFF THE RACK CLAMP WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE GARAGE WAS SMOKE-FILLED AND A POOL OF FLUID WAS ON THE FLOOR. THE REMOTE WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC

STARTED THE CAR AND NOTICED A HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHICH INCREASED WHEN THE WHEEL WAS TURNED AND THE CAR ACCELERATED - THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND THE IDLE WAS REALLY LOW. AFTER LETTING THE CAR WARM UP FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR THE SOUND WAS GONE, BUT THE IDLE REMAINED LOW. ABOUT A YEAR AGO SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPEND AFTER STARTUP - WE HAD BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AND THIS TIME THE CAR'S STEERING WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE CAR WOULD STALL - IT WASN'T UNTIL ABOUT AN HOUR OF RUNNING TIME UNTIL THE CAR'S STEERING WHEEL WAS ABLE TO MOVE.*AK

WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. *JB..NUMEROUS OCCASIONS CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD GO BUT WOULD THEN HESITATE, AND ALMOST QUIT RUNNING. AFTER THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM STILL THERE. WITH TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP WITH CROSS TRAFFIC COMING, AND STILL DISTANCE AWAY THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE, AND ALMOST STOP RUNNING. THIS COULD RESULT VERY BADLY. *AK

AFTER MAKING "CLUNKING NOISES FOR APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES MY STEERING RACK WORE OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER 100% WARRANTY, AND NOW MY REPLACEMENT RACK ( A REMANUFACURED UNIT) STARTED MAKING THE SAME NOISES AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4,000 MILES. HEN THE RACK WAS REPLACED I WAS INFORMED THAT I MAY INCUR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REPLACEMENT RACK AS CHRYSLER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THEIR STEERING RACKS. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE AFTER I HAD EXCEEDED THE 3YR./36000 MILE WARRANTY. AS I MISTAKENLY THOUGHT I HAD A 12 MO./12,000 WARRANTY ON THE REPLACEMENT RACK. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ONCE I EXCEED THE 3/36,000 GUARANTY AND AFTER SPEAKING TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE IN DETROIT THE DEALER OFFERED ME A 50/50 GUARANTEE...I AM STILL IN COMMUNICATION W/THE DEALER AND AM WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR DISTRICT MGR. DECIDED ABOUT A POSSIBLE 100% EPLACEMENT. IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME AND WHAT I HEARD ABOUT THIS BEING A MORE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IS TRUE, I FELT I SHOULD BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM A FORMER NEW YORK STATE LICENSED AUTOMOTIVE DAMAGE ADJUSTER/INVESTIGATOR.*AK

Mileage: 34,000

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE STEERING, AND THEN HAVING THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED, THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS, I DON'T FEEL THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER ARE LISTENING TO MY CONCERNS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT CHRYSLER HAS IT'S OWN MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION. I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS FAIR, SINCE IN THE LAST 7 MONTHS, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE 15 DAYS.

Mileage: 8,000

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, BUT MY STEERING IS UNSAFE. AFTER OVER 5 ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE STEERING PROBLEM, AND 2 NEAR ACCIDENTS, I FEEL CHRYSLER HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS. IF I WAIT UNTIL I DO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THEY TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUSLY, IT WILL BE TO LATE. *LA

Mileage: 14,200