This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. While attempting to turn the vehicle at 5 mph, the contact heard a sound for the first ten minutes of driving, and then it would stop. The vehicle was serviced by the dealer, but the failure persists. The failure mileage was 18,380. Updated 05/20/08. The consumer had problems with the power steering, transmission, rear lights that were hanging, the rear wiper came off, the sliding door did not shut properly. The clockspring was replaced. The engine light was on, the water pump was coming apart the valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket were leaking. Updated 05/20/08.
2003 Dodge Caravan. Whining noise when engine is first started. Sounds like power steering pump. Checked fluid, but level is fine. No leaks anywhere. Mechanic can find no apparent problem. In warmer weather the noise is diminished, but still present. I purchased vehicle new. It has 71,000 miles. I tried a power steering conditioner that is suppose to stop whining. The whining worsened for a while. Never got better.
: the contact stated upon starting the vehicle, a noise was heard and continued for 20 minutes. The noise returned on every restart. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the power steering pump reservoir and piping needed to be replaced. Updated 10/17/2006 - the consumer explained that the noise was from the power steering pump design location and installation by Dodge when the vehicle was built. A service bulletin was issued for the noise problem but it was never recalled. The system design did not allow power steering fluid to return from the fluid reservoir to the pump as quickly as the pump demand required.
Power steering pump whines when vehicle has been driven at highway speeds for a period of time. When vehicle comes to a stop a loud whining noise comes from power steering. Whining is aggrevated when steering wheel is turned from side to side. Noise changes with speed of the engine. My fluid level is at normal. My dealers answer was to overfill the reservoir with fluid. Now that the fluid level is completely filled to the top of the reservoir, including the neck of the reservoir, the noise has gone away. It appears the reservoir is too small for the vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gilbert, AZ, USA