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 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.
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.
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.
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.
- Wall Township, NJ, USA
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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.
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.
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!
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.
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 updated 02/24/09.
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!
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.
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. (12/08/05) the components affected were the right tie rod, sway eliminator links, bushings and nuts.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Massena, NY, USA