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.
Van lose power steering during heavy rain only. I purchase this van in June/July 2018 recently had power steering check and no issues found. Yet this the fifth time this has happened. Today I was driving in the rain to pickup my daughter from school and it happened again. The wheel tighten up and I was unable turn. I had to turn on my hazards light and turn car off in the middle of the road. After letting vehicle sit about 15 minutes I was able to drive home. I repeat it only happens in the rain why I believe there is a manufactor defect and needs to be recalled.
Last night - for the 4th time now - after filling the tank at the gas station, my car just died. The first 3 times it was when I stopped at the stop sign leaving the gas station parking lot. Last night, it was after I was out on the main road and in heavy traffic. It was stop and go rush hour traffic, so I was thankfully only going approx 15-20 miles an hour. Power steering was lost, brakes were practically non existent. Barely managed to pull off into a parking lot and was able to set the parking brake to finish stopping. Once stopped and in park, was able to start it right back up. Every time this has happened it has been right after fueling up. I never thought much about it the other 3 times, but this time was different, and very dangerous. I was almost hit from behind because I instantly lost power, then I almost hit another car to my left because of the unexpected loss of power steering. I could hardly manage to get into the parking lot and almost hit the curb/sign/another car. Was scared to drive home the rest of the way. Now after reading the other posts here, I'm afraid to ever get gas again!!! this is unacceptable Dodge...you obviously know about this problem and do not care about your customers. Well, this is one customer you will never have again. I'm in the market for a new car, and guess what will not be sitting in my driveway ever again?
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the entire door latching system failed and the steering wheel emitted a loud whining noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated the door latches needed to be reprogrammed and the power steering fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 6/24/15 updated 10/12/2017
Vehicle stalled twice after filling up with gas. First stall happened approximately 500 feet from filling station, while still in a parking lot. The second stall happened approximately 0.5 miles from the filling station while turning from a roadway into a business. Each stall required several cranks of the engine to re-start. When the engine quits, the power steering also goes away. This has been an intermittent occurrence since early 2013, with it becoming a regular occurrence after each gasoline fill up (later in 2013). The tank is always filled until the pump shuts off. It is never partially filled, so I cannot say if it only occurs with a full fill up. This is the first time I decided to research the situation and file a complaint.
- Woodstock, GA, USA
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Took ownership of the vehicle in January 2014. Nearly every time the gas tank has been filled up (to full), the vehicle will run ok for a brief period of time, it will then begin to buck and stall. This happens at nearly any engine speed. Once the vehicle stalls it is difficult to restart for one attempt. After the gas tank gets just under full the operation is completely normal. This is dangerous as usually you are in traffic.
Nearly every time the we fill the tank full of fuel the engine shuts down after leaving the station. Typically it will happen mid turn while pulling out of the station or else within a block of leaving. When it happens the steering stops working normally. We have to shift the vehicle to neutral and restart it and then put it back in drive and go.
After making a right hand turn, my steering wheel locked up and I could not return to center. I was going slowly, so I was able to stop the car before it went into the ditch. If this had happened at highway speeds or where most roads in Missouri have limited shoulders, I would have crashed into the ditch. I was able to work it loose and then limp it home very slowly, esp. Around curves or corners when it would stick again. Upon taking it to a mechanic, he found out that the rack and pinion had to be replaced. It proceeded to go out 2 more times since the first incident.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel became hard to turn when the contact drove over a puddle of water. The failure was recurring over a period of nine years. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who replaced the serpentine belt and idler pulley however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
After filling vehicle with fuel, our van has been stalling upon stopping at a light within 5 minutes of leaving gas station. Most recently vehicle cut off less than 1/4 mile after refilling when driving on road. When this happens, electric of vehicle shuts off along with losing power steering. The problem of vehicle shutting off has gone on intermittently for about 1-2 years now but is getting worse. Until about a week ago, this always happened at a stop but the last incident is concerning considering it happened while the vehicle was in motion. This is a serious safety issue, especially considering my wife uses this as primary transportation for her and our 3 children. What if this cuts off on the highway or in an intersection? I did a lot of research online trying to find possible root causes. There seems to be an overwhelmingly large number of people having this issue with the 3.8 liter V6 on Dodge/Chrysler minivan models in the 2003-2007 range. I am also told the only way to fix this is to replace the entire gas tank due to a faulty valve/separator. I hope that Chrysler is willing to do something about this problem at no cost to the customer considering the high level of danger that we are presented with here.
As I was driving my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, the dashboard flickered and then the car shut down. Power steering was disabled but I was luckily able to drift it to the side of the road. After researching online, it seems this electrical shut down is ongoing and problematic for this year and make. I had little children in the car and without warning the car dies. This needs to be a recall as it poses serious safety concerns for the driver of the vehicle and cars around it. Had I been on the highway, I would not be able to tell you about this incident. When I brought the vehicle in to the dealer, I was told it needed an electrical system software update otherwise it will get progressively worse. The dealer also explained that the other electrical issues that I have been having - tail lights burning out, sliding doors opening/closing, window not going down, power locks locking and unlocking) were also a part of this software update. Yet, it is not a recall because it is not considered a safety issue. I am appalled that we have to pay for this software update, that Dodge and the NHTSA have been aware of this issue and that is not considered a safety concern. Recall this make and model for this issue immediately. The car dying in the road is a major concern. The doors closing without notice could have killed my four year old, instead I threw my body in the middle to protect her. Please, please, please recall this to save lives. There are so many of this make and model car on the road with little children inside.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that vehicle was completing state inspection when he was informed that the rack pinion steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The rack and pinion are severely leaking and also getting really hot and causing the leaking fluid to fume into the cabin of the car...this has caused worry for inability to steer at high speeds and also light headedness in car from collecting fumes into cabin at stops...so many have reported this and I am regrettably now one of them...
Immediately after making a right turn, the steering wheel locked. The lower speed and adequate shoulder on the road are the only things that kept me from going into the ditch. It ended up being a steering gear that was replaced to fix the problem. It has went bad 3 more times since.
2005 Grand Caravan rack & pinion leak failure- it began as a slight grunt when turning the steering wheel while sitting still, like in a packing lot, then I took the van in for a vehicle safety inspection for plate renewal when I was informed I had a bad right strut and a leak, they replace the strut and re-aligned the front end but informed me I would have to replace the rack & pinion box to fix the fluid leak. I did not believe them so I took it to another shop for a second opinion, and for sure that's what it is and the expected repair cost to be near $1000 the van only has 80,100 gentle miles on it, I can't believe this failed already, I treat this van really well. Since then I have learned this is a big problem with this van, little did I know when I bought it brand new in 2005. I am the only owner and driver of this van.
Took my 2005 Grand Caravan to the dealership due to a loud noise when turning. Was just informed by dealership that I need a power steering pump, and rack and pinion, bushings and bearings. Also need a new radiator. This is ridiculous for a barely 6 year old vehicle with 70,000 miles on it. I have also had the problem with headlight not coming on when you flip the switch. That is a huge safety issue!
I own 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recently I noticed a whinning sound from front end when I turn the steering wheel. Itook it to amechanic he said I had leaking steering rail. I only had 60000 miles im told this rail is something that should never have to be replaced unless of course its damaged by accident. Ive visited forums online and found that lots of other owners of this van have problems with steering system vibrations and loss of power assist, just as I have. I dont thik this is safe.
Bought a used 2005 Grand Caravan 4 months ago. Took it to the dealership today to have the airbag sensor replaced (recall item). The dealership did a "courtesy inspection" for and found a leak in the power steering rack, play in the left tie rod, and a left front axle seal. The vehicle only has 54,000 miles on it so this should not be failing this soon (as I see it is with many other peoples' vehicles).
The contact owns 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. While the contact was driving approximately 5 mph attempting to park, the steering wheel began to vibrate when making a turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they replaced the steering rack and the inner tie rod ends. In addition, on a different occasion the vehicle exhibited an extremely loud rattling noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and an independent mechanic replaced the sway bar end links and bushings to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 42,943. Updated 03/16/11 updated 04/27/11
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dilworth, MN, USA