Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
190030308/29/2003190080110003545Pop/tick sound in steering wheel area. *tt10/23/2003
19099902/11/2000610018A condition where a click / rattle sound may be heard coming from the area of the steering wheel while the vhicle is in motion. *tt04/14/2000
19059808/28/1998602189A honk or squeal noise during parking lot maneuvers. *yc11/12/1999
19019710/03/199754222Some vehicles experience a momentary loss of power assist for the steering when turning corners with the a/c or defroster03/30/1998
STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
2707310/01/199546043Vehicle theft security system vehicle theft alarm (vtss/vta) alarm activation or dead battery with no charging system malfunction. applies to vehicles built at st. louis assembly prior to july 24, 1995 or at windsor assembly prior to augus04/25/1996
08469510/01/199546365Vehicles equipped with optional vehicle theft security system/vehicle theft alarm (vtss/vta) must have had the engine started and allowed to run for 6 seconds or longer, 20 times before the vtss/vta system is fully functional.04/25/1996
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
19079705/09/19976088944Concerns with honk noise during parking lot maneuvers. *nlm01/11/2000
19119712/05/19976088966Concerns with honk noise during parking lot maneuvers. *nlm01/11/2000
190197A01/24/199751282During high humidity climate conditions, some vehicles may experience a momentary loss of power assist for the steering when turning corners with the a/c or defrost06/27/1997
STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK
19149712/19/19976088974This bulletin involves intermittent popping on front end. *nlm01/11/2000
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
190080111/23/2001628194Experiencing a pop/tick sound heard coming from the steering wheel area while the vehicle is in motion. *tt03/06/2002
19049703/21/19975207835 mph cyclic vibration. *tw07/17/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
03/12/2010460001
 1996 dodge caravan - ridiculous....almost every puddle makes belt slip off and power steering becomes dangerous. this is the 14th time since i have owned the car. should have a recall on all of these vans or a reimbursement plan for this or better yet.... a free final fix!!!!!! *tr
11/15/200383000
 The problem is with the serpentine belt. it can slip off. when it does, you power steering goes (safety) and your car can overheat within minutes. you are stranded. putting the belt yourself is not easy, even with the diagram (thank goodness they have the diagram under the hood for other mechanics, do it yourselfers) there is a service bulletin, but not a recall. i think they put on a bracket which will help keep the belt on track in case of wet weather.
10/15/2002
 Consumer states while driving the vehicle without warning the vehicle would lose power when it rains. consumer states the steering wheel would lock up. ts *dt
09/17/2002
 When driving through a rain puddle you serpentine belt, that connects engine to the coolant fan etc., failed, resulting in loss of steering.contacted dealer. this problem occurred 4 times.*ak
03/01/2000106/01/1997
 Failure of the 'clock spring' can prevent air bag deployment or even cause the steering wheel column to bind, rendering it inoperable. even though this is clearly a safety defect, chrysler refused to repair at no cost as per federal law.
 While driving and without warning the vehicle lost power steering. dealer has been contacted. please provide further details. *ak
104/01/1997
 Steering problems experienced.
 When driving vehicle through a puddle and getting wet the steering becomes difficult to handle. dealer cannot fix. *ak
 Consumer has had steering replaced on dec. 1996 at 4-5 thousand miles. currently, the steering is going bad again, replaced at marroony dodge 21151 nw 2cd ave. miami fl. 33169. gas tanks are plastic. *ak
 Owner states while drivng vehicle crashed into a snow bank at 5mph, causing front bumper damage, owner questions the safety of this vehicle in an impact. *ak
STEERING - COLUMN
12/23/20021
 Consumer stated the steering column would lock up without warning.*jb
STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
05/16/1996103/29/1996
 Faulty alarm caused dome light to remain illuminated. *dh
STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
10/01/2002
 Consumer states that the clockspring in gear box went out causing the air bag light to stay alluminated. horn goes outand cruise control does not engage. mr
11/11/2001
 Airbag light remains illuminated on dash. horn and cruise control are inoperable. dealer has been contacted. please provide further details.*ak
02/06/2001103/01/1996
 Clockspring broke airbag light came on and horn/cruise control would not work . replaced, but same symptoms are happening again. transmission failed and was replaced. i found this has happened in so many minivans made by chrysler.
11/10/19992010/01/1995
 The air bag warning light will go out shorthly after engine starts. but then will come on at various times while driving to indicate that there is an air bag failure. i don't know if there is a failure in the air bag system of if there is a failure in the air bag warning light only. will the air bag work if the light is out as one would expect and not work if the light is on which one would also expect. the indicator light will come on then after a bit go out. please advise. *ak
05/14/1999410/01/1995
 I have taken the vehicle to three different dealers with complaints about the front end, the rubbing & clunking noise when making turns, the steering wheel shimmy and transmission problems (ie. applying brake and trans not backing down, vehicle lurches).
02/18/19968
 Steering column made knocking noise prior to loss of control of steering. *dsh
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
07/31/2002407/01/2096
 The brake pedal goes to the floor. it has been almost 3 months trying to get fixed. the first dealer replaced the master cylinder twice and bled air to try to repair. the second dealer performed a brake inspection. they found a lot of air in the left rear line and also bled the abs system. i also had them check the steering because the air bag light came on when i turned the steerring wheel and steering was noisey, like a groaning sound. they reported the clock spring clicking when the steering wheel was turned causing the air bag light to come on - and there is a moan or a honk noise when turning which would take new p/s hoses to repair. one week later the pedal was once again going to the floor and the abs still coming on. the dealer said they would order a pump. which took 2 weeks to get in. when i brought it in they kept it a few days then called to say it needed the abs hydraulic package at a cost of $2,000+. they recommended i call chrysler customer service to see if they could assist with the costs. chrysler customer service said it was a mechanical part that could go out at any time therefore my cost since the van is no longer under warranty (low mileage doesn't matter). i called the dealer and haven't heard back in two days to see what they could reccommend/ i looked on the internet and found this to be a problem with the dodge cravan so i wanted to file this complaint. nlm
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - POWER STEERING FLUID
 Aftering finding stains on the pavement van was driven to the dealership. power steering pump was found rusted all the way through, causing power steering fluid to leak. pump was being replaced by the dealership free of charge. please list any further information.*ak
07/06/1999105/01/1996
 Replaced serpintine belt at 39432 miles,
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP
02/18/19992
 Belt tensioner and serpentine drive belt failure, tension mounting belt is spontaneously sheared off and the belt becomes torn apart, resulting in loss of power steering and power braking.
09/29/2000506/01/1996
 This vehicle has gone through 5 alternator/power steering belts (serpentine) and 3 belt tensioners over a period from 1/30/98 (12,858 miles) to 9/29/00 (39,761 miles). this seems to be far too many problems from this component and could be a safety hazard if it fails while driving (no power steering).
 While driving on wet pavement power steering belt becomes wet and causes complete loss of steering control. *ak *ml
10/02/1997202/24/1996
 Belt tensioner pulley malfunctioned causing the belt to slip or come off resulting in no power steering. nlm
 Steering belt tensioner bolt sheared off, causing vehicle to los econtrol. delaer replaced the bolt. *ak
03/21/199907/02/1996
 Power steering pump pulley broke, causing vehicle to lose steering control . this could have caused an accident. *ak
12/07/1998206/01/1996
 While driving this vehicle at about 35mph. the power steering belt has popped out several times, causing loss of steering and making the turning very hard. dealer has not been contacted. *ak
12/22/1996110/01/1995
 Power steering belt broke off.
09/09/1996
 The steering belt has broken twice, and left the van with no steering. *ak
 Owner states that his sliding door cannot be opened from outside, he notes that it must be opened from inside, that in the event of an emergency he may not be able to open door. *ak
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
01/21/200610
 Rain cause belt to slip off losing power steering. can not use vehicle in rain of snow! 1996 dodge caravan has happened at least ten times. *jb
05/07/200244000107/04/1999
 Consumer stated vehicle's power steering doesn't work. dealer notified. ts steering hard to turn left especially when backing up. *tt
04/26/20011
 While driving, power steering locked up and engine caught on fire, claim 52-2482-587. *slc
09/01/2000
 Power steering will lock up and affect steering control of vehicle when under damp weather conditions. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak
03/01/20002
 While driving about any speed transmission will loosen. could step on fuel pedal and vehicle will not accelarate, will lose power steering into the vehicle and it will stop by itself.*ak
08/07/20000
 Consumer was traveling about 70mph on highway and without prior warning lost power steering/ all belt driven accessories/ water pump pulley flew off,and vehicle started to vibrate. *ak
 When driving under wet conditions only,and making a turn power steering gives out, causing the steering to become stiff, and consumer has to manually return the wheel to a straight position. dealer has been contacted. *ak
06/14/19961401/01/1996
 Power steering fails when water splashes of inside of tires on a slow turn entering through drain holes in boot installed to stop slush or snow from dilodging serpentine belt. 3.8 v6 engine. chrysler has no cure said would change engine to a 3.0. i use vehicle for heavy loads sometimes and want large engine prchased. i found that by covering the two drain holes with duct tape the water stoped squirting into belt that caused belt to spin by power steering pully. belt tension bearing has failed 3 times and the bolt that holds pulley on has sheared off once. loss of steering and no belt to run engine
09/08/1998
 The consumer has been experiencing problems with power steering. while driving their steering wheel locked up, causing a total loss of control when maneuvering. investigation number ie 98054 power steering loss. the manufacturer has not been contacted. *ak
10/24/1997108/18/1995
 Power steering failed, causing poor directional control.
 Was driving and lost control of the steering ( no power steering), resulting in an accident. *ak
10/03/1996102/10/1996
 Intermittent stalling, also power steering and anti-lock brakes failed. *ak
08/20/19961
 Consumer was driving down a flat highway and the steering locked up, applied the abs brakes and the brakes wouldn't move, resulting in an accident/injuries, also excessive gas consumption.*ak
1
 Unable to maintain adequate control steering vehicle while negotiating vehicle turns primarily to the right, but also to left. *ak
STEERING - LINKAGES
01/30/1998108/18/1995
 Main steering bolt cracked and broke, consumer lost control of vehicle.
STEERING - LINKAGES - ARM - IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
02/06/2001103/01/1996
 Clockspring broke airbag light came on and horn/cruise control would not work . replaced, but same symptoms are happening again. transmission failed and was replaced. i found this has happened in so many minivans made by chrysler.
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
1
 The tie bars had to be replaced but to do this the power steering rack had to be replaced. nlm
08/16/2000101/28/1994
 Inner tie rods have failed while driving slowly, causing wheel to come off the tie rod.*ak
08/03/2000106/01/1999
 The inner tie rod end separated from the outer tie rod on driver wheel while driving at approximately 5 mph while coming out of parking space, causing tire to turn inward and stop. *ak
11/24/1999107/01/1996
 Tie rod failed. yh
08/01/1996
 Tie rod ends failed causing vibration.
108/01/1996
 Vibration due to failure of the tie rod ends.
STEERING - RACK AND PINION
03/03/1996
 Consumer states that the vehicle makes a grinding/squeaking noise when driving on normal road conditions, the rack and pinion had to be replaced.*ak
01/15/1996
 Steering pulling to the right, losing control of the car. needs to replace the rack and pinion. *ak
 #pe95-053 when driving truck stalls three times now the rack and pinion need to be replaced purchase truck new . tt
STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK
1
 The tie bars had to be replaced but to do this the power steering rack had to be replaced. nlm
10/10/1996106/23/1996
 Noise while turning due to failed steering rack.
STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR
07/25/2002
 While driving steering column went out. *ak
1
 While driving the vehicle experiences intermittent shut-down related to a steering wheel lock when engaging the turn signals causing control problems while turning. *mjs
1
 Possible clock spring failure is causing the air bag light to illuminate intermittently. nlm
03/20/2000102/20/1999
 Clock spring switch in the steering column caused cruise control to fail. nlm
06/08/1997
 When making a left turn the steering wheel locked. when trying to stop vehicle the pedal was very hard and would not move at all. vehicle slowly stopped. vehicle has not been repaired. *ak
01/01/1997
 While driving over rain puddles going a tlow speed the steering wheel and column will lock up and driver wouldn't be able to maneuver the vehicle properly which could cause an accident. dealer cannot determine the problem. *ak
10/01/1996507/29/1996
 Transmission failed, causing vehicle to stop running. in addition, tie rods/mirror/horn and rack and pinion steering were replaced. *ak
05/01/1996
 When driving at low and high speeds the vheicle becomes very difficult to steer straight, consumer noticed the problem when drivning at highway speeds. consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced the driveshaft, problem still occurs. *ak
03/10/1997
 Upon making a left hand turn with turn signal depressed the steering wheel was very difficult to turn back to the straight position, at that time a pop was heard in the steering wheel column. vehicle not seen by a dealer. *ak
12/01/1996102/01/1996
 Steering wanders.