Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 07/11/2009 | 120000 | ||
| In april of 2009 i noticed that the steering was tight at times. i checked the power steering fluid and when added, the steering was better. in cold months it was worst. in dec. 2009 i had the power steering pump replaced. it worked for about a year. then in dec. 2010, i had the power steering pump flush. the mechanic said to warm up the car before driving. it worked in the summer months but not in the winter. in january 2012 the steering was really hard. i had a hard time backing up, turning either way or just driving at all. i got two different mechanics opinion and they said that the rack and pinion, steering rack, needed to be replaced. so, after changing the reservoir the rack and pinion still needed to be changed. the mechanic said they have changed a lot of rack and pinion in dodge/chrysler mini vans. they are not lasting the life of the vehicle. | |||
| 01/08/2008 | 100000 | 1 | |
| 2001 dodge caravan power steering goes out in very cold weather. flexible power steer pump hose bursts shortly after starting car in cold morning. complete lossof steering 3 occasions jan 2009 2008 and 2010. preceded with significant growling noises when turning the steering wheel prior to burst. *tr | |||
| 08/15/2009 | 117000 | 1 | |
| The front of the vehicle started shimmying and the steering wheel. at first, it started at about 55 mph. now it is doing it at lower and lower speeds. there are pages and pages of complaints with the same issue. it is also very hard to turn the steering wheel when going slow. there is a safety recall for the front suspension and lower control arm. campaign no 01v152000 but the local dealership said my vin number was not included. how can you continue to let them sell defective vehicles and not make them recall all affected vehicles? they said the same thing about my ram truck. there's a recall on it and they said my vehicle was not in the recall, but it has the same issue with the steering column and the air and heat going out. i wish i had read the number of complaints against them on your site and on all the other sites before i bought these lemons. you should also check out http://www.daimlerchryslervehicleproblems.com/ that is just one of the websites detailing the number of deaths caused by dodge. i am going to make a complaint against them to the justice department also. maybe if they investigate, you will finally do something about all these problems. *tr | |||
| 07/12/2009 | 56238 | 1 | |
| I own a 2001 dodge caravan that i purchased from my father two months ago. last night i noticed a rubbing sound when i turned corners. looking at the front drivers side wheel, i noticed that the lower control arm came out of the bolt. after doing some research on recalls for the 2001 caravan i saw that there is a recall out to repair this problem. my father said he never received a recall notice and he has lived at his current residence for 30 years. my complaint is how are you suppose to know of a recall when you are not contacted by chrysler? the nhtsa campaign id number is 01v152000. *tr | |||
| 04/01/2009 | 150000 | 1 | |
| When it rains, i lose power steering capabilities. from my research, it seems that it is the serpentine belt. it also appears to happen to a lot of people. *tr | |||
| 07/23/2008 | 110000 | 1 | |
| Luckily this occurred while stopped. our steering wheel & key ignition were in a locked position. we were starting the car, and the key would not turn. we thought we just needed to nudge the wheel, but it did not nudge. four different people tried to no avail. finally brought into dealer - noted the cylinder ignition lock needed to be repaired. i have never had this occur on any other car, and seems very dangerous if this occurred while the car was moving ! *tr | |||
| 06/06/2007 | 72000 | 1 | 07/10/2003 |
| I have had an ongoing problem with my steering since late march inmy2001 dodge grand caravan sport minivan. when in reverse it is difficult to turn the wheel,when in drive on occasion it is difficult. i took the van to a local dodge service center and was told there is a problem with the power steering pump. it isnt putting out enough pressure,the fluid is contaminated and everything needs to be replaced. i called my extended warranty provider and they will not cover the costs due to the contamination in the lines. they said that is what caused the failure and dodge minivans from several years have had a recall due to this problem. but my year has not had a recall. i call the service dept where my vehicle is and they say the same thing once again...there is contamination in the line it could be pieces of faulty hoses but they dont really know what it is. there had been recalls on other vehicles for this reason, dodge minivans are known to have power steering issues but my specific vehicle has not had a recall. they ran the vin to see if anything was l isted in recalls. i called chrysler customer service as i was directed to do to see if they can do anything to help. they took my name,info,etc and once again ran the vehicle vin and said at this time they are choosing not to help with the repairs on this vehicle even though they know there have been recalls on other years with the same problems/symptoms i am having. they documented in the computer and stated should there be a recall they will contact me for possible reimbursement have a nice day. i was still angry and called back asking to talk to a supervisor and after 15 min of arguing with a customer service repover what she was reading about my case and with her telling me they do have the right to make this decision about no repairs with no supervisor stepping in she agreed to look to see if a supervisor was available. i never spoke to anyone. | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX - SHAFT SECTOR | |||
| 10/22/2004 | 4 | ||
| While driving and steering a loud knocking noise was heard coming from the front. recall 01v152000 was on the internet. consumer experienced the same problem. consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the steering wheel shaft needed to be replaced. this recall notice was not for this vehicle. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | |||
| 06/20/2004 | 1 | ||
| While turning the steering wheel, the vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the upper power steering cooler hose needed to be replaced. please provide further details. *jb | |||
| 12/18/2002 | 55000 | 3 | 03/10/2001 |
| Power steering hose continually comes off--had it replaced 3 times within a 9 month period. *jb | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - POWER STEERING FLUID | |||
| 02/03/2004 | 1 | 07/30/2001 | |
| Vehicle began to vibrate and make noise when steering. problem attributable due to loss of power steering fluid caused by cracked/broken hoses in the power steering system.*ak | |||
| 10/21/2003 | 38400 | 0 | 04/01/2001 |
| Recently my power steering started making a noise when i turned. the van has 38,000 miles on it. when the dealership refused to look at it under warranty i called diamlerchrysler and complained. 2,000 miles over warranty should not prevent them from fixing a problem with the steering! diamlerchrysler authorized the repairs at no cost to us. the dealership told us later that there is a know design flaw with the reservoir, but no re-calls have been issued. we were lucky, the problem occurred close enough to the warranty to get diamlerchrysler to pay, but i personally feel that known flaws should be fixed at the company's expense. | |||
| 01/08/2003 | 50000 | 2 | 06/23/2001 |
| The power steering started making noise when our 2001 dodge grand caravan was at about 50000 miles. we took it to 2 places and both said it was the power steering. we had it replaced but it still makes noise, still shudders when going low speeds, etc. we noticed that someone else on your website has had the same problem but was told since it was out of warranty chrysler wouldn't fix it. we agree that there is a serious design defect problem and chrysler needs to recall and fix it! *jb | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 05/07/2004 | 34000 | 1 | 05/01/2001 |
| I own a 2001 grand caravan sport. at 35,000 miles i brought it to a dealer for the 30,000 mile check and to service a grinding noise in the ac unit and a shudder when turning at slow speeds. they fixed the ac and shudder by truing the rotors and new pads, however they also said there was a bulletin out on the steering pump and the unit was on back order...would call when it came in...yeah right. after an attempt on my part 3 months later to locate this pump, i gave up trying and continued driving. at 54,000 miles, i againg brought in my car because the ac compressor failed due to another bulletin on the pcm unit. i inquired about fixing the old problem with the pump and they admitted they made a mistake by not ordering the pump or contacting me but they would not honor the repair becaues it was now out of warranty and they would have to pay for it...even though it was under warranty when i brought it in and they admit to their mistake!!! never again for dodge...in fact, we are selling it to buy a honda.*ak | |||
| 03/25/2003 | 44716 | 3 | 04/03/2001 |
| I have a 2001 dodge grand caravan es that has on 3 separate occasions had grinding noises coming from the left front tire area prior to the steering wheel locking up when making low speed turns. on the first incident the power steering was so tight i had to fight to turn left onto my street. fortunately there was no one behind or in front of me because the car kept going straight even when the road didn't. i was able to stop before i hit the curb. on the second incident, again i was turning at a slow speed, this time right, and again had a lockup of power steering. i was in the middle of the street again. this time with frightened passengers as they watched me struggle with the steering wheel to get us out of oncoming traffic. on the last incident, again fighting to turn onto my street, i didn't attempt to turn into my garage. i parked on the street and called for a tow to the dodge dealership to have them look at it. i didn't feel safe driving it. i wanted it to be checked out. i wasn't looking forward to going since the car is out of manufacturer warranty with 44,716 miles on it, but i took it and the dealer stated they tested the vehicle and made several turns and found the vehicle is operating as designed at this time, so i picked up my van and i told the service advisor that intermittent problems are always the hardest to find and i wouldn't have inconvenienced myself 2 days if there wasn't a problem. i feel there is a problem that should be investigated more completely. many problems don't show up until after the warranty has expired and people in the real world have driven some miles. under real life driving conditions. there is where you'll find any flaws. i am making this complaint because people may get hurt or killed if the power steering unpredictably continues to fail without warning. *nlm | |||
| 12/09/2002 | 42205 | 02/20/2001 | |
| I have a 2001 dodge grand caravan es with stock 17 inch wheels. power steering groans and vibration is felt in the steering wheel at low speed. i originally thought it required new brakes (due to millage being 42,205) and brought vehicle into a repair shop for that purpose. brakes were determined to not need servicing yet. then brought car to local dodge dealer (where purchased) for investigation. the dealer charged me $60.00 to tell me that it has a tsb (19-001-02) on the power steering and refuses to cover cost of correction due to car being 6,000 miles out of basic warranty. i claim this is a design defect as dodge wants to replace power steering reservoir and power steering return line as well as change the fluid normally in the reservoir from power steering to atf fluid!!! i called the chrysler consumer line and only got them to agree to split the cost (they pay for parts and i pay for labor).they were not sympathetic at all because the car was out of the basic warranty window. consumer line person went on to say that it would be my fault if power steering failed for not addressing the problem. i called the dealer to do the corrections and was told that the parts were not available and i would get a call when they get a confirmation for the parts!. i feel that chrylsler is not admitting to a design defect and forcing the consumer to pay for their problem which could lead to serious injury if the power steering failed. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM | |||
| 01/10/2002 | 1 | 11/24/2000 | |
| While driving 50 mph,consumer lost control of the vehicle and went into a ditch, dealer determined left front axle broke, damage to vehicle unknown at this time.*akconsumer stated, while driving left front steering knuckle broken away from strut mount causing damage to left drive axle, brake rotor, lower control arm ball joint, abs wheel speed sensor, wheel berg and hub assembly, both left side wheels and tires and also, vehicle has body damage. *yd | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - ROD - RELAY - CONNECTING | |||
| 05/15/2002 | |||
| When at 65mph the rod was scrapping tire and could cause an accident.*ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 12/10/2004 | 75000 | 1 | 12/15/2002 |
| While the vehicle was in a tire repair shop for a front end alignment. mechanic informed the consumer that both front tie rods needed to be replaced. dealer and the manufacturer were notified.*ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 06/02/2004 | 55000 | 1 | 05/01/2001 |
| While driving 30 mph consumer heard a loud noise coming from the rear and the vehicle jerked. vehicle was taken to a body shop for inspection, and mechanic determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced.*ak *tt *sb | |||
| 07/27/2004 | 50000 | 1 | 09/28/2001 |
| Turning left in my 2001 dodge grand caravan became almost impossible, when i could get it to turn it would make a loud noise. we had to have the rack & pinion steering replaced at less than 50,000 miles.*ak | |||
| 10/23/2003 | 41000 | 1 | |
| Front end road noise that two mechanical shops attempted to repair by replacing sway bar bushings in one shop and a tie arm in the second shop ended up not correcting the problem. further investigation determined it was the rack and pinion. clerk at the dealership indicated they had a thousand on order, no exaggeration. he informed me that they all go on the chrysler minivans. my van is a 2001 grand caravan sport with 42000 miles. manufacturer will not do anything to assist. sounds like a recall is in order if they are as problematic as i have been informed. *la | |||
| 6000 | |||
| While driving, the rack and pinion failed causing consumer to lose control of vehicle's steering narrowly avoiding a collision. | |||
| 11/02/2002 | |||
| Consumer states that while driving and no warning the rack and pinion snap causing the consumer to lose steering control. dealer notified ts | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK | |||
| 08/27/2003 | 35000 | 1 | |
| I am writing in request for your assistance in a matter concerning my 2001 dodge grand caravan. recently we brought our vehicle into manahawkin chrysler plymouth; dodge on rt. 72 in manahawkin, new jersey for service. we were informed that the vehicle, which had only just hit 39,000 miles, was in need of a new steering rack and tie rods. i had the vehicle repaired and yet there continues to be odd noises in the front end. a few days later the steering did not function, as someone did not connect a power steering hose properly and all the fluid leaked out. i am now concerned for the safety of my family. as an individual who has a good understanding of auto mechanics, i am certain that a steering rack does not normally go bad so early in the life of a car. even the dodge mechanics i have spoken to have indicated that this should never have happened.*ak | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 01/10/2002 | 1 | 11/24/2000 | |
| While driving 50 mph,consumer lost control of the vehicle and went into a ditch, dealer determined left front axle broke, damage to vehicle unknown at this time.*akconsumer stated, while driving left front steering knuckle broken away from strut mount causing damage to left drive axle, brake rotor, lower control arm ball joint, abs wheel speed sensor, wheel berg and hub assembly, both left side wheels and tires and also, vehicle has body damage. *yd | |||