Steering Rack And Pinion Problems of Dodge Caravan - part 1

Rack and pinion steering.

See all problems of the 2006 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Caravan. The contact started the engine and heard a whining noise. It then stopped after the vehicle warmed up. After a month of experiencing this noise, she took the vehicle to the dealer. The mechanic diagnosed the failure as a gasket in the rack and pinion steering. The leaking racket was replaced and the issue was repaired. The contact believes that a recall should be issued because it is a fairly new vehicle with low mileage. The failure mileage was 38,000 and current mileage was 40,000. Updated 07/17/09 the rack and pinion was leaking and eventually replaced. Updated 07/17/09.

See all problems of the 2005 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

2006 Dodge Caravan 72,000 miles rack-in-pinion power steering system needs replacing. Chrysler dealer said last February they repaired 10,000 such. Someone needs to call them on this. There have been no recalls or compensation. Please look into this.

I noticed that the steering on my 2006 Dodge Caravan was getting hard and that it was making a loud noise. I took it to my mechanic who stated it just need power steering fluid, he filled up. A few months later it did again, I added power steering fluid, then about 2 weeks later there was a puddle of fluid under the van, I added more power steering fluid and took it back to my mechanic, after he checked it he discovered that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. He told me to call Dodge and find out if there were any recalls,since they shouldn't go bad so soon. I called Dodge but they stated that I would have to pay since it is no longer under warranty.

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!.

One week after purchasing a 2005 Dodge grand Caravan, the rack and pinion has to be replaced. Original complaint # 10225466 4/23/08.

Rack and pinion went out (later diagnosed by dealer) on highway. Started to steer very hard and has now lost all power steering.

The contact owns a 2003 Dodge Caravan. A noise was present in the engine area. The cold weather was a factor. The mechanic stated that there was an internal leak and that her rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The repair was made a year ago. The contact is aware of the safety risk since the rack and pinion could result in her losing steering control and resulting in a crash. The current and failure mileages were 68000.

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

There was a high pitch whine if the engine was on. This noise persisted in all gears and speeds including stopped with the transmission in park. Added ps fluid as it was low and the noise stopped. Took the car in to the dealer and they found a leak in the rack and pinion. As car was just out of warranty dealer will repair for a reduced cost. Part is ordered and will be done soon.

Purchased used 2006 Dodge grand Caravan may 2007, approx 20k miles; after driving an 2-3 hours highway speeds, medium pitch "growling" noise would come from engine area, pitch would go higher with steering; once car stopped for 15-30 minutes no noise heard, but return again after 1 hour of constant highway driving; under warranty dealer changed rack in rack & pinion steering; noise subsided. 6 months later, noise returned and persists, car out of warranty @ 70k+ miles.

I am on my third rack and pinion for the steering mechanisms for the 2003 Dodge Caravan sport that we own. I purchased the car in 2005 with 28000 miles within the year I replaced my first rack and pinion (2006). Since then I replaced another one (2008) and now am having to replace another. I can't afford this and am having to continuously drive a car with defective steering. Every mechanic I call says that the Dodge vans are notorious for horrible rack and pinions and that no one will warranty that part. Can you help me? this should be recalled and corrected not just accepted.

The rack and pinion steering has failed, only to one side so far--to the left, making it very difficult to steer and/or turn to the left. At 51,000 miles, I believe this is very premature for a failure and can become a very serious safety hazard. Chrysler will not cover it under warranty. Therefore, if other owners have filed complaints and/or requested repairs to this issue, I believe a recall is justified to prevent accidents and prevent very serious injury.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Power steering does not operate, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for a checkup, and results showed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. This was the second time that vehicle had to be repaired for the steering.

Consumer complained about a rack and pinion steering problem. When turning the corner power steering went out and then kicked back in making handling the vehicle very difficult. When turning the steering wheel there was a clanking sound.

See all problems of the 2001 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Contact stated the vehicle made a growling noise. On colder days one could hear noise more often. In warm weather one would not hear the noise as often. He contacted the dealer, the dealer determined that rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. They suggested he contact the manufacturer.

Power steering pump and rack & pinion failed at 67k miles after 2. 5 years in service. I am told that a timely replacement rack is unavailable due to a substantial backorder.

The steering rack and pinion cracked while driving 25 mph. When this occurred the vehicle had no power steering, which made it difficult to steer the vehicle. The part to repair the vehicle is on backorder.

Rack and pinion steering failed after being replaced six months earlier.

I noticed grease on the garage floor near the left front tire. Took to dealer for assessment and learned that I need new rack and pinion steering -- with only 17,000 miles on the 2002 Dodge Caravan! I have been told not to drive the vehicle much in the next two days, and they will replace the r&p steering at that time. What if I hadn't paid close attention to the grease near my tire????.

There is a substantial 'rattle' coming from the rack and pinion steering, started at about 47,000 miles. Unable to determine if it can cause a steering problem.

The rack and pinion was replaced at 47,445 miles.

The vehicles rack and pinion assembly failed. The dealer was notified.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Steering seized. Service department indicated that the "rack and pinion was binding". There were no incidents or accidents prior to this occurrence the vehicle has always been garaged and well maintained. The inability to steer at speeds, other than parking speeds, could have caused an accident. As this steering failure is spontaneous, and the etiology unknown, it should be investigated. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, dr. Ashley c. Shelton.

See all problems of the 2000 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Rack and pinion was locking up on turns causing difficulty turning steering wheel.

While driving, consumer could hear noise coming from rack and pinion steering. Technician told consumer that rack and pinion needed to be replaced, but did not point to status, just as deterioration.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Steering: steering wheel vibrations, difficult to control, especially when breaking, and popping noises. Had to replace rack and pinion at 37,100 miles. Replaced lower control arm bushings at 54,354 miles. Replaced lower control arm joints at 59,421 miles. Tires: tires loose air pressure and go flat for no apparent reason intermitantly, resulting in the replacement of two tires. Tire burst while driving, resulting in replacement of a third tire. Door locks: intermittent failure of right side sliding door power lock. Will not lock/unlock with power control. Radio tape deck: tape player activated without tape in the deck. Unable to stop tape player. Required replacement. ( dot number: tire size: p215/65r15 ).

Steering gear in the rack and pinion has broken twice. It was replaced at 9 months of owner ship and has broken again in about the same amount of time since last replacement. The failure makes it almost impossible to steer at slow parking lot speeds and causes the van to wander on the highway. Dealer and Chrysler have been notified but refuse to fix problem.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Steering column replaced on two occasions,third repair was done to rack and pinion however vehicle continues to experience problems ith steering.

Rack and pinion causing noise.

Consumer states that the vehicle makes a grinding/squeaking noise when driving on normal road conditions, the rack and pinion had to be replaced.

See all problems of the 1996 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Steering pulling to the right, losing control of the car. Needs to replace the rack and pinion.

Complaint regarding 2001 Dodge Caravan rack and pinion recall. #10016812. Consumer learned of the recall and inquired whether his vehicle was part of a factory defect. He paid for the replacement of the rack and pinion at a cost of $1000. Dollars.

While being driven rack and pinion steering failed, resulting in difficult steering.

Steering rack pinion.

The power steering rack & pinion has been replaced twice and the problem still persists. Initially, we reported the problem to the dealer when van was brought in for 6,000 mile service and they advised it was normal. After a couple of months we brought the van back in for service regarding the same problem and they confirmed the problem. They then replaced the pressure hose. It was fine for a little while but the noise came back, so we brought it in to another dealer closer to home. They confirmed the problem and advised the rack & pinion needed to be replaced, so they did. After a week or so, the problem was still there. We brought it in again, and they told us they had to replace the rack & pinion again, and so they did (last week Thursday 8/5/99). The noise/problem is still occurring. I have 2 friends who also purchased the same make/model and they also had similar problems (pressure hose replaced). Today, her van failed to start (even after attempting to jump start). I would appreciate it if you can find out if anyone else is having problems with this make/model. Thank you.