Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System Problems of Dodge Caravan

2003 Dodge Caravan. Whining noise when engine is first started. Sounds like power steering pump. Checked fluid, but level is fine. No leaks anywhere. Mechanic can find no apparent problem. In warmer weather the noise is diminished, but still present. I purchased vehicle new. It has 71,000 miles. I tried a power steering conditioner that is suppose to stop whining. The whining worsened for a while. Never got better.

See all problems of the 2003 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

: the contact stated upon starting the vehicle, a noise was heard and continued for 20 minutes. The noise returned on every restart. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the power steering pump reservoir and piping needed to be replaced. Updated 10/17/2006 - the consumer explained that the noise was from the power steering pump design location and installation by Dodge when the vehicle was built. A service bulletin was issued for the noise problem but it was never recalled. The system design did not allow power steering fluid to return from the fluid reservoir to the pump as quickly as the pump demand required.

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.

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The contact stated therewas a humming noise and tightness in the steering wheel when starting the vehicle in cold or damp weather. The humming noisewas noticeable when turning the steering wheel to either the left or right. The dealer replaced several seals, gaskets, the power steering pump, several hoses ,and wiring. None of these replacement parts solved the problem. The manufacturer told the contact they were aware of this problem, and there may be a recall or an extended warranty within a year.

See all problems of the 2002 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Grinding noise from power steering system.

While driving consumer heard a grinding noise coming from the power steering column. Dealership will be notified.

Consumer had the power steering belt replaced four times. Every time it rained the belt fell off. Chrysler repaired four times at no cost to consumer. The belt fell off again yesterday when it rained. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and wass awaiting repair.

See all problems of the 1998 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Power steering pump whines when vehicle has been driven at highway speeds for a period of time. When vehicle comes to a stop a loud whining noise comes from power steering. Whining is aggrevated when steering wheel is turned from side to side. Noise changes with speed of the engine. My fluid level is at normal. My dealers answer was to overfill the reservoir with fluid. Now that the fluid level is completely filled to the top of the reservoir, including the neck of the reservoir, the noise has gone away. It appears the reservoir is too small for the vehicle.

Power steering pump makes a loud whin or growl when turning. This is intermittent and the dealer cannot duplicate. I have driven the vehicle 25 miles to their shop with the sound but by the time they get their tech out to check it, it quits. Another mechanic has heard it and suggested it is a pressure resistence valve. The dealer changed the pump approx 15 months ago and it quit for about 3 months then it began again. It has gotten increasingly more often and louder. The dealer says that the manufaturer will not allow another "random" change of the pump under warranty. I have about 4000 miles left on the 36,000 mile warranty.

When the vehicle was driven in the rain or snow, the power steering failed.

See all problems of the 1999 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

Intermittent power steering assist failure. Especially at low speeds and tight turns, like entering/exiting parking spots.

Consumer stated vehicle's power steering doesn't work. Dealer notified. Ts steering hard to turn left especially when backing up.

Heard a click when turning wheel to the right. Then, later on steering wheel would not turn at all. Took vehicle to dealership, they sad it might be the rack and pinon or power steering that was causing the problem.

See all problems of the 1997 Dodge Caravan 🔎.

I had been to a funeral and was driving home on the highway at the highway speed of 70 miles per hour only minutes before the failure of this part. I had turned into the residential section and had gotten to my house and slowed to about 20 miles per hour or less to turn into my driveway. The part broke at this time and all the power steering went out. I could not turn into my driveway. I had my car towed to the nearest mechanic and he told me what part had broken. It also hit the pulley when it broke and the pulley and belt broke also. My mechanic told me this is a dealer item; however, they stock it because it breaks all the time on the 1999 models and older models also. If this part had broken only minutes earlier while I was on the highway, driving at the highway speed of 70 miles per hour and the power steering went out completely, I could have had an accident and the passenger in my van and myself could have been seriously injured or killed and it could have involved other vehicles due to my lack of steering ability. I have not called Dodge to see if this part has been redesigned for the newer models or not. I believe this should be a recall item due to the imminent danger imposed by this failure and the fact that it happens very often.

In heavy slow moving traffic with the engine running and air conditioning on I lost the power steering which makes it very difficult to turn the wheel. Jerry ulm Chrysler dealer charged me $208. And told me someone installed the wrong fluid in the reservoir which isn't true anyway the problem occurred again and the dealer says he cannot find anything wrong. I'm wondering if any other complaint of this nature has been launched I'm afraid to drive for vacation in the very hot weather.

Power steering will lock up and affect steering control of vehicle when under damp weather conditions. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

On a slow turn, the power steering pump shaft sheared, causing complete loss of power assist on the vehicle.

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.

Heard loud grinding noise, followed immediately by loss of power steering while turning sharply to left. The loss of power was sudden. I simultaneously decelarted nd lessened the degree of turn and the power returned. Have made no sharp turns since, thus no recurrences.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

While driving over water puddles or if water accumulates underneath of the vehicle, the power steering becomes inoperative which may result an accident. Dealer said that's the way the vehicle was made and supposed to do.

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.

Loss of steering after hitting puddle causing belt to slip.

Was driving and lost control of the steering ( no power steering), resulting in an accident.

Unable to maintain adequate control steering vehicle while negotiating vehicle turns primarily to the right, but also to left.

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.