Steering Rack And Pinion problems of the 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan

I am the victim of a fraudulent close out of a factory recall. I have been trying to get Chrysler to fix one of their own recalls on a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. I took the car to three dealerships to try to get satisfaction. Two of those have since gone out of business. The third refuses to help in any way. My complaint is that some dealership has already closed out the ticket for fixing the power steering return hose on my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. The car was never fixed: it still has the factory hose. Finally I took the car to an independent garage where a former Chrysler technician worked who was familiar with the problem. . He said that not only had the recall never been done, but the design was faulty. The power steering return hose is so short that the synthetic atf that is used as power steering fluid foams up causing problems with belching out fluid, power steering failure, pump failure and eventually rack and pinion failure. I told him not to touch the power steering because the recall was never performed. He agreed that the repair had never been done and estimated the repair cost at $800. 00 to put a new rack and pinion and to repair the faulty design per the Chrysler technical service bulletin. My problem now is the pump has gone bad too which will add another $500. 00 to the price. My Dodge Grand Caravan VIN is [xxx]. Can you please help me? my phone number is [xxx]. The phone at the dealership that refuses to help is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

This model has steering issues. With only 60k miles I have had to replace the rack and pinion 2 separate times already and now the power steering pump is going out.

I own a 2003 Grand Caravan currently with 43,000 miles on it. At a little less than 40,000 miles the power steering pump starting making a horrible noise, didn't matter if you were turning the wheel or not; more often on a rainy or cold morning, now its all the time. I contacted Dodge since I have an extended service plan, to no avail. I have no coverage on the power steering pump or rack and pinion, but im covered on things that my husband could do in the backyard. What a story I was fed, when I bought this $900 coverage. I was told to go to a certified service center and pay $65 for a diagnostic test, ummm it doesn't require a diagnostic test, it requires 30 seconds of listening. Then and only then would they consider possibly helping me with this repair. When I bought the service plan, I was told $100 deductible for all repairs, end of story. I cannot believe that a vehicle with mileage could have an issue like this already. Dodge does not want to help!!!!.

Power steering fails on 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan on mornings when it rains. Huge safety risk since vehicle cannot be turned without extreme manual effort. . . Impossible for my wife! dealership says rack and pinion is bad and needs replacing ($1400). Internet says this is very common in these vehicles from 2002-2006! why has it not been recalled for a safety retrofit?.

The rack and pinion steering is leaking on my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan. This issue could cause the seals to blow out and lose power steering causing an accident. This will be the second rack I have had to replace one at 58,000 and now at 91,000.

Noise in steering when first started took it to dealer said it was internal leak in rack & pinion checked service record and saw that rack&pinion was replaced a year ago. Confronted service department they said warranty had expired. In my opinion apart as important as this should not need to be replaced in one year. Also notice that alot of people complaining about this same problem on the internet.

- the contact stated that there was a humming and low grade vibration that one hear could while driving in low speed, especially when turning. The contact took the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan to the dealer, and they stated that therewas a defect in the rack and pinion steering. A local mechanic stated that there was a recall on the Chrysler town and country similar to the failure this vehicle had. The failure mileage was 80000 , and the current mileage was 102000.

Rack and pinion seals leaking dealer replaced rack & pinion 2/21/06 rack and pinion seals leaking again, car repair shop recommending replacement again 2/2007.

The contace owns a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan sport. The there are approximately 20,000 miles on the tires. The service dealer states that one of the tires has less than ã‚â½ tread, the other three have approximately ã‚â½ tread. The tires are unsafe in the snow and rain. Vibration in the vehicle while in reverse or when slowling. He has noticed the sounds because of the vibration. The dealer suggested the consumer may have towed something to cause the tires to wear, but the contact said the vehicle was only used under normal circumstances. The contact felt it may be from the front end being out of alignment from the manufacturer. The contact stated rack and pinion steering wasa replaced. The dealer will extend the warranty on the tires, but will not replace the tires.

After making "clunking noises for approximately 25,000 miles my steering rack wore out at approximately 35,000 miles. The dealer replaced it under 100% warranty, and now my replacement rack ( a remanufacured unit) started making the same noises after approximately 4,000 miles. Hen the rack was replaced I was informed that I may incur the same problem with the replacement rack as Chrysler was having a problem with their steering racks. I complained about the noise after I had exceeded the 3yr. /36000 mile warranty. As I mistakenly thought I had a 12 mo. /12,000 warranty on the replacement rack. The dealer informed me that the warranty had expired once I exceed the 3/36,000 guaranty and after speaking to Chrysler customer service in detroit the dealer offered me a 50/50 guarantee. . . I am still in communication w/the dealer and am waiting to find out what their district mgr. Decided about a possible 100% eplacement. If this is happening to me and what I heard about this being a more widespread problem is true, I felt I should bring this to your attention. Please note that I am a former new york state licensed automotive damage adjuster/investigator.