Hydraulic Power Assist Steering System problems of the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan

In February 2007 noted high pitched noise - particularly at idle. Sometimes when turning. Felt like it was coming from the steering wheel. Took it into the dealer and they replaced the power steering pump. Warranty expired in August and noted the same noise in September. Took van back into the dealer and they replaced the steering gear. Parts and labor nearly $600. I feel the reason the pump failed the first time was overwork due to the gears and it should have been replaced while under warranty. Service department recommended I contact Chrysler warranty. I am still investigating how to reduce/eliminate the charges.

This is an abbreviated copy of the second letter I have sent to Dodge the first letter was sent in sept, 2006. The power steering goes out intermittently when it rains. Unable to control vehicle. Feb 20, 2007 Dodge customer assist ctr power steering failure due to rain 2005 Dodge caravan VIN: 2d4gp44l55r201365 this is the 2nd attempt to get Dodge or Chrysler to care about the vehicle built that has a power steering flaw. It is apparent from your lack of correspondence or communication that your company does not care about its customerã‚??s safety. Upon your advice, I have taken the van to a different service center, autoway in clearwater, FL. The service advisor told me that there was nothing they could do until Chrysler comes up with a fix for the problem. As I have stated in previous correspondence, my wife drives the above mentioned vehicle 99% of the time. She loves the convenience, performance and most of the time the handling of the van. However, when it rains, which is often in florida, the power steering ceases to function without warning as she is driving. This is a major safety issue. My wife is unable to control the vehicle without power steering and it is just a matter of time before a major accident occurs. We have brought the vehicle into tarpon Dodge four times for the same problem within the last nine months. The last time, Jan 2007, I was told each time that there was nothing to do except avoid the rain. Not acceptable. I was also told that the service manager was going to get with Chrysler to determine a solution. To date no phone calls. I previously called tarpon Dodge ser. & spoke to a mr. Littlejohn. He told me that he has seen several caravans with the same power steering problem. He told me that they were trying to get some answers from Chrysler. My wife on Feb 13, 2007 was taking her father to lunch when a major rain storm occurred. The power steering went out 6 different times as she was trying to get home.

2005 Dodge caravan that when it rains the power steering goes out making the vehicle almost impossible to control. I have taken it to two different dealers, tarpon Dodge and clearwater autoway Dodge to have them figure out a repair. Both dealership said they could not do anything until chyrsler came up with a fix. The service manager from tarpon Dodge told me not to drive in the rain and avoid puddles if I did drive in the rain and to slow down. I then sent letters to chyrsler customer care requesting a fix or replacement vehicle without penalty from the lease company. Customer care said that there was nothing they could do. Drive slower and avoid puddles. I live in florida, when it rains, it rains. All of our street turn into giant puddles and if I were to drive much slower, I would be going backwards. The power steering going out is frightening and dangerous. It comes back then you are over reacting to compensate for no steering. At one point I could not negotiate a turn after already moving into it and then the steering came back on and I nearly went through a fence and field. I have an illness that reduces my strength and makes handling this van without power steering even for 30 seconds almost impossible. This has been going on now for over a year. Four times in the shop after a rain storm and the power steering has gone out.

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel became hard to turn when the contact drove over a puddle of water. The failure was recurring over a period of nine years. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who replaced the serpentine belt and idler pulley however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.