Power Steering Fluid problems of the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan

2005 Grand Caravan rack & pinion leak failure- it began as a slight grunt when turning the steering wheel while sitting still, like in a packing lot, then I took the van in for a vehicle safty inspection for plate renewal when I was informed I had a bad right strut and a leak, they replace the strut and re-alighned the frount end but informed me I would have to replace the rack & pinion box to fix the fluid leak. I did not believe them so I took it to another shop for a second opinion, and for sure thats what it is and the expected repair cost to be near $1000. 00 the van only has 80,100 gentle miles on it, I can't believe this failed already, I treat this van really well. Since then I have learned this is a big problem with this van, little did I know when I bought it brand new in 2005. I am the only owner and driver of this van.

The rack and pinion are severely leaking and also getting really hot and causing the leaking fluid to fume into the cabin of the car. . . This has caused worry for inability to steer at high speeds and also light headedness in car from collecting fumes into cabin at stops. . . So many have reported this and I am regrettably now one of them. . .

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. When the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for regular maintenance, it was discovered that the steering wheel column rack was leaking power steering fluid. The dealer estimated that it would cost $1,000 to replace the rack. There were no recalls listed for the failure. Due to the fact that the vehicle was one month out of warranty, the manufacturer would not assist with the repairs. The VIN was not accepted by the system. The failure and current mileages were less than 17,274.

Van started to make a loud sound from the engine area. Took the van in to see what was wrong, first garage could not identify the problem in November. Took the van in again 12/21/08 and they identified that the rack and pinion was going out and leaking fluid. That was making the noise. Was informed that this is not a common repair and it is unusual for this type of repair to have to be done on a vehicle that gets regular maintenance and has never been in any kind of accident. The mechanic said he had seen several of the same vehicle with same problem. It appears to be a manufacturer defect in the build of the rack and pinion system.

I have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan and when I have reach 35000 miles I notices that my power steering fluid kept get low, but I could not find any leaks to show me that I had a problem. This was doing the winter time in ohio with snow on the ground with made it even more strange that I did not see any oil leak in the snow showing me that I had a problem. Then when I reach 50000 mile my brake started squeaking and I knew it could not be my brake pads on the front because they had been replace about 18 month back. I just thought it was just some road grime that might have got on the rotor. When the sound did not stop I recheck the pad to make sure that they was still good and that when I found out that my steering boot was leaking and some of it was getting on to the on to the rotor. So by change I decide to check the internet to see it if anyone else had this problem and I was surprise to find out just how many people did. Therefore I discovered your site and again was surprise to find out how many complaint that you have had about this insure yet you still had not did anything about it. As I said the fluid is leaking on to the disc rotor meaning that this is a more serious problem not only this is a serious problem the complete failure of the steering:rack and pinion:rack, either way you look at it either you won?t be able to stop or you loose control of the vehicle which mean it is more serious than you or anyone else could even imaging and I can not believe that you have not did anything about it all because no one has died yet. If everyone knew just how unsafe this vehicle really is they would be getting rid of this vehicle as fast as they could because their family lives are at stake here not the builder, designer, or the president or ceo of Chrysler but the people who entrust these very people with a safe product.

Every time I took my van in for an oil change I was told the power steering fluid was low, obviously didn't think much of it at the time. I started hearing a whining sound 5,000 miles after the warranty was up, took the van in and they found the power steering rack leaking fluid, reservoir empty and blocked with p/s gear remains, and p/s pump noisy. They replaced the p/s gear, pump, and reservoir at my expense of $1200. 00. I wouldn't think that a 2005 van should have major power steering problems after 2 years. I believe this is a manufacturing problem.