33 of the 341 complaints about the 2001 Dodge Caravan are about the steering — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 35,000 miles.
33
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
I NEED TO KNOW IT MY VEHICLE HAS ANY RECALLS I'M HAVING SOME MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #11220203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED AND CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL DID A HARD RELEASE AND RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE HARD RELEASE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO RECEIVE INJURIES TO THE HAND, WRIST, AND ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #11000002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL BECOMES SO TIGHT AND CANT EVEN MOVE WHEN EVER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW 50DEGREES. IT TAKES AT LEAST 15 MIN TO BECOME NORMAL. FUEL LEVELS ARE NORMAL IN MY VAN.
NHTSA complaint #10808343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN
I HAVE A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. FIRST NOTICED (A FEW MONTHS AGO) THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK; THEN THE HORN WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. NOW, THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. HAD THE DEALER TROUBLESHOOT AND THEY SAID THE CLOCKSPRING IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL TO REPLACE CLOCKSPRINGS IN CARAVANS UP TO YEAR 2000. I ORDERED MY CARAVAN IN NOVEMBER, 2000 AND RECEIVED IT JANUARY, 2001.
NHTSA complaint #10221603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
AUG. 20, 2007 - STEERING HAS BEEN LOCKING UP DAILY, FOR THE PAST YEAR ON MY 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS AND CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE HAD THE ISSUE LOOKED AT BY VARIOUS MECHANICS AND NONE CAN IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM FOR SURE. THEY ALL SAY THAT IT IS HAPPENING TOO OFTEN - IT'S VERY DANGEROUS BUT THEY CAN ONLY 'TRY CHANGING THE RACK OR POWER STEERING PUMP OR FLUSHING THE FLUID....' NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN VERY NEGLIGENT WITH THIS ISSUE. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO VOTE WITH THEIR FEET AND GO ELSEWHERE WHEN PURCHASING YOUR NEXT VEHICLE - NOT CHRYSLER.
NHTSA complaint #10200095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE STABELIZER BAR BUSHINGS,STABELIZER LINKS, INNER TIE RODS
NHTSA complaint #10141692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
DRIVING VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT OF CHURCH. POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING POTENTIAL ACCIDENT IF NOT STOPPED IN TIME. PERSONALLY CHECKED OUT POWER STEERING UNIT FOR LEAKS (NON), CHECKED OUT POWER STEERING RESERVOIR FOR POSSIBILITY OF NEEDING TO BE FILLED(N/A). POWER STEERING BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION OF FRONT END KNOCK. WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT DURING THEIR INSPECTION. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A GEAR THAT HAD WORN. I ASKED HOW THAT COULD BE AND ISSUE AND IF THIS WAS A DEFECT? THEY STATED NO. I ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE COST OF REPAIR DUE TO THIS BEING A POSSIBLE SAFETY DEFECT, AND WAS REFUSED THIS ASSISTANCE DUE THERE NOT BEING A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR STEERING COMPONENT. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THURSDAY 10/20/05. AFTER THIS, THE VEHICLE OPERATED FINE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON MONDAY EVENING TO BE SERVICED TUESDAY MORNING 10/25/05. WE WERE INFORMED OF THE DEFECT ON TUESDAY MORNING THAT THE STEERING GEAR WAS BAD, AND INFORMED THAT THIS WOULD COST WELL OVER 1000.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 67,000 MILES, AND AN IMMACULATE SERVICE RECORD TO WHICH I HAVE PAID DEARLY TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UP. I BELIEVE THE SUDDENNESS OF THE OCCURRENCE OF THIS DEFECT IS ONE TO BE CONCERNED WITH, AND SHOULD SERIOUSLY BE REVIEWED, BY THE CHRYSLER CORP. IF NEGOTIATING A TURN ON THE FREEWAY SYSTEM OF ANY CITY IN THE US, AND HAVING THIS GEAR FAIL; IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO NOT ONLY THE OCCUPANTS OF THIS VEHICLE, BUT OTHER INNOCENT MOTORISTS AS WELL. I DO PLAN ON RIDDING MY FAMILY OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, AND UPGRADING TO SOMETHING POSSIBLY IN A FOREIGN MAKE OR MODEL THAT'S BUILT FOR RELIABILITY, WHEN YOU INVEST IN THE UP KEEP. THE COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. HOPEFULLY SOMEONE WILL FOLLOW UP ON THE ISSUE. MY FILE NUMBER WITH CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS 14199982. REGARDS DERRICK V. STINGLEY.
NHTSA complaint #10140736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ESPECIALLY DURING EXTREME COLD WEATHER. MOSTLY TURNING TO LEFT. THIS IS AN EVERY DAY EVENT FOR ME. THE DEALER SAID THAT HE CAN FIRST TRY RESOVOIR AND FLUSH WHICH IS $350, BUT HE CAN'T GUARANTEE THIS WILL HELP. IF IT DOESN'T HELP THEN HE WILL TRY A NEW PUMP WHICH IS $800 AND SOMETHING ELSE WHICH IS $400. ULTIMATELY, I WILL BE SPENDING UP TO $1550 FOR REPAIRS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10107764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I HAVE FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR SINCE BUYING IN 2001 THIS LATEST ONE IS THE HEAT CONTROL KNOB IN THE DASH HAS FROZEN DEALER SAYS BROKEN AND WOULD COST 400 TO FIX, AT THAT PRICE IT SHOULDN'T BREAK AT ALL!CAR NOW HAS 50000 MILES. THIS IS THE SAME CAR THAT WITHIN THE FIRST 72 HOURS AND 200 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED 2 OR 3 TIMES AT 20000 AND 36700 MILES MOTOR ON WINDOW ALSO REPLACED CARPET REPLACED BECAUSE WATER SEEPING IN CAR I AM AFRAID OF THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10107613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
THE VAN LOST STEERING FLUID AND THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A FUNNY SOUND WHEN IT WAS TURNED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE STEERING COOLER HOSE HAD SPLIT. THE COOLER HOSE SPLIT DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE RECALL 04V386000, BUT THIS MODEL WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *JB THERE WAS A SHUDDER COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN SITTIN GSTILL AND MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10097018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10095452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT REGAINED CONTROL. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND NOT TURN WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAD THE STEERING GEAR REPLACED AT HER OWN EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10092346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
WHILE TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10087698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
OUR DODGE CARAVAN SPORT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND WE'VE HAD IT FOR 3 YEARS AND HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE 30,000 MILE MARK. WE HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY THAT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. WE LIKED THE CARAVAN BECAUSE WE DID NOT HEAR BAD THINGS ABOUT IT. BUT NOW WE EXPERIENCED THESE THINGS AND WE ARE NOT ALONE MAKES ME RE-THINK OF NOT GETTING A CARAVAN AGAIN OR RECOMMENDING IT TO PEOPLE. WE'VE RUN INTO THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: FIRST ITEM IS THE POWER DOOR LOCK ON THE SLIDING DOOR. WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, THE LOCK WOULD UNLOCK AND LOCK. SECOND ITEM IS THE POWER WINDOWS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I'VE READ OTHERS WHO COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. THE POWER WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP AFTER IT HAS GONE DOWN. AN EFFORT TO GIGGLE IT UP IS THE TRICK. NOW IT JUST DOESN'T ROLL UP OR DOWN. THIRD ITEM IS THE POWER STEERING. WE HAVE A FAMILY FRIEND WHO ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING IS MAKING CLICKING NOISE AND WHILE PARKING IT HAS A LOUD AGONIZING HUM. FOURTH ITEM THE TURN SIGNALS DOES NOT TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY ONCE THE TURN HAS BEEN MADE. TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, SEE IF THEY HAVE SOME ANSWERS.
NHTSA complaint #10086661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WAS IN MEMPHIS WHEN MY CARAVAN BROKE DOWN, SO MY HUSBAND IN WV WENT TO BUCHANNON AUTO MALL TO GET A NEW SAFER CAR FOR TRIPS TO MEMPHIS FOR OUR DAUGHTERS CANCER TREATMENTS. I GOT HOME THE CAR WAS HERE ABOUT 3 DAYS WE USED IT AND IT STARTED JUMPING WHEN IT SHIFTED (AUTOMATIC).TOOK IT TO SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS FINE DROVE CAR TO NEXT TOWN AND IT TOTALLY STOPPED OPENED HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HOSE WASNT ON SO WITH 200 MILES ON CAR IT COULDNT BE USED! WAS TOLD BY AUTO MALL IT WOULD BE FIXED AND IT WAS BUT NOW I AM AFRAID OF THE CAR, TOLD THEM I DIDNT WANT IT AND WAS TOLD I WOULD ONLY GET 11000 TRADE IN! AN INSULT SO I KEPT IT IN 2002 I TOLD THEM THEY FIXED TIEROD WENT OUT AND THEY REPLACED IT(LESS THAN 20000 MILES) IN 2004 MOTOR WENT OUT OF DRIVER WINDOW CARPET IS NOW A MESS FIXED WINDOW BUT HAVE NOT OFFERED TO REPLACE CARPET! NOW AT 36700 MILES BOTH FRONT TIE RODS ARE NEEDING REPLACED GETTING IT FIXED TODAY I FEEL THAT SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS CAR AND IT ISNT SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10073237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
PAINT IS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF. POWER WINDOW ON DRIVERS SIDE WORKS WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. STEERING HAS A BAD WHINE AND MAKES BED NOISES.
NHTSA complaint #10068868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
OVER THE PAST 15 MONTHS, OUR 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT HAS BLOWN 4 HYDRAULIC HOSES. 3 TIMES ON THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINES AND 1 TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10056437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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. *NM
NHTSA complaint #10055265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
COMPLAINT REGARDING 2001 DODGE CARAVAN RACK AND PINION RECALL. #10016812.*MR 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.
NHTSA complaint #10053938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10053109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. UNABLE TO TURN SAFETLY. MORE DIFFICULTY TO TURN STEERING WHEEL RIGHT. POWER STEERING PACK MALFUNCTIONED. DODGE DEALERS IN N.GA. KNOXVILLE TN. AND CHATTANOOGA TN. STATE THAT PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. 1-2 WEEKS BEFORE ABLE TO OBTAIN PART SINCE APPEARS TO BE A FREQUENT DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10051443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE INNER SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WERE WORN OUT, AND THE LEFT INNER TIE ROD WAS LOOSE. ALSO, RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10050498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE INNER SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WERE WORN OUT, AND THE LEFT INNER TIE ROD WAS LOOSE. ALSO, RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10050498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED AT 47,445 MILES. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10049090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STEER.
NHTSA complaint #10020236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STEER. PH
NHTSA complaint #10020237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10014933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE HAS DECREASED IN BRIGHTNESS. THE PROBLEM IS NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT. THERE IS A RESISTANCE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL AND WHEN BACKING. THE RUBBER GASKETS CONTINUE TO FALL FROM THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME TO WARM UP IN COLD WEATHER. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10011594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THE CONSUMER STATED, WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL-WHICH HAD LOCKED UP, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CONTACTED. MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED. STILL UNABLE TO TURN LEFT-NOT UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS WARM. THE CONSUMER IS DISSATISFIED WITH THE VEHICLE AND ADDS THAT THE WINDOW MOTORS WERE REPLACED(UNSURE IF PROBLEM), THE BRAKES DONE 3 TIMES, ALONG WITH NUMEROUS STEERING PROBLEMS. SCC
NHTSA complaint #8020779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN, VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER 4 TIMES BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND.
NHTSA complaint #8017939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.