762 of the
14,200 complaints filed about the Dodge Caravan
are about the steering —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1993.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO FAIL WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V386000 (STEERING) WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #11403052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STARTED THE VEHICLE ONE MORNING AND DROVE UP TO A STOP SIGN. I WAS IN A CITY STREET MAKING A LEFT TURN. SAW CLEAR FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS OF ANY TRAFFIC.ACCELERATED AND THE BAS,ESP LIGHT, AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE WANTED TO STALL, LOST POWER, AND STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND ACCELERATED AGAIN TO ABOUT 20 MPH AND THE VEHICLE REPEATED THE STALLING AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE, ONCE ABOVE 30 MPH ALL LIGHTS CONTINUED ON AND THE VEHICLE KEPT DRIVING ACCORDINGLY. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED UP AND DROVE FROM THAT DATE OF JAN.26,2021 THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONING CONTINUES. I FIND THIS TO BE A SEVERE MECHANICAL PROBLEM AND A DANGER TO ME, MY FAMILY, AND THE PUBLIC.
NHTSA complaint #11397912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #11340839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS MORNING AT 7:58 AM 7.16.2019, MY CAR JUST STOPPED. LOST ALL POWER, COULD NOT STEER, BREAKS BECAME HARD, NO LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING AN ISSUE. I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO GO OVER A SPEED BUMP AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED. I PUT ON MY HAZARDS AND WAITED A MOMENT RESTARTED THE CAR. BEFORE THAT AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SEEMED TO FEEL LIKE THE ENGINE WAS FLUTTERING (?) OR LOSING POWER THEN GAINING IT BACK. THAT FLUTTER HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OF FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, BUT NO LIGHTS HAVE COME ON INDICATING ANY ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE. I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND SEEN MANY, MANY POSTS WITH PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CAR JUST STOPPING, TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AND DEALER NOT BEING ABOUT TO FIND A CAUSE. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, IF THIS HAPPENS ON A BUSY ROAD OR ON THE FREEWAY SOMEONE COULD DIE!. THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR AND I DIDN'T GET HIT!
NHTSA complaint #11232249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BOUGHT THE VAN FROM COOKS VOLKSWAGEN ON MAY 7TH, 2018. IN THE FIRST 3 MTHS OF ME OWNING IT I HAD TO GET 2 MOTOR MOUNTS AND A STARTER PUT IN. THEN FROM THAT POINT IT WAS ALL DOWN HILL! IT HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS(COOKS HAS DONE 2 AND I TOOK THE VAN TO THOMPSON FOR THEM TO DO THE THIRD), HUB ASSEMBLY, WELDED THE CORE SUPPORT, POWER STEERING PULLEY AND BARING, STRUTS FOR THE TRUCK HATCH, I HAD TO PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET FOR POWER STEERING PULLEY AND BARING AND ONE DAY OF RENTAL FOR A RENTAL CAR! I HAVE ALREADY CALLED MY LAWYER AND TO HAVE CHRYSLER/DODGE SUED FOR SELLING AN UNINSPECTED VEHICLE AND FILING A CIVIL SUIT AGAINST YOUR COMPANY!!!! AS OF MAY 13,2019 IT IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN AND HAVE ANOTHER RENTAL VAN AFTER GETTING IT BACK ON FRIDAY MAY 10, 2019 AFTER IT'S 3RD TRANSMISSION BEING INSTALLED AND TRIED TO DRIVE IT DOWN 95 NORTH ON MAY 11,2019 AND I GOT TO 6TH GEAR AND IT WENT STRAIGHT INTO LIMP MODE AND HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THOMPSON'S TO FIX IT!
NHTSA complaint #11207268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A 2007 DODGE CARAVAN, THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SWITCH SEEMS TO BE BURNING OUT NOT ALLOWING ME TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN ON THE ELECTRIC SWITCH AND WHEN IT DOES, HAS A HARD TIME TRYING TO GO BACK UP. THEN MY DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER VAN DOOR HAS A BUTTON ON TOP IN THE FRONT THAT YOU CAN HIT IT AND ITS SUPPOSE TO OPEN THAT SIDE OF THE VAN DOOR, THE VAN DOOR ALSO DOESN'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE IT HAS TO BE OPENED ON THE OUTSIDE POSING A DANGEROUS ISSUE. BUT THE OTHER SWITCH OPENS THE PASSENGER SIDE VAN DOOR FINE. MY 3RD ROW SEATS DON'T WANT TO STAY UP , THEY WANT TO LAY DOWN POSING SAFETY HAZARDS. MY BEARINGS OR SOMETHING SOUND BAD, AND MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED ON THE INSIDE AND WO'NT OPEN ON THE OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11190594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIRS BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AN INDEPENDENT TOWING COMPANY TO A SALVAGE LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. BLEVINS SEAWAY MOTORS (98 CENTER ST, MASSENA, NY 13662, (315) 764-0283) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA complaint #11183164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND IN THE NEXT SECOND THE CAR JUST LOST ALL POWER. NOTHING! I PULLED OVER AND IT STARTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER. HAVING TO DRIVE AN HOUR BACK HOME ON THE HIGHWAY WAS SCARED AND MY FATHER BEING A DISABLED VET - THIS IS THE VEHICLE THAT IS USED.
NHTSA complaint #11163767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED FOR THE THIRD TIME. AFTER THE PREVIOUS FAILURES, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11154070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11099032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11099032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY GAS TANK, IT ALWAYS STOPS ME EVEN IF IT'S HALFWAY. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DOESN'T STAY WELL. THE HOLES WHERE THE ENGINE ALWAYS COMES OFF AND THERE'S A LOT OF SMOKE COMING OUT. THE HEADLINER IS COMING OFF AND THERE'S LIKE A SAND FALLING TO MY KIDS. THE BREAK IS NOT THAT STRONG
NHTSA complaint #11090834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON A DRY ROAD, THE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD WENT ON TO INDICATE THE CAR WAS SLIDING... THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, I HAD NO BRAKES, I HAD TO GLIDE TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN ONE DAY. I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE TO A STOP, SHUT THE VAN OFF, RESTART IT ONLY FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED IT WAS A COMPUTER CHIP ISSUE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A DEALER TO GET IT FIXED FOR APPROX $1,800.00. I COULD'VE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND/OR KILLED MYSELF AND THOSE AROUND ME.
NHTSA complaint #11089932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD ALREADY SENT INFO TO DOL (BELOW) ON 03 CARAVAN I FROM UNLICENSED DEALER MICHAEL RANKIN. PLEASE SEE COMPLAINT FORM INATTACHMENT -IT'S TOO LONG TO ADD. THEY'RE IN PROCESS OF CHARGING MICHAEL RANKIN ON 12 COUNTS FOR DIFFERENT VEHICLES SOLD,AND ASESSING MONETARY FINES. I HAVE DONE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS TO THIS POSTAL FLEET VEHICLE.ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCED MECHANISS AT 32,300 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD ALREADY BEEN REBUILT -IMPROPERLY. I'M COMPLAINING BECAUSE I WAS STUCK ON FAST MOVING ARTERIAL WITH LEAKING TRANSMISSION (UNSAFE CONDITION) BECAUSE OF IMPROPER REPAIRS ,AND COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE IN CONJESTED TRAFFIC 1621-72ND ST EAST,TACOMA,WA 98404. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THAT MOMENT AND AT ANOTHER DIFFERENT TIME WHEN DRIVING.THIS IS THE UNSAFE PART. THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME APPROXIMATELY $1500 AND ALSO TOLD ME IT HAD TRANSMISSION ALREADY REBUILT AND (4) LOOSE BOLTS ON PUMP SEAL, ALSO HAD A "PRE OWNED" USED? WRECKING YARD TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH WAS PAINTED BLACK INDICATING THE REBUILD OCURRED. HE ALSO STATED HOW THE 2 FRONT HALF SHAFTS (AXELS) WERE WORN OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE THOSE, ABOUT $250. IT HAS BAD POWER STEERING PUMP-AND GROANING NOISES CURRENTLY (UNSAFE CONDITION) JUST LIKE WHEN I GOT IT (32.3K MILES) VEHICLE HAS A BAD AIR CONDITIONER NOT UNSAFE. *I HAVE JPEG PHOTOS AND RECEIPS FOR PARTS,AXELS, TRANSMISSION REPAIR AND FLUID I HAD TO BUY TO KEEP FLUID IN TRANSMISSION. PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT FOR COMPLAINT SENT TO WASHINGTON DOL , JOSH IS THE CONTACT.
NHTSA complaint #11063819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS TAKING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND THE STEERING AND BREAKING SYSTEM COMPLETELY LOCKED UP ON ME ALMOST CAUSING US TO CRASH INTO A TREE. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IN THE EMERGENCY BREAK AND GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING NOR THE REGULAR BREAK. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #11053880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.