10 of the 248 complaints about the 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan are about the steering — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 66,000 miles.
10
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
WHEN I WAS TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF. I WAS ABOUT TO BACK UP AND IF I DID I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED.
NHTSA complaint #10824438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 00V305000 (STEERING), 99V213000 (STRUCTURE), 99V113000 (AIR BAGS), AND 95I00100 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10716533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 DODGE CHRYSLER GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AROUND A MOUNTAIN THE STEERING LOCKED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE DEALER DIDN'T TRY TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE BELT IN 1996, BUT THE MECHANIC STATED THE BELT LOOKED FINE. UPDATE 05/10/07
NHTSA complaint #10187496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
(1) NO WARNING OF FAILURE.(2) SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BOLT FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING DURING A TURN. NO CONSEQUENCES RESULTED FROM THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AT 5MPH. UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES (DOWNHILL ON TIGHT CURVE) THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND PROBABLY RESULT IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL.(3) ANTICIPATE REPLACING THE TENSIONER AND RETURNING VEHICLE TO SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #10103069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
RECALL 00-V-305; STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CRACKED AND SEPARATED FROM CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT. ALSO, WHEEL NUTS ON BOTH FRONT SIDES ARE SNAPPED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8010306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLING WAS ACCOMPANIED BY LOSS OF CONTROL. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #880664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #727067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I BELIEVE THAT THIS VAN WAS A "LEMON" FROM THE START. IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP, "AURORA CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH" DID WHAT THEY CALLED A SAFETY CHECK ON IT. SOMEHOW THEY FAILED TO FIND THAT BOTH TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED REPLACED. THAT WAS WITHIN 1 MONTH OF PURCHASE. WE TOOK IT TO A MORE LOCAL DEALER FOR THE SERVICE. THEN BEFORE WE HAD 84,000 MILES ON IT, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. NOW THE ENGINE HAS FAILED E-CHECK WITH MAJOR PROBLEMS. AFTER READING ALL THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON FAILED TRANSMISSIONS, I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A "FORCED" RECALL ON THESE. I ALSO WONDER HOW MANY OTHER ENGINE FAILURES ARE OUT THERE, NOT BEING REPORTED.
NHTSA complaint #722097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
THE ROD THAT HOLDS RIGHT FRONT TIRE STRAIGHT BROKE, CAUSING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #849105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #517202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.