1996 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems

STEERING

WIFE WAS DRIVING 96 GRAND CARAVAN LE TO COLLEGE IN THE RAIN. WHEN SHE ARRIVED IN THE PARKING LOT STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN SO SHE PULLED IT STRAIGHT INTO PARKING SPOT. LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW BELT HAD COME OFF. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE BUT CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AT HOME. AS SHE STARTED TO REVERSE OUT OF DRIVEWAY STEERING BECAME TOUGH AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS ALSO RAINING AT THIS TIME. THIS HAPPENED EARLY JANUARY 2011. AROUND MARCH 2010, AGAIN WHILE IT WAS RAINING, AS MY WIFE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN THE CAR BEGAN TO BECOME UNRESPONSIVE AND SHE HAD TO GUIDE IT TO THE SIDE. SINCE IT WAS BLOCKING THE ROAD POLICE DID COME BY AND HELP PUSH IF OFF THE ROAD UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK CAME TO TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE. NEW BELT, IDLER PULLEY AND TENSIONER WAS INSTALLED BY MECHANIC. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT (APRIL 2011) PULLEY AND TENSIONER WAS REPLACED. DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. LUCKILY THE SPEED WAS SLOW IN ALL INSTANCES AND NO INJURY OR DAMAGE WAS DONE...YET.

NHTSA complaint #10395315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE A 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE 3.8. IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF 2 TIMES WHEN IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE OR THE VAN GOES THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED TWICE. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER DODGE OWNERS HAVE ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE WHEEL CANNOT BE CONTROLLED WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOW. I THINK THAT DODGE HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO DO AS THEY HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, AND ARE NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS REPEATED SERIOUS SAFETY FAULT.

NHTSA complaint #10372161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - LIFETIME LUBRICATED TIEROD END SEPARATED RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING - THE RUBBER SEAL DETERIORATED THE GREASE WAS GONE AND THE BALL JOINT CORRODED TO THE POINT IT FELL APART - WIFE WAS PARKING THE VAN AT THE TIME - COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE SHE WAS 150 MILES FROM HOME AT THE TIME LESS THAN A MONTH LATER I SAW ANOTHER DODGE CARAVAN BROKE DOWN ON A HIGHWAY RIGHT FRONT TIRE NOT FACING AS IT SHOULD - I SUSPECT ANOTHER TIE ROD END FAILURE - NOW I KNOW THESE BEARINGS CAN BE MANUFACTURED SO THEY CAN NOT SEPARATE - AIRCRAFT ROD END BEARINGS COME TO MIND - ISN'T A LOSS OF STEERING A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO MAKE A PART SO IT CANT FAIL?

NHTSA complaint #10353220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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STRUT TOWER, DRIVER'S SIDE IS EXTREMELY RUSTED - A HARD BUMP WILL CERTAINLY PUSH THE SUSPENSION SPRING ASSEMBLY THROUGH THE TOP CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10238043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE SERPENTINE BELT THAT RUNS THE CAR JUMPED OFF TRACK THE FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER WHEN IT WAS RAINING. I FIRST NOTICED MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT OVER HEATED. SO WHEN I GOT UNDER THE HOOD TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, IT WAS THE BELT IT WAS NOT BROKEN JUST OFF TRACK. HAD IT FIXED. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 25, 2003 SOME 3-4 WEEKS LATER. AGAIN IT WAS RAINING. THE PERSON WHO FIXED IT THE 2ND TIME STATES THAT EVERY TIME IT RAINS AND IF I GET WATER IN MY UNDERCARRAIGE IT IS GOING TO POP OFF. THIS IS VERY DISCOURAGING, I AM THE SINGLE MOTHER OF FOUR YOUNG GIRLS AND I SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VAN WHEN IT IS RAINING. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE SOME SENSE OUT OF THIS FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint #10071154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE RACK AND PINION. ALSO, THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING OVER A MINOR BUMPS.

NHTSA complaint #10046485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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CONSUMER STATED BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. *AK CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 1991 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - TENSIONER PULLEY. *PH

NHTSA complaint #10030125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

CAMSHAFT ON 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FAILED (BROKE INTO TWO PIECES) WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE OHIO TURNPIKE WITH FAMILY (TWO YOUNG CHILDREN) IN THE VAN - FAILURE OF ALL POWER ASSIST AND FOWARD MOTION (OTHER THAN COASTING) WAS IMMEDIATE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT THE TIME AND IF THE ROAD HAD BEEN BUSIER THE POTENTIAL EXISITED FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY/DEATH. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 98,100 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME (3.3L ENGINE). THIS FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO CHRYSLER TSB 09-008-01 WHICH DISCUSSES CAMSHAFT FAILURE WITH CAMSHAFT BEARING WEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DAIMLER/CHRYSLER "STEP UP TO THE PLATE" ON THE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OCCURING. I WILL BE CONTACTING D/C TO PURSUE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE NEW ENGINE AS AN EVENT LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR.

NHTSA complaint #10028717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

MR

NHTSA complaint #768493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN

THE STEERING COLUMN TILT KNOB IS VERY SENSITIVE AND THE CONSUMER HAS TO WIGGLE THE KNOB TO MAKE SURE IT LATCHES, IF NOT THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES. NLM

NHTSA complaint #567054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

AIR CONDITIONERCONDENSER/DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR/TIE ROD, TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE, AND O2 SENSOR WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, AND FROM THE EXHAUST AREA. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED. IN ADDITION, SERPENTINE BELT AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. *JB.

NHTSA complaint #567168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

EA 01 007 AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING: CONSUMER STATES THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING, ALSO THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER NOTIFIED. *JB DEALER STATED IT COULD BE A BAD WIRE INT HE STEERING COLUMN OR THE CLOCK SPRING, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE PROBLEM UNLESS STEERING WHEEL IS TAKEN APART.

NHTSA complaint #8010726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHILE TRYING TO START VEHICLE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE, AND THEN A LOUD POP. WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE OFF CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE ANY WAY TO CONTROL VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #8010077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

DEALER REPLACED THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THREE OCCASIONS AND TIGHTENED NUT FOR GROUND EYELET ONCE DUE TO WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMING ON BY THEMSELVES AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY, DOOR AJAR LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON, DEALER REPLACED BODY COMPUTER, HOWEVER DOOR AJAR LIGHTS CONTINUE TO SOUND AND ILLUMINATE, INTERIOR LAMPS WOULD COME ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON, INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER, DEALER FOUND A BAD CONTACT IN THE DRIVERS DOOR SWITCH AND REPAIRED IT, DEALER COULD NOT FIND REASON FOR OTHER LIGHTS ERRATIC OPERATION, CAR ALARM SOUNDS BY ITSELF, REMOTE ALARM AND LOCK DOES NOT CAUSE VEHICLE TO HONK TO LET CONSUMER KNOW IT HAS WORKED, DEALER REPROGRAMMED REMOTE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #562605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

I HAVE A GRAND CARAVAN ES PURCHASED NEW IN 1996. ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO THE AIR BAG, CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN ALL QUIT AT ONCE. BEING UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN CLOCK (SP.) SPRING LOCATED BEHIND THE AIR BAG. THIS DEVICE APPARENTLY AFFECTS ALL THREE NON-WORKING SYSTEMS, AND WAS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM, $350 TO FIX. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH DODGE TRUCKS AND A RECALL "COULD BE IN THE WORKS" ADDITIONALLY, FOR SOME REASON DURING COLD WEATHER MY TURN SIGNALS STOP WORKING, AS THE LEVER ENTERS THE STALK IN THE CLOCK SPRING AREA I SUSPICION IT IS AFFECTING THEM ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #757281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

WATER GETS ON POWER STEERING BELT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8001967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

DEALER REPLACED THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THREE OCCASIONS AND TIGHTENED NUT FOR GROUND EYELET ONCE DUE TO WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMING ON BY THEMSELVES AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY, DOOR AJAR LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON, DEALER REPLACED BODY COMPUTER, HOWEVER DOOR AJAR LIGHTS CONTINUE TO SOUND AND ILLUMINATE, INTERIOR LAMPS WOULD COME ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON, INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER, DEALER FOUND A BAD CONTACT IN THE DRIVERS DOOR SWITCH AND REPAIRED IT, DEALER COULD NOT FIND REASON FOR OTHER LIGHTS ERRATIC OPERATION, CAR ALARM SOUNDS BY ITSELF, REMOTE ALARM AND LOCK DOES NOT CAUSE VEHICLE TO HONK TO LET CONSUMER KNOW IT HAS WORKED, DEALER REPROGRAMMED REMOTE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #562605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

BELT TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS COMPONENT HAS FAILED. THIS IS ALSO THE SECOND TIME I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS TIME THE PROBLEM IS THE CLOCK SPRING, ALSO CAUSING THE HORN AND AIR BAG SYSTEM TO BE INOPERABLE.

NHTSA complaint #751455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

I HAVE HAD MY SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER REPLACED TWICE, ONCE AT 32000 (UNDER WARRANTY) AND ONCE AT 73000 MILES. THE DEALER CHARGED ME THE FULL $200 FOR THE REPAIR IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT I'D HAD IT REPLACED AT 32000M AND IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH A SERVICE BULLITIN. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE POWER STEERING TO CEASE OPPERATING. I ALSO HAD A BROKEN GEAR TOOTH IN MY TRANSMISSION AT 73,000M. THE DEALER WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $2100 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT I DECIDED TO TAKE IT ELSEWHERE AND HAVE YET TO HAVE IT FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #749507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

VEHICLE LOSES POWER ASSIST IN RAIN OR WHILE RIDING THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE. CONSUMER WAS TURNING INTO A SUBDIVISON AND STEERING GOT HARD. CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A LARGE BRICK PLANTER. HAS CONTACTED CHRYSLER BY WRITING LETTERS AND MAKING PHONE CALLS, BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE TENSIONER AND BELT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SLIPPING WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN.

NHTSA complaint #889552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

VEHICLE LOSES POWER ASSIST IN RAIN OR WHILE RIDING THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE. CONSUMER WAS TURNING INTO A SUBDIVISON AND STEERING GOT HARD. CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A LARGE BRICK PLANTER. HAS CONTACTED CHRYSLER BY WRITING LETTERS AND MAKING PHONE CALLS, BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE TENSIONER AND BELT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SLIPPING WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN.

NHTSA complaint #889552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH DURING SNOWY CONDITIONS POWER ASSIST STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM THE CONSUMER AS TO WHY THIS DEFECT HAPPENED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS AFTER THIS EVENT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AGAIN, THIS TIME RACK AND PINION STEERING CAUSED THIS DEFECT. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO FLUID BURNING, NOTHING MORE SPECIFIC WAS SAID. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #885991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH DURING SNOWY CONDITIONS POWER ASSIST STEERING BELT TENSIONER BROKE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM THE CONSUMER AS TO WHY THIS DEFECT HAPPENED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS AFTER THIS EVENT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AGAIN, THIS TIME RACK AND PINION STEERING CAUSED THIS DEFECT. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO FLUID BURNING, NOTHING MORE SPECIFIC WAS SAID. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #885991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

VEHICLE TRAVELS THROUGH WATER AND POWER ASSISTED STEERING CONTROL GOES OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #885166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

A PIECE INSIDE STEERING WHEEL CONTROL UNIT BROKE. ALSO, AIR BAGS/ HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET.

NHTSA complaint #884715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

SLOW DRIVING 25MPH THRU 1-4" STANDING WATER CAUSES STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME EXTREMELY UNRESPONSIVE & HARD TO TURN.

NHTSA complaint #740811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

ON FREEWAY, HEARD CLUNK, WAM...POWER STEERING DIED, ABOUT LOST CONTROL AS STEERING WENT MANUAL. TOW GUY SAID THESE FAIL ALOT. WHEN WILL NHTSA RECALL THESE THINGS...? WHEN SOME ONE DIES...?

NHTSA complaint #738386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

BELT TENSIONER LOCKED UP TWICE IN THE LAST 8 MONTHS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL AND POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE POWER STEERING BELT WAS THROWN OFF THE BELT TENSIONER AND DESTROYED TWICE, ONCE IN MARCH 2000 AND AGAIN IN NOVEMBER OF 2000.

NHTSA complaint #736314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHEN YOU GO THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER YOU LOSE YOUR POWER STEERING. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE CLAIMS THAT THIS MODEL VAN HAS THAT PROBLEM. IF NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #735452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #733990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.