1998 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems

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The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist and then stalled. Additionally, the odometer failed to display the correct mileage and the speedometer failed to display the correct speed of the vehicle while the engine revved. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

NHTSA complaint #11471228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE BELT CAME UP AFTER HITTING A PUDDLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE.

NHTSA complaint #10520474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE SERPENTINE BELT ON THE 1998 DODGE CARAVAN, HAS FALLEN OFF DURING DRIVING, WHENEVER THE CAR GOES THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. THIS CAUSES NEARLY UNRESPONSIVE STEERING UNTIL THE BELT CAN BE REPLACED. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF REPORTS ON THIS ISSUES ON ONLINE FORMS, AND DODGE DOES NOT ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10390336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF OF THE PULLEYS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN WET WEATHER, INCLUDING RAIN AND SNOW/SLUSH, ESPECIALLY WHEN A PUDDLE IS GONE THROUGH BY THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ON TWO OF THESE OCCASIONS, I WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN THE BELT CAME OFF, LOST CONTROL OF MY STEERING AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR WHICH WAS STOPPED ACROSS FROM ME. THE BELT COMING OFF ALSO CAUSES THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THIS ISSUE CAUSES A LOSS OF CONTROL AND WILL LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH. CHRYSLER CLAIMS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE.. THERE IS AN UPDATED BELT/PULLEY KIT WHICH HAS A DOUBLE-SIDED-GROOVED BELT AND PULLEY WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE BUT THE COST TO THE CONSUMER IS APPROX $400-500 SINCE CHRYSLER CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. HOWEVER, THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE CONSIDERING THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ON WET ROADS ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AS I DO, WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55-65MPH OR TURNING A CORNER AT AN INTERSECTION WHERE OTHER CARS ARE STOPPED.

NHTSA complaint #10354658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHEN IT GETS WET SUCH AS DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES OR WATER FROM ROADWAY WHEN RAINING. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER PAST FEW MONTHS. REPLACED BELT BUT STILL COMES OFF. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SAFELY PULL OFF ROAD TO SAFE LOCATION.

NHTSA complaint #10282205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

STRUT TOWER CORROSION-DRIVER SIDE-RUST AND METAL BREAKING UP-1998 GRAND CARAVAN-PURCHASED NEW-HAS 83,500 MILES- HAVE HAD BELT PROBLEMS SEVERAL TIMES-ALSO WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMIT FAILURE -RUSTED OUT POWER STEERING MECH. TOTALLY REPLACED-MANY BRAKE JOBS-AND ALSO HEADLIGHT INTERIOR SWITCH SEEMS TO FAIL AT TIMES. I NEED TO MAKE A DECISSION TO BUY A NEW VAN WITH "HAND CONTROLS" OR HAVE THIS VAN "HAND CONTROLS" INSTALLED. ME THINKS I NEED TO BUY A NEW VAN AND BE LOOKING AT ANOTHER MANUFACTOR. AS IT SEEMS LIKE CHRYSLER/DODGE IS NOT STEPPING UP TO ALL THESE FAILURES THAT ARE SEEN BY TOO MANY OTHER VAN OWNERS;OF THIS 1998 MODEL CARAVAN. SAW ON LINE A NEW REPAIR FOR THE STRUT RUSTING CALLED ""FUSOR #112B/MOPAR 05083855AA. CAN BE USED TO FIX THIS PROBLEMTHE TSB #23-044-02 THRU A COMPANY CALLED LORD CORP. LISTED UNDER THEIR OEM BULLETINS AND REPAIR RECOMMENDATIONS USING FUSOR ADHESIVES. THINK I MAY USE THIS ON MINE. HOPE OTHERS CAN USE THIS ALSO. THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10163402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A RACK AND PINION STEERING AND OTHER PROBLEMS. CONSUMER DROVE OVER A ROUGH POTHOLE WITH A METAL FLATBED ON TOP AT A LOW SPEED. WHILE DRIVING AT A STREET AT 25 MPH CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THERE WAS POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE NOISE WAS EVIDENT ONLY WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, WHO SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FRONT ALIGNMENT , BUT THAT WAS ALL. HOWEVER, INSURANCE COMPANY NOTED THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING /FRONT ALIGNMENT/ RADIATOR, AND THE TRANSMISSION PAN. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON AND IT SMOKED AFTER DRIVING A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. OIL WAS CHANGED REGULARLY. VEHICLE HAS HAD A RECENT FRONT END ALIGNMENT BUT NO OTHER REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10130602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED POWER STEERING FAILED. DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING AND THE POWER STEERING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10117220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

DURING THE COURSE OF A SHORT TRIP, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED COMPLETELY. THE FLUID DRAINED FROM THE SYSTEM THROUGH A HOLE CAUSED BY A RUST-THROUGH OF THE STEEL POWER STEERING LINES WHICH ARE COMPLETELY EXPOSED TO ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH THE SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES, MADE OF STEEL WERE EXTENSIVELY RUSTED.

NHTSA complaint #10045504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN BEGAN TO SLIP AND STAY IN SECOND GEAR AROUND 50K MILES. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE COST OF REPAIR IS MORE THAN I COULD EVER AFFORD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO OTHER MECHANICS AND THERE IS NOT MUCH VARIATION IN PRICE. GENERALLY THE COST IS GOING TO BE FROM $16,000 TO $2,400. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR EITHER. I AM READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, SO WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? THE DEALER SHOULD GLADLY REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS SINCE THEY ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT IS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO ABSORB THE COST THEMSELVES. THEY WILL RECALL SOMETHING SMALL LIKE BRAKES OR FAN BELT. I ALSO HAVE HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIP OFF TWICE WHEN DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES OF WATER. BOTH TIMES MY ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED, BOTH FATALLY SERIOUS PROBEMS. WHAT IS THE DEAL? I DEMAND RELIEF! NO ONE IS GOING TO TRADE THIS PIECE OF JUNK WITH ME. WHAT IS THE DEALER WILLING TO DO?

NHTSA complaint #10039529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHEN BRAKING IN A SUDDEN STOP IT CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE, PRIOR TO THE SIDE CALIPER FAILURE AT 34743, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, BUT WOULD GLIDE TO S STOP, STOPPING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED, STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE, A SPRING WAS CHANGED BUT THE COLUMN IS LLOSE AGAIN, THE BRAKES OCCASIONALLY DEPRESS ON IT'S OWN, THE CONSUMER NOTICES THIS MORE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING A A LIGHT.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8009831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, AND HORN/ CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #895379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

SERPENTINE BELT FAILED X3 OVER 3D INCL. ON HWY -> LOSS OF POWER. STEERING, ALTERNATOR AND OTHER FUNCTIONS.

NHTSA complaint #750755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

DURING RAIN, SNOW, OR ICY CONDITIONS, THE ACCESSORY BELT PULLY OR IDLER GETS WET AND THE BELT COMES OFF RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ALTERNATOR, ETC. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE MOST RECENTLY 04/22/01 DURING A RAIN STORM IN CHICAGO. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SHEILD OR SOMETHING MISSING TO PREVENT WATER, SNOW, AND/OR ICE FROM SPLASHING UP ONTO THE BELT PULLIES.

NHTSA complaint #744425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

TENSIONER ON ENGINE HAD BROKEN TWICE. REPAIRED FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND TIME NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HAD LOST POWER STEERING DUE TO TENSIONER BREAKING.

NHTSA complaint #884216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

POWER STEERING BELT COMES OFF WHEN DRIVING THROUGH SNOW GREATER THAN 6 INCHES IN DEPTH. CAUSED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. TECHNICAL BULLETIN FROM REPAIR SHOP INDICATES THAT THE TENSIONER ARM ON THIS MODEL IS DEFECTIVE (INSUFFICIANT TENSION TO KEEP BELT ON), AND THAT IT NEEDS A SNOW SHIELD. SNOW UNDER VEHICLE GETS PUSHED INTO BELT ASSEMBLY CAUSING BELT TO FALL OFF. TECHNICAL BULLETIN INDICATES THE CORRECTIVE PROCEDURE (STRONGER TENSIONING ARM AND SNOW SHIELD) WILL BE COVERED ONLY IF VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY. FOR QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE E-MAIL ADDRESS. THE WORK PHONE LISTED WILL ONLY BE CURRENT UNTIL 01/24/00. NEW WORK PHONE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #739509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

SERPINTINE BELT TENSIONER FAILS WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS

NHTSA complaint #728812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING COLUMN MAKES NOISE. YH

NHTSA complaint #550797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

EXPERIENCED FRONT END NOISE, TWO TSB'S PERFORMED #19-14-97 AND 23-001-97 (TIE ROD ENDS AND CRADLE BOLTS REPLACED), HOWEVER CONTINUED NOISE DUE TO LOOSE LEFT FRONT AXLE NUT. YH

NHTSA complaint #606474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHEN CONSUMER RIDES THROUGH PUDDLE CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #549543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHEN CONSUMER RIDES THROUGH PUDDLE CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #549543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHEN CONSUMER RIDES THROUGH PUDDLE CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #549543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES

TWO OF MY CO-WORKERS ALSO HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF VAN AND WE ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL HOSE. WAS THERE EVER A RECALL FOR THIS PART? IF NOT, WHY. ALSO MY BATTERY LASTED ONLY 1 YEAR AND 5 MONTHS. THIS IS A VERY SHORT TIME FOR A BATTERY TO LAST. THEY SHOULD INSTALL GOOD BATTERIES. IT'S REALLY DEVASTATING WHEN YOUR CAR DOES NOT WANT TO START.

NHTSA complaint #709817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

SERPENTINE BELT SNAPS CAUSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES TO FAIL AS WELL AS CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES! STEERING COLUMN HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND STILL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IF ANY ONE OF THESE THINGS SHOULD FAIL AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #703696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

VEHICLE IS POPPING IN THE FRONT END/ LITTLE BRAKE CONTROL/ POWER STEERING IS POOR ALSO MAKES LOUD NOISES.

NHTSA complaint #781467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.