2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Complaint Log

I OWN A 2003 GRAND CARAVAN CURRENTLY WITH 43,000 MILES ON IT. AT A LITTLE LESS THAN 40,000 MILES THE POWER STEERING PUMP STARTING MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE, DIDN'T MATTER IF YOU WERE TURNING THE WHEEL OR NOT; MORE OFTEN ON A RAINY OR COLD MORNING, NOW ITS ALL THE TIME. I CONTACTED DODGE SINCE I HAVE AN EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN, TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE NO COVERAGE ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP OR RACK AND PINION, BUT IM COVERED ON THINGS THAT MY HUSBAND COULD DO IN THE BACKYARD. WHAT A STORY I WAS FED, WHEN I BOUGHT THIS $900 COVERAGE. I WAS TOLD TO GO TO A CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER AND PAY $65 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, UMMM IT DOESN'T REQUIRE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, IT REQUIRES 30 SECONDS OF LISTENING. THEN AND ONLY THEN WOULD THEY CONSIDER POSSIBLY HELPING ME WITH THIS REPAIR. WHEN I BOUGHT THE SERVICE PLAN, I WAS TOLD $100 DEDUCTIBLE FOR ALL REPAIRS, END OF STORY. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE WITH MILEAGE COULD HAVE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS ALREADY. DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO HELP!!!! *TR

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE. DOOR LOCKS AND SLIDING DOOR PROBLEMS, AUTOMATIC REAR DOOR QUITE OPENING, TIRE SYSTEM RECALIBRATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN, BUT THE BIGGEST SAFETY PROBLEM IS THE BLINKERS QUITE WORKING OR EVEN WORSE, IF YOU PUT THE RIGHT BLINKER ON, THE LEFT SIGNAL STARTS BLINKING. *TR

WIFE WENT TO START CAR IN MORNING. LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHE LEFT VEHICLE. SHE SMELLED BURNT PLASTIC SMELL. I CHECKED LATER AND SAW EXPLODED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND HOSE ON TOP OF ENGINE. OBVIOUS EXPLOSION IN ENGINE INTAKE AREA WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO BLOW MANIFOLD INTO PIECES. CAR IS AT DEALER. THEY ARE WAITING FOR NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD TO REPAIR VEHICLE. UNCONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL HARM TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS OF VEHICLE. THIS HAS POTENTIAL FOR FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND VEHICLE AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

THE 2203 GRAND CARAVAN HAS HAD A RECALL ON THE UPPER POWER STEERING HOSE AND WAS SERVICED. A RECURRING NOISE STARTED. UNDER A EXTENDED WARRANTY THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE RACK ONCE. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE LAST SERVICE THE NOISE CAME BACK AND LOWER POWER STEERING HOSE INTO THE COOLER BLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. (NO CRASH) REPLACED HOSES WITH BETTER CLAMPS AND BACK FLUSHED POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. INTERNET SOURCES HAVE INDICATED A FILTER SCREEN IN THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. COULD THIS BE CAUSING THE LARGE LISTING OF SAME PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ADDED LESS THAN A FILL UP, THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 10-12 TIMES TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL CANISTER, FUEL PUMP AND THE GAS TANK IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 7/16/10 *CN

THE SENSOR HAS STOPPED WORKING IN MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN DRIVER'S SIDE BACK DOOR. THIS SENSOR ALLOWS FOR THE DOOR TO STOP IF ANYTHING GETS IN THE WAY OF THE DOOR. ONE DAY I WAS CARRYING IN MY 1 YEAR OLD SON AND ALL HIS THINGS. I WENT TO SHUT THE DOOR, THINKING THAT EVERYTHING WAS REMOVED OUT OF THE WAY. I HADN'T PULLED HIS WALK-BEHIND TOY COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WAY. THE DOOR BROKE THE TOY. THE NEXT DAY MY OLDER SON WAS GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF THE CAR. HE HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE DOOR. IT DIDN'T STOP AGAIN. I PULLED HIM OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE IT CRUSHED HIS HAND. THE DOOR MISSED HIM BY A COUPLE INCHES. I HAVE TALKED TO MY WARRANTY COMPANY AND ALSO CUSTOMER SERVICE THROUGH DODGE AND THEY ARE BOTH SAYING THEY CAN'T FIX THIS ISSUE. I DON'T WANT IT TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE ONE OF MY CHILDREN IS INJURED BY A FAULTY POINT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE VAN WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2008. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILS ON 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ON MORNINGS WHEN IT RAINS. HUGE SAFETY RISK SINCE VEHICLE CANNOT BE TURNED WITHOUT EXTREME MANUAL EFFORT...IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY WIFE! DEALERSHIP SAYS RACK AND PINION IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACING ($1400). INTERNET SAYS THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THESE VEHICLES FROM 2002-2006! WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR A SAFETY RETROFIT? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN AND VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. UNDERCARRIAGE AND ROCKER PANELS ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND HOLES FORMING THROUGHOUT THE BOTTOM OF VAN. THIS VAN IS TOO NEW TO HAVE THIS SEVERE OF CORROSION. COULD EXHAUST BE LEAKING IN VAN AND POSE HAZARD WHILE WE DRIVE ALSO, VAN WILL NOT PASS MASSACHUSETTS SAFETY INSPECTION SO EITHER IT HAS TO BE REPAIRED OR SCRAPED. *TR

I'VE HAD THREE BRAKE LINE FAILURES IN 2 YEARS (THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON 3/31/2006; THIS WAS THE BRAKE LINE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE SECOND WAS ON 11/22/2006; THIS WAS A REPLACEMENT PART WHICH I ORDERED FROM THE DEALERSHIP). THE BRAKE LINE ASSEMBLY ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BREAKS AND LEAKS FLUID WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE AT EACH OCCURRENCE. NOW, I HAVE HAD ANOTHER BRAKE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. IT WILL TAKE 5 BUSINESS DAYS FOR THE NEW ONE TO ARRIVE. I WILL KEEP THE OLD ONE WHEN THE CAR IS REPAIRED. *TR

ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, MY WIFE'S VAN HAS BEEN MAKING A WHINING SOUND FROM THE STEERING PUMP. THE NOISE INTENSIFIES ONCE THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING PUMP MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. EVENTHOUGH THIS VAN IS 6 YEARS OLD, IT WAS IN STORAGE FOR 3 YEARS. THE CAR WAS OPERATED ONCE A MONTH IN STORAGE. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. *TR

2003 GRAND CARAVAN SPORT, STEERING WHEEL IS STIFF DURING WINTER FOR THE FIRST 5 TO 10 MINS IN THE MORNING. *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS JUST TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES. NO WARNING. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 7 TIMES. VERY INTERMITTENT, BUT NEARLY RAN OFF THE ROAD ON ONE OCCASION. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY BLACK AND I COULDN'T FIND THE SWITCH TO TOGGLE IT BACK AND FORTH. THEY HAVE ALWAYS COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH OFF THEN BACK ON A COUPLE OF TIMES. *TR

UNDERCARRIAGE AND ROCKER PANELS OF OUR 2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT ARE SO SEVERELY CORRODED, THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. WE FEEL THIS IS PREMATURE CORROSION FOR SUCH A NEW VEHICLE. CHRYSLER CORP. IS GOING BY WHAT THE DEALERSHIP ALLEN MELLO CHRYSLER/DODGE IN NASHUA,NEW HAMPSHIRE IS ADVISING THEM. WE FEEL CHRYSLER SHOULD HONOR THE REPAIR OR AT LEAST PARTIAL MONEY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS MECHANICALLY SOUND AND WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT. *TR

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. I REPLACED THE OEM SET WITH A NEW AFTERMARKET SET. I ALSO REPLACED THE AFTERMARKET SET WITH ANOTHER SET OF AFTERMARKET ROTORS. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP WAS VERY NOISY AND STEERING WOULD BECOME STIFF UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS A POOR DESIGN OF FILTER IN POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. *TR

I HAD THE POWER STEERING UPPER HOSE RECALL DONE BACK IN MAY OF 2005. BEFORE THEN I WAS NOT HAVING ANY TROUBLE WITH NOISE. SINCE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE I AM HAVING ONGOING NOISE FROM MY POWER STEERING. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK ASKING ABOUT THE NOISE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINEERS KNEW ABOUT THE NOISE AND WERE WORKING ON IT. LAST WEEK, MARCH 27, 2008, I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM CAN'T BE FIXED HOWEVER, IF I WAS WILLING TO HAVE IT FLUSHED FOR ABOUT $150.00 THAT THIS MIGHT HELP WITH NO SURE GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD IMPROVE. I THINK THE TECH MIGHT HAVE NOT PROPERLY FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURE TO FIXED THE RECALL WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE CONTAMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS HAS CAUSED ME THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. DURING ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE JUMPS. THE FAILURE SUBSIDES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. DURING THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF DURING ACCELERATION. DURING THE THIRD FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE JUMPING STILL OCCURRED UNTIL THE VEHICLE WARMED UP. THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,863.

THE RACK AND PINION STEERING IS LEAKING ON MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE SEALS TO BLOW OUT AND LOSE POWER STEERING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND RACK I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ONE AT 58,000 AND NOW AT 91,000. *TR

BOTH POWER WINDOWS CEASED OPERATION AROUND 40K MILES. *TR

VAN HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR STEERING PROBLEM WHINING NOISE RACK WAS REPLACED ONCE AND PUMP WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES. *TR

ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER WE NOTICED THE PASSENGER FLOOR AREA BEGAN TO HAVE WHITE SPOTS. I TRIED VACUUMING THE AREA BUT THE SPOTS QUILKY REAPPEARED AND GREW LARGER. THEN I REALIZED THE SPOTS WERE MOLD. YESTERDAY, I PULLED BACK THE CARPET. TO MY HORROR, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARPET WAS ENGULFED IN A WHITE FUZZY MOLD. THE MOLD WAS GROWING IN THE CARPET, THE UNDERLAYMENT AND UP THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DASH TO A ROUND PLASTIC AREA. I BELIEVE THIS IS EITHER FOR THE AC OR HEATER OR BOTH. I'M SURE THIS IS FROM SOME TYPE OF WATER LEAK AS FROM TIME TO TIME PASSENGERS WOULD SAY THE FLOOR AREA WAS WET. FOR SOME TIME, MY FAMILY HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT GETTING SICK EVERY TIME THEY RIDE IN THE VAN. I BELIEVE THE MOLD IS THE CULPRIT. *TR

OCT 17 2007 MY VAN STARTED ACTING LIKE THIS. THE VAN WILL NOT START BUT EVERYTHING WORKED THAT NEEDING THE BATTERY. WHEN DROVE FOR 2SEC THE VAN JUST LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT START. I CHECKED THE BATTERY, FUSES, AND RELAYS. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY CAN NOT FINED OUT. THEY WAS THINKING THE COMPUTER AND KEYS NEED TO REDONE. *TR

NOISE IN STEERING WHEN FIRST STARTED TOOK IT TO DEALER SAID IT WAS INTERNAL LEAK IN RACK & PINION CHECKED SERVICE RECORD AND SAW THAT RACK&PINION WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO.CONFRONTED SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY SAID WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IN MY OPINION APART AS IMPORTANT AS THIS SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ONE YEAR. ALSO NOTICE THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. *TR

LEFT DRIVE SHAFT BROKE PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE. RIGHT DRIVE SHAFT BECAME VERY NOISY WHEN DRIVING. *TR

CROME RIMS ON 2003 GRAND CARAVAN RUSTED ON INSIDE OF RIM AND TIRES WILL NOT HOLD AIR. WAS TOLD THAT DODGE RIMS WERE KNOWN TO RUST ON THE INSIDE AND AROUND THE BEAD, AND HAVE TO BUY FOUR NEW ONES OR KEEP PUTTING AIR IN TIRES EVERY DAY. I WORRY IT WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING WITH WIFE AND KIDS. REPAIR DEALER GRINDED RIM , BUT STILL LEAKING. *AK

TWO TSB'S THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE WHEN THE RECALL WAS DONE HAVE NOW COST ME $300.00 BECAUSE CHRYSLER DOES NOT FEEL RESPONSIBLE, SINCE THEY WERE NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THEY DO DEAL WITH THE STEERING,THAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY..I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2 UPDATES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL 2000-2004 CHRYSLER VANS.

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AIRBAG INDICATOR STAYED ON FOR COUPLE OF MINUTES AND GOES OFF. AFTER FEW MINUTES IT COMES BACK ON. THE CYCLE KEEPS REPEATING AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. BECAUSE THE AIR BAG IS REQUIRED FOR SAFETY, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS OPEN CLOCK SPRING AND REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING. BASED ON RECALL HISTORY OF DODGE GRAND CARAVANS RELATED TO AIRBAG INDICATOR, I FELT THAT THE PROBEM STILL EXISTS WITH AIRBAG INDICATOR IN 2003 DODGE GRANDCARAVAN SPORT VEHICLE. *AK

PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WINDOW - WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY - THE WINDOW WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING THE MOLDING IS MISSING FROM THE SIDES OF THE WIDOW - IT SEEMS AS THOU THE GLUE AND MOLDING CAME APART FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR - LOOKS LIKE MOLDING HOLDS THE GLASS - *TR

CAR STARTED. HEADLIGHTS SWITCHED ON, BUT HEADLIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE, OTHERS LIGHTS DID. SWITCH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. TURNED CAR OFF, TURNED ON HEADLIGHTS, WHICH NOW WORKED, AND STARTED CAR. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO DUE TO HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.*AK

I PURCHASED MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND TOOK IT INTO HALL DODGE DEALERSHIP IN VIRGINIA BEACH VA FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND INFORMED THEM THAT MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT CONTINUOUSLY UNLOCKS ITSELF AND HAS TO BE CHECKED REGULARLY FOR SECURITY WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ONCE AGAIN FOR A SECOND TIME AND REITERATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OVER THE WARRANTY AND WOULD COST ALMOST $300 TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT. I TOLD THEM IT WAS A SAFETY ITEM AND TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. THE SERVICE GUY TOLD ME THAT THE BOTTOM LOCKING DEVISE ON THE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS THE SEAT BELT IS VERY UNSAFE. *JB

GROANING IN POWER STEERING, DEALERSHIP FITTED PS COOLER AND EXTRA LENGTH OF HOSE - DID NOT FIX PROBLEM *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLES EXTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM FAILED WHICH ALSO DECREASED THE VISIBILITY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AT NIGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON, WHEN THE CONTACT TRIED TO TURN ON THE LOW BEAMS. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL CAME ON INSTEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL UNIT HIMSELF, AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE ELECTRICAL UNIT. THE CONTACT RETAINED THE ELECTRICAL UNIT FOR EXAMINATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY AFTER THE ELECTRICAL UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.

TL *- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE VIBRATED, BUT DID NOT STALL WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED SINCE JUNE 2006. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SERVICED THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE OIL PAN AND DIP STICK HAD GREY DEBRIS IN IT, AND THE MAGNET WAS NOT IN THE RIGHT LOCATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RETURNS COOLER SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED A BURNING SMELL UNDER THE HOOD ,AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. THE DEALER DID NOT CONFIRM IF THERE COULD BE A FAILURE IF SHE DIDN'T REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RETURN COOLER. HOWEVER, HE ADVISED HER THAT THE NEW PART WILL ELIMINATE THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. EACH VISIT TO THE DEALER/REPAIR SHOP THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A NEW FAILURE INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL CONCERN. THE DEALER STATED THE CONTACT SHOULD ALSO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RETURN COOLER. . THE CONTACT ALSO REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRES ON TWO OCCASIONS SINCE 2004 DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR. THEY MECHANIC STATED THAT A CARRIAGE BOLT WILL CORRECT THE TIRE FAILURE. *AK

DAIMLERCHRYSLER GEN3 SEATBELT BUCKLE - PRONE TO FAILURE. *AK

WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS 40 DEGREES OR COLDER THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ADMITS A LOUD HIGH PITCH WHINING SOUND, THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE VERY HARD TO TURN UNTIL THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP, AND ALSO A SHUDDER IS FELT THRU THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EVERY YEAR SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR, OCCURRING WHEN THE WEATHER COOLS OFF. WE TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER EVERY YEAR. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS THE SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO FLUSH THE SYSTEM AND TIGHTEN THE HOSES. THIS YEAR THE SOLUTION IS SUPPOSE TO BE A POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER, WHICH THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, WILL COST $220.00. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THIS WORK HAS THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EVERY YEAR, AND ONLY NOW IS THERE A REDESIGN FOR THE SYSTEM THAT NEVER WORKED PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHEN I CONTACTED DODGE CORPORATE OFFICE FOR RESOLUTION ON THIS MATTER, I WAS LAST TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. BUT THE COOPERATE AGENT COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE DEALER WAS GOING TO DO OR AT WHAT COST. BASICALLY I AM GETTING THE ROUND AROUND FOR WHAT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB

POWER CABLE FOR RADIATOR FAN WAS RUBBING AGAINST AC TUBING. CABLE WORE THROUGH CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT, FAILURE OF RADIATOR COOLING FAN RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF ENGINE. WIRE CABLE BUNDLE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND REROUTED TO PREVENT FUTURE VIBRATION EROSION OF CABLE BUNDLE.*JB

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN TO WORK WHEN IT SEEMED TO NOT BE GETTING ANY FUEL AT ALL. THE VAN THEN STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. VAN HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS CRACKING ON THE ROOF WHERE THE FRONT DOORS MET THE ROOF AND BODY. THE FRONT DOORS WERE OFF ALIGNMENT AND IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THE ROOF WAS PULLING UP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE RPMS ROSE TO 4500, AND DROPPED BACK DOWN TO 2000. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.

POWER STEERING MAKES TERRIBLE WHINING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERS AND IS HARD TO TURN - WORSE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. PROBLEM STARTED WHEN VAN HAD LESS THAN 30K, IT NOW HAS 58K MILES. VAN HAS EXT. WARRANTY THROUGH DODGE COVERING EVEN SEALS & GASKETS, BUT SINCE DEALER CALLS THIS A "NUISANCE" PROBLEM - IT'S NOT WARRANTY. WE ARE VERY, VERY FRUSTRATED WITH DODGE. *TR

POWER STEERING IN 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IS FAILING FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW. I HAVE TWICE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. IT FAILS DURING WINTER MONTHS. *TW

BOUGHT VAN USED ABOUT A YR AGO - IS A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN- ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE NOT SATIFYINGLY DEALT WITH ARE ( BETWEEN END DEC 05 TO MID NOV 06- NOTICED BRAKES NOISES SINCE BOUGHT IT - SEVERAL CALLS AND A CHECK THEY SAID THERE WAS DUST MAKING THE NOISE - LESS THAN 9 MO LATER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTARS - THEY MADE EXCUSES THEY WEAR OUT - HAD THEY INFORMED ME THEY WERE WEARING OUT WHEN THEY FOUND DUST ID HAVE HAD THEM IN LONG BEFORE NEEDING ROTARS FIXED - SINCE NEW BRAKES AND ROTARS IN OCTOBER HEAR SAME NOISE AND THEY DISMISS IT. ALSO - HAVE TROUBLE WITH LIGHTS AND HEAT AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DIMMING AND SEEMING TO DIE OUT WHEN DECELERATING A LOT SINCE I BOUGHT IT - HAD IT IN AD CALLED SEVERAL TIMES - THEY SAY THEY CANT SEE ANYTHING WRONG ADN THAT DODGE WAS MADE TO DO THAT ? . NOT HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE AND FEEL I AM OUT NEAR 20,000 - ALSO ABS LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER BRAKES REPAIRED THIS MONTH- COVERED ITEM BUT LESS THAN DEDUCTIBLE SO STUCK WITH NEAR 85 DOLLAR BILL - THEY SAID AGAIN THIS JUST HAPPENS - SEEMS THAT IS STANDARD ANSWER TO TROUBLE IT JUST HAPPENS - I DONT FEEL THE BRAKES JUST HAPPENED AND I AM SURE THE LIGHT TROUBLE COULD BE A HAZARD IF IT STALLED COMPLETELY ON A BUSY ROAD. DODGE SHOULD LOOK CLOSER AT THIER VEHICLES. AM ALSO GONNA CHECK OUT VEHICLE FOR THE OTHER TROUBLE STATED HERE IN REGARDS TO SEATBELTS AND CRACKS - HAVE CHILDREN AND THAT IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE - IF IT HAPPENS AND ANYONE IS HURT YOU CAN BET ILL BE RUNNING TO A LAWYER - SAME WITH THE DOWN IDLE WITH BRRAKEING AND ABS GOING OUT - JUST PRAYING FOR NO INJURIES - NOTE THAT PRINTOUT I RECIEVED TODAY HAS OLD OWNERS STUFF ON IT AND NOTICED THAT THE NOISE FROM TIRES AND FRONT IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM THAY HAD IT IN SEVERAL TIMES ALSO FOR IT. OH - AND GUESS WHAT THEY CHARGE FOR A 2 INCH TRAILER HITCH BALL - 89.00!!! HAD I KNOWN THAT ID HAVE GONE TO WALMART AND PAID WAYYYY LESS. ALL FOR THE CASHOLA AN NOT THE GOOD OF TH CUSTOMER I SUPPOSE HUH? *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AND THE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED BOTH SETS OF PADS AND ROTORS ON THE FRONT WHEELS. UPDTATED 11/03/06. 8JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS POPPING NOISE AND A PRONOUNCED VIBRATION WITHIN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THE BUSHINGS WERE NOT REPLACED, WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED, THE POPPING NOISE PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED IT WAS BOTH TIE ROD END BALL JOINTS THAT WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. HIGH PITCHED WHINING SOUND WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL. COMES AND GOES. FLUID LEVEL IS FINE. FLUID COLOR AND SMELL IS FINE,NO AIR BUBBLES IN FLUID.SEEMS TO BE THE WORST AFTER DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS THEN DRIVING IN TOWN. SOMETIMES GOES AWAY AFTER SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. DEALER RECOMMENDS A FLUSH. BOUGHT VEHICLE USED AT 29000 MILES. PROBLEM SEEMED TO START SHORTLY AFTER. A $80 FLUSH ISN'T GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER READING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM OTHERS ARE HAVING. SEEMS LIKE SOME SORT OF RESTRICTION ON THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE SYSTEM.

I HAVE A 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN THAT WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2004. I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS MAKING A HUMMING NOISE. TURNING, AND IDLING. I ALSO NOTICED THAT IT WAS SPORADIC AND WOULD GO ON FOR DAYS AND THEN ONE DAY WOULD NOT MAKE A SOUND. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW. I CHECKED IT MANY TIMES AND IT WAS FINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED AND THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR POWER STEERING TO BE FLUSHED. I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IT IS NOT ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS AT ALL!!! WE ARE ABOUT AT 54,000 MILES AND THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO OR SO. *JB

THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OFF ON MY 2003 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 68,000 MILES. THIS ORIGINALLY HAPPENED ON VACATION WITH MY FAMILY OF 5 IN THE CAR ON A HIGHWAY IN TENNESSEE. WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OFF I REACHED FORWARD TO TOUCH THE SWITCH AND THEY CAME BACK ON. 3 WEEKS WENT BY WITHOUT ANOTHER INCIDENT. NOW ALMOST DAILY THE LIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND COME BACK ON WHEN I TOUCH THE SWITCH. THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. *NM

MY PASSENGER AND DRIVER POWER WINDOWS STOP WORKING, SOMETIMES FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN FROM IT'S LOCKED POSITION (STEERING WHEEL IS "NOT" LOCKED) *JB

TUBES CARRYING COOLANT TO THE REAR HEATER RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK OUT OF THE SYSTEM. REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER CARAVAN OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME FAILURE. SOME WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HAVE READ ON NUMEROUS FORUMS 1) ABOUT THIS SAME FAILURE ON MULTIPLE MODEL YEARS (1999 - 2005) 2) HOW THE BRACKET MATERIAL IS DIFFERENT THAN THE TUBE, THEREBY CAUSING GALVANIC CORROSION 3) HOW CHRYSLER HAS SINCE CHANGED THE MATERIAL OF THE TUBES TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF GALVANIC CORROSION. THE REPAIR (TUBE REPLACEMENT) IS RELATIVELY EXPENSIVE, BUT POTENTIALLY MORE SO IF THERE IS COMPLETE DRAINAGE OF COOLANT, CAUSING ENGINE/TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *KB