6.6

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$530
Average Mileage:
54,450 miles
Total Complaints:
18 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace rack and pinion (6 reports)
  3. replace steering pump (2 reports)
  4. bought fins to cool power steering fluid (1 reports)
  5. flush and replace system with correct synthetic fluid (1 reports)
  6. replace power steering cooler (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Dodge dealer.

problem #18

Apr 102015

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,887 miles

I bought this van used. It was making a slight whining sound when I got it. So the place where I am buying it from had me take it to a repair shop, 3X! Every time I picked the van up, it was still making the sound. It whines whenever I turn the wheel.

One of the repair visits resulted in them flushing the steering box, didn't work! Each time they claimed to have "fixed it". My personal thoughts are they were trying to avoid fixing the real problem because it was paid for by the place I am buying it from and I only have so many miles to use before my warranty through the company (for major repairs) runs out. (This was all in TN)

I got a call for an emergency family matter and had to drive over 600 miles to get there. I have since had a mechanic check it out here (MI) and they say they have seen this before a few times and listed what they need to replace. It will cost me $570 which is pending being paid for by the place I am buying it from. I have had a few mechanics say it is probably the rack and pinion, but that is not what the final diagnosis was. I really love the fold in the floor seating and other accessories, but I am disappointed at all the trouble it has been.

I have only had the van for about 2 months now. I hope that this time the fix will finally take care of the loud whining noise. I will update what parts they replace as soon as I get the invoice.

- ripley67, Greenville, MI, US

problem #17

Sep 032012

Grand Caravan 3.3L V6-201

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

Im very discouraged about my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. I have been hearing a loud clicking, whinning noise from my left wheel. I thought it was my tires, so I had them replaced. Noise never went away. A few months later I took it to a major national repair shop. They said I needed front & back brakes and wheel cylinder replaced. So I let them replace them all, plus rear drum. My van was running really good b/4 i had all that replaced.( except for the noise) After having all that work done it cost me $530.00. While car was still in the repair shop, they called to tell me they see rack & pinion is leaking and need to be replaced. The cost would be aprox: $800.00. I can't afford anymore. Im a senior citizen female, minium wage part time worker with no other income. How else can I get it fixed? I read on the web where people had to have rack & pinion fixed twice and the problem was still there. All of these vans with this problem need to be recalled

- lr2005van, Charlotte, NC, US

problem #16

Oct 202010

Grand Caravan 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,675 miles

A year and a half after being fixed, it went out again.

- Mark V., Wright City, MO, US

problem #15

Aug 122010

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

2005 Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

Drove the van for several months before taking it into the shop to look at the whining noise from the steering area.

the Diagnosis : Power steering rack & pinion gearbox leaking and cavitating; power pump reservoir was restricted

the Repair : $1100 out of my pocket to replace above

Prior issues - alternator and water pump

With the van only being 5 yrs old and given the extensive failures, this vehicle has been a disappointment.

- larry_seattle, Seattle, WA, US

problem #14

Oct 012009

Grand Caravan SE 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

I was hearing power steering noise. I thought it sure not making the noise because I had several months before had a new power steering pump put in under extended warranty.

Come to find out that steering gear in the steering gear box was bad and the seal was leaking. I had it repaired under warranty. The steering is much tighter and also they installed a power steering which I had to pay. This cooler was a fix from the company to keep the oil cooler. This helps stop the noise. It is much better and drives like a new car.

- tbarnhart, Warrenton, OR, US

problem #13

Sep 082007

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

Shops like EZ Lube and Jiffy Lube sell service based on manufacturers recommendations, but don't always use the correct fluid. After they sold me a power steering flush it started making noise which got progressively worse. The dealer had no idea and replaced the pump 3 times. If they only knew that people were putting regular fluid in and causing problems they would be able to save themselves a lot of money. Maybe that's why they needed the bailout, they can't see the forest through the trees. A simple flush and replacing the fluid with the synthetic fluid was the fix for my car. I'll never go back to EZ Lube.

- John M., Reseda, CA, Pacific Islands (US)

problem #12

Mar 082008

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

I've actually liked my Dodge Grand Caravan-nice convenience features, smooth powerful engine, nice drive. But I have had clunking noises from the steering from fairly early on, and report it in the hopes Dodge will make it right with all customers who have this problem. Nice car-but a design/manufacturing defect is clear here and should be fixed free for all who have it. Otherwise, we should all buy Honda or other vans.

- Gary I., Miami, FL, US

problem #11

Nov 012007

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Car started making horrible whining noise when steering, well it made it all the time, but significant while steering. Husband changed power steering pump. Better now, but now the belt squeaks. I've noticed that most of these vans I see on the road are quite noisy.

- sarahnichole975, Marrero, LA, US

problem #10

Apr 182008

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

This vehicle has constantly made awful noises, it is the worst car I have ever owned.

- Andrew W., 7464 Crestwood Court, Florence, US

problem #9

Jul 062007

Grand Caravan SE LTD 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

At the time we had this fixed, dealership personnel reporting get at least one vehicle a day with this problem. Replaced under std warranty.

- doema, Brookline, MA, US

problem #8

Feb 042008

Grand Caravan SE 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

Dodge Grand Caravan 2005 (About 43K miles) - Whining, groaning noise when the engine is still cold.

Various reasons have been quoted in the Internet - steering fluid leaking, Aeration due to a gap in Rack and Pinion bush, Cold temperature needs warming up

Various solutions have been provided - Replace Rack&Pinion assembly ($1000), Use longer Steering Fluid hose, ignore

- Vinodh S., Bellevue, WA, US

problem #7

Dec 182007

Grand Caravan 3.8L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Makes a loud whine/groan/squealing when turning. Rack and pinion seems to be a problem on this car. Should not be bad so soon. Dealer diagnosed. Of course out of warranty.

- Paul R., Coralville, IA, US

problem #6

Jan 082008

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,051 miles

After checking my vehicle for the moaning noise and a dragging feeling on the wheels when turning, it was found that the power steering fluid was overheating. It hopefully is corrected by installing fins that will cool the fluid at my expense. These fins were never installed originally. I cannot believe this hasn't proved to be a recall. Anyone else have the same thing?

- Joan B., Sechelt, BC, Canada

problem #5

Jun 092007

(reported on)

Grand Caravan Sport 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

We bought this car for the space to hold our family of (5) 2 years ago and 2 days later the check engine light comes on. Then the steering starts, sounds like an airplane taking off, urgh! My 3 year old thought there was an animal stuck under the car because it was like crying or shrieking noise. Shop said just needs steering fluid, keeps going on. Take it back, now there's a small leak, but nothing major, doesn't need repair?!?!?! Now, when I leave for work in the morning, I'm competing with the garbage truck for loudest car in the neighborhood. I'm really unhappy!

- Ashley C., Leesburg, VA, US

problem #4

Apr 212007

(reported on)

Grand Caravan SE 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,687 miles

Just got the damn thing 2 months ago and the steering was making a really awful noise. waited for a week and then took it to the shop, they told us the steering rack was broken and needed replacing. good thing we got the 5 years extended warrenty.

- Shawn C., Trooper, P. A. 1, US

problem #3

Dec 302006

(reported on)

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

I am starting to not like Dodges any more. They used to be good cars but I am having so many problems with my new dodge I just can't stand it.

- fordman8950, Fort Worth, TX, US

problem #2

Dec 012006

(reported on)

Grand Caravan SXT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

For about a year I complained to New Carrollton Darcars where I bought the car about a humming noise while turning. No problems were found despite the fact that I was a regular visitor to the dealership. AFTER my warranty had expired, AHA! they found the problem and it cost me $180 to fix. Turns out it was air getting into the oil reservoir and deteriorating that part. I have had more problems with this vehicle than with any vehicle I have ever owned and I have owned SEVERAL vehicles. I have to take my car to the shop AT LEAST twice monthly. I do NOT recommend buying a Dodge Caravan. And my van is only 2 years old!

- Toni J., Bowie, MD, US

problem #1

Sep 182006

(reported on)

Grand Caravan

  • 49,000 miles

Power steering fluid level is OK. A humming noise is experienced when the van is turning even the slightest to the left. My neighbor has the same year van and also has this exact problem. Steering is not degraded but, the noise is very annoying.

- Don M., Virginia Beach, VA, US