10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 61,899 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Failure of steering gear box leaking powersteering fluid. Van is only 5 yrs old. Internet sites show this is a very common problem with these vans. One site states the parts are on back order, 9000 parts needed. Talked to the dealer and want to charge to fix it. This is a premature failure of the part and should be covered or recalled.
- Danville, IL, USA
I recently purchased a 2006 Dodge Caravan SXT. One week later the rack and pinion needs replacement
- Racine, WI, USA
I have a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan stx 3.8L van. The van has been making a loud whining noise over the past several months. The noise is prevalent when cold or warm and when turning. Thought this may be a power steering issue. Changed power steering fluid. Noise still persists. Tightened serpentine belt. Noise still persists. Took it to a mechanic. Mechanic said it was a rack and pinion issue. Is there a recall on this. Does anyone else have this issue.
- Montgomery, IL, USA
After having my 06 Dodge gc serviced at the local dealer for a catalytic converter at 72,000 miles, I was informed my rack and pinion was bad and need to be replaced for $1100. Just the response for this site alone leads me to believe this is a bigger problem and Dodge should fix the problem.
- Springfield, IL, USA
2006 Grand Caravan rack & pinion went bad. This seems to be a problem with all Chrysler vans.
- Wadsworth, OH, USA
Rack and pinion needs to be replaced on my van that has less than 60,000 miles. It is leaking power steering fluid.
- Warren, MI, USA
For at least six months, I have heard a whining sound coming from my engine, normally after driving on the interstate for about fifteen miles. When I slow down, the whining lowers in pitch; when I accelerate, the pitch goes up. In recent weeks, the whining has gotten louder. I have had the car for under two years. It has handled well and has been regularly serviced. The Dodge dealership, after spending seven hours, informed me that the steering fluid was low due to a leak and that the steering rack would have to be replaced at a cost of $1250 plus labor (it would be an all day job). They also indicated that I would soon need a serpentine belt, which would cost $125 plus labor. Upon researching on the internet, I have discovered that this problem has been common in 2006 Grand Caravan models but that Dodge has chosen not to recall them. I have looked at pricing of the parts needed to do this and find the rack available for a tenth of the price this dealership (shelby motors in champaign, Illinois) wanted to charge. I have also read numerous accounts of the successful remedies that were used instead, including replacing a faulty steering fluid reservoir. The power steering has not worked any differently that it did the first day I purchased the vehicle. The pitch is not affected by turning. I also read that these parts should not need replacing in a car with such low mileage. I have seen no evidence of any leak on my garage floor.
- Danville, IL, USA
Power steering complaint for 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. There is a loud whining noise coming from power steering. Power steering fluid leaks and is constantly replaced. Previous repairs have included a replacement of power steering fluid, replacement of power steering fluid reservoir, and replacement of filter. The problem is fixed for an intermittent time after each repair and then returns. A search of common automobile forums for "2006 Dodge Grand Caravan power steering defect" reveals numerous complaints about same problem. It is noted that the normal response from the manufacturer is to replace the entire rack and pinion set. This is happening on very low mileage vehicles. Most original complaints appear to occur on vehicles between 40,000 and 60,000 miles.
- Fenton, MI, USA
The rack and pinion on our 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan failed (began to leak power steering fluid) before the van had reached 60,000 miles. There was no accident or crash and no one was hurt. This part was replaced soon after we noticed it had began to leak fluid. The warranty offered did not cover this part. With less than 60,000 miles on the van, this part should have lasted for almost the entire life of the vehicle. This part failed way too soon and should have had a much longer life.
- Lynchburg, VA, USA
2006 Dodge Grand Caravan w/ 3/8 engine power steering leak... this is a common issue with the car... see this thread : townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F106de4/169 my car only has 16K miles on it... steering should be fine... never had a car have this happen...
- Kenmore, NY, USA
We bought a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan with 10K miles in 2007. The van now has 31,000 miles and the power steering fluid started leaking. Mechanic said the rack and pinion steering needs to be replaced at a cost of $1,000! this van is driven 20 miles a day, to-and-from work. After doing some research, apparently many Dodge Caravan owners are experiencing this same problem on vans less than 5 years old. Considering most drive trains last the entire life of a car/van, this seems to be a manufacturer defect that should be covered under a recall by Dodge.
- Mount Airy, MD, USA
Power steering on vehicle always makes a whinning noise. My neighbor has the same make and model and he says that the dealer said the power steering fluid reservoir is undersized for this vehicle. Is anyone else having this complaint about the power steering having noise and hard to turn? I bought this car used and it has always made this noise.
- Howell, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at approximately 30 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lost power steering. The contact drove the vehicle to an authorized dealership where the power steering gear pump, rack and pinion, power steering reservoir, high pressure line and the power steering belt were replaced. The failure mileage was 51,863. The current mileage was 51,868. Updated 08/17/10. Updated 08/23/10
- Longview, TX, USA
Need to replace steering rack and steering reservoir at 65,000 miles. Vehicle had been making noises since 40,000 miles. Dealer stated needed transmission fluid change. Power steering fluid leaked under vehicle. Had purchased extended warranty, but, part is not covered. Total cost approx. $800.
- Rolla, MO, USA
Wife noticed about 5~6 months ago a humming noise when the engine is first fired from sitting overnite. A few days ago I drove van to work a 3 mile commute, drove fine, when leaving work for lunch I noticed a puddle of power steering fluid under the right side of racknpinion(rnp). In checking the fluid level it was down a little. Called Dodge 800-992-1997 to report our '06 gc SXT with 21,200 miles, obtained case # and setup appointment with dealer to "diagnose problem" $48. Dealer stated rnp needed replacing for $1018. I checked with local O'reilly auto parts and could get rnp for under $300. Dodge called and said they would pay 40/60, them 40%, me 60%. I explained to rep that if vehicle had 60~85K miles I would understand this, but at less than 25K come on. They refused to take it up the chain and only offered the $400, since it was out of warranty. I explained in my research that I found numerous other folks that have had the same problem under the 50K mark. No luck what so ever. I explained to rep I could purchase part and replace it cheaper - why should I pay $600 (parts store warranty lifetime). Going to replace it myself and save $600. I feel Dodge should step up to the plate since this is a manufacturing quality issue. I am tired of having fluid all over my concrete drive way. Thanks Dodge, for nothing. I am surprised Dodge does not express any interest in my safety being my steering could go out on my wife and children thus causing an emergency situation and placing them in grave danger with respect to life, limb or property damage. Shame, shame, shame.
- Salem, VA, USA
I have been told by a Dodge dealership that the following is wrong with my car and I need the following: - erg valve - water pump - power steering rack - rack & pinion even though the car runs fine and does not shakes or anything. After doing some research online I found at a website, www.edmunds.com, reviews from many other owners of also a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan to be having the same problems that I am having. Some of them have low mileage on their cars and others have high mileage. It is too much of a coincidence that so many people are having the same problems on their 2006 G. Caravan. Seems to me that there is a problem with the 2006 line and if this is the case is something Dodge needs to fix and cover the repair costs and not the owners. Also the repairs total cost are too much money at this moment to afford.
- Murfreesboro, TN, USA
I have a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan....in January 2010, I had a routine inspection of my car and was told the right inner tire rod was loose. When I took the car in on 2/24/10 for repair, I was then informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced as fluid was leading. My car has only a little over 62,000 miles on it. I noticed online that other owners have had problems with the rack and pinions on the Dodge Caravan, needing to be replaced at low mileage such as mine....some as low as 40,000.
- Woodstock, IL, USA
Steering system makes a loud humming noise all of the time. Vehicle has 51000 miles on it, and my mechanic told me the rack and pinion has to be replaced. I asked how he could tell without looking, and he told me that this is well known problem, with these vehicles.
- Jarrell, TX, USA
We bought almost three years ago 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. Right now it only has 47000 miles. Recently we noticed a leak and we took the car for service & we found out the power steering rack is broken and leaking oil. We thought it was covered by the warranty. But the dealer told us it wasn't covered by the warranty. They estimated the cost around $1300. We called Chrysler and they failed to help us. After we did some search we found out so many Dodge Grand Caravan getting end up breaking the power steering rack at early age. We believe Chrysler need to recall this and fix the issue. It is not fair for us when our car has only 47,000 miles.
- Apple Valley, MN, USA
- Saint Louis, MO, USA