10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems

steering problem

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1996 Dodge Grand Caravan Owner Comments

problem #15

Jan 102002

(reported on)

Grand Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Water gets on power steering belt, making it difficult to steer vehicle. Dealer has been notified.

- Beleview, WA, USA

problem #14

Feb 022001

Grand Caravan

  • miles
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.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

problem #13

May 142001

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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. Consumer stated that dealer previously replaced the tensioner and belt because the vehicle was slipping when driving in the rain.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #12

Jan 012001

Grand Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #11

Nov 132000

Grand Caravan

  • miles
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.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #10

Apr 082000

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Anytime it rains or water puddles on the street, if I drive over it the steering becomes extremely stiff and sometimes you can't steer at all. I have noticed that even a small amount of water splashes under the right front wheel (the serpentine belts' location) the belt immediately squeals and is difficult to steer. If the compressor is on either the air conditioning or the defroster, and water is splashed on the belt the vehicle ha little or no steering. During a right turn at a green traffic light water splashed the before mentioned area and I almost hit another vehicle in the other lane that was preparing to make a left turn! is there any recall or some kind of panel that can protect the water pump assembly from water contacting the belt and thus leading to little or no steering capabilities?

- Henderson, KY, USA

problem #9

Jun 011998

Grand Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

IE98054, while driving over a water puddle vehicle lost power steering for that moment which could hav E caused loss of control. After it was out of the water, a squeaky noise was heard and vehicle returned back to normal. Dealer replaced steering belt tensioner and serpetine belt. Problem is reoccurring.

- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #8

Jun 111999

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When coming to a stop driver heard a loud clunking noise. Right afterwards driver made a left turn which was almost impossible because the bolt which supports the pulley for power steering, sheared off. The vehicle has been repaired.

- Port Hueneme, CA, USA

problem #7

May 041999

Grand Caravan

  • miles
While driving, heard a "bang" noise. Lost power steering assist. Found that tensioner assembly for the serpentine belt had broken off, and belt had come off. The stud holding the tensioner together had sheared off. Towed to nearest dealer, and fixed.

- Lake Stevenes, WA, USA

problem #6

Oct 081998

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Tension pulley/ power steering belt failed.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

problem #5

Oct 241998

Grand Caravan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on highway and turning right on exit, loud noise occurred. Power steering was loose, no steering control with the vehicle. Dealer contacted, and stated the power steering belt tensioner had seized., repairs were done under warranty, no gaurantee that it would't happen again.

- Tenafly, NJ, USA

problem #4

Jul 151998

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Vehicle has lost power steering in hot and humid weather due to the air conditioner draining onto the power steering belt. A replacement elbow drainage pipe is necessary to correct the problem.

- Hampden, PA, USA

problem #3

Jun 011997

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
In wet climate or driving over puddles, the defective power steering would be inoperative, causing loss of steering control due to the power steering belts getting wet. Dealer cannot find a solution to the problem.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #2

Nov 161996

Grand Caravan

  • miles
Steering is very wobbly & very loose; speed would vary when it happens. Would pull to right & drift; intermittent grinding in steering mechanism; would lock up when parking or backing up; took to dealer 3 times & had rack & pinion, steering pump replaced, but problem still exists.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #1

Aug 151997

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the truck loses all steering. This happens because the steering belt slips. Driver has experience loss of steering five times.

- Bedford, NH, USA

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