Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This family car is not a vehicle we drive every day. On (9/10/04), we went to use this car with less than 72,000 miles on it, and when we went to turn the steering wheel we heard a squeling noise from the power stering unit. We found an area of seepage of stering fluid under the vehicle. After further investigation we had found it to be coming from the area of the base of the power stering pump casting. The leaking fluid is actually flowing through the voids in the metal of this unit. Not only is this a hazard to the operation of the vehicle and its passenger's, it is a hazard to other vehicles on the highway. I am very concerned with the use of poor quality parts and used in our transportation industry. If a person is driving one of these vehicles and one of these units fails it could cause catasrophic damage to the people involved. I do feel obligated to inform you of this defect. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel ceased without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that the serpentine belt was detached. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the serpentine belt was replaced several times however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not provided.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact received a recall notice, but the vehicle was not experiencing any failures at the time. After the dealer performed the recall repair, he noticed that the steering wheel kept moving up and down and he heard a loud squeaking noise. He took the vehicle back to the dealer, but they would not repair the steering wheel again without a service charge. The current mileage was 120,000 and failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 11/21/07.
While driving through a light rain/slush mixture the car lost power steering, etc. Consumer identfied that the serpentine belt had came off. This seems to be a common problem with late 90's Dodge Caravan's. I have a relative who had the same problem 2 weeks earlier. Dodge does have a service bulletin related to this, but it does seem to be some type of design flaw that needs to be addressed since it relates to the power steering, and nearly every other vital system.
The windshield wipers fell off the car. The thermostat failed. The windshield wipers fell apart. The steering belt fell off. The speed sensor went. The steering belt and alternater belt and pulley system fell off doing 70mph. The back breaks had rust build up. This all happened in the first three months I've owned the car.
Power steering pump rust through made as a 2 part assembly the shroud around the power steering pump is made from a thin sheet medal with no rust protection. The part simply rusted through and started leaking power steering fluid.
"Takata recall" thge serpintine belt keeps breaking or comming off while driving normally. I ve had it repkaced numberous times. They told me it was the pulley, I changed that. And the belt has come off again!
I had been to a funeral and was driving home on the highway at the highway speed of 70 miles per hour only minutes before the failure of this part. I had turned into the residential section and had gotten to my house and slowed to about 20 miles per hour or less to turn into my driveway. The part broke at this time and all the power steering went out. I could not turn into my driveway. I had my car towed to the nearest mechanic and he told me what part had broken. It also hit the pulley when it broke and the pulley and belt broke also. My mechanic told me this is a dealer item; however, they stock it because it breaks all the time on the 1999 models and older models also. …
In heavy slow moving traffic with the engine running and air conditioning on I lost the power steering which makes it very difficult to turn the wheel.jerry ulm Chrysler dealer charged me $208. And told me someone installed the wrong fluid in the reservoir which isn't true anyway the problem occurred again and the dealer says he cannot find anything wrong.I'm wondering if any other complaint of this nature has been launched I'm afraid to drive for vacation in the very hot weather.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. While operating the vehicle, the main drive belt would detach from the engine and the power steering would suddenly stop functioning. The steering wheel became very difficult to turn. In addition, while operating the vehicle, the front bumper would suddenly detach from the vehicle and fall to the ground. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1999 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Dodge Caravan, 5% of the model year's 555 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Dodge Caravan steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1999 Dodge Caravan, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Dodge Caravan steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.