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 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated while parked at a stop light white smoke came from the heating vent on the passenger side of the dash board. The smoke began to turn black and flames erupted from the dashboard vent. The contact pulled off of the road. The fire department extinguished the fire however, they could not determine the source of the fire. Prior to the incident, the contact smelled something similar to plastic burning. The contact reported the same smell intermittently three to four months prior to this incident. The dealership determined there was a hose leaking fluid and it was replaced. The contact does not recall the type of fluid leaking or the type of hose that was replaced. The smell continued however, the dealership could not determine the source of the smell. Updated on 05/30/2006.
I was driving when my car just turn off,I turn back on whit no problem and time later passes again,sometimes turn off 2 or 3 times a day and sometimes work fine, the computer shows no code, and I change many thing trying to fix it, spark plugs, relay fuel pump, spark plug wires, relay starter. I went whit the mechanic for check the fuel pump and is good. Don't know what else to do. I hope you can help me. Thanks.
Power steering failed while I was in the middle of a turn, pulling me into a pickup truck and "totaling" my 2002 Dodge grandcaravan beyond insured recovery. Note: I had power steering cooling hose replaced as instructed in 2004 recall.
On 6/11/03 vehicle was making power steering noises & auto dr locks wouldn't lock at 15 MPH. Replaced power hose, hose clamp & oil trans. Informed I needed new brakes (22, 153 miles & didn't req that they do this when I arrived at shop). 7/2/03 took van in 'cause left rear (driver side) speaker caught on fire while at a gas pump. While at gas pump w/2 of our 4 kids in the car. Brakes that were just replaced prev month were squeaking as well as the steering again. (dealer-brakes squeak 'cause they are metal & there is air in the steering line). 9/23/03 van battery blew up when started. Replaced battery. 12/3/03 steering making noise during turns. Replaced both sway bars links. 12/29/03 steering is very tight & shuddering again & auto lock button on key chain won't work. Ordered new power steering rack & resevoir. …
I have had numerous problems with the veh since it was purchased new , May 2002. Veh has a rough idle while stopped in gear, dealer states they are waiting for a computer update. To date still have problem. Problem with starter , same grinds on first start in extreme cold weather. Dealer replaced 2 starters and flywheel. Problem with trans, hard bang felt when slowing up between 8-5 MPH. Said problem is intermittent and dealer has not driven veh long enough to get condition. Dealer has replaced numerous parts of trans, problem still exist. Car has been in several times for power steering leak and vibration. Numerous parts replaced. I have contacted Chrysler and spoke with the district manager and advised him of all the complaints with veh and problems that still exist. I told him I did not want the veh . …
I brought my Dodge Grand Caravan for a recall repair on oct 2003. The item was repacing a defective line in the power steering system. After the repair my vehicle made a whinning sound and grumbling sound at very slow speed, stop and go, pulling out of a parking space. I am hearing impaired and as the noise got louder it concerned me to take it back to the deale. They said that the line to the hydraulic power steering was to short and to correct it required a longer line. They told me that a bullitin from Dodge identified the problem but no recall was issued. If the power steering would have gone out during higher speeds injuries or a fatallity could occur. Loosing control at higher speeds is very dangerous. Dear walter: your recent email to daimlerchrysler motors corporation was received and reviewed by the customer assistance center regarding your Grand Caravan. …
Power steering pump, rack and pinion seals, transmission soleniod pack. On dec 16, 2003 I took van in for brake problems. The dealer did a recall job on the power steering cooler hose. 1 week later the power steering started growling. I checked fluid and noticed the pump was dry. Apparently the dealer didn't top off the fluid. I filled resevior and drove but it still had a little growl in the power steering. I took the vehicle back into the same dealer on nov 19, 2004 for an oil change and another power steering hose recall and told them the story and to check out pump. They said the pump checked out OK but there was a little noise when making sharp turns but they weren't going to replace the pump. I told them I would bring back in colder weather because it was stiff to steer. I returned on 2/22/2005 because the pump was really growling and it was hard to steer. …
On feb 16 my wife lost the power stearing on our 2002 Dodge Grand carrivan [minni-van] on 17 feb 03 I called the garage that sold us the van and discribed the problem. They { service mang.] told me on the phone that I probley had a broken power stearing hose. I had the van towed to the garage and they made more statements of a large number of these hoses brakeing in the cold weather. It has been extreamly cold in maine the past week or so -20 to -30 degrees. The service manager stated that there was no recall on this. I can not belive that chreysler has not put out a recall on this. Number one this is a sudden loss of power stearing witch could put me in danger of haveing a accident. How about the 97 pound weekln who could not control a Mini van with on pwoerstearing!! There is also a danger of fire if the power stearing fluid is in contact with the exhaust. …
2002 Dodge Grand Caravan sport with 35,000 miles. Recalled twice for steering fluid hose replacements in 2004. After first hose was replaced, minivan started leaking power steering fluid. Received another recall notice for another steering hose replacement. Took it in to have that replaced, told them to look into the power steering fluid leak, they said they would. They fixed the recall hose, made not mention of leaking fluid. Fluid did not leak for several weeks, then started leaking again. Took it back in for 3rd recall (radio vent slots), as well as smoking engine and again mentioned leaking power steering fluid. Dealership said they'd look into it. Dealership conducted 27 point inspection on own will, did not find leaking power steering fluid (aug. 2005). Fluid has been leaking since then. Noise in power steering consistently audible, and increasingly louder at all times. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact noticed puddles of liquid on the garage floor where his vehicle was parked. When he took it for maintenance he discussed the issue with his local mechanic who advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the steering box was leaking and performed the repair. Thirteen months later, the steering box began leaking for the second time. However, the dealership advised the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and he would be liable for the cost of the repair. The contact had the vehicle repaired at the time. The vehicle currently experiencing additional leaking, but has not been diagnosed. The original failure mileage was 17,000 and the second failure was in 6/2005 with a failure mileage of 24,000. The current failure was at 47,000.
Related recalls
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
On certain minivans equipped with 3.3 or 3.8l v-6 engine, the upper power steering cooler hose May split and cause a fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper power steering cooler hose. This recall began on September 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Steering complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan, 18% of the model year's 290 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-386 (hose, piping, and connections, Aug 5, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 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.