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 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Last night - for the 4th time now - after filling the tank at the gas station, my car just died. The first 3 times it was when I stopped at the stop sign leaving the gas station parking lot. Last night, it was after I was out on the main road and in heavy traffic. It was stop and go rush hour traffic, so I was thankfully only going approx 15-20 miles an hour. Power steering was lost, brakes were practically non existent. Barely managed to pull off into a parking lot and was able to set the parking brake to finish stopping. Once stopped and in park, was able to start it right back up. Every time this has happened it has been right after fueling up. I never thought much about it the other 3 times, but this time was different, and very dangerous. …
Vehicle stalled twice after filling up with gas. First stall happened approximately 500 feet from filling station, while still in a parking lot. The second stall happened approximately 0.5 miles from the filling station while turning from a roadway into a business. Each stall required several cranks of the engine to re-start. When the engine quits, the power steering also goes away. This has been an intermittent occurrence since early 2013, with it becoming a regular occurrence after each gasoline fill up (later in 2013). The tank is always filled until the pump shuts off. It is never partially filled, so I cannot say if it only occurs with a full fill up. This is the first time I decided to research the situation and file a complaint.
Van lose power steering during heavy rain only. I purchase this van in June/July 2018 recently had power steering check and no issues found. Yet this the fifth time this has happened. Today I was driving in the rain to pickup my daughter from school and it happened again. The wheel tighten up and I was unable turn. I had to turn on my hazards light and turn car off in the middle of the road. After letting vehicle sit about 15 minutes I was able to drive home. I repeat it only happens in the rain why I believe there is a manufactor defect and needs to be recalled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the entire door latching system failed and the steering wheel emitted a loud whining noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated the door latches needed to be reprogrammed and the power steering fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 6/24/15 updated 10/12/2017
2005 Dodge Caravan that when it rains the power steering goes out making the vehicle almost impossible to control. I have taken it to two different dealers, tarpon Dodge and clearwater autoway Dodge to have them figure out a repair. Both dealership said they could not do anything until chyrsler came up with a fix. The service manager from tarpon Dodge told me not to drive in the rain and avoid puddles if I did drive in the rain and to slow down. I then sent letters to chyrsler customer care requesting a fix or replacement vehicle without penalty from the lease company. Customer care said that there was nothing they could do. Drive slower and avoid puddles. I live in florida, when it rains, it rains. All of our street turn into giant puddles and if I were to drive much slower, I would be going backwards. The power steering going out is frightening and dangerous. …
We have taken our 2005 Dodge sxt Grand Caravan in numerous times for electrical problems which most of the time they can not duplicate. Then on Monday March 23 after leaving the city and bringing my children home from school I went to make a left hand turn and my steering column locked up and I could not complete the turn. With oncoming traffic and traffic behind I had no choice but to gun the engine and go into the field. I stopped the car with brakes that worked, at least, and turned the vehicle off. I then restarted the vehicle and there was complete free play in the wheel. I turned the wheel all the way to the right and there was a clunk and then I again had regular movement of tires with the wheel. I immediately called my dealership and told them what happened and that I was bringing it in with my dad following behind. …
As I was driving my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, the dashboard flickered and then the car shut down. Power steering was disabled but I was luckily able to drift it to the side of the road. After researching online, it seems this electrical shut down is ongoing and problematic for this year and make. I had little children in the car and without warning the car dies. This needs to be a recall as it poses serious safety concerns for the driver of the vehicle and cars around it. Had I been on the highway, I would not be able to tell you about this incident. When I brought the vehicle in to the dealer, I was told it needed an electrical system software update otherwise it will get progressively worse. …
After filling vehicle with fuel, our van has been stalling upon stopping at a light within 5 minutes of leaving gas station. Most recently vehicle cut off less than 1/4 mile after refilling when driving on road. When this happens, electric of vehicle shuts off along with losing power steering. The problem of vehicle shutting off has gone on intermittently for about 1-2 years now but is getting worse. Until about a week ago, this always happened at a stop but the last incident is concerning considering it happened while the vehicle was in motion. This is a serious safety issue, especially considering my wife uses this as primary transportation for her and our 3 children. What if this cuts off on the highway or in an intersection? I did a lot of research online trying to find possible root causes. …
I am concerned with overall quality control on this vehicle. I purchased this vehicle new to provide safety and comfort for my growing family. I was disappointed in the vehicles performance and gas mileage during the first several weeks of ownership. I returned the vehicle to the dealership and they replaced the oxygen sensor units that they said where defective. Several months later the heater/air conditioning blower went out. Next with less than 20,000 miles on the vehicle I had to replace the brakes. Now with less than 28.000 miles on the vehicle I noticed that the passenger side floor was soaked, the vehicle was making unusual sounds when turning and the passenger side door would not close automatically. At the dealership I found out that the rack and pinion steering unit had failed along with the the cable on the passenger side door. …
I bought a 2005 Grand Caravan in May 2005. The rack and pinion rack completely failed in December 2005 at 9870 miles. It was replaced under warranty. My van begin making the same noises and losing power steering fluid. When I had it checked at the dealership today, I was informed that my van was leaking power steering fluid and that the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. The mileage on the van is 42,726. Even the service advisor remarked that the rack and pinion should not have to be replaced at 42,726 and that it was unheard of to replace it twice in less than 2 and a half years and under 43,000 miles. From researching online I see that I am not alone. This is happening frequently. I believe this is a safety defect that needs immediate investigation, before the defect results in a fatality. …
Steering complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, 8% of the model year's 996 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2005 Dodge Grand 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 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
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.