1996 Dodge Caravan Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 65about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,403 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 65 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Dodge Caravan, 5% of the 1,403 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1996 Dodge Caravan - ridiculous....almost every puddle makes belt slip off and power steering becomes dangerous. This is the 14th time since I have owned the car. Should have a recall on all of these vans or a reimbursement plan for this or better yet.... A free final fix!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10319470, filed 2010-03, 46,000 miles“This vehicle has a chronic design problem with throwing its serpentine belt whenever the tension pulley gets wet. Soon as the belt is thrown there is no power steering, and it steers 10 times worse than a mack truck. The lack of steering is a definite safety hazard to every other vehicle on the road. As it happens suddenly by driving through a water puddle, etc. There is virtually no time to react. In addition to lack of steering there is no alternator output, resulting in rapid battery drain. Also there is no coolant system fan resulting in rapid engine overheating. …”
NHTSA complaint #10522678, filed 2013-07, 72,000 miles“The problem is with the serpentine belt. It can slip off. When it does, you power steering goes (safety) and your car can overheat within minutes. You are stranded. Putting the belt yourself is not easy, even with the diagram (thank goodness they have the diagram under the hood for other mechanics, do it yourselfers) there is a service bulletin, but not a recall. I think they put on a bracket which will help keep the belt on track in case of wet weather.”
NHTSA complaint #10071164, filed 2004-01, 83,000 miles“The brake pedal goes to the floor. It has been almost 3 months trying to get fixed. The first dealer replaced the master cylinder twice and bled air to try to repair. The second dealer performed a brake inspection. They found a lot of air in the left rear line and also bled the ABS system. I also had them check the steering because the air bag light came on when I turned the steerring wheel and steering was noisey, like a groaning sound. …”
NHTSA complaint #767715, filed 2002-09“Power steering fails when water splashes of inside of tires on a slow turn entering through drain holes in boot installed to stop slush or snow from dilodging serpentine belt. 3.8 v6 engine. Chrysler has no cure said would change engine to a 3.0. I use vehicle for heavy loads sometimes and want large engine prchased. I found that by covering the two drain holes with duct tape the water stoped squirting into belt that caused belt to spin by power steering pully. Belt tension bearing has failed 3 times and the bolt that holds pulley on has sheared off once. …”
NHTSA complaint #700763, filed 1998-11Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 9% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 7% |
| 2008 | 4 | 1% |
| 2007 | 8 | 10% |
| 2006 | 27 | 16% |
| 2005 | 28 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% |
| 2003 | 41 | 21% |
| 2002 | 36 | 15% |
| 2001 | 32 | 12% |
| 2000 | 41 | 9% |
| 1999 | 27 | 5% |
| 1998 | 42 | 7% |
| 1997 | 40 | 6% |
| 1996 | 65 | 5% |
| 1995 | 26 | 5% |
| 1994 | 38 | 6% |
| 1993 | 92 | 10% |
| 1992 | 68 | 7% |
| 1991 | 38 | 6% |
| 1990 | 8 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 8 | 8% |
| 1987 | 2 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 3 | 6% |
| 1984 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Caravan
251 complaintsFuel system
222 complaintsEngine cooling
215 complaintsElectrical system
213 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
185 complaintsBrakes
153 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
121 complaintsVehicle speed control
115 complaintsOther or unknown
80 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
61 complaintsBody and structure
58 complaintsSuspension
51 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge Caravan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology