1996 Dodge Grand Caravan Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 75about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,157 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 75 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan, 6% of the 1,157 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1996 Dodge Grand Caravan - lifetime lubricated tierod end separated resulting in a loss of steering - the rubber seal deteriorated the grease was gone and the ball joint corroded to the point it fell apart - wife was parking the van at the time - could have been much worse she was 150 miles from home at the time less than a month later I saw another Dodge caravan broke down on a highway right front tire not facing as it should - I suspect another tie rod end failure - now I know these bearings can be manufactured so they can not separate - aircraft rod end bearings come to mind - isn't a…”
NHTSA complaint #10353220, filed 2010-08, 90,000 miles“The serpentine belt that runs the car jumped off track the first monday in october when it was raining. I first noticed my power steering went out. Then a few minutes later it over heated. So when I got under the hood to find out what the problem was, it was the belt it was not broken just off track. Had it fixed. The same thing happened again on october 25, 2003 some 3-4 weeks later. Again it was raining. The person who fixed it the 2nd time states that every time it rains and if I get water in my undercarraige it is going to pop off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071154, filed 2004-01, 85,000 miles“Strut tower, driver's side is extremely rusted - a hard bump will certainly push the suspension spring assembly through the top causing loss of vehicle control.”
NHTSA complaint #10238043, filed 2008-08, 154,000 miles“Wife was driving 96 Grand Caravan le to college in the rain. When she arrived in the parking lot steering became impossible to turn so she pulled it straight into parking spot. Looked underneath and saw belt had come off. This happened once before but car was parked in driveway at home. As she started to reverse out of driveway steering became tough and car would not move. It was also raining at this time. This happened early january 2011. Around march 2010, again while it was raining, as my wife approached a stop sign the car began to become unresponsive and she had to guide it to the side. …”
NHTSA complaint #10395315, filed 2011-04, 187,090 miles“Consumer stated backing out of the driveway, there was a clunking noise, and the steering wheel became very hard to steer. Consumer experienced the same problem with their 1991 Dodge Grand Caravan - tensioner pulley.”
NHTSA complaint #10030125, filed 2003-08, 89,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 11 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 6 | 2% |
| 2013 | 18 | 4% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 15 | 3% |
| 2010 | 64 | 7% |
| 2009 | 23 | 4% |
| 2008 | 55 | 4% |
| 2007 | 14 | 8% |
| 2006 | 61 | 21% |
| 2005 | 76 | 8% |
| 2004 | 13 | 11% |
| 2003 | 45 | 21% |
| 2002 | 53 | 18% |
| 2001 | 25 | 8% |
| 2000 | 30 | 7% |
| 1999 | 29 | 7% |
| 1998 | 23 | 4% |
| 1997 | 35 | 6% |
| 1996 | 75 | 6% |
| 1995 | 2 | 2% |
| 1994 | 10 | 5% |
| 1993 | 9 | 3% |
| 1992 | 7 | 3% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
211 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
209 complaintsElectrical system
197 complaintsFuel system
181 complaintsEngine cooling
177 complaintsVehicle speed control
124 complaintsBrakes
106 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
100 complaintsSuspension
60 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsBody and structure
59 complaintsEquipment
35 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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