Hands On Steering Wheel Message In EVIC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 66,700 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Grand Caravan | 14 |
| 2013 Grand Caravan | 18 |
| 2014 Grand Caravan | 6 |
| 2016 Grand Caravan (this page) | 11 |
| 2017 Grand Caravan | 5 |
| 2018 Grand Caravan | 5 |
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Steering Wheel Off Center This bulletin involves centering the steering wheel. The customer may describe the steering wheel is off center.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2016 Grand Caravan report three distinct steering and electrical issues. The most severe and recurring: sudden, complete loss of engine power, power steering, and braking while driving, with no warning lights before or after. Four separate owners describe this shutdown occurring on highways and city streets at various mileages, with the vehicle restarting normally once stopped. Dealerships have attempted diagnosis multiple times without identifying a cause.
A second issue involves steering wheel lockup and loss of power assist during normal driving, sometimes accompanied by an ESC warning light. One owner reports a rack-and-pinion that snapped completely at 7,500 miles.
The third issue is a persistent pull to the right that alignment shops cannot correct. One owner experienced this alongside excessive traction control engagement when crossing road markings and painted lines, causing tire spin during acceleration. That owner paid $100 for alignment with no improvement and later needed new tires at 24,000 miles due to wear from this malfunction. Chrysler customer service initially told this owner no complaints had been filed.
Same Dodge Grand Caravan steering reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Complete electrical shutdown with loss of steering and brakes
Engine, power steering, brakes, and all dashboard systems shut off simultaneously while driving, with no warning lights before or after. Vehicle restarts normally after key cycle. No diagnostic codes or service bulletins mentioned.
When: Varied; one owner at 8,000 miles, one at 2 months into ownership, occurring on highway and city streets
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies completely while driving; Power steering loss; Brakes become non-functional; All dashboard lights and gauges go dark; No advance warning or check engine light; Vehicle restarts normally after shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to recreate issue or find root cause after multiple service visits
Steering wheel lockup with loss of power assist
Power steering fails and steering wheel locks or becomes immobile. Reported during freeway exit and parking maneuvers with engine still running. One owner notes ESC light before rack-and-pinion failure.
When: 7,500 miles (rack-and-pinion); exiting freeway (power loss incident)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up; Loss of power steering assist; ESC warning light illuminated; Vehicle still running but unable to steer
Codes mentioned: P0128
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports rack-and-pinion completely snapped at 7,500 miles. Another owner had engine light checked for head issues; extended warranties available but not covering this VIN
Persistent right-side pull and alignment failure
Vehicle pulls sharply to the right regardless of steering wheel position. Multiple alignment attempts by shops fail to correct the issue. Mechanic reports alignment cannot be properly set. One owner reports poor tracking and hydroplaning issues with apparent electronic traction/stability control problem.
When: Occurring from early ownership; one owner at 24,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Constant pull to the right; Poor tracking on acceleration; Hydroplaning on wet surfaces; Traction control activates excessively on road markings and reflective surfaces; Tire spin during acceleration crossing painted lines; Loss of control on slight slopes
Repairs/costs cited: $100 alignment did not resolve issue. Shop added additional part to aid alignment with no improvement. Yokohama Avid tires wore prematurely from spinning.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler customer service initially stated no prior complaints
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
While driving the entire vehicle including all functional systems simply shuts off. This has happened 2 times in the last 2 months. All systems are lost. Brakes, steering, engine, etc. There is no advanced waring or indications. There are no engine warning lights. The vehicle has been taken into the dealership twice to fix this malfunction with no success/progress. This is catastrophic…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 24,000 and 74,900 miles, with the median around 66,700. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,000; a quarter make it past 74,900. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Dodge/Grand Caravan.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.