1996 Chrysler Town and Country: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Engine · 140,000 miles · NY

The serpentine belt on my 1996 chrysler town & country lxi, makes a loud squeal and then falls off a week later. When driving in rain and going over a puddle the serpentine belt falls off this has happened so many times that I have installed brackets one by the tensioner and one by the pulley. The immediate & dangerous result is loss of power steering and power brakes next is water pump fails causing engine to over heat so unless you have a spare belt in your van at the time and the tools to change it you are let stranded.

Filed Jul 1, 2008 · Engine, Steering · 80,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

The serpentine belt on our 1996 chrysler town & country lxi, makes a horrible screeching sound, that we've almost come to appreciate, when faced with it's alternative silence, when the serpentine belt gets wet & slips off. The immediate & dangerous result is loss of power steering, leaving the driver surprised with their inability to safely maneuver the van. Within less than a minute, a fast hazard bell sounds & the engine temperature sensor is pinned at hot. If the driver is quick, strong, & lucky enough, to get the family "safely" off the road, before the water pump fries, stalling the van in traffic, they are now left stranded. We've had the serpentine belt & tensioner pulley replaced twice, the last time at chrysler, and still the problem has not been corrected. We've checked for recalls but chrysler states that this is not a life threatening failure, so no recall has been made. This has happens to us often enough that we keep a wrench in our van, so my husband can attempt to retrieve & re-seat the belt onto the tensioner, in the pouring rain. We've read many complaints about this same problem & can't understand why chrysler doesn't think loss of steering & sudden heat pump failure is not life threatening. If one of their ceos were to find themselves struggling their family van quickly off the road, standing over, or even lying under their engine, in the pouring rain, while the rest of the family hopes that he isn't injured making the repair, hit by lightening, or by a distracted driver, perhaps they would recall this system. We've spent a lot of time & money on repairs, & have come across an off-market product designed to fix this specific, widely recognized chrysler product issue, and just purchased it. We find it disgusting to see that the possibility of this problem being addressed may depend on the number of deaths, or persons injured, before chrysler takes any responsibility. They could at least acquire or cover the cost of the off-market repair kit.

Filed Nov 15, 2006 · Steering · 185,698 miles · VA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 MPH on normal road conditions, the serpentine belt fractured. No warning lights alerted the contact but loss of power steering was noticed. The vehicle had been taken three times to the dealership and the belts, pulleys and tensioner were replaced on every occurrence. The manufacturer was contacted but the resolution was a dealership referral. The contact expressed concern because the loss of power steering could create conditions for a serious accident.

Filed Sep 10, 2004 · Steering · 112,530 miles · NJ

While driving lost power steering fluid, which lead to the power steering failure. Vehicle becomes very difficult to steer safety. Failure of the power steering was later identify as a corroded high pressure power steering line.

Filed May 25, 2003 · Electrical · 54,000 miles · OH

The vehicle stalls while driving creating a loss of power steering and brakes. Chrysler dealers have repaired the vehicle 3 times for this complaint, but the problem persists. Two other chrysler owners I know have complained of this problem.

Filed Apr 21, 2003 · Electrical · 71,700 miles · CA

Entire vehicle electrical system shuts down without warning while driving, causing loss of engine power, power steering, and power brakes. This is extraordinarily dangerous during any but the slowest, straight ahead driving, as it results in a nearly complete loss of maneuverability. In the event of such a complete shutdown the vehicle cannot be effectively accelerated, braked, or turned, and lights and windshield wipers also fail. Furthermore, the windshield wiper delay malfunctions continuously in cold weather, resulting in complete loss of wiper function at times. Multiple attempts at diagnosis and repair, including some parts replacement by the dealer, have failed to eliminate any of the aforementioned problems.

Filed Oct 9, 2002 · Engine · GA

Consumer states while driving at 55 MPH the vehical lost power and brake pedel became hard to press. Mr

Filed Dec 27, 2001 · Transmission · SD

While traveling approximately 60 MPH there was a large "booming" noise that came from under vehicle, and vehicle suddenly lost all power. Dealership examined vehicle and determined that differential unit exploded, and has to be replaced. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

Filed Sep 20, 2001 · Steering · VA

While traveling over a puddle of water consumer lost power steering, dealer has been notified. *ak the loss of steering occured twice and the dealer indicated the steering problem was due to the A/C belt failure and failure to install special bracket by the manufacturer.

Filed Jul 16, 2001 · Engine · GA

While driving vehicle completely shutsdown without warning, causing loss of power brakes and power steering control. Please give any further details.

Filed Jul 13, 2001 · Engine · GA

While driving and without warning vehicle completely shutdown, causing loss of power brakes and power steering, cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify the problem. Please give any further details.

Filed Apr 19, 2001 · Engine · MI

The motor quits while driving without warning, causing loss of power braking and steering. No warning and vehicle sometimes may be restarted after it waits for hours. Secondly, windshield wipers will activate when turned off and if turned on to intermittent they will be extremely inconsistent in operation.