1998 Chrysler Town and Country: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 7, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 160,000 miles · IN

Serpentine belt slipped off when driving in rainy conditions with child in vehicle. Causing loss of power steering and engine to overheat. Was stranded and had to call family to be picked up. Had to have car towed and pay out of pocket expense to have serpentine belt put back on.

Filed Sep 23, 2011 · Engine · 142,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler town and country. While driving in rainy weather conditions approximately 40 MPH, there was a loss of power steering without warning and the illumination of the battery warning indicator. The contact drove to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. Upon inspecting the vehicle she noticed the serpentine belt detached which was reconnected. The vehicle resumed normally and was taken to an independent mechanic where the serpentine belt, tensioner pulley and idler pulley were replaced. The alternator and water pump were replaced at different times because the technician assumed the components contributed to the malfunction; however the problem continued after the repairs. The faulty serpentine belt caused the failure and would occur whenever driving in the rain. The serpentine belt had been replaced four different times. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

Filed Dec 21, 2010 · Steering · 82,000 miles · CA

After driving in the rain several days in a row, including a muddy dirt road, hit a mud puddle and suddenly lost power in steering. Was a belt laying on the ground under right side of car. Car towed to auto repair shop. Was told 1998 chrysler town and country vans have this problem when it rains. Belt reinstalled. Now cautious of driving in rain. Would like to find solution.

Filed Oct 31, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 199,000 miles · WA

Repeated dismount of serpentine belt from crankshaft pulley due to water splashing from right front tire. Has occurred four or five times since owning the 1998 vehicle in 2001. This caused the abrupt loss of power steering, braking and electrical power from the alternator. No action has been taken by chrysler to provide s shield to protect this area.

Filed Jan 6, 2010 · Engine · 100,000 miles · WA

The serpentine belt comes off when driving through minimal amounts of water causing power loss to the steering as well as overheating. This is a serious safety risk which deserves a recall by chrysler. I have lost steering while driving on 50 MPH roads with my children in the vehicle. Several times my children and I have been stranded due to the serpentine belt falling off causing me to lose steering and my vehicle to overheat and had to walk down roads with my children to find help. After researching this on-line it appears that this is due to due to an engineering miscalculation of the pulley system.

Filed Jul 16, 2007 · Engine · DE

Serpentine belt/pulley defective belt is guaranteed to slip off van) during wet weather conditions, resulting in a loss of power steering. Belt and pulley have both been replaced ,but still could nnot drive in rain due to belt coming off. This problem will cause you loss of steering, possible engine overheating and leaves you and your passengers stranded on the road. I wouldn't attemp to drive in snow or sleet, especially with loss of power sterring.

Filed Feb 15, 2005 · Steering · 135,000 miles · NY

The vehicle, a 1998 chrysler town and country minivan, completely lost all power steering while my wife was driving on a highway. Fortunately, my wife was able to exit the highway with the van overheating without damage or injury. As this is the second time that power steering has been lost while driving within the last three months, we understandably are very concerned about whether or not this problem is correctable and if the vehicle can be rendered safe. Our mechanic provided me with a service bulletin issued by chrysler which identifies the problem. For vans from the 1995-1999 model years, the serpentine belt can slip off the idler pulley when the van is driven in deep snow or water. Unfortunately, the service bulletin gives no indication of what causes this problem. I do not want anyone (either in my family or outside it) to be a fatality as a result of this problem. While my mechanic can do the repairs (like he did the last time), he can give me no assurance that the problem will not occur again.

Filed Jan 4, 2005 · Engine · 105,000 miles · AL

My chrysler town and country had a belt alignment problem. If the belt gets wet, it slips off the pulleys or breaks/shreads. I had to have it repaired by placing a spacer plate between a pully and the motor and a new belt tensioner.*ak when the problem occurs, the van is very hard to stear due to loss of power steering. I researched the www, and this has been a problem for many people.

Filed Oct 14, 2004 · Steering · 60,000 miles · MD

The van lost power steering every time it was driven over a puddle of water.

Filed Nov 13, 2003 · Engine · 38,000 miles · AZ

When driving through standing water serpentine belt fell off, causing vehicle to lose power steering and overheat.

Filed May 28, 2002 · Engine · MD

While driving 8-9 MPH vehicle lost power steering. Vehicle was towed to dealer, belt tensioner had broken.*ak

Filed Jan 11, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · MD

While driving 20 MPH vehicle lost power steering/ power brakes and electrical system without warning. Vehicle was inspected by dealer, and it was determined that fan belt separated from vehicle.