1998 Chrysler Town and Country: engine overheating

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 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 Jun 3, 2008 · Engine · 120,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contacts owns a 1998 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that she has replaced the serpentine belt three times. She further stated that the idler pulley was defective and had to be replaced with a kit. When the pulley malfunctions, it allows the serpentine belt to detach. As a result, the power steering fails and all the other components overheat. While driving at various speeds, the contact cannot pull off the road. The vehicle may explode or catch fire. The failure was initially noticed while driving 35 MPH in the rain. The vehicle was towed to her mechanic for repair. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

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 Aug 2, 2005 · Engine · NY

Dt: consumer owned chrysler town and country 1998 van. Consumer has a document that she received from a chrysler dealer that described the problem she was having. It was customer satisfaction notification 771. Stating the problem was radiator fan relay, and the need to reprogram the power train control module. Vehicle overheats due to the radiator relay fan not working. Engine light came on. Consumer replaced the radiator relay fan twice and it kept failing. Consumer talked to manufacturer, and was told that they would not include this vehicle in the customer satisfaction program described in the document that consumer received at dealer because vehicle was manufactured two weeks after the vehicles included in this program. Consumer wanted to have vehicle fixed by chrysler, and if they will pay for what was described in document 771. This was not the problem consumer was willing to pay for service. Consumer did not have a dealer because the dealership closed.

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 Aug 6, 2004 · Steering · 55,500 miles · MD

While driving in rain the fan belt which provides power to steering, battery and engine cooling falls off. Failure causes immediate loss of steering & within 20 seconds engine overheats & disables vehical until towed. Dealer attempted to fix under warranty 6 times (new tensioner, new pulley whee and new pipes to drain water. Same result each time, after period of time occurs again. Car is to dangerous to drive .

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 Jul 2, 2001 · Engine · MA

I have had two incidents where the engine's serpentine belt has come off the pulleys. When this occurs, the vehicle loses all power options and becomes difficult to control. In addition the vehicle can be driven only a few miles without overheating. I belive that since the manufacturer is aware of this problem, they should reimburse owners who have been forced to correct this situation. They should also be proactive about correcting those vehicles that still represent a liability to their owners. This is ultimately a safety issue to prevent loss of vehicle control and becoming stranded along the highway.

Filed Sep 9, 2000 · Engine · VA

Overheating due to cooling fan not coming on. The relay switch was bad and was recalled according to the dealer. Customer was not notified of any recall.

Filed May 13, 1999 · Engine · GA

When driving over puddles after a rain storm tension belt comes off the pulley, causing loss of vehicle control. Also, lost power and vehicle overheated. Dealer replaced belt and tensioner, but defect still occurs.