1996 Dodge Caravan: engine overheating

Filed Jul 1, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 72,000 miles · OH

This vehicle has a chronic design problem with throwing its serpentine belt whenever the tension pulley gets wet. Soon as the belt is thrown there is no power steering, and it steers 10 times worse than a mack truck. The lack of steering is a definite safety hazard to every other vehicle on the road. As it happens suddenly by driving through a water puddle, etc. There is virtually no time to react. In addition to lack of steering there is no alternator output, resulting in rapid battery drain. Also there is no coolant system fan resulting in rapid engine overheating. This design fault has been known for well over a decade, no make that 2 decades, but chrysler has never acknowledged a problem. The problem dates back to all chrysler mini-van designs from the early 1990s to at least 2000. If the lack of steering is not a safety related defect I don't know what is. We have a used wheelchair conversion caravan van to transport my wife. This latest incident was the past saturday night as we left a restaurant to return home. It had been raining profusely and suddenly I had no steering. I knew immediately what the problem was since this is the 3rd occurrence in the past 6 months. Do you expect your vehicle to become inoperable just because you drive in the rain? Why has not chrysler been made to acknowledge this problem and issue a repair recall? I don't care if the van is over a decade old. This defect is one which endangers everyone else on the road and which chrysler should have been required to address well over a decade ago.

Filed Apr 21, 2004 · Airbags, Fuel system · 123,511 miles · AL

Consumer was told that the clock spring recall 02v293000 and fuel tank filler neck recall 96v002000 parts will take 3-4 days to be ordered, when they called the dealership to make the appointment, it has been 3 weeks and the parts were not available. Also, vehicle overheated which caused the engine motor to go bad.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 83,000 miles · MA

The problem is with the serpentine belt. It can slip off. When it does, you power steering goes (safety) and your car can overheat within minutes. You are stranded. Putting the belt yourself is not easy, even with the diagram (thank goodness they have the diagram under the hood for other mechanics, do it yourselfers) there is a service bulletin, but not a recall. I think they put on a bracket which will help keep the belt on track in case of wet weather.

Filed Apr 21, 2003 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · CA · fire

I purchased my vehicle used, and since then, the windshield wipers came on without warning, and at the oddest times. Also, my airbag light turned on and my horn stopped working because of it. Suddenly, about 3 months ago, the car started smoking. I took it to get it serviced and asked them to check the source of the smoking. The service men told me that it was because the vehicle was burning oil. I was told by other mechanics, after the fire that I describe below, that if the vehicle burns oil, the smoke would be temporary, and it would go away after it burns off. Well... It didn't, and this is what happened: on april 20th, I parked my car on the outdoor parking lot of the whole foods market, in glendale, ca. I heard an announcement over the pa, that there was an emergency in the south parking lot, and that everyone there should move their car. I was parked in the south lot. On the way out, a lady told me that there was a car on fire, and the fire dept was on its way. I continued on my way outside, and when I got to the parking lot, I saw that it was my vehicle. The fire did not burn through the firewall, but everything under the hood was destroyed. The fire dept from glendale, sent an arson investigator, since the car was parked and there had been some car fires in the area. Turns out, the arson investigator tells me, that the fire was caused by something electrical. The van did not overheat. Everything seemed fine, until the thing caught fire on sunday.

Filed Sep 10, 2002 · Suspension · MI

Both right and left strutt towers had rusted amost completely through. If the van had not overheated, we wouldn't have known that we had a problem. We were told that we needed some parts replaced, but not the importance of these parts. We were lucky that the strutt towers didn't give way, and that we, or no one esle was hurt, when we went in for the repairs, we were told that we would not be allowed to take the vechile off the lot.

Filed Aug 19, 2002 · Engine, Suspension · MI

Vehicle overheated. Took vehicle to dealership for service, and was informed that strut tower the holds engine had rusted, and could cause engine to fall.*ak

Filed May 9, 2002 · Engine · CA

Loss of oil and overheating while driving. Taken to a repair shop, and informed of a head gasket failure. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under a recall. Feel free to provide any further information.

Filed Dec 1, 2000 · Engine, Seats · TX

Power seat stopped operating properly. Unable to move seat back and forth. Manufacturer notified, and refused to repair unless cost was paid by consumer. *ak engine overheated due to thermostat failure. Rattle in rear seat while driving due to seat risors and adjusters failure.

Filed Jul 6, 2000 · Engine · TN

Vehicle experienced failure of the recall component (engine radiator fan) prior to notification resulting in the vehicle overheating, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

Filed Nov 8, 1999 · Electrical, Engine · MD

The water pump failed and has been replaced, however the vehicle continues to overheat due to failure of the radiator fan.

Filed Oct 25, 1999 · Engine · CA

The engine cooling fan stopped working while vehicle was being driven, and smoke started coming out of the vehicle. Engine overheated. Dealer has vehicle right now.

Filed Oct 12, 1999 · Engine · WA

Rocker panel on the bead had snapped off. This was caused by the short bolts which had developed cracks from the cylinder pounding. Had lost power & had no overheating heating. Also, had no prior warning.