1996 Dodge Caravan steering problems

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 Mar 13, 2010 · Steering · 46,000 miles · PA

1996 dodge caravan - ridiculous....almost every puddle makes belt slip off and power steering becomes dangerous. This is the 14th time since I have owned the car. Should have a recall on all of these vans or a reimbursement plan for this or better yet.... A free final fix!!!!!!

Filed Dec 2, 2006 · Steering · MA

Rain cause belt to slip off losing power steering. Can not use vehicle in rain of snow! 1996 dodge caravan has happened at least ten times.

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 Jan 24, 2003 · Steering, Transmission · OH

Consumer states while driving the vehicle without warning the vehicle would lose power when it rains. Consumer states the steering wheel would lock up. Ts

Filed Jan 23, 2003 · Steering · 44,000 miles · GA

Consumer stated vehicle's power steering doesn't work. Dealer notified. Ts steering hard to turn left especially when backing up.

Filed Jan 13, 2003 · Steering · MA

Consumer stated the steering column would lock up without warning.

Filed Oct 10, 2002 · Airbags, Steering · NH

Consumer states that the clockspring in gear box went out causing the air bag light to stay alluminated. Horn goes out\and cruise control does not engage. Mr

Filed Sep 25, 2002 · Airbags, Brakes · MT

The brake pedal goes to the floor. It has been almost 3 months trying to get fixed. The first dealer replaced the master cylinder twice and bled air to try to repair. The second dealer performed a brake inspection. They found a lot of air in the left rear line and also bled the ABS system. I also had them check the steering because the air bag light came on when I turned the steerring wheel and steering was noisey, like a groaning sound. They reported the clock spring clicking when the steering wheel was turned causing the air bag light to come on - and there is a moan or a honk noise when turning which would take new p/s hoses to repair. One week later the pedal was once again going to the floor and the ABS still coming on. The dealer said they would order a pump. Which took 2 weeks to get in. When I brought it in they kept it a few days then called to say it needed the ABS hydraulic package at a cost of $2,000+. They recommended I call chrysler customer service to see if they could assist with the costs. Chrysler customer service said it was a mechanical part that could go out at any time therefore my cost since the van is no longer under warranty (low mileage doesn't matter). I called the dealer and haven't heard back in two days to see what they could reccommend/ I looked on the internet and found this to be a problem with the dodge cravan so I wanted to file this complaint. Nlm

Filed Sep 17, 2002 · Engine, Steering · OK

When driving through a rain puddle you serpentine belt, that connects engine to the coolant fan etc., failed, resulting in loss of steering.contacted dealer. This problem occurred 4 times.