The pulley that keeps the tension on the fan belt snapped off. A single bolt that holds this snapped in half. We lost the steering and other components all at once. How can something that takes the abuse of a fan/surpentine belt only require one bolt. I found others in your listing that had the very same problems. My parents also had the same problem on the town and country mini van.
1997 Dodge Caravan engine complaints
Page 5 of 5: complaints 101 to 121 of 121, newest first, as owners wrote them.
At low speeds usually in traffic jam or toll area, vehicle stalls with no reason. I lost control of the vehicle. On a separate incident at 50 MPH I heard the egine rev up and slowly losing speed. I took it to the dealer, but cannot replicate the problem.
Vehicle stalls at low speeds and lost all control. Took to dealer, but cannot replicate the problem. Problem started at around 36000 mi.les.
Vehicle is experiencing unexpected stalling while driving down the highway, it will suddenly stop. Dealer has been contacted.
Engine will stall during deceleration, usually in the 20-40 MPH range. This has occurred over 20 time during the last 6-9 months. On two occasions the stall nearly caused a rear end mva while my three children were passengers. Local dealer unable to indentify or duplicate problem. I am an emergency medicine physician and feel this jeopardizes my family safety. Thank you.
Battery failed.
Consumer noticed there is an oil leak coming from the engine or anohter part of the vehicle. The oil is in the driveway of the consumer's house.
Serpentine belt tensioner is not working properly, it breaks away from serpentine belt every 10,000 miles. Please provide further information.
The first incident involves the air conditioner system, I reported a whining noise to the dealer and on the first inspection they indicated that they could not duplicate the problem, on the second visit I insisted that the service advisor ride with me at which time he did infact hear the noise,they inspected the van and said that it was leaking freon.the noise still prevailed and when I took the van back to the dealer they reinspected the vehicle and indicated that they had to replace the compressor,a move to a new location by the local dodge dealer required me to wait over a month, and caused my van to go out of warranty, which the dealer told me not to worry that they would handle any problems associated with the air conditioner outside the warranty period with no charge. I returned the van to the dealer on wednesday nov. 18,1998 to have the vehicle looked at again, and informed them that it still makes noise and in fact it makes other noises, possibly the fan belt was loose etc. They replaced the fan belt and charges me $71.00 to do so as it was not covered by the warranty.I have purchased a max warranty from chrysler for $1200.00, in october before it went out of warranty. The second problem I have been having is that the vehicle is burning oil, and I have returned the vehicle to the dealer on several occations to have this looked at. They did a milage check to see the consumption over a given time period.it was first done over a 3000 mile period at which time it burned a half quart of oil,which the dealer said was acceptable, the second test was over a 6000 mile period and the vehicle burned a half a quart of oil, the third time was over a 3000 mile period and now the vehicle burns a full quart of oil, and when I returned the vehicle to the dealer they said that was still acceptable. I am confused, this does not seem right I think that I may have a lemon, please respond, as I am not sure what to do at this point.
While pulling into driveway the flywheel: pulley belt popped out, causing total loss of control and shut down of the engine. Dealer was contacted.
Serpentine tensioner fell off resulting in loss of control of the power steering.
While driving at any speed, vehicle died out or stalled for no reason, no warning. Took vehicle to dealer & left it for mechanic. Picked vehicle up a week later & had to take it back. Happened once more. Mechanic said manufacturer claimed it was a software problem & there is no corrective fix for it.
While driving at 20 MPH, oil began to come from the engine. When owner brought van to dealership, dealer stated that the engine head gasket was blown. The head gasket has been replaced.
Vehicle stalling continually.
Vehicle went through water, causing engine to lock up.
Driving at various speeds engine will die out suddenly without any warning, resulting in loss of control of vehicle. Usually takes about 10-15 minutes before it will restart. Dealer has replaced power and relay modules. This is a intermittent problem.
Vehicle has a problem with acceleration when it is cold. The vehicle is sluggish until warmed up. Dealer states that is the way all caravans are. The problem corrects itself after five to ten minutes.
Vehicle leaks fuel while driving. Owner notes problem has been corrected 4 different times, but problem returns. Cause unknown. *ak consumer states that problem began at 55 miles when the service engine soon light illuminated, dealer stated vehicle was fixed, however engine light illuminated 30 miles later, dealer replace the fuel tank, problem occurred again and dealer replaced the o-ring and holding nut, problem still exists. Left side door glass was bowed. Unusual noise occurs when vehicle shifts from park to reverse, neutral to reverse, and neutral to drive, dealer stated this was normal. Oil pan bent, dealer replaced.
Water leaked into air breather intake when consumer drove through water, water went into the engine, causing engine to seize/fail.
Accident. Vehicle pulls to right, steering wheel off center. Tires leaking air. Bent oil pan.
The engine blew up when the driver accidently ran into a puddle of water. Chrysler said it was the driver's fault.
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