1998 Dodge Caravan: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 1, 2013 · Engine · 136,000 miles · MI

Driving during heavy rain/snow or going through standing water, the serpentine belt slips off of the pulleys. This leads to a loss of power steering, power brakes and engine cooling. Mileage and date are approximate. Multiple occurrences.

Filed Sep 17, 2012 · Transmission · 155,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge caravan. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle lost power and became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose a failure. The failure recurred frequently however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and offered no additional assistance. The failure mileage was 155,000 and the current mileage was 157,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Engine, Steering · 250,000 miles · VA

The serpentine belt popped off my 1998 dodge caravan, it is 02/10/10 -- the day of the blizzard. This happened before on the day of the blizzard in december. This leads to an immediate loss of power steering during the worst possible driving conditions. When I tried to find out what had happened in december, two mechanics at the dodge dealership both immediately knew what had happened. They said it happens all the time when ice or snow gets up under the car. I believe this is a very dangerous manufacturer's defect. Loss of critical steering capability during the worst possible driving conditions.

Filed Jan 8, 2008 · Engine · 86,500 miles · OR

Serpentine belt comes off of accessory pulleys, resulting in loss of power steering and other vehicle functions, possibly at any speed. Wet weather is a constant contributing factor, although is not required for this defect to occur.

Filed Jan 29, 2007 · Engine, Steering · 880,007 miles · OR

Subject: defective serpentine belt design I have a concern about a recent malfunctioning serpentine belt in my 1998 caravan. The belt has slipped off twice last month while driving in the rain. The first incident left me stranded off the side of the freeway waiting for a tow truck. The second incident occurred when backing out of a parking spot on damp payment (no standing water) while at a rest stop many miles from home. Both incidents occurred on normal pavement and driving during rainy days, and without any warning. The van has the standard 3.0 liter v6 engine with 88k miles, but the serpentine belt installed was less than 1 year old. Two sets of professional mechanics found the belt, the belt tensioner, and all related parts of the system in good working order (including the engine mounts). In summary, the system was well maintained and working as designed. The concern we have is the design of this system. The vehicle has been very reliable during the last eight years. But this particular problem is greatly distressing. Not only is the range of the vehicle limited to a couple of miles with a strong battery, the loss of power assisted steering makes this both a safety and reliability issue.

Filed Nov 6, 2006 · Engine · 60,000 miles · WA

My 98 dodge caravan sport is having repeated problem with the serpentine belt and belt tensioner. From a quick search on the web it appears to be a common problem, that the belt would slip off when it gets wet. I have experienced this problem 3 times so far, twice in jan 2006 and another one just today (nov 06). I cannot trust the van anymore, I cannot tell when this problem is going to happen again and when it does, the van lost power steering and would overheat. Lost of power steering can be extremely dangerous especially when trying on a freeway, and being easily overheat would leave me stranded at possibly isolated places. This is a problem that takes repeated fixing yet would not resolve.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 30,000 miles · CA

Dt: the consumer owns a 1998 dodge caravan. Serpentine belt failed five times. When this occurred there was a loss of power steering as well as the charging of the battery. This only happened in wet or rainy conditions. The consumer took vehicle to a dealer, who said they could again replace the serpentine belt, but it would fail again in wet conditions or rainy weather. There was no guarantee. The last trip to the dealer resulted in the replacement of the serpentine belt. No accident or injury was reported. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and filed a complaint also. The local dealer said nothing could be done about. *ak updated 02/07/06.

Filed Nov 5, 2004 · Engine, Steering · OH

Experience lost of engine power and steering. Bolts broken and replace gaskets. Lost steering while driving. *bf the front end appeared to be much lower than usual and the belt was hanging below the chassis.

Filed Jul 12, 2003 · Electrical, Steering · 91,929 miles · TX

On my wife's 1998 dodge caravan, the idler serpentine belt tensioner arm completely broke off causing alot of noise under the hood, loss of power steering, and loss of alternator battery recharge. It also caused some damage to the other pulleys. I've owned many cars and this has never happened on other makes. This is a safety hazard that can leave anybody in the middle of no where.

Filed Jun 10, 2003 · Acceleration, Engine · 72,000 miles · PA

While passing a tractor trailer on rt 422 west of pottstown without warning my rmp's shot up and I lost power. My check engine light came on. I pulled off the shoulder of the highway. The transmission was slipping and not shifting correctly. I was able to get my caravan to quigley motors which is the local dodge dealership. The diagnosis was 3rd gear was totally destroyed and they found alot of metal fragments in the pan. It's going to cost me $2500. To fix it. The chrysler corporation needs to acknowledge that there is a well documented problem with this transmission and should rectify the situation. It is my first chrysler vehicle and it will probably will be my last. The service that I received at quigley motors was horrendous. My van was there an entire week before they could get it in to give me a repair estimate. 5 star service??? I don't think so!

Filed Apr 4, 2003 · Engine · 35,000 miles · NJ

The serpentine belt became disconnected, which caused the vehicle to lose power steering.

Filed Feb 26, 2003 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · MA

The transmission malfunctioned fourth gear which caused the vehicle to lose power.