1999 Dodge Caravan: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 9, 2011 · Engine · 91,250 miles · FL

Dodge caravan 1999 serpentine belt dismounting upon driving through water. A dangerous and immediate loss of power steering, overheating, and loss of alternator output ( warning light on ) is noticed.

Filed Feb 22, 2011 · Engine · 45,000 miles · OR

I have had repeated shredding of the serpentine belt on my 1999 dodge caravan resulting in loss of power steering and systems shutdown (including engine) during driving. This is a serious safety issue and I have read numerous reports of the exact same failure. Brazil has recalled the dodge minivan for the same failures and dodge has made a modification kit (2005) for this problem but refuses to date to post a recall in the united states. I have replaced the belts 6 times and the tensioner 3 times in 60,000 miles. I have called dodge and they have refused to pay for the correction of the problem even though I had the last tensioner and belt put on at the dodge dealership although they used an old style tensioner not the new kit even though the new kit had been available since 2005 and I had the tensioner replaced in 2009.

Filed Oct 28, 2009 · Engine · WA

We own a 1999 dodge caravan. Three weeks ago we took it in for a check up at a certified mechanics shop. They informed us the tensioner was bent and serpentine driving belt needed replacing. We authorized them to make the repair. We have owned this vehicle since 1994 with no incident. Last monday we drove through standing water and the serpentine belt was thrown. We lost power steering not to mention that the driving belt powers everything else for the vehicle. Thankfully we were only a short distance out of town and were able to drive back to the mechanics shop. They informed us that indeed this is a problem dodge minivans have. In the last 2 days we have gone online and found many web forums where this has happened to 1,000's of dodge/chrysler owners going back as far as 2002. Dodge has never issued a recall for this known problem and potentially deadly flaw in their engine pulley design. We can buy an aftermarket new designed tensioner and belt at our expense manufactured by 2 separate companies, but dodge offers nothing to consumers who bought their vehicles thinking they are safe. We would like to see dodge/chrysler acknowledge this defect and recall these potential death traps off the road to fix this negligence on their part. Just because people are not dying in crashes because of this (or are they and we just never find out this was the cause) doesn't mean they should not be responsible.

Filed Jul 31, 2008 · Engine · 69,000 miles · CT

Belt comes off in wet weather. Sudden loss of power steering. Have replaced tensioner 4 times. Sudden loss of power steering in wet weather can lead to loss of control.

Filed Feb 4, 2008 · Engine · 133,000 miles · MT

99 dodge caravan in repair shop to have 4th or 5th belt tensioner & 7th serpentine belt replaced loss of power steering rendered vehicle dangerous, barely avoided accident dodge customer service denied any knowledge of problem with this part until, after second call & demanding to speak with manager, I directly asked: 'are there any publicly available notices, warnings, recommendations, etc, related to the 99 dodge caravan and serpentine belts or belt tensioner'. Finally, this 'manager' told me that there was a technical bulletin (available to repair shops, not car owners) which stated that the vehicle should not be driven in heavy snow (deepest snow it's ever been in was 3-4"). If the co. Had no idea, then why is there a factory-made part to correct it? And why is there no recall? Why is this information so difficult to get from the company, as their customer? This seems to be a failure both on the part of the company (for hiding, not repairing this serious flaw) and the government (for not forcing a recall, thereby putting the general public at risk of injury or death).

Filed Sep 19, 2007 · Engine · IL

I have a 1999 dodge grand caravan that the serpentine belt has come off of numerous times, because of a manufacture defect. Whenever the tension wheel gets splashed with water the belt pops off. You immediately lose power steering, it is so dangerous!! The car overheats. I have talked to many mechanics and this is a well known problem with that particular vehicle. I have spent much money to have it fixed and not to mention the stress. I have also researched this on the internet and found that they have recalled these vehicles in brazil because of the same problem.

Filed Apr 18, 2007 · Engine · 106,000 miles · KS

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 dodge caravan. While driving 15 MPH, the contact noticed a loss of power in the vehicle and its power steering. The mechanic stated that the serpentine belt detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the serpentine belt detached on four occasions and the road conditions were snowy or wet each time. The current and failure mileages were 106,000.

Filed Jan 15, 2007 · Engine · 70,416 miles · TX

During a rain the serpentine belt fell off causing loss of power steering, water pump and other equipment. This is a serious safety issue, and dodge has a tsb out. But they are making no effort to correct this flaw. It seems that anytime water gets on this belt it will come off. How many crashes is it going to take before something is done to remedy this situation?

Filed Jul 7, 2004 · Engine · VA · crash

Ltr fm thomas reiner (va) re the defective 1999 dodge caravan he owned, his defective repossessed vehicle was sold out without informing the purchaser of the service bulletin on the defect.*mr the consumer indicated that the manufacturer did not make him aware of the service bulletin until he contacted the federal safety agency and found the service bulletin regarding the idler pulley. The vehicle idler pulley came off three times which caused the vehicle to lose all power. This failure has caused the consumer to crash twice.

Filed Feb 27, 2004 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · AR

While driving at 35 MPH, the consumer heard a clanking sound come from the engine compartment. A few seconds later the vehicle loss power steering and stalled. After repeated attempts the vehicle would not restart. The dealer examined the vehicle and found that holes were punched into the transmission housing case.

Filed Jan 5, 2004 · Engine, Steering · 89,000 miles · WI

While driving through a light rain/slush mixture the car lost power steering, etc. Consumer identfied that the serpentine belt had came off. This seems to be a common problem with late 90's dodge caravan's. I have a relative who had the same problem 2 weeks earlier. Dodge does have a service bulletin related to this, but it does seem to be some type of design flaw that needs to be addressed since it relates to the power steering, and nearly every other vital system.

Filed Nov 16, 2003 · Engine · 67,266 miles · PA

Idle pulley and belt came off while driving in the rain causing loss of power steering and overheating. Previous repair for same condition one week prior. While waiting, another vehicle of same make, model and year was towed in for same recurring problem.