Dt: caller had to have the main belt on the engine fixed 6 times. When the belt came off she lost control of the steering, and the engine became red hot. Caller stated while driving, the belt came off the steering and froze. The consumer couldn't turn the wheel. Dealer said every time caller brought in the van, the belt was replaced, but the problem recurred. Dealer did not know why this was happening so many times. Manufacturer said dealer was doing all they could, and there was nothing else the manufacturer could do. Caller had it towed 5 times. A few times the belt was just slipped back on until they got to dealer. Dates of towing ere: 11-19-02, 2-19-03, 4-15-04, 6-19-04, and 6-30-05. Dealer said this was not the only van they saw with this problem. Caller stated the speed varied when the belt came off.
2000 Dodge Caravan engine complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 70 of 70, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Purchased a dodge caravan new, delivered 03/19/00. 12/21/00 leaking trans solenoid pack (not sure if that was related to consequent failures of the serpentine belt). The serpentine belt, which, according to dodge mechanics should last 70,000 miles, has failed four times already; mileage at last failure: 68,145 miles. The belt breaks with very little warning at all, and all power is lost, brakes, steering - which could be extremely dangerous, causing my death or the death of others. Fortunately, after the first time, I recognize the sounds - like a twig being caught in the engine - as the belt suddenly frays, and pull over immediately.this is a very dangerous fault. Dates and mileage of failures: 04/19/01 18,456 - I was told by the dealership repairing the vehicle that I "had a better chance of wining the lottery than this happening again!" 05/18/02 32,229 miles 02/17/03 40,349 a shield, which had not been put on this year's model, was put on by the dealership. The shield was on model years before and after 2000, but was omitted from the 2000 line. The shield stopped rain and snow from going into the engine, freezing the block, and/or mixing with the oil which would cause the belt to slide on the pulleys and the belt to brake. If the dealership is aware of this fault, surely the manufacturer is. While there is a longer time period between the belt braking after the shield was put on, it still broke again in under 20,000 miles. 05/21/05 68,149 internet searches have revealed an extended warranty on all 1997-2000 caravans/grand caravans for all AC compressor repairs, put out by chrylser in october of 2003. (http://allpar.com/dealers/warranty.html) can this car be declared dangerous and a lemon?
Over the past year the drivebelt has fallen off the engine pulleys three times during heavy rain.
While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted the vehicle. Dealership was unable to resolve the problem.
Part in question was a cross over manifold pipe; it connected two manifolds together on top of the engine. *bf the consumer requested a refund. The consumer was told the vehicle would not pass state inspection because the vehicle had an exhaust leak. *sc
While driving, there was a lot of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle continued to run. The consumer was advised by the mechanic not to drive the vehicle, because all the fluids had leaked out. Please provide any further information. *jb the transmission failed in the consumers vehicle. Fluid leaked out a hole blown in the casing but the consumer was still able to drive serveral miles.
The vehicle stalled while driving. The check engine light came on prior to the vehicle stalling. A diagnostic test was performed, but no failure code was found. The cause of the vehicle stalling was not determined. *ak on other occasions the vehicle would stall when making turns.
The bolt that holds the idle pulley to the engine sheared off the engine in my 2000 3.3 liter grand caravan sport. The vehicle has less than 48000 miles on it and left me with no power steering. If my wife was driving there would have definitely been an accident because there is no way she could have steered the van due to the total lack of any power steering. Even more frightening is that we just came back from a trip to florida,if that happened on I-95 traveling at 70 MPH the consequences could have been catastrophic it happened in a parking lot at only 7 MPH.
2000 dodge caravan fire.*mr the vehicle was serviced normally and was in good condition.
While driving a fire started in the front end underneath the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Without any prior warning the entire pulley that supports the serpentine belt separated from the motor and fell out from under the car while driving on the road rendering the car undrivable. Luckily I was not traveling fast and was able coast into my driveway in my neighborhood. I found the pulley which shows where the attachment bolt snapped in half. It certainly looked like a defective part and I would have likely sued if an injury had occurred. The dealership did nothing in the form of any financial compensation for what I consider to be a defective part or poorly designed system. There are other similar complaints out there but no recall. My van had 56,242 miles on it at the time.
Serpentine belt shreds and comes apart. While driving suddenly there's a noise like the belt is slapping around under the hood. Serpentine belt was replaced 3 times .the first time this occurred dealership indicated that the pulley tensioner spring broke and the pulley locked to the side, which allowed the belt to ride off the side. The second time this occurred dealership indicated that the pulley locked up and broke, allowing the belt to slip off. The third time it occurred no cause was given. Currently vehicle is at the dealership having a diagnostic test performed because the failure recurred.
On feb. 8, 2004, my brother-in-law (also an owner of the car) experienced a problem starting the car. After several tries, the car started running but very roughly. It was decided to drive the car home which was about two miles away. About halfway there, going up a slight incline, smoke came from the engine compartment. My brother-in-law pulled the car off the road and checked under the hood. A fire erupted as soon as the hood was opened. A minute or so later, another fire explosion occurred. The fire department and police arrived and the fire was extinguished. The car had to be towed away. The engine compartment was severly damaged, the dashboard was badly burned and the front windshield had a big hole in it. Both the fireman and the policeman commented that it looked like the battery might be involved. I don't know what they meant by that and I am still waiting for a copy of the fire report. We took the car to the dodge dealer here in hawaii and he made the same remark about the battery. The dodge dealer said the job was too big for them to handle and they were going to call another jobber to look at it. I need some advice about what I should do next. This van was converted for handicap use with a hydraulic ramp installed at the factory at the time of purchase. The van is used exclusively for my sister who is totally wheelchair and bed bound, having suffered four strokes on both sides of her body about five years ago. Fortunately, she was not in the car at the time of the fire. Please give me some advice on what I should do to determine how the fire started and whether or not the manufacturer is at fault for the damage to the van. Who can conduct a thorough and valid investigation of the incident? There was no prior indication of any impending failures. In this day and age, how can a car catch on fire without warning? The car may be a total wreck.
Serpentine belt came off without any reason in 2 occassion -- drove over shallow water, puddle rendering vehicle breakdown. The serpentine belt drives water pump, power steering, so the vehicle cannnot be manuevered and gets extremely hot.
While driving, the belt tensioner failed without warning and caused the vehicle to stall. Please provide further details.
While traveling 65-70 MPH driver became dizzy, and eventually fell asleep inside vehicle. Tests were performed, and the results found carbon monoxide level very high.
While driving at 35 MPH transmission slipped into neutral without warning. Also, check engine light came on,and speedometer stopped working.
The driver's belt arm had broken three times. Twice the belt shredded while at speed causing break downs and resulted in getting towed in. Once I managed to catch that the belt was wearing and got it to the dealer. They noted the tensioner was clocked causing the belt to ride off.
Consumer states that while driving the vehicle up on hill the vehicle rolled back. Vehicle was still on when the incident. Dealer was notified. Mr
Drive belt/serpentine belt failure because it does not line up with the pulleys.tensioner pulley failed also.failed the first time feb 9 2003 and failed again may 27 2003.ase certified mech. With firestone told us that was all he could do with it until chrysler figures out what to do with it.firestone worked on it both times with a dodge technition present may 27 2003.
The vehicle ran rough.
Consumer stated that vehicle's oil is leaking from head gasket over manifold. Concerned could start a fire. Ts
While driving the vehicle engine stall, pull out of the road took to the dealer and will replace engine. Please provide further information. Ts
While the consumer was traveling the main tensioner belt seized while driving on a city street, the main belt fell off and the tensioner did also.
Consumer applied brakes at 40 MPH, pedal went to the floor, no braking action. Consumer shifted to park to stop vehicle, engine stalled. Dealer could not find a cause. On 2 may 2001, rear drums were found to be out of round and were resurfaced. On 31 jan 2002 dealer checked brakes due to vibration and stated brakes had 50 percent left. *ak dealer has replaced both rear drums and also informed consumer that the brake shoes needed replaced, the rear wheel cylinder was replaced and rear brakes have been adjusted. Transmission had to be thrown into park while driving, dealer could not find any problems.
Consumer stated there is a knocking noise in the steering when turning hard and when turning and not moving, consumer also complained that there is vibration in the steeing, dealer balanced front tires from a previous complaint about the steering.
While parking vehicle heard a banging noise from engine. Then, felt that engine did not work, towed vehicle to a mechanic, who found out that retainer bolt of pulley, tensioner and serpentine belt were broken.
Vehicle smelled like carbon monoxide. Consumer has been ill for months. Dodge finally sent investigator. Said vehicle registered 13 for carbon monoxide. Dodge refused to take responsibility, and denied anything was wrong with vehicle.
Rust underneath the vehicle. All four axles/brake caliper,brake drums/stabalizer/ exhaust pipe and leaf spring bracket.also, on tires and inside of the rims were rusted. Consumer stated notified the dealership.*ak customer arbitration board dinied customer's request for replacement vehicle saying that the rust is not a manufacturing defect.
The cam shaft broke because the engine was improperly bored causing the vehicle to stall out while driving. Nlm
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