1996 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems

Filed Apr 1, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

Rubber fuel line in main engine bay is leaking fuel and cracked I have seen others that have burned down for this issue. Dodge fiat Chrysler needs to be aware that all 1996 to 2000 dodge caravans and Chrysler town and country’s could burn down if this fuel issue isn’t fixed I have already had to pay out of pocket to fix one vehicle I’m not doing it again.. my phone number if anyone at you’re agency would like to call me my cell is [XXX] thanks PLEASE HELP!! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Mar 10, 2016 · Engine · OH

My 1996 dodge grand caravan has the serpentine belt issue. It falls of if it rains. This problem is due to a design flaw from dodge. They used smooth pulleys instead of groved. In addition gates had to make a kit to fix this one single issue because it is so common. This is a very common issue and chrysler refuses to do anything about it (like normal). This is a very dangerous situation.

Filed Jul 28, 2014 · Engine · 262,747 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that the serpentine belt separated from the engine when the vehicle was driven in the rain. The serpentine belt was replaced twice, but the failure was not remedied. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 262,747.

Filed Apr 8, 2011 · Engine, Steering · 187,090 miles · PA

Wife was driving 96 grand caravan le to college in the rain. When she arrived in the parking lot steering became impossible to turn so she pulled it straight into parking spot. Looked underneath and saw belt had come off. This happened once before but car was parked in driveway at home. As she started to reverse out of driveway steering became tough and car would not move. It was also raining at this time. This happened early january 2011. Around march 2010, again while it was raining, as my wife approached a stop sign the car began to become unresponsive and she had to guide it to the side. Since it was blocking the road police did come by and help push if off the road until the tow truck came to take it to the garage. New belt, idler pulley and tensioner was installed by mechanic. The most recent incident (april 2011) pulley and tensioner was replaced. Don't know if it will solve the problem. Luckily the speed was slow in all instances and no injury or damage was done...yet.

Filed Dec 22, 2010 · Engine, Steering · CA

I have a 1996 dodge grand caravan le 3.8. In the last 2 months the serpentine belt slipped off 2 times when it is raining outside or the van goes through a puddle of water. I have almost been killed twice. I have read that other dodge owners have also had this problem. The wheel cannot be controlled when this happens, and my wife is scared to drive this car now. I think that dodge has some explaining to do as they have been made aware of this defect, and are not taking any responsibility for this repeated serious safety fault.

Filed Sep 3, 2008 · Engine · VA

When ever it rains or snows and a lil bit of moisture gets up in the engine the serpentine belt comes off and I lose everything, power steering, fan, you name it its gone, and I have almost wrecked 5 out of 8 times this has happened..2 times I found myself having going in to a field to stop due to steering was gone, and possible burn/ fire could have resulted from engine over heating and liquids boiling/ and steam rising. Leading to be a very dangerous problem to anyone near the vehicle, I have 3 children and they were with me 3 of the 8 times the belt came off. I searched online and apparently im not the only one having this problem.. There is alot more people out there with this complaint. I did however replace the belt once again, along with pulley/ tensioner its getting to be quite expensive for me as a single mom.

Filed Apr 12, 2008 · Engine · VA

The serpentine belt chronically has fallen off and been replaced on the car. It has fallen off twice in the first year that we purchased the car new. When it falls off, there is no power steering. Fortunately up to this time my wife was not driving highway speeds. It is a fatality waiting to happen with this design.

Filed Mar 12, 2008 · Engine · 96,000 miles · CO

Serpentine belt falls off during rain/snowy weather on 1996 dodge grande caravan.

Filed May 3, 2005 · Engine · 160,000 miles · FL

I have a 1996 dodge grand caravan . In september of 2004 the serpentine belt came off in the rain causeing loss of steering and overheating alarm. I replaced the tensioner and belt and thought it was fixed .to date I have had to put the belt back on at least 7 times and replaced it with a new one three times .but the problem is still there wet roads or rain and the belt comes off.looking on the internet I see this is a widespread problem .ive worked on cars most of my life and have never had this kind of problem.have your experts look at the tensioner and idler pulley design they are smooth without sides to keep the belt on them.this should be a major recall.

Filed Feb 18, 2005 · Airbags, Engine · 165,000 miles · GA

- 96 dodge grand caravan w/3.8 v6 and 41te 4spd transmision - 2 transmission failures - 1st went to about 125000, then kept hitting the "limp home mode" - 2nd has "torque converter lockup" problem, shops say rebuild again, after only 38000 miles. - fan relay went out before recall was issued, had to replace the radiator out of pocket. - had clock spring replaced after component failure relating to it (horn, cruise etc) - union city ga dealer attempted to fix the fuel return line issue, botched it up and caused major leak when refueling. They re-fixed it after much complaining.