1997 Dodge Grand Caravan: sudden loss of power

Filed Nov 26, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 104,233 miles · CA

Car suddenly lost power while driving on the freeway at 60mph; engine remained on. I pulled over, turned off the car, and it started back up again and drove fine for about 2 miles. 'service engine soon' light came on. When it lost power again, I slowed and then tried to reaccelerate, and it drove fine for about 5 miles, enough to get me off the freeway and to a safe location. I checked the oil and transmission levels, which were ok, and there was nothing leaking under the car. Went to an appointment, and came back to the car, which started up and drove ok for about a half mile, then it shut down completely at a traffic light. This time it wouldn't start back up again, so I pushed it onto a side street, where it started up fine and drove to the nearest gas/repair station. Now, the van won't start again. Van was proceeding straight in all situations.

Filed Dec 15, 2016 · Engine, Steering · 271,000 miles · MI · crash

Serpentine belt comes off while driving in snow causing loss of power steering on slippery road surfaces. Loss of vehicle control and ability to regain vehicle control was compromised by lack of steering assist causing the vehicle to leave the roadway. I contacted chrysler and they said there is no recall for my vehicle.this was a very dangerous situation as a school bus was near my vehicle when this incident happened. This issue needs to be addressed and a recall should be mandated.

Filed Jul 21, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · NC

Part 2 I've read on here that gates has a belt/pulley fix for this problem. If they have one, chrysler can make one. This is a dangerous problem that can happen any time to many dodge vans, it results in other damages, sudden loss of power steering control, possible injury even death to many people at one time. Many other vehicles have serpentine belts without this problem so it can be fixed. It's a repeated design flaw & should be corrected immediately. A ntsb rule goes something like this "a company is responsible for any foreseeable problems in their product" the same goes for the brake lines corroding enough for failure to occur in just a few years, this is also unacceptable. This is a $29,850 vehicle not a $2,000 1967 volkswagen beetle, my beetle has the original break lines. And in good shape. All break lines are to be stainless steel to resist rust and corrosion. This is purely lack of quality in materials used to make these lines and the company also should be made to correct the problem by warning all owners about the problem and replacing all defectable lines with good quality lines.

Filed Jul 21, 2015 · Brakes, Fuel system · NC

Part 1.... I used to be a mechanic and tow truck operator. My mini van "like most others" is usually driven by a female & with a load of children. If driving in rain or through a water puddle the belt jumps off causing loss of power steering overheating battery drain etc, is a dangerous even deadly problem, if a turn is needed at the time this belt jumps off, even a strong healthy man can leave the line of intended travel and hit what ever is in the way, a curb, a pedestrian or even cause a head on collision. This mostly happens during rainy/nasty days & because of the complexity of replacing the belt, and the damage that is caused when it comes off, the vehicle usually requires a tow 4 repair. It is stated that, when a consumer makes a complaint & if the same complaint is repeated an investigation will be started. This is an old problem with many, many, many complaints yet, I see "no action, not even an investigation into this problem", why?? Consumers are depending on you "safecar.gov, the federal safety agency" etc. What will it take, "a death" to start an investigation? Or, should I say, how many??? I know there has been accidents because of this, and a lot of damage just from the belt as it jumps off and goes flopping around, not to mention the people that burned up their motor even started a fire trying to get home, to a shop etc. This problem has been a plague since day one and should have been at least fixed on the next years model but chrysler just ignored it. Their have been many vehicles with these serpentine belts,, chrysler vans is the only ones that I know of with this particular problem. This is a deadly problem that should be repaired by the chrysler corporation since they knew about the problem from the start and just flat out ignored it. The gas line decaying and suspension strut mounts rusting away on these same models will be my next post

Filed Sep 6, 2012 · Engine · 130,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle hit a small pothole and the contact lost power steering. Also, the vehicle overheated and the alternator warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnosed the failure but decided to replaced the serpentine belt as a safety precaution. The failure recurred several times mostly when it rained or hit a pothole. The contact stated that the serpentine belt came off several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 143,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2011 · Engine · 186,542 miles · AR

When driving in the rain we hit water on the road and the serpentine belt comes off, you lose power steering at the time if it happens in heavy traffic you could have a crash. When looking for a solution for the problem I found it happens to a lot of people. Gates makes an after market fix part# 38379k. Dodge will not fix it.

Filed Aug 27, 2005 · Engine · GA

1) driving normally through water several inches deep - certainly not an unusual situation considering the amount of afternoon storms we have received this summer in middle georgia. 2) serpentine belt slips from pulleys causing lose of power steering, water pump, air conditioning, alternator. On first occasion and with great difficulty, my wife was able to pull over and avoid a collision. 3) belt appeared undamaged but I replaced belt with new approved belt. The same thing happened on august 22, 2005 while I was driving on georgia 87 (rural highway) in a severe downpour/thunderstorm. The rain and storm conditions were so loud I did not notice the temperature gage, indicator lights and warning-buzzer warning me of some engine failure. I was able to drive to an intersection and pull out of traffic, again with great difficulty due to power steering failure. Ultimately, people will lose lives over this issue if they have not already. There are many of these issues posted all over the internet. Please pursue this issue so someone's life can be saved.

Filed Feb 16, 2005 · Engine · CA

Serpentine belt slips off idler pully when driving through standing water resulting in loss of power steering.

Filed Apr 8, 2004 · Engine · 77,715 miles · FL

While backing out of the driveway, the consumer heard a loud bang. The vehicle would not steer. The pulley broke off, causing the drive belt to fall onto the street. *ak there was another incident where the consumer was making a turn and lost all power steering. The consumer witnessed another vehicle with the same make and model experiencing the exact same problem. (the consumer's alternate address: p.o. Box 585 zip 03825) *sc

Filed Oct 28, 2003 · Engine · 49,000 miles · NJ

Serpentine belt falls off when water gets on it, resulting in loss of power steering and control. I understand this is a wide spread problem and am concerned that my familys' safety will be in jepardy each time this happens. It has happened four times to us and I feel this warrants a recall before someone loses their life.

Filed Aug 5, 2002 · Steering · MD

Vehicle has had momentarily lost power assist numerous times, there is a tsb out on this problem. Dealer has not repaired vehicle while under warranty.

Filed May 23, 2002 · Engine · LA

Sepertine belt and tensioner make a constant squeaking noise. The belt came off while traveling on a rainy day through a small puddle of water. When it came off, I lost power steering but was able to muscle it over to the side of the road. My wife would not have been as lucky. It was replaced (under warranty) in 1999. It is now thirty thousand miles later and it has been squeaking off and on again for quite some time. The dealer does not want to replace it again under warranty since the last one lasted for 12 months or 12,000 miles. I have a friend that had his belt and tensioner replaced 8 times before having dodge buy the van back. It is a problem, so please look into making dodge recall the faulty parts. Thank you.