My 1997 dodge grand caravan, 3.3l v6, had the belt tensioner shear off/come apart at 35,000 miles. Then at 68,000 (33,000 later) it went bad, it froze up. This caused the belt to crack also. So the tensioner and belt were replaced at that time. How much of a problem have these tensioners been? Should I expect them to last only 30,000 to 36,000 miles?
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan engine complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 100, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving and with no warning vehicle will shut off, making it hard to control. Dealer has been notified. Also, consumer had many other problems with this vehicle. Please provide further information.
Serpentine belt comes off during wet weather, making minivan very difficult to steer.
I have had the belt tensioner replaced 3 times since I owend the vehicle because of warpping.the third time I wrote to customer service thay told us that the part has meet dodges warrenty requirements.thay was sorry but nothing thay could do.I thank the is a serious saftey problem because when the belt comes off you lose your power steering.which could cause a accident. Plus the wippers come on by them self or when you put on the turnlight on.this has be going on since the vehicle has been new.
Consumer stated the serpentine belt fell off causing the vehicle to shut down and not restart. Please fill in additional information.
Car had serious damage whoses source cannot be determined by dealer and manufacture will not investigate.
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.
Vehicle stalls intermittently at any speed. Dealer does not know how to remedy the problem.
While vehicle was parked, smoke was coming from under the hood, the fire department responded but the engine was burned badly, driver was treated for smoke inhalation.
Vehicle is experiencing several electrical problems, the starter motor failed and was replaced, the front window would not go down, the passenger side sliding door lock will not work from the key control, the wipers occasionally go on when the directional is activated, all the bells and lights came on along with the doors locking for a period of about 5 minutes while vehicle was in motion, vehicle would not start, consumer states it seemed like the battery was dead and on one occasion the vehicle would not shut off until the battery was disconnected.
The dealer had replaced a leaking fuel rail prior to the recall. (00v‑268).
While traveling steering wheel became hard to turn and engine overheated. Vehicle was serviced, and technician noticed that engine belts had broken. Please provide further information.
Serpentine belt broke while driving 20 MPH, dealer and manufacturer were notified. *ak vehicle no longer under warranty.
Upon slowing down to make a turn or when entering an intersection, vehicle will completely shutdown. Consumer noticed that when this occurs oil light illuminates. *ak
Vehicles electrical system has consistently and rapidly consumed batteries, all batteries were unable to be installed.
Vehicle has experienced 2 fires, the first fire happened last year and was covered under the vehicle warranty, claim 16-n100-392.
Consumer started vehicle and heard loud noises, smoke was coming from the front so the consumer attempted to shut vehicle off, however it kept running, fire department put out fire and pulled the battery cables, claim 05-4650-711.
Consumer went into the store and when coming out, she saw the fire department putting out a fire from her vehicle, the fire occurred in the engine compartment, claim 55-s384-563.
Vehicle caught fire while being driven, the fire originated in the engine compartment, claim 20-5392-910.
While driving, power steering failed, consumer pulled over and saw smoke coming from vehicle, claim 25-5411-610.
While driving, consumer smelled smoke coming from the engine, when arriving home there was a fire detected, claim 42-1396-385.
Engine started to have a loud squeeking sound on start-up & squeek continued after but not as loud. Brakes noted to have a longer braking time when travelling at 50 MPH.
Bolts which hold pulley tensioner have broken twice within two years. First bolt was replaced by an independent repair shop, and the second bolt was replaced by a dealer. Provide any further information on this matter.
Serpentine belt has been destroyed 3 times and come completely off twice while traveling 65 miles per hour on the freeway. The result has been a loss of power steering, the alternator light activated, and is a safety hazard. I was told the problem was the failure of the manufacture to include certain parts.
Consumer states rocker arm support broke.
Belt tensioner had to be replaced 18 months ago by dealership. Then, three months ago, belt tensioner came off again, this defect was repaired by dealership again. *ak
Heard a noise while driving about 5 MPH. Then, power steering went out. Pulled over, and had vehicle towed to dealer. Serpentine belt had too much tension and broke.
Ongoing problem with engine stalling intermittently while driving;.vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on eight occasions, and informed consumer that they are unable to duplicate problem. Please provide any further details on this matter.
Consumer heard a ticking sound coming from the engine, dealer found the right back rear rocker arm support broken.
The vehicle was parked and upon being started was at idle for about 5-10 seconds when the engine failed and it wouldn't start. Diagnosis showed that camshaft broke in half (not worn down) bending three valves in the process. Luckily the vehicle was not mobile at the time of this engine failure.
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