The failure of the tensioner belt caused the serpentine belt to come off resulting in power steering failure.
1998 Dodge Grand Caravan engine complaints
Page 5 of 5: complaints 101 to 129 of 129, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Serpentine belt failed x3 over 3d incl. On hwy -> loss of power. Steering, alternator and other functions.
The head gasket for the vehicle developed a hair line crack which leaks antifreeze down the backside of the engine block. This occurred after standard warranty expired with a milage of only 57000 miles. The leaking creates an oder from the evaporation of antifreeze which is clearly detectable from within the vehicle cab. This problem equates to an estimated repair cost of $1000.00+. It is my understanding after talking to several mechanics that this is an epedemic typical of this engine. The auto manufacturer is aware of this problem but has done nothing, that I'm aware of, to rectify this problem for current owners apart from making the owner repair the defect at their expense (without having purchased an extended warranty). I'm deeply disgusted with the manufacturers attempt to ignore this design flaw.
Serpentine belts have come off while consumer was driving, it resulted in cosumer losing control of vehicle. Contacted dealer.
Head gasket failed at 45,000 miles, allowing coolant to flow out of the driver's side of the engine. Driver's side seat belt retractor failed to spool out and allow the occupant to buckle the latch plate.
Had just filled fuel tank, got inside vehicle, and smelled an odor of gasoline fumes. Engine check light came on & stayed. Took vehicle to mechanic, and ran diagnostic test. Mechanic reset the engine check light, and it came back on.*ak consumer states engine light is continuously illuminated and there is a strong odor coming from the fuel tank door.
Tensioner on engine had broken twice. Repaired first time under warranty. Second time not under warranty. Had lost power steering due to tensioner breaking.
Consumer had taken vehicle to mechanic for an oil change , and mechanic found out that anti-freez was leaking from head gasket. Then, took vehicle to dealer to be repaired, and drove home finding out that dealer did not put fluid in transmission, and had to return for repairs.*ak consumer states that dealer did not perform all repairs, only fixed head gasket, did not properly re-clamp fuel line. Consumer states there was transmission problem due to dealer possibly removing radiator and not properly re-attaching the transmission line, causing loss of transmission fluid and noise.
After transmission was replaced serpentine belt fell off. Then, took vehicle back to dealer, and they said that belt could fell off any time if it gets wet. Consumer had to purchase a cover to avoid to fell off.
Serpentine belt came off, and there was a loss of steering. This happened in rain or snowy weather. Consumer was traveling 35-40mph in rain and splashing through puddles. Just as they were exiting battery/oil and temperature lights came on. Vehicle lost steering. Second time on 2-22-01, going 60mph in rain and water splashing underneath made vehicle lose steering. Maufacturer said not enought vehicles were affected to assist with problem. *ak
Fan belt fell off while driving in a snow storm. Consumer was told by other mechanics this was a known problem, and that some consumers have put on shields to prevent fan belt from falling off.
Serpentine belt thrown off.
Engine failure premature wear of head gasket which started leaking.
While driving head gasket blewout unexpectedly which could have caused vehicle to stall, and result in a crash. *ak
Consumer has had problems with vehicle 3 months after vehicle was purchased. A valve had to be changed at 24,000 miles later while vehicle was brand new. Currently, vehicle emitts black smoke. There has been no remedy thus far for problems. Sliding door rattles, dealer made an adjustment, front passenger door rattles when closing. Engine hesitates, misses, and squeals, dealer replaced belts for the squealing. While turning steering wheel, there is a grinding noise in the front end, dealer performed tsb 19-05-98. Spark plugs were replaced due to being worn. Gear level was hard to get out of park. The left visor would not stay up, delaer found a broken clip.
The belt tensioner froze on my grand caravan. As an integral part of the steering this part needs to be given more consideration. I have found several complaints on this problem on the internet www.allpar.com . The damage that can be done to drive pulley's power steering units can be quite expensive and chrysler will not include this part in their warranty's. Only after telling them I would report this to the federal safety agency did they offer to pay 1/2 the repair. It still did not make me feel that the problem was looked at properly there are far too many caravans on the road to have a potential problem with the steering.
Transmission: down shifts to second gear and will not shift out. Occurred while entering freeway on an on ramp. Serpentine belt slipped off while driving in small puddles of water on highway. Total loss of power steering which resulted in dangerous handling of vehicle on wet roads.
I have contacted chrysler on several occasions requesting them to state in writing the cause of the fire. They will not tell me the cause; however, they are real quick to state that they are not responsible. This is a newer vehicle with all original components installed directly from their assembly plant. All I know is that we were driving the vehicle a fire stated in the engine and I was without a vehicle for over two weeks. I am getting nothing but the run around from this company. They are trying to avoid my requests. I have contacted your office three times once via phone and once via internet and have yet to hear anything. It has now been 30 days since your agency was originally contacted. Kindly help in a timely fashion.
Chrysler and the dealership are unable to tell me what started the engine fire only that they have not seen this type of fire before. They are quickly to state that they do not feel that it is due to a manufacturing or assembly error. How can that statement be made when they are unable to state what caused the fire? They will not comment on a defective part. I have all defective (burnt) parts in my possession. How do I know that my vehicle is safe to drive when they can't tell me if they fixed the part that started the fire because they don't know. In a letter dated 5/2/200 from thier company they appologized over the fire but have washed their hands of the incident without being held accountable as to how this happened.
While traveling through a parking lot, vehicle caught on fire under the hood in the engine compartment, claim 22-v298-813.
Drove the vehicle in the area taking children to school. Pulled up into the driveway, parked vehicle and noticed that the radiator fan stayed on which will drain the battery. Didn't drive a long distance for the vehicle to overheat. Contacted dealer.
Rear cylinder head failed causing the vehicle to use excessive amounts of engine oil. Nlm
While driving the serpentine belt came of, causing the vehicle to shut down. Dealer has been notified.
Transmission was noisy--faulty flywheel and starter were replaced to correct it.
The same identical failure has occurred 3 time in 14 months on my minivan. This problem only occurs during rain when water gets up onto the belt causing it to come off and causing complete loss of ability to steer and control the car. Although I was not in an accident any of the times this occured, this is a safety issue. I was just lucky to be able to get off to the side of the road without running into anyone or getting run into by someone else. Each time, jerry's dodge has implemented yet another technical services bulletin to fix the problem, but the problem still exists and it is a dangerous problem.
While driving through a puddle serpentine belt came off. Lost control of vehicle and lost all power. Took to dealer & had belt replaced at least three times. This only happens when vehicle is driven through water or puddles.
D.I.s and crankshaft sensor failed. Yh
Incident 1 - 08/1998 - while driving at 10 MPH in rainy weather, turned a corner and drove through a puddle. All control was lost to vehicle, which had to be immediately stopped. The serpentine belt was hanging visibly from the vehicle and after towing to the dealer, was replaced as defective under warranty. Incident 2 - 01/02/99 - while driving 10 MPH in rainy weather, turning a corner throgh a puddle, all control was lost and the vehicle was immediately stopped. The serpentine belt was checked and found by the owner to be disconnected. The dealer will be contacted for warranty replacement on the next business day. Please investigate this dangerous loss of control problem before a third occurance at higher speeds.
We bought this car brand new. It vibrated when we test drove it.the dealer said it just needed the tires balanced. We have had this car in the shop many times over the course of the year. It vibrates terribly at 45 MPH. The district manager for orlando zone chrysler plymouth drove the car and verified the vibration. She has documented this problem and opened a file number. However, we are still in limbo as to what course of action to take or what chrysler will do to fix this problem. We rented a 1998 grand caravan in another state. It vibrated terribly at 45 MPH. Then one day in a parking lot, a woman stopped me(she had just bought a car like ours) and she asked me if I had vibration and chugging problems. I think there is something wrong with the engine/transmission of these cars. I would like to know if you have any information about this or know what can be done about it. While it may not be life threatening, it is a real nuisance. Everything in my new car rattles...because it shakes so badly. The service manager at frank griffin dealership says another customer is having the same problem with his 1998 caravan. Any information you have regarding this will be most aprpeciated. Thank you.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history