1999 Dodge Grand Caravan: engine overheating

Filed Jun 21, 2014 · Electrical · 185,000 miles · NC

Driving down road as usual and all the dash components went down I hit a bump and they came back up or if I slap the top of it they will come back on. I like knowing how much gas I have,how fast I'm going or even if I'm overheating. And I do carry a disabled person plus my self so we depend on this everyday.

Filed Jul 8, 2010 · Engine, Steering · 108,000 miles · AZ

1999 dodge grand caravan 3.3l. Serpentine belt slips off pulleys when driving in wet conditions, even slightly. This produces an immediate loss of power steering, water pump, etc., and within 15-20 seconds the vehicle overheats. This creates severe safety hazard with impaired steering ability along with attempts to remove vehicle from traffic before it overheats, stalls, or engine catches fire. This slippage occurs consistently to the point we must avoid driving when raining (even drizzling) or even if roads are still moist after a rain. We found hundreds of the same complaint affecting numerous model year dodge caravans, as well as chrysler town & country van. Two independent mechanics stated the cause is poor design of the pulley system. Two of the pulleys are smooth-surfaced and one side of the serpentine belt is smooth. When a liquid (rain/snow/lubricant, etc.) is introduced to the pulley system, these smooth surfaces allow the belt to easily slip off. Dodge offers to replace the two smooth pulleys with grooved pulleys, as well as provide a serpentine belt with dual sided grooves for around $400. This is not a matter of normal wear and tear, but rather a poor design that has continued for over a decade despite early complaints. Consumers have spent hundreds if not thousands in towing and repairs for this problem. Consumers should not be required to pay to fix the manufacturers' safety defects and add to their profits in doing so. Was it an intentional defect to boost service dept profits? This problem needs to be addressed immediately and should warrant a recall to replace the two pulleys and serpentine belt.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · NV

Everytime I am going downhill or steep roads, I have no control of my cars deceleration except by using my brakes. I have no manual override for downshifting or engine braking. This causes my brakes to overheat and fade. My car is equipped with an autostick (manual electronic shift), which the controls for are on the shifter handle on the column. The wire inside the shifter handle loses its connection or gets cut at the pivot point, making it non-operational. I've called my local dealer for the parts needed (autostick shifter lever) and they said, that part has been on backorder nationwide. I've also went online and talked to a few owners of the same type vehicle and they had exactly the same safety issue. There is no way to fix the cut wire because the shifter handle is a sealed unit.

Filed Feb 22, 2008 · Engine · KY

Driving home in ice storm our 1999 dodge caravan lost power steering, lights dimmed, overheated. Apparently this is a recurring problem with the caravans and the serpentine belt and tensioner.

Filed Jun 9, 2006 · Engine · FL

I have repeatedly had the serpentine belt come off while driving in my 1999 dodge grand caravan. This is unsafe. I lose power steering, A/C or defroster, the van overheats unless you park it instantly. This has happened at least a dozen times and I have replaced the tension pulley and it still didn't help. This needs to be recalled.

Filed Sep 10, 2002 · Engine, Steering · MD

While traveling on highway and without prior warning power steering went out. Also, vehicle started to overheat. Dealership was aware of problem.

Filed Jan 24, 2001 · Engine, Steering · IL

A worn bushing/bearing in the tensioner pulley allowed the drive belt to slip off while cornering. The loss of power steering assist nearly caused the vehicle to drive off the road. The vehicle then quickly overheated leaving my wife and children stranded on a county road in a potentially life threatening situation. The actual temp was +5 f with a wind chill of -30 f. They were thankfully rescued within about 20 minutes thanks to her cellphone. I understand chrysler has issued a tsb for belts that slip off when driving through snow or water due to pulley failure. This is an extremely dangerous situation and should be subject to a recall. Thank you. Roger stites.