1999 Dodge Grand Caravan steering problems

Filed May 28, 2014 · Engine, Steering · ND

My serpentine belt falls off every time it gets wet. It falls off in heavy rain, it falls off in snow. As you could imagine when you suddenly don't have steering on wet and/or icy roads it becomes very dangerous, especially in a family van. Even after I get the vehicle to the side of the road I have to get the belt back on. Road side repairs are never safe or easy but they are made even more so when done in the rain or in a blizzard when it's 60 below wind chill. This needs to be addressed and fixed!!!!!

Filed Aug 16, 2013 · Steering · 152,000 miles · WV · crash

On going problem, with myself and previous owners. Never addressed by chrysler and no recall ever done. When driving on wet roads the serpentine belt comes off leaving you with no power steering and loss of control if going at normal speeds and on a curve. It is a well know problem and has not been addressed by chrysler. They just say there has never been a recall and refuse to fix the problem. The problem is so prevalent that gates has made a replacement pulley and belt to fix it, but it costs about $120.00 and chrysler should pay for the fix and installation. Why has this not been taken care of?

Filed Mar 25, 2011 · Engine, Steering · 170,000 miles · MD

Serpentine belt came off pulleys while driving in heavy rain. Lost ability to steer van. Headed directly for another car and collision narrowly avoided. Belt coming off when wet appears to be a common problem with this series van, and would seem to be a very serious hazard. It is beyond me why dodge is not required to retrofit a better belt/pulley system (which does exist and is on the market).

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 Jul 9, 2009 · Engine, Steering · MD

The serpentine belt came off several times in the rain , on our 1999 dodge grand caravan, resulting in loss of power steering. I had gone through a puddle and as I turned a corner I lost power steering. I made it onto the side grass as I was unable to complete the turn. I was only a couple feet away from hitting a brick building. This was a very unsettling experience. I should not have to be terrified to drive in the rain.

Filed Dec 25, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 80,000 miles · NC

Three times in six weeks, the serpentine belt (which powers the power steering, alternator and water pump) has slipped off the pulleys. In one of the three instances, the drive belt was shredded. After a quick search of the internet, literally hundreds of complaints about this were found. Fortunately, in our case, there has not been an injury to date, however a loss of power steering at the wrong moment could easily cause an accident. Likewise, loss of accessories such as the alternator and water pump could leave someone stranded. On this vehicle, the belt tensioner has been replaced and the belt has been replaced three times in less than 1,000 miles.

Filed Jul 31, 2008 · Engine, Steering · 85,000 miles · FL

1- noise serpentine belt. 2- sudden temporary loss of power steering while driving in rain. Occurs everytime it rains. Resulting in temporary extremely dangerous situation as I am unable to steer even though I am a strong 350lbs. 3- have changed serpentine belt several times but problem persists.

Filed Jun 10, 2007 · Steering · 140,000 miles · NV · 1 injury

The serpentine belt on the pulley system came off on several occasions, then on 6-8-07 the belt not only came off again, but the p/s wheel {not sure if that's the correct name for it} or pulley metal bracket, broke completely off. So now I can't even replace the belt this time, as their is nothing there for the belt to meld/adhere to. This does not seem to be an isolated incident or problem, many consumers are complaining of the same types of problems with the belts coming off. Before I invest anymore money with belts and kits and such, I need to know if there is any recalls regarding the "tensioner pulley system." please email me regarding the above mentioned. Thanks, r.jonak [email protected]

Filed Mar 5, 2007 · Engine, Steering · 125,000 miles · PA

1999 grand caravan - serpentine belt comes off when it rains or vehicle is driven through water, even minor amounts. Causes sudden loss of steering ability, especially if it occurs without warning during a turn. I have owned this vehicle for 6 years and 125,000+ miles without incident. During the last 25,000 miles belt has come off unpredictably 6-8 times in wet weather. Occurrences started following replacement of front tires and a wheel alignment. Dealers and service stations have blamed the tensioneer, a pulley, the belt itself, and water. Replacement of these parts does nothing to resolve the problem which occurs again with the next rain storm. Something changed at 125,000 miles that causes the belt to disengage the pulleys and /or tensioner when water is sprayed up by the tires in wet weather. I changed tires to a different tread design and this helped for a time, but with wear the problem recurred.

Filed Jan 23, 2007 · Steering · 47,230 miles · KY

I have a 1999 dodge grand caravan with 57000 at present. When we had 47000 miles on the vehicle, we were having problems with the steering. Upon taking the van to the dealer we were told we would need to replace the rack and pinion to the tune of $1350.00 dollars with out assistance from chrysler. At present we are still experiencing problem such as the van wonders and hard to steer. In addition to this problem another problem is the serpentine belt has come off and had to be replace 5 times after or during a rain storm since purchasing this vehicle. It appears a large number of people are experiencing these problems, and although my van is a 1999 model I should not be experiencing all of these problems with only 57000 miles, and chrysler should conduct a massive recall to repair and correct these problems.