1999 Dodge Grand Caravan: loss of power steering

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 Jan 11, 2011 · Engine · 109,000 miles · TN

After hitting approximately 3 inches of snow/slush in the road the serpentine belt slid off causing loss of power steering. Driver was able to avoid accident and pull to side of road. This is the 5th such incident since the vehicle was new.

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 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 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 Aug 22, 2006 · Engine · 60,000 miles · AL

1999 dodge grand caravan,3.3 liter engine, started out about once a year the serpentine belt would slip off and have to be reinstalled. Then started every 6 months, usually during wet weather, came off with my wife, she would lose steering almost causing a wreck. I would have to leave work and go where ever she was and put belt back on. Finally noticed the tensioner pulley leaning to the left allowing belt to slip off. Replaced pulley thinking problem solved, but once again belt would slip off during a rain and wipers on. Very dangerous situation for my wife again, no steering. Tried a better quality belt, same thing, belt would slip off during rain. 2 weeks ago it slipped off with my wife on major freeway in birmingham, al , I had to go about 50 miles and put belt back on with traffic speeding by and all during a rain storm of course. Yesterday I drove the van to my job and on the way home ran into a rain storm and guess what, it came off again, luckily on the street I live on. I've read about thousands of people with same problem with this type of van. I've owned the van since the beginning, loved it except for this problem, even bought a new 05 grand caravan because they are good vans. I just wish dodge would admit the 99 and similar years had a recall issue on this serpentine belt. Or why can't they tell us, the owners how to fix this problem?

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 Oct 1, 2003 · Engine · 26,215 miles · MO

When driving at 30 MPH and without warning, the serpentine belt disconnected from vehicle, which causing the vehicle to lose power steering and all other functions controlled by the belt.*ak. The consumer stated a new belt and tensioner was installed at 26,215 miles and less than 10,000 miles later the belt fell off again.

Filed Mar 7, 2003 · Steering · IN · crash · 2 injuries

Power steering failed, consumer loss control of vehicle which resulted in a collision and injuries. *ak