2000 Dodge Grand Caravan: sudden loss of power

Filed Feb 28, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 290,000 miles · AK

The serpentine belt on 96-2000 chrysler minivans slipping off is a known issue and has been for years. Time and time again chrysler has refused to issue a recall for it. It is due to a manufacturing defect in one of the engine mounts causing a pulley misalignment. The belt slipping off causes loss of power steering, water pump, and alternator. The power steering loss can cause a driver to not be able to correct in time and cause an accident. The loss of the water pump can cause overheating resulting in engine damage. The loss of the alternator can cause the car to eventually stop running when the battery is drained, causing motorists to be stranded. I live in alaska and I'm not always in cellular signal when driving and temperatures in the winter get down to -30 f at times. I can't wait sometimes several hours for a tow truck to get to me without risking hypothermia at those temperatures. This needs to be made into a recall so it can get fixed.

Filed Dec 7, 2012 · Engine, Steering · KY

The serpentine belt on my 2000 dodge grand caravan comes off everytime that it rains. I lose power steering which makes it nearly impossible to drive and the temp gauge jumps all the way up.

Filed Jan 5, 2012 · Engine · 126,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH in wet weather she suddenly loss power steering, and heat malfunctioned. The mechanic was contacted, diagnosed the failure at the scene and advised her that the serpentine belt came off and needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

Filed Jan 21, 2010 · Engine · 50 miles · CA

I have at 2000 dodge grand caravan. The serpentine belt has fallen off twice while I am driving in rain. This latest time, a vehicle coming in the opposite direction went through standing water, splashed my van and caused the belt to come off immediately. I lost power steering with cars behind me and turning a corner. My young son was with me in the van at the time. This is very, very dangerous. It is a known problem. My shop is very good, they know about the problem and try to do everything to help prevent it. Shields are in place, but are no help.

Filed Sep 13, 2009 · Fuel system · 151,000 miles · GA · fire

2000 dodge grand caravan se. Today, 13 sep 09, while I was driving home from work on my normal route, I suddenly lost power and had to pull over. There was smoke coming out of the back of the van and underneath, and a very strong smell of gasoline. I put my flashers on and came to a stop off the side of the road. I looked in the side view mirror and there was smoke and flames coming from underneath the van. I immediately got out and called 911. A man who pulled over to help me tried to put out the flames, but he said there was a flaming puddle under the van and a line of fire coming down from the undercarriage and he said it was a broken fuel line. The van is a total and complete loss and is now a burned out shell. Had I not been able to get out and away from the vehicle in time, I could have been killed. This is not the first time I have seen a dodge vehicle catch fire and burn to the ground from a fuel line failure.

Filed Mar 4, 2008 · Engine · 84,000 miles · CT

Drive belt jumping off while driving through a puddle. Loss of power steering and over heating of engine.

Filed Mar 9, 2007 · Engine · 54,000 miles · AZ

2000 dodge grand caravan sport with the 3.3l engine has lost its serpentine belt in rain. This results in immediate loss of power steering and leads to serious overheating. This is a known problem that has been experienced by many owners for many years.

Filed Feb 22, 2007 · Engine · 104,017 miles · PA

I was driving down 422 away from 76. I was just about to turn off on to trooper road in norristown when I heard a clicking noise. I then turned the radio off and it was pretty loud. It got louder the more I pushed onto the gas pedal, and stopped when I took my foot off. It was slightly uphill for a few hundred feet and I knew if I just made it to the top and hoped for 2 green lights I may be safe. I started going up and made it to the second green light (thank god) but my engine just cut off and I lost power steering and breaks. I had to force my car to turn and almost didn't make the turn in time. I then had to coast 1/4 mile to get off the road to pull into a parking lot where my car sat until it was towed. This was all in the middle of a snow storm, where I was later plowed in and had to dig my way out of 3 feet of snow to get it towed. It went to the shop where I was told the timing chain broke. Luckily nothing bad happened out of the whole thing, but it could have been much worse.

Filed Jan 13, 2007 · Engine · 72,500 miles · TX

Serpentine belt is thrown when van is driven in wet conditions. Causes loss of power steering and cooling systems. Van is very difficult to control and must be towed to repair facility. Thrown 3 times in last six months with 2 occurrences being in past 3 weeks.

Filed Oct 18, 2006 · Engine · 70,000 miles · KY

I have a 2000 dodge grand caravan, 3.0 l engine. I have been experiencing the belt slipping off the tensioner during wet weather. The first time we hit a small (1 - 2" deep) puddle of water when turning a corner. We immediately lost power steering. I contacted my local, independent mechanic, who told me this is an on-going problem with 1996 - 2000 caravans. He even went so far as to print out a service bulletin detailing the problem. The second time it happened was less than two weeks later, hit a small puddle of water on a rainy day, lost power steering again. Luckily, I was going slowly both times, but worry about a serious situation of going at highway speeds. I have contacted the dealership, who acknowledge that they have heard of such a problem, but there is no service announcement from dodge/chrysler, and no "fix" - only to replace belts and tensioners. I then researched through internet, found situation as stated by first (independent) mechanic listed on multiple websites by many owners. Chrysler is avoiding acknowledging the problem, yet 2 aftermarket parts companies have developed parts to fix this issue. Both gates and goodyear acknowledge a safety issue, so I believe chrysler/dodge should have to ensure the safety of their vehicles. These are mini-vans. Sold primarily to families. So, the typical scenario is a mother with kids stranded in the rain. I now fear driving my van in the rain, and am petrified of driving highway speeds in the rain.

Filed Mar 2, 2005 · Engine · CA

Upon going through puddles of water the accessory belt, which drives the power steering pump, disengaged. This happened twice, causing the vehicle to lose power steering. Consumer contacted the dealer, who stated that this was a common problem.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Engine · VA · fire

While driving, vehicle lost power and then caught on fire in the engine compartment, claim 46-0518-766.