2000 Dodge Grand Caravan: loss of power steering

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 Oct 11, 2012 · Steering · 100,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH in rainy weather, the power steering failed and the temperature warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that he had a difficult time steering the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.

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 Oct 15, 2008 · Steering · 100,100 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Power steering failed, then brakes. Serpentine belt wet from rain caused power steering & brakes to fail resulting in vehicle flipping on its side on I-75. Service dept said that the power steering, etc was designed to shut down when belt got wet. This was a normal rain. Vehicle was not in high water. Vehicle was ultimately totaled.

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 Feb 5, 2008 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 dodge grand caravan. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the serpentine belt detached without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and the serpentine belt was replaced. Months later, while driving through a small puddle of water, the serpentine belt failed again. In addition, the battery warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel and the power steering failed. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and they repaired the motor mount for the serpentine belt and installed a disc to hold the belt in place. After the repair was made, the serpentine belt would continue to detach without warning. The failure usually occurred in rainy conditions. The manufacturer has been unable to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 131,000. Updated 02-19-08 *bf updated 02/19/08

Filed Dec 12, 2007 · Engine · 95,000 miles · KY

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 dodge grand caravan. While driving 70 MPH, the contact experienced a loss of steering and the instrument panel lights illuminated. He looked under the hood and discovered that the serpentine belt was detached. The contact re-attached the serpentine belt. The dealer was notified. The current mileage was 96,000 and failure mileage was 95,000.

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 Nov 28, 2006 · Engine · 72,000 miles · OR

Serpentine belt slips off tensioner pulley in wet conditions. Total power steering failure and vehicle is extremely difficult to control.