2000 Dodge Grand Caravan: transmission slipping

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 Mar 3, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 207,000 miles · CA

Significant risk ? Complete loss of control due to poor design (unresolved manufacturer known issue): during a moderate rain storm, the serpentine belt once again slipped off the pulleys, which disabled power steering, causing a complete loss of control of the vehicle as it was accelerating from a stop (my wife was unable to fight the weight of the vehicle). Luckily, the vehicle had just left a stoplight and had only attained about 20 - 25 MPH. The vehicle was stopped before hitting anyone or anything in a very crowded pedestrian area of downtown san diego's historic gaslamp quarter. Given the reduced visibility from the rain and nighttime city illumination, it?s amazing this did not result in pedestrian injuries or even deaths or damage to waiting taxis or parked cars. This is the second time this has happened to this vehicle in the rain, but the first in which total loss of control occurred. The first instance also occurred at night, in the rain, while waiting in heavy airport terminal traffic. Numerous reports of dodge grand caravan serpentine belts slipping off in the rain can be found online in dodge forums. A technical bulletin was issued for prior model years but does not include the 2000 model year. Also of note, after the vehicle stopped it began to overheat as the water pump was also disabled by the loss of the serpentine belt.

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Engine · 62,000 miles · NY

Serpentine belt keeps sliding off during slight moisture, whether raining, drizzling or splashing up water. Steering and brake failure multiple times. Had to use ford wheel that has a "lip" on it to keep belt from slipping any more.

Filed Jun 25, 2007 · Engine · TX

2000 dodge grand caravan serpentine belt keeps squealing, breaking, slipping off, and shredding. For over a year now we have problems with this belt that have baffled the mechanics. Fortunately, no one has been injured, but we have been stranded twice requiring a tow, and h had the van in the shop at least 6 times over this problem which is still unresolved.*ak after a quick search, it seems to be a huge problem that many owners are experiencing. Many 'fixes' are out there, but perhaps the best, most reliable is to have the mechanic install an 'after market' kit with special pulleys and belt for around $200. I will probably have this done as we can't keep rolling the dice with the family vehicle.

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 Dec 27, 2003 · Engine · 57,000 miles · MN

Serpentine belt keeps slipping off the main drive.. Have had into the shop 4times for same problem. Dealer said it is a moisture/snow hitting the belt off.

Filed Nov 17, 2003 · Transmission · 4,580 miles · IL

Hi, my name is [xxx], I live in bradley, il. In june of 2000, my husband and I purchased a 2000 dodge grand caravan from, taylor dodge in kankakee, il. On october 20, 2000 with only 4500 miles on it the van began slipping into neutral while driving. This van has been in over and over to that shop. I have been with out my van on a regular basis, with out resolution. The owner of the dealership, [xxx], was in the van - in his shop and the van dropped into neutral when he put it into drive. (not moving). After many visits of we cannot duplicate the problem, the chrysler corp was contacted by dodge. A return fax to the prior service manager [xxx] , told them not to do anything until the problem is duplicated. I have talked to [xxx] asking him to replace this van, of course he cannot do that. I have emailed dodge corp asking them to fix or replace as this is a safety issue. A couple of weeks ago they replaced the transmission, within 2 weeks the van was doing this again. I called and was told they would get back with me. I had to call them back. The resolution this time was bring it in will take it for a drive. Which of course I did, of course in a 10 minute drive it did not do this. The bottom line is, I cannot manipulate the van to do this and when you are driving 45 miles pr hour and the van drops into neutral it is a safety issue. We have had many close calls with this van in being rear end. I have put large size lemons in my windows and pained on the van, 3 years and dodge cannot find problem, I have only 35,000.00 miles and have had problems since 4500, I purchased the extended warranty about 15 months ago due to these issues. Today dodge tells me that until a certified service person, experiences the problem first hand, nothing will be done. I asked [xxx] (service manager, does that mean someone has to die in this van before it is fixed, he stated they have made an honest effort to try and fix the van -that is all they can do.) *la information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (

Filed Jan 23, 2002 · Transmission · VA

The transmission has been repaired twice. The first incident was at 32,716 miles. The symptoms at this time was a transmission slippage when at idle (and a grinding noise) and a hesitation to go into reverse. The transmission was rebuilt at the dealership (seals replace). After driving approximately 200 miles continuously the transmission suddenly failed with no prior warning while driving 65 MPH. We were barely able to pull off the highway in heavy traffic. The transmission has been replaced with a new one. How can a vehicle go through 2 transmissions in 33,000 miles? I had my family (including 2 children under age 2) in the car during this. We went from 65 MPH in heavy traffic in the middle lane to 20 MPH in less than a 30 seconds with the RPM's redlined. We were lucky not to have been in an accident.