1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jan 27, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 140,000 miles · CA

I purchased vehicle used and found no problems with the vehicle with the exception of a squeaky serpentine belt. Put a little belt dressing on it and that was as far as the issue went. Then on a dark rainy night, went through a rain puddle-very slowly, and instantly, steering became very difficult. The worst part of this experience this night was trying to put belt back on pulleys, as you can imagine in the dark and no idea how to route it. Thank goodness there was a diagram in engine. With no knowledge that this was a very well known issue with these vehicles it was quite a surprise. After researching this online, and reading all of the consumer complaints I can't figure out what you people are waiting for!! Fatal accidents!! There has been more than enough info submitted and documented to warrant a recall and have the manufacturer take care of this. Oh-but guess what? Another company 'gates" has come up with a solution that apparently has had positive reviews. My order is in and I am awaiting my retrofitted tensioner belt component kit so that I will feel safe enough to be out on the roads and that I will not become a hazard to other drivers on the road with me. The federal government comes to the aid of a big company like chrysler (plymouth) even when it is more than obvious that they are building substandard cars. This is not a major repair, but it is certainly a problem that could very easily cause serious bodily injuries to many people from just one incident! It has now been fourteen years since this car was manufactured. How many years of complaints does it take to get someone to notice and take action? Is there someone above you that we have to beg, please help us! The little guys. Why should we have to beg, "please don't let my car be the one that is going to kill someone."make the ones responsible-be responsible! Thank you (I think).

Filed Nov 6, 2004 · Brakes · NC

Have had to replace brake discs four times in 2003. Brakes will smoke immediately after replacements while going down hill. I recently had the entire brake system replaced and still notice smoke and squeaking coming from the brakes. I feel that there is something very wrong with this. I have not found any recall on the matter...only other related complaints.

Filed Feb 14, 2004 · Engine · 78,000 miles · GA

Defective idler arm pulley alignment on 1998 plymoth grand voyager.I have had the idler arm replaced and pulley replaced and belt replaced 4 times since I have owned the car and the car makes a terrible squeaking noise. The belt has come off two times. I have many friends with similiar voyagers with the same problem.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission, Visibility · 58,000 miles · MO

The power window on the drivers side just became sluggish and finally went down and wouldn't come back up, a bracket was broken, the entire assembly had to be replaced. The transmission would not go into gear during very cold weather and it was not a consistent problem to begin with. When you put the car in drive the engine would rev but it would not move forward. Then finally after warming up a few minutes it would lurch forward and be fine. Finally this past week it began making a grinding noise in reverse and refused to go in reverse. The car was put into drive and the grinding noise continued. Just fyi when I contacted chrysler corporation about this problem, because I think a car should be able to make it to at least 100,000 miles before you start experiencing major problems, the customer assistance rep told me that I was unrealistic to expect my car to make it 100,000 miles. I find this amusing since this is the first car that I have owned that has had any major problems before 100,000 miles. My transmission mechanic also told me that he can only guarantee my repairs for 90 days because there are so many problems with the transmissions in these vehicles.

Filed May 20, 2003 · Engine · 20,000 miles · TX

We purchased our grand voyager with about 14,000 miles on it. It now has about 67,000 miles on it and we have been through approximately 6 serpentine belts and 4 belt tensioners. We have been through 1 belt per year at least since we bought the vehicle. The dealership never acknowledged that there was a defect in the engine that kept causing the belt to become mis-aligned, start squeaking, and eventually rip apart. The problem is more severe in hot weather and we have about 5 months of 90 degree weather where we are. Our own mechanic has started shimming the belt tensioner, which seems to prolong belt replacement time but does not solve the problem. He believes the problem is that the hole that was drilled to install the tensioner and/or pulley is drilled at the wrong angle or not lined up correctly. Our only consolation is that the squeaking gives us warning about the state of the belt.

Filed Feb 28, 2003 · Airbags, Brakes · 70,568 miles · AL

The brake system was defective, there were burn like smells, and noises, the clock spring was inoperative and caused other problems, and the squeaking serpentine belt had gone bad. Scc *jb

Filed Jun 2, 1999 · Brakes, Transmission · VA

Grinding noise originating while idling in gear and A/C on from engine carpartment problem submitted to the dealer twice, no solution available.