1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager: loss of power steering

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 Oct 3, 2010 · Engine, Steering · 102,000 miles · NY

We own a 1998 plymouth grand voyager with a 3.3 liter engine. On friday,october 1,2010, my wife drove slowly through a puddle and the serpentine belt came off causing a loss of power steering and other system powered by the serpentine belt. This has happened to her once before and from what I have read on the internet is a very common problem with these vehicles. My wife usually enjoys driving her van but now has lost all confidence in it. She states it's a very scary situation, not to mention dangerous. With all I have read it is almost impossible to believe there has not been a recall to have this very dangerous situation corrected.

Filed Jul 1, 2005 · Engine · 87,247 miles · OH

The serpentine belt comes off this vehicle, leading to a sudden loss of power steering. So far, this has happened while on the entrance ramp to a freeway, while driing in light city traffic, and while idling at a bank (prior to taking a highway trip which had to be cancelled). In all cases the driver was female and had great difficulty controlling the vehicle. In all cases this was during wet weather. After the second case, we had the deale install a guide plate that is supposed to keep the belt on, but it came off anyway. We have now learned that there appears to be a defect in the mounting bracket for the power steering pump, leading this part to bend under normal wear and tear such that the serpentine belt will jump off in wet weather. In our vehicle, there was another with the exact same problem in at the same time, and the replacement part was on backorder with 18 customers waiting. This clearly seems to be a design flaw as this vehicle is becoming notorious for this problem among mechanics, with several discussion theads to be found on the internet. It is only a matter of time before someone loses power steering at a critical time, thereby losing cotrol of the vehicle and leading to a fatal accident. Indeed, I would be surprsied if this hasn't already ahppened. A recall must be issued for this problem.

Filed May 10, 2005 · Body, Suspension · 40,000 miles · NY

Strut towers rusting out. Noticed this condition approx. 2 years ago when vehicle was less than 5 years old. Researching the problem, it seems many other plymouth voyager and dodge caravan owners have the same problem. Found tsb#23-044-02 which refers to this problem. Sudden failure of the strut tower could result in loss of steering and/or sudden stopping force applied on one side of vehicle as a tire impacts a wheel well.

Filed Apr 25, 2002 · Suspension · GA

Noticed noise right fnt when turning full right. Found right front bracket on strut for stabilizer bar broken in half and bar hanging loose. Had to replace both struts and align wheels. Could have caused loss of steering or breaking if not noticed.

Filed Nov 25, 2001 · Engine · AL

I was traveling at about 60 MPH on interstate 85 north in atlanta, ga when I heard a loud bumping noise under the vehicle. I looked in the rear view miror and saw somthing rolling on the road. I lost power steering and the vehicle was very difficult to control. I managed to get to safe spot off the road and looking under the hood I discovered my water pump pulley was off and laying on the splash pan. The serpentine belt tensioner pulley had also fallen off and was what I had seen rolling in the road. I had the vehicle towed to a five star chrysler dealership in stone mountain, ga where the maintenance supervisor said it just wore out and he had seen them fall off in less mileage than mine had. I complained that it was a manufactures defect and should not have just sudenly fallen off with no warning. I was left with no choice but to have it repaired. They charged me just under $400.00 to replace the water pump and put a new tensioner pulley on it. Towing cost me $85.00 and a rental vehicle $79.00. The dealer maintenance supervisor even had the nerve to ask me if I wanted to get a 60000 mile check up while they were working on it. I told him no thanks the vehicle never made it to 60000 miles. I have not complained to chrysler because I felt I would get the same cold treatment that I got from the dealership in stone mountain where I was stranded over 100 miles away from home. I once thought chrysler made good quality vehicles but no more.

Filed Apr 7, 2000 · Engine, Steering · NC

This is the second time this has happened. The first time was 2 months after purchase. An exceptional amount of rain had fallen and many roads had standing water on them. While negotiating one spot (approx. 6-12 in) all power steering ability was lost. Assuming the belt was wet continued to drive until warning light and signal showed overheating. Discovered that serpentine belt had fallen off. Dealer replaced and informed that incident had been reported to plymouth. Today same problem. Attempting to negotiate several instances of water, less than 25mph and suddenyl, no power steering. Personally reported to plymouth and was informed that they had not heard any instances of this failure. Questioned dealer and was informed that they had seen it happen several times. Initial problem: tension pully has no edge to hold belt on if water gets between pulley and belt. Pulley is also smooth which causes belt to slip. Result: loss of power steering, loss of charging to battery, loss of power to drive headlights/wipers/air conditioning. Dangerous result: loss of control/visibility. Solution(?): replace smooth pulley with one that has edges and put grooves of some sort on the pulley to allow water to be sheeted off if it comes between the pulley and the belt.

Filed Sep 13, 1999 · Electrical, Engine · NY

The vehicle is experiencing a loss of power steering,A/C,and the electrical system.also, engine belt needs to be replaced. Dealer has replaced engine belt 3 times. The problem has happened 5 times.