1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager: loss of power steering

Filed Feb 12, 2011 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 230,000 miles · DC

Van was bought privately in summer of 2008. During the first road trip with the voyager, the transmission went and was replaced with a rebuild transmission. In september of that same year, fuel pump and battery had to be replaced. Two months later, head gasket blew, was repaired but damage to engine was unknown. In winter of 2008, repeated problems with oil & brake fluid leaking out from calipers. Brakes always needed some type of work: pads, drums, bearings, calipers. In 2009, water pump had to be replaced, yet van still felt hotter then what it read. Exhaust started coming through the passenger side vents .it was repaired, but started again. Found hoses getting holes burnt through, and needed to be repaired. In 2010, replaced headlights, but night time illumination was still poor, even with high beams on. Battery needed to be jump started more & more, and an excessive amount of battery acid had to be removed from a terminal. The battery actually looked like it had been burnt. More leaks found caused by holes through hoses. Yet again, the water pump had to be replaced in july. Then in october 2010, things got very scary, the serpentine belt fell off for the first time while driving about 10km, while turning up into the driveway. I couldn't complete the turn due to the loss of power steering and was almost hit head on by oncoming traffic. The belt was put back on. 2 days later the belt fell off again, & again. Mechanic replaced belt and parts, drove around like crazy & thought problem was fixed. 6 weeks after, serpentine belt falls off again while driving at night, during a snow storm, on a canadian rocky mtn highway, with full electrical shut down of van, limited cell phone service, and our 4 small children. This incident was extremely unsafe, dangerous, scary, and expensive! 3 weeks later, head gasket blows again, and the van is done.

Filed Oct 4, 2010 · Engine, Steering · 95,230 miles · MA

While driving our 1999 plymouth grand voyager during a rain storm the vehicle lost power steering and began to overheat. The cause was found to be that the serpentine belt had slipped off of the pulley. Belt was replaced and vehicle was driven home. This is not the first occurrence of this failure.

Filed Mar 2, 2009 · Steering · 116,000 miles · MI

Serpentine belt fell off after driving through large hidden puddle. Lost power steering and had close call negotiating around immediate curve ahead. Installed aftermarket gates kit designed to prevent belt slipping off.

Filed Dec 29, 2008 · Steering · 152,000 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 plymouth grand voyager. While driving approximately 35 MPH in rainy weather conditions, the power steering failed. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and roadside assistance was called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and the serpentine belt was replaced. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer again for the same failure. Currently, the vehicle is in the process of being repaired. The failure mileage was 152,000 and current mileage was 155,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2008 · Steering · 115,000 miles · OH

Safety hazard!!! Serpentine belt comes repeatedly off of our 1999 plymouth grand voyager... When driving in rain, snow or standing water. This results in the loss of steering, engine cooling and electrical charging. In researching this problem, it turns out that this is a known defect. It is very possible this has resulted in previous injuries or deaths, but that this was not known because after crashes have occurred, it would not be known that the belt had slipped off of the pulleys prior to the crashes occurring. Turns out this is such a common problem that 2 companies have actually produced kits to fix the problem, gates and goodyear. The gates part # is 38342k, and it is for 1996-2000 chrysler mini-vans with 3.0 liter engines. The websight http://www.dodgeforum.com/archive/threads/serpentine-belt-591826-1.html shows several examples of owners that have experienced this same issue. There are various sights throughout the internet that describe this similar situation. When someone drives through even a small puddle or a small snowdrift, the serpentine belt is highly prone to slip off... Causing the lack of steering. Since many of these vans are owned by people like my family, who have small children who could either be injured or killed by such instances... I believe it is highly important chrysler order a safety driven recall on these vehicles to install the gates or goodyear fix kits.

Filed Jul 23, 2008 · Engine, Steering · 115,000 miles · OH

Serpentine belt has repeatedly fallen off of our 1999 plymouth grand voyager. This condition has occurred driving through very small standing water and/or a snow drift. The belt has come off 5 times in the last 6 months, causing the loss of control and loss of power steering, alternator drive and cooling system. This has left my wife and 3 small children stranded several times. Upon researching this problem, this is a known design flaw with the van. In fact, there are several web sights that I found where dozens of owners have complained about the same problem. Both gates and goodyear have even designed kits to prevent the problem from recurring, that is how common this problem is. This is not only a major design flaw, but it is potentially a huge safety hazard, as all power accessories driven by the serpentine belt including the power steering - potentially resulting in loss of control, cooling - potentially causing a fire, and the alternator - resulting in the eventual drain of the electric power. Chrysler has a technical service bulletin on the issue, and even has a fix, but in reviewing the web sights the chrysler fix does not work. Only the gates and goodyear fixes work. Chrysler should be forced to recall these vehicles and put the gates and goodyear kits on these products in the name of safety, before someone is killed as a result of losing there steering.

Filed Jun 7, 2002 · Steering · KS

While pulling into the parking lot vehicle lost steering control. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop and consumer was informed that rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. *ak

Filed Jan 3, 2002 · Engine · FL

Serpentine belt keeps falling off whenever vehicle goes through any water. When this happens there is no steering. Consumer feels this could easily cause an accident. *ak

Filed Sep 20, 2001 · Engine · OH

The serpentine belt and tensioner failed while driving in the rain, the driver hit a puddle on the right side of the van and the belt popped off resulting in loss of power steering, the consumer believes the belt should have been replaced under warrenty and the consumer is requesting reimbursement for the repairs. Nlm

Filed Aug 8, 2001 · Steering, Transmission · TX

While driving transmission failed to switch from 1st gear. Engine check light came on, and power steering stopped working. Contacted dealer,and dealer installed output speed sensor.