This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Once after hitting water puddle and then while driving in rain, belt slips off pulleys and steering loses power. Then battery dies quickly while flashers are on. Very dangerous on the side of the road in rain!
While my wife was pulling into a driveway she drove thru a small puddle and the water splashed up on the idler pulley and caused the belt to slip. This in turn caused the vehicle to lose power steering. She ended up in the yard instead of the driveway. I have been in quality since 1985 and I am currently a quality manager so I am really surprised with Chrysler' lack of concern with this design problem. I am really disappointed with Chrysler and the NHTSA for not doing something about this issue. Maybe it is time to let some of the national investigative tv shows know about the problem.
Several incidents of serpentine belt disengaged (slipped off pulleys) caused loss of steering and overheated engine. First time happened in car wash and three times driving through rain puddles.
After repeated serpentine belt replacement on 2000 T&C the belt has slipped off during a "minor" rain storm, the belt slipped off again and caused me to lose power steering and I crashed into another vehicle as well as a business. I contacted the dealer and they informed me that even though there have been repeated complaints about this problem, that because the NHTSA has not issued an "official" recall of this problem that there was nothing that could be done. What are my tax dollars being spent on?
After getting caught in an early evening's thunderstorm, I attempted a regular, right turn off us 34 toward our subdivision. Our 2000 Chrysler mini van lost power steering during the turn. I was unable to keep completely with in my lane. Thankfully, no one was in the opposing traffic lane. After regaining my composure, I deciding it was ok to "limp" home with the van, through the subdivision. I noticed a lot of the dash lights were triggered, which indicated to me that the alternator was no longer working for the final couple of blocks. This affected the brightness of the headlights and slowed the wiper speed. This also affected the air conditioner and that prevented the defogger from working properly. Once at home, I found that the serpentine belt had come off. In another moment of time, the belt's coming off might have easily have resulted in more disaster. Consulting the auto repair place, (which had replaced the same belt in June), I had the van towed in, where a new belt was installed. Nothing else was found amiss in the system. It was suggested that perhaps the rain or a particular puddle had the effect of causing the wet belt to slip off during the turn. And it was mentioned that they had seen similar "wet belt" issues from my van's manufacturer. Now I'm afraid to drive in the rain with the van for fear of it happening again with worse consequences.
- Aurora, IL, USA
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At least 6 times since owning a 2000 Chrysler Town and country, the serpentine belt has come off either in the rain or snow. Once causing property damage as I pulled off the road when the car overheated. It also caused the head gasket to fail. Gates has a correction kit for this. Chrysler should supply them on a one time basis T every owner. Failure of this design causes occupants to be put at risk in the most inclement weather conditions when you need the car to perform it's best. Additional there is loss of power steering, power brakes, and alternator.
I own a 2000 Chrysler Town and country with a 3.8 liter engine. I've had the serpentine belt fall off numerous times in the past starting at 95000 miles and then at 131000. I replaced the belt 3 times along with the tensioner and belt along with the water pump to try to eliminate this issue and it worked.... for a year.... it just had it happen again. After reading issues on the internet, this apparently is a common issue. Luckily when it happened, I was driving and was able to steer the vehicle without power steering. If it were my wife driving, the steering issue becomes a safety issue. I feel Chrysler should be held accountable for this safety related issue. I've not seen any recalls with regards to this issue.
During rain or snowmelt events, splashing water causes the serpentine belt on the engine slip from the engine idler pulleys. They are smooth and rounded in design, allowing water to slip beneath during operation resulting in the belt slipping from the pulleys. The steering on these vans is extremely inadequate without power assist, even while the vehicle is moving. Our belt has slipped off in the past, requiring belt replacement, but this recent event caused a loss of steering while the vehicle was in motion, resulting in a crash. No one in my family was seriously injured, but the valence at the front of the vehicle was damaged. After calling my local dmv to find out where to report this, and searching the internet about the problem, I find it unconscionable that Chrysler and the NHTSA have not acted on a solution sooner.
2000 Chrysler Town and country belt problems. The drive belt for the power steering slipped off while driving through a puddle. The dealer replaced the idler pulley but the belt has slipped off twice since then.
Update to the problem related to the serpentine belt of a 2000 Town and country.(ODI number: 770436 12/4/02). A fifth (5th) occurence occured on Jan 17, 2004. Still without resolution other than tow the van and put back the serpentine belt.
Up to 1999 model Town & Country, by chrystler, we under recall for a part in the steering column. My vehicle was produced in 1999, but was the 2000 model. Recently, I had to have the same part replaced in my vehicle that was under the recall from chrystler, but it is not covered. I feel that the same part should be covered regardless of the model year.
Vehicle leaf spring has weakened causing the rear of vehicle to sit at an angle. Problems with front wheels and brakes. The dealer was unable to repair the re-occurring problem with the front brakes, and the rotors. The front wheels and or brakes were squeaking again, which meant that new front brakes were needed again. (this was the fourth time the brakes were replaced) the consumer requested a full refund of the purchase price of the vehicle. Other problems are as followed: The left rear shock had blown and a bolt had broken on the right shock and were replaced, the brake light would come on when going around corners, the rear view mirror was loose along with the right side mirror(both readjusted), noise in the steering and was hard to steer at times, there was a metal sound in the front strut especially when the temperature was cold, and there was overheating so the all the parts of the cooling system were replaced.
All 4 incidents happened on a rainy day (spring 1X (wife driving and turning from a stop light 5-10 mph), fall 2X in one day(30-40mph), last incident 12/4/02 (30-40mph)). When belt slips off, power steering disabled, power brake disabled, alternator disabled, cooling system disabled, engine overheats, stalls when battery runs out. Local dealer (spirit Chrysler, lubbock) has no idea why the problem persist.
Steering makes a popping noise when turning in any direction or on certain road surfaces. Problem persists as long as vehicle is driven. Dealers area representative stated a new steering column was being made to correct the froblem. The steering column was replaced twice but the problem was not corrected.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Holts Summit, MO, USA