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.
I have been informed that the serpentine belt on Dodge Caravan have a tendency to come off in heavy rain and/or snow. It happened on our vehicle the other day when my wife was driving. She lost the ability to steer the vehicle and narrowly missed getting into an accident. Dodge is aware of this problem since they have issued a tech bulletin about it and have a kit that they feel will remedy the problem. However no re-call has been issued. I do not feel that I should be required to pay $150 to $200 to remedy this potentially dangerous defect.
The contact stated there have been numerous electrical problems which resulted in the dashboard panel lights flashing on and off while driving. She took the vehicle to a dealer for multiple attempts to correct this problem. Also, there was a leak within the roof, resulting in damage to the carpeting. There is a slashing sound within the roof compartment after a heavy rain. The carpet has been replaced five times, and the television was replaced once as a result of the leak.. updated 11/30/2005 - glazed serpentine belt caused grinding noise when turning. The left middle seat head rest came loose from the guide rod. The door sticks and the siding door makes noise when opening. The rear window rattles when opened. The fog lihjt are ionpertive. The horn spunded weak because the keyless entry remote needed to be reprogrammed. The tail light had moisture in it. The locking gas cap was hard to open. The rear tire had a slow leak.
Upon going through puddles of water the accessory belt, which drives the power steering pump, disengaged. This happened twice, causing the vehicle to lose power steering. Consumer contacted the dealer, who stated that this was a common problem.
While driving on the interstate in rainy weather serpentine belt got wet and came off. When this occurred there was no control of the vehicle, which included steering and brakes. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, who suggested that consumer contact NHTSA and complain. They did not provide any assistance for this defect.
- Cumming, GA, USA
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Tensioner assembly replaced 4 times within 12 month period. 3 of within 60 days. As a result the shaft and pulley on the power steering was bent requiring replacement. Dodge is aware of the issue and provided a part to hold the belt onto the tensioner. It did not work. The belt has been replaced 6 times under 70K miles. Mopar part warranties have been used, however, $100 deductibles for an extended warranty has been collected 3 separate times. Fortuneatly, to date, no injuries have occurred.
While driving at 45 mph serpentine broke. This is the fourth time such an occurance has happened with components related to this system. Each repair averages 250-300 dollars. This poses a risk to us as as a family as the vehicle fails without warning, in a highway this could prove disastrous.
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.
While driving 35 mph in the rain consumer noticed that check engine light came on. A few seconds later vehicle lost control, and consumer nearly had an accident. Vehicle was towed to a dealer, who found that the serpentine belt had slipped out of the pulleys.
I just found this web site. And never realized how many people have had the same problems. My first problem was when my 3 year old daughter drove my car on the neighbors lawn because you do not need to step on the brake to pull it out of gear. I then looked in the owner manual which stated it was equipped with that feature. I have contacted everyone I could and no one is willing to help or solve this problem. My next incident was when my serpentine belt broke which caused my power steering pump and pulley to break and had parts dangling. Thank goodness I was in my driveway. I have had my brakes done 3 times, and my latest problem was my heater core and there was water leaking inside my car. I wish someone could help I paid a lot of money for this car!
Serpentine belt slipped off of idler pulley. Belt wrapped around crankshaft pulley, which made the timing belt slip. Power steering failed, causing my 18 year old son to find a place to pull over. Engine failed due to timing out of sequence. Cost to repair: $460 for timing belt replacement. Belt failed a second time. Idler pulley was replaced for $260.
Year 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan - serpentine belt tensioner failed resulting in shredded belt and towing. Van had only approximately 47,500 miles. Repaired at Goodyear for approx. $200 (including new belt) who indicated this is a common problem such that the Dodge dealer had more than 15 in stock. Fortunately this occurred near a police station where my wife got assistance (since steering, etc. Had no power and not on the highway or rush hour traffic which would have been hazardous. I have also read other complaints from owners with this same issue.
Consumer states that the serpentine belt have broken and replace for the third time while driving, the problem is reoccurring for the fourth time. Dealer notified. Nlm
The 3/8 inch fastener that connects the serpentine belt tensioner failed. It appears to be a clean shear near the base of the bolt. This happened as the vehicle was being backed into a garage and nearly stopped. As a result of this failure, the power steering was rendered non-functional. It is my firm belief that if this failure had occured while moving, a serious accident would have resulted. The failed component has been replaced ans saved for any future evaluation of the failure mechanism. When this problem was reported to the dealer, indications were that this has happened several times in the recent past.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mountain Home, AR, USA