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.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving the vehicle on several occasions, the serpentine belt detached from the drive pulley. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was able to place the serpentine belt back on the drive pulley. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred several times only while it was raining. The contact also stated that the clock spring in the steering wheel failed, which caused the horn to fail and the front driver's air bag to become inoperable. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V480000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,425.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at various speeds through any amount of water, the serpentine belt slips off. The vehicle loses power steering and brakes. The dealer stated that they were aware of the failure, but would not provide a free remedy since there was no recall. The contact filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 160,000.
Serpentine belt keeps falling off whenever the vehicle goes through a puddle, rendering the power steering useless, engine overheats, alternator stops. 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3L with ac, 132,000 mi, serpentine belt, tensioner, and water pump replaced; the belt slipped off once per week for three weeks, each time during a heavy rain 3/4/2008, 3/27/2008, 2/28/2008.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 25 mph in the rain or through a puddle, the serpentine belt detaches. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they replaced the serpentine belt twice; however, they were unable to determine why the failure occurs only when it rains. The manufacturer advised the contact to call NHTSA. The current mileage was 90,625 and failure mileage was 85,000. Updated 03/11/08.
- Cedarburge, WI, USA
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The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving approximately 25 mph, the serpentine belt detached without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and the serpentine belt was replaced. Months later, while driving through a small puddle of water, the serpentine belt failed again. In addition, the battery warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel and the power steering failed. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and they repaired the motor mount for the serpentine belt and installed a disc to hold the belt in place. After the repair was made, the serpentine belt would continue to detach without warning. The failure usually occurred in rainy conditions. The manufacturer has been unable to correct the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 131,000. Updated 02-19-08 updated 02/19/08
This has happened 2 times in the last year. Hit a small puddle of water while making a right hand turn. Water sprayed up on the serpentine belt which threw the belt off of the idler pulley and tensioner pulley. Both times we were making a right hand turn... which made it very dangerous because we loss the power steering. The first time was with my wife driving...which would be very hard to control for a lady... the second time I was driving, which was better... but still very dangerous. I am planning on purchasing the Goodyear replacement kit that has been mentioned on several websites and this website. DaimlerChrysler should be recalling all these vans and replacing all the pulleys with these safer kits.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 70 mph, the contact experienced a loss of steering and the instrument panel lights illuminated. He looked under the hood and discovered that the serpentine belt was detached. The contact re-attached the serpentine belt. The dealer was notified. The current mileage was 96,000 and failure mileage was 95,000.
I filed a complaint on 28 Aug 2007 regarding my vehicle and the serpentine belt issue. I had to have my vehicle towed and it is going to cost approx. $500 to repair the vehicle for the 7th time. I have found the answer to the problem that 30+ folks on this site alone are having. #1 the belt is smooth on one side and grooved on the other side so when oil, rain etc. Touches the belt, it slips off. What I found it that there is a drain hose that sits on the left side of the belt when the water from rain comes through the drain from the windshield into this hose, and drips right on top of the belt causing it to be faulty. The hose has to be directed into a different place. I also found that G. auto makes a kit that comes with the belt, tensioner and all accessories to fix the problem permanantly. The difference is that the hose and the tensioner is grooved to provide no slippage. I have spoken to 2 auto dealers that have advised me that they have had numerous problems with this issue including a shop in Tennessee that said that they have worked on 15 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan in the last 2 months with an average of 4-8 belts being lost and having to be replaced for each van from 2000. There is nowhere to complain, so you would not be aware of the severity of this issue with out checking inventories. I have been told by Dodge dealers that they know about the kits and the problem and I have contacted Dodge corporation but as you and I know, a recall will cost them millions of dollars. What about the lives that may have or might be lost when you are driving and the steering goes out. This should be taken seriously. The issue is that folks bought these cars in good faith and they have paid hundreds and maybe thousand out of their own pockets that they should never have had to if this problem was taken care of in the beginning. The consumer provided emails corresponding with the manufacturer. Updated 09/23/07
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan serpentine belt keeps squealing, breaking, slipping off, and shredding. For over a year now we have problems with this belt that have baffled the mechanics. Fortunately, no one has been injured, but we have been stranded twice requiring a tow, and H had the van in the shop at least 6 times over this problem which is still unresolved. After a quick search, it seems to be a huge problem that many owners are experiencing. Many 'fixes' are out there, but perhaps the best, most reliable is to have the mechanic install an 'after market' kit with special pulleys and belt for around $200. I will probably have this done as we can't keep rolling the dice with the family vehicle.
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan sport with the 3.3L engine has lost its serpentine belt in rain. This results in immediate loss of power steering and leads to serious overheating. This is a known problem that has been experienced by many owners for many years.
I was driving down 422 away from 76. I was just about to turn off on to trooper road in norristown when I heard a clicking noise. I then turned the radio off and it was pretty loud. It got louder the more I pushed onto the gas pedal, and stopped when I took my foot off. It was slightly uphill for a few hundred feet and I knew if I just made it to the top and hoped for 2 green lights I may be safe. I started going up and made it to the second green light (thank god) but my engine just cut off and I lost power steering and breaks. I had to force my car to turn and almost didn't make the turn in time. I then had to coast 1/4 mile to get off the road to pull into a parking lot where my car sat until it was towed. This was all in the middle of a snow storm, where I was later plowed in and had to dig my way out of 3 feet of snow to get it towed. It went to the shop where I was told the timing chain broke. Luckily nothing bad happened out of the whole thing, but it could have been much worse.
I have replaced the serpentine belt and pulley/tensioner assembly on my 2000 Grand Caravan 4 times in the last 3 years. The design is flawed and must be fixed by Dodge. I have used both Dodge replacement and Napa replacement parts to no avail. I can not trust this vehicle for a long distance which is what I bought a van for.
Serpentine belt is thrown when van is driven in wet conditions. Causes loss of power steering and cooling systems. Van is very difficult to control and must be towed to repair facility. Thrown 3 times in last six months with 2 occurrences being in past 3 weeks.
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan - serpentine belt slips off in the rain causing steering and electrical system to quit functioning. This is very very dangerous and happened last time in a van full of kids. Chrysler has "fixed" this problem over 7 times in the last 2 years. Today is the 8th time it is getting fixed yet again. Brazil recalled all their vans between 1996 and 2000 for this very problem - why isn't the car being recalled in the us?
Serpentine belt has come off my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan 4 times. First time, I hit a pocket of water on a small highway in a construction area. Drove vehicle to a safer location, left my wife and 3 kids on the side of the road at night while I walked a mile home in the rain to get my Ford Ranger to load all 5 of us in to get home safely. Had it towed to a repair shop who replaced the belt tensioner and belt. Second time, about a year later, my wife hit water which also knocked the belt off and stranded her and my 3 children 15 miles from home. Brother in law was able to come and spent an hour of gut wrenching labor to put the belt back on. Third time, a month later it came off again shredding the belt and leaving my wife stranded by herself after dropping my kids off for school. I had it towed to a reputable repair shop who said it needed another belt tensioner and assured me the Napa product would perform better than the previous one. He tried to see if a kit was available for our large 6 cylinder engine but could not find one. Fourth time, one month later as my wife was driving 2 of my children to school in the rain, the belt came off again but this time she didn't hit any water. Had it towed back to the repair shop. They checked all componets connected to the serpentine belt and tried for 30 minutes to duplicate the problem by pouring water over the belt, etc. With no success. Owner says he doesn't know what is causing this problem even though he is aware that this is a common problem for Dodge vans. Question: If this is such a wide spread problem as shown by all the complaints for the same problem on this website why has there not been a recall to correct whatever is causing this problem? answer: Because it will cost Dodge/ Chrysler too much money. Solution: Unless you can only drive a Dodge van on warm sunny days don't bother buying a Dodge van. Especially if you value your family's safety.
This is the third time in a year that the serpentine belt has shredded and/or fell off. I replaced the tensioner the second time. It looks as if the pulleys are not aligned with the tensioner so the belt eventually rides off the edge of the tensioner. All times it was not raining or snow like some of the other complaints I have researched on the web. Dodge Grand Caravan with 107,000 miles. 3.8L with A/C.
I have a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3.0 L engine. I have been experiencing the belt slipping off the tensioner during wet weather. The first time we hit a small (1 - 2" deep) puddle of water when turning a corner. We immediately lost power steering. I contacted my local, independent mechanic, who told me this is an on-going problem with 1996 - 2000 Caravan. He even went so far as to print out a service bulletin detailing the problem. The second time it happened was less than two weeks later, hit a small puddle of water on a rainy day, lost power steering again. Luckily, I was going slowly both times, but worry about a serious situation of going at highway speeds. I have contacted the dealership, who acknowledge that they have heard of such a problem, but there is no service announcement from Dodge/Chrysler, and no "fix" - only to replace belts and tensioners. I then researched through internet, found situation as stated by first (independent) mechanic listed on multiple websites by many owners. Chrysler is avoiding acknowledging the problem, yet 2 aftermarket parts companies have developed parts to fix this issue. Both gates and Goodyear acknowledge a safety issue, so I believe Chrysler/Dodge should have to ensure the safety of their vehicles. These are mini-vans. Sold primarily to families. So, the typical scenario is a mother with kids stranded in the rain. I now fear driving my van in the rain, and am petrified of driving highway speeds in the rain.
Serpentine belt has come off during highway speeds twice on this vehicle. Appears the tensioner pulley design is not robust. Second time the engine overheated destroying 2 cylinders and the head stranding my wife and 5 boys on the interstate. The resulting failure modes could have very serious consequences - recommend improvement to the design by recall.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Everett, WA, USA