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.
Significant risk ? complete loss of control due to poor design (unresolved manufacturer known issue): During a moderate rain storm, the serpentine belt once again slipped off the pulleys, which disabled power steering, causing a complete loss of control of the vehicle as it was accelerating from a stop (my wife was unable to fight the weight of the vehicle). Luckily, the vehicle had just left a stoplight and had only attained about 20 - 25 mph. The vehicle was stopped before hitting anyone or anything in a very crowded pedestrian area of downtown san diego's historic gaslamp quarter. Given the reduced visibility from the rain and nighttime city illumination, it?S amazing this did not result in pedestrian injuries or even deaths or damage to waiting taxis or parked cars. This is the second time this has happened to this vehicle in the rain, but the first in which total loss of control occurred. The first instance also occurred at night, in the rain, while waiting in heavy airport terminal traffic. Numerous reports of Dodge Grand Caravan serpentine belts slipping off in the rain can be found online in Dodge forums. A technical bulletin was issued for prior model years but does not include the 2000 model year. Also of note, after the vehicle stopped it began to overheat as the water pump was also disabled by the loss of the serpentine belt.
The serpentine belt comes off whenever it rains. I have had the belt, harmonic balancer and the tensioner arm (2 X's) replaced but it still comes off in the rain. I have since found out that this is a very common problem with this car. This is dangerous. I lost control of the car momentarily each time and had near accidents. Luckily I was strong enough to steer the car off the road. But a small woman would probably not be able to. This should be a recall not something the owner should have to pay for.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the engine serpentine belt failed. The serpentine belt detached each time a water puddle was driven over. The failure was experienced several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that a shield be placed over the serpentine belt. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer installed the shield cover over the serpentine belt. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph in wet weather she suddenly loss power steering, and heat malfunctioned. The mechanic was contacted, diagnosed the failure at the scene and advised her that the serpentine belt came off and needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
While driving on a slushy city street the serpentine belt came off and I was unable to steer the car. I was stranded and blocking traffic. I had it towed and they put the belt back on. The second time it happened was during a severe thunderstorm when I drove through a puddle of water the serpentine belt again came off. This happened just as I was pulling on to the highway and I was barely able to turn the steering wheel to pull car over on to shoulder. Thankfully, there wasn't a semi coming or it could have been deadly. I was just informed there is a fix by gates for this and will be having it installed.
- Dubuque, IA, USA
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Over the past 5 years, the serpentine belt continuously slips off on my vehicle. When replacing the belt, it was noticed that the tension pulley appeared to be bent. Replaced tension pulley and ensure all pulleys lined up. New belt placed on, but when starting the vehicle, it immediately begins to slip off again. Over the past 3 years alone, have replaced upwards of 5 serpentine belts and the tension pulley on my vehicle.
Driving on a rainy day. Went through a puddle and immediately lost my power steering. Managed to get van into nearby parking lot to find my serpentine belt hanging from underneath the engine. Had vehicle towed and belt replaced.
My 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan's serpentine belt comes off the pulleys every time I drive the vehicle in the rain. We have replaced the tensioner, tensioner pulley and the belt and still have the same problem. I have researched this problem online and found several other Dodge owners with the same problem. There has been a after market kit made to resolve the problem with the pulley, but this is at the owners expense. I feel Dodge needs to take full responsibility for this malfunction. I have filed a complaint with Dodge regarding this matter. This is very dangerous, I loose power steering and electrical functions on the vehicle when this happens.
I have at 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The serpentine belt has fallen off twice while I am driving in rain. This latest time, a vehicle coming in the opposite direction went through standing water, splashed my van and caused the belt to come off immediately. I lost power steering with cars behind me and turning a corner. My young son was with me in the van at the time. This is very, very dangerous. It is a known problem. My shop is very good, they know about the problem and try to do everything to help prevent it. Shields are in place, but are no help.
While traveling this past winter a snow plow ran me into a pile of snow in the middle of the road. Immediately after this happened the serpentine belt slipped off. After having this problem fixed the serpentine belt then slipped off several more times before I found a part called a pulley bracket to put on because there is no cover on the serpentine belt to prevent this problem.
I was driving my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan to run to the store. While driving people were jumping up and down waving. After seeing the third or fourth person I realized something must be wrong. I rolled down window and they were screaming your van is on fire. The fire department was called and fire investigator present stated I was extremely lucky one more push on the gas could of blown my van up. He stated engine malfunction was the cause of the fire.
Serpentine belt keeps sliding off during slight moisture, whether raining, drizzling or splashing up water. Steering and brake failure multiple times. Had to use Ford wheel that has a "lip" on it to keep belt from slipping any more.
My Dodge 2000 Grand Caravan serpentine belt can come off the drive when the vehicle is driven into a deep puddle of water or through a snow bank. And when the belt comes off, I lost the control to the vehicle because the belt drives the power steering pump. It is the serious safety issue obviously. Please check the web site: www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_30931.html to see how many complains. Many people reported this problem to you. But so far no action from you has been taken. Dodge also keep ignoring the complain. Are you blind or deaf?
We purchased new a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. Within 2 years while I was driving not knowing what was going on the steering on the car went out with no warning and I almost hit a tree. I found that it was the serpentine belt. From that point on I have almost had 2 additional accidents because the belt either was chewed up or came off. My husband felt the experience yesterday when the steering went out. This will be the 6th belt problem that we have had with this vehicle. I have contacted Dodge but to no avail. What happens when the belt goes and you are traveling 60-70mph and you have no control of this car. Is there anything that we can do? I have not complained because Dodge says that there is nothing they can do. They have admitted ti me that there are problems with the serpentine belts. I did not even know you existed otherwise you would have heard from me long ago and we may have saved a lot of money time and luckily no lives have been lost to this point. Thank you.
My 2000 Grand Caravan (87000), has the dash board crack on the drivers side, from the windshield to the speaker grille, (and traveling). This is a common problem with Chrysler vehicles due to news reports recently. Chrysler should address this problem before people get hurt ect.. I have replaced the evaporater, A/C compressor, & belt $2300. The transmission is shifting badly and today check engine light came on. This is my 7th Chrysler vehicle in the past 30 years, and will be the last if Chrysler doesn't step up, on this dash problem this time.
The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that this vehicle had the same failure as noted in the recall regarding non-flex fuel engines. The dealer would not service the vehicle for free because it had a flex engine. The contact stated that the vehicle demonstrated same failure as those of the same year, make, and model that had non-flex engines. The current mileage is 168,000, and failure mileage was 167,000.ak
Ac failed cooling. Unit has lost its freon charge. Unit was rechardeg and dye installed to locate leak. Leak was foung in front evaporator. Was advised core leak, not a copper to alum joint, but through aluminum part of core. Appeared to be deteriorated by acid. Other involves three failures on battery on this vehicle. The original, a replacement installed in Oct 2001 and that failed this July 2003.
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- Chula Vista, CA, USA