The contact owns a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering failed without warning and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road. When the hood was opened, the contact discovered that the driving belt was out of the pulley. The belt was placed back into position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

We own a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE, for the past year we have had continual problems with the serpentine belt coming off and have replaced it so many time it impossible to count that high. T belt is especially subject to come off when it rains or there is water on the road. I know for a fact that many complaints have been filed regarding this issue and yet Chrysler will not fix the problem. This is a very serious safety issue as when the belt comes off the vehicle lose the power steering, brakes & electrical system. You people are suppose to make the road ways safe and our tax dollars bailed Chrysler out when they were going under. Theirs no telling how many people have to die due to the negligence of Chrysler and this design flaw and the NHTSA compliance in this matter. www.carsurvey.org/viewmorecomments_review_30931_6.html the above link will document the same problem that other Chrysler mini-van owners have encountered.

- Glen St. Mary, FL, USA

Dealership and independent shop replaced the serpentine belt seven times in the past year. Mechanic indicated to the consumer these were defective parts. Consumer found there was a technical service bulletin on this issue.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Defective idler arm pulley alignment on 1998 plymoth Grand Voyager.I have had the idler arm replaced and pulley replaced and belt replaced 4 times since I have owned the car and the car makes a terrible squeaking noise. The belt has come off two times. I have many friends with similiar Voyager with the same problem.

- Sharpsburg, GA, USA

We purchased our Grand Voyager with about 14,000 miles on it. It now has about 67,000 miles on it and we have been through approximately 6 serpentine belts and 4 belt tensioners. We have been through 1 belt per year at least since we bought the vehicle. The dealership never acknowledged that there was a defect in the engine that kept causing the belt to become mis-aligned, start squeaking, and eventually rip apart. The problem is more severe in hot weather and we have about 5 months of 90 degree weather where we are. Our own mechanic has started shimming the belt tensioner, which seems to prolong belt replacement time but does not solve the problem. He believes the problem is that the hole that was drilled to install the tensioner and/or pulley is drilled at the wrong angle or not lined up correctly. Our only consolation is that the squeaking gives us warning about the state of the belt.

- League City, TX, USA

The brake system was defective, there were burn like smells, and noises, the clock spring was inoperative and caused other problems, and the squeaking serpentine belt had gone bad. Scc

- Montgomery, AL, USA

Consumer states that if driving in the rain and vehicle hits a water puddle, water splashes onto the serpentine belt and it comes off. As a result, vehicle loses power steering. Consumer very concerned that if turning and problem occurs driver will not be able to turn vehicle and possibly crash. Dlr also advised consumer that mfr is aware of problem. Nlm

- King Of Prussia, PA, USA

I was traveling at about 60 mph on interstate 85 North in atlanta, ga when I heard a loud bumping noise under the vehicle. I looked in the rear view miror and saw somthing rolling on the road. I lost power steering and the vehicle was very difficult to control. I managed to get to safe spot off the road and looking under the hood I discovered my water pump pulley was off and laying on the splash pan. The serpentine belt tensioner pulley had also fallen off and was what I had seen rolling in the road. I had the vehicle towed to a five star Chrysler dealership in stone mountain, ga where the maintenance supervisor said it just wore out and he had seen them fall off in less mileage than mine had. I complained that it was a manufactures defect and should not have just sudenly fallen off with no warning. I was left with no choice but to have it repaired. They charged me just under $400 to replace the water pump and put a new tensioner pulley on it. Towing cost me $85 and a rental vehicle $79. The dealer maintenance supervisor even had the nerve to ask me if I wanted to get a 60000 mile check up while they were working on it. I told him no thanks the vehicle never made it to 60000 miles. I have not complained to Chrysler because I felt I would get the same cold treatment that I got from the dealership in stone mountain where I was stranded over 100 miles away from home. I once thought Chrysler made good quality vehicles but no more.

- Phenix City, AL, USA

In September of 2000 we replaced the belt tensioner. The car had about 33000 miles on it. In January or so we had to replace a valve cover gasket because oil was leaking and we were losing oil. The van had 39000 miles on it. The manufacturer was contacted and would not accomodate us even though the dealership said there was only one cause of the problem at that milage - manufacturer's defect. Then we just foundout this week at 48000 miles that we need a valve and ring job because the car was burning oil. We had been burning oil since before the valve cover gasket. We've been told by the dealership (not the one we purchased the car from, which was a small independent company) and the manufacturer that the repair will not be covered because we didn't complain of burning oil before. (of course, the oil was being lost prior to the valve cover gasket problem but they said we weren't specific about burning oil. We had attributed the lost oil to the leak.

- Pittsford, NY, USA

On 2 occasions while driving in rainy weather the vehicle hit a puddle and the serpentine belt came off, the consumer lost temporary control of the vehicle but was able to pull over to the side of the road. Nlm

- Menasha, WI, USA

This is the second time this has happened. The first time was 2 months after purchase. An exceptional amount of rain had fallen and many roads had standing water on them. While negotiating one spot (approx. 6-12 in) all power steering ability was lost. Assuming the belt was wet continued to drive until warning light and signal showed overheating. Discovered that serpentine belt had fallen off. Dealer replaced and informed that incident had been reported to Plymouth. Today same problem. Attempting to negotiate several instances of water, less than 25mph and suddenyl, no power steering. Personally reported to Plymouth and was informed that they had not heard any instances of this failure. Questioned dealer and was informed that they had seen it happen several times. Initial problem: Tension pully has no edge to hold belt on if water gets between pulley and belt. Pulley is also smooth which causes belt to slip. Result: Loss of power steering, loss of charging to battery, loss of power to drive headlights/wipers/air conditioning. Dangerous result: Loss of control/visibility. Solution(?): replace smooth pulley with one that has edges and put grooves of some sort on the pulley to allow water to be sheeted off if it comes between the pulley and the belt.

- Elizabeth City, NC, USA

The vehicle is experiencing a loss of power steering, A/C, and the electrical system.also, engine belt needs to be replaced. Dealer has replaced engine belt 3 times. The problem has happened 5 times.

- Islip, NY, USA

While driving in rainy conditions the serpentine belt came off, disabling the power system, which may cause an accident. Happened 4 times.. dealer cannot determine problem.

- Sycamore, IL, USA

The self tensioner failed to work properly. Had taken to dealer & informed that the surpentine belt came off the pulley. The engine motor system stopped working.

- El Paso, TX, USA