1999 Dodge Caravan Engine Problems

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the serpentine belt failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer a third time where the serpentine belt was replaced again however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified the third time. Additionally, The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V268000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that a friend had jumped his vehicle due to the battery had failed when gasoline started to spill onto the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times but the contact stated that the service rep disconnected and the call would be redirected. The failure mileage was approximately 202,335.

NHTSA ID

11479845

Incident

Feb 4, 2004

Mileage

202,335 mi

The contact owns a 1999 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to function as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11465162

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

NHTSA ID

10734482

Incident

Mar 4, 2015

Mileage

134,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MAIN DRIVE BELT WOULD DETACH FROM THE ENGINE AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT BUMPER WOULD SUDDENLY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE AND FALL TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10660871

Incident

Aug 4, 2014

1999 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE ENGINE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN 2003 AND AGAIN IN 2010.

NHTSA ID

10440810

Incident

Dec 1, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN SE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DETECTED SMOKE AND SPARKS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10428308

Incident

Sep 25, 2011

Mileage

150,000 mi

SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF OF PULLEYS AFTER DRIVING OVER A WET ROAD. VEHICLE IS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN, 3.0L V6, 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC. WITHIN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES, BOTH IN WET WEATHER. THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED ON A 1996 DODGE CARAVAN, 3.0L V6, 3-SPEED AUTOMATIC, TWICE IN THE SAME TWO WEEK PERIOD. THE IDLER AND TENSIONER PULLEYS WERE REPLACED ON BOTH VEHICLES WITH OEM-EQUIVALENT PARTS AFTER THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH EACH, YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE BELT ON THE 1996 CARAVAN ALSO SHREDDED AT HIGHWAY SPEED DURING DRY WEATHER DURING THIS PERIOD. WHEN REPLACED, THE BELTS ON BOTH VEHICLES RIDE OFF-CENTER ON THE PULLEY FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10419420

Incident

Aug 15, 2011

Mileage

107,500 mi

DODGE CARAVAN 1999 SERPENTINE BELT DISMOUNTING UPON DRIVING THROUGH WATER. A DANGEROUS AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, OVERHEATING, AND LOSS OF ALTERNATOR OUTPUT ( WARNING LIGHT ON ) IS NOTICED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10411573

Incident

Jul 5, 2011

Mileage

91,250 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE SERPENTINE BELT SHREDDED APART AND DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ID

10383961

Incident

Dec 1, 2005

Mileage

40,000 mi

I HAVE HAD REPEATED SHREDDING OF THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND SYSTEMS SHUTDOWN (INCLUDING ENGINE) DURING DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. BRAZIL HAS RECALLED THE DODGE MINIVAN FOR THE SAME FAILURES AND DODGE HAS MADE A MODIFICATION KIT (2005) FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DATE TO POST A RECALL IN THE UNITED STATES. I HAVE REPLACED THE BELTS 6 TIMES AND THE TENSIONER 3 TIMES IN 60,000 MILES. I HAVE CALLED DODGE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE CORRECTION OF THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE LAST TENSIONER AND BELT PUT ON AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP ALTHOUGH THEY USED AN OLD STYLE TENSIONER NOT THE NEW KIT EVEN THOUGH THE NEW KIT HAD BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE 2005 AND I HAD THE TENSIONER REPLACED IN 2009. *TR

NHTSA ID

10383916

Incident

Feb 18, 2011

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. HE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH THE SERPENTINE BELT DISCONNECTS WHILE DRIVING UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS. WHENEVER HE DROVE OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD EITHER BE CAUTIOUSLY DRIVEN OR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD BE RECONNECTED TO ITS PULLEYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,422 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN UPDATED 03/03/11

NHTSA ID

10358773

Incident

Apr 1, 2008

Mileage

103,422 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, HE DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE AND WITHIN MOMENTS, SEVERAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE WINDOW DEFROSTER FAILED, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE AND CONTACTED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALLS. THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED IN THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 172,000.

NHTSA ID

10342903

Incident

Jul 12, 2010

Mileage

172,000 mi

WE OWN A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THREE WEEKS AGO WE TOOK IT IN FOR A CHECK UP AT A CERTIFIED MECHANICS SHOP. THEY INFORMED US THE TENSIONER WAS BENT AND SERPENTINE DRIVING BELT NEEDED REPLACING. WE AUTHORIZED THEM TO MAKE THE REPAIR. WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 1994 WITH NO INCIDENT. LAST MONDAY WE DROVE THROUGH STANDING WATER AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS THROWN. WE LOST POWER STEERING NOT TO MENTION THAT THE DRIVING BELT POWERS EVERYTHING ELSE FOR THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY WE WERE ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE OUT OF TOWN AND WERE ABLE TO DRIVE BACK TO THE MECHANICS SHOP. THEY INFORMED US THAT INDEED THIS IS A PROBLEM DODGE MINIVANS HAVE. IN THE LAST 2 DAYS WE HAVE GONE ONLINE AND FOUND MANY WEB FORUMS WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 1,000'S OF DODGE/CHRYSLER OWNERS GOING BACK AS FAR AS 2002. DODGE HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY FLAW IN THEIR ENGINE PULLEY DESIGN. WE CAN BUY AN AFTERMARKET NEW DESIGNED TENSIONER AND BELT AT OUR EXPENSE MANUFACTURED BY 2 SEPARATE COMPANIES, BUT DODGE OFFERS NOTHING TO CONSUMERS WHO BOUGHT THEIR VEHICLES THINKING THEY ARE SAFE. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE DODGE/CHRYSLER ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT AND RECALL THESE POTENTIAL DEATH TRAPS OFF THE ROAD TO FIX THIS NEGLIGENCE ON THEIR PART. JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT DYING IN CRASHES BECAUSE OF THIS (OR ARE THEY AND WE JUST NEVER FIND OUT THIS WAS THE CAUSE) DOESN'T MEAN THEY SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10290100

Incident

Oct 26, 2009

I HAD A CLOCK SPRING REPLACED IN MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THIS WAS A RECALLED PART REPLACEMENT. AFTER THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED THE COOLING FAN WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE REPAIR FOR THIS WAS $590.30 TO ME. PARTS REQUIRED TO FIX THE COOLING FAN:1.BATTERY, 2.RELAY MINI, 3.RELAY PKG, 4.RELAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10282370

Incident

Aug 17, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE MAKES CONTACT WITH WATER, THE SERPENTINE BELT, WHICH CONTROLS THE STEERING, DETACHES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WILL CHARGE A SERVICE FEE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 6/4/09 *CN UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10265742

Incident

Jul 10, 2008

OUR BELTS SIPS OFF DURING WET WEATHER"FIVE TIMES WE REPLACED THE "S" BELT AND THE TENSIONERS,WATERPUMP,OVERHEATING OUR 2ND YR OF OWERSHIP.NOW THE 3RD YR OF TRANSMISSIONS LEAKING,THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH W/CHILDREN IN CAR ,STARTING TO BRAKE CAUSING TO SLOW WAY DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND MADE A CHIME SOUND,THE HORN WENT OFF AND IT GOT HOT FAST CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. THANK GOD THERE WAS ROOM TO GET OVER. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FLICKERING ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR JUST LEAKS EVERYWHERE,WATER,OIL,TRANS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE CARS. I CANT EVEN GET MINE SMOG BECAUSE I HAVE TO KEEP UNPLUGGING MY BATTERY BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SOMEWHERE. I BROUGHT A LEMON.....OH YEAH! I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY CANT REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL UNLESS THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON. I HOPE I DON'T DIE CAUSE THE AIRBAGS WONT WORK BECAUSE I HAVE A ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. 2 BATTERIES WERE REPLACED,ALTERNATOR TOO. THE CLOCKSPRING WONT WORK FOR MY CAR ONLY THE CRUISE CONTROL SO SAID THE DEALER. I WOULD FEEL BAD SELLING THIS CAR TO A FAMILY ,CAUSE WHAT IF THEY WERE KILLED. I COULDN'T DEAL WITH THAT. THE DAY THAT HAPPENED WAS ON MY DAUGHTER 16TH BIRTHDAY. I HAD TO STOP EVERYWHERE ALL DAY TO PUT WATER IN THE RADIATOR JUST TO KEEP IT COOL ENOUGH NOT TO RUIN HER DAY. I HATE HOT DAYS,I FEAR THE RAINY DAYS, I CANT SEE AT NIGHT CAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE LEFT SIDE BURNED OUT AND THE COVERS HAS A GLASS OVER THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10239731

Incident

Jul 29, 2008

Mileage

220,000 mi

1. VEHICLE: 1999 DODGE CARAVAN SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPAGE WHEN ROAD IS WET. 2. THE BELT SLIPS OFF THE PULLEYS, STEERING POWER IS LOST AND I GET STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY STREETS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! (I WONDER IF I WOULD HAVE MADE IT OUT ALIVE IF I WAS DRIVING ON I-95!) ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE 100S - IF NOT 1000S - OF STORIES/COMPLAINTS: WIVES STRANDED IN THE SNOW WITH CHILDREN, ELDERLY PEOPLE STUCK IN A STREET IN A RAINY NIGHT, AND CARAVAN /VOYAGER OWNERS CHANGING BELT AND PULLEYS 2 OR 3 TIMES, WITHOUT THE PROBLEM BEING CORRECTED. IT SEEMS THAT THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS WILLINGLY IGNORED THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1996! I AM READING OF MISALIGNED PULLEYS AND MOTOR MOUNDS. THIS ISSUE NEEDS A RESOLVE AND A RECALL! AND.... THERE IS A FIX!!! PLEASE CHECK GATES PART #38379K AND GOODYEAR PART #49215K. SO, THERE IS A PROBLEM WHICH IS TOTALLY IGNORED BY CHRYSLER IN A FINAL NOTE, I AM GOING TO BUY "THE FIX" IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE WITH NO FEAR OF GETTING STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN A RAINY DAY OR NIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER CORPORATION SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS - NOT MY FAULT- THEIR SCREW UP! AND JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I CALLED CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO FIND OUT IF THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME. I CALLED THE WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE AND MY CALLED WAS ROUTED TO A CALL CENTER IN INDIA (!). I ASKED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUPERVISOR AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE IN THE US, WHICH I WAS. I SPOKE TO A SUPERVISOR, WHO TOLD ME "I AM SORRY. YOUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND CHRYSLER CORPORATION WILL NOT RE-IMBURSE YOU FOR ANY REPAIRS PERTAINING TO THIS PROBLEM." I WENT OUT TODAY WITH MY HUSBAND'S FORD AEROSTAR, TO CHECK THE ROADS AFTER TROPICAL STORM FAY (WON'T DARE TAKE MY CARAVAN) AND THERE WERE DOZENS OF CARAVAN LIKE MINI VANS STRANDED IN THE STREETS OF OUR CITY. SUPPOSE WE HAD EVACUATION ORDERS FOR FLOODING OR A HURRICANE EMERGENCY..... PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! *TR

NHTSA ID

10239171

Incident

Aug 20, 2008

Mileage

129,000 mi

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS. I REPLACE PULLEYS BELTS SEVERAL TIMES THIS HAS HAPPEN SINCE THE VAN RAN OUT OF WARRANTY. FINALLY I TOOK TO CHRYSLER AND THEY PUT DOUBLE PULLEYS ON AN A DOUBLE SIDE BELT COST WAS AROUND $300.00. CHRYSLER KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS IN WINTER TIME ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10238532

Incident

Jan 9, 2003

Mileage

99,000 mi

BELT COMES OFF IN WET WEATHER. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HAVE REPLACED TENSIONER 4 TIMES. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN WET WEATHER CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10236481

Incident

Nov 2, 2005

Mileage

69,000 mi

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF PULLEY. OCCURRED FOUR (4) TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. TWICE DURING WINTRY CONDITIONS OF LESS THAN THREE (3) INCHES OF SNOW AND TWICE DURING NORMAL RAINFALL. MOST RECENT OCCURRED JUNE 29, 2008. *TR

NHTSA ID

10232682

Incident

Jun 29, 2008

Mileage

109,285 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. ON APRIL 24, 2008, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL ILLUMINATED, AND THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE INCREASED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO COOL. HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN DRIVING CONDITION AND NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,929. UPDATED 07/07/08.*LJ THE FAN RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. THE HEADLIGHT HAD CONDENSATION ON THEINSIDE. UPDATED

NHTSA ID

10230347

Incident

Apr 24, 2008

Mileage

91,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT EVALUATED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW; HOWEVER, THE LOW OIL INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ID

10226469

Incident

Feb 14, 2008

Mileage

76,000 mi

SERPENTINE BELT HAS FALLEN OFF ON MANY OCCASIONS. USUALLY WHEN IT IS WET OUT. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE TO THE GARAGE ABOUT 12 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND SPENT ALOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX THIS. I KNOW THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE. I FEEL SINCE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO BE DRIVING AND LOSE ALL CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID WET WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10221968

Incident

Jan 5, 2008

99 DODGE CARAVAN IN REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE 4TH OR 5TH BELT TENSIONER & 7TH SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED LOSS OF POWER STEERING RENDERED VEHICLE DANGEROUS, BARELY AVOIDED ACCIDENT DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS PART UNTIL, AFTER SECOND CALL & DEMANDING TO SPEAK WITH MANAGER, I DIRECTLY ASKED: 'ARE THERE ANY PUBLICLY AVAILABLE NOTICES, WARNINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS, ETC, RELATED TO THE 99 DODGE CARAVAN AND SERPENTINE BELTS OR BELT TENSIONER'. FINALLY, THIS 'MANAGER' TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN (AVAILABLE TO REPAIR SHOPS, NOT CAR OWNERS) WHICH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN HEAVY SNOW (DEEPEST SNOW IT'S EVER BEEN IN WAS 3-4"). IF THE CO. HAD NO IDEA, THEN WHY IS THERE A FACTORY-MADE PART TO CORRECT IT? AND WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? WHY IS THIS INFORMATION SO DIFFICULT TO GET FROM THE COMPANY, AS THEIR CUSTOMER? THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAILURE BOTH ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY (FOR HIDING, NOT REPAIRING THIS SERIOUS FLAW) AND THE GOVERNMENT (FOR NOT FORCING A RECALL, THEREBY PUTTING THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH). *TR

NHTSA ID

10216928

Incident

Feb 2, 2008

Mileage

133,000 mi

ENGINE DEVELOPED A MASSIVE HIGH PRESSURE OIL LEAK CAUSING NEAR FLAME CONDITIONS, LOSS OF OIL AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THE DIFFICULTY IS DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEAD/ CYLINDER HEAD GASKET FAILURE SPRAYING A MIST OF HOT OIL ONTO THE HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND REMAINING EXHAUST SYSTEM. VAPORIZED OIL SUBJECTED TO THESE CONDITIONS CAN EXPLODE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLACED OUT OF SERVICE. THE COST OF REPAIRS (NEW ENGINE) EXCEEDS THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. RESEARCH PROVED CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE PRIOR TO 1994 AND HAS ATTEMPTED TO PATCH THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN REPAIR IT CORRECTLY IN THOUSANDS OF CASES TO DATE. MY CONTENTIONS IS THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION KNOWING SOLD ME AN UNSAFE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE TO ME AND MANY OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10208242

Incident

Sep 15, 2007

Mileage

91,500 mi