1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Engine Problems

CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH; ENGINE REMAINED ON. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND IT STARTED BACK UP AGAIN AND DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES. 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN IT LOST POWER AGAIN, I SLOWED AND THEN TRIED TO REACCELERATE, AND IT DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MILES, ENOUGH TO GET ME OFF THE FREEWAY AND TO A SAFE LOCATION. I CHECKED THE OIL AND TRANSMISSION LEVELS, WHICH WERE OK, AND THERE WAS NOTHING LEAKING UNDER THE CAR. WENT TO AN APPOINTMENT, AND CAME BACK TO THE CAR, WHICH STARTED UP AND DROVE OK FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE, THEN IT SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS TIME IT WOULDN'T START BACK UP AGAIN, SO I PUSHED IT ONTO A SIDE STREET, WHERE IT STARTED UP FINE AND DROVE TO THE NEAREST GAS/REPAIR STATION. NOW, THE VAN WON'T START AGAIN. VAN WAS PROCEEDING STRAIGHT IN ALL SITUATIONS.

NHTSA ID

11282502

Incident

Nov 26, 2019

Mileage

104,233 mi

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING ON SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACES. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ABILITY TO REGAIN VEHICLE CONTROL WAS COMPROMISED BY LACK OF STEERING ASSIST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE.THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS A SCHOOL BUS WAS NEAR MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10935387

Incident

Dec 15, 2016

Mileage

271,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ID

10732862

Incident

Jun 29, 2015

Mileage

77,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ID

10598502

Incident

Apr 1, 2012

Mileage

107,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE ALTERNATOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE BUT DECIDED TO REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES MOSTLY WHEN IT RAINED OR HIT A POTHOLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ID

10474080

Incident

Apr 1, 2011

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE STORE, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL PACK MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE OF THE COIL PACK. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ UPDATED 03/08/12

NHTSA ID

10446126

Incident

Jun 17, 2009

Mileage

122,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN WE HIT WATER ON THE ROAD AND THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF, YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AT THE TIME IF IT HAPPENS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC YOU COULD HAVE A CRASH. WHEN LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM I FOUND IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. GATES MAKES AN AFTER MARKET FIX PART# 38379K. DODGE WILL NOT FIX IT.

NHTSA ID

10387728

Incident

Feb 24, 2011

Mileage

186,542 mi

THE BELT TENSIONER ON MY 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE 3.3L ENGINE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT HAS A DESIGN FLAW, THE BELT COMES OFF WHEN THE VAN IS DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES. I HAVE OWNED MY VAN FOR 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BELT AND COORDINATING PARTS ABOUT 7 TIMES. I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CHILDREN AROUND DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS NOR DO I FEEL COMFORTABLE SELLING THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FAMILY AND PASSING THIS SEVERE PROBLEM ON TO THEM. PLEASE COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS DESIGN DEFECT AND DO A RECALL!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10341758

Incident

Dec 24, 2009

Mileage

142,826 mi

THE PROBLEM IS WITH A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, THE ACCESSORY BELT KEEP COMING OFF IF YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE THROUGH WATER. IT HAS HAPPEN A LEAST 20 TIME IN THE LAST YEAR WHICH LEAD TO POWER STEERING FAILURE AND OVER HEATING AND BATTERY FAILURE. I TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY CHANGING THE TENSIONER THE BELT ALSO THE IDLER PULLER ALL ABOUT TWICE WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10238432

Incident

Mar 20, 2007

Mileage

134,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHIFTS, THE VEHICLE MAKES AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IT OPERATES NORMALLY. THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND WILL START BACK UP, BUT IT IS UNRELIABLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REV AND HAVE TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE REVVING TO STOP. IF THERE IS A POWER FLUCTUATION, THE REAR WIPERS WILL TURN ON AND OFF AT RANDOM. THE HIGH BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK, BUT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE PARKING LIGHT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED. HE REPLACED THE BULB, BUT IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IS CONSTANTLY REPLACING THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS. THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF; HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AND THERE IS A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY IS RUSTING AND ROTTING. THE ROCKER PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,766. UPDATED 09/10/08 *BF UPDATED 09/11/08.*JB

NHTSA ID

10237378

Incident

Sep 13, 2006

Mileage

149,766 mi

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LAST YEAR ON DECEMBER 2007 MY SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT ON ONE STREET UNDER THE RAIN, I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OFF MY CAR BUT I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO CARS WERE AROUND. IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO DRIVE MY CAR BUT I CALLED THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME NOT WORRY THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET SAFE TO THE SHOP. THAT INCIDENT BROKE MY WINDSHIELD HOSE WATER, MY AIR CONDITIONER AND MY STEERING WHEEL HOSE AND HEAT IT UP THE CAR SO I HAD TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I GOT TO THE MECHANIC SHOP. I WAS SO AFRAID BUT I GOT SAFE. THEN IT HAPPEN AGAIN A WEEK LATER, I WAS SO ANGRY WITH THE MECHANIC BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT HE DIDN'T DO NOTHING TO MY CAR AND THAT HE WAS TAKING MY MONEY ONLY, SINCE I WAS AROUND THE CORNER I WAS ABLE TO GO BACK TO HIM. WITHIN THE LAS 7 MONTHS, MY SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF AROUND 5 TIMES AND EVERY TIME THAT IT CAME OFF IT BROKE SOMETHING, SO I HAD TO PAY THE MECHANIC MORE MONEY. I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO TRY TO CONTACT CHRYSLER AND TRY TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO, UNLESS THEY ARE EXPENTING FOR SOMEONE TO GET KILL BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MANEUVER THE WHEEL. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME MONICA HUAMAN *TR

NHTSA ID

10235056

Incident

Dec 13, 2007

Mileage

192,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CLOCK SPRING, BUT HE DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED BECAUSE THE DODGE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10227559

Incident

Mar 28, 2003

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID

10223686

Incident

Apr 17, 2006

Mileage

85,000 mi

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS THAT MY SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF WHILE TURNING A CORNER. I HAVE A 97 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT SE (3.3). THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT WAS RAINING AND THE SECOND TWO TIMES WERE IN GOOD WEATHER. EACH TIME IT WAS QUITE A JERK WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE TURN. WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE??? OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS QUITE A HASSLE HAVING TO GET THE CAR TOWED EACH TIME AND HAVING THE MECHANIC PUT THE BELT BACK ON AND LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TRUST MY VEHICLE ANYMORE. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE TENSIONER,BELT, AND PULLEYS WITH THE GATES MV CONVERSION KIT. HE WAS AWARE OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM. I ALSO READ ONLINE ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HOW THIS SEEMED TO BE THE ONLY FIX THAT WORKED. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP HERE SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY CHRYSLER. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE CHRYSLER WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW AND PROVIDE THIS FIX FOR EVERYONE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10196812

Incident

Jul 14, 2007

Mileage

126,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE RPMS DROPPED TO ZERO, THE VEHICLE JERKED, AND THE ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE OIL PAN WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. UPDATED 08/15/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10163047

Incident

Jul 20, 2006

Mileage

135,995 mi

I PURCHASED THE 1997 GRAND CARAVAN IN JANUARY 1998 AT THE MARLOW HEIGHTS DEALERSHIP IN MARLOW HEIGHTS, MARYLAND. THE FIRST TIME I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE WAS 5/1999 AT 24,006 MILES VEHICLE HAD LITTLE POWER WHEN ACCELERATING, TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING, TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE RECONDITIONED. IN 12/1999, THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAUSING A VERY STRONG NASTY ODOR. CARPET HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAUSED A HAZARDOUS CONDITION TO MY FAMILY ESPECIALLY MY KIDS HAVING TO BREATH IN THIS FLUID. 3 /2000 SAME FLUID LEAKED AGAIN IN AUTO BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE HEATING COIL. THEN AGAIN IN 8/2001 THE LEAK HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER IN NORTH CAROLINA AND COMPLAINED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WHAT THEY CALLED ONE CONSUMER REPAIR PER CUSTOMER PER VEHICLE. IN 11/2001, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 3 TIMES. AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DUE FOR EMISSIONS TESTING AND DID NOT PASS THE TEST BECAUSE OF A CYLINDER MISFIRE CODE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN THE FUNDS FOR REPAIR, IN 5/2004 @ 118,668 MILES, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED AND THAT WOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE. SO I PAID $114.24 TO REPLACE THE 6 .SPARK PLUGS, PROBLEM NOT SOLVED I ENDED UP PAYING $3,758.82 IN 7/2005 TO REPLACE CYLINDER HEADS, TIMING BELT, AND WATER PUMP . THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME I HAD THE TIMING BELT REPLACED. RECENTLY, IN 3/2006, OIL LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH VC GASKETS, CAM PLUGS, BOTH FT CAM SEALS AND REAR CAM SEALS AND TIMING BELT ONCE AGAIN FOR THIRD TIME. THIS COST TO ME WAS $2,677.50. NOW THE OIL LIGHT IS BACK ON AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ID

10153128

Incident

May 18, 1999

Mileage

24,006 mi

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. IN FEBRUARY 2005 WE HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED, AND ALL PARTS RELATED TO IT ADJUSTED AND CLEANED. THIS WAS DONE DUE TO A HORRIBLE SCREECHING SOUND. IN NOVEMBER OF THAT YEAR THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF DURING A PERIOD OF COLD & RAINY WEATHER, AND LEFT ME WITHOUT STEERING OR COOLING FANS. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULD NOT STEER. THE BELT WAS REPLACED. SIX WEEKS LATER, AGAIN-IN COLD AND RAINY WEATHER. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND TODAY, 3 WEEKS LATER, YES, COLD AND RAINY WEATHER IT HAS HAPPENED FOR A THIRD TIME. MY GARAGE IS SET TO REPLACE THE STEERING FLUID PUMP, THINKING IT MIGHT BE LEAKING ON IT, THE BELT, TENSIONER AND A PULLEY. HOPING IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS WILL BE A $500 BILL AT LEAST. HOWEVER, AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A REGULAR PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL, CROSSING SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. I CONTACTED DODGE, WHO TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT WITHOUT A RECALL, BUT AGREED THERE HAVE BEEN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS) REGARDING THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM I DID RESEARCH ON THESE TSBS, AS WELL AS VARIOUS WEBSITES WHERE AUTO MECHANICS POST, AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SINGLE REPAIR THAT WORKS IN EACH VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. THIS BELT CONTROLS THE STEERING, THE ALTERNATOR AND THE FANS. THIS IS A MINI-VAN, MADE FOR FAMILIES. I AM FEARFUL OF ALLOWING MY THREE CHILDREN TO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE NOW, KNOWING THAT EVEN AFTER THE REPAIRS COMING UP THIS WEEK, THE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE FIXED. DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE DANGER WHICH COULD OCCUR , LOSING STEERING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN POOR CONDITIONS, I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BECOME A RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID

10148388

Incident

Nov 17, 2005

Mileage

134,000 mi

THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. WE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK INTO IT AND REPLACED A RELAY OR SWITCH THAT BELONGED TO THE BLOWER MOTORS (FANS BY RADIATOR). THE LIGHTS SEEMED TO GO AWAY UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE ABS LIGHT RETURNED AND THE BRAKES ACT AS THOUGH THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE OUT AT ANY TIME. THEY HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED FOR QUITE A LENGTH OF TIME BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE IS ALSO A WEIRD SOUND OF AIR OR AS IF AIR WHERE COMING OUT WHEN THE BRAKES GET DEPRESSED. I HAVE HAD TO ADD FLUID ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC BUDDY THAT THERE IS VERY GOOD CHANCE ITS THE BRAKE BOOSTER DUE TO THE SOUND OF AIR. I WENT ONLINE AND NOTICED THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS IN A COUPLE OF GRAND CARAVANS BUT MY VIN # DOESN'T FALL INTO THE SUGGESTED VIN RANGE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10145258

Incident

Nov 1, 2005

Mileage

102,000 mi

SERPENTINE BELT REPEATEDLY COMES OFF ITS PULLEYS, NECESSITATING A TOW, ON-THE-SPOT REPAIR JOB, OR DRIVING UNDER UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR A SHORT DISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ID

10143551

Incident

Nov 21, 2005

Mileage

120,000 mi

1) DRIVING NORMALLY THROUGH WATER SEVERAL INCHES DEEP - CERTAINLY NOT AN UNUSUAL SITUATION CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF AFTERNOON STORMS WE HAVE RECEIVED THIS SUMMER IN MIDDLE GEORGIA. 2) SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS FROM PULLEYS CAUSING LOSE OF POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP, AIR CONDITIONING, ALTERNATOR. ON FIRST OCCASION AND WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND AVOID A COLLISION. 3) BELT APPEARED UNDAMAGED BUT I REPLACED BELT WITH NEW APPROVED BELT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON AUGUST 22, 2005 WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON GEORGIA 87 (RURAL HIGHWAY) IN A SEVERE DOWNPOUR/THUNDERSTORM. THE RAIN AND STORM CONDITIONS WERE SO LOUD I DID NOT NOTICE THE TEMPERATURE GAGE, INDICATOR LIGHTS AND WARNING-BUZZER WARNING ME OF SOME ENGINE FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO AN INTERSECTION AND PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC, AGAIN WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY DUE TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. ULTIMATELY, PEOPLE WILL LOSE LIVES OVER THIS ISSUE IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE ISSUES POSTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. PLEASE PURSUE THIS ISSUE SO SOMEONE'S LIFE CAN BE SAVED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10134377

Incident

Aug 21, 2005

TERRIBLE SQUEALING NOISE IN BELT AREA. DEALER CHARGED ~$250 FOR BELT AND TENSIONER REPLACEMENT AND NOISE WAS GREATLY REDUCED. SEVERAL YEARS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED AND GREW EVEN WORSE. REPLACED THE WORN BELT AND NOISE WAS GREATLY REDUCED FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. AFTER THE NOISE RETURNED, REMOVED THE BELT AND CHECKED ALL PULLEYS - FOUND NO PROBLEMS. REPLACED TENSIONER AND IDLER PULLEYS ANYWAY (~$20 EACH FROM DEALER) AND REINSTALLED BELT. NOISE WAS REDUCED FOR ABOUT TWO DAYS. TOOK VAN TO DEALER WHO SAID THAT IT WAS THE TENSIONER AND WERE SURPISED THAT IT HAD LASTED AS LONG AS IT DID. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A NEW ALTERNATOR, POWER STEERING PUMP AND TENSIONER. THE NOISE WAS GREATLY REDUCED, BUT RETURNED FULL FORCE WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS. IN DESPERATION I TURNED TO BELT DRESSING AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION SINCE I HAD CLEANED ALL OF THE PULLEYS PRIOR TO BELT REINSTALLATION. WHEN THE BELT DRESSING WAS SPRAYED ON THE TENSIONER PULLEY THE SOUND DISAPPEARED FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN RETURNED. BELT DRESSING HAD SMALL OR NO EFFECT WHEN SPRAYED AT OTHER LOCATIONS ALONG THE SERPENTINE BELT.

NHTSA ID

10126601

Incident

May 10, 2005

Mileage

80,000 mi

1997 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 3.0 6 CYL BELT CAME OFF IN RAIN STORM LEFT ME STRANDED AND MISSED WORK THE BELT WAS IN ONE PIECE AND GOT IT HOME AND HAD A NEW BELT INSTALLED AND PULLEY UPPER FRONT NON GROOVED. AGAIN BELT CAME OFF BRAN NEW BELT NEW BELT PUT ON AGAIN BELT NOW SQUEALING IN THE BACK BELT TENSION ARM NOR SQUEALING BELT RIDES THE PULLEY L/R ABOUT 1/4 INCH THAN BACK. IT SEEMS TO ME. *NM

NHTSA ID

10112180

Incident

Feb 7, 2005

Mileage

134,995 mi

SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF IDLER PULLY WHEN DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID

10110634

Incident

Feb 11, 2005

AS I AM DRIVING MY VAN WILL SUDDENLY JERK FORWARD AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES OFF, AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE VAN SUDDENLY DIES. I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER MANY,MANY TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN FEB,2004 AND THEY HAVE DROVE IT AND PUT IT ON MACHINES AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT AND WHY IT'S DOING THIS. I JUST FOUND OUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND ORIGINAL ONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SO HE GOT RID OF IT.WHEN IT SUDDENLY DIES I HAVE NO STEERING, BRAKES ETC. AND THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE IN HEAVY 4 LANE TRAFFIC AND NO WHERE TO GO. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED AND CORRECTED, I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY AND HOW THIS CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE I OR SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR INJURED. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY VAN ALOT AND I WONDER IF THAT MATTERS TO YOU IF THEY GET INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE YOU CAN'T OR WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!!! I HAVE HAD DODGE VANS BEFORE AND LIKED THEM, BUT I CAN ASURE YOU THAT, IS CHANGING RAPIDLY. I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT'S ON THIS SITE ON THE 97 DODGE CARAVAN'S. WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? *AK

NHTSA ID

10096202

Incident

Feb 10, 2004

Mileage

99,845 mi

SERPENTINE BELT KEEPS COMING OFF EACH TIME THE VEHICLE GOES OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER. VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED EACH TIME WHEN THIS OCCURS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10089995

Incident

Aug 13, 2004

Mileage

68,000 mi