Engine Belts And Pulleys Problems of Chrysler Town & Country - part 2

The serpentine belt on our 1996 Chrysler Town & Country lxi, makes a horrible screeching sound, that we've almost come to appreciate, when faced with it's alternative silence, when the serpentine belt gets wet & slips off. The immediate & dangerous result is loss of power steering, leaving the driver surprised with their inability to safely maneuver the van. Within less than a minute, a fast hazard bell sounds & the engine temperature sensor is pinned at hot. If the driver is quick, strong, & lucky enough, to get the family "safely" off the road, before the water pump fries, stalling the van in traffic, they are now left stranded. We've had the serpentine belt & tensioner pulley replaced twice, the last time at Chrysler, and still the problem has not been corrected. We've checked for recalls but Chrysler states that this is not a life threatening failure, so no recall has been made. This has happens to us often enough that we keep a wrench in our van, so my husband can attempt to retrieve & re-seat the belt onto the tensioner, in the pouring rain. We've read many complaints about this same problem & can't understand why Chrysler doesn't think loss of steering & sudden heat pump failure is not life threatening. If one of their ceos were to find themselves struggling their family van quickly off the road, standing over, or even lying under their engine, in the pouring rain, while the rest of the family hopes that he isn't injured making the repair, hit by lightening, or by a distracted driver, perhaps they would recall this system. We've spent a lot of time & money on repairs, & have come across an off-market product designed to fix this specific, widely recognized Chrysler product issue, and just purchased it. We find it disgusting to see that the possibility of this problem being addressed may depend on the number of deaths, or persons injured, before Chrysler takes any responsibility. They could at least acquire or cover the cost of the off-market repair kit.

See all problems of the 1996 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

During a light rain, I drove my 1996 Chrysler Town & Country through 2 inches of standing water. The water splashed into the engine compartment and caused the serpentine belt to jump off the pulleys. Internet discussion groups shows that this is common complaint among 1996 - 2000 Chrysler t & c owners. I have purchased an aftermarket kit designed to prevent this from occurring.

The contacts owns a 1998 Chrysler town and country. The contact stated that she has replaced the serpentine belt three times. She further stated that the idler pulley was defective and had to be replaced with a kit. When the pulley malfunctions, it allows the serpentine belt to detach. As a result, the power steering fails and all the other components overheat. While driving at various speeds, the contact cannot pull off the road. The vehicle may explode or catch fire. The failure was initially noticed while driving 35 mph in the rain. The vehicle was towed to her mechanic for repair. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

See all problems of the 1998 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

I bought my town and country used about a year ago. I have not had any significant problems until around three months ago when the serpentine belt started coming off. It has come off approximately 9 times in the last three months and only in wet weather while driving through small puddles in the road. I thought the tensioner was bad and changed it, but the next day the belt came off in the rain. I called the service department and asked the service tech why the belt kept coming off and he asked me if it was raining at the time. Imagine that! they know it is a problem but will not recall the vehicle for a fix. I will never buy another Chrysler product again. Again like almost all the other complaints, loss of power steering, engine cooling, alternator etc. Lucky for me I am mechanical otherwise it would have cost me a ton of money on towing charges.

See all problems of the 1999 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

The serpentine belt came off our Chrysler Town & Country in a driving rain storm. We were stranded in charlotte, north carolina 70 miles from home until after midnight when a friend came and drove us home. We left our van in a parking lot overnight. We are hoping that it is not vandalized or stolen when we go today to repair it. When this belt comes off, power steering is gone, which can cause an accident leading to serious injury or death. This is a common problem that all automobile mechanics and Chrysler van owners know about, but Chrysler refuses to acknowledge the problem. The fix is an aftermarket parts kit by gates (part number 38379k) and goodyear (parts number 49215k) that the consumer must bear the entire expense of installing.

I have 1997 Dodge town and country van and every time it rains the serpentine belt pops off. Dodge told me that this is a known problem and there is no sure way of resolving it. This is very dangerous because there is no power steering once the belts pops off.

See all problems of the 1997 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

My serpentine belt has come off 4 times. I have informed the dealer of this problem during warranty time period and nonwarrantly time period. The dealer and other mechanics keep charging me to temporarily fix a manufacturer "recall" problem. My wife drives the van, normally with children with her. This is very dangerous and needs to be corrected immediately. This is a very common problem for this type of vehicle.

See all problems of the 2000 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

Serpentine belt falls off when driven through a puddle of water. The Chrysler dealership I contacted informed me that this was typical with my make and model (2000 Chrysler town and country). When the belt falls off, the van loses power steering and is very difficult to control.

It is a well known problem with Chrysler minivans - whenever there is a heavy rain and the water puddles in the street, the serpentine belt slips off and all power to the vehicle is lost. This has happened to me multiple times. I have spoken to my local mechanic about this problem and he stated that this happens to all Chrysler minivans (Dodge and pontiac minivans as well) and has occurred since they started making minivans. Every time there is a heavy downpour he has a lot full of chrsler vans that need their belt put back on. I called my local Chrysler dealer in urbana, IL and spoke to the service representative. She told me that they are fully aware of the problem because two of their own service vans are out of commission due to the recent rain. She agreed that every time it rains heavily, the belts come off these vans. I called Chrysler automotive and spoke to a customer service rep. About the problem. She checked and told me that Chrysler will not do anything about this because it is a known problem and because the national highway traffic safety administration has not issued a recall. Since Chrysler will not address this known problem until NHTSA issues a recall, please issue a recall. What could be more dangerous than for people to lose power while driving on crowded roadways and interstate?.

Engine belt squeak/failure/falling off. Replace belt.

The serpentine belt on my 2000 Chrysler town and country slips off when I drive through puddles resulting in loss of power steering, cooling and electrical. This event strands us where ever we happen to be.

When your serpentine belt breaks, is replaced because of damage or wear or just falls off the pulleys when you go through water puddles. . . Then you must replace the belt tensioner as well as the belt to reduce future problems. . . I have a 1997 t & c and have just recently replaced the belt tensioner of the 2nd time. . . Not hard or expensive. . . . Must do about every 3 to 4 years. . . The tensioners wears out.

Serpentine belt jumps off when car is driven in rainy conditions, leaving driver and family stranded anywhere! serpentine belt controls all sorts of functions in car including the ability to steer the car!.

I have a 1998 Chrysler Town & Country van. The fan belt slipped off during a rain storm, stranding me and my two small children. I was told by the auto mechanic that it is a common problem with the Chrysler Town & Country models 1996-2000. I had to buy a "gates" fan belt kit to fix the problem. Two years later and six kits later the fan belt is still giving me problems. Chrysler should fix this known defect.

Serpentine belt/pulley defective belt is guaranteed to slip off van) during wet weather conditions, resulting in a loss of power steering. Belt and pulley have both been replaced ,but still could nnot drive in rain due to belt coming off. This problem will cause you loss of steering, possible engine overheating and leaves you and your passengers stranded on the road. I wouldn't attemp to drive in snow or sleet, especially with loss of power sterring.

Our 2000 Chrysler town and country minivan has had major mechanical problems. The most recent was the repeated failure of the serpentine belt. The first failure occurred while driving in cold weather (February 2007). The belt slipped off the pulleys leaving me to try to careen it over to the side of the rode with no power steering and an overheating engine. The car was repaired at our local mechanic shop. The second time occurred while it was raining outside. The belt popped off as I was driving at 40 mph and I nearly had an accident. It was all I could do to get the car off the busy street - again with the engine overheating. The car was then repaired at a new ase certified mechanic shop. The tensioner pulley and idler pulley were replaced. We thought they were fixed when I was traveling at 55 mph and the belt popped off again. I slightly ran off the road and was left stranded in the middle of a country road with no one in sight. A local mechanic said the new tensioner pulley was defective and I drove (in another vehicle) to a dealership 30 miles away to purchase a new tensioner. Two days later in the middle of a visit to a national park, the belt slipped off again and left me stranded with my children in a hot car. We then realized that the problem was not being resolved, got the belt put on one more time by a aaa mechanic and made it home on a wing and a prayer.

Multiple times the belt has slipped off. . . Luckily, both during low speed maneuvers. This happens every time the car gets wet underneath and this time I was going through a car wash. I almost ran into the side of the wash when I was pulling in due to the lack of power steering. I have replaced/put the belt back on at least 5 other times. This is crazy that it keeps happening, and you can tell the design is just plain flawed.

While driving in wet conditions the serpentine belt fell off, causing an inability to steer. Vehicle was towed , and belt was replaced again, the 4th time this year!. Vehicle is a 1998 Chrysler Town & Country with a 3. 8l engine.

I just filed a complaint here regarding serpentine belt coming off when driving through a puddle of water. Mechanics and Chrysler service mechanics are well aware of this problem and you have sufficient number of complaints showing this same problem with other owners of vans. This is not a wear and tear situation. It is a defect in the company design of these pulleys and belts. Why isn't there a recall yet??.

- the contact stated that the 2000 Chrysler Town & Country had a number of problems with the serpentine belt popping off while driving. This happened on four occasions during heavy rain and while driving 30-35 mph under heavy traffic, the battery light came on, and the vehicle was difficult to steer. He was able to pull off the road into a parking area. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle and noticed that the serpentine belt had come off again. The contact called aaa to have the vehicle towed to the dealership, and they also informed him that the serpentine belt came off. The contact stated that the vehiclewas still at the dealership. The contact will have the belt available for investigation. The contact will be calling the manufacturer of Chrysler to file a complaint. The contact felt that if this continued to happen one day the serpentine belt will pop off and he will lose control of the steering and something drastic could happen. The contact stated that this vehicle had 62,500 miles and was not sure how many miles were on the vehicle when the serpentine belt popped off the first time. The contact will have all repair orders available for this investigation.

Serpentine belt repeatedly slips off when driving in wet weather.

The weather has turned cold again and the moaning noise from the p. S. Pump is back. I had a brand-new p. S. Pump, water pump, serpentine belt, and tensioner installed a week ago. I don't know what else to do. Some people have had belts, hoses, pumps, and even steering racks replaced and the moaning noise will not go away. I'm not spending any more money on this vehicle. I suppose I can just ignore the noise along with all the other ones coming from my vehicle. I think its time for another Mini-van.

See all problems of the 2003 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

Serpentine belt slips/comes off during wet conditions. Has happened 4 times in past 3 months and several times before that.

The contact owns a 1999 Chrysler town and country. While driving 35 mph through a puddle of water, the power steering failed. The contact pulled off the road. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and it was discovered that the serpentine belt was loose. The belt was replaced; however, the failure continued only in wet conditions. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 150,000.

The serpentine belt on my 2000 Chrysler Town & Country van pops off causing loss of power steering, alternator and water pump. Very dangerous to have to safely drive to a stop without power steering. Belt has been replaced. Tensioner has been replaced. Pulleys have been replaced. Dealers and private shops have no clue what is wrong, but owners do- the tensioner gets out of alignment! goodyear and gates have begun to market kits to fix the problem, but the manufacturer should do a recall. Just "google" to see how many owners are affected. This is a serious safety issue! the incident date I list is the last of 4 incidents in the past 2 years.

The serpentine belt comes off when it rains. You lose steering ability immediately.

Serpentine belt throws in even slightly wet weather, often at hazardous places and conditions. Belts and pulleys have been replaced repeatedly. Power steering and water pump, among other systems fail instantly. My wife drives the car and can no longer drive it in wet weather. Been fighting this problem for years.

Serpentine belt derails when driven in rain. This is a huge safety issue because the power steering goes out. Replace belts and tensioner pulley, still happens. Lots of posts on the web from people having the same issue even after having the TSB for the idler pulley done. It's amazing that no one has been seriously hurt by this defect.

While driving in the rain, not standing water or high water, my 97 Chrysler town and country started overheating. Not knowing what was wrong, I pulled over and let it cool off and attempted to restart my trip. This continued every 1/2 mile and finally I had no power steering. Trying to get to a filling station, it finally just died. After having it towed, staying in a hotel and taking a cab to work, the mechanic told me my serpentine belt just came off. He replaced it. He stated that this has been known to be happening with these vans and for additional money and labor costs I could have a "kit" installed and will hopefully prevent this problem from continually happening. The kit he spoke about was a belt that is ribbed on both sides and replacement of a pulley. If this is a known problem then Chrysler should recall and replace this free of charge.

1998 Chrysler town and country transmission failed while driving on the highway. There was no warning prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer who indicated that the vehicle needed a new transmission. The consumer contacted the manufacturer for financial assistance but since the vehicle was out of warranty they refused any assistance. The belt and tensioner were replaced because they were noisy. The handbrake did not hold. The dealer replaced the lever and cable assembly. The front struts were replaced. The sway bar link was replaced because it was noisy. The rear hatch lock was inoperative.

On several occasions my 1999 town and country has had belt and pulley problems where while riding in busy traffic rainy days, the belt will slip completely of the pulley its attached to,causing my vehicle to completely lose all power steering abilities right in the middle of the heavy traffic,prior to the belt coming off the vehicles makes this loud chirping noise for several days prior to the belt coming off. I have had so many incidents with this same problem,but cannot afford to purchase a new vehicle as this one is still nice and paid off. Every mechanic I've used is telling me that this is a know factory issue because of the number of vehicles they've seen with the same problems. And have suggested that I change my vehicle for something with less aging problems. This is such a problem. We cannot travel in this vehicle when it rains as we know the belt or pulley will definitely leave us walking again. If water puddles are in the street it is suggested that the vehicle not be driven through them in order to keep the belt attached and not lose power steering that will for sure cause a major accident on busy streets. Is there anything my family and I can do to avoid being killed by this problem? or is there something that can be done mechanically to fix this problem? we still favor the Town & Country but not in favor of the known mechanical problem with the belt and pully situations.

When going through average size puddle, serpentine belt came off. This disables all steering control and alternator/coolant system, etc. This is definitely a safety issue. Have replaced belt myself numerous times. Failure of tensioner and 2 other pulleys eventually needed at cost of $300+. Waiting for it to happen again. . . I see this is an ongoing problem.

The pulleys that hold the belt are misaligned which shreds the belts in the motor. This occured while drivng down the exspressway @ 70 mph. The car loses power steering and power. This happens as we researched more often then not. You would have to replace the tentioner assembly in order to correct this defect. I have not heard of a recall for this defect.

Noticed a grinding noise in engine at 4,000 miles. Took in for the oil change and mentioned to the service advisor that there was a noise. After 3 weeks in a rental car, they finally returned the van after replacing the following: cylinder head, valves, cylinder head gasket, intake manifold gasket, 3 pushrods, rocker arm, and an air conditioner belt. Not more than 8 hours later, I returned the car with a new noise. This time they replaced the intake manifold and gasket as they were improperly installed by the mechanic. Finally back in my own car after another 2 days.

See all problems of the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

About 2 years ago the consumer noticed while driving, the power steering went out. The oil light came on at the time. The consumer drove to a garage. The mechanic replaced the serpentine belt and tensioner. Everything worked for about 2 months and then it had to be replaced again. Then today while driving the consumer lost steering again, due to the failure of the serpentine belt and tensioner.