general problems of the 2000 Dodge Caravan

Tl the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Caravan. While driving approximately 15 mph, the power steering seized for the third time. After the previous failures, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the serpentine belt slipped off and needed to be replaced. After the recent failure, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

When I tried to pull my Dodge Caravan (2000) out of the parking lot after a heavy raining day, I found the power steering didn't work. I could go forward or backward, but could not turn, or could turn only very slowly (I could hear the wheel kind of making clicking sound when I tried to turn). After driving very slowly on the parking lot and tried to turn slowly several time, the steering finally got back. I googled online and found many people have the same problem, mostly with a Dodge, but also some other cars. . Read more...

Purchased used 2000 Caravan w/90,000 miles. Warranty expired in 2003 and because of mileage. Problem: belt slips off when it rains, causing power steering to not work, mechanic say's it can destroy engine if you continue to drive w/belt off. Had belt put back on 5 times. Won't drive when it's wet out, plan to purchase this "kit" needed in order to stop belt slipping off. Kit is est. $600, pllus labor cost. I keep wondering what did prior owner do for this problem.

Serpentine belt slips off in the rain causing a loss in power steering, ac (for window defogging), power (no alternator when headlights are on during rain). When it slipped off, the ability to correct for loss of traction due to water was reduced due to lack of power steering and the windshield fogged up quickly due to the loss of the ac compressor. Slid of the interstate and slid down the median. Multiple other instances of belt slipping off (4 times in past 3 days), though at lower rates of speed. Dodge denies there is an issue even though there are many reports on the internet relating to this problem. It is also interesting that they now sell a upgrade kit that changes out the two non-grooved pulleys for grooved ones and add a belt with grooves on both sides. They said that they would only fix this problem when enough people reported the problem.

2000 Dodge Caravan - belt keeps coming off during rain/snow -- this effects the power steering making the van very hard to steer --- we hate driving it when it's doing to rain/snow -- this is supposed to be a family van ---- make Dodge fix it --- so far they don't have a solution to the problem but installing new belts/tensioner --- which every 2-3 weeks is expensive along with tows --- please help!.

I was driving 200 Caravan on a surface street in busy traffic. The serpentine belt slipped off and I was left with no power steering. There was no warning until I had to turn. I put the belt back on and later that evening in the rain the belt slipped off again. At this time it was dark and I was on a highway. I replaced the belt with an old spare I keep in the van and I made it home.

The serpintine belt just came off my 2000 Dodge Caravan. Made it very difficult to drive, I was only traveling 20 mph at the time and was lucky that the belt did not wrap around any of the components.

Consumer states while parking and without any indication vehicle lost steering. Consumer looked under vehicle and noticed steering bolt on ground.