Engine Belts And Pulleys problems of the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan - part 1

My 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan has the serpentine belt issue. It falls of if it rains. This problem is due to a design flaw from Dodge. They used smooth pulleys instead of groved. In addition gates had to make a kit to fix this one single issue because it is so common. This is a very common issue and Chrysler refuses to do anything about it (like normal). This is a very dangerous situation.

I have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan le 3. 8. In the last 2 months the serpentine belt slipped off 2 times when it is raining outside or the van goes through a puddle of water. I have almost been killed twice. I have read that other Dodge owners have also had this problem. The wheel cannot be controlled when this happens, and my wife is scared to drive this car now. I think that Dodge has some explaining to do as they have been made aware of this defect, and are not taking any responsibility for this repeated serious safety fault.

The contact owns a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the serpentine belt separated from the engine when the vehicle was driven in the rain. The serpentine belt was replaced twice, but the failure was not remedied. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 262,747.

When ever it rains or snows and a lil bit of moisture gets up in the engine the serpentine belt comes off and I lose everything, power steering, fan, you name it its gone, and I have almost wrecked 5 out of 8 times this has happened. . 2 times I found myself having going in to a field to stop due to steering was gone, and possible burn/ fire could have resulted from engine over heating and liquids boiling/ and steam rising. Leading to be a very dangerous problem to anyone near the vehicle, I have 3 children and they were with me 3 of the 8 times the belt came off. I searched online and apparently im not the only one having this problem. . There is alot more people out there with this complaint. I did however replace the belt once again, along with pulley/ tensioner its getting to be quite expensive for me as a single mom.

The serpentine belt chronically has fallen off and been replaced on the car. It has fallen off twice in the first year that we purchased the car new. When it falls off, there is no power steering. Fortunately up to this time my wife was not driving highway speeds. It is a fatality waiting to happen with this design.

Serpentine belt falls off during rain/snowy weather on 1996 Dodge grande caravan.

I have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan . In September of 2004 the serpentine belt came off in the rain causeing loss of steering and overheating alarm. I replaced the tensioner and belt and thought it was fixed . To date I have had to put the belt back on at least 7 times and replaced it with a new one three times . But the problem is still there wet roads or rain and the belt comes off. Looking on the internet I see this is a widespread problem . Ive worked on cars most of my life and have never had this kind of problem. Have your experts look at the tensioner and idler pulley design they are smooth without sides to keep the belt on them. This should be a major recall.

When driving through water serpentine belt slipped off from the engine, causing vehicle to lose power steering. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

While stopped the belt tensioner snapped and caused loss of power steering. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed.

While the vehicle was parked, fluid was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred. The time belt cover was a problem.

There is a problem with the serpentine belt, when it rains the belt comes off the pulley system. This has occurred several times, and is becoming costly, so now I am considering the Honda odyssey!.

The drive belt tensioner assm. Brakes at the stud that connect to the backet,causing the drive belt tension assm. To brake then damage hood and some other parts of engine . I have talked to alot of people and they have had the same problem . Two people said it caused acc. The drive belt tensioner assmebely is of poor design and failes and the repaires are very costly. 1200. 00 to 2500. 00 to repair defeat. Please check this out ii will give you a ex. Driving down the freeway at 55 to 70 mph and all of the sudden bang then a hole in the hood and smoke comming for under the hood. Think there sould be a nationail recall on this before someone get killed. L.

Mechanic who replaced my belt tensioner, stated that he replaced same parts on Dodge caravans in a recent short period of time and suggested that this is a factory or design defect.

The serpentine belt fell off and it was replaced including the tension belt. Also, the vehicle was overheating and the water pump and gasket were replaced. Consumer stated that the check engine light was on twice and the dealer replaced oxygen sensor and leak detection pump for possible failure.

I have had my serpentine belt and tensioner replaced twice, once at 32000 (under warranty) and once at 73000 miles. The dealer charged me the full $200 for the repair in spite of the fact that I'd had it replaced at 32000m and it is a known problem with a service bullitin. The failure causes the power steering to cease opperating. I also had a broken gear tooth in my transmission at 73,000m. The dealer was going to charge me $2100 for a new transmission, but I decided to take it elsewhere and have yet to have it fixed.

Serpentine belt tensioner shaft sheared as a result of no lubrication. Instantaneous loss of power steering and vehicle control resulted in a very close call. I believe the non-lubricated shaft permitted corrossion and subsequent seizure and shearing of the assembly shaft. It is a design deficiency, in my opinion of course.

Engine belt tensioner failure while driving with associated loss of steering control second incident first incident occured at 33071 miles 01/11/1999.

Tensioneer pully fell off. When this happens consumer loses tension on fan belt/power steering/power brakes, and then vehicle is very hard to stop or steer.

Repeated failure of serpentine pulley repaired, but why is it failing again.

The mounting bolt for the spring tensioner of the serpentine belt suddenly failed, rendering the car inoperable. Loose failed parts then damaged an auxiliary pulley in engine compartment (power steering pump). Inspection of failed bolt shows no sign of wear, cracks, weakening, etc. Bolt failure was sudden, unexpected, and complete. I suspect poor quality of metal in bolt's composition to be the cause of failure. Repairs have been completed by dealer with cost coming out of my pocket despite evidence of faulty material and my appeal for reimbursement to dealer and Chrysler regional representative. Reviewing consumer complaints listed on NHTSA web site, I find no less than a dozen identical problems described on 1996 models alone. There were no injuries resulting from my incident and effects on the engine as a whole remain to be seen. Furthermore, the bolt appears to be made of aluminum (despite its critical function and delicate location). I would appreciate any information you can provide me concerning this situation. Hopefully, if there is a problem with the material, Chrysler will do the right thing before injuries/fatalities occur as a result of failures of this engine component. The failed part is in my possession and is available for inspection/testing if you wish. Thank you in advance for your time and the services you provide to consumers. Chuck toland.

Idle tension pulley broken while traveling. Towed to dealer for repairs.

Serpentine belt separated from vehicle at 554mph, causing engine to lock up. Delaer has repaired the vehicle several times prior to this incidnet.

Belt tensioner bolt snapped off. Throwing of belt, breaking another pully. Happened to many other people too. Recall time Dodge.

Consumer was traveling about 70mph and heard some noise coming from the hood area. Also, smoke and flames came out of the hood area. Serpentine belt caught on fire. Vehicle was inoperable. No steering, vehicle won't start at all. Vehicle was towed to the dealership.

Belts became badly frayed and tattered prematurely; 3 days after replacement of the belts, the engine died on the freeway at 65 mph. The engine would not restart and we needed to be towed from the freeway to the dealer. The dealer claimed that they could not locate any problem and that the vehicle started right away.

Serpentine belt snapped while driving after belt assembly nut split and broke, dislodging the entire assembly. Vehicle has been repaired.

While driving, consumer was flagged down by a passing motorist and was informed that vehicle was on fire, flames were coming out from underneath the vehicle, the fan belt caused the fire, claim 17-9113-989.

Belt tensioner failed and hit the main pulley which was damaged and replaced. Brakes pulsated at around 30k miles. They were maintained by turning the rotors, but the problem came back after a month. All of these problems where paid out of my pocket after I was told it is not covered under the extended warranty.

When the tensioner pulley failed and snapped off of the engine at the block mount I was proceeding in a left hand turn onto a busy street. Loss of the pulley caused loss of power steering which caused a hazardous condition that nearly caused a bad crash.

After exiting interstate 80 my wife lost steering control of our minivan. Fortunately this was on a suburban street and not on the highway. Upon inspection of the engine I found that the belt tensioner (fp# 4612894-ac) was no longer attached to the engine.

Tensioner pulley bent, and the serpentine belt came off. The second time the pulley actually broke off. Bothe times the car lost all controls, luckily, both times I was driveing on a small strret and slow speed.

While driving 65 mph, the engine stalled. Mechanic found engine belt tensioner broke.

1. There are 2 problems with wipers. 1. The front windshield wipers go on by themselves. It occurs at different times and different speeds, even when in park. To turn them off I must turn it on and then off again. 2. When front wipers are placed in the high position they will go off by themselves leaving me unable to see. To make them go back on I must turn it off and then back on. Have had it at the dealers numerous times to no avail. They change a part but don't fix the problem. 2. While driving at highway speeds the belt will fray and just fall apart leaving me with no power steering and no accelerator or generator. This is dangerous because I travel with my 3 small children on rural highways and driving on only whatever power is in the battery and without the powersteering the van becomes almost impossible to steer. My dealer has informed me that it is the tension pulley and that it is a problem for a lot of people and when asked if it was a recalled part he informed us it was not but should be. It is a part that can not be changed by us(there are no instructions in the mechanics manual we were given). We called Chrysler and was informed that we had to have the dealer replace this part at a cost of $90 for the tension pulley plus labor. This however will not solve the problem because there is still a defect.

Tension pulley/ power steering belt failed.

Ie98054, while driving over a water puddle vehicle lost power steering for that moment which could hav e caused loss of control. After it was out of the water, a squeaky noise was heard and vehicle returned back to normal. Dealer replaced steering belt tensioner and serpetine belt. Problem is reoccurring. Please provide further information.