42 problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Since 1996, the serpentine belt tensioner device has broken three times. Two of the three times the bolt holding the device sheared off as well as the device breaking. Both the local Chrysler dealership and the repair shop that have performed the repairs stated that this is a recurrent problem with the caravans. The dealership keeps this item in stock because of the frequency of repairs. This component failure causes great risk to the driver as it controls the power steering, radiator fan, water pump and alternator. It has broken so many times while I've been driving, that I'm getting to be an expert at navigating the vehicle off the road without killing someone. The three repairs have occured on 7/11/1997, 5/22/1998 and 9/3/1999. I can provide the documentation if requested. Please look into this apparent manufacturer's defect! thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Serpentine drive belt fell off due to design, snow builds up under the engine and because of design it allows belt to fly off .
Pin that secures the pulley assembly broke, causing loss of vehicle control cause unknown. Please give any further details.
Serpentine belts failed. Yh.
Front rotors warped or flawed. Heavy steering wheel and front end vibration during downgrade slow braking. Fuel tank is collapsed which will hold only about 13 gallons. Wipers coming on intermittently and gets worse when climate gets hot. Belt tensioner failed which can hit and break the main crankshaft pulley.
There was a loss of power steering and power brakes due to the idler pulley breaking off. Also, vehicle overheated quickly. Dealer has the vehicle. Needs new idler pulley.
I purchased a '96 Dodge Grand Caravan in 2/97 with approx 15,000 miles on it. Within the first couple of weeks the serpentine belt was breaking apart. The dealership replaced it and said all looks good. A few weeks after it, happened again. This time the dealer checked and said there was a defect and the upgrade was ordered (the belt was replaced again). When the upgrade parts arrived and were installed, the belt had to be replaced again. Sometime after that the belt went again. Because I was beyond the 30,000 mile point I went to my usual machanic. He replaced the belt. A short time after that the belt fell apart again. This time the mechanic got intouch with Chrysler and was told about the upgrade which according to Chrysler had already been done on the vehicle. He was told to use only original replacement parts when replacing the belt. Which he did. Although this one lasted the longest, last week it had to be replaced again. Then last night the belt flew apart again. This time it wrapped around one of the lower pullys as it broke apart, and sounded like I was dragging a garbage can under the van. That 7 belts in 2 years. Something has got to be wrong.