61 problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the serpentine belt became detached numerous times when the vehicle was being driven in inclement weather, causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The serpentine belt was replaced five times however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000 and the current mileage was 160,000.
Serpentine belt fell off when driving through a puddle. This disabled all of the accessories and made the van undrivable. This has happened once before. Vehicle was disabled in the middle of a busy street.
On two occasions, both during a heavy rainstorm, the serpentine belt had fallen off the vehicle while driving at a high speed. This caused a lost of power steering, overheating and the alternator light had come on. The service could not find a reason as to why this occurred. The consumer was also told that this was common on the east cost due to the rain and snow. (model/sport).
Engine belt has had to be replaced five times since date of purchase. Also, all electrical components including lights and hazard lights and power steering are lost. Vehicle cannot be driven more than twenty miles per hour when this happens. Dealer has been contacted. Consumer stated that the tensioner failed and was replaced for the fifth time on 1-04-02.
Within the first month of owning our van, the belt came off the pulley system rendering the van dead. When it came off it was cut in two and wrapped around the crank pulley. We replaced the belt 8 times since that occurrence. We have also replaced the crank pulley and tension pulley. After becoming totally frustrated with this problem, we contacted the corporation, which was of no use. A fairbanks Dodge service consultant shared with us the fact that they often receive several towed in caravans on rainy days due to the belt slipping off. My concern is that when this belt comes off there is no power steering, nor alternator, nor a/c. If this occurs at a high rate of speed, the use of power steering will be lost, meaning quick reaction if needed would be hindered. Our mechanic called Chrysler to verify if it was purely the use of a wrong belt type, only to be told no. As a matter of fact, they told him not to use a Chrysler belt. In addition to that, we were also informed that the belt system is being redesigned for 2003 because of this problem. Please help! I have a wife and two kids that ride in this vehicle everyday and I am concerned about their safety.
After transmission was replaced serpentine belt fell off. Then, took vehicle back to dealer, and they said that belt could fell off any time if it gets wet. Consumer had to purchase a cover to avoid to fell off.
Serpentine belt thrown off.
The serpentine belt falls off when it gets wet. Dealer has replaced it twice, and a shield once, however the problem still exists.
We purchased this vehicle used in August 2001. After two months of having the vehicle we had to replace the serpentine belt, which broke as soon as I turned a corner,(we were told the dealership, maroone Toyota in weston, FL sould see nothing wrong) we then had to have the vehicle looked at as our engine light came on (we were told there was nothing wrong with the engine) within the next 2 years of having this car, we have replaced the serpentine belt 4 addiotnal times, we have had the motor in the driver door break and we cannot get that window down, we have the warning lights come on for the air bag system (which I just noted is a recall issue that I never received notice), we have just experienced the a/c breaking down, wich looks in turn that this will be a problem with the pulley or system it is attched to ( a coil problem). We have 3 small children and I must admit that this has been the worst experience that I have ever encountered with a used vehicle. We have had nothing but complications with this vehicle - I should have returned thevehicle and count my blessings, I'm afraid the next time something goes wrong with this vehicle - it may cost us ourlives. Can someone please contact me and tell me my options.
We bought our 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan se (3. 3 liter) used from the original owner in 2000. At that point, the tensioner had been replaced once at least. Since then we have had the unfortunate and dangerous circumstance of being stranded on a major highway with our 3 children because of the tensioner belt falling off, not once, but twice. It coincided with rainy weather both times. I have read several other reports on the internet with other consumers having the same exact problem with their Dodge Grand Caravans. This is a serious problem. This could lead to deaths very easily. We were lucky enough to get across 3 lanes of traffic, with no steering or power, and park in the break down lane while traffic passed by us at 75 miles an hour. We were nearly rearended a couple times, which would have meant our children would have been hit first, and I doubt that they would have survived that kind of impact. In the meantime, my husband literally stood in back of our van waving our detached serpentine belt in the air desperate for someone to help get us off of the busy and potentially deadly highway. The next 30 minutes were scary, I cried the entire time scared for the safety of my 3 young children (a newborn, a 2 year old and a 3 year old). The next time the belt fell off, luckily I was nearer to our home on a quiet street. I could only imagine what would have happened had I lost the belt while on a back country road in maine, in the middle of the winter, with my 3 children by myself. A family van should never lose it's serpentine belt 3 times in 4 years. With all the recorded statements from others who have had this same exact problem, several times over, there is ample proof that Dodge is aware that there is a huge problem. Losing power, steering, etc. Is a major issue that cannot be ignored. We were lucky to survive our incident. There will come a day, if this situation is not resolved, where a person or whole family, will die because of this careless defect.
Serpentine belt came off, and there was a loss of steering. This happened in rain or snowy weather. Consumer was traveling 35-40mph in rain and splashing through puddles. Just as they were exiting battery/oil and temperature lights came on. Vehicle lost steering. Second time on 2-22-01, going 60mph in rain and water splashing underneath made vehicle lose steering. Maufacturer said not enought vehicles were affected to assist with problem.
Transmission: down shifts to second gear and will not shift out. Occurred while entering freeway on an on ramp. Serpentine belt slipped off while driving in small puddles of water on highway. Total loss of power steering which resulted in dangerous handling of vehicle on wet roads.
Tensioner on engine had broken twice. Repaired first time under warranty. Second time not under warranty. Had lost power steering due to tensioner breaking.
Serpentine belts have come off while consumer was driving, it resulted in cosumer losing control of vehicle. Contacted dealer.
The failure of the tensioner belt caused the serpentine belt to come off resulting in power steering failure.
The same identical failure has occurred 3 time in 14 months on my minivan. This problem only occurs during rain when water gets up onto the belt causing it to come off and causing complete loss of ability to steer and control the car. Although I was not in an accident any of the times this occured, this is a safety issue. I was just lucky to be able to get off to the side of the road without running into anyone or getting run into by someone else. Each time, jerry's Dodge has implemented yet another technical services bulletin to fix the problem, but the problem still exists and it is a dangerous problem.
Serpentine belt will come off in heavy rain, this has happened 4 times. Dealer will put on new belt.
Head gasket failed at 45,000 miles, allowing coolant to flow out of the driver's side of the engine. Driver's side seat belt retractor failed to spool out and allow the occupant to buckle the latch plate.
Incident 1 - 08/1998 - while driving at 10 mph in rainy weather, turned a corner and drove through a puddle. All control was lost to vehicle, which had to be immediately stopped. The serpentine belt was hanging visibly from the vehicle and after towing to the dealer, was replaced as defective under warranty. Incident 2 - 01/02/99 - while driving 10 mph in rainy weather, turning a corner throgh a puddle, all control was lost and the vehicle was immediately stopped. The serpentine belt was checked and found by the owner to be disconnected. The dealer will be contacted for warranty replacement on the next business day. Please investigate this dangerous loss of control problem before a third occurance at higher speeds.
While driving through a puddle serpentine belt came off. Lost control of vehicle and lost all power. Took to dealer & had belt replaced at least three times. This only happens when vehicle is driven through water or puddles.
The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact has experienced two failures regarding the serpentine belt. While driving 30 mph, the power steering and power brakes lost power. There were no warnings prior to the failures. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and he repaired the vehicle himself by re-attaching the serpentine belt. The contact is currently unable to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer stated that no compensation would be provided because there were no recalls. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 123,000.
When it rains hard the serpentine belt comes off the engine. This results in loss of power steering, and overheating.
The engine serpentine belt slipped off the pulleys.
Belts have been braking after ~ 18000-20000 miles. Dodge does not seem to care.
Serpentine belt fell off the tension pulley, causing a loss of power steering. TSB 6088784 was issued on the problem, which indicated that cause was rain/stagnant water, and snow. 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan experienced problem where serpentine belt fell off the tension pulley causing a loss of power steering, power brakes and engine failure. Chrysler corporation sent a memo to their dealerships addressing how to correct the problem. The memo also stated that this problem was not a safety issue.
While driving the serpentine belt came of, causing the vehicle to shut down. Dealer has been notified.