Six problems related to steering have been reported for the 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My serpentine belt falls off every time it gets wet. It falls off in heavy rain, it falls off in snow. As you could imagine when you suddenly don't have steering on wet and/or icy roads it becomes very dangerous, especially in a family van. Even after I get the vehicle to the side of the road I have to get the belt back on. Road side repairs are never safe or easy but they are made even more so when done in the rain or in a blizzard when it's 60 below wind chill. This needs to be addressed and fixed!!!!!.
On going problem, with myself and previous owners. Never addressed by Chrysler and no recall ever done. When driving on wet roads the serpentine belt comes off leaving you with no power steering and loss of control if going at normal speeds and on a curve. It is a well know problem and has not been addressed by Chrysler. They just say there has never been a recall and refuse to fix the problem. The problem is so prevalent that gates has made a replacement pulley and belt to fix it, but it costs about $120. 00 and Chrysler should pay for the fix and installation. Why has this not been taken care of?.
Serpentine belt came off pulleys while driving in heavy rain. Lost ability to steer van. Van headed directly for another car and collision narrowly avoided. Belt coming off when wet appears to be a common problem with this series van, and would seem to be a very serious hazard. It is beyond me why Dodge is not required to retrofit a better belt/pulley system (which does exist and is on the market).
Nhtsa #02-v-293-000. On certain Mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process. Consumer has the same problem. A recall has been issues on similar makes and models. However this vehicle is not include due the VIN#.
While turning into the driveway, the consumer heard a clunk and the steering went completely around. Consumer feels this is very unsafe. The consumer states that the steering wheel had no control over the tires. Injuries or fatalities could have occured. The dealer had replaced the lower steering shaft. It had been stripped out from the lack of full/appropriate connection. The material engineer stated that the part appeared to have been engaged only 1/3 of the way, instead of the whole way.
While pulling into a parking lot the steering broke, steering wheel then was able to spin freely with no control over the vehicle. Dealer has been contacted.