Engine Cooling System problems of the 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan

For the 2nd time in less than a year, the serpentine belt came off the belt-tensioner in my 2000 Grand Caravan sport. This incident results in power steering, engine coolng, air conditioning and other systems to stop working immediately. Both incidents happened while driving in the rain, it is an obvious design flaw with Chrysler family of Mini-vans.

Van stops for no apparent reason. Just started in summer heat. Transmission acted up, had it serviced---now transmission made huge noise, no reverse, loud whining, all going out. Loud squeaks in supports, brakes replaced but still squealing even when pedal not pushed. Horrible fogging problems, have had to pull over and wipe windows inside and out when raining. Almost wrecked when vehicle stopped in traffic. Can't see due to fogging when raining. Just an accident waiting to happen---going to the junk yard. Manufacturer needs to own up to problems. Won't own another.

Transmission lines leaked and were tightened under warranty. Transmission lines started leaking again but this time I had to pay because all of a sudden the line was fractured due to some external cause. Transmission stutters and shifts hard especially between 25 and 35 mph. Started complaining to dealer around 30,000 miles, of course when I returned for the 3rd time to complain at just over 37,000 miles they had no previous record in their computer so I had to pay to have it looked at. They still insist nothing is wrong and the problem is getting worse. The coolant reservoir is always almost empty no matter how much I pour in. Dealer insists this is normal and pressure tests indicate nothing is wrong. . If the system is sealed where is all of the coolant going?.

On February 8, 2004, herman lino, CO owner of car, called me to report some trouble with the Dodge caravan. The red light came on and the cruise control light also came on. He pulled over to the side and felt that the engine was warm. He opened the hood and saw some smoke which he thought may have been from an overheated engine. I told him, by phone, to add some coolant to the radiator. He purchased a container but the radiator only took 1/2 of the container. After a while, the red light and cruise light went off so he started the car to drive home which was about 2 miles away. As he ascended a slight incline, he saw smoke coming out of both sides of the hood, more from the driver's side. He immediately stopped the car, turned off the engine and stepped out to the front of the car. He opened the hood and something immediately burst into flame. The flame was about 5-10 ft high. Herman said it looked like a house on fire. He stepped back when another explosion erupted. Police and firemen converged on t he scene and after things cooled down, an inspection was made. A report from the fire dept was issued. The fire erupted about 8pm. The car was towed to ace towing about 5 miles away from the scene the car had less than 15,000 miles, is in good shape and had regular service at the Dodge dealer. The entire engine was burned and needs replacement. There's a large hole in the windshield when the fire entered the vehicle. Top of the dashboard sustained melting and damage. Front seats, upholstery incurred little damage. The ceiling of the van shows soot marks. This vehicle had it's original battery. There was only one driver . Owners had no otc coverage. Please tell me what I need to do to get some assistance to replace or repair the car. It is an ims vehicle. It appears that it is a company defect. I have the car here on my premises. Mrs. P. Caindec.

Ac failed cooling. Unit has lost its freon charge. Unit was rechardeg and dye installed to locate leak. Leak was foung in front evaporator. Was advised core leak, not a copper to alum joint, but through aluminum part of core. Appeared to be deteriorated by acid. Other involves three failures on battery on this vehicle. The original, a replacement installed in oct 2001 and that failed this July 2003.

While driving vehicle had a strong odor which smellled like coolant coming from vehicle. When consumer lifted hood odor got stronger. Also, odor was making occupants of vehicle feel sick to point of nausea. Contacted dealer, and dealer couldn't find cause of problem.