2000 Dodge Grand Caravan Complaint Log

SERPENTINE BELT KEEPS FALLING OFF WHENEVER THE VEHICLE GOES THROUGH A PUDDLE, RENDERING THE POWER STEERING USELESS, ENGINE OVERHEATS, ALTERNATOR STOPS. 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 3.3L WITH AC, 132,000 MI, SERPENTINE BELT, TENSIONER, AND WATER PUMP REPLACED; THE BELT SLIPPED OFF ONCE PER WEEK FOR THREE WEEKS, EACH TIME DURING A HEAVY RAIN 3/4/2008, 3/27/2008, 2/28/2008. *TR

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. FRONT STRUT TOWERS CORRODED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 62,000 MILES. *TR

SERPENTINE BELT KEEPS SLIDING OFF DURING SLIGHT MOISTURE, WHETHER RAINING, DRIZZLING OR SPLASHING UP WATER. STEERING AND BRAKE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. HAD TO USE FORD WHEEL THAT HAS A "LIP" ON IT TO KEEP BELT FROM SLIPPING ANY MORE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION UNDER THE HOOD WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE CONTACT'S GRANDDAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD, KNOCKING THE CONTACT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED, SHE MANAGED TO GET UP FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY ONE INJURED. THE PARAMEDICS HAD BEEN CALLED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. SHE WAS THEN TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. CHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE GEAR TO BE MOVED OUT OF POSITION WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE MAY RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,784.UPDATED 05/13/08. *LJ

REAR COOLANT LINES CORRODE AND DRAIN ALL ENGINE COOLANT ON 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. *TR

2000 GRAND CARAVAN.....INITIALLY, THE INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXTINGUISH. HITTING A BUMP, IT WOULD COME BACK ON. MOST RECENTLY, THE VAN WILL NOT START. NO INSTRUMENTS, NO CLICK, NO NOTHING. IF YOU WHACK THE TOP OF THE DASH WITH YOUR FIST, ALL INSTRUMENTS COME ON, AND THE VAN STARTS. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT YET, BUT INTEND TO PULL THE DASH AND CHECK FOR BAD SOLDER CONNECTIONS. *TR

REGARDING THE IGNITION PROBLEM WITH THE PROPER KEY BEING INSERTED AND NOT TURNING..I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS ALSO STRANDED. I LEARNED IF YOU PUT THE KEY IN AND TAP THE END OF THE KEY (AS IF YOU'RE TRYING TO TAP IT FURTHER INTO THE IGNITION) WITH A RUBBER HANDLED SCREWDRIVER A COUPLE TIMES IT WILL THEN TURN AND START RIGHT UP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING ON THE FUEL RAIL. THE GASOLINE SMELL ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A LEAK UNDER THE HOOD. DAIMLER CHRYSLER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 36,000. UPDATED 06/09/2008. *LJ

CORROSION OF BOTH FRONT STRUT TOWERS ON LATE 1990'S - EARLY 2000 DODGE CARAVANS. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY ADDRESS IT IN A TSB. THE REFER TO IT AS A COSMETIC PROBLEM WHEN IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IF NOT REPAIRED AT HIGH COST TO MANY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES, CONTROL WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN THE RAIN OR THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT TWICE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE FAILURE OCCURS ONLY WHEN IT RAINS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,625 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 03/11/08. *LJ

SERIOUS RUST THROUGH OF THE STRUT TOWER ON A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN MADE IN USA. SUDDENLY APPEARED AND RAPIDLY PROGRESSING SINCE JAN 2008. BODY VERY WELL CARED FOR - NO ACCIDENTS, NO RUST IN OR OUT TIL NOW. THIS IS NOT COSMETIC AS CHRYSLER ALLEGES - IT IS STRUCTURAL AND A REAL SAFETY CONCERN SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE A REALLY BIG POT HOLE COULD SENT THE STRUT UP THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD! *TR

I PICKED UP ON A MATTER OF SAFETY WITH MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON, AND RUNNING THE VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO OTHER GEARS WITHOUT THE BREAK PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THIS ISSUES CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE, AND WAS TOLD THAT IN THE 2000 MODEL IT WASN'T REQUIRED TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE. I AS THE CONSUMER DO NOT THINK THIS THE CASE. I CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN TIME AFTER TIME, AND CAN SHOW YOU IT HAPPENING. COULD RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND OR CRASH. *TR

WE HIT A POT HOLE IN THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 40MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT ALLOY WHEEL ON OUR DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ACTUALLY SPIT IN HALF. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT, THANKFULLY IT DIDN'T. CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO A WHEEL LIKE THIS.*CN

THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. HIT A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. WATER SPRAYED UP ON THE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH THREW THE BELT OFF OF THE IDLER PULLEY AND TENSIONER PULLEY. BOTH TIMES WE WERE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN... WHICH MADE IT VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WE LOSS THE POWER STEERING. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITH MY WIFE DRIVING...WHICH WOULD BE VERY HARD TO CONTROL FOR A LADY... THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING, WHICH WAS BETTER... BUT STILL VERY DANGEROUS. I AM PLANNING ON PURCHASING THE GOODYEAR REPLACEMENT KIT THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED ON SEVERAL WEBSITES AND THIS WEBSITE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER SHOULD BE RECALLING ALL THESE VANS AND REPLACING ALL THE PULLEYS WITH THESE SAFER KITS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF STEERING AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS DETACHED. THE CONTACT RE-ATTACHED THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT SPORADICALLY SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS BETWEEN $312- $700. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

I OWN A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND I WANT THE GEN 3 SEAT BELTS RECALLED. I HAVE 2 CHILD RESTRAINTS INSTALLED ON THE SAME ROW NEXT TO EACH OTHER AND WORRY THAT IN AN ACCIDENT THE SEATS MAY POSSIBLY UNBUCKLE EACH OTHER DUE TO THE GEN 3 BELTS. MY SEATS ARE INSTALLED WITH ZERO MOVEMENT AT THE BELT PATH, BUT AS WELL ALL KNOW SEAT BELTS DO STRETCH IN AN ACCIDENT AND WHO IS TO SAY THAT THEY WON'T HIT THE BUCKLE RELEASE MECHANISM? *TR

I BOUGHT A 2000 GRAND CARAVAN USED FROM CARMAX WITH 64,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENCES WHERE THE POWER STEERING BELT COMES OFF IN THE RAIN AND I AM UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. MY MECHANIC HAS SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS DEFECT WITH 1999 AND 2000 MODELS. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION! YOU NEED TO RECALL IMMEDIATELY. I AM EXTREMELY SCARED EVERY TIME IT RAINS AND AFRAID THAT I WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. PLEASE HELP IMMEDIATELY! *TR

I WAS TOLD BY DODGE THAT WE HAVE ONLY HAD ONE RECALL ON OUR VEHICLE. YOUR RECORDS SHOW 6 AND WE HAVE NEVER GOTTEN ANYTHING. *TR

WE PURCHASED NEW A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WITHIN 2 YEARS WHILE I WAS DRIVING NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS GOING ON THE STEERING ON THE CAR WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING AND I ALMOST HIT A TREE. I FOUND THAT IT WAS THE SERPENTINE BELT. FROM THAT POINT ON I HAVE ALMOST HAD 2 ADDITIONAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE BELT EITHER WAS CHEWED UP OR CAME OFF. MY HUSBAND FELT THE EXPERIENCE YESTERDAY WHEN THE STEERING WENT OUT. THIS WILL BE THE 6TH BELT PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE BUT TO NO AVAIL. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BELT GOES AND YOU ARE TRAVELING 60-70MPH AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THIS CAR. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO? I HAVE NOT COMPLAINED BECAUSE DODGE SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY HAVE ADMITTED TI ME THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE SERPENTINE BELTS. I DID NOT EVEN KNOW YOU EXISTED OTHERWISE YOU WOULD HAVE HEARD FROM ME LONG AGO AND WE MAY HAVE SAVED A LOT OF MONEY TIME AND LUCKILY NO LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST TO THIS POINT. THANK YOU. *TR

I FILED A COMPLAINT ON 28 AUG 2007 REGARDING MY VEHICLE AND THE SERPENTINE BELT ISSUE. I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED AND IT IS GOING TO COST APPROX. 500.00 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR THE 7TH TIME. I HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM THAT 30+ FOLKS ON THIS SITE ALONE ARE HAVING. #1 THE BELT IS SMOOTH ON ONE SIDE AND GROOVED ON THE OTHER SIDE SO WHEN OIL, RAIN ETC. TOUCHES THE BELT, IT SLIPS OFF. WHAT I FOUND IT THAT THERE IS A DRAIN HOSE THAT SITS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BELT WHEN THE WATER FROM RAIN COMES THROUGH THE DRAIN FROM THE WINDSHIELD INTO THIS HOSE, AND DRIPS RIGHT ON TOP OF THE BELT CAUSING IT TO BE FAULTY. THE HOSE HAS TO BE DIRECTED INTO A DIFFERENT PLACE . I ALSO FOUND THAT G. AUTO MAKES A KIT THAT COMES WITH THE BELT, TENSIONER AND ALL ACCESSORIES TO FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANANTLY. THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE HOSE AND THE TENSIONER IS GROOVED TO PROVIDE NO SLIPPAGE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO 2 AUTO DEALERS THAT HAVE ADVISED ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE INCLUDING A SHOP IN TENNESSEE THAT SAID THAT THEY HAVE WORKED ON 15 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVANS IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS WITH AN AVERAGE OF 4-8 BELTS BEING LOST AND HAVING TO BE REPLACED FOR EACH VAN FROM 2000. THERE IS NOWHERE TO COMPLAIN, SO YOU WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THE SEVERITY OF THIS ISSUE WITH OUT CHECKING INVENTORIES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DODGE DEALERS THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THE KITS AND THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE CORPORATION BUT AS YOU AND I KNOW, A RECALL WILL COST THEM MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. WHAT ABOUT THE LIVES THAT MAY HAVE OR MIGHT BE LOST WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND THE STEERING GOES OUT. THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. THE ISSUE IS THAT FOLKS BOUGHT THESE CARS IN GOOD FAITH AND THEY HAVE PAID HUNDREDS AND MAYBE THOUSAND OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS THAT THEY SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD TO IF THIS PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF IN THE BEGINNING. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED EMAILS CORRESPONDING WITH THE MANUFACTURER. UPDATED 09/23/07 *TR

MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN (87000), HAS THE DASH BOARD CRACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE SPEAKER GRILLE, (AND TRAVELING). THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER VEHICLES DUE TO NEWS REPORTS RECENTLY. CHRYSLER SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT ECT.. I HAVE REPLACED THE EVAPORATER, A/C COMPRESSOR, & BELT $2300.00. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING BADLY AND TODAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS MY 7TH CHRYSLER VEHICLE IN THE PAST 30 YEARS, AND WILL BE THE LAST IF CHRYSLER DOESN'T STEP UP, ON THIS DASH PROBLEM THIS TIME. *TR

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SERPENTINE BELT KEEPS SQUEALING, BREAKING, SLIPPING OFF, AND SHREDDING. FOR OVER A YEAR NOW WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS BELT THAT HAVE BAFFLED THE MECHANICS. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED, BUT WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED TWICE REQUIRING A TOW, AND H HAD THE VAN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 6 TIMES OVER THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS STILL UNRESOLVED.*AK AFTER A QUICK SEARCH, IT SEEMS TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM THAT MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. MANY 'FIXES' ARE OUT THERE, BUT PERHAPS THE BEST, MOST RELIABLE IS TO HAVE THE MECHANIC INSTALL AN 'AFTER MARKET' KIT WITH SPECIAL PULLEYS AND BELT FOR AROUND $200. I WILL PROBABLY HAVE THIS DONE AS WE CAN'T KEEP ROLLING THE DICE WITH THE FAMILY VEHICLE.

THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT SNAPPED OFF THE SEAT BASE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, THE WELD ATTACHING THE BACK TO THE SEAT BASE FAILED AND THE SEAT COLLAPSED INTO THE SECOND SEAT. *TR

HEATING/AIRCONDITIONING FAN SWITCH WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN ONE POSITION, TRACED PROBLEM TO BURNED UP AND SHORT OUT CONNECTOR AND RESISITOR CONNECTOR IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT OPERATED HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING FAN SPEED. REPLACED PARTS. POOR DESIGN, WILL NOT ACCEPT ELECTRICAL LOAD OVER EXTENDED OPERATION. OLD PARTS AVALIBLE. *AK

I WAS STOPPED IN THE CAR LINE AT MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL. A CAR REAR ENDED HIT MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN GOING 15-30 MPH. MY DAUGHTER'S SEAT (PASSENGER CAPTAINS CHAIR-2ND ROW) WAS LAID COMPLETELY BACK UPON IMPACT. SHE WAS UPRIGHT PRIOR TO THE CRASH. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN SITTING BEHIND HER THEN THEY COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEVER TO ADJUST THE ANGLE OF THE SEAT BROKE AS WELL. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THERE HAVE BEEN SERIOUS DEATH AND INJURY IN DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AS A RESULT OF SEATS BREAKING DURING REAR END COLLISIONS. *TR

I WAS IN THE CAR LINE AT MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL. A CAR REAR ENDED HIT MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN GOING 15-30 MPH. I WAS STOPPED. MY DAUGHTER'S SEAT (PASSENGER CAPTAINS CHAIR-2ND ROW) WAS LAID COMPLETELY BACK UPON IMPACT. SHE WAS UPRIGHT PRIOR TO THE CRASH. IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN SITTING BEHIND HER THEN THEY COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEVER TO ADJUST THE ANGLE OF THE SEAT BROKE AS WELL. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THERE HAVE BEEN SERIOUS DEATH AND INJURY IN DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AS A RESULT OF SEATS BREAKING DURING REAR END COLLISIONS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE FAILED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THREE MONTHS. VISIBILITY IS IMPAIRED DURING RAINY CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. HE STATED THAT THE PLASTIC LENS IS FROSTING AND TURNING YELLOW FROM OXIDIZING, CAUSING POOR ILLUMINATION AT NIGHT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 81,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,780.

MY DODGE 2000 GRAND CARAVAN SERPENTINE BELT CAN COME OFF THE DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN INTO A DEEP PUDDLE OF WATER OR THROUGH A SNOW BANK. AND WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF, I LOST THE CONTROL TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BELT DRIVES THE POWER STEERING PUMP. IT IS THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE OBVIOUSLY. PLEASE CHECK THE WEB SITE: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_30931.HTML TO SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINS. MANY PEOPLE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO YOU. BUT SO FAR NO ACTION FROM YOU HAS BEEN TAKEN. DODGE ALSO KEEP IGNORING THE COMPLAIN. ARE YOU BLIND OR DEAF? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN THE RECALL REGARDING NON-FLEX FUEL ENGINES. THE DEALER WOULD NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT HAD A FLEX ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DEMONSTRATED SAME FAILURE AS THOSE OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL THAT HAD NON-FLEX ENGINES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 168,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THROUGH ANY AMOUNT OF WATER, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

LUCKILY WE WERE SLOWING TO A STOP AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. THE CENTER PIN THAT HOLDS THE GEARS IN THE DIFFERENTIAL CAME LOOSE AND LOCKED THE FRONT WHEELS UP SO VIOLENTLY THAT IT KILLED THE ENGINE. IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING NO NOISE AT ALL. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BUSTED THREE HOLES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND ONE HOLE IN THE FLYWHEEL HOUSING. I BELIEVE THERE ARE SOM SERIOUS ENGINEERING ISSUES THAT CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ADDRESS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. LUCKILY ALL I AM OUT IS THE MONY TOBUY ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND PAY THE CORE CHARGE SINCE MY CASE IS NOT REBUILDABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER, THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED AGAIN. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE MOTOR MOUNT FOR THE SERPENTINE BELT AND INSTALLED A DISC TO HOLD THE BELT IN PLACE. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD CONTINUE TO DETACH WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED IN RAINY CONDITIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF UPDATED 02/19/08 *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN 422 AWAY FROM 76. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO TURN OFF ON TO TROOPER ROAD IN NORRISTOWN WHEN I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. I THEN TURNED THE RADIO OFF AND IT WAS PRETTY LOUD. IT GOT LOUDER THE MORE I PUSHED ONTO THE GAS PEDAL, AND STOPPED WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF. IT WAS SLIGHTLY UPHILL FOR A FEW HUNDRED FEET AND I KNEW IF I JUST MADE IT TO THE TOP AND HOPED FOR 2 GREEN LIGHTS I MAY BE SAFE. I STARTED GOING UP AND MADE IT TO THE SECOND GREEN LIGHT (THANK GOD) BUT MY ENGINE JUST CUT OFF AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND BREAKS. I HAD TO FORCE MY CAR TO TURN AND ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE THE TURN IN TIME. I THEN HAD TO COAST 1/4 MILE TO GET OFF THE ROAD TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE MY CAR SAT UNTIL IT WAS TOWED. THIS WAS ALL IN THE MIDDLE OF A SNOW STORM, WHERE I WAS LATER PLOWED IN AND HAD TO DIG MY WAY OUT OF 3 FEET OF SNOW TO GET IT TOWED. IT WENT TO THE SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. LUCKILY NOTHING BAD HAPPENED OUT OF THE WHOLE THING, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED ON JANUARY 28, 2007 WHILE IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE REPAIR WAS PAID FOR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER A SAFETY RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE THE CONTACT BECAUSE THE CRASH CAUSED THE CLOCKSPRING TO FAIL. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT REIMBURSE THE CONTACT BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PROVIDE A LETTER STATING THAT THE CRASH CAUSED THE CLOCKSPRING TO FAIL, NOT THE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 118,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING CAUSED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO WORK. UPDATED 06/15/07.*JB

I HAVE REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT AND PULLEY/TENSIONER ASSEMBLY ON MY 2000 GRAND CARAVAN 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. THE DESIGN IS FLAWED AND MUST BE FIXED BY DODGE. I HAVE USED BOTH DODGE REPLACEMENT AND NAPA REPLACEMENT PARTS TO NO AVAIL. I CAN NOT TRUST THIS VEHICLE FOR A LONG DISTANCE WHICH IS WHAT I BOUGHT A VAN FOR. *NM

SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING DURING RAIN. *NM

2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF IN THE RAIN CAUSING STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO QUIT FUNCTIONING. THIS IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS AND HAPPENED LAST TIME IN A VAN FULL OF KIDS. CHRYSLER HAS "FIXED" THIS PROBLEM OVER 7 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. TODAY IS THE 8TH TIME IT IS GETTING FIXED YET AGAIN. BRAZIL RECALLED ALL THEIR VANS BETWEEN 1996 AND 2000 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM - WHY ISN'T THE CAR BEING RECALLED IN THE US? *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LOCKED UP WITH ONLY 87403 MILES REGISTERED. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION COMPANY I FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHILE REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE I INVESTIGATED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND FOUND THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS TO THIS DATE. ALL PARTS INCLUDING GEARS WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE OF $2221.58. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE PROBLEMS AND ESPECIALLY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED UNTIL AT LEAST OVER 100,000 MILES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 95 MPH. AFTER BEING TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE BENT, AND CAUSED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER TRIED USING THE BRAKES WITH NO SUCCESS, THE CONSUMER FINALLY TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONSUMER USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSIONS IN TO LOW. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB

SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF TENSIONER PULLEY IN WET CONDITIONS. TOTAL POWER STEERING FAILURE AND VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *NM

WATER LEAKS ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR FROM THE HVAC DURING AC USE AND IN HEAVY RAIN. *NM

SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 4 TIMES. FIRST TIME, I HIT A POCKET OF WATER ON A SMALL HIGHWAY IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA. DROVE VEHICLE TO A SAFER LOCATION, LEFT MY WIFE AND 3 KIDS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT WHILE I WALKED A MILE HOME IN THE RAIN TO GET MY FORD RANGER TO LOAD ALL 5 OF US IN TO GET HOME SAFELY. HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE BELT TENSIONER AND BELT. SECOND TIME, ABOUT A YEAR LATER, MY WIFE HIT WATER WHICH ALSO KNOCKED THE BELT OFF AND STRANDED HER AND MY 3 CHILDREN 15 MILES FROM HOME. BROTHER IN LAW WAS ABLE TO COME AND SPENT AN HOUR OF GUT WRENCHING LABOR TO PUT THE BELT BACK ON. THIRD TIME, A MONTH LATER IT CAME OFF AGAIN SHREDDING THE BELT AND LEAVING MY WIFE STRANDED BY HERSELF AFTER DROPPING MY KIDS OFF FOR SCHOOL. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP WHO SAID IT NEEDED ANOTHER BELT TENSIONER AND ASSURED ME THE NAPA PRODUCT WOULD PERFORM BETTER THAN THE PREVIOUS ONE. HE TRIED TO SEE IF A KIT WAS AVAILABLE FOR OUR LARGE 6 CYLINDER ENGINE BUT COULD NOT FIND ONE. FOURTH TIME, ONE MONTH LATER AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 2 OF MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN THE RAIN, THE BELT CAME OFF AGAIN BUT THIS TIME SHE DIDN'T HIT ANY WATER. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THEY CHECKED ALL COMPONETS CONNECTED TO THE SERPENTINE BELT AND TRIED FOR 30 MINUTES TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BY POURING WATER OVER THE BELT, ETC. WITH NO SUCCESS. OWNER SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH HE IS AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR DODGE VANS. QUESTION: IF THIS IS SUCH A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AS SHOWN BY ALL THE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS WEBSITE WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL TO CORRECT WHATEVER IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM? ANSWER: BECAUSE IT WILL COST DODGE/ CHRYSLER TOO MUCH MONEY. SOLUTION: UNLESS YOU CAN ONLY DRIVE A DODGE VAN ON WARM SUNNY DAYS DON'T BOTHER BUYING A DODGE VAN. ESPECIALLY IF YOU VALUE YOUR FAMILY'S SAFETY. *JB

LOST BRAKES ON 2000 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 58K MILES. ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE BADLY CORRODED AT THE JUNCTURE OF THE FLEX TUBING AND THE SOLID TUBING. IT LOOKS LIKE DISSIMILAR METAL TO ME. THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD NOT RUST OUT IN THAT SHORT OF A TIME AND LOW MILEAGE ALL LINES WERE REPLACED. NOT BY A DODGE DEALER. *JB

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN A YEAR THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS SHREDDED AND/OR FELL OFF. I REPLACED THE TENSIONER THE SECOND TIME. IT LOOKS AS IF THE PULLEYS ARE NOT ALIGNED WITH THE TENSIONER SO THE BELT EVENTUALLY RIDES OFF THE EDGE OF THE TENSIONER. ALL TIMES IT WAS NOT RAINING OR SNOW LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE WEB. DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 107,000 MILES. 3.8L WITH A/C. *NM

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 3.0 L ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE BELT SLIPPING OFF THE TENSIONER DURING WET WEATHER. THE FIRST TIME WE HIT A SMALL (1 - 2" DEEP) PUDDLE OF WATER WHEN TURNING A CORNER. WE IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL, INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH 1996 - 2000 CARAVANS. HE EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO PRINT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN DETAILING THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LATER, HIT A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER ON A RAINY DAY, LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. LUCKILY, I WAS GOING SLOWLY BOTH TIMES, BUT WORRY ABOUT A SERIOUS SITUATION OF GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM DODGE/CHRYSLER, AND NO "FIX" - ONLY TO REPLACE BELTS AND TENSIONERS. I THEN RESEARCHED THROUGH INTERNET, FOUND SITUATION AS STATED BY FIRST (INDEPENDENT) MECHANIC LISTED ON MULTIPLE WEBSITES BY MANY OWNERS. CHRYSLER IS AVOIDING ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM, YET 2 AFTERMARKET PARTS COMPANIES HAVE DEVELOPED PARTS TO FIX THIS ISSUE. BOTH GATES AND GOODYEAR ACKNOWLEDGE A SAFETY ISSUE, SO I BELIEVE CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOULD HAVE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR VEHICLES. THESE ARE MINI-VANS. SOLD PRIMARILY TO FAMILIES. SO, THE TYPICAL SCENARIO IS A MOTHER WITH KIDS STRANDED IN THE RAIN. I NOW FEAR DRIVING MY VAN IN THE RAIN, AND AM PETRIFIED OF DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN THE RAIN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

WAS DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY WHEN VEHICLE ENGINE TOTALLY SHUT OFF. PULLED VEHICLE OFF ROADWAY. STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE PRESENT. UPON CHECKING VEHICLE, GASOLINE WAS DRIPPING FROM UNDERCARRIAGE ON RIGHT SIDE. WHEN TOW TRUCK ARRIVED; MECHANIC CHECKED VEHICLE AND SAID THAT GAS LINE HAD CAME OFF. NEXT DAY WHEN RESPONDING TO ALARM WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT - IT WAS FOR A GAS LEAK; THERE WAS ALSO A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEM. *NM

THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED HEREIN IS ABOUT MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. OVER THE PAST YEAR I NOTICED SOME RUSTING AT THE LEFT TOP STRUT TOWER. I QUESTIONED IT AT THE TIME, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT SERIOUS. DURING THE PAST WEEK I WAS REPLACING THE AIR FILTER AND NOTICED THAT NOW OVER ONE HALF OF THE STRUT AREA WAS HEAVILY RUSTED AND HAD LARGE CRACKS ON ONE SIDE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER TO SEE IF THE RUST THROUGH WARRANTY WOULD APPLY, OR IF IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE MANAGER LOOKED AT IT, LOOKED UP MY WARRANTY AND SAID EVEN THOUGH THE TIME PERIOD IS GOOD UNTIL 12/2006 THE MILEAGE OF 69700 WAS OVER BY 9750 MILES. HE WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SAID IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS, TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. I SINCE HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS COMPLAINT ON NHTSA, AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY IDENTICAL PROBLEMS, AND CHRYSLER HAS EVEN DEVELOPED A CORROSION KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEE ODI ID: 10147504 CAN YOU ADVICE ME OF MY NEXT STEP. WE ARE NOT DRIVING THE VAN UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. THIS IS A GARAGED VEHICLE. *JB

SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. APPEARS THE TENSIONER PULLEY DESIGN IS NOT ROBUST. SECOND TIME THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DESTROYING 2 CYLINDERS AND THE HEAD STRANDING MY WIFE AND 5 BOYS ON THE INTERSTATE. THE RESULTING FAILURE MODES COULD HAVE VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES - RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENT TO THE DESIGN BY RECALL. *JB