2000 Dodge Grand Caravan Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN FOR AWHILE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING 15 MPH TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BELT WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT CALLED LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP OF RENO (LOCATED AT 1050 E PLUMB LN #100, RENO, NV 89502, (775) 501-8593) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

THE SERPENTINE BELT ON 96-2000 CHRYSLER MINIVANS SLIPPING OFF IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND HAS BEEN FOR YEARS. TIME AND TIME AGAIN CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR IT. IT IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN ONE OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS CAUSING A PULLEY MISALIGNMENT. THE BELT SLIPPING OFF CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP, AND ALTERNATOR. THE POWER STEERING LOSS CAN CAUSE A DRIVER TO NOT BE ABLE TO CORRECT IN TIME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE LOSS OF THE WATER PUMP CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE. THE LOSS OF THE ALTERNATOR CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO EVENTUALLY STOP RUNNING WHEN THE BATTERY IS DRAINED, CAUSING MOTORISTS TO BE STRANDED. I LIVE IN ALASKA AND I'M NOT ALWAYS IN CELLULAR SIGNAL WHEN DRIVING AND TEMPERATURES IN THE WINTER GET DOWN TO -30 F AT TIMES. I CAN'T WAIT SOMETIMES SEVERAL HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET TO ME WITHOUT RISKING HYPOTHERMIA AT THOSE TEMPERATURES. THIS NEEDS TO BE MADE INTO A RECALL SO IT CAN GET FIXED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED FROM THE DRIVE PULLEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT BACK ON THE DRIVE PULLEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES ONLY WHILE IT WAS RAINING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE HORN TO FAIL AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,425.

SIGNIFICANT RISK ? COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO POOR DESIGN (UNRESOLVED MANUFACTURER KNOWN ISSUE): DURING A MODERATE RAIN STORM, THE SERPENTINE BELT ONCE AGAIN SLIPPED OFF THE PULLEYS, WHICH DISABLED POWER STEERING, CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP (MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO FIGHT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE). LUCKILY, THE VEHICLE HAD JUST LEFT A STOPLIGHT AND HAD ONLY ATTAINED ABOUT 20 - 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BEFORE HITTING ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN A VERY CROWDED PEDESTRIAN AREA OF DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO'S HISTORIC GASLAMP QUARTER. GIVEN THE REDUCED VISIBILITY FROM THE RAIN AND NIGHTTIME CITY ILLUMINATION, IT?S AMAZING THIS DID NOT RESULT IN PEDESTRIAN INJURIES OR EVEN DEATHS OR DAMAGE TO WAITING TAXIS OR PARKED CARS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE IN THE RAIN, BUT THE FIRST IN WHICH TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURRED. THE FIRST INSTANCE ALSO OCCURRED AT NIGHT, IN THE RAIN, WHILE WAITING IN HEAVY AIRPORT TERMINAL TRAFFIC. NUMEROUS REPORTS OF DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SERPENTINE BELTS SLIPPING OFF IN THE RAIN CAN BE FOUND ONLINE IN DODGE FORUMS. A TECHNICAL BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR PRIOR MODEL YEARS BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2000 MODEL YEAR. ALSO OF NOTE, AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPPED IT BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AS THE WATER PUMP WAS ALSO DISABLED BY THE LOSS OF THE SERPENTINE BELT. *TR

WHEN DRIVING (USUALLY ACCELERATING) THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING CAUSING DIFFICULT BREAKING AND STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND GETTING WORSE!!!!! THE STEERING WHEEL MUST BE TILTED UP BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN COMES OFF EVERYTIME THAT IT RAINS. I LOSE POWER STEERING WHICH MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AND THE TEMP GAUGE JUMPS ALL THE WAY UP. *TR

DRIVERS-SIDE FRONT STRUT CAP RUSTED. THE RUST IS AT THE TOP OF THE STRUT CAP HOUSING AND HAS NOT BROKEN THROUGH YET. I WENT ON-LINE TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME 2000 CARAVAN WITH THE VERY SAME ISSUE. SOME WITH EXTREME RUST. IF THIS FAILS DURING DRIVING, THERE IS A EXTREME HIGH CHANCE OF AN ACCIDENT. I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I AM NOT A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER BUT BY ALL ACCOUNTS, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. DOES IT TAKE ONE OR MORE ACCIDENTS BEFORE THIS BECOMES A RECALL ISSUE? *JB

LEFT STRUT TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT AND SHOULD B RECALLED. *TR

STEERING BELT COMES OFF EVERY TIME IT RAINS. WE HAVE REPLACED BELT, TENSIONER TWO TIMES, AND HAD IT PUT BACK ON CAR AT LEAST 10 - 12 TIMES. WHY ISN'T THIS A RECALL AS THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A WET ROAD THE SERPENTINE BELT FLEW OFF THE PULLEYS. THIS MADE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP AND THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO ALL BECOME UNABLE TO WORK IN AN IMMEDIATE FASHION. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAPPEN OFTEN; MEANING SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR TO MANY CARAVAN OWNERS. MY MECHANIC SAID HIS BEST ADVICE WAS TO NOT DRIVE IN WET OR SNOWY CONDITIONS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD MAKE RIGHT BY INSTALLING A BELT GUARD TO HOLD THE BELT IN PLACE.

DRIVING ON A RAINY DAY. WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE AND IMMEDIATELY LOST MY POWER STEERING. MANAGED TO GET VAN INTO NEARBY PARKING LOT TO FIND MY SERPENTINE BELT HANGING FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED AND BELT REPLACED. *TR

MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN'S SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF THE PULLEYS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN. WE HAVE REPLACED THE TENSIONER, TENSIONER PULLEY AND THE BELT AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER DODGE OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN A AFTER MARKET KIT MADE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE PULLEY, BUT THIS IS AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. I FEEL DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH DODGE REGARDING THIS MATTER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, I LOOSE POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED, THEN BRAKES. SERPENTINE BELT WET FROM RAIN CAUSED POWER STEERING & BRAKES TO FAIL RESULTING IN VEHICLE FLIPPING ON ITS SIDE ON I-75. SERVICE DEPT SAID THAT THE POWER STEERING, ETC WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN WHEN BELT GOT WET. THIS WAS A NORMAL RAIN. VEHICLE WAS NOT IN HIGH WATER. VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY TOTALED. *TR

STRUT TOWERS ROTTED OUT AT 90000 MILES, REPLACEMENT CAPS WERE PURCHASED FROM DODGE DEALER AND INSTALLED AS PER FACTORY TSB .... STRUT TOWERS ARE ROTTED BELOW REPAIR CAPS AGAIN.... APPROX. 150000 MILES NOW ON VAN, STRUTS ARE ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT HOWEVER THIS CAN NOT BE DONE DUE TO SEVERITY OF RUST DAMAGE....THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT... RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION... CHRYSLER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE ... THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES...NOT JUST A FEW HERE OR THERE - THE QUESTION SHOULD BE HOW MANY ARE NOT AFFECTED??? I'M ACTUALLY CONSIDERING SEARCHING FOR A LAWYER TO START A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER ...SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! *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

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

THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER STATES THE POWER STEERING HOSES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

CONSUMER NOTICED OIL ON DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER POWER STEERING PUMP RUSTED FROM INSIDE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $785.00. *AK *TC

THE CLOCKSPRING AND STEERING COLUMN IN OUR 200 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, INCLUDING SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, YET STILL RATTLES AND MAKES NOISES. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE ZONE OFFICE THAT IT IS INDEED A SAFETY PROBLEM (RELATING TO THE AIRBAG) AND THEY RECOMMEND I CONTINUE TO GET IT FIXED EACH TIME IT BREAKS. *AK