This vehicle has a chronic design problem with throwing its serpentine belt whenever the tension pulley gets wet. Soon as the belt is thrown there is no power steering, and it steers 10 times worse than a mack truck. The lack of steering is a definite safety hazard to every other vehicle on the road. As it happens suddenly by driving through a water puddle, etc. There is virtually no time to react. In addition to lack of steering there is no alternator output, resulting in rapid battery drain. Also there is no coolant system fan resulting in rapid engine overheating. This design fault has been known for well over a decade, no make that 2 decades, but Chrysler has never acknowledged a problem. The problem dates back to all Chrysler mini-van designs from the early 1990S to at least 2000. If the lack of steering is not a safety related defect I don't know what is. We have a used wheelchair conversion Caravan van to Transport my wife. This latest incident was the past Saturday night as we left a restaurant to return home. It had been raining profusely and suddenly I had no steering. I knew immediately what the problem was since this is the 3rd occurrence in the past 6 months. Do you expect your vehicle to become inoperable just because you drive in the rain" why has not Chrysler been made to acknowledge this problem and issue a repair recall" I don't care if the van is over a decade old. This defect is one which endangers everyone else on the road and which Chrysler should have been required to address well over a decade ago.

- Mason, OH, USA

1996 Dodge Caravan - ridiculous....almost every puddle makes belt slip off and power steering becomes dangerous. This is the 14th time since I have owned the car. Should have a recall on all of these vans or a reimbursement plan for this or better yet.... a free final fix!!!!!!

- Media, PA, USA

The problem is with the serpentine belt. It can slip off. When it does, you power steering goes (safety) and your car can overheat within minutes. You are stranded. Putting the belt yourself is not easy, even with the diagram (thank goodness they have the diagram under the hood for other mechanics, do it yourselfers) there is a service bulletin, but not a recall. I think they put on a bracket which will help keep the belt on track in case of wet weather.

- Sudbury, MA, USA

Consumer states while driving the vehicle without warning the vehicle would lose power when it rains. Consumer states the steering wheel would lock up.

- Alton, OH, USA

When driving through a rain puddle you serpentine belt, that connects engine to the coolant fan etc., failed, resulting in loss of steering.contacted dealer. This problem occurred 4 times.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Failure of the 'clock spring' can prevent air bag deployment or even cause the steering wheel column to bind, rendering it inoperable. Even though this is clearly a safety defect, Chrysler refused to repair at no cost as per federal law.

- Houston, TX, USA

While driving and without warning the vehicle lost power steering. Dealer has been contacted.

- Johns Town, OH, USA

Steering problems experienced.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

When driving vehicle through a puddle and getting wet the steering becomes difficult to handle. Dealer cannot fix.

- Greenboro, SC, USA

Consumer has had steering replaced on Dec. 1996 at 4-5 thousand miles. Currently, the steering is going bad again, replaced at marroony Dodge 21151 nw 2cd ave. Miami fl. 33169. Gas tanks are plastic.

- Miramar, FL, USA

Owner states while drivng vehicle crashed into a snow bank at 5mph, causing front bumper damage, owner questions the safety of this vehicle in an impact.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA