The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan. While driving various speeds, the power steering seized without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired several times, but the failure was persistent. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Carbondale, PA, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan. While driving 40 mph over a puddle, the serpentine time belt detached from the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.

- Garden City, NY, USA

Serpentine belt comes off of accessory pulleys, resulting in loss of power steering and other vehicle functions, possibly at any speed. Wet weather is a constant contributing factor, although is not required for this defect to occur.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

My daughter's van with 2 kids inside. (1) no cause. Four failures of same parts. Belt and related pulleys. Dealer(s) can't repair properly. (numerous similar problems noted on the net.) (2)repeated serpentine belt failure - 98 Dodge Caravan, 3.0L engine. Causes instant power steering loss, engine overheating and more. Could easily lead to loss of control, injury or death. (3) parts replaces 4 times. Not fixed, belts still squeal and will come off again.(just found out aftermarket Goodyear and gates kits are available with redesigned pulleys and belt to address this problem. Chrysler dealer mentioned nothing about them) if only some of what I have read is correct, this should be a safety-related recall.

- Ocala, FL, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan. The contact has changed the vehicle's serpentine belt eight times. The belt has either detached, shredded, or become worn while driving 35 mph. The vehicle's pulleys and belt accessories have also been replaced. She believes that it is a design flaw due to the numerous repairs for the same failure. She also feels that the failure is a safety issue because once the belt detaches, the alternator begins to overheat and the power steering fails. The current mileage is 79,000 and failure mileage was 36,351. Updated 06/08/07.

- Monroeia, MD, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the serpentine belt which controled the engine became detached on five different occasions. The belt failed when driving at 50 mph. The belt detached once during rainy conditions, and several times during favorable conditions. When the belt detached the contact lost control of the vehicle and the steering became inoperable. The current mileage was 117,811.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

Subject: Defective serpentine belt design I have a concern about a recent malfunctioning serpentine belt in my 1998 Caravan. The belt has slipped off twice last month while driving in the rain. The first incident left me stranded off the side of the freeway waiting for a tow truck. The second incident occurred when backing out of a parking spot on damp payment (no standing water) while at a rest stop many miles from home. Both incidents occurred on normal pavement and driving during rainy days, and without any warning. The van has the standard 3.0 liter V6 engine with 88K miles, but the serpentine belt installed was less than 1 year old. Two sets of professional mechanics found the belt, the belt tensioner, and all related parts of the system in good working order (including the engine mounts). In summary, the system was well maintained and working as designed. The concern we have is the design of this system. The vehicle has been very reliable during the last eight years. But this particular problem is greatly distressing. Not only is the range of the vehicle limited to a couple of miles with a strong battery, the loss of power assisted steering makes this both a safety and reliability issue.

- Portland, OR, USA

- the contact owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan, and had to replace the serpentine belt 8 times since 05/06. The last incident was on 01/25/07. While making a 10 mph turn the serpentine belt came loose causing the loss of the power steering and brakes. The contact towed vehicle to a local repair shop and they tightened the serpentine belt, but they couldn't find the cause of the serpentine belt coming loose. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership and they could't find a solution to the problem. The contact stated that it happened on all types of roads and weather conditions. Updated 2/27/2007 -

- Birmingham, AL, USA

My 98 Dodge Caravan sport is having repeated problem with the serpentine belt and belt tensioner. From a quick search on the web it appears to be a common problem, that the belt would slip off when it gets wet. I have experienced this problem 3 times so far, twice in Jan 2006 and another one just today (Nov 06). I cannot trust the van anymore, I cannot tell when this problem is going to happen again and when it does, the van lost power steering and would overheat. Lost of power steering can be extremely dangerous especially when trying on a freeway, and being easily overheat would leave me stranded at possibly isolated places. This is a problem that takes repeated fixing yet would not resolve.

- Redmond, WA, USA

: the contact stated in wet conditions, the serpentine belt fractured and slipped off. The serpentine belt was replaced 5 times over the past two years. The vehicle was driven to the local independent shop for inspection and repair.

- Roselle, IL, USA

The consumer owns a 1998 Dodge Caravan. Serpentine belt failed five times. When this occurred there was a loss of power steering as well as the charging of the battery. This only happened in wet or rainy conditions. The consumer took vehicle to a dealer, who said they could again replace the serpentine belt, but it would fail again in wet conditions or rainy weather. There was no guarantee. The last trip to the dealer resulted in the replacement of the serpentine belt. No accident or injury was reported. The consumer contacted the manufacturer and filed a complaint also. The local dealer said nothing could be done about. Updated 02/07/06.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

Consumer states: Have put on 3 serpentine belts, and is getting ready to put on 4th serpentine belt. Had the vehicle less than a year.

- Warfield, KY, USA

The contact owned a 1998 Dodge Caravan. She stated that the timing belt kept coming off. Dealer said they had numerous similar complaints, and they do have a tsb, but it has not been made a recall yet.

- Baypoint, CA, USA

While my wife and daughter were driving, the timing belt on her 1998 Dodge Caravan (2.4 L)broke. The car immediately died in the middle of the street creating a very hazardous situation for my family. Looking at the recommended maintenace on this car I noted that there is no recommended maintenance for the timing belt until 120,000 miles. Thus, since the car only had 72,000 miles, this belt broke far earlier than it should have. I feel that this should not have occurred. Since this can create a very hazardous/dangerous situation if it occurs on a busy street or on a freeway, Dodge should determine whether this is becoming a common problem with this car and if so whether it should notify owners that the belt should be examined far earlier than at 120,000 miles or if the car should be recalled and the timing belt replaced.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

The serpentine belt continued to break off. The owner has taken the vehicle to the dealer who continued to replace the belt.

- Arcadia, WI, USA

While driving at any speed in the rain, the serpentine belt slipped off. The belt disconnected from the pulley five times in the last five months. The consumer examined the pulley and found that it was smooth and did notr have a lip to hold the belt on.

- Houston, TX, USA

While driving 30 mph serpentine belt fell off. This caused the vehicle to shut down. Consumer had the vehicle towed to dealer for analysis, and mechanic stated that this was an intermittent problem.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

Air conditioner evaporator failed twice within a two year period. Also, serpentine belt was replaced 6 times. When the serpentine belt failed vehicle had no power steering or power brakes.

- Tampa, FL, USA

I've gone through 5 belts in the past year. My A/C just went out again. I had the evaporater coil replaced just after my 3 year warranty gave out 2 years ago. My van only has 58,000 miles on it and I bought it new in Oct.97. I will never buy a Dodge again. I've never felt so unsafe in a vehicle as I do in my van.

- Tampa, FL, USA

The vehicle stalled, which was caused by the serpentine belt falling off. The belt was replaced, however the problem recurred.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA