While driving in rainy weather the serpentine belt fell off the engine. Dealership was notified and suggested that they needed to inspect. There was a tsb for this issue but the consumer was informed that this did not pertain to this vehicle.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

Ltr fm thomas reiner (va) re the defective 1999 Dodge Caravan he owned, his defective repossessed vehicle was sold out without informing the purchaser of the service bulletin on the defect. The consumer indicated that the manufacturer did not make him aware of the service bulletin until he contacted NHTSA and found the service bulletin regarding the idler pulley. The vehicle idler pulley came off three times which caused the vehicle to lose all power. This failure has caused the consumer to crash twice.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Ltr fm thomas reiner (va) owner of a 1999 Dodge Caravan reporting defective idler pulley causing loss of steering.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Serpentine belt and tension idle arms needed replaced in August 2003 at 63,000 miles. Vehicle was purchased used so we are unable to verify if this has happened before. It is now April 2004, 6000 miles later and the belt needed replaced again.

- Butler, PA, USA

While driving through a light rain/slush mixture the car lost power steering, etc. Consumer identfied that the serpentine belt had came off. This seems to be a common problem with late 90's Dodge Caravan's. I have a relative who had the same problem 2 weeks earlier. Dodge does have a service bulletin related to this, but it does seem to be some type of design flaw that needs to be addressed since it relates to the power steering, and nearly every other vital system.

- Marshfield, WI, USA

Idle pulley and belt came off while driving in the rain causing loss of power steering and overheating. Previous repair for same condition one week prior. While waiting, another vehicle of same make, model and year was towed in for same recurring problem.

- Yardley, PA, USA

I had the van in for a state inspection and the mechanic stated that the serpentine belt and the tensioner arm needed to be replaced. He stated that he could tell just by the sounds that the van was making. I have since heard the same sounds from several vans that I come accross. If this is such a known problem with the tensioner arm freezing up and destroying the serpentine belt, shouldn't Dodge redesign the tensioner arm and effect a recall to replace it.

- Middletown, RI, USA

The alternator belt sheared and came off. The vehicle cannot be driven. This is the fifth time this has occurred.

- Windham, ME, USA

While driving, the serpentine and power steering belt slipped off, which caused the consumer to lose control of vehicle's steering.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

While driving at 35 mph vehicle ran over a medium pothole which caused serpentine belt to came off. This resulted in loss of steering control/ crash..

- Conowingo, MD, USA

When passing through a channel of water going in a direction serpentine belt came off. Owner had to force wheel to keep from colliding with a fence. Also, brakes became inoperative once water had settled in.

- Bronx, NY, USA

Feb 2001 serpentine belt tensioner arm broke tearing up the serpentine belt. Arm replaced and new belt installed. No determination of cause given. Dec 3, 2001 belt jumped off pulley's/tensioner-dealer states no problem found, belt in good condition, probable cause-water intruded tensioner and cause belt to walk, re-installed belt. Dec 28, 2001 belt again slipped off, took to dealer who said problem was water intrusion causing the belt to slip, replaced the belt again though. Seems to me that if the dealer is telling me that the problem is water intrusion, and I've heard this problem from other owners of this vehicle/year, shouldn't they engineer a fix before someone gets killed on the freeway?

- Dixon, CA, USA

At 36,150 miles serpentine pulley broke while pulling out of the garage. Dealer was notified and repairs were made. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

- Jackson, MI, USA

Serpentine belt replaced due to excessive noise.

- Germantown, MD, USA