2000 Dodge Caravan with loss of power steering. Consumer states that the serpentine belt has a unexpected and sudden throw which causes power steering loss. Consumer states there are hundreds of complaints on the internet.

- Atlantic Highlands, NJ, USA

The serpentine belt kept coming off the 2000 Dodge Caravan when it rained. This resulted in loss of power steering. This started after having the original belt replaced due to fraying. The tensioner was replaced at the same time as the belt.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Caravan. While driving 20-60 mph, the serpentine belt disengaged from the motor. This caused the water pump and the electrical system to fail and there was a loss of power steering. The mechanic inspected the vehicle twice, but was unable to determine the cause of failure. The current mileage is 118,442 and failure mileage was 118,000.

- Jerico Springs, MO, USA

Serpentine belt has come off of pulleys 3 times during wet weather, once after tensioner was replaced. This cause a complete loss of power steering, making the vehicle impossible to maneuver. Several calls to Dodge proved futile, they state no such problem has ever been reported. I have found several complaints of the same issue, all stating they have reported the issue to Dodge. Still cannot find a fix.

- Exeter, NH, USA

2000 Dodge Caravan 3.0 (40K miles) replacing the drive belt &/R idle / tensioner every (2) years. Belt P/N (good year) 460805 / 6pk2045. Tensioner mopar 04536154ad. The dealer just smiles, this does not seems to be very reliable. Any other type complaints files with this type unit"???? I replaced the belt on Sept 2003, the dealer did the tensioner & belt @31K in 2005. I again did the belt on 03/31/07. The dealer did the tensioner @44K, 05/02/2007. This is my daughters van, a school teacher, drive to & from schools for the most part I have through last tensioner & the belts that I did. So if she or I plans to go on a trip, we must either replace the tensioner & drive belt or carry one with us. Now on my 2001 Caravan with over 60K I still have the some tensioner & drive belt. Duh??????" I need help with this. The dealership is not going to do anything.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

My serpentine belt has jumped off the pulleys 4 times in the past year on my 2000 Dodge Caravan. Each time this happens, I loose all power controls. This problem could lead to a serious accident if someone isn't strong enough to manage the loss in power steering.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

: the contact stated while driving various speeds in wet weather, the serpentine belt slipped off causing the loss of power steering. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, who reattached the belt. However, the problem recurred.

- Griffith, IN, USA

I own a 2000 Dodge Caravan. I have a problem with the serpentine belt coming off mostly during wet or snowy weather. Today was the forth time in the last year this has happened. The repair shop(s) reports no known fix's for the 3.3/3.8 engine. I also had one failure during dry weather. Researching this problem on the internet I see this is a very common complaint....!. it has been for years !!!!. because this belt controls the power steering it becomes very difficult for a strong person to control the van. Lord help the frail, the old or the young !!!!. please check out the following sites for this problem (www.topix.net or www.carsurvey.org. for serpentine belt problems). I am filling this complaint (as other have) to get some help before a van load of children gets hurt because of a known design problem that the manufacturer seems to ignore. I have tried all known standard repair and manufacture recommendation but nothing works ie new belts, different belts, new idler/tension wheels, new brackets, alignments... nothing works. Where do I go from here"...will I hear anything back from NHTSA...will this be a waist of time" thank you.

- Christiana, TN, USA

Loss of power steering and alternator charging - serpentine belt falling off after hitting small water puddle on 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. I lost power steering on a curve as a result of hitting a small water puddle. Vehicle has received all service maintenance including replacement of belt tensioner but still fell off. I am fairly strong and was able to come out of the turn. Someone with less arm strength would have gone straight off the road and crashed. Dodge dealer has no fix for this that they are willing to talk about. This is a serious safety hazard since minivans often carry a lot of kids and if this happens on a wet road there could be serious injuries and fatalities from loss of control.

- Lake Forest Park, WA, USA

2000 Dodge Caravan had loss of serpentine belt. This caused lack off power steering and power brakes. This problem occurred three time and happened mostly during wet weather conditions. The dealer installed a pulley shield to alleviate the problem. Even after the shield was install the belt slipped off again. ** answer required***

- Snohomish, WA, USA

: the contact stated the fan belt was making noises, and then it came off. The vehicle was towed to the dealership to have the fan belt replaced. The vehicle was driven for one month; the belt started making noises again. The vehicle was taken back to the dealership, this time they put the fan belt back on. The vehicle was driven again for a period of time and had to be taken back to the dealership to have the belt replaced. The consumer stated the vehicle is running fine. Updated 02/09/06.

- Newark, NJ, USA

I have had to replace the serpentine belt/tensioner 5 times. The belt shreds while driving - the banging sounds like a branch or something is stuck under the hood. The banging noise will eventually stop when the shredded pieces fall off. I have had this taken care of by a certified mechanic once but now take it to a private mechanic because I can't afford pay for the certified mechanic to replace it. My van is driven a lot - has over 115,000 miles on it. Since we spend a lot of time in it I am afraid of what will happen should the entire thing fail and we loose all power. What needs to be done to have this problem recalled?

- Waldorf, MD, USA

Caller had to have the main belt on the engine fixed 6 times. When the belt came off she lost control of the steering, and the engine became red hot. Caller stated while driving, the belt came off the steering and froze. The consumer couldn't turn the wheel. Dealer said every time caller brought in the van, the belt was replaced, but the problem recurred. Dealer did not know why this was happening so many times. Manufacturer said dealer was doing all they could, and there was nothing else the manufacturer could do. Caller had it towed 5 times. A few times the belt was just slipped back on until they got to dealer. Dates of towing ere: 11-19-02, 2-19-03, 4-15-04, 6-19-04, and 6-30-05. Dealer said this was not the only van they saw with this problem. Caller stated the speed varied when the belt came off.

- Draper, VA, USA

Purchased a Dodge Caravan new, delivered 03/19/00. 12/21/00 leaking trans solenoid pack (not sure if that was related to consequent failures of the serpentine belt). The serpentine belt, which, according to Dodge mechanics should last 70,000 miles, has failed four times already; mileage at last failure: 68,145 miles. The belt breaks with very little warning at all, and all power is lost, brakes, steering - which could be extremely dangerous, causing my death or the death of others. Fortunately, after the first time, I recognize the sounds - like a twig being caught in the engine - as the belt suddenly frays, and pull over immediately.this is a very dangerous fault. Dates and mileage of failures: 04/19/01 18,456 - I was told by the dealership repairing the vehicle that I "had a better chance of wining the lottery than this happening again!" 05/18/02 32,229 miles 02/17/03 40,349 a shield, which had not been put on this year's model, was put on by the dealership. The shield was on model years before and after 2000, but was omitted from the 2000 line. The shield stopped rain and snow from going into the engine, freezing the block, and/or mixing with the oil which would cause the belt to slide on the pulleys and the belt to brake. If the dealership is aware of this fault, surely the manufacturer is. While there is a longer time period between the belt braking after the shield was put on, it still broke again in under 20,000 miles. 05/21/05 68,149 internet searches have revealed an extended warranty on all 1997-2000 Caravan/Grand Caravan for all ac compressor repairs, put out by chrylser in October of 2003. (allpar.com/dealers/warranty.html) can this car be declared dangerous and a lemon?

- Hinckley, OH, USA

Over the past year the drivebelt has fallen off the engine pulleys three times during heavy rain.

- Ocean Pines, MD, USA

Without any prior warning the entire pulley that supports the serpentine belt separated from the motor and fell out from under the car while driving on the road rendering the car undrivable. Luckily I was not traveling fast and was able coast into my driveway in my neighborhood. I found the pulley which shows where the attachment bolt snapped in half. It certainly looked like a defective part and I would have likely sued if an injury had occurred. The dealership did nothing in the form of any financial compensation for what I consider to be a defective part or poorly designed system. There are other similar complaints out there but no recall. My van had 56,242 miles on it at the time.

- Flowood, MS, USA

Serpentine belt shreds and comes apart. While driving suddenly there's a noise like the belt is slapping around under the hood. Serpentine belt was replaced 3 times.the first time this occurred dealership indicated that the pulley tensioner spring broke and the pulley locked to the side, which allowed the belt to ride off the side. The second time this occurred dealership indicated that the pulley locked up and broke, allowing the belt to slip off. The third time it occurred no cause was given. Currently vehicle is at the dealership having a diagnostic test performed because the failure recurred.

- Campobello, SC, USA

Serpentine belt came off without any reason in 2 occassion -- drove over shallow water, puddle rendering vehicle breakdown. The serpentine belt drives water pump, power steering, so the vehicle cannnot be manuevered and gets extremely hot.

- Issaquah, WA, USA

While driving, the belt tensioner failed without warning and caused the vehicle to stall.

- Statesville, NC, USA

The driver's belt arm had broken three times. Twice the belt shredded while at speed causing break downs and resulted in getting towed in. Once I managed to catch that the belt was wearing and got it to the dealer. They noted the tensioner was clocked causing the belt to ride off.

- Campobello, SC, USA