The mounting bolt for the spring tensioner of the serpentine belt suddenly failed, rendering the car inoperable. Loose failed parts then damaged an auxiliary pulley in engine compartment (power steering pump). Inspection of failed bolt shows no sign of wear, cracks, weakening, etc. Bolt failure was sudden, unexpected, and complete. I suspect poor quality of metal in bolt's composition to be the cause of failure. Repairs have been completed by dealer with cost coming out of my pocket despite evidence of faulty material and my appeal for reimbursement to dealer and Chrysler regional representative. Reviewing consumer complaints listed on NHTSA web site, I find no less than a dozen identical problems described on 1996 models alone. There were no injuries resulting from my incident and effects on the engine as a whole remain to be seen. Furthermore, the bolt appears to be made of aluminum (despite its critical function and delicate location). I would appreciate any information you can provide me concerning this situation. Hopefully, if there is a problem with the material, Chrysler will do the right thing before injuries/fatalities occur as a result of failures of this engine component. The failed part is in my possession and is available for inspection/testing if you wish. Thank you in advance for your time and the services you provide to consumers. Chuck toland

- Sacramento, CA, USA

The vehicle lost its power steering, cooling system, etc. When the tensioner went bad and the engine belt came off. My local service station advised they have had to replace numerous tensioners on this make/model, and they're surprised there hasn't been a recall - especially considering the danger involved. The dealer (herb gordon Dodge) advised that there is no problem with the tensioner, and that it is "normal wear" for it to go bad at 76,000 miles. In case the problem is not unique, I wanted to report it. I have had numerous problems with this vehicle.

- Olney, MD, USA

The mounting bolt for the spring tensioner of the serpentine belt suddenly failed, rendering the car inoperable. Loose failed parts then damaged an auxiliary pulley in engine compartment (power steering pump). Inspection of failed bolt shows no sign of wear, cracks, weakening, etc. Bolt failure was sudden, unexpected, and complete. I suspect poor quality of metal in bolt's composition to be the cause of failure. Repairs have been completed by dealer with cost coming out of my pocket despite evidence of faulty material and my appeal for reimbursement to dealer and Chrysler regional representative. Reviewing consumer complaints listed on NHTSA web site, I find no less than a dozen identical problems described on 1996 models alone. There were no injuries resulting from my incident and effects on the engine as a whole remain to be seen. Furthermore, the bolt appears to be made of aluminum (despite its critical function and delicate location). I would appreciate any information you can provide me concerning this situation. Hopefully, if there is a problem with the material, Chrysler will do the right thing before injuries/fatalities occur as a result of failures of this engine component. The failed part is in my possession and is available for inspection/testing if you wish. Thank you in advance for your time and the services you provide to consumers. Chuck toland

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Belt tensioner bolt snapped off. Throwing of belt, breaking another pully. Happened to many other people too. Recall time Dodge.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

Serpentine belt separated from vehicle at 554mph, causing engine to lock up. Delaer has repaired the vehicle several times prior to this incidnet.

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

Consumer was traveling about 70mph and heard some noise coming from the hood area. Also, smoke and flames came out of the hood area. Serpentine belt caught on fire. Vehicle was inoperable. No steering, vehicle won't start at all. Vehicle was towed to the dealership.

- Redford, MI, USA

Belts became badly frayed and tattered prematurely; 3 days after replacement of the belts, the engine died on the freeway at 65 mph. The engine would not restart and we needed to be towed from the freeway to the dealer. The dealer claimed that they could not locate any problem and that the vehicle started right away.

- West Allis, WI, USA

Serpentine belts failed.

- Traverse C, MI, USA

Serpentine belt snapped while driving after belt assembly nut split and broke, dislodging the entire assembly. Vehicle has been repaired.

- Lecanto, FL, USA

Since 1996, the serpentine belt tensioner device has broken three times. Two of the three times the bolt holding the device sheared off as well as the device breaking. Both the local Chrysler dealership and the repair shop that have performed the repairs stated that this is a recurrent problem with the Caravan. The dealership keeps this item in stock because of the frequency of repairs. This component failure causes great risk to the driver as it controls the power steering, radiator fan, water pump and alternator. It has broken so many times while I've been driving, that I'm getting to be an expert at navigating the vehicle off the road without killing someone. The three repairs have occured on 7/11/1997, 5/22/1998 and 9/3/1999. I can provide the documentation if requested. Please look into this apparent manufacturer's defect! thank you for your assistance in this matter.

- St. Marys, GA, USA

Front rotors warped or flawed. Heavy steering wheel and front end vibration during downgrade slow braking. Fuel tank is collapsed which will hold only about 13 gallons. Wipers coming on intermittently and gets worse when climate gets hot. Belt tensioner failed which can hit and break the main crankshaft pulley.

- Acworth, GA, USA

Belt tensioner failed and hit the main pulley which was damaged and replaced. Brakes pulsated at around 30K miles. They were maintained by turning the rotors, but the problem came back after a month. All of these problems where paid out of my pocket after I was told it is not covered under the extended warranty.

- Acworth, GA, USA

IE98054, while driving over a water puddle vehicle lost power steering for that moment which could hav E caused loss of control. After it was out of the water, a squeaky noise was heard and vehicle returned back to normal. Dealer replaced steering belt tensioner and serpetine belt. Problem is reoccurring.

- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA

After exiting interstate 80 my wife lost steering control of our minivan. Fortunately this was on a Suburban street and not on the highway. Upon inspection of the engine I found that the belt tensioner (fp# 4612894-ac) was no longer attached to the engine.

- Oradell, NJ, USA

Tensioner pulley bent, and the serpentine belt came off. The second time the pulley actually broke off. Bothe times the car lost all controls, luckily, both times I was driveing on a small strret and slow speed

- Howard Beach, NY, USA

I purchased a '96 Dodge Grand Caravan in 2/97 with approx 15,000 miles on it. Within the first couple of weeks the serpentine belt was breaking apart. The dealership replaced it and said all looks good. A few weeks after it, happened again. This time the dealer checked and said there was a defect and the upgrade was ordered (the belt was replaced again). When the upgrade parts arrived and were installed, the belt had to be replaced again. Sometime after that the belt went again. Because I was beyond the 30,000 mile point I went to my usual machanic. He replaced the belt. A short time after that the belt fell apart again. This time the mechanic got intouch with Chrysler and was told about the upgrade which according to Chrysler had already been done on the vehicle. He was told to use only original replacement parts when replacing the belt. Which he did. Although this one lasted the longest, last week it had to be replaced again. Then last night the belt flew apart again. This time it wrapped around one of the lower pullys as it broke apart, and sounded like I was dragging a garbage can under the van. That 7 belts in 2 years. Something has got to be wrong.

- Vernon, NJ, USA

Serpentine drive belt fell off due to design, snow builds up under the engine and because of design it allows belt to fly off.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

Serpentine belt broke.

- Key Largo, FL, USA

Serpentine belt adjustment broke and took ot major engine parts and wires.

- Laguna Hills, CA, USA