10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 0 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
A worn bushing/bearing in the tensioner pulley allowed the drive belt to slip off while cornering. The loss of power steering assist nearly caused the vehicle to drive off the road. The vehicle then quickly overheated leaving my wife and children stranded on a county road in a potentially life threatening situation. The actual temp was +5 F with a wind chill of -30 F. they were thankfully rescued within about 20 minutes thanks to her cellphone. I understand Chrysler has issued a tsb for belts that slip off when driving through snow or water due to pulley failure. This is an extremely dangerous situation and should be subject to a recall. Thank you. Roger stites.
- Bloomington, IL, USA
I am very concerned about the safety of my 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan in rain storms. Twice now the serpentine belt came off when water in the road sprayed onto the belt. When this happens, the power steering, alternator, water pump, and all other components powered by the belt stop functioning. The loss of power steering is very dangerous because it can happen at high speeds. Service bulletin 07-02-99, "serpentine belt slips off idler pulley" installs a bracket to prevent this. My concern is that no one knows about this service bulletin until the belt comes off. There is undue risk to owners of these vans. This needs to be a vehicle recall not a service bulletin. I have contacted Chrysler via the internet (reference number: 7904321) and written to james holden's office, Chrysler president. I was informed to contact NHTSA as the information was proprietary. I have friends with the same van that have had the same problem in rain storms. It is very dangerous to allow this to continue. Do people have to be killed before Chrysler takes a proactive approach to solving this on all vehicles effected? a vehicle recall is needed immediately to prevent injuries. I am very dissappointed in Chrysler for allowing me and my family to be exposed to this design flaw for the past couple of years. Just today a friend has had the same problem with her Chrysler mini van.
- Savannah, GA, USA
Consumer was traveling about 45mph on highway when power steering/coolant system malfunctioned and battery light came on. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership, serpentine belt came off. Serpentine has fallen off twice.
- Acworth, GA, USA
- Fort Wayne, IN, USA