Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 08/15/2011 | 90500 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1998 dodge grand caravan. while driving approximately 35 mph the steering wheel became extremely difficult to maneuver. the vehicle was towed to the contacts home. the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who stated the serpentine belt detached from the vehicle. the serpentine belt was replaced. the failure occurred intermittently four times. the mechanic installed a tensioner to hold the serpentine belt in place. the failure continued to occur. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 90,500. rvk | |||
| 08/15/2011 | 90500 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1998 dodge grand caravan. while driving at approximately 35 mph the steering wheel became extremely difficult to maneuver. the vehicle was towed to the contacts home. the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. the mechanic stated the serpentine belt had detached from the vehicle. the serpentine belt was replaced. the failure occurred four different times intermittently. the mechanic installed a tensioner to hold the serpentine belt in place. the failure continued. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 90,500. ds | |||
| 11/09/2010 | 108000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1998 dodge grand caravan. while driving approximately 45 mph in rainy weather, the steering became difficult to maneuver and the brakes would not respond when depressed. the vehicle began to overheat and was driven to an independent mechanic for inspection. the mechanic advised that the serpentine belt detached from the vehicle. the mechanic replaced the serpentine belt and the tensioner. the failure recurred one month later and the contact was able to place the belt back in place. the failure recurred five times and only when driving in rainy weather. the vehicle was not further repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 108,000. kmj | |||
| 11/09/2010 | 108000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1998 dodge grand caravan. while driving at approximately 45 mph in the rainy weather the contact noticed the steering became difficult to maneuver, the brakes would not respond when the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle began to over heat. the contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic. the mechanic stated the serpentine belt had detached from the vehicle. the mechanic replaced the serpentine belt and the tensioner. approximately a month after the repair the serpentine belt detached a second time. the contact was able to place the belt back in place. the failure occurred five different times in rainy weather. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 108,000. ds | |||
| 03/13/2011 | |||
| The serpentine belt on the 1998 dodge caravan, has fallen off during driving, whenever the car goes through a puddle of water. this causes nearly unresponsive steering until the belt can be replaced. there are thousands of reports on this issues on online forms, and dodge does not admit to the problem. | |||
| 09/09/2010 | 90200 | ||
| The serpentine belt has come off of the pulleys on multiple occassions in wet weather, including rain and snow/slush, especially when a puddle is gone through by the right front side of the vehicle. on two of these occassions, i was turning a corner when the belt came off, lost control of my steering and almost hit the car which was stopped across from me. the belt coming off also causes the engine to overheat. this issue causes a loss of control and will lead to injury or death. chrysler claims it is not a safety issue.. there is an updated belt/pulley kit which has a double-sided-grooved belt and pulley which is supposed to correct this issue but the cost to the consumer is approx $400-500 since chrysler claims that this is not a safety issue. however, this is most certainly a safety issue considering the loss of steering control on wet roads especially if driving on the highway, as i do, where the speed limit is 55-65mph or turning a corner at an intersection where other cars are stopped. | |||
| 08/28/2009 | 1 | ||
| Serpentine belt comes off when it gets wet such as driving through puddles or water from roadway when raining. has happened several times over past few months. replaced belt but still comes off. this results in loss of power steering making it very difficult to safely pull off road to safe location. *tr | |||
| 07/08/1998 | 5 | 02/01/1999 | |
| Serpentine belt comes off when consumer rides through puddle causing steering wheel to lock up and resulting in loss of power steering. | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN | |||
| 05/08/2003 | 57796 | 06/22/1998 | |
| Transmission failure. the transmission in my 1998 dodge grand caravan began to slip and stay in second gear around 50k miles. i had it diagnosed by the dealer and the cost of repair is more than i could ever afford. i have taken it to two other mechanics and there is not much variation in price. generally the cost is going to be from $16,000 to $2,400. i cannot afford a new car either. i am reading all of the complaints about this, so why hasn't there been a recall? the dealer should gladly replace the transmissions since they are aware that this is occurring on a regular basis. it is because they do not want to absorb the cost themselves. they will recall something small like brakes or fan belt. i also have had the serpentine belt slip off twice when driving through puddles of water. both times my engine overheated and the steering column locked, both fatally serious probems. what is the deal? i demand relief! no one is going to trade this piece of junk with me. what is the dealer willing to do? | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 04/01/2001 | |||
| Air bag light came on while driving, and horn/ cruise control failed to function. dealership has examined vehicle, and determined that clock spring was defective and needed to be replaced. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | |||
| 10/20/2004 | 5 | ||
| While driving at any speed power steering failed. driver had difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle. took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the wheel bearing and the power steering belt needed to be replaced. *ak | |||
| 11/01/2003 | 71990 | 0 | 08/15/1997 |
| During the course of a short trip, the power steering assist failed completely. the fluid drained from the system through a hole caused by a rust-through of the steel power steering lines which are completely exposed to adverse environmental conditions under the vehicle. upon inspection, it was discovered that both the supply and return lines, made of steel were extensively rusted. | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 02/01/1998 | 4 | 09/01/1997 | |
| During rain, snow, or icy conditions, the accessory belt pully or idler gets wet and the belt comes off resulting in loss of power steering, power brakes, alternator, etc. this has happened on 4 separate occasions, the most recently 04/22/01 during a rain storm in chicago. i believe that there is a sheild or something missing to prevent water, snow, and/or ice from splashing up onto the belt pullies. *ak | |||
| 12/20/1999 | |||
| Tensioner on engine had broken twice. repaired first time under warranty. second time not under warranty. had lost power steering due to tensioner breaking.*ak | |||
| 12/01/2000 | 1 | 09/01/1998 | |
| Power steering belt comes off when driving through snow greater than 6 inches in depth. caused sudden loss of power steering and loss of vehicle control. technical bulletin from repair shop indicates that the tensioner arm on this model is defective (insufficiant tension to keep belt on), and that it needs a snow shield. snow under vehicle gets pushed into belt assembly causing belt to fall off. technical bulletin indicates the corrective procedure (stronger tensioning arm and snow shield) will be covered only if vehicle is under warranty. for questions, please use e-mail address. the work phone listed will only be current until 01/24/00. new work phone is undetermined at this time. *ak | |||
| 07/08/1998 | 5 | 02/01/1999 | |
| Serpentine belt comes off when consumer rides through puddle causing steering wheel to lock up and resulting in loss of power steering. | |||
| 02/05/1999 | 1 | 05/01/1998 | |
| Serpentine belt snaps causing power steering and power brakes to fail as well as causing the car to overheat. this has happened 5 times! steering column has needed to be replaced. transmission has been in for service 3 times and still is not working properly. this vehicle is a safety problem if any one of these things should fail again. | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 07/25/2006 | 1 | ||
| Strut tower corrosion-driver side-rust and metal breaking up-1998 grand caravan-purchased new-has 83,500 miles- have had belt problems several times-also windshield wipers intermit failure -rusted out power steering mech. totally replaced-many brake jobs-and also headlight interior switch seems to fail at times. i need to make a decission to buy a new van with hand controls or have this van hand controls installed. me thinks i need to buy a new van and be looking at another manufactor. as it seems like chrysler/dodge is not stepping up to all these failures that are seen by too many other van owners;of this 1998 model caravan. saw on line a new repair for the strut rusting called fusor #112b/mopar 05083855aa. can be used to fix this problemthe tsb #23-044-02 thru a company called lord corp. listed under their oem bulletins and repair recommendations using fusor adhesives. think i may use this on mine. hope others can use this also. thanks. *nm | |||
| 08/09/2001 | 3 | 05/01/1998 | |
| Serpentine belt failed x3 over 3d incl. on hwy -> loss of power. steering, alternator and other functions. *ak | |||
| 08/21/2000 | 1 | 01/01/1998 | |
| Serpintine belt tensioner fails which can cause serious accidents | |||
| 04/11/1998 | 12/20/1997 | ||
| Vehicle is popping in the front end/ little brake control/ power steering is poor also makes loud noises. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||
| 04/01/1998 | 1 | 03/01/1998 | |
| Two of my co-workers also have the same type of van and we all had the same problem with the steering wheel hose. was there ever a recall for this part? if not, why. also my battery lasted only 1 year and 5 months. this is a very short time for a battery to last. they should install good batteries. it's really devastating when your car does not want to start. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 09/21/1998 | 3 | 02/15/1998 | |
| Experienced front end noise, two tsb's performed #19-14-97 and 23-001-97 (tie rod ends and cradle bolts replaced), however continued noise due to loose left front axle nut. yh | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 02/01/2005 | 25000 | 4 | 01/20/2005 |
| Dt: consumer complained about a rack and pinion steering and other problems. consumer drove over a rough pothole with a metal flatbed on top at a low speed. while driving at a street at 25 mph consumer made a right turn and there was popping noise in the steering wheel. the noise was evident only when turning to the left or right. took vehicle back to dealer, who said there was a problem with front alignment , but that was all. however, insurance company noted there were problems with rack and pinion steering /front alignment/ radiator, and the transmission pan. also, consumer noted the engine light was constantly on and it smoked after driving a long period of time. oil was changed regularly. vehicle has had a recent front end alignment but no other repairs. *ak | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 04/15/2000 | 1 | 06/09/1998 | |
| When braking in a sudden stop it causes extended stopping distance. dealer was notified and unable to locate cause, prior to the side caliper failure at 34743, the vehicle would not stop, but would glide to s stop, stopping distance was extended, steering column is loose, a spring was changed but the column is llose again, the brakes occasionally depress on it's own, the consumer notices this more when the vehicle is idling a a light.*ak *mj | |||
| 01/14/2000 | 3 | ||
| Steering column makes noise. yh | |||