1999 Dodge Grand Caravan Engine Problems

Your serpentine belt repeatedly comes off when exposed to water from rain or car washes, causing your power steering, water pump, and alternator to stop working. This creates a serious safety hazard, especially when driving in traffic or at highway speeds. The issue may be addressed with a serpentine belt tensioner enhancement kit designed to keep the belt properly seated.

While driving at 35 mph, you noticed a strong fuel smell inside your van. You pulled over and the engine compartment caught fire. The fire department had to extinguish it, and the van was destroyed. A fuel system leak or failure likely caused the fire, which may require inspection of fuel lines, connections, and the fuel pump assembly.

AFTER HITTING APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES OF SNOW/SLUSH IN THE ROAD THE SERPENTINE BELT SLID OFF CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID ACCIDENT AND PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. THIS IS THE 5TH SUCH INCIDENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER WINDOWS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND CRUISE CONTROL WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE RADIO HAD ALSO FAILED IN ADDITION TO THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINING ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS IN 2008 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS) WHERE THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIR CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH BEFORE RECURRING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

THE SERPENTINE BELT FELL OF DURING WET ROAD CONDITIONS. I DRIVE A 3.3L DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I HAD NO IDEA HOW POPULAR THIS PROBLEM IS. CHRYSLER COULD FIX IT WITH A TENSIONER WITH A SIDEWALL OR A RIBBED TENSIONER. *TR

SERPENTINE BELT FALLS OFF TENSIONER REPEATEDLY AND HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL TENSIONER PULLEYS AND SERPENTINE BELTS WITHOUT ANY REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVING HOME IN ICE STORM OUR 1999 DODGE CARAVAN LOST POWER STEERING, LIGHTS DIMMED, OVERHEATED. APPARENTLY THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE CARAVANS AND THE SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BELT EIGHT TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON JANUARY 25, 2008. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PULLEY BRACKET, THE BOLTS, AND THE SERPENTINE BELT ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON JANUARY 27, 2008. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,669 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 605. UPDATED 02/14/08. *LJ UPDATED

THE SERPENTINE BELT ON OUR 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS SLIPPED OFF SEVERAL TIMES. VISIT CARSURVEY.ORG AND YOU'LL SEE THAT MANY OTHER DODGE OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM REGULARLY. SOME ARE GETTING STUCK IN THE FREEZING SNOW AS A RESULT. WE'VE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS A BURNED OUT COMPUTER BOARD OWED TO A SHORT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW WILL NOT FUNCTION. WE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, AS A JOURNALIST, IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT DODGE HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THE GLITCHES IN THE CARAVAN AND ISSUED ADDITIONAL RECALLS. I'D HAVE MUCH MORE RESPECT FOR THE COMPANY IF THEY DID. WE'VE ONLY HAD ONE RECALL, AND THAT WAS FOR A CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AND WHILE TURNING ONTO BUSY INTERSECTION MY 1999 INTREPID ES 2.7 STOPPED. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED REWIRING BUT THEN SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE THEM DISMANTLE MY ENGINE AND RETURN IT TO ME WITHOUT PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER SWEARING THAT EVEN IF THEY PUT IT BACK TOGETHER IT WON'T START. SO NOW 3 MONTHS AFTER PAYING MY CAR OFF. IT NEEDS ANOTHER ENGINE. NO WARNING SIGNS, IT JUST STOPPED AND WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. IT SEEMS TO ME THE DEALERSHIP DESTROYED MY ENGINE. REMOVED ALL TIMING BELTS AND EVEN BENT THE PLATE OF THE ENGINE INSTEAD OF CAREFULLY REMOVING BOLTS. I HAVE 5 KIDS AND NO CAR. NOW AM FORCED TO PURCHASE AGAIN. *TR

THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF THREE TIMES TO DATE. ONCE IN 3 INCHES OF SNOW, ONCE ON A SUNNY DAY AND ONCE WHEN ON SLICK ROADS BUT NO PUDDLES. ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS TWICE WITH THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR! THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED AS HAS THE TENSIONER AND THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR

99 DODGE DURANGO 4X4, THE TRUCK STALLS WITH NO WARNING. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT GOES DOWN TO 0. IF THE TRUCK IS RESTARTED IT'S FINE, THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN, MAYBE A DAY LATER, MAYBE A MONTH LATER, MAYBE 6 MONTHS LATER. IT'S VERY INTERMITTENT. *TR

IT SEEMS THAT EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE DODGE DURANGO WE HAVE IT STALLS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. ONCE THE TRUCK STALLS, THE STEERING GOES OUT AND SO DO THE BRAKES. IF WE GET OUT AND WIGGLE THE PLUG THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE FIRE WALL "SOMETIMES" THE TRUCK WILL START. HOWEVER, WE HAVE SAT AND SAT WAITING FOR THE TRUCK TO COOL DOWN ENOUGH FOR IT TO START AGAIN. WE HAVE EVEN HAD TO BE TOWED A FEW TIMES BEFORE WE KNEW THAT WE COULD WIGGLE THE PLUG, WHICH IS VERY VERY HOT. TODAY, AFTER MISSING A JOB INTERVIEW BECAUSE THE TRUCK ONCE AGAIN STALLED, WE STARTED LOOKING UP ON GOOGLE TO SEE WHAT, IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE AND HAPPENED TO FIND A WONDERFUL WEB SITE"AUTOBEEF". AT THIS POINT, IT LOOKS LIKE WE MAY HAVE TO GET A NEW COMPUTER FOR THE TRUCK, WHICH RANGES $1000.......!!!!!! *TR

IN FEB 2007, A NEW MOPAR SERPENTINE BELT WAS INSTALLED ON MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (89,000 MILES) BY A LOCAL DODGE DEALER. AFTER ONE WEEK BELT STARTED A LOUD SQUEAL. AT THE SUGGESTION OF MECHANICS I TRIED BELT DRESSINGS, SPRAYS AND WIRE BRUSH, ALL WITH NO HELP TO THE PROBLEM. ONE MECHANIC SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE PLASTIC PULLEY ON MY PROPERLY WORKING TENSIONER WITH A METAL PULLEY. THIS I DID WITH NO HELP. ALL PULLEYS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND O.K. DEALER INSTALLED ANOTHER BELT IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR. SAME PROBLEM AFTER ONE WEEK. ENDED UP GOING TO LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP (NOT DEALER) AND THEY INSTALLED "KIT", WHICH CORRECTED PROBLEM. "KIT' CONSISTED OF BELT WITH GROOVES ON BOTH SIDES AND IDLER PULLEY AND TENSIONER PULLEY WITH GROOVES. PROBLEM SOLVED. THE DODGE DEALER NEVER HEARD OF THIS "KIT"....COME ON DODGE BOYS, GET WITH IT!!!! *JB

CONTINUAL SERPENTINE BELT ISSUES WITH DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 1999, IT HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND HAS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE SERPENTINE BELT AT LEAST 4 TIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE BELT HAS COME OFF ON 2 OCCASIONS WHEN VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH A PUDDLE. THIS SEEMS EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE. *TR

THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 1999 DODGE CARAVAN KEEPS COMING OFF. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS. THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THE IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE BELT TENSIONER HAS BEEN REPLACED. AN ENGINE BRACKET FOR THE IDLER PULLEY HAS BEEN REPLACED. WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF , POWER STEERING IS LOST WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VAN. IF I WAS NOT A FAIRLY STRONG PERSON I WOULD HAVE HIT A SEMI-TRUCK AT THE LAST INCIDENT. MY WIFE COULD NOT HAVE CONTROLLED IT. THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET FIX FOR THE PROBLEM THROUGH GOODYEAR OR GATES. CHRYSLER DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR IT. BELOW IS THE LATEST INCIDENT. IT HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. *NM

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN,3.3 LITER ENGINE, STARTED OUT ABOUT ONCE A YEAR THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD SLIP OFF AND HAVE TO BE REINSTALLED. THEN STARTED EVERY 6 MONTHS, USUALLY DURING WET WEATHER, CAME OFF WITH MY WIFE, SHE WOULD LOSE STEERING ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE WORK AND GO WHERE EVER SHE WAS AND PUT BELT BACK ON. FINALLY NOTICED THE TENSIONER PULLEY LEANING TO THE LEFT ALLOWING BELT TO SLIP OFF. REPLACED PULLEY THINKING PROBLEM SOLVED, BUT ONCE AGAIN BELT WOULD SLIP OFF DURING A RAIN AND WIPERS ON. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY WIFE AGAIN, NO STEERING. TRIED A BETTER QUALITY BELT, SAME THING, BELT WOULD SLIP OFF DURING RAIN. 2 WEEKS AGO IT SLIPPED OFF WITH MY WIFE ON MAJOR FREEWAY IN BIRMINGHAM, AL , I HAD TO GO ABOUT 50 MILES AND PUT BELT BACK ON WITH TRAFFIC SPEEDING BY AND ALL DURING A RAIN STORM OF COURSE. YESTERDAY I DROVE THE VAN TO MY JOB AND ON THE WAY HOME RAN INTO A RAIN STORM AND GUESS WHAT, IT CAME OFF AGAIN, LUCKILY ON THE STREET I LIVE ON. I'VE READ ABOUT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VAN. I'VE OWNED THE VAN SINCE THE BEGINNING, LOVED IT EXCEPT FOR THIS PROBLEM, EVEN BOUGHT A NEW 05 GRAND CARAVAN BECAUSE THEY ARE GOOD VANS. I JUST WISH DODGE WOULD ADMIT THE 99 AND SIMILAR YEARS HAD A RECALL ISSUE ON THIS SERPENTINE BELT. OR WHY CAN'T THEY TELL US, THE OWNERS HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? *JB

DESPITE REGULAR (3,000-MILE OR LESS) OIL CHANGES AT DEALER OR CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WITH 3.3 LITER ENGINE DEVELOPED SEVERE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS. FIRST INDICATION OF PROBLEM WAS A SOFT CLICKING ENGINE NOISE. CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS OIL SLUDGE, SHOWED US CAKED ENGINE COMPONENTS. REPLACED ROCKERS ARMS AND SOME VALVES AND BEARINGS AND FLUSHED ENGINE. REPAIRS NOT SUCCESSFUL, NOISE CONTINUED. RETURNED TO MECHANIC WHO KEPT THE VAN FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND DID SEVERAL MORE ENGINE FLUSHES AND OIL CHANGES. THIS DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM AND MECHANIC WARNED ME THAT DRIVING WOULD SOON LEAD TO MASSIVE ENGINE FAILURE. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS AN EXPENSIVE OVERHAUL ($7,000-$8,000) OR A NEW/REBUILT ENGINE ($5,000-$6,000) THAT MIGHT STILL HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH, I REALIZED THIS WAS CHRYSLER PROBLEM WITH ENGINE. NOW MY VAN IS AN EXPENSIVE YARD ORNAMENT--AT LEAST UNTIL I DRIVE IT ONE LAST TIME TO TRADE IT IN. I DO NOT CONSIDER IT SAFE TO DRIVE AS MASSIVE FAILURE COULD LEAD TO FIRE OR ACCIDENT. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE DURANGO THAT HAS JUST DEVELOPED A PROBLEM. FOR SOME REASON THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING. IT CAN BE ON A SIDE STREET DOWN A NARROW CANYON WHICH JUST HAPPENED TO MY WIFE (THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE FACT SHE LOST POWER STEERING AND HAD VERY LITTLE CHOICE FOR PULLING OVER). IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY ANOTHER VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR REASONS I DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN. ONCE I PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND LET IT SIT FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES IT STARTS BACK UP AND I AM ON MY WAY. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DODGE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY ARE QUITE PUZZLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST 7-18-06. *JB

I HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT COME OFF WHILE DRIVING IN MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THIS IS UNSAFE. I LOSE POWER STEERING, A/C OR DEFROSTER, THE VAN OVERHEATS UNLESS YOU PARK IT INSTANTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES AND I HAVE REPLACED THE TENSION PULLEY AND IT STILL DIDN'T HELP. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLS. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO TWO DEALERSHIPS, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWS NO CODES.

WE OWN A 1999 DODGE INTREPID WITH 69,225 MILES ON IT TO DATE. ON NOVEMBER 30TH, 2005 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING AT ALL, THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED OUT (INCLUDING THE BRAKES). HE HAD TO SWERVE MANY TIMES TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES AND NEARLY RUNNING HIMSELF RIGHT OFF THE ROAD. WE HAD THIS CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHICH THEY IN TURN TELL US THE ENGINE IS FULL OF SLUDGE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (A COST OF $6,900). WE WERE FORCED TO SELL THIS MINT CONDITION CAR FOR SCRAP PARTS WITH LITTLE MONEY TO SHOW FOR IT. CHRYSLER HAS KNOWN OF THIS ENGINE PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW AND THEY REFUSE TO OFFER ANY HELP FOR US OWNERS. OUTRAGEOUS AND UNBELIEVABLE!!!! WE WILL NEVER, EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER DODGE/CHRYSLER VEHICLE AGAIN!!! *NM

I PURCHASED THIS 1999 DODGE INTREPID USED FROM A DEALERSHIP IN THE SUMMER OF 2003. I JUST RECENTLY GRADUATED COLLEGE AND THIS WAS THE FIRST CAR THAT I HAVE EVER FINANCED. I WAS EXTREMELY EXCITED AND PROUD TO BE THE OWNER OF A NEWER VEHICLE. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT HAD LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT. WE ALSO BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. THIS SUMMER WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH OUR CHILDREN IT SUDDENLY SHOOK AND SHUTTERED AND THEN QUIT RUNNING ALMOST CAUSING THEM TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT ON A BUSY AND DANGEROUS EXPRESSWAY. WE HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT BY SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THE VERDICT WAS THE SAME THAT WE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF MORE THAN 5,000.00. THIS ABOUT MADE ME SICK AS WE STILL OWNED OVER 4500 ON THE CAR TO THE BANK. I HAD NOT CHOICE BUT TO PAY THE REPAIRED BILL AND HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. I WAS FORCED TO RE-MORTGAGE MY HOUSE TO PAY THIS EXPENSE. AT THE TIME OF THE BREAKDOWN THE VEHICLE HAD JUST LESS THAN 70,000 MILES. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED TO ME THE PROBLEM FROM THE ENGINE WAS CAUSED BY SLUDGE. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD JUST RECEIVED A MECHANIC BULLETIN THAT THESE CARS NEED TO HAVE THERE OIL CHANGED EVERY 1000 MILES. THIS INFORMATION ABOUT MADE ME SICK. I WAS RELIGIOUS IN CHANGING THE OIL AND MAINTAIN THIS VEHICLE IT WAS MY PRIZED POSITION. I WOULD REQUEST THAT YOU PLEASE OPEN A CASE FILE AND LOOK INTO HELPING COMPENSATE ME FOR THIS HUGE EXPENSE THAT APPEARS TO A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE. *NM

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JOLTED, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR CAME TO A HALT. THERE WAS NEVER ANY WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. ONCE TOWED, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THIS HAPPENED IN FLORIDA, SO THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED BACK TO OUR HOME IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE TUNE OF $1000.00. WE THEN HAD THE MECHANIC THAT WORKS ON THE CAR SEARCH FOR A SALVAGED ENGINE. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK, HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE ONE AND PUT THAT IN THE CAR. THAT COST WAS ALMOST $3000.00. WE THEN STARTED EXPERIENCING ALL TYPES OF PROBLEMS...THE WINDOWS WOULDN'T WORK, THE ALTERNATOR WENT, THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO BE DRAINED. AFTER ALL THIS WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED, WE ARE OUT ALMOST $5500.00. THIS HAS INVOLVED A LOT OF TIME AND INCONVENIENCE TO OUR FAMILY SINCE THIS CAR IS THE PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR SON AT COLLEGE. HE HAS HAD TO TAKE ONE OF OUR CARS TO SCHOOL WHILE WE HAVE SPENT 3 MONTHS TRYING TO CORRECT ALL OF THESE ITEMS DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. IN TALKING WITH THE CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS, THEY HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE ENGINE FAILURE SITUATION AND APPARENT "SLUG" IN THE LINES, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT HEARD IT ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL OR RE-IMBURSE THOSE OF US THAT HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS TO CORRECT THEIR PROBLEM. OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THIS CAR HAS ALL THESE NEW PARTS AND SHOULD LAST OUR SON THROUGH THE NEXT 4 YEARS OF COLLEGE, HOWEVER, WHAT'S NOT TO SAY THIS COULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN WITH THE SALVAGED ENGINE? WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY AND ALL ASSISTANCE.*JB

99 DODGE DURANGO ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP. 67K MILES - LOW OIL PRESSURE CHECKED 6 MOS AGO - DEALER FOUND LEAK ONLY - THEN ENGINE BLEW THIS WEEK - DEALER SHOULD HAVE ADVISED THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBEM WITH THE DODGE ENGINES AND MAYBE WE COULD HAVE HAD THE SLUDGE BUILD UP REMOVED BEFORE THE ENGINE BLEW. NOW IT WILL COST $5,000 TO REPLACE ENGINE. IS THERE A CLASS ACTION SUIT WE CAN JOIN? THIS IS DECEITFUL, DISHONEST, AND A TRAVISITY ON CHRYSLER'S BEHALF - UNLESS OF COURSE THEY WILL HELP WITH THE REPAIR COST OF THE NEW ENGINE! PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS.

TIMING BELT AND CHAIN WENT OUT AT 60,000 MILES WITH NO WARNING. WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 3 HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW. WHEN IT WENT OUT IT DAMAGED OTHER PARTS OF THE VECHICLE AS WELL. PUT A HOLE IN THE OIL RESEVOIR AS WELL.*AK

OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WOULD DROP TO 0 & CHECK GAUGES LIGHT WOULD COME ON. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO 3 DIFFERENT GARAGES. THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT GETS WORSE THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM KEPT HAPPENING & I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK (AS I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY) THEY SAID THAT I NEED TO REPLACE MY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THEY DID THAT & THE TRUCK CONTINUED WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN 6000 MILES LATER & THEY ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS SLUDGE IN MY OIL & IT IS A LACK OF MAINTENANCE. I SHOWED THEM MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS PROVING THAT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THEY ARE STILL DENYING MY CLAIM & I AM NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK PAYMENT ON A TRUCK THAT NEEDS AN ENGINE!! *AK

I BOUGHT A 1999 DODGE INTREPID WITH A 2.7L ENGINE. IN DECEMBER 2004, THE OIL LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING WHENEVER I STOPPED, AND THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE BURNING OIL. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 10, JUST OUTSIDE TUCSON, AZ, MY CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED AND LOST ALMOST ALL MOMENTUM. LUCKILY, IT WAS A SATURDAY MORNING AND TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND, AT NO MORE THAN 35 MPH, MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP NEARBY. I WAS TOLD THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT WORKING, BUT SOMEONE DID LOOK AT THE ENGINE AND TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. HE SAID IT WAS JUST LOW ON OIL. HE ADDED SOME, AND TOLD ME I COULD MAKE IT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME (AN HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE/HIGHWAY). I DID MAKE IT HOME, BUT THE CAR NEVER STARTED AGAIN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP NEAR MY HOUSE, AND WAS TOLD REPAIR COST WOULD BE AROUND $6500. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS FLAWED - THE OIL LINES ARE TOO SMALL TO SUFFICIENTLY LUBRICATE THE ENGINE, AND THE ENGINE BURNS SO HOT THE OIL IT DOES GET JUST SLEDGES IT UP. HE ALSO ADMITTED SEEING THE SAME PROBLEM IN SEVERAL INTREPID WITH THE SAME ENGINE, DESPITE REGULARITY OF OIL CHANGES. *AK

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC SHOP FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER ENGINE EXHAUST CROSSOVER PIPE CRACKED. *TC *JB

MY 99 DODGE INTREPID BEGAN MAKING NOISES. LOUD KNOCKING NOISES ONE DAY. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IT WAS THEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A TIMING SENSOR. THAT JOB COST ME $380 DOLLARS. AFTER 15 MINUTES OF RUNNING, THE ENGINE TOTALLY SEIZED UP. PRIOR TO THIS, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF LOOKING AT THE ENGINE ON THE INSIDE AND WAS TOTALLY DISGUSTED WITH WHAT I SAW. I WAS WARNED THAT THE ENGINE MAY SEIZE UP AND THAT I MOST LIKELY NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. MY CAR HAD ABOUT 74,5 MILES ON IT. IT WAS A GOOD PERFORMING CAR. I AM IN A TERRIBLE FINANCIAL BIND NOW TRYING TO RAISE THE $3200 TO REPLACE MY ENGINE. I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE 2.7 WAS SO AWFUL AND NOT LONG LASTING. THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST DODGE/CHRYSLER. MY PLAN IS TO GET THE CAR FIXED AND TRADE IT IN WITHIN 3 MONTHS. I WON'T EVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE OR CHRYSLER VEHICLE AGAIN AS LONG AS I LIVE. *JB

1. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK. 2. MANIFOLD BOLTS RUSTED AND BROKEN, WHICH COULD CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT WITH SUDDEN BREAKDOWN WHILE DRIVING. 3. OVERHAUL COOLANT SYSTEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MUFFLER/INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE MUFFLER AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHEN SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET ITWILL COME OFF OF THE PULLEY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES AND CONSUME RLODT CONTROL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS AS RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL *TC

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL, AIR BAG SENSORS AND ASSOCIATED PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD MODULES. *MR THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE PCM, THE SENSOR FAILED, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON ALONG WITH THE MALFUNCTIONING INDICATOR LIGHT, THE SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, THE DASH LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT, AND THE ODOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. THE CIRCUIT BOARD HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE AND THE AIR BAG AND AIR BAG LIGHT RETURNED. THE CLOCK SPRING AND AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 3.8 ENGINE CAMSHAFT BROKE WITH 54,000 MILES ON IT.HAD OIL CHANGE EVERY 3 TO 5000 MILES.NOW I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND DODGE WONT HELP AND I THINK THEY SHOULD SINCE I SPENT 28,000 ON THIS VAN.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC PLACED THE VEHICLE ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THEN, MECHANIC REPLACED INPUT AND OUTPUT SENSORS. *AK

SURPENTINE BELT KEEPS COMING OFF RANDOMLY CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION OF NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER THE CAR. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES AND SAYS THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IN NOT SAFE I CAN NO LONGER HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE. I LOOK AT THE WEB SITE FOR OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS MINIVAN AND I SEE MANY OTHE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME UN-SAFE PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL.*AK

THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER HAS A BROKEN SPRING THERE FORE NOT PUTTING TENSION ON THE SERPENTINE BELT CAUSING WATER PUMP AND ALTINATOR AND LATER BATTERY PROBLEMS.IVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO WHICH BELTS ARE FALLING OFF ETC.....THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT ALL WAS WELL.IVE HEARD THE BELT SLIPPING FOR A WHILE NOW USUALLY AT START OF VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROPLEM WITH MANY MORE 99 GRAND CARAVANS AT OR AROUND 40-50,000 MILES.THIS SHOULD BE A WARRENTY FIX BUT IS NOT!*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE SERPENTINE BELT DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS CONTROLLED BY THE BELT.*AK. THE CONSUMER STATED A NEW BELT AND TENSIONER WAS INSTALLED AT 26,215 MILES AND LESS THAN 10,000 MILES LATER THE BELT FELL OFF AGAIN. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 DODGE NEON 2 DOOR HATCHBACK , THAT I PURCHASED NEW AND HAVE PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKING. I HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE OIL HAS NOW LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE AND I NOW NEED A NEW OR REBUILT ENGINE.*AK

THE FAN BELT AND TENSIONER HAVE FAILED TWICE, AND AFTER DOING RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE. I EVEN FOUND A WEB SITE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME MORE THAN SIX TIMES ON THE SAME VAN. *NLM

CONSUMER SATES WHEN BACKING UP OR DOWN THE HILLS VEHICLE WOULD STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

VEHICLE STALLED AT 20 MPH. CONSUMER NOTICED A BELT HANGING FROM UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME.*AK

THE ENGINE GAVE NO SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF AN IMPENDING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED BY MY MECHANIC 1200 MILES EARLIER AND THE TENSIONER REPLACED. THE MAIN BEARING FAILED SENDING METAL FRAGMENTS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. THE SIDE-EFFECTS OF THE BEARING BLOWING APART DESTROYED THE ENGINE AND NECESSITATED THAT A NEW ENGINE BE INSTALLED. THIS WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $3500 AND TAKE ABOUT 2 WEEKS. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 55K MILES ON IT. DODGE SHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT A FAILURE LIKE THIS WOULD OCCUR IN SUCH A LATE MODEL VEHICLE.*AK

THE TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE BELT FAILED CAUSING ENGINE NOISE DURING INITIAL STARTUP. NLM

THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE STOPPED, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NLM

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, CLAIM 30-V502-154. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, THE DEALER INSTALLED AN ENGINE BATTERY HEATER, IT WAS PLUGGED IN AT THE TIME OF THE LOSS, THIS WAS POSSIBLY THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, VEHICLE IS DESTROYED FROM THE FIREWALL FORWARD, CLAIM 13-7233-513. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 59-V431-848. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, CLAIM 30-V502-154. *SLC

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, THE DEALER INSTALLED AN ENGINE BATTERY HEATER, IT WAS PLUGGED IN AT THE TIME OF THE LOSS, THIS WAS POSSIBLY THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, VEHICLE IS DESTROYED FROM THE FIREWALL FORWARD, CLAIM 13-7233-513. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 59-V431-848. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE, CLAIM 30-V502-154. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE, CLAIM 30-V502-154. *SLC

CAMSHAFT BROKEN IN HALF ON EXPRESSWAY WHILE DOING 70MPH. SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED SKIPPING AND MAKING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SAFE STOP, BUT NO WARNING OR INDICATOR LIGHT WERE DISPLAYED. DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPLACE CAMSHAFT, BUT DIDN'T EXPLAIN WHAT CAUSED IT TO BREAK.*AK

THE TENSIONER PULLEY MUST HAVE A BAD SPRING OR SEAL AND AS IT SEPARATES THE PULLEY GOES A FEW DEGREES OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH OTHER PULLEY MEMBERS WHICH CAUSES BELT TO EITHER RIDE UP ON THE RIDGE OF THE ALTENATOR PULLEY AND SHRED OR COMPLETELY FALL OFF ALL TOGETHER. NATURALLY ALL POWER IS LOST AS WELL AS ENGINE PUMPS...BEST CASE YOU ARE ABLE TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER OTHERWISE THERE COULD BE IMPENDING DANGER. 44K MILES AND THIS PART IS FAILING AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND QUITE REGULARLY WITH THIS MAKE & MODEL. PROBLEM NEEDS ADDRESSED. THANK YOU.

CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED IN JULY 2000, AT THIS TIME, AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON .*AK DEALER REPLACED CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY AGAIN ON 14-AUG-2001 WITH 80533 MILES. SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER REPLACED, IT WAS CAUSING NOISE. *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM MAILBOX AND BELT TENSIONER SHEARED OFF. *AK THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE TENSIONER PULLEY SHEARED OFF. *YH

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, SEVERAL REPAIRS HOWEVER THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO LEAK. *MJS

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO LEAK OIL. DEALER HAS REPLACED OIL PAN ENGINE AND OIL FILTER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER HAD CAME HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE, A FEW HOURS HAD PASSED WHEN AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD, CONSUMER SAW THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, THE HOUSE ALSO CAUGHT ON FIRE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC

EGR VALVE FAILED. YH

ENGINE HESITATES. YH

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE, CLAIM 59-V431-848. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FIRE, CLAIM 59-V431-848. *SLC

APPROXIMATEL;Y AN HOUR AFTER MVA (DAMAGE TO FRONT DRIVERS SIDE), I LEFT TO ACCIDENT SCENE. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT, SO PULLED OVER AT FIRST AVALIABLE AREA. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. INSURANCE ESTIMATES IN EXCESS OF $6000 OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE FORM ACCIDENT IN ADDITION TO FIRE. VEHICLE IS TOTAL LOSS. I DON'T BELIEVE THE CRUMBLE ZONES PROPERLY PROTECTED TO FRAME. I DON'T THINK THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. INVESTIGATION OF NHTSA WEB SITE PRODUCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA99013 WHICH PROMPTED CONTACT. *AK