NHTSA Complaint #10212136 — 2000 PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER

IN WET CONDITIONS, THE SERPENTINE BELT OF OUR 2000 CHRYSLER GRAND VOYAGER MINIVAN COMES OFF WITH NO WARNING. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE (THOUGH ALWAYS WET). WHEN IT DOES SLIP OFF, THE DRIVER IS LEFT IN A DEADLY SITUATION AS ALL POWER STEERING IS LOST. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO. WE'VE REPLACED THE BELT TWICE, THE PULLEY WHEEL, THE TENSIONER, AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS. WE'VE ALSO HAD A PLATE INSTALLED UNDER THE MOTOR TO TRY TO KEEP ROAD MOISTURE OFF OF THE BELT SYSTEM. I'VE NOW LEARNED THAT THIS IS SO COMMON A PROBLEM THAT THE GATES CORPORATION HAS MANUFACTURED A REPAIR/REPLACEMENT BELT SYSTEM FOR THESE VANS (WHICH I JUST PURCHASED). IT'S INTERESTING THAT THE GATES CORPORATION ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM, BUT THE CHRYSLER/DODGE COMPANY HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL OR OFFERED ANY TYPE OF RECOURSE FOR CUSTOMERS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. WE'VE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR THAT NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES HAVE RESULTED. *TR