NHTSA Complaint #10216928 — 1999 DODGE CARAVAN

99 DODGE CARAVAN IN REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE 4TH OR 5TH BELT TENSIONER & 7TH SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED LOSS OF POWER STEERING RENDERED VEHICLE DANGEROUS, BARELY AVOIDED ACCIDENT DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS PART UNTIL, AFTER SECOND CALL & DEMANDING TO SPEAK WITH MANAGER, I DIRECTLY ASKED: 'ARE THERE ANY PUBLICLY AVAILABLE NOTICES, WARNINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS, ETC, RELATED TO THE 99 DODGE CARAVAN AND SERPENTINE BELTS OR BELT TENSIONER'. FINALLY, THIS 'MANAGER' TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN (AVAILABLE TO REPAIR SHOPS, NOT CAR OWNERS) WHICH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN HEAVY SNOW (DEEPEST SNOW IT'S EVER BEEN IN WAS 3-4"). IF THE CO. HAD NO IDEA, THEN WHY IS THERE A FACTORY-MADE PART TO CORRECT IT? AND WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? WHY IS THIS INFORMATION SO DIFFICULT TO GET FROM THE COMPANY, AS THEIR CUSTOMER? THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAILURE BOTH ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY (FOR HIDING, NOT REPAIRING THIS SERIOUS FLAW) AND THE GOVERNMENT (FOR NOT FORCING A RECALL, THEREBY PUTTING THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH). *TR