NHTSA Complaint #10235826 — 1997 DODGE CARAVAN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	10235826
Vehicle	1997 DODGE CARAVAN
Component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Date of Incident	December 18, 1997
Date Filed	July 26, 2008
Mileage	3,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	WI

Consumer Description

BOUGHT A 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN 1997. THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF NUMEROUS TIMES, USUALLY WHEN GOING THROUGH PUDDLES OR SNOW. WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF, ALL POWER TO STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. IS GONE. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THESE VANS, YET DODGE/CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO ADMIT IT AND RECALL IT. I FINALLY GOT TIRE OF IT AND TOOK A LOOK AT WHY IT WAS HAPPENING. I NOTICED THAT THE IDLER WHEEL CLOSEST TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS SHAPED AND MOUNTED IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS THE BELT TO COME OFF EASILY. THE IDLER WHEEL IS TOO FAR IN AND IS BEVELED OUTWARD, CAUSING THE BELT TO COME OFF WHEN IT BECAME WET OR GOT SNOW OR ICE PIECES ON IT. THE CURE? A 5 CENT WASHER PLACED BEHIND THIS IDLER WHEEL, BRINGING IT OUT EVER SO SLIGHTLY, BUT ENOUGH TO PREVENT IT FROM COMING OFF EVER AGAIN. NOT THE TENSIONER OR THE BELT OR ANY OF THE OTHER EXCUSES THEY CHARGE YOU FOR, JUST A SIMPLE WASHER THAT ACTS LIKE A SPACER. *TR

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