NHTSA Complaint #11286474 — 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN FOR AWHILE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING 15 MPH TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BELT WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT CALLED LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP OF RENO (LOCATED AT 1050 E PLUMB LN #100, RENO, NV 89502, (775) 501-8593) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.