NHTSA Complaint #701818 — 1993 CHRYSLER FIFTH AVENUE

ON THIS VEHICLE AND ANOTHER I OWNED WITH THE 3.3 L ENGINE, THERE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT . WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO DRIVE THROUGH SNOW DRIFTS OF MAYBE 10" TO 12" OR WHEN HIGH WINDS DRIVE SNOW AND/OR SLEET INTO THE ENGINE BAY, THIS IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE BELT TO SLIP OFF THE PULLEYS. THIS CAUSES TOTAL LOSS OF CHARGING FUNCTION, COOLING FUNCTION, POWER STEERING. NATURALLY THERE IS NO HEAT TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR OF FOGGING, THE HEADLIGHTS GO QUITE DIM. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COUNT ON REPLACING THIS BELT AT LEAST ONCE EACH WINTER SEASON, AND SOMTIMES TWICE. ONCE THE BELT IS KNOCKED OFF IT TENDS TO GET DAMAGED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO USE. EACH TIME THIS HAS COST ABOUT $60. THE COST IS NOT THE ISSUE, RATHER, IT IS THE AGGRAVATION.