NHTSA Complaint #718378 — 1997 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER

I HAVE OWNED THREE DIFFERNT PLYMOUTH MINI-VANS AND HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THEM . THIS DATES BACK TO THE FIRST ONE I OWNED IN 1987. DURING THE WINTER ,I HAVE THE OCCASION TO DRIVE THROUGH HEAVY SNOW AND ON THREE SEPARTE OCCASIONS ,I HAVE HAD THE BELT COME OFF THE CAR AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH SNOW DRIFTS OF ONE TO TWO FEET HIGH . WHEN THIS HAPPENS ,THE POWER SREERING ON THE CAR DOES NOT FUNCTION AND IT BECOMES A SAFTEY ISSUE AS FAR AS TRYING TO STEER THE CAR. IT ALSO STRANDS YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE WHEN YOU HAVE NO WAY OF GETTING THE BELT BACK ON WITHOUT THE HELP OF SOME CAN OF ROAD SERVICE. WHEN MY DEALER WAS CONFRONTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM , THEY SAY THAT IT NEVER HAPPENS. ITS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT THIS CAN BE A MAJOR PROBLEM IF YOU LIVE IN SNOW COUNTRY. JUST CURIOUS IF THIS HAPPENS TO OTHER PEOPLE AND HOW OFTEN IT HAS BEEN REPORTED. THANK YOU. *AK