NHTSA Complaint #736559 — 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY 1999 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN IN RAIN STORMS. TWICE NOW THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF WHEN WATER IN THE ROAD SPRAYED ONTO THE BELT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER STEERING, ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS POWERED BY THE BELT STOP FUNCTIONING. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEEDS. SERVICE BULLETIN 07-02-99, "SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF IDLER PULLEY" INSTALLS A BRACKET TO PREVENT THIS. MY CONCERN IS THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT THIS SERVICE BULLETIN UNTIL THE BELT COMES OFF. THERE IS UNDUE RISK TO OWNERS OF THESE VANS. THIS NEEDS TO BE A VEHICLE RECALL NOT A SERVICE BULLETIN. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER VIA THE INTERNET (REFERENCE NUMBER: 7904321) AND WRITTEN TO JAMES HOLDEN'S OFFICE, CHRYSLER PRESIDENT . I WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT NHTSA AS THE INFORMATION WAS PROPRIETARY. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE SAME VAN THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN RAIN STORMS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE CHRYSLER TAKES A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO SOLVING THIS ON ALL VEHICLES EFFECTED? A VEHICLE RECALL IS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT INJURIES. I AM VERY DISSAPPOINTED IN CHRYSLER FOR ALLOWING ME AND MY FAMILY TO BE EXPOSED TO THIS DESIGN FLAW FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. JUST TODAY A FRIEND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER CHRYSLER MINI VAN.