NHTSA Complaint #767319 — 1998 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNING OUR VAN, THE BELT CAME OFF THE PULLEY SYSTEM RENDERING THE VAN DEAD. WHEN IT CAME OFF IT WAS CUT IN TWO AND WRAPPED AROUND THE CRANK PULLEY. WE REPLACED THE BELT 8 TIMES SINCE THAT OCCURRENCE. WE HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE CRANK PULLEY AND TENSION PULLEY. AFTER BECOMING TOTALLY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS PROBLEM, WE CONTACTED THE CORPORATION, WHICH WAS OF NO USE. A FAIRBANKS DODGE SERVICE CONSULTANT SHARED WITH US THE FACT THAT THEY OFTEN RECEIVE SEVERAL TOWED IN CARAVANS ON RAINY DAYS DUE TO THE BELT SLIPPING OFF. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN THIS BELT COMES OFF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING, NOR ALTERNATOR, NOR A/C. IF THIS OCCURS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THE USE OF POWER STEERING WILL BE LOST, MEANING QUICK REACTION IF NEEDED WOULD BE HINDERED. OUR MECHANIC CALLED CHRYSLER TO VERIFY IF IT WAS PURELY THE USE OF A WRONG BELT TYPE, ONLY TO BE TOLD NO. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY TOLD HIM NOT TO USE A CHRYSLER BELT. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE WERE ALSO INFORMED THAT THE BELT SYSTEM IS BEING REDESIGNED FOR 2003 BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! I HAVE A WIFE AND TWO KIDS THAT RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE EVERYDAY AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY.*AK