2000 Dodge Caravan Steering problems

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge caravan. While driving approximately 15 mph, the power steering seized for the third time. After the previous failures, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the serpentine belt slipped off and needed to be replaced. After the recent failure, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

When I tried to pull my dodge caravan (2000) out of the parking lot after a heavy raining day, I found the power steering didn't work. I could go forward or backward, but could not turn, or could turn only very slowly (i could hear the wheel kind of making clicking sound when I tried to turn). After driving very slowly on the parking lot and tried to turn slowly several time, the steering finally got back. I googled online and found many people have the same problem, mostly with a dodge, but also some other cars. ...

Driving in a rainstorm the drive belt came off while driving onto the entrance ramp of c270. The power steering, water pump, generator failed. The car was not able to drive. *Tr

While driving down the highway it started to rain and the power steering failed for unknown reasons. The heater fan stopped which made it impossible to clear the windows, the vehicle quickly overheated, the low battery light came on. Was able to get to the side of the road with much difficulty and discovered the power steering belt had dropped off. This has happened repeatedly every time it rains even a little bit and is very much a safety hazard. It has made the vehicle very unreliable. Merely reconnecting the belt is not a solution to this issue. I was wondering if there has been a recall for the problem. *Tr

Today I was on an urban freeway in heavy downpour. The downpour was so heavy rain could be seen running off the road. Traffic was wide spread, but moving at 45-50 mph, due to the rain. My wipers, at the highest setting, slow down. Car dings. Battery light comes on. I turn off the defroster (ac and ventilation), reduce wiper speed setting, switch from headlights to running lights, all to reduce electrical load. I then notice that the power steering has failed. It was really scary. True fear. The...

After driving through a small water puddle I lost power steering and generator. It wagon a windy mountain road and was very hazardous as it left usona blind curve in the rain. It turned out that the drive belt had come off. Is appears to be a common an known issue with chrysler. *Tr

Serpentine belt slips off in the rain causing a loss in power steering, ac (for window defogging), power (no alternator when headlights are on during rain). When it slipped off, the ability to correct for loss of traction due to water was reduced due to lack of power steering and the windshield fogged up quickly due to the loss of the ac compressor. Slid of the interstate and slid down the median. Multiple other instances of belt slipping off (4 times in past 3 days), though at lower rates of speed. Dodge...

Purchased used 2000 caravan w/90,000 miles. Warranty expired in 2003 and because of mileage. Problem: belt slips off when it rains, causing power steering to not work, mechanic says it can destroy engine if you continue to drive w/belt off. Had belt put back on 5 times. Won't drive when it's wet out, plan to purchase this "kit" needed in order to stop belt slipping off. Kit is est. $600, Plus labor cost. I keep wondering what did prior owner do for this problem. *Tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that the front passenger side spindle broke on the tie rod causing the wheel to buckle underneath, as a result she lost control and the vehicle rolled over. A police report was filed. Four people in the vehicle sustained injuries. The contacted stated that they all suffered injuries on their knees, back and neck. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who declared the vehicle destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vin was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.

I have 2000 dodge caravan with a 3.0L engine. Every time it rains or snows the serpentine belt comes off. This causes the power steering to lock up, and the alternator to stop charging. The car is almost impossible to steer. You lose control. The malfunction was corrected using the gates micro v kit. This includes a ribbed belt tensioner, ribbed idler and a double side serpentine belt. *Tr

The serpentine belt comes off often , more when driven over a puddle of water. More often in wet weather. It's scary to drive on the highway and the belt comes off you lose power steering automatically and all your other faction. It's started about year after getting van. *Tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 dodge caravan. While driving and turning the steering wheel it seemed as if the power steering malfunctioned. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. The mechanic advised her that the tension and idle pulley failed and needed to be replaced. Furthermore, she noticed a squeaking noise which she presumed was in the brake area when the brakes were engaged and occasionally failed to stop the vehicle. She spoke with a representative where she purchased the vehicle; however, he test drove...

2000 Dodge caravan - belt keeps coming off during rain/snow -- this effects the power steering making the van very hard to steer --- we hate driving it when it's doing to rain/snow -- this is supposed to be a family van ---- make dodge fix it --- so far they don't have a solution to the problem but installing new belts/tensioner --- which every 2-3 weeks is expensive along with tows --- please help! *Tr

I owned 2000 dodge intrepid 3.2L vehicle(mileage-106000). Steering wheel lof my vehicle lost its control on wheels,while I was driving my car on i75(trying to change lane).I heard crunking sound and somehow manged to pull the vehicle to the shoulder.I towed the vehicle to maintainence shop and came to know that rack and pinion system got broke down and needs to be replaced.I was really lucky enough to be saved. How can I trust this vehicle later on,even though I replace the rack and pinion system.I found...

Tl* - the contact stated that while driving the 2000 dodge caravan at 25 mph and then yielding to make a right turn the vehicle began to make a swooshing noise and then the steering wheel was difficult to turn and the battery light turned on. The contact maneuvered the vehicle into a parking lot. The contact had the vehicle towed because it was hard to steer and the battery light was on. *Ak updated 03/19/07.*Jb

Dt*: the contact stated the power steering belt detached seven times. This occurred four to five times while driving at various speeds. The battery light illuminated on the dash board on each occasion. The steering was very difficult to control when this occurred.

I was driving 200 caravan on a surface street in busy traffic. The serpentine belt slipped off and I was left with no power steering. There was no warning until I had to turn. I put the belt back on and later that evening in the rain the belt slipped off again. At this time it was dark and I was on a highway. I replaced the belt with an old spare I keep in the van and I made it home. *Jb

Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to turn to the right at low speed, the front tie rod end broke without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the tie rod was replaced. The manufacturer was alerted.

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel came off. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. An inspector from the manufacturer will inspect the vehicle before repairs are made.

Dt*: the contact stated there is a clicking noise coming from the steering column. In may of 2003, the steering column was replaced and in january of 2004 the clock springs were replaced. In may of 2004, the steering was replaced for the second time and the clock springs were again replaced in august of 2004. There is a nhtsa recall # 04v480000, concerning the air bag clock springs, however when the recall repair was performed on november 11, 2004 it did not remedy the problem. The vehicle is having the same...

Rack & pinion was replaced 4/4/03...Normal noise signaling a problem. On 4/22/05, when backing out of my garage, the rack & pinion failed again and this time both tires went different directions. If I had been on the road, I might have been killed...I had no steering at all. It was even hard to get it moved the rest of the way out of the garage to get it towed, since both tires were free spinning. The repairman at hoover chrysler said he had never seen such a failure. My husband contacted chrysler to let them...

I was turning left into a parking lot when the passenger side outer tie rod broke. This caused an immediate stop as the wheel turned in. The vehicle steering was last inspected in july 2005 (va state safety inspection) and the vehicle has been well maintained. The tie rod broke at the tapered stud. This did result in a lost of steering. There would have been serious consequences had this happened at higher speed. The inner and outer tie rods were replaced as well as the unbroken drivers side outer tie rod.*Jb

The serpentine belt has come off my van 5 times in the last 6 months. This is a family van and driven daily with 5 children in it. This is a complaint of many caravan owners. There are sites all over the internet complaining about this problem.

Dt: consumer's wife was driving with her 2 little girls. Stopped at a red light brakes failed and steering locked up. Went off the road into a parking lot and hit tree. The vehicle was towed and the mechanic said there were no brakes in the van. *Ak van. Updated 3/20/2006 - *nm

While driving in inclement weather only power steering failed. Driver was unable turn left or right. Driver pulled over, and vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that power steering belt needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred. *Ak