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2000 Dodge Caravan Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 470 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Dodge Caravan, most often about the transmission (18% of complaints, typically around 62,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Caravan model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.

Complaints470
Recalls4
Crashes reported65
Fires reported5
Injuries reported624 deaths reported

Most common 2000 Dodge Caravan problems

  1. Transmission

    86 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission, axle assembly.

    While the was in park, a child was able to shift the vehicle out of park without one's foot on the brake. Please provide more information.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 64,000 miles
    While driving, there was a lot of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle continued to run. The consumer was advised by the mechanic not to drive the vehicle, because all the fluids had leaked out. Please provide any further information. The transmission failed in the consumers vehicle. Fluid leaked out…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 60,000 miles

  2. Engine

    70 complaints · 15%

    Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.

    Loss of power steering and alternator charging - serpentine belt falling off after hitting small water puddle on 2000 Dodge grand Caravan. I lost power steering on a curve as a result of hitting a small water puddle. Vehicle has received all service maintenance including replacement of belt tensioner but still fell…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 67,000 miles
    The belt on my Dodge Caravan sport slipped off in the rain leaving me to drive home without wipers and or blower. Idler pulley should have keepers on the edges so the belt will not slip off.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 70,000 miles

  3. Air bags

    69 complaints · 15%

    Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.

    Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge Caravan. While driving 50 MPH under normal driving conditions, the vehicle was struck on the driver's side. The vehicle spun, overturned on its side, and crashed into a ditch. Only the passenger side air bag deployed. The driver was flown to the emergency room and is in a coma. The contact…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 89,938 miles
    : the contact stated while coming to a stop at 40mph the contact hit another vehicle in the passenger side and the frontal airbags did not deploy. The airbag light was not illuminated prior to the accident. The vehicle sustained frontal damage and was deemed totaled by the insurance agency. The passenger and driver of…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 95,000 miles

  4. Brakes

    55 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc, conventional.

    I own a Dodge braun entervan.in the design of this van braun cuts out the floor to lower it 10 incher.the brake lines are replaced and are located under the lowered floor.the quality of the new brake lines are inferior and rust through causing complete brake failure. I tried to tell braun of the problem but they would…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 51,251 miles
    I purchased a 2008 Dodge Caravan about 2 years ago from elite motors in victorville. The car was not smoked at the time of purchase and had to be done so about 1 month later. They said they had a hard time getting it to pass and then it passed but when I got it back I smogged it and it failed. Elite motos said they…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 55,000 miles

  5. Suspension

    43 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.

    Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge Caravan. While checking the fluid in his vehicle, the contact discovered that the tower which houses the strut, was cracked. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that a cap needs to be placed over the tower. The vehicle still has not been repaired because the contact believes that…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 99,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge grand Caravan. When the contact went under the hood to check the oil, she noticed the front left strut tower had rusted. The contact drove the vehicle to a local mechanic who informed her that the problem was a serious safety hazard and there was a replacement kit to repair the failure. It…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 90,000 miles

  6. Steering

    41 complaints · 9%

    Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar, column, hydraulic power assist, linkages.

    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 83,500 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 80,000 miles

  7. Electrical

    33 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery.

    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 83,500 miles
    The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated, the horn failed, and the radio failed. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 100,000 miles

  8. Body and structure

    30 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.

    Have noticed the driver's side shock tower on the top rusting to the point where safety is a major concern. Being that it is a possible safety issue before having any repairs done wanted to know if there is or is going to be a safety recall on this issue.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 109,000 miles
    This references tsb number:2304402 and NHTSA number:10000317 (tsb date: october 14, 2002). Failing component: structure: body. Cosmetic corrosion or perforation at upper driver's side strut tower usually between the strut and upper load path beam inner panel (inner fender).
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 111,054 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2000 Dodge Caravan recalls

  1. Air bags

    NHTSA 04V480000 · October 6, 2004 · 955,344 vehicles

    Risk: This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all covered vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. For those vehicles with more than 70,000 miles, daimlerchrysler will offer an extended lifetime warranty under which it will replace the clockspring at no charge if it fails. Daimlerchrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. The recall began on october 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    Full defect summary

    On certain minivans, the driver's air bag may become disabled due to a failure of the clockspring, which is located in the hub of the steering wheel.

  2. Equipment: labels

    NHTSA 03V505000 · December 10, 2003 · 35,692 vehicles

    Risk: Improperly loading your vehicle can cause tire failure and result in a crash.

    Fix: Owners will be provided with vehicle certification label overlays containing corrected information relative to vehicle gawr and tire size. Owner notification began march 1, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.

    Full defect summary

    On certain minivans and 4x2 pickup trucks, the vehicle certification label may have gross axle weight ratings (gawr) that exceed the maximum tire load capacity as defined in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."

  3. Body and structure: structure

    NHTSA 03V094000 · March 7, 2003 · 3,674 vehicles

    Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.

    Full defect summary

    Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.

  4. Fuel system: fuel injection system

    NHTSA 00V268000 · September 13, 2000 · 1,163,000 vehicles

    Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

    Fix: Dealers will install a seal on the vehicle fuel rails to prevent external leakage of fuel from the fuel rail crossover tube, should the existing o-rings continue to degrade. Owner notification began on january 25, 2002. Due to the large quantity of vehicles involved in this campaign, the owner notification will be phased over the next several months. However, if a vehicle is leaking fuel from the o-rings, the vehicle should be taken into a dealer to have this repaired as soon as possible. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive t

    Full defect summary

    Vehicle description: mini vans built with 3.3l and 3.8l engines have fuel rails with nitrole rubber o-ring seals that can degrade over time. Fuel leakage from the underhood fuel injection fuel rail could result, increasing the likelihood of a vehicle fire.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2000 Dodge Caravan

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Caravan?
By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (86 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); engine (70 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); air bags (69 complaints, typically around 89,500 miles).
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Caravan have?
4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 6, 2004 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2000 a bad year for the Dodge Caravan?
It is the 2nd most complained-about Caravan model year since 2000, with 470 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Dodge Caravan years

Dodge Caravan problems by year