2000 Dodge Caravan Owner Complaints

Twice over the winter my serpentine belt came off as I was driving through a puddle. Nothing deeper than a few inches. It also happened once last year.

NHTSA ID

11581774

Incident

Apr 6, 2024

Belt under hood keeps falling off and or breaking car seizes up and locks up almost crashed a few times Also engine problems smokes a lot wipers don’t work windows won’t go down also transmission jerks when driving

NHTSA ID

11522618

Incident

May 1, 2023

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION- WHILE DRIVING ALONG I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD NOISE (BOOM) FROM REAR OF VEHICLE-VEHICLE THEN SWERVED WILDLY OUT OF CONTROL SPINNING AROUND AND TAKING DOWN SIGNS, MAILBOX-AFTER LOOKING AT VAN IT IS APPARENT THAT THE REAR AXLE SLID BACKWARDS IN WHEEL WELL. WHILE BODY IS RUST FREE, UNDERCARRIAGE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST IN SPRING HANGER AREA-VAN HAS BEEN PARKED ON PAVEMENT ITS ENTIRE LIFE.

NHTSA ID

11377333

Incident

Nov 8, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE CHILD SEAT BELT BECAME JAMMED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET HIS NEPHEW OUT OF THE SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11242550

Incident

Jun 3, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID

11154070

Incident

Nov 26, 2018

Mileage

115,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000.

NHTSA ID

11119258

Incident

Aug 9, 2018

Mileage

166,000 mi

2000 DODGE MINI VAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT BECAME TOO TIGHT AROUND A CHILD PASSENGER. THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS.*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE BOX MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP TO 3,000 RPMS. *JS

NHTSA ID

10733131

Incident

Jul 1, 2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (EASTCHESTER CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE, 4007 BOSTON ROAD, BRONX, NY) AND A REPAIR APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. AFTER TWO HOURS OF WAITING AT THE DEALER'S, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. ALSO, WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, OIL FUMES WERE NOTICED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,444. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11004767

Incident

Jun 28, 2017

Mileage

11,444 mi

STRUT TOWERS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RUSTED THROUGH ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC AND OTHERS THAT THE STRUT TOWER MAY FAIL COMPLETELY AND PUSH UP THROUGH THE HOOD, CAUSING ACCIDENT AND INJURY TO DRIVER (ME).

NHTSA ID

10979965

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE AIR BAGS AND THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, NECK, BACK, AND HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO MECHANIC FACILITY WITH PENDING DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 296,000.

NHTSA ID

10969713

Incident

Mar 27, 2017

Mileage

296,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING RECALL, BUT NOT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS). THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER FOR THE CLOCK SPRING RECALL WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,194.

NHTSA ID

10915243

Incident

Oct 9, 2016

Mileage

120,194 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMALLY STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06VE091000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000.

NHTSA ID

10865774

Incident

Mar 21, 2016

Mileage

223,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE FRONTAL HEADLIGHTS WAS FOGGING CAUSING IT TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO VIEW THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 07/13/16*LJ UPDATED 07/25/16.*JB

NHTSA ID

10864592

Incident

Apr 12, 2016

Mileage

30,000 mi

EVERY TIME THIS VEHICLE IS TO BE SERVED FOR SMOG CHECK RENEWAL, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BECOMES AN ISSUE. FOR 2014 I SPENT MONEY IN REPAIRS DEALING WITH A NEW EGR VALVE. THE PROBLEM STOPPED AND PASSED SMOG CHECK. THIS YEAR 2016 I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL AREAS OF SMOG HAVE PASSED IN THE SMOG TEST EXCEPT THAT RESULTS SHOW A "NOT READY " OBD II SYSTEM. DO THIS MEANS THAT EVERY YEAR THIS VAN IS DUE FOR SMOG CHECK I HAVE TO KEEP BUYING A NEW EGR VALVE OR SPEND MONEY IN THE EMISSION SYSTEM REPAIRS BECAUSE THE EMISSION SYSTEM IS FAULTY BY MAKING? AREAS SHOWING AS NOT READY ARE CATALYST, OXYGEN SENSOR, EGR AND OR VVTVSYSTEM. PLEASE ADVISE. MY NAME IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10838160

Incident

Feb 8, 2016

TL* 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 REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V480000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10806190

Incident

Dec 16, 2014

Mileage

100,000 mi

CPSC: 200 DODGE CARAVAN: CONSUMER STATES SEAT BELT IS JAMMED. *SS UPDATED 05/25/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/27/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID

10807007

Incident

Jun 3, 2015

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE NOTICED MY HEADLIGHT LENS WERE FOGGING UP TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WERE NOT FUNCTIONING SAFELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY USED AN EMULSIFIER LIQUID TO PARTIALLY RESTORE THE LENSES. THEN I NOTICED THAT OTHER CARS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM WHEN THE MANUFACTURERS USED GLASS LENSES. NOW THEY USE PLASTIC. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE AUTO MANUFACTURERS TO PLACE SAFE NO-FOG LENSES IN THEIR NEW VEHICLES?

NHTSA ID

10783106

Incident

Oct 15, 2015

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. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/DODGE-GRAND-CARAVAN/TC37VJLP6MD4POHVJ SINCE I DON'T DRIVE MUCH AND MOSTLY PARK MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, I DON'T HAVE MUCH PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE MORE TIMES AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, BUT IT USUALLY RETURNS NORMAL AFTER I MAKE SEVERAL SMALL TURNS IN THE PARKING LOT. BUT THIS MORNING, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AFTER I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE WITH AN OVERNIGHT RAIN, AND THE WHEEL WAS STILL KIND OF STUCK AFTER I DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES, MAKING SEVERAL TURNS ON PURPOSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S STILL POURING OUTSIDE, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GET THE STEERING BACK TO NORMAL AFTER WORK. SINCE I AM NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, I HOPE THE MANUFACTURER COULD HELP US SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THANKS!

NHTSA ID

10776653

Incident

Apr 18, 2013

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 25 MPH THE DRIVERS SEAT ALL OF SUDDEN FELL BACK (THE TOP SEAT) AND WONT STAY UP IN POSITION. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS FAULTY DUE TO A MECHANISM NOT BEING ATTACH CORRECTLY. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE SEAT FIXED DUE TO HIGH COSTS. ALSO THE REAR CHASSIS BRAKE TUBE SEEM TO RUST EXTREMELY AND CREATE ITSELF A HOLE.

NHTSA ID

10744772

Incident

Jul 22, 2015

Mileage

110,000 mi

9/8/2008 I WAS TRAVELING ON IR80 & I MUST OF SWERVED A BIT & THE VAN STRUCK A DOT PADDLE MARKER @ HUMBOLDT MILE MARKER 45 IN NEVADA. THE VAN BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES & OVERTURNED SIDEWAYS AT LEAST 4 TIMES. MY MOTHER & FATHER PARRISHED AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT, BURNED SO MUCH THEY COULDN'T RECOGNIZE THEIR GENDER. MY WIFE & I ESCAPED WITH HER GETTING SEVERELY BURNED ABOUT 76% & I ABOUT 68%, WE WAS TRANSPORTED TO HUMBOLTD HOSPITAL THEN AIR TRANSPORTED TO U OF U BURN CENTER SALT LAKE CITY UTAH WHERE SHE SPENT ABOUT 7 MONTHS IN CCU BURN UNIT & I ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE MARKER POST WAS UPROOTED & STRUCK THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VAN & DETACHED THE FUEL LINE THEN PUNCTURED THE CROSS MEMBER & DEPOSITING THE FUEL LINE IN THE HOLE THE FIRE STARTED THEN WE OVERTURNED WITH A SERIES OF EXPLOSIONS. A MECHANIC EXPLAINED THE SEVERED FUEL LINE WAS A RETURN LINE FROM THE EVAP.CANISTER TO THE FUEL TANK & THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM STAYED AT 49 PSI BEING FED BY AN ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP I REMEMBER DRIVING SPEAKING WITH MY FATHER, MY WIFE & MOM WAS SLEEPING IN THE BACK SEAT THEN I WOKE UP ON FIRE TRYING TO ESCAPE THE WRECKAGE, I HOLLERED @ MY WIFE & I ROLLED OUT OF THE VAN. MY WIFE CHECKED MOM SHE WAS DEAD THEN ANOTHER EXPLOSION BLEW MY WIFE TO THE FRONT SEAT BETWEEN WHERE MY DAD & I SAT, SHE GRABBED DAD BUT HE WOULDN'T COME CAUSE OF MOM. TWO PEOPLE MOVED MY WIFE AFTER MY FATHER SHOVED HER OUT. I STARTED BACK TO THE VAN WHEN ANOTHER EXPLOSION ENGULFED MY FATHER. I DROPPED TO MY KNEES & TOLD A BYSTANDER I JUST KILLED MY MOTHER & FATHER. MY CHILDREN & FAMILY HIRED A BIG TIME LAWYER & IT WAS LOOKING GOOD UNTIL CHRYSLER FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY & CLEARED THEM FROM ALL LAWSUITS PRIOR TO THEIR BANKRUPTCY. MY LAWYER HAD TO WALK AWAY WITH A $30,000 LOSS, SHE WAS 44 & I WAS 48 YEARS OLD PRIME TIME OF OUR LIFE WE STILL BATTLE HEALTH ISSUES FROM THE BURNS & NEVER GOT A RED CENT FROM CHRYSLER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10694731

Incident

Sep 8, 2008

Mileage

97,000 mi

***BLF NOTE CALL CONSUMER TO GET MORE INFO*** MY MOTHER BOUGHT BRAND NEW MIN VAN FROM DODGE, SHE HAS FOR 8 MONTHS. SHE DROVE IN COUNTY ROAD. SHE HIT POTHOLE IN 40 MPH THEN AIR BAG BLEW UP. SHE NOT ABLE TO SEE ROAD WHEN AIR BAD BLOW UP, THAT CAUSE VAN RUN OFF RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER. COUNTY ROAD HAVE A LOT CURE. VAN HAS NOT HIT TILL, SHE CAN NOT SEE ROAD AND WHEEL GO STAY STRAIGHT WHILE ROAD IS CURE. SHE HAVE CLAIM TO DODGE TWICE AND STILL DENY. SHE LOST EVERYTHING. I GAVE HER MY OLD TRUCK FOR HER TO DRIVE. I AND MY MOTHER HAVE TALK WITH INSURANCE TO FIND OUT WHAT GOING ON. HE SAY IT HAVE TO WAIT FOR RECALL. SO NOW THIS RECALL AIRBAG FINALLY COME OUT. SHE HAVE TO GO HOSPITAL BECAUSE HER HEAD HIT BY STEEL WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10680387

Incident

Jul 5, 2001

Mileage

100 mi

2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE KEY IGNITION LOCK FREEZES UP AND (INTERMITTENTLY) WONT MOVE. *MW

NHTSA ID

10661690

Incident

Dec 1, 2014

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

NHTSA ID

10618340

Incident

Jul 30, 2014

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHOCKS WERE COVERED WITH RUST AND CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10592545

Incident

May 22, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONTUSION ON THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID

10584708

Incident

Apr 8, 2014

Mileage

127,000 mi