2000 Dodge Caravan Suspension Problems

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

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. 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

THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK TOWER IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING A SERIOUS DANGER TO ME AND MY FAMILY. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PROGRESSING RAPIDLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10557572

Incident

Aug 1, 2010

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE STRUT TOWER ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED AND RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR BODY WORK. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ID

10412414

Incident

May 5, 2011

Mileage

141,000 mi

I TOOK THE CAR TO GET THE OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS WERE RUSTED AND THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH CAR IN THIS CONDITION. I THEN CHECKED ON THE COST OF GETTING THIS REPAIRED AND THE COST ARE HIGH FROM 500.00 TO 1000.00 DOLLARS I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE BODY OF THE CAR GIVES OUT BEFORE THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS 175,00 MILES AND STILL RUNS GREAT BUT THE MAIN BODY COMPONENTS ARE FAILING. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED GETTING ONLINE AND FILING COMPLAINT WITH THE GOVERNMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10408955

Incident

Jun 25, 2011

Mileage

175,000 mi

2000 DODGE CARAVAN UPPER STRUT MOUNTS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED, STARTED RUSTING A T 75,000 ON AT 160,000 SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10347518

Incident

Aug 4, 2010

TL*THE 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 WAS LATER FOUND THE STRUT WAS SO BADLY RUSTED THAT THE KIT COULD NOT FIX IT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. UPDATED 07/08/10 *BF UPDATED 07/19/10*BF UPDATED 07/21/10.*JB UPDATED 10/12/10*JB

NHTSA ID

10325396

Incident

May 6, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

RUSTING THROUGH OF STRUT TOWER WHICH COULD RESULT IN STRUT PENETRATING THROUGH HOOD AND WINDSHIELD OF VAN. IF TOWER WERE TO COLLAPSE AT SPEED VAN WOULD DROP ON THAT SIDE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN ROLL OVER. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10319612

Incident

Mar 13, 2010

2000 DODGE CARAVAN SUSPENSION STRUT TOWER RUST AFTER 7 YEARS. THIS COULD BE DISASTROUS WHEN IT BROKEN. AND IT IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS KIND OF VEHICLE. DEALER OFFER A FIX QUOTE $1300 + TAX. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE IT IS BIG SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10285919

Incident

Aug 10, 2007

Mileage

120,000 mi

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). *TR

NHTSA ID

10267932

Incident

May 5, 2009

Mileage

111,054 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10262571

Incident

Mar 14, 2009

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING PROPERLY, BUT THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 234,000. UPDATED 01/07/09 *BF UPDATED 01/07/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10249464

Incident

Nov 20, 2008

Mileage

234,000 mi

STRUT TOWERS RUSTED BADLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10247994

Incident

Nov 7, 2008

ON MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN , THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER SUPPORT RUSTED OUT AND THE STRUT PUSHED THROUGH THE TOP OF THE SUPPORT. THIS IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY CHRYSLER FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10231988

Incident

Jun 23, 2008

Mileage

85,000 mi

1. THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT CAP ON OUR 2000 DODGE CARAVAN HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE STRUT ASSEMBLY IS READY TO PUSH THROUGH THE HOOD. 2. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2000 DODGE CARAVAN AND THE RESULT IS A VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AFTER 7 YEARS OF USE. THIS AMOUNT OF RUST IS NOT ORDINARY FOR THE LOCATION AND GAUGE OF THE METAL. 3. WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR FOR $2000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10224517

Incident

Apr 14, 2008

Mileage

118,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT 15 MPH OR TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. AN AUTO SHOP REPAIRED THE IDLER ARM DURING A TEST DRIVE, BUT THE NOISE STILL REMAINED. A MECHANIC LIFTED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE STRUTS WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP AND RECEIVED THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CONTACT CALLED CHRYSLER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE STATE SHE LIVES IN USES SALT ON THEIR HIGHWAYS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMATION AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,600. UPDATED 04/16/08 *BF UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR

NHTSA ID

10220768

Incident

Feb 1, 2008

I HAVE A NEARLY RUSTED-THROUGH STRUT TOWER (DRIVER'S SIDE) IN MY DODGE CARAVAN '00. THIS RUST PROBLEM BECAME INITIALLY VISIBLE IN '04. *TR

NHTSA ID

10214210

Incident

Jan 8, 2008

Mileage

130,000 mi

THIS IS INQUIRY TO CHRYSLER'S PROBLEM WITH FRONT STRUT TOWERS ON 2000 CARAVAN/VOYAGER/T&C. SPECIFICALLY: SERVICE BULLETIN, NUMBER: 23-044-02, GROUP: BODY; DATE: OCT. 14, 2002; SUBJECT: NS STRUT TOWER CORROSION. IF THIS IS ONLY A "COSMETIC" PROBLEM, WHY IS A NEW STRUT CAP AND NS STRUT INSTALLATION KIT REQUIRED? SOUNDS LIKE A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM REPAIR TO ME. MY DEALERSHIPS SERVICE MANAGER CAUTIONED MY AGAINST GOING THROUGH THE WINTER WITHOUT THE REPAIR! HE SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL, JUST THIS TSB. IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER ACKNOWLEDGED BY 10/14/02, SHOULDN'T IT BE LOOKED INTO FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. MANY DRIVERS WILL JUST ASSUME "IT'S JUST RUST" AND NOT KNOW OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THE STRUT CAP BREAKS. THIS FAILURE, ON A HIGHWAY, COULD RESULT IN DEADLY CRASH! HAS NHTSA LOOKED INTO THIS PROBLEM? IS THERE ANY REMEDY, OTHER THAN THE CONSUMER PAYING THE APPROXIMATE $500 REPAIR? IF NOT, IT APPEARS THAT CORPORATE PROFIT TRUMPS ETHICS (LIVES/INJURIES) AGAIN? PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR POSITION ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10211506

Incident

Jul 17, 2007

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL*THE 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 THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 99,225 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ID

10190368

Incident

Apr 28, 2007

Mileage

99,000 mi

THE STRUT COVERS HAVE RUSTED AND NOW THERE IS A GREAT LIKELIHOOD THAT THE STRUT WILL SHORTLY COME THROUGH THE COVER AND POSSIBLY COME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THIS PROBLEM ISN'T THAT VISIBLE WITHOUT LOOKING FOR IT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10168453

Incident

Sep 11, 2006

THE STRUT TOWERS ON MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE DRIVER SIDE IS MUCH WORSE THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10163947

Incident

Jul 25, 2006

Mileage

108,000 mi

DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTING OUT VERY BAD. CARAVAN ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE INSTALL OF NEW STRUT. IT IS ONLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND LOOKS TO BE THAT MY 2000 CARAVAN IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. THE BATTERY IS ON THE SAME SIDE AS THE RUSTED TOWER. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT AFFECTED AT ALL. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE IS SEEING A LOT OF THE CARAVANS AND TOWN AND COUNTRIES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TOP HALF OF THE TOWER HAS TO BE CUT OUT AND A NEW ONE WELDED IN. THANK YOU DAIMLER CHRYSLER FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCTS. AND YOU WONDER WHY THE AMERICAN MARKET IS GOING TO THE JAPANESE AUTO MAKERS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10159603

Incident

Jun 11, 2006

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. BOTH STRUT TOWERS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ARE RUSTING OUT. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS DEFECT & RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS SHOWN NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AND CHRYSLER IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FAILURE AS OF YET, BUT IF NOT ADDRESSED QUICKLY THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT!!! CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT!*JB

NHTSA ID

10158285

Incident

May 25, 2006

RIGHT FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS NOTICED TO BE SHOWING SIGNIFICANT RUSTING, ASKED DEALER TO INVESTIGATE, THEIR RESPONSE WAS THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. BODY SHOP SAID THEY HAVE SEEN ON OTHER VEHICLES AND IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND A COSTLY REPAIR. SAFETY RAMIFICATIONS ARE SERIOUS IF ONE WERE TO EXPERIENCE A FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMS TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY SIMILAR PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM DID NOT JUST START BUT HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. I WOULD NOT CONSIDER THIS A "WEAR" PROBLEM BUT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10157115

Incident

Jan 19, 2006