2000 Dodge Van

THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1998 - 2000 DODGE CARAVAN/VOYAGERS. THE HOUSING UNIT THAT HOUSES THE STRUTS, MOST TIMES ON THE LEFT, DRIVER'S SIDE RUSTS AND CORRODES, CAUSING THE STRUT TO BREAK THROUGH. AT THIS POINT, THE DRIVER COULD HIT A BUMP, (THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SOME PEOPLE) AND THE STRUT CAN ACTUALLY BREAK THROUGH THE DASHBOARD OR WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING! CURRENTLY, ON MY VEHICLE, THE STRUT HAS BROKEN THROUGH THE HOUSING UNIT. IT IS APPROXIMATELY $300 TO FIX. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER, AND THEY HAVE CREATED A KIT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DUE TO THIS FACT, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL; OR AT LEAST PROVIDE MONETARY ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. COMMONLY THE MINIVANS ARE PURCHASED TO TRANSPORT FAMILIES. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, WHICH COULD EITHER PERMANENTLY DISABLE SOMEONE, OR EVEN WORSE COULD BE FATAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10460601

Incident

Jul 1, 2011

Mileage

157,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ORDERED THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR ON JULY 2, 2009. THE PARTS HAVE NOT YET ARRIVED. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED WITH A RENTAL VEHICLE. WHEN SHE RETRIEVED HER VEHICLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT A COMPONENT WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THEY WERE WAITING ON ADDITIONAL PARTS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND SHE IS WAITING TO RECEIVE A CALL ABOUT THE REPAIR. SHE WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER SOON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,857 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10278762

Incident

Jul 1, 2009

Mileage

69,857 mi

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL, AND HE WAS TOLD THAT IT DID NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT COULD SMELL FUEL, AND THAT THE SMELL HAS BEEN THERE FOR SOMETIME, BUT HE THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AFTER HE PUT GASOLINE IN THIS VEHICLE. ALSO THE SMELL WAS THE STRONGEST WHEN STOPPING OR STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL SEEPAGE AND IT WAS GETTING WORSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 168000. *AK UPDATE 04/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID

10184990

Incident

Mar 13, 2007

Mileage

168,000 mi

1) MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE VAN WAS PERFORMING BEAUTIFULLY. 2) WHEN ALMOST HOME AND APPROACHING THE OFF RAMP THERE WERE 2 CARS IN FRONT OF HER. UPON SLOWING DOWN, THE VAN WOULD NOT RESPOND. SHE BRAKED HARD AND STOPPED. THE 1ST CAR PROCEEDED TO TURN OFF THE INTERSTATE AND THE 2ND CAR MOVED UP. SHE LET UP SLIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE AND THE VAN TOOK OFF. SHE COULD NOT COMPLETELY STOP IT THIS TIME AND SHE HIT THE 2ND CAR ON ITS LEFT BACK FENDER. THE VAN CONTINUED ON SWIPING THE WHOLE SIDE OF THE OTHER CAR. SHE WENT ON AROUND THE CAR, TURNED RIGHT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND PROCEEDED TO GUIDE THE VAN INTO A DITCH WHEN HER PASSENGER KNOCKED THE VAN OUT OF GEAR. SHE QUICKLY TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND CAME TO A STOP. 3) THE NEXT DAY I CALLED A DODGE SERVICE MANAGER AND ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. HE STATED THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DIRTY THROTTLE BODY OR DEFECTIVE IDLE ADJUST CONTROL MOTOR. WE HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND A NEW ICA MOTOR INSTALLED. THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT THE ICA MOTOR WAS INDEED DEFECTIVE AND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH CHRYSLER PRODUCTS OF THIS YEAR. TOTAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS $3,763 PLUS THE LEFT SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE PLUS THE LABOR AND PARTS TO CORRECT THE INTERNAL PROBLEM. EVEN THOUGH THE VAN IS A 2000 YEAR MODEL IT ONLY HAD 23,800 MILES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10179248

Incident

Nov 8, 2006

Mileage

23,800 mi

2000-DODGE GRAND CARAVAN-THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SHOCK TOWER IS RUSTING. WE FEEL THIS IS A FRAMING AND STRUCTURAL PART OF THE CAR. IT SHOULDN'T BE RUSTING LIKE THIS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS MANY BACK ORDERS FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM. WHICH SHOWS THAT IT IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. THEY SHOULD BE REPLACING THIS AT THEIR COST. *NM

NHTSA ID

10150539

Incident

Nov 22, 2005

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED AND CAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. UPDATED 03/09/06

NHTSA ID

10150349

Incident

Feb 11, 2006

Mileage

53,000 mi

IGNITION KEY STUCK CAR WON'T START

NHTSA ID

10128703

Incident

Jul 13, 2005

Mileage

85,670 mi

DODGE CARAVAN 2000 ENGINE STOPS WHILE DRIVING (HAPPEND MANY TIMES (SAY 10 TIMES DURING LAST 6 MONTHS). WENT TO A DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROGBLEMS

NHTSA ID

10121687

Incident

May 5, 2005

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.