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.
The worst 2000 Dodge Caravan problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission86
- Engine70
- Airbags69
- Brakes55
- Suspension43
- Steering41
- Electrical34
- Body30
- Seat belts23
- Seats18
- Acceleration16
- Tires16
- Fuel system15
- Visibility15
- Lights7
- Wheels5
- Locks3
Specific symptoms reported on the 2000 Dodge Caravan
Airbag light 23Stalling 20Transmission failure 20Power steering loss 19No deployment 18Loss of power 13Brake failure 12Headlights 10Tire blowout 10Adaptive cruise 8Check engine light 7Engine failure 7Steering noise 7Knocking 6Fuel leak 6Overheating 6Slipping 6Wipers 6Ball joint 5Grinding brakes 5Fuel smell 5Steering lock-up 5
Recalls 4
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 04V480000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- Improperly loading your vehicle can cause tire failure and result in a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 03V505000 · Recall details
Structure
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 03V094000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- 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 the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 00V268000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2000 Dodge Caravan
Defect investigations
Driver air bag clockspring failure
The driver air bag clockspring can develop an open-circuit condition resulting in nonfunctional driver-side frontal air bag, horn, cruise control (if equipped), and/or steering wheel radio control (if equipped).in its october 5, 2004 letter to the federal safety agency, daimlerchrysler stated that it will conduct a safety recall and replace the clockspring assembly on all my 1998.5-2000 daimlerchrysler minivans, built between march 1998 and august 2000, with 70,000 miles or less.it will also provide a lifetime warranty for this component on my 1998.5-2000 minivans, regardless of mileage.the details of the corrective action are described in daimlerchrysler's letter (see recall no. 04v‑480).the agency believes that further expenditure of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists with respect to those vehicles covered only by the lifetime warranty.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see page 2 for additional information.
EA04013
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
EA01007
Dc minivan fuel injector rail leak
There is no summary currently available
RQ00008
Technical service bulletins for the 2000 Dodge Caravan 71
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the...
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard...
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to...
- Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision...
- Service
- Key blank with transmitter
- Radiator If vehicle comes in for transmission fluid leaking from trans-oil cooler fittings on the...
- Valve Body
- Radiator If vehicle comes in for transmission fluid leaking from trans-oil cooler fittings on the...
2000 Dodge Caravan fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 23 | 19 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 23 | 19 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 15 | 22 | 18 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14-15 | 21 | 17 |
What 2000 Dodge Caravan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2000 dodge caravan. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
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).
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.
Compare the 2000 Dodge Caravan
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Questions about the 2000 Dodge Caravan
Is the 2000 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Owners have filed 470 complaints about the 2000 Dodge Caravan, 5.4 times a typical Caravan model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Dodge Caravan?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 86 complaints, typically around 57,899 miles. Next is engine (70).
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Caravan have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, equipment and structure.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Dodge Caravan get?
Official estimates for the 2000 Dodge Caravan range from 17 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 24 highway.
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