2000 Dodge Caravan: headlights failing or too dim

Filed May 12, 2016 · Lights · 30,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Oct 17, 2015 · Lights · FL

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?

Filed Aug 7, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 80,500 miles · OH

Today I was on an urban freeway in heavy downpour. The downpour was so heavy rain could be seen running off the road. Traffic was wide spread, but moving at 45-50 MPH, due to the rain. My wipers, at the highest setting, slow down. Car dings. Battery light comes on. I turn off the defroster (AC and ventilation), reduce wiper speed setting, switch from headlights to running lights, all to reduce electrical load. I then notice that the power steering has failed. It was really scary. True fear. The fear which we do not often encounter. I safely got the vehicle off the freeway. No further failure of systems. I drove the vehicle to the nearest shop I knew of, with caution lights on. I there learned that the accessory belt had come off of the engine, due to the rain. The belt was still in good condition, so they slid the same belt back on. I will have my preferred mechanic install an "anti slip" tensioner, belt, and pulley this weekend. This issue, the serpentine belt slipping off the engine in rain and snow, is known to chrysler, and known to the federal safety agency. But it was not known to me until it threatened my safety, and the safety of the motorists around me. If I had begun going around a curve while switching off accessories, driving one handed with a failed power steering system before I knew it had failed, I could have wrecked. Why one handed? Because I was turning off accessories because I didn't understand what was wrong, because the warning the car provided suggested that was what I should be doing to keep my car from stalling. I don't know why the federal safety agency decided this did not merit a recall. They were wrong. I am very thankful that money (to implement the technical service bulletin the federal safety agency won't share) can fix what went wrong today. Don't operate a gen iii chrysler minivan without a belt upgrade. We cannot control when it rains.

Filed May 29, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · MN · crash

Serpentine belt slips off in the rain causing a loss in power steering, AC (for window defogging), power (no alternator when headlights are on during rain). When it slipped off, the ability to correct for loss of traction due to water was reduced due to lack of power steering and the windshield fogged up quickly due to the loss of the AC compressor. Slid of the interstate and slid down the median. Multiple other instances of belt slipping off (4 times in past 3 days), though at lower rates of speed. Dodge denies there is an issue even though there are many reports on the internet relating to this problem. It is also interesting that they now sell a upgrade kit that changes out the two non-grooved pulleys for grooved ones and add a belt with grooves on both sides. They said that they would only fix this problem when enough people reported the problem.

Filed Aug 14, 2009 · Lights · 90,000 miles · NY

Both original front headlight assembly's on the 2000 dodge grand caravan are clouded to the point that the headlight illumination may be compromised. This seems to be a result of the plastic not being able to handle the uv (sun).the rear lighting assemblies are fine.

Filed Sep 17, 2008 · Lights · 115,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 dodge caravan. The plastic headlight lens oxidizes, resulting in poor illumination of the road. The contact was informed that he could purchase a new head lens cover. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Dt: the contact owns a 2000 dodge caravan. She took vehicle to the dealership last week for maintenance. Her husband just put new brakes on the vehicle and the dealership inspected them and everything was great. She left the service department and now the master cylinder malfunctioned. The dealership would not suggest her to drive the vehicle, but she had to drive the vehicle home. Abs light has been on her vehicle for the past year and a half it has been coming on randomly. Dealership said they could not figure out what she was talking about because the light would not come on while they were test driving it and they could not duplicate. The brake failure happened the day after she picked the vehicle up from the dealership which was july 8 and that the soonest they could get her vehicle in was july 15, 2005. She had a recall on electrical system , and they would never check this. But she was experiencing this problem because inside light, stereo, windows would not go up or down, and headlights failed. The dealership stated that vehicle was not recalled. When she went back on july 15th they did not even test drive vehicle because mileage was the same when she left as it was when she took the vehicle into the dealership.

Filed Dec 3, 2004 · Electrical · 27,000 miles · DC

While driving with the headlights on the whole electrical system failed. As a result, when key was out of the ignition vehicle continued to run.

Filed Jan 29, 2004 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · MO

Sporadic electrical issues. Sometimes headlights won't come on, when headlights are on, the digital mileage display flashes, heater/defroster keeps blowing a fuse. Dealer says they'll look at it but if they don't find it, I have to pay fee even though it's still got the extended warranty.

Filed Dec 15, 1999 · Lights · AK

Headlights on this vehicle are so poorly designed as to be a hazard. As a 2000 model daimler -chrysler should be required to upgrade the headlights on this vehicle. This is not the first chrysler product I have owned with very poor forward lighting.