2000 Dodge Grand Caravan: complete transmission failure

Filed Mar 24, 2006 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · IA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 50mph, a loud noise was heard coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to its destination and when the contact attempted to drive the vehicle again, it would not go into gear. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was determined the differential cross pin came loose, logged into the side of the transmission case and resulted in a complete loss of transmission fluid. The entire transmission needs to be replaced.

Filed Feb 28, 2006 · Transmission · 80,557 miles · NE

I am a day care provider and while I was transporting five small children, my 2000 dodge caravan's transmission blew on the interstate with no warning. I was horrified and we were left stranded for nearly an hour. I recently had the transmission fluid changed, and oil changed prior to this incident. My vehicle had approximately 80 thousand miles on it. I keep up with maintenance. After having it towed to the dealership and finding out it was going to cost over $2000 to fix, I made several phone calls. I was told by several local service shops that this problem is common and that on an average they see this happen on a weekly basis. Online research turned up thousands of individuals across the country who have also had this happen. The transmission blows, something about a pin flying through the case and the vehicle is rendered useless until a $2000 plus repair is made. Contacted chrysler directly and they stated they are unaware of any problems, yet the internet is filled with people who have experienced this dangerous situation. When I inquired about whether this will occur with a new transmission, I was informed the problem would be corrected, if there is a problem to correct ...then chrysler should fix it to begin with. I now have to replace my transmission and I strongly feel that chrysler should have to pay for at least part of it since it is a defective part in their transmissions. This problem only occurs in the 97-2002 models from the information I gathered online. The transmission fails and there is no maintenance or procedure that a customer can do to prevent it.

Filed Jan 27, 2005 · Transmission · 62,598 miles · IL

All the seals and gaskets on the transmission wore out and caused leaks. *nm the transmission failed less than a year later after the seals and gaskets were replaced. *jb fluid was leaking from the transmission.

Filed Dec 16, 2004 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · NJ

Transmission failure at 42,000 miles. Problems with transmission shudder, tsb 18-05-94. I had brought the transmission shudder to the dealers attention starting at around 32,000 miles. Dealer said they could not find anything wrong. They re-flashed the computer, etc. Van was brought back to dealer twice before 36,000 mile warranty expired. Brought the van back at 37,000 miles to complain again and dealer proceeded to tell us that they have no records of any prior complaint regarding the transmission, therefore they would have to charge us to re-flash the transmission. (I will never lose or throw away any warranty related receipts again). After going back and forth and getting nowhere we paid the re-flash fee and once again the they told us there was nothing wrong. Then at about 42,000 miles the transmission blew. This after the dealer told us on a minimum of 4 occasions the transmission was fine. After some "polite" negotiation I got the dealer to cover half of the $1300.00 repair cost to replace the transmission pump. Of course they didn't cover the flatbed & rental car expenses. I have never owned a car that I have had to repair or replace a transmission and I had driven most of them well over 100,000 miles. I do not understand how chrysler can get away with this. With all of the disgruntled chrysler customers on the internet I can't beleive the federal safety agency isn't investigating their transmissions. Who is paying off who?

Filed Jul 29, 2004 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · NC

Transmission failure @ 105,000 miles

Filed Jan 22, 2004 · Transmission · 41,645 miles · CO

At 41,000 miles suffered total transmission failure w/ no warning. Veh would buck when shifted into reverse, as well as forward gears. Brought to dealership and was told it was a failed differential, needed total replacement and was not covered under warranty. (this van is 10 days/ 5000 miles beyond the warranty period). We had a previous problem of trans fluid leakage which was repaired approx a year ago, and we have followed the reccomended service schedule. This time around the repair totaled $1900.

Filed Nov 17, 2003 · Transmission · 4,580 miles · IL

Hi, my name is [xxx], I live in bradley, il. In june of 2000, my husband and I purchased a 2000 dodge grand caravan from, taylor dodge in kankakee, il. On october 20, 2000 with only 4500 miles on it the van began slipping into neutral while driving. This van has been in over and over to that shop. I have been with out my van on a regular basis, with out resolution. The owner of the dealership, [xxx], was in the van - in his shop and the van dropped into neutral when he put it into drive. (not moving). After many visits of we cannot duplicate the problem, the chrysler corp was contacted by dodge. A return fax to the prior service manager [xxx] , told them not to do anything until the problem is duplicated. I have talked to [xxx] asking him to replace this van, of course he cannot do that. I have emailed dodge corp asking them to fix or replace as this is a safety issue. A couple of weeks ago they replaced the transmission, within 2 weeks the van was doing this again. I called and was told they would get back with me. I had to call them back. The resolution this time was bring it in will take it for a drive. Which of course I did, of course in a 10 minute drive it did not do this. The bottom line is, I cannot manipulate the van to do this and when you are driving 45 miles pr hour and the van drops into neutral it is a safety issue. We have had many close calls with this van in being rear end. I have put large size lemons in my windows and pained on the van, 3 years and dodge cannot find problem, I have only 35,000.00 miles and have had problems since 4500, I purchased the extended warranty about 15 months ago due to these issues. Today dodge tells me that until a certified service person, experiences the problem first hand, nothing will be done. I asked [xxx] (service manager, does that mean someone has to die in this van before it is fixed, he stated they have made an honest effort to try and fix the van -that is all they can do.) *la information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (

Filed Oct 17, 2003 · Transmission · 70,056 miles · NJ

Last night my transmission blew up for the 2nd time. The first time the van was a year old. This time I am past my warranty, but the brakes locked up on me & 2 of my children almost ended up in the pompton water falls. The dealership and manufacturer basically told me "oh well--your on your own." this should not have happened twice in three years.. This is a dangerous situation and I hope you can help prevent this from happening to others... My van was meticulously cared for... This should not have happened!! Thank you for any help you can give me..

Filed Oct 9, 2003 · Transmission · 41,343 miles · OK

2000 dodge grand caravan sport purchased new jan 26, 2000; well maintained with 30,000 mile warranty maintenance performed; transmission failed at 41, 343 miles with no warning; required total overhaul. No new transmission available; no rebuilt transmission available in us with a backlog of around 275 awaiting delivery. As a result , transmission had to be locally rebuilt and the vehicle was out of service for 10 days. Failure occurred 671 miles from home causing great personal inconvenience and expense.

Filed Jun 30, 2003 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · FL

Automatic transaxle: within the first 5, 000 miles I complained to the dealer about a "jump" in the tranmission. I was advised by the salesperson and service department that is was normal. After driving other 2000 grand caravans, I noticed it to be the same.within the following 10, 000 miles the jump still existed and progressively got worse. I again returned to the dealer and again was advised it was normal. After a total of 36, 000 miles, the transmission died. I now have to pay out of pocket for reapirs and want other consumers to know that the transmission sensors and powertrain control modules (PCM) are faulty and could cause injuries if not checked or replaced. A "jumpy" transmission could cause a vehicle to accel or decel out of control. My neighbor's 2000 grand caravan transmission sensor powertrain control module (PCM) went out after 15, 000 miles and had to get it replaced. It was not under warranty. He had to pay for the repair out of pocket.

Filed Mar 27, 2003 · Transmission · 39,000 miles · MO

I have owned a 2000 grand caravan for 6 months and it has 40 thousand miles on it and I am already having transmission problems. This is the 4th time I have had to take it to be looked at about the transmission, now the dealership says it needs a totally new transmission this van is not that old and does not have that many miles on it. I am starting to think I made a bad choice trading my ford in for a dodge van.

Filed Mar 12, 2003 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NY

The transmission failed without warning, the dealer stated the differential pin went through the transfer case.