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2000 Dodge Caravan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Caravan years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Dodge Caravan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

222 reports with mileage · 248 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

65 crash reports5 fire reports44 injury reports

Equipment complaints

18 reports
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34,628 miles · Oct 12, 2003
Equipment

THERE IS A STRONG BAD ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER VENT. AIR CONDITIONER UNIT IS GETTING EXCESSIVE MOISTURE WHICH CAUSES MILDEW. THIS ODOR IS VERY TOXIC, AND IS MAKING THE OCCUPANTS SICK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT IS UNABLE TO CORRECT IT. *AK VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES DURING THE WARRANTY…

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THERE IS A STRONG BAD ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER VENT. AIR CONDITIONER UNIT IS GETTING EXCESSIVE MOISTURE WHICH CAUSES MILDEW. THIS ODOR IS VERY TOXIC, AND IS MAKING THE OCCUPANTS SICK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT IS UNABLE TO CORRECT IT. *AK VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD FOR REPAIRS AND IT WAS STILL SMELLING. IT WAS RECENTLY TESTED AND MOLD WAS FOUND. DODGE NEVER FOUND THE PROBLEM. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10039682

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2003
Equipment

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10030661

38,300 miles · May 20, 2003
Equipment

AFTER 38,000 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR UNIT FAILED. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING AWAY FROM HOME, I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP WHICH STATED THAT THE CLUTCH IN THE AC COMPRESSOR UNIT WAS FAILING AND COULD CAUSE THE SERPENTINE BELT TO THROW IF THE CLUTCH FROZE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THIS WAS A "COMMON PROBLEM" W…

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AFTER 38,000 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR UNIT FAILED. SINCE I WAS TRAVELING AWAY FROM HOME, I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP WHICH STATED THAT THE CLUTCH IN THE AC COMPRESSOR UNIT WAS FAILING AND COULD CAUSE THE SERPENTINE BELT TO THROW IF THE CLUTCH FROZE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THIS WAS A "COMMON PROBLEM" WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR UNIT EVEN WITH THE LOW MILEAGE. THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T HAVE A UNIT IN STOCK ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND STATED THAT I SHOULDN'T USE THE AC OR DEFROST ON COLD AND I WOULD BE OK TO DRIVE HOME 300 MILES. I THANKED THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEIR INSIGHT BUT AM CONCERNED SINCE THE SERVICE MANGER STATED THAT THE AC COMPRESSOR UNIT FAILURE IS "COMMON" EVEN WITH 38,000 MILES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018984

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2002
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND LOST CONTROL.*AK. CONSUMER COULD SMELL THE BRAKES AS THEY BECAME HOT. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND THERE IS POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS MAKING A HOWLING NOISE, THE BRAKE BOOSTE…

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WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND LOST CONTROL.*AK. CONSUMER COULD SMELL THE BRAKES AS THEY BECAME HOT. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND THERE IS POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS MAKING A HOWLING NOISE, THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8016250

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2002
Equipment

AS OF THIS DATE THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN THIRTEEN MONTHS THAT THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM NEED LESS TO SAY THAT IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON A FRIDAY NIGHT EVERYTIME AND THEY CAN'T GET TO IT TILL MONDAY.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #765181

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2002
EquipmentStructure

THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITHIN THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL SYSTEM, COMPONENT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIME IN TWO YEARS. THE DEALER BLAMED THE PROBLEM ON A DESIGN FAILURE WHEREIN PLASTIC BAGS CAN BE SUCKED UP INTO THE INTERIOR A/C DRAFT SYSTEM BLOCKING THE FAN FROM WORKING. IN ADDITION, THE SUNVISORS WERE DEFECTIVE …

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THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITHIN THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL SYSTEM, COMPONENT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIME IN TWO YEARS. THE DEALER BLAMED THE PROBLEM ON A DESIGN FAILURE WHEREIN PLASTIC BAGS CAN BE SUCKED UP INTO THE INTERIOR A/C DRAFT SYSTEM BLOCKING THE FAN FROM WORKING. IN ADDITION, THE SUNVISORS WERE DEFECTIVE , REPORTED, AND NEVER REPLACED. DEALER HAS FOR THE MOST PART BEEN VERY RECEPTIVE TO VEHICLE PROBLEMS, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE IS UNINHABITATBLE WITHOUT AN A/C

NHTSA ODI #762827

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2002
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN TURNING HARD AND WHEN TURNING AND NOT MOVING, CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THERE IS VIBRATION IN THE STEEING, DEALER BALANCED FRONT TIRES FROM A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ABOUT THE STEERING.*JB

NHTSA ODI #564273

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

WHILE PARKING VEHICLE HEARD A BANGING NOISE FROM ENGINE. THEN, FELT THAT ENGINE DID NOT WORK, TOWED VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO FOUND OUT THAT RETAINER BOLT OF PULLEY, TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE BROKEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003614

Official recalls

4

04V480000 · Air Bags

Oct 6, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

03V505000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 10, 2003

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

03V094000 · Structure

Mar 7, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Sep 13, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA04013 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Opened Jun 4, 2004 · Closed May 25, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

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 NHTSA, 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 NHTSA 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.

EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring

Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak

Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available