THE SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF OFTEN , MORE WHEN DRIVEN OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER. MORE OFTEN IN WET WEATHER. IT'S SCARY TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE BELT COMES OFF YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AUTOMATICALLY AND ALL YOUR OTHER FACTION. IT'S STARTED ABOUT YEAR AFTER GETTING VAN. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caravan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Steering complaints
41 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT SEEMED AS IF THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE TENSION AND IDLE PULLEY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, SHE NOTICED A SQUEAKING NOISE WHICH SHE PR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT SEEMED AS IF THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE TENSION AND IDLE PULLEY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, SHE NOTICED A SQUEAKING NOISE WHICH SHE PRESUMED WAS IN THE BRAKE AREA WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 138,830. UPDATED 4/30/10 *CN TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 06/28/10*JB
2000 DODGE CARAVAN - BELT KEEPS COMING OFF DURING RAIN/SNOW -- THIS EFFECTS THE POWER STEERING MAKING THE VAN VERY HARD TO STEER --- WE HATE DRIVING IT WHEN IT'S DOING TO RAIN/SNOW -- THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FAMILY VAN ---- MAKE DODGE FIX IT --- SO FAR THEY DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM BUT INSTALLING NEW BELTS/TENSIONER…
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2000 DODGE CARAVAN - BELT KEEPS COMING OFF DURING RAIN/SNOW -- THIS EFFECTS THE POWER STEERING MAKING THE VAN VERY HARD TO STEER --- WE HATE DRIVING IT WHEN IT'S DOING TO RAIN/SNOW -- THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FAMILY VAN ---- MAKE DODGE FIX IT --- SO FAR THEY DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM BUT INSTALLING NEW BELTS/TENSIONER --- WHICH EVERY 2-3 WEEKS IS EXPENSIVE ALONG WITH TOWS --- PLEASE HELP! *TR
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2000 DODGE CARAVAN AT 25 MPH AND THEN YIELDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A SWOOSHING NOISE AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE BATTERY LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE…
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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2000 DODGE CARAVAN AT 25 MPH AND THEN YIELDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A SWOOSHING NOISE AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE BATTERY LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO STEER AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON. *AK UPDATED 03/19/07.*JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING BELT DETACHED SEVEN TIMES. THIS OCCURRED FOUR TO FIVE TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD ON EACH OCCASION. THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN THIS OCCURRED.
I WAS DRIVING 200 CARAVAN ON A SURFACE STREET IN BUSY TRAFFIC. THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF AND I WAS LEFT WITH NO POWER STEERING. THERE WAS NO WARNING UNTIL I HAD TO TURN. I PUT THE BELT BACK ON AND LATER THAT EVENING IN THE RAIN THE BELT SLIPPED OFF AGAIN. AT THIS TIME IT WAS DARK AND I WAS ON A HIGHWAY. I REPLACED THE…
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I WAS DRIVING 200 CARAVAN ON A SURFACE STREET IN BUSY TRAFFIC. THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF AND I WAS LEFT WITH NO POWER STEERING. THERE WAS NO WARNING UNTIL I HAD TO TURN. I PUT THE BELT BACK ON AND LATER THAT EVENING IN THE RAIN THE BELT SLIPPED OFF AGAIN. AT THIS TIME IT WAS DARK AND I WAS ON A HIGHWAY. I REPLACED THE BELT WITH AN OLD SPARE I KEEP IN THE VAN AND I MADE IT HOME. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AT LOW SPEED, THE FRONT TIE ROD END BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AN INSPECTOR FROM THE MANUFACTURER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE BEFORE REPAIRS ARE MADE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IN MAY OF 2003, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND IN JANUARY OF 2004 THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. IN MAY OF 2004, THE STEERING WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE AGAIN REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2004. THERE IS A NHTS…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IN MAY OF 2003, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND IN JANUARY OF 2004 THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. IN MAY OF 2004, THE STEERING WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE CLOCK SPRINGS WERE AGAIN REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2004. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 04V480000, CONCERNING THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRINGS, HOWEVER WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2004 IT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. ALSO ,COMPLAINED ABOUT CLICKING NOISE IN STEERING, AND REPLACED CCLOCKSPRING . IN ADDITION, REPLACED CANISTER DUE TO LEAKING. *AK
I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTER TIE ROD BROKE. THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE STOP AS THE WHEEL TURNED IN. THE VEHICLE STEERING WAS LAST INSPECTED IN JULY 2005 (VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION) AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE TIE ROD BROKE AT THE TAPERED STUD. THIS DID RESULT IN A LOST …
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I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTER TIE ROD BROKE. THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE STOP AS THE WHEEL TURNED IN. THE VEHICLE STEERING WAS LAST INSPECTED IN JULY 2005 (VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION) AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE TIE ROD BROKE AT THE TAPERED STUD. THIS DID RESULT IN A LOST OF STEERING. THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED. THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE UNBROKEN DRIVERS SIDE OUTER TIE ROD.*JB
Official recalls
404V480000 · 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
3EA04013 · 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
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