IllustrationTHE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF MY VAN 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THIS IS A FAMILY VAN AND DRIVEN DAILY WITH 5 CHILDREN IN IT. THIS IS A COMPLAINT OF MANY CARAVAN OWNERS. THERE ARE SITES ALL OVER THE INTERNET COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
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
190–25K
3825–50K
5350–75K
4375–100K
44100–150K
25150K+
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
Steering complaints
41 reportsDT: CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH HER 2 LITTLE GIRLS. STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BRAKES FAILED AND STEERING LOCKED UP. WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT AND HIT TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE NO BRAKES IN THE VAN. *AK VAN. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER ONLY POWER STEERING FAILED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT POWER STEERING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, THE BRAKE LINE LEAKED, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, THE FRONT AXLE AND CALIPER PADS/ROTORS BROKE SPILLING BALL JOINT INTO THE STREET. *BF THERE WERE ALSO SCREECHING SOUNDS, ODOR(S), VIBRATIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND THE A/C FAILED.
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED ON THE RACK AND PINION. AS A RESULT, POWER STEERING FAILED. *AK *LA
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR ROAD AT 20 MPH POWER STEERING HOSE SPLIT, LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM, BUT FAILED TO FIX IT.*AK WHEN THE HOSE SPLIT THE VEHICLE'S STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE OEM HOSE WAS FLIMSY, THEREFORE HE REPLAC…
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CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR ROAD AT 20 MPH POWER STEERING HOSE SPLIT, LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM, BUT FAILED TO FIX IT.*AK WHEN THE HOSE SPLIT THE VEHICLE'S STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE OEM HOSE WAS FLIMSY, THEREFORE HE REPLACED IT WITH AN AFTERMARKET HOSE. *NM
THE STUD THAT FASTENS THE MAIN BELT TENSIONER/ IDLER BROKE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, CAUSING COMPLETE LOST OF POWER STEERING AND CONTROL OF THE MINIVAN. LOCAL DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT HE SELLS A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE DUE TO FAILURE AND "KNEW THAT PART NUMBER BY HEART" PLS INVESTIGATE THESE STUDS SHOULD NOT FAIL DUE TO FA…
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THE STUD THAT FASTENS THE MAIN BELT TENSIONER/ IDLER BROKE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, CAUSING COMPLETE LOST OF POWER STEERING AND CONTROL OF THE MINIVAN. LOCAL DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT HE SELLS A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE DUE TO FAILURE AND "KNEW THAT PART NUMBER BY HEART" PLS INVESTIGATE THESE STUDS SHOULD NOT FAIL DUE TO FATIGUE AND THE RESULTING LOST OF CONTROL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 200 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *JB
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOWED THE VEHICLE IN TO BE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER, THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BOLT HAD SNAPPED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *PH WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE GAS STAT…
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WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOWED THE VEHICLE IN TO BE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER, THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BOLT HAD SNAPPED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *PH WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE GAS STATION CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LATER COULD NOT STEER VEHICLE AND BELIEVES THAT THE BRAKES WENT OUT AS WELL. CONSUMER EXITED VEHICLE AND PICKED UP THE TENSIONER OFF THE GROUND. CONSUMER STILL HAS BROKEN PARTS AND PLANS TO HOLD THEM FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BOLT ON VEHICLE HAD SNAPPED.*MR
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP,CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER. AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY. HOWEVER, DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
THE SERPINTINE BELT JUST CAME OFF MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, I WAS ONLY TRAVELING 20 MPH AT THE TIME AND WAS LUCKY THAT THE BELT DID NOT WRAP AROUND ANY OF THE COMPONENTS.
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