IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
What owners actually said
470 reportsTRANSMISSION FAILED AT 39,000 MILES. SEEMS TO BE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. REQUIRED A "SOFT OVERHAUL" BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEARS. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED CLUTCH PACK SEALS THAT WERE NOT HOLDING PRESSURE. I FEEL THAT A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 39,000 MILES. THIS IS THE SECOND DODGE I HAVE OWNED WITH THE…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 39,000 MILES. SEEMS TO BE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. REQUIRED A "SOFT OVERHAUL" BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEARS. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED CLUTCH PACK SEALS THAT WERE NOT HOLDING PRESSURE. I FEEL THAT A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 39,000 MILES. THIS IS THE SECOND DODGE I HAVE OWNED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM - SEEMS TO BE A TRANSMISSION DEFECT. DEALER REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY SO I DID INCUR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. SUBSEQUENTLY TRADED IN THE CARAVAN AND LOST A REFUND OF $700 ON MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS, SO THIS REPAIR DID COST ME $800. KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE WITH RECENTLY (THIS PAST WEEK) FAILED DODGE CARAVAN TRANSMISSIONS.
CONSUMER STATES ANOTHER MOTORIST RAN A RED LIGHT, CONSUMER HIT THE VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES.*JB
WHILE BUCKLING INFANT IN HARNESS BUCKLE PLATE SEVERED.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE, AND NONE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE IN MOTION, BRAKES FAILED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. SOON AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE VEHICLE WITH A NEW CARAVAN. SAME PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTING. *JG
AT 5MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND CONSUMER COULD ONLY REVERSE, BUT COULD NOT PUT IT IN DRIVE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
BRAKES WEAR PREMATURELY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. TWO (2) SETS OF FRONT PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITHIN 33,000 MILES. INBOARD SIDE OF PADS AND ROTORS WERE DEEPLY SCORED. OUTBOARD SIDES WERE OK. COULD THE BRAKE CALIBERS BE DEFECTIVE? DEALER HAS NOT SUGGESTED THAT THE CALIBERS BE REPLACED, WHICH ARE UNDER WA…
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BRAKES WEAR PREMATURELY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. TWO (2) SETS OF FRONT PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITHIN 33,000 MILES. INBOARD SIDE OF PADS AND ROTORS WERE DEEPLY SCORED. OUTBOARD SIDES WERE OK. COULD THE BRAKE CALIBERS BE DEFECTIVE? DEALER HAS NOT SUGGESTED THAT THE CALIBERS BE REPLACED, WHICH ARE UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
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
WHY DOES A 2 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 50000 NEED A $2500 TRANSMISSION.???? I THINK IT IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS FOR WHAT YOU SPEND ON A VEHICLE TODAY THAT YOU CAN'T GET 50000 TROUBLE FREE MILES OR EVEN THREE YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I AM A PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FREAK. I ALWAYS GOT 125000 TO 180000 MILES WITH MY GM VEHICLES AND…
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WHY DOES A 2 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 50000 NEED A $2500 TRANSMISSION.???? I THINK IT IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS FOR WHAT YOU SPEND ON A VEHICLE TODAY THAT YOU CAN'T GET 50000 TROUBLE FREE MILES OR EVEN THREE YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I AM A PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FREAK. I ALWAYS GOT 125000 TO 180000 MILES WITH MY GM VEHICLES AND NEVER SPENT A DIME ON A TRANSMISSION LET ALONE A MAJOR ENGINE REPAIR. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE IN THIS DAY AND AGE. *AK
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