2000 Dodge Caravan Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe rust-through at the front strut towers on the driver's side, along with transmission failures and the serpentine belt slipping off in wet weather, which takes out power steering and charging. Complaints cluster from roughly 50,000 to 130,000 miles, with several failures reported at low mileage, and many describe the problems as gradual corrosion or a sudden loss of drive rather than a one-time event.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front strut tower rust-through

   • 41 complaints (9%)
   • median 111,054 mi at 8.5 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • filed 2004–2017

   Owners describe rust eating through the upper front strut tower, most often on the driver's side, sometimes visible from inside out with metal soft enough to poke through. Several said the dealer or a mechanic recommended welding or replacing the tower or fitting a strut cap kit, and some reported being told no recall covered it. Others mention undercarriage rust in the rear spring hanger area. Mostly reported between about 75,000 and 130,000 miles, on vehicles roughly five to ten years old, with corrosion noticed during inspections.

   Recall 03V094000

   What to check: Inspect both front strut towers under the hood, especially the driver's side, and the rear spring mounts underneath for flaking or perforated metal. Ask whether a strut cap or reinforcement kit has been installed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is inquiry to chrysler's problem with front strut towers on 2000 Caravan/voyager/t&c. Specifically: service bulletin, number: 23-044-02, group: body; date: oct. 14, 2002; subject: ns strut tower corrosion. If this is only a cosmetic problem, why is a new strut cap and ns strut installation kit required? Sounds like a structural problem repair to me. My dealerships service manager cautioned my against going through the winter without the repair! He said there was no recall, just this TSB. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10211506, filed 2007-12, 130,000 miles

   “The front driver's side shock tower is almost completely rusted through, causing a serious danger to me and my family. The problem has been progressing rapidly.”

   NHTSA complaint #10557572, filed 2013-12, 75,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure or loss of drive

   • 69 complaints (15%)
   • median 57,112 mi at 4.5 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,400 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2023

   Complaints describe transmissions that lock up, grind, or stop driving the wheels, sometimes with a loud noise and transmission fluid on the ground. Several owners mention a differential pin that shears and punches through the case, and others cite repeated rebuilds or replacements, with dealers attributing some cases to a failed pin or internal pressure problem. Reported from about 27,000 up to 155,000 miles, often with no warning beforehand.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for transmission service records and check the fluid level and color. A test drive should include a stop-and-go stretch to catch slipping, delayed engagement or harsh shifting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had 4 complete transmission failures with my 2000 Caravan: 2 ofwhich required a complete rebuild and 2 of which required entirely new units (transmissions) and new cv axles as a result of the transmission locking up. The worse of the 4 times was on thanksgiving 2002, less than 2 weeks after a factory rebuild where the front wheels locked up while on the interstate. 3 of 4 repairs were completed at a chrysler/Dodge dealership. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10093128, filed 2004-09, 69,000 miles

   “While driving at approximately 30 MPH, ring and pinion sheared off, causing the vehicle to coast. There was no power to generate gears for moving.the transmission let go at the same time. All this happened without warning. Vehicle was currently out of warranty. Transmission blew a hole into and through entire transmission.”

   NHTSA complaint #10116942, filed 2005-04, 26,900 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and non-deployment

   • 59 complaints (13%)
   • median 89,469 mi at 5.7 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 27 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2018

   Complaints describe airbag warning lights that stay on or flash, airbags that did not deploy in front-end collisions, and in one case airbags that deployed without an impact. Several owners link the warning light to the clockspring behind the steering wheel and mention difficulty getting the recall part, with the dealer citing a backorder. Reported from about 53,000 to 296,000 miles, appearing as an intermittent dash light or after a collision.

   Recall 04V480000

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light goes out after start-up and ask whether recall 04V480000 (clockspring) was completed, requesting documentation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Air bags deployed inadvertently, without adequate cause on sunday august 7, 2004 at around 5 p.m. I was traveling in my 2000 Dodge Caravan on a lightly traveled gravel surface road that is rough in spots, at 10 MPH or less when both front airbags . I stopped immediately, unaware of what had caused them to deploy in the absence of any front end or side collision. Given that I was seated upright and not thrown forward by any collision, the driver side bag slighlty contacted the left side of my face, scraping it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10095804, filed 2004-10, 87,200 miles

   “While driving at 45 MPH, the consumer's vehicle was two cars behind a stopped vehicle, making a u turn. The first vehicle was struck in the rear, and the second vehicle bounced back and collided with the front of the consumer's vehicle. The consumer and passenger were wearing seat belts, but the airbags did not deploy. One passenger sustained a bruised chest and abdomen. The vehicle was totaled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10067363, filed 2004-05, 69,300 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Serpentine belt slipping off in wet weather

   • 89 complaints (19%)
   • median 74,922 mi at 7.0 yrs old (48 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2024

   Owners report the drive belt coming off the pulleys in rain or standing water, which cuts power steering, charging and sometimes the water pump, making the van hard to steer and prone to overheating. Some describe the belt coming off repeatedly and a pulley or tensioner failure, and say they were told no fix was available beyond reinstalling the belt. Reported from about 70,000 to 140,000 miles, typically while driving in heavy rain.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check belt and pulley alignment and condition, and ask whether the belt, tensioner or idler pulley has been replaced. Be aware of the steering effort if assist is lost in the rain.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My serpentine belt has jumped off the pulleys 4 times in the past year on my 2000 Dodge Caravan. Each time this happens, I loose all power controls. This problem could lead to a serious accident if someone isn't strong enough to manage the loss in power steering.”

   NHTSA complaint #10175041, filed 2006-12, 134,000 miles

   “The belt on my Dodge Caravan sport slipped off in the rain leaving me to drive home without wipers and or blower. Idler pulley should have keepers on the edges so the belt will not slip off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10292534, filed 2009-11, 70,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Weak brakes and rusted brake lines

   • 54 complaints (11%)
   • median 58,710 mi at 5.5 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2015

   Owners report brakes that needed pads and rotors more often than expected, a vibrating steering wheel and reduced stopping power while braking, and in some cases the pedal going to the floor because a brake line had corroded through and lost fluid. Some also describe noise or reduced braking after water or snow entered the rear drum brakes. Reported from about 29,000 to 170,000 miles, with rapid pad and rotor wear noted at low mileage and line corrosion at higher mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the brake lines along the chassis for rust and check rotor and pad thickness. Ask when the brakes and fluid were last serviced, and listen for dragging or squealing after driving through water.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2000 Dodge Caravan with only 29,450 miles developed a severe vibration in the steering wheel accompanied by a disconcerting noise when braking. Prior to the vibration developing, I noticed the braking power had diminished. Upon investigation, I found the brake fluid was below the minimum level and had to add fluid. This improved the brake pedal performance but the stopping power was still subpar. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10013632, filed 2003-03, 29,450 miles

   “My van has gone through a lot of brake pads and rotors. I went in for new brakes and found out my master cylinder needed replaced. I have had other vehicles that needed brakes, but this van needs them more often. I am considering trading in for another make and model van. It's cost me a lot of money. I am not very pleased with the Dodge Caravan sport. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis**770109”

   NHTSA complaint #10009399, filed 2002-11, 40,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, the structural rust at the front strut towers is the item worth checking before anything else, since repairing it can be costly once the metal is perforated. Beyond that, ask for transmission and brake service history and confirm whether the airbag clockspring recall was completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.