2000 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a serpentine belt that comes off in rain or when driving through water, which takes out power steering and can lead to overheating; transmission and strut-tower complaints follow. Reports span a wide mileage range, from under 50,000 to well past 150,000 miles, and strut-tower corrosion tends to appear as the van ages.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure or slipping into limp mode

   • 61 complaints (14%)
   • median 54,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2009

   Owners report the transmission slipping into neutral or a limp mode, refusing to shift out of a low gear, lurching when put into gear, or failing outright, sometimes with fluid on the ground. Complaints describe tows and transmission replacement or overhaul, and several mention parts being on back order. A few describe a pin working loose and opening the case. Reported across a wide range, from about 4,500 to over 130,000 miles, with many between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the transmission fluid level and condition and look for leaks around the pan. On a test drive, watch for delayed or harsh shifts, slipping, or a check engine light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Last night my transmission blew up for the 2nd time. The first time the van was a year old. This time I am past my warranty, but the brakes locked up on me & 2 of my children almost ended up in the pompton water falls. The dealership and manufacturer basically told me oh well--your on your own. This should not have happened twice in three years.. This is a dangerous situation and I hope you can help prevent this from happening to others... My van was meticulously cared for... This should not have happened!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10043107, filed 2003-10, 70,056 miles

   “My car just died in the middle nowhere on route 42 on the way to work. Only to find out that the transmission needs to be replaced. The caravan I own has only 42,000 miles on it. I do not even own it for 2 years. It was a buy back from the dealer. The warranty was only for 3 years of 36,000 miles. I was told by the mechanic from the dealer I purchased the vehicle from that this should not have happened. Now I am forced to pay over $1100 for a new transmission. I was told that they have agreed to split the bill of approximately $2200. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10008259, filed 2003-02, 42,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Serpentine belt slips off in wet conditions

   • 55 complaints (12%)
   • median 94,093 mi at 7.7 yrs old (42 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2019

   Owners describe the serpentine belt coming off the pulleys in rain, snow, or after driving through a puddle, often repeatedly. With the belt gone, they report losing power steering and, in some accounts, power assist for the brakes, along with rapid overheating. Several complaints say dealers were aware of the pattern; some owners report a shield or cover was added over the belt area, and one says a shop replaced a failed tensioner along with the belt. Reported from roughly 47,000 to over 200,000 miles, typically in rain or standing water.

   What to check: Ask whether a belt shield or cover has been installed and check the belt and tensioner condition. Note that a wet belt means very heavy steering, so plan for that on a test drive in rain.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have been informed that the serpentine belt on Dodge caravans have a tendency to come off in heavy rain and/or snow. It happened on our vehicle the other day when my wife was driving. She lost the ability to steer the vehicle and narrowly missed getting into an accident. Dodge is aware of this problem since they have issued a tech bulletin about it and have a kit that they feel will remedy the problem. However no re-call has been issued. I do not feel that I should be required to pay $150 to $200 to remedy this potentially dangerous defect. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10142910, filed 2005-11, 93,187 miles

   “Power steering failed, then brakes. Serpentine belt wet from rain caused power steering & brakes to fail resulting in vehicle flipping on its side on I-75. Service dept said that the power steering, etc was designed to shut down when belt got wet. This was a normal rain. Vehicle was not in high water. Vehicle was ultimately totaled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10245544, filed 2008-10, 100,100 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Rusted front strut towers / strut seating

   • 46 complaints (10%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $627 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2017

   Complaints describe rust at the top of the front strut towers, sometimes hidden under paint, with cracks or holes developing in the metal. Owners say shops told them the strut could push through the hood area or that the tower could not be repaired because of the corrosion, and some report a corrosion repair kit being available from the dealer. Several owners say they were told it was a known issue on these vans. Most often reported between about 60,000 and 150,000 miles, on older vans in rust-belt conditions.

   What to check: Open the hood and inspect both front strut towers for bubbling paint, rust, cracks, or previous welding. Ask whether any corrosion repair kit has been installed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The problem described herein is about my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. Over the past year I noticed some rusting at the left top strut tower. I questioned it at the time, but was told it was not serious. During the past week I was replacing the air filter and noticed that now over one half of the strut area was heavily rusted and had large cracks on one side. I took it to my local chrysler dealer to see if the rust through warranty would apply, or if it was a common problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10165134, filed 2006-08, 60,000 miles

   “Took my van in to the shop because I was hearing a noise in the front end when I drive it. They told me that the front strut housing cover had rusted and that the strut could now go through the hood and windshield while driving. That this is not the first time that they have seen this and that a kit has been made to repair it. However it has to be welded to the frame of the van and it could cost up to $500.00 just to fix this problem and I can not even fix the strut until this is taken care of. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10357246, filed 2010-09, 80,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bag light, horn and cruise control failures

   • 28 complaints (6%)
   • median 82,001 mi at 6.4 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2020

   Owners describe the air bag warning light coming on, sometimes along with the horn and cruise control quitting, and in some cases a noise from the steering column when turning the wheel. Complaints attribute this to the clockspring in the steering wheel hub; one owner reports the horn and cruise control failing and the air bag light coming on after the air bag recall work had been done. Reported from about 53,000 to over 160,000 miles.

   Recall 04V480000

   What to check: With the key on, confirm the air bag light goes out after the bulb check, then test the horn and cruise control. Ask whether recall 04V480000 (clockspring) was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife was involved in an accident on a 4 lane road and was going approximately 40-45 MPH when she hit another vehicle with almost no braking involved. Neither the drive or passenger airbag deployed. This was a major selling point when we purchased this vehicle since we would be using it to transport our family. If these do not work then the chrysler corporation should do everything to the best of it's ability to ensure that anyone that buys their products should get what they have paid for.”

   NHTSA complaint #10062326, filed 2004-03, 66,500 miles

   “The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at 50 MPH, the horn and cruise control failed to function and the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 04v480000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10716674, filed 2015-05, 97,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake problems: warning light, fluid leaks, rusted lines

   • 29 complaints (7%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2014

   Owners report the brake warning light coming on, a spongy or failing pedal, fluid leaks, and master cylinder or ABS pump replacement, with one owner describing repeated brake repairs from low mileage. Others describe rusted or pitted front rotors and corroded rear brake lines near the junction with the flexible hose, where road salt and dirt collect. Reported from very low mileage up to about 115,000 miles, often in vehicles driven on salted roads.

   What to check: Check brake fluid level and look for leaks at the master cylinder and along the rear lines. Have the rotors and lines inspected on a lift, especially on a van that has seen winter road salt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brakes on our 2000 Grand Caravan go out on us about once every 3-6 months since we purchased it brand new in july 2000. Master cylinder has been replaced more than once, brakes have been bled, ABS pump has been replaced, and we are now leaking fluid and ready to have it serviced again. This is a family vehicle that I don't always feel safe driving my two small children in. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10003398, filed 2003-01, 4,534 miles

   “I had the brakes on my vehicle repaired twice. The first time my car had approx 40,000 miles and I was told it was due to the way I drive the car. Not more than 6 months later the brakes starting vibrating again and I took it back to burlington Dodge - were they told me, once again, it was due to the way I drove the car and there was nothing they could except replace them again. My most recent problem was the air conditioning totally malfunctioned. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10064560, filed 2004-04, 40,000 miles

Buying note. Inspect the front strut towers and the belt and tensioner carefully, and confirm the air bag clockspring recall was completed. A transmission service history and a brake line inspection are worth asking about before purchase.

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.