IllustrationWHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR AN ANALYSIS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TRANSAXLE DRIVE PIN HAD SHEARED OFF AND HAD BLOWN COMPLETELY THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE HOUSING.*AK THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
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
Power Train complaints
86 reportsAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WITH ONLY 54000MILES, IT FELT LIKE IT WAS LOSING ACCELERATION UPHILL. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID A HYDRALIC HOSE BROKE AND THAT THE TRANNY WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT TO THE TUNE OF $2700! GET REAL. THESE TRANNIES ARE OBVIOUSLY HAVING PROBLEMS!*AK
DIFFERENTIAL PIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN A NORMAL MANNER. PIN WENT THROUGH CASING OF TRANSMISSON , AND REUINED THE TRANSMISSION WHICH OTHERWISE WOULD BE FINE. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 75 ,000 MILES AND ALWAYS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST $4,800. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
I HAVE A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN WITH A LITTLE OVER 45000 MILES. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VAN TO THE DEALER FOR THE 3RD TIME FOR A LEAKING TRANSMISSION. I WILL HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS ON DEC. 26. *LA
WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DID NOT GO INTO THIRD OR FORTH GEAR. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 20 MPH, IT ALMOST RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. DEALER SAID THAT TRANSMISSION TOTALLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
COMPUTER CONTROLLED TRANSMISSION IN 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS TWICE BEEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE ENGINE BY THE COMPUTER IN TRAFFIC. THE SECOND TIME I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE MIDDLE LANE OF INTERSTATE 20 AT WEATHERFORD, TX. AND HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE DODGE DEALER IN WEATHERFORD WHO FIXED …
Read full complaint
COMPUTER CONTROLLED TRANSMISSION IN 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS TWICE BEEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE ENGINE BY THE COMPUTER IN TRAFFIC. THE SECOND TIME I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE MIDDLE LANE OF INTERSTATE 20 AT WEATHERFORD, TX. AND HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE DODGE DEALER IN WEATHERFORD WHO FIXED THE TRANSMISSION TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THAT THE COMPUTER DISCONNECTED THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF LOW PRESSURE IN THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM TEARING THE TRANSMISSION APART. MY PROBLEM WITH THAT KIND OF SCENARIO IS THIS: WHAT THIS SHOULD HAPPEN WHEN I WAS PASSING A VEHICLE ON A TWO LANE HIGH WAY WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC AT WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY BUT ALL AT ONCE I FIND I AM COASTING IN THE WRONG LANE WITH TRAFFIC COMING AT ME HEAD ON? *LA
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON,AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. *AK
AT 51,000 MILES IN A THREE YEAR OLD CARAVAN THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT AND NEEDED A $2300 REPAIR. THE DEALER TOLD ME GLEEFULLY MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, THERE WAS NO EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD OR WOULD DO. *LA
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS AND LOCKS IN SECOND GEAR WHEN USING A/C WHILE PASSING OR USING PASSING GEAR. MUST STOP AND LET IT COOL OFF BEFORE CONTINUING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY SINCE WE OWN IT. *NLM
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