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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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57,899 miles · Jan 8, 2003
Power Train

MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN HAS EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ONLY 57000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITS A "WHINING" NOISE WHICH INCREASES WITH ENGINE RPM, HAS "BAD" SHIFTS AND BURNT SMELLING FLUID. DEALER ONLY GAVE THE RESPONSE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO "TEAR IT APART" TO EVEN OFFER AN ESTIMATE. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION S…

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MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN HAS EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ONLY 57000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITS A "WHINING" NOISE WHICH INCREASES WITH ENGINE RPM, HAS "BAD" SHIFTS AND BURNT SMELLING FLUID. DEALER ONLY GAVE THE RESPONSE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO "TEAR IT APART" TO EVEN OFFER AN ESTIMATE. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP, IN BUSINESS LOCALLY FOR 45 YRS. WAS ABLE TO ESTIMATE A FULL REBUILD AND UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION FRONT PUMP ASSEMBLY AT $1800-$2200 TO REPAIR THE CONDITION. ALTHOUGH CONFRONTED WITH THE EXTENSIVE VOLUME OF INFORMATION RELATED TO PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION OVER THE LAST DOZEN YEARS, BOTH THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSED TO ASSUME ANY SORT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10000811

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2002
Power TrainCrashInjury

I HAD MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN IN PARK AND RUNNING GOT OUT FOR A SECOND AND MY DAUGHTER YELLED "MA THE VAN IS ROLLING BACK WARDS". I GOT THE DOOR OPEN . THE DOOR HIT MY COUNSINS CAR MIRROR. I RAN AFTER IT TO TRY AND STOP IT. IT HIT A WAGON AND SLOWED DOWN A BIT. I WAS ALMOST IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER BEING ON M…

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I HAD MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN IN PARK AND RUNNING GOT OUT FOR A SECOND AND MY DAUGHTER YELLED "MA THE VAN IS ROLLING BACK WARDS". I GOT THE DOOR OPEN . THE DOOR HIT MY COUNSINS CAR MIRROR. I RAN AFTER IT TO TRY AND STOP IT. IT HIT A WAGON AND SLOWED DOWN A BIT. I WAS ALMOST IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER BEING ON MY STOMACH FACING THE REAR TIRE.MY AUNT TOLD ME TO LIE STILL BECAUSE I WAS PINNED UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR.MY AUNT TOLD ME TO LIE STILL SO SHE COULD MOVE THE VAN AHEAD TO LEFT THE DOOR OFF ME. MY AUNT SAID THAT THE VAN WAS IN REVERSE . MY LEFT ARM /SHOULDER, LOWER BACK AND RIGHT BUTT AREA HURT. MY AUNT THEN CALLED THE POLICE . A REPORT WAS FILED .

NHTSA ODI #10000293

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2002
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP HOME MOOD(VEHICLE STUCK IN 2ND GEAR)UNABLE TO EXCEEDS SPEEDS OF MORE THAN 30MPH. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD BURNT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA ODI #8022889

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2002
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND LOST CONTROL.*AK. CONSUMER COULD SMELL THE BRAKES AS THEY BECAME HOT. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND THERE IS POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS MAKING A HOWLING NOISE, THE BRAKE BOOSTE…

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WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND LOST CONTROL.*AK. CONSUMER COULD SMELL THE BRAKES AS THEY BECAME HOT. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND THERE IS POOR BRAKE RESPONSE. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS MAKING A HOWLING NOISE, THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8016250

80,000 miles · Jul 31, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #8015252

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2002
Power Train

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #764547

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2002
Power Train

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #764266

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2002
Power Train

AT 5MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND CONSUMER COULD ONLY REVERSE, BUT COULD NOT PUT IT IN DRIVE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8012497

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2002
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #762804

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2002
Power Train

WHEN CHANGING GEARS THERE IS A VERY HARD BUMP THAT ONE CAN FEEL ONCE IT'S IN GEAR. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER CHANGING GEARS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8010994

Official recalls

4

04V480000 · 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

3

EA04013 · 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