Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
During rain or snowmelt events, splashing water causes the serpentine belt on the engine slip from the engine idler pulleys. They are smooth and rounded in design, allowing water to slip beneath during operation resulting in the belt slipping from the pulleys. The steering on these vans is extremely inadequate without power assist, even while the vehicle is moving. Our belt has slipped off in the past, requiring belt replacement, but this recent event caused a loss of steering while the vehicle was in motion, resulting in a crash. No one in my family was seriously injured, but the valence at the front of the vehicle was damaged. After calling my local dmv to find out where to report this, and searching the internet about the problem, I find it unconscionable that Chrysler and the NHTSA have not acted on a solution sooner.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chrysler Town and Country. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted, but the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Chrysler Town & Country with 3.3 liter engine. The idler pulley freezes on this engine (since 1992 Dodge dynasty same motor, same problem) causing the serpentine belt to come off causing a lost of power steering among other equipment failures powered drive belt. (I.e. Water pump, alternater, ect).
Engine suddenly stalls while van in motion. Losing power steering and power braking. Once van coasts to a stop, restart with no issues. Normally occurs after van sits overnight and engine isn't warmed up as yet.
Tl*- the contact stated that the v2000 Chrysler Town & Country had a number of problems with the serpentine belt popping off while driving. The contact stated that this had happened on four occasion. There was heavy rain and while driving 30-35 MPH under heavy traffic, the battery light came on and the vehicle was difficult to steer. He was able to pull off the road into a parking area. The contact opened the hood and noticed that the serpentine belt came off again. The contact called aaa to have the vehicle towed to the dealership, and they also informed him that the serpentine belt had come off. The contact stated that the vehicle is still at the dealership. The contact will have the belt available for investigation. The contact will be calling the manufacturer of Chrysler to file a complaint. …
Our 2000 Chrysler Town and Country minivan has had major mechanical problems. The most recent was the repeated failure of the serpentine belt. The first failure occurred while driving in cold weather (February 2007). The belt slipped off the pulleys leaving me to try to careen it over to the side of the rode with no power steering and an overheating engine. The car was repaired at our local mechanic shop. The second time occurred while it was raining outside. The belt popped off as I was driving at 40 MPH and I nearly had an accident. It was all I could do to get the car off the busy street - again with the engine overheating. The car was then repaired at a new ase certified mechanic shop. The tensioner pulley and idler pulley were replaced. We thought they were fixed when I was traveling at 55 MPH and the belt popped off again. …
It is a well known problem with Chrysler minivans - whenever there is a heavy rain and the water puddles in the street, the serpentine belt slips off and all power to the vehicle is lost. This has happened to me multiple times. I have spoken to my local mechanic about this problem and he stated that this happens to all Chrysler minivans (Dodge and Pontiac minivans as well) and has occurred since they started making minivans. Every time there is a heavy downpour he has a lot full of chrsler vans that need their belt put back on. I called my local Chrysler dealer in urbana, il and spoke to the service representative. She told me that they are fully aware of the problem because two of their own service vans are out of commission due to the recent rain. She agreed that every time it rains heavily, the belts come off these vans. …
I purchased a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country new from a Chrysler dealer in wi. During the month of October 2012, the car it suddenly stalled out while in motion on the highway with no prior warning. While coasting I was able put the van in neutral and restart it. Over the course of various trips at varying speeds the van stalled several more times while in motion. The problem was so sporadic that it would go away for a few days and randomly returned. The car does not give any signs prior to stalling such as sputtering. The van even stalls while going straight or through curves and turns leaving the driver to muscle the car safely to a stop before having to restart it. An independent mechanic who stated the problem hasn't thrown a code for them to diagnose and they were unsuccessful in getting the car to stall out for them during test drives. …
Vehicle leaf spring has weakened causing the rear of vehicle to sit at an angle. Problems with front wheels and brakes. The dealer was unable to repair the re-occurring problem with the front brakes, and the rotors. The front wheels and or brakes were squeaking again, which meant that new front brakes were needed again. (this was the fourth time the brakes were replaced) the consumer requested a full refund of the purchase price of the vehicle. Other problems are as followed: the left rear shock had blown and a bolt had broken on the right shock and were replaced,the brake light would come on when going around corners, the rear view mirror was loose along with the right side mirror(both readjusted), noise in the steering and was hard to steer at times, there was a metal sound in the front strut especially when the temperature was cold, and there was overheating so the all the parts of …
Driving through small puddle of water (drainage from waterhose run off not storm type drainage). Serpentine belt comes off rendering the vehicle unusable. Happens in all weather conditions. I have replaced the water pump, the tensioner, the idler pulley. I've had the alignment of the pulleys checked, all have had no effect on the serpentine belt. It still comes off going through any form of moisture. This has been ongoing now for over a year, I have gone through 4 different belts trying to see what could work. The first time it happen was early in the morning (approx. 3 am) while my wife was on her way to work, with the sudden loss of power steering she ran into a curb. The only damage was to the vehicle front bumper and bottom valance.
Engine complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Chrysler Town and Country, 17% of the model year's 306 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline › belts and associated pulleys (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Chrysler Town and Country, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.