Most common 2000 Dodge Caravan problems
Share of the 470 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Caravan complaints by model year
Best Caravan years: 2014, 2015, 2013. Years to avoid: 2005, 2000, 2008, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2000 Dodge Caravan recalls (4)
Air bags
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.
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…
Equipment › Other › Labels
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."
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.
Structure
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.
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…
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2000 Dodge Caravan:
Dc minivan fuel injector rail leak
There is no summary currently available
Driver air bag clockspring failure
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…
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
What 2000 Dodge Caravan owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 86 →
My 4 children were in my van while it was parked and my 5 yr old got into drivers seat and pulled gear shift in reverse and van rolled down driveway, across road, and over an embankment and it totaled the vehicle. This should not have happened, the gear shift should not have moved while it was in park without the brakes being applied to get it out of gear. My daughter had to have stitches as a result of this accident. They could have been killed.
During a 35 MPH frontal vehicle collision front air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained neck injures. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The consumer stated that the vehicle shifts out of the park position without the foot behing on the brake. 4 year old hit the shift lever and the vehicle rolled down the driveway and across the street.
Engine & cooling all 70 →
Belt under hood keeps falling off and or breaking car seizes up and locks up almost crashed a few times Also engine problems smokes a lot wipers don't work windows won't go down also transmission jerks when driving
I purchased a 2008 Dodge Caravan about 2 years ago from elite motors in victorville. The car was not smoked at the time of purchase and had to be done so about 1 month later. They said they had a hard time getting it to pass and then it passed but when I got it back I smogged it and it failed. Elite motos said they would work with me on resolving things but they never did. Since I've had the vehicle there has been a loud slapping noise coming from the air conditioner, the fuel pump has been replaced, two tires have blown, several sets of front break pads have been replaced, 2 battery's have been replaced, and within the last month both front and rear brakes/master brake cylinder/calipers/water pump/radiator has been replaced. …
Air bags all 69 →
** note call consumer to get more info*** my mother bought brand new min van from Dodge, she has for 8 months. She drove in county road. She hit pothole in 40 MPH then air bag blew up. She not able to see road when air bad blow up, that cause van run off right side shoulder. County road have a lot cure. Van has not hit till, she can not see road and wheel go stay straight while road is cure. She have claim to Dodge twice and still deny. She lost everything. I gave her my old truck for her to drive. I and my mother have talk with insurance to find out what going on. He say it have to wait for recall. So now this recall airbag finally come out. She have to go hospital because her head hit by steel wheel.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Caravan. While driving approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle collided with the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle did not have air bags and the horn malfunctioned. The contact received injuries to the left shoulder, neck, back, and head that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto mechanic facility with pending diagnostic results. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 296,000.
2000 Dodge Caravan engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Dodge Caravan a good car?
Based on 470 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 Caravan rates avoid: 2.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Caravan at the same age. It is one of the Caravan years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Dodge Caravan?
The transmission & drivetrain — 86 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (70) and air bags (69).
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Caravan have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2000 Dodge Caravan, the most recent from October 6, 2004 (air bags). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Caravan?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2015 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2000, 2008, 1996 and 1997. See the full Dodge Caravan years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Dodge Caravan problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.