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 Dodge Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Serpentine belt slips off in the rain causing a loss in power steering, ac (for window defogging), power (no alternator when headlights are on during rain). When it slipped off, the ability to correct for loss of traction due to water was reduced due to lack of power steering and the windshield fogged up quickly due to the loss of the ac compressor. Slid of the interstate and slid down the median. Multiple other instances of belt slipping off (4 times in past 3 days), though at lower rates of speed. Dodge denies there is an issue even though there are many reports on the internet relating to this problem. It is also interesting that they now sell a upgrade kit that changes out the two non-grooved pulleys for grooved ones and add a belt with grooves on both sides. They said that they would only fix this problem when enough people reported the problem.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2000 Dodge Caravan. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 04V480000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted (eastchester Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, 4007 boston road, bronx, ny) and a repair appointment was scheduled. After two hours of waiting at the dealer's, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but offered no assistance. Also, whenever the vehicle was started, oil fumes were noticed and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 11,444. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Caravan. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the power steering seized for the third time. After the previous failures, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the serpentine belt slipped off and needed to be replaced. After the recent failure, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Bought new in 2000 (failure)serpentine belt replaced @ 39199 4-12-02 (failure)serpentine belt & tensioner replaced @ 64389 8-20-03 (failure)serpentine belt replacedlate summer 2004 (failure)serpentine belt & tensioner replaced @112,000 jan 2006 timing belt replaced @ 64389 8-20-03 timing belt & tensioner replaced @110,646 11-25-05 multiple sensor failures past 4 years, as well as valve cover gaskets, cam seals,cam packings, crank seal, oil pan leaking. Nov 2005 engine light kept coming on,& a slight knocking, dealer couldn't find any real reason, but lugging was present during drives. Had to replace leaky transmission solenoid pack & sensor 11-25-05 only to turn around and replace the whole transmission 9 weeks later due to multiple engine failures,@114,043 1-30-06 (with another serpentine belt failure 2 weeks prior to tranny replacement. …
The serpentine belt on a 2000 Dodge Caravan slips off when you go through a puddle of water or wet conditions such as in the rain or snow, resulting in complete loss of power steering (loss of control); water pump (overheating and possible damage to the aluminum heads); alternator (no battery charging) and ac. This was after a new belt and tensioner was installed. I have researched the problem and there are numerous incidents sited on related web sites. My wife almost wrecked because of no steering. It happened over a dozen times to her and 4 times to me. Cost of putting belt back on was around $40 each time. Tried a fix using a disc over the tensioner and idle pulley recommended by dealer, but first time through a rain puddle, it slipped off. A $200 fix is available plus $150 labor called a gates kit # 38379K also by Goodyear #49215K. …
I own a 2000 Dodge Caravan. I have a problem with the serpentine belt coming off mostly during wet or snowy weather. Today was the forth time in the last year this has happened. The repair shop(s) reports no known fix's for the 3.3/3.8 engine. I also had one failure during dry weather. Researching this problem on the internet I see this is a very common complaint....!. It has been for years !!!!. Because this belt controls the power steering it becomes very difficult for a strong person to control the van. Lord help the frail, the old or the young !!!!. Please check out the following sites for this problem (www.topix.net or www.carsurvey.org. For serpentine belt problems). I am filling this complaint (as other have) to get some help before a van load of children gets hurt because of a known design problem that the manufacturer seems to ignore. …
Dt: caller had to have the main belt on the engine fixed 6 times. When the belt came off she lost control of the steering, and the engine became red hot. Caller stated while driving, the belt came off the steering and froze. The consumer couldn't turn the wheel. Dealer said every time caller brought in the van, the belt was replaced, but the problem recurred. Dealer did not know why this was happening so many times. Manufacturer said dealer was doing all they could, and there was nothing else the manufacturer could do. Caller had it towed 5 times. A few times the belt was just slipped back on until they got to dealer. Dates of towing ere: 11-19-02, 2-19-03, 4-15-04, 6-19-04, and 6-30-05. Dealer said this was not the only van they saw with this problem. Caller stated the speed varied when the belt came off.
Serpentine belt came off. I have had this vehicle since 2002, problem didn't occur till mid-2010. Since then the belt has came off at least 5 times or more. Seems every time it rains. I've had the belt replaced, and everything else replaced that could possibly affect it. The mechanic told me he doesn't know what else to do. I had it repaired this past tues. And guess what yesterday it came off again (all of 5 days). I love my vehicle but I'm afraid of it. When the belt comes off everything goes off. Luckily I've been able to get off the road (so far). Looked on the internet and this is a common problem. What does it take -someone to die before a recall will happen and a solution?? This is very costly in repair bills/tow bills and so forth. Please do something.
Engine complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Dodge Caravan, 15% of the model year's 470 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline › belts and associated pulleys (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Dodge Caravan engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Dodge Caravan, though it has 4 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 Dodge Caravan engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 0 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.