Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
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 contact owns a 2000 Dodge grand Caravan. The contact stated that the front passenger side spindle broke on the tie rod causing the wheel to buckle underneath, as a result she lost control and the vehicle rolled over. A police report was filed. Four people in the vehicle sustained injuries. The contacted stated that they all suffered injuries on their knees, back and neck. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who declared the vehicle destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.
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.
Dt: consumer's wife was driving with her 2 little girls. Stopped at a red light brakes failed and steering locked up. Went off the road into a parking lot and hit tree. The vehicle was towed and the mechanic said there were no brakes in the van. Van. Updated 3/20/2006 -
When I tried to pull my Dodge Caravan (2000) out of the parking lot after a heavy raining day, I found the power steering didn't work. I could go forward or backward, but could not turn, or could turn only very slowly (I could hear the wheel kind of making clicking sound when I tried to turn). After driving very slowly on the parking lot and tried to turn slowly several time, the steering finally got back. I googled online and found many people have the same problem, mostly with a Dodge, but also some other cars. Http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/Dodge-grand-Caravan/tc37vjlp6md4pohvj since I don't drive much and mostly park my vehicle in the garage, I don't have much problem. It has happened a couple more times after the first incident, but it usually returns normal after I make several small turns in the parking lot. …
While driving van on interstate 95 in connecticut, I fell asleep for a few seconds and drifted onto the shoulder and then hit 9 chainlink fence posts in a row. While this was happing I woke and braced my self for impact by pushing on the brake and pulling on the steering wheel toward me. Before impacting the steering wheel snapped at the 12: o'clock position and I bent the two separated toward me like two blunt spears. On impact (the van rode up on steel guide wires and was slammed to a stop by the first steel pole hooking the front axle) the four inches of slack on the seat belt allowed the blunt spear to crash into my chest causing serious injuries. Six days in hospital with broken sternum, broken ribs, bleeding, collapsed right lung. I don't know how the steering wheel broke being 52 years old, 190 lbs and not very strong. …
This is a follow up on nad-40,req. 18445:cag. I received a report from quali-tech, inc. (materials analysis laboratory) regarding the testing of my steering wheel that snapped at the 12:00 o'clock position while I was pushing on brake and pulling wheel toward me before impact. The report states "the steering wheel fractured at a location where the aluminum core contains a high amount of porosity and dendritic segregation. The center sixty percent of the cross-section exhibited the porosity. The presence of the porosity and dendritic segregation would highly reduce the strength of the center aluminum section and cause failure to occur at reduced impact loads as compared to a section of the steering wheel which does not contain these material defects." my question is how do I get the x-rays of this steering wheel during its manufactring and how many other defective steering wheels are out …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Dodge Caravan. While driving and turning the steering wheel it seemed as if the power steering malfunctioned. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. The mechanic advised her that the tension and idle pulley failed and needed to be replaced. Furthermore, she noticed a squeaking noise which she presumed was in the brake area when the brakes were engaged and occasionally failed to stop the vehicle. She spoke with a representative where she purchased the vehicle; however, he test drove the vehicle and advised her that there were no problems with the brakes. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer or an authorized dealer have not been notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 138,830. Updated 4/30/10 transmission fluid was leaking. Updated 06/28/10
Dt*: the contact stated there is a clicking noise coming from the steering column. In May of 2003, the steering column was replaced and in January of 2004 the clock springs were replaced. In May of 2004, the steering was replaced for the second time and the clock springs were again replaced in August of 2004. There is a NHTSA recall # 04V480000, concerning the air bag clock springs, however when the recall repair was performed on November 11, 2004 it did not remedy the problem. The vehicle is having the same problems again. The dealer has not been notified and no repairs were made. Also ,complained about clicking noise in steering, and replaced cclockspring . In addition, replaced canister due to leaking.
When driving the vehicle in the parking lot, the steering wheel failed causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The consumer towed the vehicle in to be inspected. The mechanic informed the owner, that the steering column bolt had snapped. Please provide any further details. While pulling out of the gas station consumer heard a noise coming from underneath the vehicle. Consumer later could not steer vehicle and believes that the brakes went out as well. Consumer exited vehicle and picked up the tensioner off the ground. Consumer still has broken parts and plans to hold them for another 30 days. Mechanic informed consumer that the steering column bolt on vehicle had snapped.
Steering complaints in other Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2000 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Dodge Caravan, 9% of the model year's 470 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Dodge Caravan steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries to steering 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.