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 Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving at 75 MPH on an Interstate Highway. The 3.3 liter V6 engine, with 120,800 miles on it, threw a rod and cracked a 3 to 4" diameter hole in the block. I have cared for this car religiously for 14 years. It had full oil level. It is available for the next couple of weeks for examination if desired. I was able to get off the highway onto the shoulder safely.
The serpentine belt on 96-2000 Chrysler minivans slipping off is a known issue and has been for years. Time and time again Chrysler has refused to issue a recall for it. It is due to a manufacturing defect in one of the engine mounts causing a pulley misalignment. The belt slipping off causes loss of power steering, water pump, and alternator. The power steering loss can cause a driver to not be able to correct in time and cause an accident. The loss of the water pump can cause overheating resulting in engine damage. The loss of the alternator can cause the car to eventually stop running when the battery is drained, causing motorists to be stranded. I live in alaska and I'm not always in cellular signal when driving and temperatures in the winter get down to -30 f at times. …
I have a Dodge ricon activan wheelchair van. It is a 2000 model. I purchased it with only 29000 miles. After driving the van for 60 miles it will start stalling, looses power and die. This has happened to me 3 times. The first time it happened I had my son with me (he has spastic quad cerebral palsy) we broke down next to a Dodge dealership. Getting my son home was a nightmare. The Dodge dealership worked on the van. Yet,the problem is still there. After 60 miles it stalls and dies. On Saturday I was broken down with my child on the interstate.it was 92 degrees out side, how horrific. I can see if the van had 100,000 miles to have issues. I was fortunate to get the van pulled to the side of the road, if not we would have been hit and killed.this is a issue that needs recalled. This is a safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving the vehicle on several occasions, the serpentine belt detached from the drive pulley. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was able to place the serpentine belt back on the drive pulley. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred several times only while it was raining. The contact also stated that the clock spring in the steering wheel failed, which caused the horn to fail and the front driver's air bag to become inoperable. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V480000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,425.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving approximately 50 MPH with a full tank of fuel, the fuel gauge displayed as empty. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and depressed the reset button since the vehicle had just been fueled. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally, but the failure recurred approximately eight other times in a four month period. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the radiator needed replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
I was driving my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan to run to the store. While driving people were jumping up and down waving. After seeing the third or fourth person I realized something must be wrong. I rolled down window and they were screaming your van is on fire. The fire department was called and fire investigator present stated I was extremely lucky one more push on the gas could of blown my van up. He stated engine malfunction was the cause of the fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 5 MPH in the rain, the belt on the engine of the vehicle disengaged. The contact stated that the failure recurred every time it rained or when the vehicle was driven through water. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and the revolutions per minute decreased. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Year 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan rejected in emissions testing with on-board computer. Van computer cannot communicate with emissions testing computer. Emissions center noted Chrysler service bulletin 18-10-00 and suggested dealer service for "re-flashing" at owner expense. I had attempted to be proactive before testing upon hearing of other complaints on same issue by contacting Chrysler and alexander Dodge (dealer). Chrysler initially denied knowledge of any emissions problems. After the dealer confirmed a problem and stated there is only a 50/50 chance the van will pass emissions and after I obtained the service bulletin #, only then did Chrysler say there was an issue but they refused to tell me about it unless I provided them with a visa or mastercard number. I am amazed that Chrysler is not standing by their product or customers. …
I have a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3.0 l engine. I have been experiencing the belt slipping off the tensioner during wet weather. The first time we hit a small (1 - 2" deep) puddle of water when turning a corner. We immediately lost power steering. I contacted my local, independent mechanic, who told me this is an on-going problem with 1996 - 2000 caravans. He even went so far as to print out a service bulletin detailing the problem. The second time it happened was less than two weeks later, hit a small puddle of water on a rainy day, lost power steering again. Luckily, I was going slowly both times, but worry about a serious situation of going at highway speeds. I have contacted the dealership, who acknowledge that they have heard of such a problem, but there is no service announcement from Dodge/Chrysler, and no "fix" - only to replace belts and tensioners. …
Engine complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 88 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan, 20% of the model year's 442 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline › belts and associated pulleys (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 5 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 Grand Caravan engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 1 injury 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.