2000 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
441 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 247 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 59 of 441 complaints (13.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 79 | 17.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 77 | 17.5% |
| Steering behavior | 54 | 12.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 2.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 59 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 36 |
| Suspension | 22 |
| Air Bags | 20 |
| Suspension:Front | 20 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 18 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 17 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 59; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 36; Suspension: 22; Air Bags: 20; Suspension:Front: 20; Engine And Engine Cooling: 18; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 17; Electrical System: 16
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 44 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 54 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 38 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 64 |
| 150,000 and above | 28 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 44; 50,000 to 74,999: 54; 75,000 to 99,999: 38; 100,000 to 149,999: 64; 150,000 and above: 28
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (64). 194 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 16 |
| 2001 | 57 |
| 2002 | 52 |
| 2003 | 61 |
| 2004 | 57 |
| 2005 | 23 |
| 2006 | 29 |
| 2007 | 26 |
| 2008 | 31 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
2000: 16; 2001: 57; 2002: 52; 2003: 61; 2004: 57; 2005: 23; 2006: 29; 2007: 26; 2008: 31; 2009: 11; 2010: 16; 2011: 13; 2012: 13; 2013: 8; 2014: 10; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 79 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 77 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 54 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003398 · 2003-01-25 (January 25, 2003)
BRAKES ON OUR 2000 GRAND CARAVAN GO OUT ON US ABOUT ONCE EVERY 3-6 MONTHS SINCE WE PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IN JULY 2000. MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE, BRAKES HAVE BEEN BLED, ABS PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND WE ARE NOW LEAKING FLUID AND READY TO HAVE IT SERVICED AGAIN. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE THAT I DON'T ALWAYS FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN. WE ONLY HAVE 17,800 MILES ON THE VAN, I WONDER IF WE DROVE IT MORE OFTEN IF WE WOULD BE IN THE SHOP EVEN MORE FREQUENTLY.THREE TIMES I HAVE GONE TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,534 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026672 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000438 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED AT 58,822 MILES ON THE 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN I OWN. THE PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION WAS THAT THE SPLINES OF THE FRONT PLANETARY STRIPPED BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE WITH A SOFTER METAL THAN THE UNDERDRIVE CLUTCH HUB. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD ADDRESS. WHEN I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER, I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS MY FAULT, BECAUSE I HAD NOT CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AT THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVAL, AND I WAS 22,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THERE IS NOT A TRANSMIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,822 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000679 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE - WHEN PLACED INTO DRIVE THE GEARS FAILED TO ENGAGE (ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD). THIS VAN IS 2+YEARS OLD WITH ~62,000 MILES. FIXED AT SMITH BROTHERS IN OLD SAYBROOK, CT AND REQUIRED NEW PART DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH HUB IMPUT WHICH BROKE DOWN SENDING METAL PARTS THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION. (VERY EXPENSIVE FOR A CAR THIS NEW!). I CAUGHT THIS PROBLEM EARLY ENOUGH TO AVOID THE POTENTIAL DISASTER OF A HIGH SPEED FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN IT'S FRONT END ALIGNMENT. SINCE PUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,215 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006953 · 2002-08-01 (August 1, 2002)
WE WERE ON VACATION TO THE MOUNTAINS AND HAD JUST HAPPENED TO STOP AT A VISITORS CENTER. WE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE CAR WOULD MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARDS BUT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING LEAVING US UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. HAD WE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 MPH OR IN THE MOUNTAINS ON SWITCH BACKS WHEN IT BROKE THIS COULD HAVE PROVED FATAL. THE DODGE DEALER SAID THE TENSIONER HAD BROKEN AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PIECE. *AK *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*753523
Owner-reported narrative. 30,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023807 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
YEAR 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER FAILED RESULTING IN SHREDDED BELT AND TOWING. VAN HAD ONLY APPROXIMATELY 47,500 MILES. REPAIRED AT GOODYEAR FOR APPROX. $200 (INCLUDING NEW BELT) WHO INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SUCH THAT THE DODGE DEALER HAD MORE THAN 15 IN STOCK. FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED NEAR A POLICE STATION WHERE MY WIFE GOT ASSISTANCE (SINCE STEERING, ETC. HAD NO POWER AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN HAZARDOUS. I HAVE ALSO READ OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS WITH THIS SAME…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018336 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 7 TIMES TO FIX ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON DASH FUNCTIONS CRASH, LOCKS DON'T WORK, WIPERS DON'T WORK, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUSES, RE-WIRED, REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE. DEALER IS UNABLE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. NOW DEALER ADVISES THAT IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, IT WILL REQUIRE 3 ELECTRICAL HARNESSES, COSTING $3000! *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037181 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
ELECTRIAL SHORT THAT RENDER ALL DASHBOARD GAUGES TO CEASE FUNCTIONING.N ADDITION, ELECTRICAL SHORT DID NOT ALLOW TRANSMISSION TO PROPERLY SHIFT GEARS.LECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO CIRCUIT BOARD (SO THE DEALER CLAIMS)
Owner-reported narrative. 498,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178630 · 2007-01-13 (January 13, 2007)
SERPENTINE BELT IS THROWN WHEN VAN IS DRIVEN IN WET CONDITIONS. CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND COOLING SYSTEMS. VAN IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND MUST BE TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. THROWN 3 TIMES IN LAST SIX MONTHS WITH 2 OCCURRENCES BEING IN PAST 3 WEEKS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 72,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184635 · 2007-03-09 (March 9, 2007)
2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT WITH THE 3.3L ENGINE HAS LOST ITS SERPENTINE BELT IN RAIN. THIS RESULTS IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LEADS TO SERIOUS OVERHEATING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY MANY OWNERS FOR MANY YEARS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184635 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10217851 · 2008-02-12 (February 12, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING ON THE FUEL RAIL. THE GASOLINE SMELL ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A LEAK UNDER THE HOOD. DAIMLER CHRYSLER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 36,000. UPDATED 06/09/2008. *LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10331629 · 2010-05-21 (May 21, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL THAT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE BUT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E091000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10331629 at NHTSA ↗