Dodge Grand Caravan Complaints (2000)
443 consumer complaints on file.
- #10239717August 25, 2008STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT
1. NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION 2. THE FAILURE OF STRUCTURE SECURING AND RETAINING THE FRONT SUSPENSION (STRUT TOWER) DO TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. UPON FAILURE THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION FALLS APART RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC LOSE OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND SUPPORT. VEHICLE WILL SWERVE RESULTING IN COLLISION OR ROLL OVER. 3. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS A RECALL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STRUT TOWER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10238937August 19, 2008LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DODGE CARAVANS DOOR SENSORS- I HAVE A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. DURING THE FIRST WINTER THE "DOOR OPEN" LIGHT WOULD FLASH AND DING AND THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK AND RELOCK, OVER TIME IT HAS BECOME WORSE ESPECIALLY DURING COLDER SEASONS. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS MATTER AND HAVE READ COMPLAINTS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO PEOPLE THAT JUST PURCHASED THEIR CARS BRAND NEW AND MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL AND BEING TAKEN CARE OF, I HAVE READ WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THERE CARS BECAUSE IT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THEY STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR AND LEFT IT RUNNING. I HAVE 2 TODDLERS AND THE THOUGHT OF THAT SCARES ME, FOR EXAMPLE IF I TURN ON THE CAR TO WARM UP AND PUT THE KIDS IN THE CAR AND GO TO PUT GROCERIES IN THE BACK, AND THE CAR LOCKS UP. BESIDES THE THREAT OF GETTING LOCKED OUT, IT IS ABSOLUTELY ANNOYING TO BE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND TO HAVE THE DOOR ALARM CONSTANTLY GOING OFF AND THE DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. I HAVE LOOKED INTO GETTING THIS FIXED AND I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE AROUND $600 TO GET THE SENSORS REPLACED.....THAT IS JUST RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10236350July 30, 2008POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PICKED UP ON A MATTER OF SAFETY WITH MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON, AND RUNNING THE VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO OTHER GEARS WITHOUT THE BREAK PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THIS ISSUES CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE, AND WAS TOLD THAT IN THE 2000 MODEL IT WASN'T REQUIRED TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE. I AS THE CONSUMER DO NOT THINK THIS THE CASE. I CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN TIME AFTER TIME, AND CAN SHOW YOU IT HAPPENING. COULD RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND OR CRASH. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10234497July 16, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
REGARDING THE IGNITION PROBLEM WITH THE PROPER KEY BEING INSERTED AND NOT TURNING..I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS ALSO STRANDED. I LEARNED IF YOU PUT THE KEY IN AND TAP THE END OF THE KEY (AS IF YOU'RE TRYING TO TAP IT FURTHER INTO THE IGNITION) WITH A RUBBER HANDLED SCREWDRIVER A COUPLE TIMES IT WILL THEN TURN AND START RIGHT UP. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10232391June 26, 2008SUSPENSION:FRONT
DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER IS RUSTING THROUGH. APPEARS TO BE DEFORMED AROUND THE RUSTED AREA. AT THIS RATE I THINK THE STRUT TOWER COULD FAIL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10232281June 25, 2008WHEELS
1. HAD A FLAT AND TRIED TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE WHICH IS HELD UP BY A WINCH UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. 2. FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE USING THE SUPPLIED WRENCH; HOWEVER, THE TIRE WOULD ONLY LOWER ABOUT TWO INCHES AND NOT LOWER FAR ENOUGH FOR THE SPARE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE 'T' THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE WHEN THE WHEEL IS SECURED. 3. THE SPARE WOULD NOT COME DOWN SO I HAD TO REMOVE THE FLAT TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE AND GET A RIDE TO GET THE WHEEL FIXED THEN GET A RIDE BACK TO THE VEHICLE TO RE-INSTALL THE TIRE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT LOWERING THE SPARE, I STILL COULD NOT GET IT TO COME DOWN SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AND AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE WHEEL TO COME DOWN EITHER AND HAD TO CUT THE "T" TO REMOVE THE WHEEL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10228818May 24, 2008SUSPENSION:FRONT
SERIOUS RUST THROUGH OF THE STRUT TOWER ON A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN MADE IN USA. SUDDENLY APPEARED AND RAPIDLY PROGRESSING SINCE JAN 2008. BODY VERY WELL CARED FOR - NO ACCIDENTS, NO RUST IN OR OUT TIL NOW. THIS IS NOT COSMETIC AS CHRYSLER ALLEGES - IT IS STRUCTURAL AND A REAL SAFETY CONCERN SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE A REALLY BIG POT HOLE COULD SENT THE STRUT UP THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10225799April 26, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY DODGE 2000 GRAND CARAVAN SERPENTINE BELT CAN COME OFF THE DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN INTO A DEEP PUDDLE OF WATER OR THROUGH A SNOW BANK. AND WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF, I LOST THE CONTROL TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BELT DRIVES THE POWER STEERING PUMP. IT IS THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE OBVIOUSLY. PLEASE CHECK THE WEB SITE: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_30931.HTML TO SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINS. MANY PEOPLE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO YOU. BUT SO FAR NO ACTION FROM YOU HAS BEEN TAKEN. DODGE ALSO KEEP IGNORING THE COMPLAIN. ARE YOU BLIND OR DEAF? *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10223246April 3, 2008SUSPENSION:FRONT
I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH CHRYSLER MINIVANS REGARDING THE DESIGN OF THE STRUT TOWERS. I OWN A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND SPEAKING WITH MULTIPLE REPAIR SHOPS, IT IS UNFATHOMABLE TO ME THAT THESE WERE NOT RECALLED. THE DANGER FROM WHAT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW, SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE COMPANY - ESPECIALLY WHEN MINIVANS ARE OFTEN USED TO CARRY CHILDREN AROUND. UNLESS, OF COURSE, YOU DON'T MIND DRIVING AROUND KNOWING YOUR FRONT SUSPENSION MECHANISM COULD PUSH UP THROUGH THE HOOD. IMAGINE BEING ONE RAILROAD TRACK AWAY FROM SUCH A DISASTER AND NOT EVEN KNOWING IT. I BELIEVE THE YEARS AFFECTED WERE 1996-2002. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10222947March 31, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THROUGH ANY AMOUNT OF WATER, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS OFF. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10222381March 26, 2008POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION UNDER THE HOOD WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE CONTACT'S GRANDDAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD, KNOCKING THE CONTACT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED, SHE MANAGED TO GET UP FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY ONE INJURED. THE PARAMEDICS HAD BEEN CALLED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. SHE WAS THEN TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. CHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE GEAR TO BE MOVED OUT OF POSITION WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE MAY RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,784.UPDATED 05/13/08. *LJ
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10221256March 15, 2008SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT LEVER SNAPPED OFF. SEATS CAN NOT BE LOWERED OR RAISED AS FAR AS RECLINING OR SITTING UPRIGHT. THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE 6 MONTHS AGO AND NOW THE PASSENGER LEVER BROKE THIS WEEK. THE BAR THAT THE LEVER IS CONNECTED TO SNAPPED IN EXACTLY THE SAME LOCATION ON EACH SEAT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10220148March 5, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SERPENTINE BELT KEEPS FALLING OFF WHENEVER THE VEHICLE GOES THROUGH A PUDDLE, RENDERING THE POWER STEERING USELESS, ENGINE OVERHEATS, ALTERNATOR STOPS. 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 3.3L WITH AC, 132,000 MI, SERPENTINE BELT, TENSIONER, AND WATER PUMP REPLACED; THE BELT SLIPPED OFF ONCE PER WEEK FOR THREE WEEKS, EACH TIME DURING A HEAVY RAIN 3/4/2008, 3/27/2008, 2/28/2008. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10220087March 4, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
DRIVE BELT JUMPING OFF WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND OVER HEATING OF ENGINE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10218731February 21, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
REAR COOLANT LINES CORRODE AND DRAIN ALL ENGINE COOLANT ON 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10218495February 19, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2000 GRAND CARAVAN.....INITIALLY, THE INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXTINGUISH. HITTING A BUMP, IT WOULD COME BACK ON. MOST RECENTLY, THE VAN WILL NOT START. NO INSTRUMENTS, NO CLICK, NO NOTHING. IF YOU WHACK THE TOP OF THE DASH WITH YOUR FIST, ALL INSTRUMENTS COME ON, AND THE VAN STARTS. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT YET, BUT INTEND TO PULL THE DASH AND CHECK FOR BAD SOLDER CONNECTIONS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10218157February 15, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN THE RAIN OR THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT TWICE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE FAILURE OCCURS ONLY WHEN IT RAINS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,625 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 03/11/08. *LJ
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10217851February 12, 2008FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10216991February 5, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER, THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED AGAIN. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE MOTOR MOUNT FOR THE SERPENTINE BELT AND INSTALLED A DISC TO HOLD THE BELT IN PLACE. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD CONTINUE TO DETACH WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED IN RAINY CONDITIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF UPDATED 02/19/08 *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10216814February 3, 2008SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT, STRUCTURE
CORROSION OF BOTH FRONT STRUT TOWERS ON LATE 1990'S - EARLY 2000 DODGE CARAVANS. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY ADDRESS IT IN A TSB. THE REFER TO IT AS A COSMETIC PROBLEM WHEN IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IF NOT REPAIRED AT HIGH COST TO MANY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES, CONTROL WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0