Problems with 2000 Dodge Caravan EQUIPMENT

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 dodge caravan. the contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated, the horn failed, and the radio failed. the failure recurred multiple times. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag clock spring needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact was made aware of nhtsa campaign number: 04v480000 (air bags); however, the vin was not included. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

The following request was received from the ntsb web site: message: van accident incident - 2000 dodge van 2500 on tuesday, may 22, 2012 around 4pm, i was on my way to maryville to pick up a tv. traveling south on ebenezer road, i engaged the cruise control setting it at 45 mph. approaching north shore in the right lane, i saw 4-6 cars waiting at the light. i tap the brake to disengage the cruise control and immediately felt the van acceleration. i turned into the left lane to miss the cars in the right lane. i reposition my foot by lifting it up thinking that i had press both the accelerator and brake, and press it back on the brake. the van was still accelerating and i thought to myself why was it still accelerating? by that time, i was in the intersection and had no control. i hit a pole and guard rail on the far side of north shore. i did not hit any other vehicle. all of this took around 10 seconds. the van was totaled! are there others reported with this problem with the cruise control? *tr

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. they both come with a double sided grooved belt, grooved idle pulley and grooved tensioner and states that it fixes the problem of belts coming off the dodge vans in wet weather. if this is part of the selling point of the kit, then there must be a problem with chrysler, dodge, plymouth vans and the consumer shouldn't have to pay for this "fix." this is extremely dangerous and should be paid for and corrected by chrysler. *tr

I have a 2000 dodge caravan. i had been friend borrow it for the weekend . when she returned it, she told me she lost the brakes. she brought it to a shop and they fixed the brake line. they told her the whole brake line needs to be replaced. my brakes are very low. they are below the gas pedal when pushed to stop. i feel there is a big problem with this year. *tr

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. my car is again in the shop because my engine light and air bag lights have come on, there are no brake lights, and my car was hesitating and loosing power intermittently with a clunking coming from the engine. my mechanic tells me that i will need a new engine. also, the vehicle was involved in an accident a few months ago. i had asked geiko if when they did the body work - would they also look for things mechanically wrong just to make sure everything was o.k. they said they would, the shop (performance in victorville said they would and gave me a business card of the guy they refer things out to but they never did? point of impact is listed at 6. rear. *tr

The motor to the windows of my 2000 dodge caravan is being replaced for the second time. *tr

2000 dodge caravan - belt keeps coming off during rain/snow -- this effects the power steering making the van very hard to steer --- we hate driving it when it's doing to rain/snow -- this is supposed to be a family van ---- make dodge fix it --- so far they don't have a solution to the problem but installing new belts/tensioner --- which every 2-3 weeks is expensive along with tows --- please help! *tr

The serpentine belt kept coming off the 2000 dodge caravan when it rained. this resulted in loss of power steering. this started after having the original belt replaced due to fraying. the tensioner was replaced at the same time as the belt.*ak

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 dodge caravan. the contact stated that the vehicle was emitting warm air while parked in the driveway. the dealer stated that the evaporator cord for the air conditioner failed. the current mileage was 79,000 and failure mileage was 78,000. updated 09/18/07. *jb

One day on my way to work (about 10 miles from my house) i was going approximately 55 mph when the transmission slammed into second gear and would not shift into another gear. i had my van towed to a shop and it was two sensors in the transmission. the very next day i went to get my van i went to work the van seemed to run like new, and then when i got off of work i rolled down my power window on the drivers side and the window would not roll back up! to have the two sensors fixed was around two hundred dollars and to get the window fixed was one hundred and twenty five dollars and that part for the window was the regulator and the motor, for a new part was like three hundred dollars, i got one used. it has been six months since i got these things replaced and now they are both broke again! the sensors and the drivers side window motor and regulator. i do have the parts that are defective now but i do not have the parts from before. *nm

I have a 2000 dodge caravan which i bought in 2000 which at that time i lived in tennessee. in 2006 i moved to florida and had problem as with my horn and the word airbag has been present ever since. asked dealers in florida and they said if no recalls have been issued it would costly for me. currently i have 196,450 miles and just had transmission repaired. i am also starting to have oil pressure problems. i still want to stay with the van but i never received any recalls notice. please advise. thank you! rev. mike vidal *tr

Dt: the contact stated while driving, the vehicle started smoking. she pulled the vehicle over and had it towed to a dealership. the dealership found the air conditioner compressor locked. the air conditioner compressor was replaced. the air conditioner no longer worked in the vehicle. *ak

I was turning left into a parking lot when the passenger side outer tie rod broke. this caused an immediate stop as the wheel turned in. the vehicle steering was last inspected in july 2005 (va state safety inspection) and the vehicle has been well maintained. the tie rod broke at the tapered stud. this did result in a lost of steering. there would have been serious consequences had this happened at higher speed. the inner and outer tie rods were replaced as well as the unbroken drivers side outer tie rod.*jb

Sun visor was defective while in use, the sun visor broke off its assembly, preventing the blocking of sunlight while driving. *ak when repositioning the sun visor to block the sun, the sun visor broke off in consumer's hand. manufacture notified. *tt

A conversion top was put on my dodge grand caravan. the tv has never been properly secured. while driving, the tv flew out of the top, ripping cords, swinging back and forth, while hanging from a cable. the tv just barely missed the head of my child. no one is taking responsibility for this problem. someone could have been killed. this tv weighs about 10 pounds. the tv bounces around while driving. while bringing this car in for other unrelated service problems, i would always ask them to secure the tv. it was secured by velcro!. *ak

Air conditioner compressor failure. *ak

There is a strong bad odor coming from the air conditioner vent. air conditioner unit is getting excessive moisture which causes mildew. this odor is very toxic, and is making the occupants sick. dealership is aware of the problem, but is unable to correct it. *ak vehicle was taken to the dealer four times during the warranty period for repairs and it was still smelling. it was recently tested and mold was found. dodge never found the problem. *ph

After 38,000 miles the air conditioning compressor unit failed. since i was traveling away from home, i took it to a dodge dealership which stated that the clutch in the ac compressor unit was failing and could cause the serpentine belt to throw if the clutch froze. the service manager stated that this was a "common problem" with the air conditioning compressor unit even with the low mileage. the dealership didn't have a unit in stock on a saturday afternoon and stated that i shouldn't use the ac or defrost on cold and i would be ok to drive home 300 miles. i thanked the dealership for their insight but am concerned since the service manger stated that the ac compressor unit failure is "common" even with 38,000 miles. *nlm

While driving 65 mph vehicle experienced extended stopping distance and lost control.*ak. consumer could smell the brakes as they became hot. the brake lights illuminate and there is poor brake response. consumer stated the vehicle was leaking transmission fluid, the air conditioner was making a howling noise, the brake booster was replaced. *jg

While parking vehicle heard a banging noise from engine. then, felt that engine did not work, towed vehicle to a mechanic, who found out that retainer bolt of pulley, tensioner and serpentine belt were broken. *ak

Automatic transmission failure.2000 dodge caravan. with only 54000miles, it felt like it was losing acceleration uphill. immediately pulled over. towed to dealership and they said a hydralic hose broke and that the tranny would have to be rebuilt to the tune of $2700! get real. these trannies are obviously having problems!*ak

This vehicle has a recurring problem within the air conditioning control system, component has been replaced three time in two years. the dealer blamed the problem on a design failure wherein plastic bags can be sucked up into the interior a/c draft system blocking the fan from working. in addition, the sunvisors were defective , reported, and never replaced. dealer has for the most part been very receptive to vehicle problems, however, this vehicle is uninhabitatble without an a/c

The brake master cylinder failed, the brake line leaked, the transmission malfunctioned, the front axle and caliper pads/rotors broke spilling ball joint into the street. *bf there were also screeching sounds, odor(s), vibrations, the steering wheel did not function properly, and the a/c failed.

Consumer stated there is a knocking noise in the steering when turning hard and when turning and not moving, consumer also complained that there is vibration in the steeing, dealer balanced front tires from a previous complaint about the steering.*jb