2000 Dodge Caravan complaints

BRAKE LINES FAILED ON 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. CONSUMER THINKS THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL. *NJ WHEN THE CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, HE LIGHTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT SOFT AND THERE WAS VERY LITTLE BRAKING CAPABILITY. FLUID WAS FOUND ON THE GROUND . FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THE OTHER WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CORROSION WAS LIMITED TO THE STEEL TUBING DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE STAINLESS STEEL FLEX LINES. *JB

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENS OXIDIZES, RESULTING IN POOR ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE COULD PURCHASE A NEW HEAD LENS COVER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE STEERING FAILED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF. THE VIN, SPEED, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

I AM HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH MY VEHICLE BEING ON A RECALL LIST. CAN A CAR DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX A PART ON A NATIONWIDE RECALL LIST? I HAVE A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE HORN, TURN SIGNALS, DASH LIGHTS WOULD BECOME INOP BUT THE CAR WOULD START UP. USUALLY I WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY OFF AND JOLT THE TILT WHEEL UP AND DOWN FOR IT TO OVERCOME THIS DEFECT. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY - WOULD BE FINE FOR WEEKS AND THEN ACT UP. NOW, A NEW PROBLEM IS OCCURRING - TURNING THE IGNITION KEY IS NOT STARTING THE VAN. AGAIN, IF I PLAY WITH THE TILT WHEEL AND KEEP ON TURNING THE KEY, IT WILL THEN START. I TOOK IT TO A AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR PLACE AND THEY TOLD ME ITS THE 'CLOCKSPRING'. THEY TOLD ME IT IS ON A NATIONWIDE RECALL SINCE 2004. I NEVER GOT A NOTICE ABOUT THIS RECALL. I'VE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 2002. SO, I TOOK IT TO JEFF WYLER'S CAR DEALERSHIP (SPRINGIFIELD, OHIO) AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING. "THE DEFECT IS INTERMITTENT AND THIS RECALL MUST BE FOR THE COMPONENT TO BE A TOTAL FAILURE BEFORE REPLACING", ACCORDING TO THEM. I AM NOT GOING TO WAIT FOR THE CAR'S CLOCKSPRING TO FAIL AND ALSO, THEY CAN'T FIND OUT WHY IT IS NOT TURNING ON - BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO THE CLOCKSPRING. ARE THEY PERMITTED TO REFUSE TO REPLACE A RECALL PART? I THINK THE TWO PROBLEMS ARE RELATED. I DO NOT WANT THE CLOCKSPRING PROBLEM TO BE PUT OH HOLD UNTIL THERE IS A 'TOTAL FAILURE." MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER. *TR

I BOUGHT NEW TIRES LAST YEAR FOR MY VAN.....NOW THE WHOLE SIDE WALL WENT OUT ON THIS BRAND OF TIRE... P215/65R15.... I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND I CAN'T EVEN FIND WHERE YOU HAVE THIS BRAND ON THE MARKET ANYMORE... WITH GAS PRICES THE WAY THEY ARE NOW HAVING TO TRY AND REPLACE THIS IS NOT RIGHT.... THANK FOR LISTENING!! TAWANA *TR

2000 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT'S IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN WHEN CORRECT KEY WAS INSERTED. WAS STRANDED FOR 2 HOURS IN THE POURING RAIN, IN THE MIDDLE OF A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN BECAUSE I COULD NOT TURN THE CAR ON. *TR

ON MY 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN , THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER SUPPORT RUSTED OUT AND THE STRUT PUSHED THROUGH THE TOP OF THE SUPPORT. THIS IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY CHRYSLER FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

HAVE NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK TOWER ON THE TOP RUSTING TO THE POINT WHERE SAFETY IS A MAJOR CONCERN. BEING THAT IT IS A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE BEFORE HAVING ANY REPAIRS DONE WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS OR IS GOING TO BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

JUST PURCHASED 2000 DODGE CARAVAN SE AND AFTER PURCHASING I NOTICED RUST-ROTTED HOLES IN DRIVERS SIDE SHOCK TOWER TOP. I CAN'T SAFETY IT UNTIL REPAIRED. I READ ON A CAR FORUM CHRYSLER KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM WITH SHOCK TOWER RUST ROT AND SUPPOSEDLY HAVE A TSB FOR IT. BUT I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO CONVINCE CHRYSLER TO FIX THEIR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS FOR FREE. THE FORUM ALSO MENTIONED CHRYSLER SELLS REPAIR KITS FOR THE RUSTED SHOCK TOWER CAPS. BUT EVEN THEIR FIX KIT DOESN'T SEEM STRONG ENOUGH FOR A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM. THEY SELL CAPS WITH SCREWS AND GLUE. BUT THE FORUM SAYS WELDING THE CAPS IS MORE STRUCTURALLY SOUND. TOMORROW, JUNE 9, 08, I WILL CALL CHRYSLER TO SEE IF IT'S A FREE REPAIR, WHICH IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO I CAN CONTACT HERE IN CANADA AND FIND OUT ABOUT ANY OTHER TSB'S FOR THIS VAN. THANKS. *TR

THE MOTOR TO THE WINDOWS OF MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN IS BEING REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. *TR

1. THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT CAP ON OUR 2000 DODGE CARAVAN HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE STRUT ASSEMBLY IS READY TO PUSH THROUGH THE HOOD. 2. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2000 DODGE CARAVAN AND THE RESULT IS A VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AFTER 7 YEARS OF USE. THIS AMOUNT OF RUST IS NOT ORDINARY FOR THE LOCATION AND GAUGE OF THE METAL. 3. WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR FOR $2000. *TR

NOT A "FAILURE" YET BUT MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN HAS SERIOUS RUSTING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER WHICH AT SOME TIME I CAN ENVISION THE STRUT TEARING UP AND THROUGH THE HOOD. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A STRUCTURAL DEFECT NOT A "COSMETIC" DEFECT WHICH CHRYSLER CLAIMS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT 15 MPH OR TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. AN AUTO SHOP REPAIRED THE IDLER ARM DURING A TEST DRIVE, BUT THE NOISE STILL REMAINED. A MECHANIC LIFTED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE STRUTS WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP AND RECEIVED THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CONTACT CALLED CHRYSLER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE STATE SHE LIVES IN USES SALT ON THEIR HIGHWAYS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMATION AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,600. UPDATED 04/16/08 *BF UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR

2000 DODGE CARAVAN WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS A UNEXPECTED AND SUDDEN THROW WHICH CAUSES POWER STEERING LOSS. CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. *KB

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

I HAVE A NEARLY RUSTED-THROUGH STRUT TOWER (DRIVER'S SIDE) IN MY DODGE CARAVAN '00. THIS RUST PROBLEM BECAME INITIALLY VISIBLE IN '04. *TR

THIS IS INQUIRY TO CHRYSLER'S PROBLEM WITH FRONT STRUT TOWERS ON 2000 CARAVAN/VOYAGER/T&C. SPECIFICALLY: SERVICE BULLETIN, NUMBER: 23-044-02, GROUP: BODY; DATE: OCT. 14, 2002; SUBJECT: NS STRUT TOWER CORROSION. IF THIS IS ONLY A "COSMETIC" PROBLEM, WHY IS A NEW STRUT CAP AND NS STRUT INSTALLATION KIT REQUIRED? SOUNDS LIKE A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM REPAIR TO ME. MY DEALERSHIPS SERVICE MANAGER CAUTIONED MY AGAINST GOING THROUGH THE WINTER WITHOUT THE REPAIR! HE SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL, JUST THIS TSB. IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER ACKNOWLEDGED BY 10/14/02, SHOULDN'T IT BE LOOKED INTO FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. MANY DRIVERS WILL JUST ASSUME "IT'S JUST RUST" AND NOT KNOW OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THE STRUT CAP BREAKS. THIS FAILURE, ON A HIGHWAY, COULD RESULT IN DEADLY CRASH! HAS NHTSA LOOKED INTO THIS PROBLEM? IS THERE ANY REMEDY, OTHER THAN THE CONSUMER PAYING THE APPROXIMATE $500 REPAIR? IF NOT, IT APPEARS THAT CORPORATE PROFIT TRUMPS ETHICS (LIVES/INJURIES) AGAIN? PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR POSITION ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SMELL WAS CAUSED BY FUEL LEAKING FROM THE CROSSOVER TUBE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 126,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT, THE HEATER VENT WAS POSITIONED DIRECTLY ON HER ARM. THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURN ON THE BACK OF HER RIGHT ARM THE NEXT DAY AND FELT THAT THE HEATER CAUSED THE BURN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 91,200. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS OF THE BURNS. UPDATED 11/26/07 *TR

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

MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN SE INSTRUMENT GAUGES/INSTRUMENT DISPLAY SOMETIMES GO DEAD AND THEN OPERATING AGAIN, EVERYTHING FROM THE GAUGES TO THE ELECTRONICS DISPLAY JUST STOP OPERATING BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DRIVES NORMAL. ON VERY HOT DAYS THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN THAN USUAL, COULD IT BE A GROUND WIRE PERHAPS OR SOMETHING,THERE ARE NO FUSES BLOWN......PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS MUCH. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHES EACH TIME HE MAKES A RIGHT TURN OR DRIVES THROUGH A PUDDLE AT 5 MPH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PULLEY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,200.

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. WHILE DRIVING 20-60 MPH, THE SERPENTINE BELT DISENGAGED FROM THE MOTOR. THIS CAUSED THE WATER PUMP AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO FAIL AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TWICE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 118,442 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

SERPENTINE BELT HAS COME OFF OF PULLEYS 3 TIMES DURING WET WEATHER, ONCE AFTER TENSIONER WAS REPLACED. THIS CAUSE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER. SEVERAL CALLS TO DODGE PROVED FUTILE, THEY STATE NO SUCH PROBLEM HAS EVER BEEN REPORTED. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE, ALL STATING THEY HAVE REPORTED THE ISSUE TO DODGE. STILL CANNOT FIND A FIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE SPUN, OVERTURNED ON ITS SIDE, AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS FLOWN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND IS IN A COMA. THE CONTACT HAS COPIES OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,938.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE CHECKING THE FLUID IN HIS VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TOWER WHICH HOUSES THE STRUT, WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT A CAP NEEDS TO BE PLACED OVER THE TOWER. THE VEHICLE STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 99,225 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

2000 DODGE CARAVAN 3.0 (40K MILES) REPLACING THE DRIVE BELT &/R IDLE / TENSIONER EVERY (2) YEARS. BELT P/N (GOOD YEAR) 460805 / 6PK2045. TENSIONER MOPAR 04536154AD. THE DEALER JUST SMILES, THIS DOES NOT SEEMS TO BE VERY RELIABLE. ANY OTHER TYPE COMPLAINTS FILES WITH THIS TYPE UNIT????? I REPLACED THE BELT ON SEPT 2003, THE DEALER DID THE TENSIONER & BELT @31K IN 2005. I AGAIN DID THE BELT ON 03/31/07. THE DEALER DID THE TENSIONER @44K , 05/02/2007. THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS VAN, A SCHOOL TEACHER, DRIVE TO & FROM SCHOOLS FOR THE MOST PART I HAVE THROUGH LAST TENSIONER & THE BELTS THAT I DID. SO IF SHE OR I PLANS TO GO ON A TRIP, WE MUST EITHER REPLACE THE TENSIONER & DRIVE BELT OR CARRY ONE WITH US. NOW ON MY 2001 CARAVAN WITH OVER 60K I STILL HAVE THE SOME TENSIONER & DRIVE BELT. DUH??????? I NEED HELP WITH THIS. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2000 DODGE CARAVAN AT 25 MPH AND THEN YIELDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A SWOOSHING NOISE AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE BATTERY LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO STEER AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON. *AK UPDATED 03/19/07.*JB

MY SERPENTINE BELT HAS JUMPED OFF THE PULLEYS 4 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR ON MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, I LOOSE ALL POWER CONTROLS. THIS PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO MANAGE THE LOSS IN POWER STEERING. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN WET WEATHER, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF CAUSING THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REATTACHED THE BELT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED.

I OWN A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT COMING OFF MOSTLY DURING WET OR SNOWY WEATHER. TODAY WAS THE FORTH TIME IN THE LAST YEAR THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE REPAIR SHOP(S) REPORTS NO KNOWN FIX'S FOR THE 3.3/3.8 ENGINE. I ALSO HAD ONE FAILURE DURING DRY WEATHER. RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT....!. IT HAS BEEN FOR YEARS !!!!. BECAUSE THIS BELT CONTROLS THE POWER STEERING IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT FOR A STRONG PERSON TO CONTROL THE VAN. LORD HELP THE FRAIL, THE OLD OR THE YOUNG !!!!. PLEASE CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING SITES FOR THIS PROBLEM (WWW.TOPIX.NET OR WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG. FOR SERPENTINE BELT PROBLEMS). I AM FILLING THIS COMPLAINT (AS OTHER HAVE) TO GET SOME HELP BEFORE A VAN LOAD OF CHILDREN GETS HURT BECAUSE OF A KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER SEEMS TO IGNORE. I HAVE TRIED ALL KNOWN STANDARD REPAIR AND MANUFACTURE RECOMMENDATION BUT NOTHING WORKS IE NEW BELTS, DIFFERENT BELTS, NEW IDLER/TENSION WHEELS, NEW BRACKETS, ALIGNMENTS... NOTHING WORKS. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?...WILL I HEAR ANYTHING BACK FROM NHTSA...WILL THIS BE A WAIST OF TIME? THANK YOU. *NM

LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR CHARGING - SERPENTINE BELT FALLING OFF AFTER HITTING SMALL WATER PUDDLE ON 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I LOST POWER STEERING ON A CURVE AS A RESULT OF HITTING A SMALL WATER PUDDLE. VEHICLE HAS RECEIVED ALL SERVICE MAINTENANCE INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF BELT TENSIONER BUT STILL FELL OFF. I AM FAIRLY STRONG AND WAS ABLE TO COME OUT OF THE TURN. SOMEONE WITH LESS ARM STRENGTH WOULD HAVE GONE STRAIGHT OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED. DODGE DEALER HAS NO FIX FOR THIS THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD SINCE MINIVANS OFTEN CARRY A LOT OF KIDS AND IF THIS HAPPENS ON A WET ROAD THERE COULD BE SERIOUS INJURIES AND FATALITIES FROM LOSS OF CONTROL. *NM

THE STRUT COVERS HAVE RUSTED AND NOW THERE IS A GREAT LIKELIHOOD THAT THE STRUT WILL SHORTLY COME THROUGH THE COVER AND POSSIBLY COME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THIS PROBLEM ISN'T THAT VISIBLE WITHOUT LOOKING FOR IT. *JB

2000 DODGE CARAVAN CONSUMERS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE MOTORIST WAY IN TIME, WHICH RESULTED IN HER VEHICLE BEING HIT. *JB *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING BELT DETACHED SEVEN TIMES. THIS OCCURRED FOUR TO FIVE TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD ON EACH OCCASION. THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

THE STRUT TOWERS ON MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE DRIVER SIDE IS MUCH WORSE THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE MAIN BELT OF THE ENGINE SLIPPED OFF. THE POWER STEERING, WATER PUMP AND ALTERNATOR FAILED TO WORK. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO MOISTURE ON THE BELT. THE BELT WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT.

DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTING OUT VERY BAD. CARAVAN ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE INSTALL OF NEW STRUT. IT IS ONLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND LOOKS TO BE THAT MY 2000 CARAVAN IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. THE BATTERY IS ON THE SAME SIDE AS THE RUSTED TOWER. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT AFFECTED AT ALL. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE IS SEEING A LOT OF THE CARAVANS AND TOWN AND COUNTRIES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TOP HALF OF THE TOWER HAS TO BE CUT OUT AND A NEW ONE WELDED IN. THANK YOU DAIMLER CHRYSLER FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCTS. AND YOU WONDER WHY THE AMERICAN MARKET IS GOING TO THE JAPANESE AUTO MAKERS. *JB

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. BOTH STRUT TOWERS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ARE RUSTING OUT. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS DEFECT & RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS SHOWN NUMEROUS SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AND CHRYSLER IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FAILURE AS OF YET, BUT IF NOT ADDRESSED QUICKLY THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT!!! CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT!*JB

I WAS DRIVING 200 CARAVAN ON A SURFACE STREET IN BUSY TRAFFIC. THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF AND I WAS LEFT WITH NO POWER STEERING. THERE WAS NO WARNING UNTIL I HAD TO TURN. I PUT THE BELT BACK ON AND LATER THAT EVENING IN THE RAIN THE BELT SLIPPED OFF AGAIN. AT THIS TIME IT WAS DARK AND I WAS ON A HIGHWAY. I REPLACED THE BELT WITH AN OLD SPARE I KEEP IN THE VAN AND I MADE IT HOME. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT 40MPH THE CONTACT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONTAL DAMAGE AND WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND BOTH WERE WEARING SEATBELTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

RIGHT FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS NOTICED TO BE SHOWING SIGNIFICANT RUSTING, ASKED DEALER TO INVESTIGATE, THEIR RESPONSE WAS THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. BODY SHOP SAID THEY HAVE SEEN ON OTHER VEHICLES AND IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND A COSTLY REPAIR. SAFETY RAMIFICATIONS ARE SERIOUS IF ONE WERE TO EXPERIENCE A FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMS TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY SIMILAR PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM DID NOT JUST START BUT HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. I WOULD NOT CONSIDER THIS A "WEAR" PROBLEM BUT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AT LOW SPEED, THE FRONT TIE ROD END BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN HAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE PART OF THE UNIBODY (BILATERAL STRUT TOWERS) ARE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUTWARD. THE DRIVER SIDE IS IN SUCH POOR CONDITION THAT IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO A SAFETY ISSUE. THE METAL IS SO CORRODED YOU CAN POKE A PEN THROUGH THE METAL ON THE STRUT TOWER LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, MECHANICS, USED PART DISTRIBUTORS: "THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CARAVANS OF THIS TIME FRAME ('96-2000). THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS EVEN COME OUT WITH A "PATCH KIT" BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE ALTHOUGH EXPERIENCED MECHANICS RECOMMEND REMOVAL OF STRUTS AND WELDING NEW ONES IN PLACE. THIS IS A COSTLY FIX DUE TO BEING LABOR INTENSIVE. REGARDLESS... AFTER SEVERAL CONTACTS WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER CONSUMER LINE, THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REIMBURSE ME FOR FIXING THIS DEFECT OR FOR PATCHING IT. THEY DO NOT FEEL IT IS A RECALL ITEM AND APPARENTLY ARE NOT CONCERNED WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME AS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WILL FIX MY VEHICLE AT MY OWN EXPENSE AND WILL NEVER BUY A PRODUCT FROM THEIR LINE AGAIN SINCE THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO STAND BEHIND THE SAFETY/QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT YET AND I WILL NOT BE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED PROPERLY. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE HOOD WAS RAISED, RUST WAS NOTICED ON THE STRUT TOWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH DETERMINED THE STRUT TOWER SHOULD BE WELDED OR REPLACED. UPDATED 05/03/06. *JB

2000 DODGE CARAVAN SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND WENT OFF THE ROAD AT A SPEED OVER 55 MPH, STRIKING THE FRONT END AND UNDERCARRIAGE AS IT CAREENED DOWN AND THEN UP A DRAINAGE DITCH, TO THE EXTENT THAT PARTS OF THE VAN WERE TORN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGED. THE VAN THEN WENT THROUGH A WOODEN FENCE STRIKING ONE OF THE MAIN POSTS WITHIN THE ANGLE OUTLINED ON THE PAMPHLET DODGE SENT IN RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT, AND FINALLY CRASHED INTO A PINE TREE. THE CARAVAN WAS TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY RESULTING IN MULTIPLE INJURIES: TO THE DRIVERS LEFT ARM, HEAD WHEN IT BOUNCED OFF THE STEERING WHEEL REPEATEDLY KNOCKING HER UNCONSCIOUS, INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK, AND RIGHT RIBS FROM THE SEAT BELT. WE CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND WERE SENT A FORM LETTER DENYING ANY FAULT IN DEPLOYMENT. SUBSEQUENTLY WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A RECALL ISSUED IN OCTOBER 2004 CITING THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING. *JB

2000 DODGE CARAVAN SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND WENT OFF THE ROAD AT A SPEED OVER 55 MPH, STRIKING THE FRONT END AND UNDERCARRIAGE AS IT CAREENED DOWN AND THEN UP A DRAINAGE DITCH, TO THE EXTENT THAT PARTS OF THE VAN WERE TORN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGED. THE VAN THEN WENT THROUGH A WOODEN FENCE STRIKING ONE OF THE MAIN POSTS WITHIN THE ANGLE OUTLINED ON THE PAMPHLET DODGE SENT IN RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT, AND FINALLY CRASHED INTO A PINE TREE. THE CARAVAN WAS TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY RESULTING IN MULTIPLE INJURIES: TO THE DRIVERS LEFT ARM, HEAD WHEN IT BOUNCED OFF THE STEERING WHEEL REPEATEDLY KNOCKING HER UNCONSCIOUS, INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK, AND RIGHT RIBS FROM THE SEAT BELT. WE CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND WERE SENT A FORM LETTER DENYING ANY FAULT IN DEPLOYMENT. SUBSEQUENTLY WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A RECALL ISSUED IN OCTOBER 2004 CITING THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AN INSPECTOR FROM THE MANUFACTURER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE BEFORE REPAIRS ARE MADE.