FaultScore

2000 Dodge Caravan seat belt problems

25 of the 613 complaints about the 2000 Dodge Caravan are about the seat belts — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,000 miles.

C

25

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Seat Belts 13 52.0%
Buckle Assembly 5 20.0%
Anchorage 4 16.0%
Rear/Other 2 8.0%
Retractor 1 4.0%

Seat Belts across every Dodge Caravan year

1989 16 2.5%
1990 24 3.7%
1991 94 14.5%
1992 181 27.9%
1993 121 18.6%
1994 31 4.8%
1995 17 2.6%
1996 45 6.9%
1997 22 3.4%
1998 23 3.5%
1999 23 3.5%
2000 25 3.9%
2001 12 1.8%
2002 15 2.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Washington, DC

SEAT BELTS

THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE CHILD SEAT BELT BECAME JAMMED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET HIS NEPHEW OUT OF THE SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #11242550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

SEAT BELTS

2000 DODGE MINI VAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT BECAME TOO TIGHT AROUND A CHILD PASSENGER. THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS.*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE BOX MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP TO 3,000 RPMS.

NHTSA complaint #10733131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

SEAT BELTS

CPSC: 200 DODGE CARAVAN: CONSUMER STATES SEAT BELT IS JAMMED. *SS UPDATED 05/25/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/27/18*JB

NHTSA complaint #10807007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Whitestone, NY

SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RELEASE.

NHTSA complaint #10408512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chadwick, IL

SEAT BELTS

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN AND HAVE READ THE ARTICLES CLAIMING THE BELTS TO BE UNSAFE. MY FAMILY HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN WE HAVE HAD OUR CHILD'S SEATBELT THAT HOLDS HIS CARSEAT IN PLACE COME UNLATCHED AND AT THAT TIME WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY. NOW THAT WE HAVE READ THE ARTICLES ABOUT IT I UNDERSTAND HOW AND I AM CONCERNED. NOT ONLY IS IT UNSAFE FOR MY CHILD BUT I AM CONTINUOUSLY TURNING AROUND AND CHECKING THE SEATBELT OUT OF CONCERN ALSO AND THIS MEANS I AM TAKING MY EYES OFF THE ROAD. WE HAVE E MAILED CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS AND HAVEN'T GOTTEN A RESPONSE FROM THEM AND I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND THEY JUST SAY THAT WHO EVER IS WRITING THESE ARTICLES ARE BLOWING IT OUT OF PROPORTION. I DON'T THINK BEING CONCERNED ABOUT MY CHILD SAFETY IS GOING OVERBOARD. THANK GOD WE HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN MY CHILD'S SEATBELT WASN'T FASTENED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT BUT I DO WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THESE SEATBELTS.

NHTSA complaint #10058325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brick, NJ

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT CAME UNATTACHED THIS SUMMER AND FELL OVER. I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD DETACH THE SEATBELT BUT APPARENTLY I WAS WRONG.

NHTSA complaint #10054949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ANN Arbor, MI

SEAT BELTS

THE CHRYSLER GEN3 SEAT BELT ISSUE MUST BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. ANYTHING SHORT OF AN IMMEDIATE RECALL IS NEGLEGENT!!!

NHTSA complaint #10053123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Beecher, IL Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER'S HEAD HIT THE STEERING, AND CONSUMER SUSTAINED MILD BRUISES. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10052271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

SEAT BELTS

I OWN A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THEY DO NOT MEET SAFETY STANDARD ('BUCKLE RELEASE MECHANISM SHALL BE DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE THE POSSIBILITY OF ACCIDENTAL RELEASE.') AND ARE DANGEROUSLY PRONE TO UNLATCHING DURING AUTO ACCIDENTS. THE BUCKLE, KNOWN AS THE GENERATION 3 (GEN3), MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN AS MANY AS 16 MILLION CHRYSLER, DODGE AND JEEP VEHICLES.*AK THE BUCKLE HAS BECOME UNLATCHED MANY TIMES FOR MY TWO CHILDRENS CAR SEATS AND I KNOW HAVE TO CHECK THEM EVERYTIME I GET IN THE CAR. TWO WOMEN WERE KILLED AND A CHILD SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A ROLL-OVER ACCIDENT DEC. 28, 2002, NEAR BEEVILLE, TEXAS. THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS TO 17 AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO 27 IN ACCIDENTS IN WHICH GEN3 BUCKLES ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE UNLATCHED. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL TO HAVE THE SEATBELT REPLACED WITH ONE THAT MEET STANDARDS AND WILL DO IT'S JOB TO HELP PROTECT MY FAMILY IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10030921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK.

NHTSA complaint #10027132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Richey, FL

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

I HAVE A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN THAT MY 2-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON FREQUENTLY RIDES IN. HIS PARENTS ARE VERY DILIGENT ABOUT INSTALLING CAR SEATS CORRECTLY AND SECURELY. SINCE MY VAN CONTAINS YOUR DEFECTIVE GEN 3 SEATBELTS, WHAT GOOD IS IT GOING TO DO IF THE CAR SEAT IS INSTALLED PROPERLY? CAN YOU GUARANTEE, IN WRITING, YOUR SEATBELT WILL NOT OPEN AND MY GRANDSON OR OTHER REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WILL NOT BE INJURED OR KILLED? LUCKILY, THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY INCIDENTS. DOES THE PUBLIC HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE "ENOUGH" DEATHS FOR YOU TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA complaint #10016748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lutz, FL

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

UPON READING INFORMATION ABOUT THE PAST FAILURES OF THE GEN 3 SEAT BELT I WENT TO MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT AND SAT IN THE SEAT PUT THE SEAT BELT ON AND DROPPED A LIGHT SHOE ON THE SEAT BUCKLE. I IMMEDIATELY SNAPPED OPEN, AND I WAS STUNNED. THIS IS MY SECOND CARAVAN AND I HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A SAFE VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY SELF ,MY HUSBAND AND MY 4 CHILDREN IN. I NOW FEEL VERY DIFFERENTLY. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10016523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pine Bush, NY

SEAT BELTS

I AM HORRIFIED TO KNOW THAT MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN HAS GEN 3 SEAT BELTS INSTALLED AFTER DODGE KNEW FULL WELL THAT THEY COME UNLATCHED UNINTENTIONAL DURING A CRASH TEST. IT MADE ME THINK BACK ABOUT MY VAN AND REALIZE THAT MY SEAT BELTS HAVE BECOME UNLATCHED. I HAVE ALSO PUT MY CHILDREN'S CAR SEATS IN AND THEY TOO HAVE BECOME UNLATCHED. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WENT AWAY AND BOUGHT MY DOG ALONG, I PLACED MY DOG IN THE SEAT WITH A DOG SEAT BELT AND SHE KEPT BECOMING UNLATCHED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND WANT THE GEN 4 SEAT BELTS INSTALLED IN MY VAN. I AM GOING TO TRY AND SELL IT NOW UNLESS I GET IT CHANGED. WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE PUTTING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN DANGER WHEN THE CONSUMER/VICTIM ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY FROM HARM. HOW DARE THEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT SOMETHING DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10016515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Covington, LA

SEAT BELTS

I OWN A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH GEN 3 SEATBELTS. I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS, AGES 1 AND 4, WHO RIDE IN MY VAN DAILY. ON AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, ONE OF THE SEAT BELTS SECURING MY DAUGHTERS' CAR SEATS IN HAS UNLATCHED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WAS I UNAWARE OF THIS UNTIL I STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO GET THEM OUT. LUCKILY, NO INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED YET; HOWEVER, I CRINGE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD OF OR WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE GOING TO UNLATCH AND MY DAUGHTERS ARE GOING TO BE UNPROTECTED. DODGE PROMOTES ITSELF AS BEING "THE SAFEST MINIVAN" AND A "FAMILY MINIVAN" WHICH IS WHY I CHOSE TO BUY THE DODGE CARAVAN. HOW UNTRUE THIS IS. DODGE HAS A SERIOUS CRISIS WHICH MUST BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY

NHTSA complaint #10003252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frankilin, NJ

SEAT BELTS

CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC SCREW THAT GOES BEHIND THE SEAT BELT IS LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #564273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ 1 killed

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, CAUSING A ROLLOVER, ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS SITTING IN THE RIGHT HALF OF THE MIDDLE SEAT, THIS IS A DOUBLE SEAT WHICH DOES NOT EXTEND ALL THE WAY TO THE DOOR, THE SEATBELT FOR THE MIDDLE SEAT IS ANCHORED TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, NOT THE SEAT ITSELF, IN THIS CASE WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, THE DOOR OPENED AND THE VICTIM WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS KILLED, THIS LETTER IS FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PIMA COUNTY CHILD FATALITY REVIEW TEAM, THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE IS CARTEMPS/ALAMO RENT A CAR, THE DRIVER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT IS UNKNOWN. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #564588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ 1 killed

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, CAUSING A ROLLOVER, ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS SITTING IN THE RIGHT HALF OF THE MIDDLE SEAT, THIS IS A DOUBLE SEAT WHICH DOES NOT EXTEND ALL THE WAY TO THE DOOR, THE SEATBELT FOR THE MIDDLE SEAT IS ANCHORED TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, NOT THE SEAT ITSELF, IN THIS CASE WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, THE DOOR OPENED AND THE VICTIM WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS KILLED, THIS LETTER IS FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PIMA COUNTY CHILD FATALITY REVIEW TEAM, THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE IS CARTEMPS/ALAMO RENT A CAR, THE DRIVER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT IS UNKNOWN. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #564588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterford, WI

SEAT BELTS

MECHANISM ON ALL THE SEAT BELTS IS VERY SENSITIVE, WITH A SLIGHT TAP ON RELEASE BUTTON BELT WILL RELEASE AND UNDO.

NHTSA complaint #8006208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cliffton Park, NY

SEAT BELTS

CHILD SEAT THAT WAS PLACED IN REAR OUTBOARD AND SEAT BELT RELEASED WHILE MAKINNG A SOFT LEFT TURN. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. CHILD SEAT WAS SECURED BEFORE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN.

NHTSA complaint #8006136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Doylestown, OH

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE SEATBELT HOLDING MY CHILD'S CARSEAT CAME UNLATCHED TWICE - PRIOR TO THE "PRIMETIME" SHOW ON ABC.

NHTSA complaint #759336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Excelsior Springs, MO

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

I AM OUTRAGED AT DAIMLER CHRYSLERS GEN-3 SEATBELTS! IT IS RIDICULOUS NOT TO RECALL THESE SEATBELTS THAT CAN BE UNLATCHED SO EASY. AT ANY ONE POINT I HAVE 5 CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE, 2-3 IN CHILD CAR-SEATS AND NOW I DON'T EVEN WANT TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE!! I HAVEN'T HAD ANY INCIDENCES OF THIS, BUT NOW THAT I KNOW IT CAN HAPPEN, I AM SCARED FOR MY CHILDRENS LIVES! PLEASE CONSIDER ALL OF THE EVIDENCE IN THE SITUATION REGARDING THESE USELESS SEAT BELTS AND MAKE AN HONORABLE JUDGEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #759203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charlottesville, VA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #759213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frankilin, NJ

SEAT BELTS

CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC SCREW THAT GOES BEHIND THE SEAT BELT IS LOOSE.

NHTSA complaint #564273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lowell, AR

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

THE LOCKING CLIP ON THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK DO NOT WORK AND HAVE NEVER WORKED, POLICE AND CAR SEAT EXPERT COULD NOT INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE CENTER OF THE MIDDLE SEAT BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT HAS TO STRETCH TOO FAR. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #561467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hugo, MN

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

REAR SEAT BELTS ON DODGE MINIVANS DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED (9/1/1995) LOCKING DEVICES NEEDED FOR PROPER CARSEAT INSTALLATION.

NHTSA complaint #723519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2000 Dodge Caravan problems

← Full 2000 Dodge Caravan report