16 of the 613 complaints about the 2000 Dodge Caravan are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 95,500 miles.
16
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Belt under hood keeps falling off and or breaking car seizes up and locks up almost crashed a few times Also engine problems smokes a lot wipers don’t work windows won’t go down also transmission jerks when driving
NHTSA complaint #11522618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TODAY I WAS ON AN URBAN FREEWAY IN HEAVY DOWNPOUR. THE DOWNPOUR WAS SO HEAVY RAIN COULD BE SEEN RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. TRAFFIC WAS WIDE SPREAD, BUT MOVING AT 45-50 MPH, DUE TO THE RAIN. MY WIPERS, AT THE HIGHEST SETTING, SLOW DOWN. CAR DINGS. BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. I TURN OFF THE DEFROSTER (AC AND VENTILATION), REDUCE WIPER SPEED SETTING, SWITCH FROM HEADLIGHTS TO RUNNING LIGHTS, ALL TO REDUCE ELECTRICAL LOAD. I THEN NOTICE THAT THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. IT WAS REALLY SCARY. TRUE FEAR. THE FEAR WHICH WE DO NOT OFTEN ENCOUNTER. I SAFELY GOT THE VEHICLE OFF THE FREEWAY. NO FURTHER FAILURE OF SYSTEMS. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SHOP I KNEW OF, WITH CAUTION LIGHTS ON. I THERE LEARNED THAT THE ACCESSORY BELT HAD COME OFF OF THE ENGINE, DUE TO THE RAIN. THE BELT WAS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION, SO THEY SLID THE SAME BELT BACK ON. I WILL HAVE MY PREFERRED MECHANIC INSTALL AN "ANTI SLIP" TENSIONER, BELT, AND PULLEY THIS WEEKEND. THIS ISSUE, THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPING OFF THE ENGINE IN RAIN AND SNOW, IS KNOWN TO CHRYSLER, AND KNOWN TO THE NHTSA. BUT IT WAS NOT KNOWN TO ME UNTIL IT THREATENED MY SAFETY, AND THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORISTS AROUND ME. IF I HAD BEGUN GOING AROUND A CURVE WHILE SWITCHING OFF ACCESSORIES, DRIVING ONE HANDED WITH A FAILED POWER STEERING SYSTEM BEFORE I KNEW IT HAD FAILED, I COULD HAVE WRECKED. WHY ONE HANDED? BECAUSE I WAS TURNING OFF ACCESSORIES BECAUSE I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS WRONG, BECAUSE THE WARNING THE CAR PROVIDED SUGGESTED THAT WAS WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING TO KEEP MY CAR FROM STALLING. I DON'T KNOW WHY NHTSA DECIDED THIS DID NOT MERIT A RECALL. THEY WERE WRONG. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT MONEY (TO IMPLEMENT THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA WON'T SHARE) CAN FIX WHAT WENT WRONG TODAY. DON'T OPERATE A GEN III CHRYSLER MINIVAN WITHOUT A BELT UPGRADE. WE CANNOT CONTROL WHEN IT RAINS.
NHTSA complaint #10534164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
EVERY TIME I TURN ON MY HEATER AND DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD A ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. IF I LEAVE THE HEATER OFF FOR A FEW DAYS IT EVENTUALLY GOES OFF. MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL ACT UP AS THE DOOR LOCK WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE GASKETS UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE LEAKS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I KNOW THAT IT DOES HAVE MILES, BUT IT'S A WELL TAKEN CARE CAR AND I THINK YOU SHOULD FEEL SAFE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE LOOKED UP THESE PROBLEMS AND THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I WOULD NEVER BUY A DODGE.
NHTSA complaint #10520576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS LOOSE AND HUNG OVER THE STEERING WHEEL, BLOCKING THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY AND CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN STEERING ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURVE BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED AND DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10467803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AFTER TURNING A STREET, THE REAR WINDOW JUST SHATTERED WITH NO DISCERNIBLE REASON. NO SHOTS, NO ROCKS, NO STREE...NOTHING!
NHTSA complaint #10329269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
BOTH POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO OPERATE. DEALERS STATE THIS TYPE OF CAR QUESTION IS COMMON.
NHTSA complaint #10317032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE MOTOR TO THE WINDOWS OF MY 2000 DODGE CARAVAN IS BEING REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10228065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
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
NHTSA complaint #10205237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10149250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10071665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
SUBJ: COPY OF LETTER SENT ~ REAR END LOW-IMPACT COLLISION/SEATS BREAKING SUBJ: RE: DAIMLER CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE ([XXX]) DATE: 6/25/03 9:09:50 PM PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME FROM: USFROMCALIFORNIA TO: CUSTOMERASSIST@DAIMLERCHRYSLER.COM DEAR DAIMLER/CHRYSLER, IT SEEMS UNBELIEVABLE THAT A COMPANY THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE AS REPUTABLE AS YOURS, AND CAN SPEND BILLIONS, AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON ADVERTISEMENTS TO SELL YOUR CARS, BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP SOMEONE WHEN YOU KNOW THAT YOUR SEATS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE 1960'S (JUST CHECK THE NTS&H WEBSITE, AND YOU WILL SEE ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE NOW ALREADY WELL-KNOWN, THAT YOU HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS, WITH YOUR FRONT SEATS BREAKING IN LOW-IMPACT REAR END COLLISIONS! I AM NOW PERMANTELTY DISABLED DUE TO YOUR SEATS CAUSING A SEVERE CONCUSSION & TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY FROM THIS PROBLEM! AND THE REAL THING THAT WE JUST CANNOT UNDERSTAND IS THAT YOUR SO CALLED TRUSTED AND SAFE AUTOMOBILES HAVE CAUSED ME AND MY FAMILY TO GO THROUGH A LIVING [XXX] FOR THE PAST 11 MONTHS, AND YOUR REPUTABLE COMPANY IS REFUSING TO TAKE YOUR ADULT RESPONSIBLITIES AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PROBLEMS AND COMPENSATE US AND OUR FAMILIES FOR OUR TRAGEDIES!!!! MOST OF ALL, YOUR LACK OF FIXING THIS FRONT SEAT PROBLEM, SO THAT OTHERS WILL BE SAVED FROM BEING HURT! WE WERE HIT IN THE REAR END OF OUR 2000 DODGE MINIVAN, AT A LOW SPEED, AND BOTH OF OUR FRONT SEATS COMPLETELY BROKE BACKWARDS, AND NOW I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME FROM THE CONCUSSION AND BRAIN DAMAGE I INCURRED FROM THE SEATS BREAKING! UNFORTUNATELY, WE CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY TO HELP US GET SOME TYPE OF COMPENSATION FROM YOUR COMPANY, SO WE ARE AT THE MERCY OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY TRYING TO HELP US GET THROUGH ALL THIS. THANK YOU! SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10069624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATED THAT FAN FOR HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER COMES OUT EXTREMLY FAST WHEN FIRST TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #564273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATED THAT FAN FOR HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER COMES OUT EXTREMLY FAST WHEN FIRST TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #564273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
VEHICLE CONTINUED TO WOBBLE UPON ACCELERATION. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON 4 OCCASIONS, AND UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT IN THE MORNING, THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE THAT CAN BE HEARD WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #897633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS HAVE EXPLODED/SHATTERS ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55/70 MPH. NO REASON WAS DICOVERED ON WHY THIS OCCUR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT MADE AT NO COST TO CONSUMER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.