Is the 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
441 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 95, 4.3× a quiet Grand Caravan year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 41k–70k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 Grand Caravan owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 51,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 95 (22%) | 41k–70k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 77 (17%) | 68k–126k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 56 (13%) | 71k–128k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Brakes | 43 (10%) | 27k–72k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 30 (7%) | 43k–114k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (2%) | 34k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 34 (8%) | 52k–103k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 33 (7%) | 71k–115k miles · ahead | — |
| Air bags | 29 (7%) | 53k–112k miles · ahead | — |
| Fuel system | 23 (5%) | 82k–150k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 11 (2%) | 53k–106k miles · ahead | — |
| Seat belts | 15 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 51,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 441 complaints: 27 mention a crash · 12 mention a fire · 15 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Oct 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Transmission fluid leaks. First it appeared that it was leaking from the transmission oil pan, 3 weeks later the transmission hoses and clamps, two weeks later, its leaking from the transmission coolant packs.
2000 Dodge grand caravan sport purchased new jan 26, 2000; well maintained with 30,000 mile warranty maintenance performed; transmission failed at 41, 343 miles with no warning; required total overhaul.
2000 Dodge grand caravan se has no shift lock. 2 year old child was able to shift transmission from park to drive without depressing the brake pedal.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 51,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan: 8
The six way power seat base may have a defective (Cold) weld on the pivot pin which is welded to the swivel plate. The weld could fail. The seat occupant may be injured if the seat base pin were to break.
Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as DOT-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles may not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to federal motor vehicle… In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(S) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.
Certain airtex fuel pump modules, p/nos. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, and E7129M, manufactured between june 1 and september 24, 2006. These fuel pump modules were sold as aftermarket for use in certain daimlerchrysler vehicles listed above. Fuel restriction could result in loss of power and/or engine stall, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
On certain minivans, the driver's air bag may become disabled due to a failure of the clockspring, which is located in the hub of the steering wheel. This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
On certain minivans and 4X2 pickup trucks, the vehicle certification label may have gross axle weight ratings (Gawr) that exceed the maximum tire load capacity as defined in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "Tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." Improperly loading your vehicle can cause tire failure and result in a crash.
Certain aftermarket replacement fuel filters, models wix filter part numbers 33576, 33577, 33734; napa filter part numbers 3576, 3577, 3734; and carquest filter part numbers 86576, 86577, 86734 used on 1996-2000 daimlerchrysler town & country, Dodge caravan, and Plymouth voyager vehicles… A possible fire can occur in the presence of an ignition source.
Certain pickup truck, van, and Mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components… This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Vehicle description: Mini vans built with 3.3L and 3.8L engines have fuel rails with nitrole rubber o-ring seals that can degrade over time. Fuel leakage from the underhood fuel injection fuel rail could result, increasing the likelihood of a vehicle fire. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 8
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Driver air bag clockspring failure
Air bag clockspring
Dc minivan fuel injector rail leak
Neighbouring years
2001 Grand Caravan: 298 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Grand Caravan year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Grand Caravan years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan a bad year?
441 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 95, 4.3× a quiet Grand Caravan year. At 51,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 41k–70k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (95), engine (77), suspension (56), brakes (43), steering (30). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 41k–70k miles.
How many recalls does the 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 10V-270), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 07E104000), Fuel system (NHTSA 06E091000), Air bags (NHTSA 04V-480) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.