KnownCarProblems2005 Dodge Caravan Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 537 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge Caravan, most often about the doors and locks (38% of complaints, typically around 64,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Caravan model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2005 Dodge Caravan problems
Doors and locks
203 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
The power door locks went out suddenly on my 05 Dodge Caravan. I had a local mechanic look at it, he told me I would have to take it to the dealer for a permanent fix. He had seen other vans with this problem and changing fuses or unhooking the battery for a few mins would be a temp fix. Before taking it to the dealer…
I have a 2005 Dodge Caravan minivan. The door locks are supposed to automatically lock once vehicle reaches 5-10 MPH. The switch to lock/unlock the doors inside the vehicle don't work either. I have a remote lock as well. Neither work now. It just stopped a month ago. I have to manually lock the doors. Fuses are…
Electrical
123 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, software, horn.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Caravan. Intermittently all of the warning lights and gauges on the instrument control panel fail. Usually they flicker on and then back off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the technicians have not developed a remedy for the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
I own a 2005 Dodge Caravan and the power locks quit working, the horn blows and the lights blink when you push the keyless button but the locks don't lock or unlock. This is very dangerous as the kids in the back can open the doors and we think they are locked. I have asked the Dodge garage about a fix and am told it…
Lights
90 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, tail lights, turn signal.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Caravan. The headlight switch has failed. He was advised to hold the light switch while driving in order for the head lights to be operative. The dealer had the vehicle for 2 hours but could not identify a remedy for the failure. The current mileage was 98,000. The failure mileage was…
2005 Dodge Caravan headlight lowbeams will not turn on until several tries, this problem is intermittent. Also the headlights will turn off while driving. Very dangerous situation. See this link for others having the exact same issue. Http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/Dodge-Caravan/t5ihkiqmtbk2hcua7.
Air bags
49 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, knee bolster.
First it was the emergency flashers went on and couldn't get them to stop took it in to folsom lake Dodge to get it fixed it was still on factory warrant and they replaced the clock spring is what they told me. Then after that after the warrant was done the air bag light on the panel in front of the stirring wheel…
I have a 2005 Dodge Caravan, purchased new. It has 64000 miles and has never been in a collision and has never had the airbags deployed. The airbag light has come on and will not go off. There was a recall in may 2007, but the dealer states that my VIN number is not included. We live in western ny where road salt has…
Fuel system
37 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
Purchased used 2005 Dodge Caravan with 100000 miles and it was leaking fuel around the fuel pump, took it to merlins to have it checked out resulting in replacement of fuel pump modeule due to the fact it was cracked and had to be replaced.
After refueling the van would stall then restart this has happen twice know. After an internet search I see this is a known problem and design flaw. The search puts the blame on the "vapor/liquid separator valve" requiring a complete fuel tank replacement.
Steering
28 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist, gear box, linkages.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Caravan. While driving approximately 5 MPH on normal road conditions, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the failure was related to the power steering system. In…
Noticed clunking sound in front of 2005 Dodge grand Caravan with a whining sound. Contacted chrysler reference # 15812736 after finding issue with power steering rack and sway bar. I believe this to be a manufacturer defect that could result in fatality due to steering defect. Dealer repaired defect at my cost. Total…
Brakes
19 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
: the consumer stated when slowing the vehicle down to 15 MPH, the rear brakes were rubbing. The vehicle was taken for inspection to an independent repair shop. The repair personnel discovered the calipers were extremely rusted and needed to be replaced.
At first my Caravan started eating brake pads, changing them approx every 6-8 months...then, it started shimmying when brakes were applied at a high rate of speed or going down a steep grade...I have changed rotors 3 times and also have changed calipers & brake lines....it has been 6 months since and it is starting to…
Engine
17 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 43,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
My 2005 chrysler minivan with 3.3l engine has a mil on due to faulty EGR system. However, it is not covered by warranty. Shouldn't it be? It is an emission part.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Caravan. The contact purchased the vehicle used with the original warranty. She stated that the emissions light is constantly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic, but the emissions sensor is not covered in the warranty. The contact feels that the dealer should…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Dodge Caravan recalls
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: If the front crash sensors become inoperative, the driver is immediately alerted by illumination of the airbag warning light and the vehicle should be promptly serviced. Until the vehicle is repaired, the airbags may not provide the enhanced protection in the event of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will replace the front airbag sensors with a new design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety improvement campaign will begin during june 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 dodge caravan, grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, alaska and the district of columbia. The front crash sensors may crack under certain environmental conditions and allow water to enter into the sensor. This can cause the sensor to become inoperative and illuminate the airbag warning light. These sensors were added to enhance the performance of the airbag system in certain frontal crashes.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: In one of these crashes, with one or both of the vehicle's uf sensors inoperative, the occupants will not benefit from the enhanced air bag protection that these sensors would provide.
Fix: For vehicles registered in the recall states, dealers will replace the original uf air bag sensors with ones with greater corrosion resistance. Vehicles registered in other states will obtain a lifetime free replacement of any uf sensor that fails. The campaign began on july 2, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Certain minivans are being recalled that were originally sold in or currently registered in the 27 states plus the district of columbia that use greater amounts of salt for winter road deicing. The up-front (uf) air bag sensors that contain brass bushings installed in these vehicles may corrode and crack allowing water to enter the sensor. These sensors provide enhanced air bag performance in certain types of frontal crashes.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: During certain operating conditions, loss of front windshield wiping capability could occur, and the driver's vision could be obscured which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper motor free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2006, to dodge durango owners. Minivan owners will be notified during july 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain vans and sport utility vehicles, the front windshield wiper motor armature shaft may break.
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: As a result, the seat belt may not properly restrain the occupant during certain crash conditions, which can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the retractor assemblies and any seat belt assembly that does not have the stake will be replaced. Owner notification began on february 23, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
After performing the ncap test, it was discovered that on certain minivans equipped without the available "stow 'n go" seating option, the right front seat belt retractor assembly may have been improperly assembled.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine stall after refueling
Summary
This defect petition evaluates july 7, 2014 allegations from an owner of a model year (my) 2007 dodge grand caravan minivan that engine stall occurs in these vehicles without warning after refueling.the petitioner's vehicle is a chrysler rs platform minivan.the rs platform includes my 2003 through 2007 dodge grand caravan, dodge caravan, chrysler town and country and chrysler voyager minivans.NHTSA evaluated the petition by analyzing consumer complaints submitted to the agency, analyzing field data, reviewing technical information provided in chrysler's response to an agency information request and testing an rs minivan identified by its owner as experiencing post-refuel engine stalls.after
Loss of headlight illumination
Summary
The subject vehicle (sv) population includes my 2005-2006 vehicles built between march 2004 and december 2005 manufactured with a trw supplied headlight switch assembly (hsa).the hsa was the primary focus of the investigation; earlier and later vehicles utilized different hsas.consumers complain that the headlights in the subject vehicles do not illuminate when the hsa is turned on, or that the headlights extinguish while on (subject failure).no other driving lights are affected.the front marker, tail, and instrument lamps operate.also, the high beams can be illuminated by holding the turn signal stalk in the up position.as reported by consumers, turning the hsa off and on typically corrects
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit
Summary
On november 18, 2010, NHTSA's recall management division (rmd) opened an audit query (aq10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.it was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.rmd queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (ford, chrysler, and general motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.the rental
Loss of headlight illumination
Summary
To date, odi has interviewed several complainants who confirmed that the headlights fully extinguish, and remain extinguished, on an intermittent basis.in most cases this occurred while the vehicle was in motion.the occurrences do not show a repeatable pattern, and the problem occurs at a low frequency, typically one or more weeks between failures.for this reason most complainants have not attempted diagnosis or repair of the problem, so the cause is unknown, and the problem continues to occur.in the cases where repairs have been attempted, which consisted mainly of headlight switch and body control module replacements, mixed success is reported.in interviews complainants advised odi that th
Front air bag crash sensor failure
Summary
Chrysler will replace the frame rail-mounted front air bag crash sensors in approximately 312,442 model year (my) 2005 and 2006 chrysler minivans (recall 10v-008).these vehicles are equipped with front crash sensors with ultradur brand plastic housings and steel bushings and were built between january 19, 2005 and april 5, 2006.this action covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in 27 states (alaska, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia and wiscons
Front air bag crash sensor failure
Summary
Daimlerchrysler (dcc) will replace the frame rail-mounted front air bag crash sensors in approximately 270,958 my 2005 daimlerchrysler minivans (NHTSA recall no. 07v-192).these vehicles are equipped with front crash sensors with brass bushings and were built between april 24, 2003 and february 2, 2005.this action covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in 27 states (alaska, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin) and the district of col
Front air bag crash sensor failure
Summary
The model year (my) 2005 daimlerchrysler (dc) minivans have the new advanced frontal air bag systems with two front crash sensors mounted on the frame rails behind the front bumper and a main crash sensor inside the air bag control module mounted in the passenger compartment.according to dc, the front crash sensors are designed to optimize detection of frontal offset and angular crashes.the advanced air bag system offers different levels of air bag inflation based on input from the crash sensors.this investigation revealed that the front crash sensors can corrode from water entering the sensor assembly.dc is still investigating all potential root causes of sensor failures.a corroded sensor c
Questions about the 2005 Dodge Caravan
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Caravan?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: doors and locks (203 complaints, typically around 64,500 miles); electrical (123 complaints, typically around 70,500 miles); lights (90 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Caravan have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 11, 2010 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Dodge Caravan?
- It is the most complained-about Caravan model year since 2000, with 537 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.