2005 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
995 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 853 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages is the most frequently named component, appearing in 301 of 995 complaints (30.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 154 | 15.5% |
| Steering behavior | 83 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 68 | 6.8% |
| Engine operation | 54 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 39 | 3.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 301 |
| Electrical System | 243 |
| Exterior Lighting | 129 |
| Air Bags | 55 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 41 |
| Steering | 39 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 36 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 35 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages: 301; Electrical System: 243; Exterior Lighting: 129; Air Bags: 55; Fuel/Propulsion System: 41; Steering: 39; Structure:Body:Door: 36; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 35
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 78 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 199 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 233 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 153 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 153 |
| 150,000 and above | 37 |
Under 25,000: 78; 25,000 to 49,999: 199; 50,000 to 74,999: 233; 75,000 to 99,999: 153; 100,000 to 149,999: 153; 150,000 and above: 37
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (233). 142 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 29 |
| 2006 | 57 |
| 2007 | 76 |
| 2008 | 141 |
| 2009 | 109 |
| 2010 | 173 |
| 2011 | 122 |
| 2012 | 69 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2015 | 39 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2004: 6; 2005: 29; 2006: 57; 2007: 76; 2008: 141; 2009: 109; 2010: 173; 2011: 122; 2012: 69; 2013: 62; 2014: 61; 2015: 39; 2016: 17; 2017: 10; 2018: 9; 2019: 5; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 154 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 83 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 68 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10107608 · 2005-01-20 (January 20, 2005)
ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURE CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. FRONT BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER BLOCK FAILED IN A 2005 GRAND CARAVAN DRIVEN ONLY 2350 MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS PRONE TO FOGGING IN DAMP CONDITIONS (RAIN/SNOW/FOG, ETC). WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING BLOWER, THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS FOG UP ALWAYS. THE DISTANCE FROM DRIVER TO WINDSHIELD IS TOO LONG TO BE ABLE TO SAFELY CLEAR THE FOG CONDITIONS WITH A CLOTH WHILE DRIVING. THE REDUCED VISIBILITY CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN DAMP/WET CONDITIONS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 2,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10113339 · 2005-03-03 (March 3, 2005)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL ODOR CONSTANTLY APPEARING TO BE BURNING, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS.*AK PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (OCT 24, 2005): THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH AIR BAG FRONTAL IMPACT SENSORS (PART # 4686957AC) ONE AT A TIME. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STILL COMES ON DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138185 · 2005-09-29 (September 29, 2005)
(1)DURING A ROUTINE HOME MAINTENANCE, I NOTICED THERE IS A BUILD UP OF SOOT ON TOP OF THE INTAKE ASSEMBLY. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS CRACKED AND THE FLUID IS NEAR THE LOW LEVEL. (2) POWER STEERING FLUID AT LOW LEVEL (3) PART REPLACED AT DEALER, NO I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PART. I PAID OUT OF POCKET AS CHRYSLER WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER PARTS DEEMED DAMAGED BY OUTSIDE FORCE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 14,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150531 · 2006-02-17 (February 17, 2006)
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. CAR SPUTTERED AND DIED. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE LOSING ALL HYDRAULICS, THANKFULLY. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER THAT MY FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND THAT THE VAN RAN OUT OF GAS. MY GAS GAUGE WAS GIVING A FALSE READING. THEY ARE REPLACING FUEL PUMP. WE'LL SEE IF THIS PROBLEM SURFACES AGAIN. I HOPE NOT. THIS WAS DISTRESSING TO ME BECAUSE, IF I WASN'T ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY, I WOULD HAVE LOST ALL POWER CONTROL OVER BRAKING AND STEERING. THE DEALER …
Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094943 · 2004-10-04 (October 4, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 20 MP APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND ABS LOCKED THE WHEELS, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10094943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095172 · 2004-10-06 (October 6, 2004)
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN DRIVE AND ONE OCCASION IN REVERSE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150225 · 2006-02-14 (February 14, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WERE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN FIRST GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP WHICH REPLACED THE VEIL BODY. TWO YEARS LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WHILE IDLING. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED ALTHOUGH THE RPMS INCREASED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN SECOND GEAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. LATER, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS THE DE…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,784 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152707 · 2006-03-14 (March 14, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED NO APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR INSPECTION.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146178 · 2005-12-27 (December 27, 2005)
AUTOMATIC LIGHT SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE, LIGHTS COME ON AT NIGHT AND RUN BATTERY DOWN. THIS IS A 2005 CARAVAN AND ONLY 41000 MILES ON IT. THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT TODAY. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND IT JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, ALMOST GOT US RUN OVER. AT OVER $25000 YOU EXPECT A CAR TO LAST LONGER THAN 10 MONTHS. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER ONE! THE DEALER SAID AFTER 36000 MILES ITS NOT COVERED. THAT'S BULL!. NOW ITS GONNA COST US $500 OR MORE TO FIX JUST THE FUEL PUMP, NOT THE DEFECTIVE LIGHTS. THIS VAN IS A LEMON!!!!!!!!! *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10146178 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177002 · 2006-12-26 (December 26, 2006)
1) LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID; NOISY STEERING 2) NO FAILURE, PROMPTLY TOOK TO MECHANIC 3) REPLACED STEERING RACK, FRONT- END ALIGNED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 48,352 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177002 at NHTSA ↗