2005 Dodge Grand Caravan

Above average

Owners filed 995 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the latches/locks/linkages. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
65,000 milesMedian miles at failure

852 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Latches/Locks/Linkages251
000
Electrical System173
250
Exterior Lighting96
010
Air Bags51
1009
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch30
000
Fuel/Propulsion System29
000
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module29
000
Steering24
000
Structure › Body › Door20
000
Engine17
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility10V271000
Filed Jun 15, 201013 vehiclesAll In One Mobility, Inc.

Defect. ALL IN ONE MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2008 CONVERSION VANS EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A DEFECTIVE WELD AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE PIVOTING PLATE AND THE PIVOTING PLATE PIN.

Risk. THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY BE INJURED IF THE SEAT BASE PIN WERE TO BREAK.

Remedy. ALL IN ONE MOBILITY WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALL IN ONE MOBILITY AT 1-503-255-5005.

Seats10V261000
Filed Jun 14, 20102 vehiclesArizona Mobility Products

Defect. ARIZONA MOBILITY PRODUCTS (AMP) IS RECALLING ONE 2005 AND ONE 2007 CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A DEFECTIVE WELD AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE PIVOTING PLATE AND THE PIVOTING PLATE PIN.

Risk. THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY BE INJURED IF THE SEAT BASE PIN WERE TO BREAK.

Remedy. AMP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AMP AT 1-602-385-5988.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive10V008000
Filed Jan 11, 2010308,950 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear07E104000
Filed Dec 11, 20071,657 vehiclesSafelite Fulfillment, Inc.

Defect. 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 SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor06V067000
Filed Mar 8, 2006268,800 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN VANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ARMATURE SHAFT MAY BREAK.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor04V047000
Filed Feb 3, 20043,200 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 30, 2024OH

See attached document for complaint

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Oct 25, 2023MO

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to turn on the headlight and became aware that the headlights were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 11, 2023CA

For some reason my caravan has started leaking gas from on top of the gas tank. not sure why, but I heard the was a recall but it was over 15 years ago so you people don't list anything older. i've only had the car a couple months, and also having a catalytic converter problem as well..

Tires
Filed Aug 28, 2023157,000 milesMO

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the front driver’s side tire detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the independent mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact was provided a cost for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 21, 2022OR

Several times in past year after filling the gas tank, shortly after driving away from gas station the engine misfires and stalls. This has been a safety hazard when merging into traffic. This problem is widely noted in forums on the internet for Chrysler minivans, for many other model years including the 2005. The best explanation being given (link follows) is that the vapor/liquid separator valve on top of the fuel tank has failed, a part that is not replaceable--the entire fuel tank must be replaced. Some report it happened when their minivan was brand new. https://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/engine-stalls-after-filling-tank-chrysler-minivan/

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed May 11, 2021155,000 milesMT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS THE ONLY DOOR THAT COULD BE OPENED MANUALLY WITH THE KEY. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT UPON DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY, THE SYSTEM WOULD RESET AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED THE PROCEDURE TWICE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RESUMED SOON AFTER THE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2021198,009 milesNC

ON THE EVENING OF 03/04/2021 @ 9:00PM. WHILR DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE DOING APPROX 35 MPH, MY VAN SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND ABILITY TO USE POWER STEERING AND USE OF BRAKES. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME AND THEY WERE ABLE TO HELP ME GET THE VAN OUT OF THE TRAVEL LANE AND SAFELY INTO A PARKING LOT. VAN DID NOT WANT TO START AFTER CUTTING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CUTTING IT BACK ON. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VAN IT WOULDNT ACCELERATE PASSED 15MPH WITH THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR THEN IT CONSTANTLY STALLED OUT 8-10 TIMES THE LAST MILE FROM HOME.

Power Train
Filed Dec 31, 2020135,000 milesMN

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 35 MPH MY VAN JUST DIED OUT IN TRAFFIC N WOULD NOT RESTART. THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON INTERSTATE

Air Bags
Filed Jun 22, 2020166,000 milesWA

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS REMAINED ON FOR WEEKS. THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT. THERE IS A CODE ABOUT THE AIRBAG SQUIB. NOT SURE WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON, WHETHER IT WAS DURING TRANSIT OR AT STARTUP. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 2020120,000 milesWI

ON 01\02\2020, THE ABS, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. NOW INTO WINTER, THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAS TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS. DIAGNOSTICS REVEAL THAT THE ABS MODULE HAS PROPER POWERS AND GROUNDS EVEN UNDER LOAD. SO FAR, THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE ABS MODULE HAS A PROBLEM WITH COMMUNICATION, DIAGNOSED AT THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. SO FAR THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED, AND CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED WITH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL OUT OF OPERATION.

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Jul 30, 2019FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ALTERNATOR COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL FUNCTION AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 7, 2019150,000 milesIA

IT DOES NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. THE TRANSMISSION CABLE IS BROKEN. YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR HAD IN AND MANUALLY PARK THE VAN. BEFORE THE CABLE BROKE IT HAD TROUBLES SHIFTING AND NOW WENT WORK AT ALL.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 22, 2019119,688 milesMA

REPEATEDLY THE VEHICLE WILL LOOSE POWER AND STALLS OUT AFTER FILLING THE TANK WITH FUEL. IT WILL OCCUR WITHIN LESS AND 1/8TH OF MILE AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE GAS STATION. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS REPEATEDLY IN INOPPORTUNE SITUATIONS, LIKE TRAVELING UP A STEEP HILL AND AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND HAD NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH IT . IT HAS JUST UNDER 120K MILES ON IT.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 19, 2019192,000 milesPA

AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED.... THERE IS A RECALL AFFECTING 2005 - 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN / TOWN AND COUNTRY AIRBAGS ITS SAYING MY VIN HAS 0 RECALLS THIS IS FALSE DATA. MY LIGHT FLICKERS ON AND OFF AND ACCORDING TO THE BOOK IF LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED MY AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND THE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT DURING A RAIN.

Engine
Filed Feb 27, 201980,000 milesNY

CAR WILL STALL A FEW MINUTES AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK. IT WILL STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND WILL NOT RESTART FOR 20 MINUTES CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 12, 2018CA

FACTORY FUEL PUMP IS CRACKED, WRIGHT ON THE CONNECTION TO THE FUEL LINE ,ITS A HAIR LINE CRACK,

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 7, 201815 milesCA

I JUST ACQUIRED THIS VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND GAS 6 RECALLS BASED IN THE NHTSA. DOORS READ MODEL 2004. I CALLED CHRYSLER DODGE DEALER IN HEMET, CALIFORNIA AND THE SERVICE RECEPTIONIST STATED THERE IS NOTHING TO DO THAT ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS VAN. PLEASE HELP. THE LIGHT ENGINE IS ON. THE POWER TRAIN KICKS SOMETIMES (DRAGS) SUDDENLY. AND I SEE THE 6 RECALLS APPLICABLE TO THIS MODEL

Steering
Filed Sep 25, 2018200,000 milesWI

VAN LOSE POWER STEERING DURING HEAVY RAIN ONLY. I PURCHASE THIS VAN IN JUNE/JULY 2018 RECENTLY HAD POWER STEERING CHECK AND NO ISSUES FOUND. YET THIS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. TODAY I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN TO PICKUP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE WHEEL TIGHTEN UP AND I WAS UNABLE TURN. I HAD TO TURN ON MY HAZARDS LIGHT AND TURN CAR OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AFTER LETTING VEHICLE SIT ABOUT 15 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. I REPEAT IT ONLY HAPPENS IN THE RAIN WHY I BELIEVE THERE IS A MANUFACTOR DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 5, 2018133,000 milesWA

WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER DRIVER TOLD US THE VAN'S TAIL LIGHT WAS SMOKING. WE PULLED AROUND A CORNER AND INTO A PARKING LOT AND FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS ON FIRE WITH FLAMES LAPPING UP THE SIDE OF THE VAN. THE VAN WAS TURNED OFF AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. WE REMOVED THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND FOUND THAT THE INSIDE OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE WIRING HARNESS WERE DESTROYED. THERE IS ALSO BODY DAMAGE. WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB IN THE PASSENGER SIDE BURNING OUT FREQUENTLY, AND HAD SEEN EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING AND SOME MELTING IN THE BRAKE LIGHT CONNECTOR SOCKET IN ABOUT 2010. ALTHOUGH THE LIGHTS BURN OUT FREQUENTLY, THE MELTING HAD NOT GOTTEN WORSE SINCE THEN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT HAS NEVER EXHIBITED A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. AT THIS TIME IT IS UNKNOWN IF THERE IS ANY DAMAGE OR FAULT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEYOND THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. A ROUGH ESTIMATE OF OBVIOUS DAMAGES IS APPROXIMATELY $1,000 TO $1,500 WITH REPAINTING.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 19, 201850,000 milesLA

I HAVE A FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH FROM THE TOP OF FUEL TANK. I BELIEVE IT IS COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. LEAKS WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING ONLY. DOES NOT LEAK WHEN AUTO IS NOT RUNNING.

20 of 995 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202020100Routine
2019240430Above average
2018270401Fatalities reported
2017414330Above average
20161,000670Above average
2015281420Above average
20143575130Above average
2013470430Above average
20125836140Above average
20115304171Fatalities reported
20108686130Above average
2009543760Above average
20081,2928162Fatalities reported
2007182370Routine
2006284430Above average
2005 — this page995670Above average
2004116310Routine
2003219350Above average
20022906142Fatalities reported
2001298510Above average
20004428131Fatalities reported
19994325138Fatalities reported
19985596201Fatalities reported
19975836391Fatalities reported
19961,15711427Fatalities reported
1995108310Routine
1994199650Routine
1993289900Above average
1992255841Fatalities reported
1991129860Routine
199055320Routine

Compare every Grand Caravan year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 15, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.