2005 Dodge Grand Caravan complaints

SPORADIC NOISE COMING FROM CAR ENGINE, AND SOME DIFFICULTY TURNING AT TIMES. AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION, A MECHANIC FOUND THAT IT IS A FAULTY RACK AND PINION. SUBSEQUENT, HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, INCLUDING AT FOLLOWING SITE: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-TOWN-AND-COUNTRY/T4ICMKSNNRM7AJFIE/ THIS HAS POTENTIAL SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH REGARD TO STEERING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THANKS. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS IT HAS ONLY 64, 000 MILE ON IT. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO WE STARTED HEARING A SOUND WHEN STARTING THE VAN AND WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, USUALLY LASTS UNTIL YOU DRIVE FOR A AWHILE THEN IT COMES AND GOES. WE TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE RACKET PINION GEAR AND WOULD COST A LITTLE OVER $900 TO REPAIR. I CALLED AROUND TO A FEW OTHER CAR REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY ALL SAID ARE YOU SURE THAT IS THE PROBLEM, THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A VEHICLE NEEDING THAT REPLACED THAT EARLY. SO I GOT ONLINE AND DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALL OCCURRING WITH MILES RANGING FOR 15,000 TO 75,000. I CAME ACROSS YOUR WEB SITE AND SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED BEFORE. THIS I A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED, IT IS NOT JUST SOME RANDOM MALFUNCTION. I REQUEST THAT YOU REOPEN THIS INVESTIGATION. *TR

AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V192000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) FOR THE 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON MY 2006 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND WAS UNABLE TO GET ACCESS TO THE SPARE TIRE, STORED UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE SYSTEM TO LOWER THE SPARE TIRE ONLY LOWERED IT A FEW INCHES AND THEN THE PIECE THAT YOU TURN WITH THE HANDLE ASSEMBLY ONLY WOULD JERK AROUND IF YOU TURNED THE HANDLES EXTREMELY HARD. I TRIED DOING ABOUT 30 TURNS THOUGH TO NO EFFECT. THE MECHANISM IN THE FLOOR WAS TURNING WITH ALOT OF EFFORT BUT THE TIRE WAS NOT BEING LOWERED. THIS WAS ON A COLD SNOWY DAY AND I WAS ON A SIDE ROAD WITH LITTLE ROOM TO LAY DOWN ON THE PAVEMENT AND REACH UNDER TRYING TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. I SPENT 3 HOURS WAITING FOR AAA AND THEN GAVE UP AND TOOK THE DAMAGED TIRE TO A WALMART LEAVING MY WIFE IN THE CAR ON THE JACK - MY ONLY CHOICE. WHILE I WAS GETTING THE TIRE PATCHED, WHICH WAS LUCKY, AAA ARRIVED AND REFUSED TO WORK ON THE SITUATION AS THEY SAID IT MIGHT END UP WITH EQUIPMENT DRAGGING UNDERNEATH THE CAR. SO IF THERE HAD NOT BEEN A TIRE CENTER NEARBY WE WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY STUCK WITH NO WAY TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN - THERE WAS ICE ALL OVER THE RELEASE MECHANISM AND IT WAS BROKEN. HE SAID HE SEES THIS ALOT ON FAIRLY NEW CARS LIKE MINE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY FOR THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR, WHICH I WILL HAVE TO DO TO SELL THE CAR. I TRAVEL IN REMOTE NORTHERN PARTS OF NEW ENGLAND AND NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS MY SPARE COULD COST ME MY LIFE. I AM NOW STORING THE SPARE DANGEROUSLY IN THE PASSEN

PREMATURE STEERING RACK SEAL WEAR AND LEAKS RESULTING IN FLUID LOSS AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES, 70% OF WHICH WAS FREEWAY USE. DEALER CALLED THE PROBLEM A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, ALSO VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTOR ALSO MENTIONED KNOW PROBLEMS WITH THIS CRITICAL VEHICLE SYSTEM. DEALER QUOTED $1000 TO REPAIR. *TR

POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE - 5TH OCCURRENCE. JUST TOOK VEHICLE TO CAR WASH AND WITHIN 1 HOUR THE LOCKS STOPPED RESPONDING TO REMOTE AND DOOR SWITCHES. CAR HAS EXHIBITED POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE TWICE EACH YEAR SINCE PURCHASED BY CURRENT OWNER. DEALERS HAVE REPROGRAMMED/REPLACED BCM A COUPLE OF TIMES. ON THIS OCCASION, THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HOW THE LOCKS WERE RESET OTHER THAN TO SAY THE LOCKS WERE RESET. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW PROCEDURE TO SAVE ON FURTHER TRIPS TO DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE CAR IS ONLY EQUIPPED WITH KEY LOCKS ON DRIVER'S DOOR AND REAR LIFTGATE. ANY TYPE OF FIRE, FLOOD, OR EMERGENCY REQUIRING QUICK EVAC WOULD RESULT IN TRAGIC LOSS. *TR

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING UNIT. MINIMAL POWER STEERING FLUID LOSS. FIRST DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, THEN MISDIAGNOSED. SECOND DEALER DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING NEW RACK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE NOISE HAS GROWN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,500.

STEERING FLUID LEAK AT RACK AND PINION (STEERING);DEALER SAYS THAT UNIT NEEDS REPLACED. FLUID LOSS COULD RESULT IN LACK OF STEERING CONTROL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT HEARS A THUMPING AND KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED INTO DRIVE. THERE IS ALSO TAPPING IN THE ENGINE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. ON JANUARY 15, 2008, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIFTERS FAILED AND ALL OF THEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE LIFTER AND DECLARED THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,128 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,287. UPDATED 02/11/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE REPAIR WILL COST $550. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000.

IN 2005 WE PURCHASED A NEW DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND HAD IT MODIFIED FOR MY HUSBAND TO DRIVE FROM HIS WHEELCHAIR, SPENDING $50,000 TOTAL FOR THIS VEHICLE/MODIFICATIONS. IN THE SPAN OF TWO YEARS, WE'VE HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES ' DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING PART OF THE TIME, BATTERY DRAIN THAT CAN'T BE LOCATED, BAD DOOR SENSORS, ETC. WE ALSO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION UNIT (UNDER WARRANTY). JUST 18 MONTHS LATER THE RACK AND PINION UNIT WAS BAD AGAIN. SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, WE SPENT $1,129 TO FIX IT. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THIS PART WENT BAD AGAIN SO SOON. DO WE HAVE TO SPEND $1000 EVERY YEAR TO REPLACE THIS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART? THE DODGE DEALER MY HUSBAND WORKED WITH INFORMED HIM THAT THE RACK AND PINION UNIT NOW COMES WITH A COOLER TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE, SO OBVIOUSLY DODGE IS AWARE THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS A SHORT LIFESPAN. IF THIS IS THE CASE, WHY WASN'T A RECALL SENT OUT TO ADD THE COOLER TO THIS UNIT. I'M VERY DISSATISFIED WITH OUR DODGE VAN AND WILL PROBABLY NEVER PURCHASE FROM DODGE/CHRYSLER/JEEP AGAIN! SHOULDN'T A RECENTLY INSTALLED PART LAST LONGER THAN 18 MONTHS? ISN'T THAT REASONABLE? WE'VE GONE THROUGH TWO RACK AND PINION UNITS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS FOR A 2005 VEHICLE ' THAT'S RIDICULOUS! SHAME ON DODGE FOR NOT ASSISTING CUSTOMERS WITH THIS KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART! ON TOP OF YOUR AVERAGE DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CUSTOMER, THERE ARE A LOT OF DISABLED CUSTOMERS OUT THERE WHO HAVE SPENT ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT IT SHOULD COST TO DRIVE AND TO HAVE THAT VEHICLE BREAK

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RACK IN 2005 GRAND CARAVAN TWICE NOW. THE FIRST TIME WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT 32,000 MILES. THE LATEST FAILURE IS NOW AT 75,000 MILES. THE 5 STAR DEALER REPLACED THE RACK BOTH TIMES. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE BY THE DEALER AND ON SCHEDULE. I THINK THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT I AM ON MY 3RD POWER STEERING RACK IN LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. THIS HAS TO BE A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FLAW AND SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL. *TR

POWER STEERING RACK / GEARBOX DEFECT. 2ND. TIME NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. ON MANUFACTURERS BACK ORDER. DEALERSHIP SAID 10,000 ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OVER TEN TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE ISSUE OCCURRED WHENEVER THERE WAS AN INCLINE IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED EXTREME CONCERN FOR THE DEFECT AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 100. UPDATED 05/13/08 *BF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, T WENT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF REVERSE. THE RATTLING NOISE WAS DUE TO THE SWAY BAR BEING BROKEN. UPDATED 05/13/08

MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN I BELIEVE HAS A DEFECT IN THE CLOCK SPRING. I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THERE HAS BEEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE FRONT AIR-BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE. TWO WEEKS AFTER I RECEIVED THIS LETTER THE AIR-BAG LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON THE HORN STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER STEERING WHEEL COMPONENTS (CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO CONTROL). I TOOK MY VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY , THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAD CORRODED AND BROKE AND THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING THIS DEFECT. MY VAN'S MILEAGE JUST TURNED 70,000. I USE MY VAN TO TRANSPORT MY 3 KIDS IN AND FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY. NOT ONLY DO THE STEERING WHEEL COMPONENTS NOT WORK BUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG IS DISABLED AS WELL DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. DUE TO THIS DEFECT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS AND THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE CLOCK SPRING FOR THE MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VAN FOR YEARS 96-98 AND FEEL THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT IS HAPPENING TO MY 05 VAN. PLEASE HELP BEFORE ANYONE GETS HURT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE PNEUMATIC DEVICE USED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS WOULD NOT WORK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO PURCHASE SOFTWARE TO INSTALL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,514. UPDATE 05/13/08 *BF

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ALL INSTRUMENT GAUGES WERE INOPERABLE ACCOMPANIED BY A RAPID "CLICKING" NOISE FROM CENTER DASH CONSOLE UPON START-UP IN HEAVY SNOWSTORM. DASH LIGHTS REMAINED LIT AND FLASHING WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY, DRIVER'S SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK, POWER SLIDING DOORS, POWER LIFTGATE AND RADIO WERE ALL INOPERABLE. SERVICING DODGE DEALER FOUND FAULT CODES FOR LOSS OF COMMUNICATION BUT BUS WIRES AND COMM WIRES CHECKED OUT OK. INOPERABLE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM). DEALERSHIPS "ON STAR ONLINE" SYSTEM CONTAINED A REPORT FOR SIMILAR INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH LIGHTS, WIPERS, ETC. RESULTING FROM BCM FAULTS. BCM WAS REPLACED. ALL PARTS RETAINED BY SERVICING DEALER. *TR

(1) LOSS OF BATTERY POWER. (2) RESULTED IN FAILURE OF POWER DOOR LOCKS TO OPERATE. (3) MANUFACTURE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 08-040-04 CALLS FOR RE-PROGRAMMING OF BODY CONTROL MODULE DUE TO UPDATED SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE KNOW FAILURE. KNOWN SOFTWARE RELATED ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (LOCKING SYSTEM) DOES NOT WORK. THE KEY HAS TO BE MANUALLY INSERTED TO UNLOCK OR LOCK THE DOOR. THE SLIDING DOORS ARE NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY AND OCCASIONALLY BECOME STUCK AND CANNOT BE OPENED AT ALL. WATER IS ENTERING THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND CREATING PUDDLES OF WATER IN THE VEHICLE. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WAS HIS RESPONSIBILITY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,424 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,400. UPDATED 02-06-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $421.56 FOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS AND OBTAINED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE SLIDING VAN DOORS AT THE TUNE OF $773.38. UPDATED 02/06/08 *TR

KNOCKING SOUND FROM UNDER FRONT-END. MECHANIC SAYS ITS TIE-ROD OR SWAY-BAR AND THAT HE HAS SEEN IN ALMOST EVERY OTHER 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. *TR

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING. HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH DOWN LOCKS ON ALL 4 DOORS. REMOTE KEYFOB ALSO DOES NOTHING TO LOCK/UNLOCK. HAVE HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY TERMINALS TO FORCE A RESET EACH TIME, THEN LOCKS START WORKING. *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING HOSE CAME LOOSE THEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE HOWEVER; THEY REATTACHED THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

I HAVE A 2005 CARAVAN AND RECENTLY, WE'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPUTER. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS HAVE QUIT WORKING, EITHER WITH THE REMOTE OR MANUALLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TO REPROGRAM IT AND IT ONLY RESOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.*CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. BOTH SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MOTORS FAILED AND THAT BOTH MOTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,940. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SLIDING DOORS OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. UPDATED

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. NOTHING PREVIOUSLY NOTED PRIOR TO FAILURE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, COULD NOT RESTORE BRAKING BY PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDDLE. RESORTED TO EMERGENCY BRAKE AND DOWN SHIFT. STOP ACHIEVED WITHOUT ACCIDENT. UNKNOWN CORRECTION AT THIS POINT. *CN

THE VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH WHEN IT COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A COW. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER'S LEGS WERE INJURED BY THE COVER OF THE LOWER AIR BAG. *TR

I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE RACK IN THE STEERING COMPONENT OF MY VAN FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST WAS 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, NOW A YEAR AND A HALF LATER AND OUT OF WARRANTY. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND SEVERAL DATABASES OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THINKING IT WAS SAFE FOR MY SON AND AM NOW AFRAID OF DRIVING IT. *TR

THE POWER LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED OPERATING. WE WERE ON A SHOPPING TRIP OUT OF TOWN. STOPPED IN AUTO SERVICE CENTER, NOT DODGE, AND THEY RESET THE CODES. THE LOCKS WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THEN STOPPED AGAIN. HAPPENED TO BE BACK IN THE SAME TOWN AND STOPPED AT THE SAME AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY RESET THE CODES AGAIN. NOW LESS THAN A MONTH, THE LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. IT IS A PAIN, AS WE TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN ALL THE TIME AND SOME ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED LOCAL DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND A LEAK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE POWER STEERING RACK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO GOING TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,432. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED 01/15/08 *TR

POWER DOOR LOCKS ON DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ENGAGE/DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. HAS LOCKED DOORS WHEN CHILDREN WERE IN CAR WITH KEYS IN IGNITION. *TR

SAFETY CONCERN, POWER DOOR LOCKS WILL ONLY ENGAGE MANUALLY. *TR

I BOUGHT NEW 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WITHIN 30,000 MILES DOOR LOCKS WORKED ERRATIC, DOORS WOULD LOCK ON THEIR OWN WITH NO ONE IN VEHICLE...LOCKED KEYS IN SEVERAL TIMES..ALL CHECKED GOOD AT DEALER...EVENTUALLY GOT WHERE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL...BY 37,000 MILES DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND REPAIR WAS ABOUT $900.00. I HAVE BEEN RESETTING BODY CONTROL MODULE BY PULLING FUSE. LOCKS WILL WORK FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE FAILING...HAVE ALSO HAD SIDE DOORS OPEN ON THEIR OWN WHILE GOING DOWN ROAD...THIS WHOLE THING IS FRUSTRATING.....HAVE FRIENDS WITH 2005 MODELS WITH SAME SYMPTOMS WHO HAVE PAID THE BIG BUCKS FOR REPAIRS AND STILL HAVE SAME ISSUES...I SEE ON INTERNET FORUMS THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE 2005 MODELS...MOST SAY IT IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WHICH THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF BUT STILL WANTS TO CHARGE FOR....I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE...I DOORS LOCKING, UNLOCKING, OPENING WHILE GOING DOWN ROAD IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN ON A 7 PASSENGER VEHICLE....CAN YOU PLEASE HELP! *TR

ON DODGE 2005 GRAND CARAVANS THERE IS DESIGN FLAW IN THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS THAT CAUSES THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS TO QUIT WORKING. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE LEFT TO ACCESS THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE IS THE DRIVER SIDE KEY OR THE TAILGATE KEY. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE LEFT FROM THE INSIDE IS TO MANUALLY PUSH OR LIFT THE LOCK STEM ON EACH DOOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PASSENGERS AS THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DO MANAGE THE LOCKS FROM THE INSIDE. FROM THE OUTSIDE A PERSON MUST OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR WITH A KEY, THEN CRAWL TO THE PASSENGER DOOR TO UNLOCK IT,IF YOU CAN GRASP THE STEM AN PULL IT UP. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THIS LIMITED ACCESS COULD RESULT IN DELAYED ENTRANCE WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IF THE DOOR LOCKS OR WORKING OR NOT. THE FAILURE IS RANDOM AND CAN ONLY BE TEMPORARILY WORKED AROUND BY RESETTING THE PROGRAMMING BY REMOVING AND RE-INSERTING A FUSE THAT CAN BE ACCESSED ONLY VIA THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES ON MY VEHICLE. A SEARCH OF FORUMS ON EDUMUNDS.COM REVEALS NUMEROUS OTHER AFFECTED OWNERS. DODGES ONLY OFFERED SOLUTION IS TO RESET THE PROGRAMMING WHICH IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. DUE TO THE LIMITED NON-ELECTRIC ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR CHILDREN/ELDERLY TO BE TRAPPED, THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER, DODGE, SHOULD REPAIR AT NO CHARGE. *TR

MY POWER DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2005 GRAND CARAVAN STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR MOST 2005 CARAVAN OWNERS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK EITHER AUTOMATICALLY OR BY USING THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. IF IN THE EVENT OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION THE PERSONS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE AT RISK. BEING THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT OWNERS HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES INTO THE DEALER FOR A COSTLY UPDATE TO THE SOFTWARE I FEEL THAT NOW IS THE TIME FOR A RECALL. *TR

WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY STOP WORKING (UNABLE TO LOCK DOORS WITH SWITCH INSIDE VEHICLE, WITH REMOTE, OR ONCE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND REACHES 20MPH). I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERS IN THE AREA AND THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE ONLY SO-CALLED REMEDY I'VE FOUND FOR THIS ISSUE IS UNPLUGGING THE CAR BATTERY FOR A FEW MINUTES, HOWEVER, THIS ONLY "FIXES" THE PROBLEM FOR THE DAY UP TO A WEEK. *TR

STEERING RACK RAPIDLY DEGRADED AND "WAS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF CAR". SEEMS LIKE DODGE MINI-VANS HAVE LOT SOF PROBLEMS WITH THIS. I HAD THIS HAPPENING MY OLD VAN TWICE BUT IT WAS A SLOWER PROGRESSIVE PROBLEM . MY NEW VAN STARTED TO MAKE SOME NOISES ON OCCASION. SHOPS CHECKED IT OUT BUT COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS.... I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT... OVER COURSE OF ONE WEEK NOISE INCREASED A BIT AND BROUGHT BACK IN... SHOP'S WORDS " STEERING RACK WAS ABOUT TO FALL OUT".. MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT AS ATTUNE TO NOISES AND SENSATIONS AS I AM. I COULD EASILY SEE SOMEONE ELSE DRIVING WITHOUT DETECTING THIS PROBLEM HAVING A SERIOUS STEERING FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE POWER LOCK CONTROLS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE KEY PAD AND THE CONTROLS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD PERFORM AN ELECTRICAL UPGRADE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,034. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS SERVICED AT 42,000 MILES BECAUSE OF A MOAN/FOG HORN LIKE SOUND WHILE TURNING. DEALER STATED THIS WAS DUE TO FAILED POWER STEERING SYSTEM, WHICH WAS LEAKING INTERNAL, AS VEHICLE HAS NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ROUTINELY AT A 5 STAR DEALERSHIP AND WAS JUST IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE 3 WEEKS AGO. POWER STEERING FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE APPEAR TO BE WIDESPREAD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED & COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS HAVE BEEN RELEASED PROVING SYSTEM DESIGN FLAWS, DEFECTS & PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER BY THE NHTSA AS THIS CONTAINS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS IN THEIR DESIGN. *TR

IN OCTOBER 2007 POWER LOCKS STOPPED WORKING, I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE NOW THE LOCKS DON'T AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN REACH CERTAIN SPEED. CHILDREN COULD OPEN BACK DOORS. *TR

THE POWER DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2005 GRAND CARAVAN HAVE STOPPED WORKING. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON GOOGLE, IT TURNS OUT THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. YOU CAN TEMPORARILY FIX THIS SITUATION BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AND RECONNECTING IT. THEN THE DOOR LOCKS WILL WORK FOR A DAY OR TWO AND THEN STOP WORKING AGAIN. I FEEL THAT THE DOOR LOCKS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND DODGE SHOULD PROVIDE A PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

THE KNEE BLOCKER AIRBAG IN MY 05 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN OPENED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE AIRBAG IS BEHIND A STEEL PLATE HINGED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DASH. ATTACHED TO THIS PLATE IS THE HARD PLASTIC PANEL. THE AIRBAG PROPELLED THIS PLATE AND PANEL INTO MY SHINS, DISABLING ME, AND WHEN I BROUGHT MY LEGS BACK FROM THE PAIN, THE HARD PLASTIC PANEL DROPPED IN FRONT OF MY LEGS AND PREVENTED ME FROM RETURNING MY FEET TO THE BRAKE. HAD I BEEN SUFFERING FROM OSTEOPOROSIS MY LEGS WOULD HAVE BEEN SHATTERED AND I COULD NOT HAVE STOPPED MY VAN, HAD IT CONTINUED TO ROLL AFTER THE INITIAL COLLISION. *JB

1) NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. 2) REAR LIFTGATE ELECTRIC LATCH FAILS TO ACTUATE. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE AS THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE IN MINIVANS, THE REAR PASSENGERS ARE NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE VIA THE SLIDING SIDE DOORS. IN OUR CASE, CHILDREN IN CHILD-RESTRAINT SAFETY SEATS ARE IN ALL REAR SEATS OF THE VEHICLE (MIDDLE AND REAR, I.E. 4 KIDS). THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS REAR PASSENGERS IS TO EITHER CRAWL OVER THE MIDDLE SEATS TO THE REAR OR VIA THE LIFTGATE. HOWEVER...THE LATCH FAILS AND THE GATE DOES NOT OPEN. 3) ACTUATOR SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED (APPROX COST $90.00). *JB

2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, 71,000 MILES, AIR CONDITIONING STOP PUTTING OUT COLD AIR - NO LEAKS BUT COMPRESSOR STARTED TO MAKE NOISES AND SEIZED, SHUT A/C OFF JUST IN TIME BEFORE THE COMPRESSOR PULLEY BURNED THRU THE ONE BELT THAT DRIVES EVERTHING - THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. *JB

IN FEBRUARY 2007 NOTED HIGH PITCHED NOISE - PARTICULARLY AT IDLE. SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING. FELT LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. WARRANTY EXPIRED IN AUGUST AND NOTED THE SAME NOISE IN SEPTEMBER. TOOK VAN BACK INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR. PARTS AND LABOR NEARLY $600. I FEEL THE REASON THE PUMP FAILED THE FIRST TIME WAS OVERWORK DUE TO THE GEARS AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED I CONTACT CHRYSLER WARRANTY. I AM STILL INVESTIGATING HOW TO REDUCE/ELIMINATE THE CHARGES. *TR

VEHICLE--DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (2005)- WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR AND RIGHT FRONT FENDER/LIGHT AREA STRUCK CONCRETE BARRIER. IMMEDIATELY UPON IMPACT, SPARKS CAME SHOOTING OUT, TIRE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAR BURST INTO UNCONTROLLABLE FLAMES. THE ENTIRE CAR WAS TORCHED AND DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. AFTER TALKING TO BODY SHOP, FROM ESTIMATION OF STRUCTURE DAMAGE FROM IMPACT WAS APPROXIMATELY $2000-3000, HOWEVER NOW BECAUSE OF FIRE, THE VAN IS A TOTAL LOSS. I LITERALLY HAVE 3 TIRES AND A LICENSE PLATE REMAINING. *TR

I HAD PURCHASED MY VEHICLE DECEMBER 26, 2004. I AM THE NOT-SO-PROUD OWNER OF A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE. THERE WERE 20 K(GIVE OR TAKE A THOUS MILES) MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT, AND IT CURRENTLY HAS JUST SHY OF 79K. ALL OF THE LISTED COMPLAINTS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR 3 MONTHS OR LESS... 1---WHEN I PURCHASED THE LEMON, I HEARD A THUDDING SOUND, WHILE DRIVING (COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL WELL SIDE). I WAS ASSURED THAT THIS WAS ROAD NOISE. I PERSISTED SOMETHING WAS WRONG, ON THE 3RD ATTEMPT, THEY HAD TIGHTED/REPLACED A "SWAY BUSHING" (FORGIVE ME I THINK THAT IS WHAT IT WAS CALLED). I DIDN'T HEAR THE NOISE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND IT RETURNED. I HAD BROUGHT IT IN ABOUT 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS, FINALLY TELLING ME THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEIR SUGGESTION TO BE WAS TO TURN UP THE RADIO!! OUT OF PURE IT GETS ON MY !@#$ NERVES ATTITUDE, TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE I 6/07, AND REPLACED THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS....STILL HEAR THE THUDDING....2.5 YEARS AFTER INITIAL COMPLAINT! 2----MY HEADLIGHTS MOST OF THE TIME, DO NOT COME ON. OR IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THEY GO OFF WITHOUT NOTICE...HOW IS THIS SAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY...AGAIN COULD NOT DUPLICATE. 3----MY WIPERS RUB FUNNY WHILE IN USE, WHICH FINALLY CAUSED MY BACK WIPER TO JUST NOT WORK ON 7/4/2005. I GO THRU AN UNREASONABLE PAIRS OF WINDOW WIPERS---ONCE AGAIN, COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THIS REPAIR IS STILL ON THE BACK BURNER FOR ME TO FIX. 4--HAD TO REPLACE THE EGR VALVE TO PASS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN, A PUDDLE OF WATER WOULD APPEAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.