2005 Dodge Caravan problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Latches/Locks/Linkages (181) · Exterior Lighting (59) · Electrical System (38)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Caravan model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
445 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Equipment 2010-08-10 · campaign 10E034000 · 6,686 vehicles
Defect: CURT MFG IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 3 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 13347, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1997-2007 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS, 1996-2007 DODGE CARAVANS, AND 1996-2004 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VANS. WHEN THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE HITCH MAY FRACTURE OR BREAK AT THE BEND LOCATION WHERE THE MAIN BODY OF THE HITCH MEETS THE HITCH MUFFLER STRAP.
Risk: IF THE AREA IN QUESTION FRACTURES OR BREAKS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSTABLE DRIVING CONDITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Fix: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE THE HITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG AT 1-715-831-8713.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2010-01-11 · campaign 10V008000 · 308,950 vehicles
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 DISTRIC
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.
Service bulletins (83)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2021-04-07 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transmission kit with torque converter 1. all promaster (vf) 3.6l/62te equipped vehicles. if the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (part number 06511385a$) are one-time usage. vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires service kit p
Power Train 2021-03-31 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transmission kit with torque converter 1. all promaster (vf) 3.6l/62te equipped vehicles. if the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (part number 06511385a$) are one-time usage. vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires service kit p
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Structure 2020-04-30 · 23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
disinfectant solution recommended for covid-19
Equipment 2020-04-22 · 08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
charging system, battery diagnostic tools and warranty this information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
Showing the 6 most recent of 83 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-01-09 · Air Bags“air bag light stays on, even with seat belt attached, so this means air bag is not working, not sure driver side, or passenger. went to dodge dealer, they would not fix it!!…”
2022-01-08 · Structure:body“the door locks do not work for the sliding doors or the passenger side of the vehicle. we tried to fix this issue by checking the door lock fuse out to make sure it was okay, and it was. the driver's side is the only one that locks. the passenger door lock will not push down and lock when pressed down manually. i feel this is a safety issue and i h…”
2020-11-06 · Vehicle Speed Control“tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that after refueling the vehicle and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated. the vehicle's failure began to occur within approximately 2 minutes of starting the vehicle. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer (mountain valley motors, inc. 7535 appalachian hwy, blue r…”
2020-02-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 148,936 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. the contact stated that a smog test detected a fuel leak from the fuel tank. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor outside of the vehicle prior to the smog test being performed. the vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. neither the deal…”
2019-12-04 · Unknown Or Other · 22,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. while driving 30 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop. also, the check engine indicator illuminated. the contact also mentioned that there was a strong odor of fuel inside the vehicle. as a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. the air bags did not deploy…”
2019-03-31 · Electrical System“remote randomly will not lock/ unlock doors. pull the battery cable and remote works. chrysler sent out tsb 08-040-04 on subject. they have a glitch in original software and seems unfair that consumer must pay to have it fixed. sliding doors do not have keys to lock so one must crawl through the driver / passenger seat to lock manually. as an o…”
2019-02-28 · Steering · 136,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2005 dodge caravan. while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and caused the contact to crash into a guardrail. there were no injuries. the airs bags did not deploy. a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed by an independent towing company to a salvage lot where it was deemed destroyed. blevins seaway motors (9…”
2019-02-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 89,929 mi“when pumping gasoline into the tank, within a few seconds the gasoline backlows and turns off the pump. in order to get 5 gallons into the tank it may take 20 stops, wait & starts which may take 5 minutes. the charcoal vapor trap is working fine since the hose to it from the gasoline tank was disconnected to test the vapor canister. mechanic does n…”
2018-12-02 · Air Bags · 220,808 mi“had a recall on the airbag sensor and had it fixed 3 or 4 years ago. on 12-2-2018 the warning light came on, doing the same problem. i have not as yet found if the sensor was fixed with another bad one. this needs looked into. to see if others have this reacurring safty problem. comes on 10 minutes into drive,goes off after sitting 2 minutes with s…”
2018-07-24 · Tires · 261,000 mi“tire cracking and tread separation on tourmax gft sold by eldorado. its not in your list. poor wear characteristics. i took my car in to an alignment shop because it was pulling toward the center of the road. i was informed that a near new tire had stress cracks and tread separation and the alignment and inflation pressure was ok.two more of the sa…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.