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2005 Dodge Grand CaravanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 995 owner complaints about the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, most often about the latches/locks/linkages. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

27
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.8× the Grand Caravan median · #3 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints99561 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage60kLatches/locks/linkages, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 30, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan has problems

995 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Latches/locks/linkages3381
Electrical system2596
Exterior lighting1503
Air bags10319
Steering760
Structure702
Fuel/propulsion system410
Visibility281
Service brakes, hydraulic262
19 other systems20617

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2005 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 10V-008 · Jan 11, 2010 · 308,950 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Windshield wiper/washer: motor

Recall 06V-067 · Mar 8, 2006 · 268,800 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Front: retractor

Recall 04V-047 · Feb 3, 2004 · 3,200 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Mileage at failure

When do latches/locks/linkages problems start?

60kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 304 latches/locks/linkages complaints. 88% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
16under 30k miles267under 100k miles37100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Latches/locks/linkages

19 owners mentioned a cost

$250median

Middle half: $95 – $475

Electrical system

16 owners mentioned a cost

$350median

Middle half: $123 – $1,025

Steering

14 owners mentioned a cost

$1,000median

Middle half: $900 – $1,122

Air bags

10 owners mentioned a cost

$245median

Middle half: $221 – $288

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other Grand Caravan year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Caravan median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2005 Dodge Grand Caravan safety ratings

2005 Dodge Grand Caravan Later Release in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion AuditAQ10001 · closed Dec 28, 2015
    No recall
  2. Engine Stall After RefuelingDP14002 · closed Apr 6, 2015
    No recall
  3. FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILUREEA06003 · closed May 22, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-192
  4. Loss of headlight illuminationEA11010 · closed Nov 29, 2012
    No recall
  5. FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILUREPE05061 · closed Mar 8, 2006
    No recall
  6. Loss of Headlight IlluminationPE10022 · closed Sep 13, 2011
    No recall
  7. FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURERQ09003 · closed Feb 18, 2010
    Led to recall 10V-008
In owners' words

What Grand Caravan owners report

Recent latches/locks/linkages complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11416081 · May 11, 2021 · 155,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY BY DEPRESSING THE SLIDING DOOR BUTTON; HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO CLOSE…
Complaint 11102020 · Jun 15, 2018 · 163,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOCK THE DOORS AND THE LOCKS FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE I.O.D FUSE FROM THE FUSE BOX AND RESET THE COMPUTER IN ORDER FOR THE LOCKS TO ENGAGE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS…
Complaint 10790194 · Nov 13, 2015 · 20,000 miles

Own a 2005 Grand Caravan?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.