2005 Dodge Caravan Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Caravan years
- Far more complaints than other years 5th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 537 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Dodge Caravan. That ranks 5th out of 23 Caravan model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is latches/locks/linkages (203 complaints, 38%), typically at around 65,000 miles. Complaints mention 19 crashes, 19 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 7 defect investigations involving it.
- 537owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 7NHTSA investigations
- 19complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2005 Dodge Caravan problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages problems | 203 | 38% | 65,000 | “door locks” (52%) | $160 |
| Electrical System problems | 123 | 23% | 70,251 | “door locks” (30%) | $290 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 90 | 17% | 89,242 | “headlight switch” (17%) | — |
| Air Bags | 49 | 9% | 62,609 | — | — |
| Steering | 28 | 5% | 52,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 22 | 4% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 17 | 3% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 15 | 3% | 75,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 14 | 3% | 34,512 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 | 3% | 130,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 14 | 3% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 14 | 3% | 42,151 | — | — |
| Power Train | 13 | 2% | 26,558 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 | 2% | 49,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 11 | 2% | 47,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 2% | 56,800 | — | — |
| Tires | 8 | 1% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 1% | 75,010 | — | — |
| Equipment | 4 | 1% | 92,500 | — | — |
| Seats | 4 | 1% | 73,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 1% | 125,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 0% | 29,782 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 0% | 116,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 0% | 2,354 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0% | 112,000 | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 0% | 92,500 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 0% | 8,500 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2005 Dodge Caravan recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: 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.
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.
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: Certain minivans are being recalled that were originally sold in or currently registered in the 27 states plus the district of columbia that use greater amounts of salt for winter road deicing. The up-front (uf) air bag sensors that contain brass bushings installed in these vehicles may corrode and crack allowing water to enter the sensor. These sensors provide enhanced air bag performance in certain types of frontal crashes.
Risk: In one of these crashes, with one or both of the vehicle's uf sensors inoperative, the occupants will not benefit from the enhanced air bag protection that these sensors would provide.
Fix: For vehicles registered in the recall states, dealers will replace the original uf air bag sensors with ones with greater corrosion resistance. Vehicles registered in other states will obtain a lifetime free replacement of any uf sensor that fails. The campaign began on july 2, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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:retractor
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine Stall After Refueling (DP14002) — opened Sep 5, 2014, closed Apr 6, 2015.
- Loss of headlight illumination (EA11010) — opened Sep 6, 2011, closed Nov 29, 2012.
- Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit (AQ10001) — opened Nov 18, 2010, closed Dec 28, 2015.
- Loss of Headlight Illumination (PE10022) — opened Jul 12, 2010, closed Sep 13, 2011.
- Front air bag crash sensor failure (RQ09003) — opened Jul 1, 2009, closed Feb 18, 2010, led to recall 10V008000.
- Front air bag crash sensor failure (EA06003) — opened Mar 8, 2006, closed May 22, 2007, led to recall 07V192000.
- Front air bag crash sensor failure (PE05061) — opened Nov 10, 2005, closed Mar 8, 2006.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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!!
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…
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…
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…
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…
Other Dodge Caravan years
← 2004 Caravan · 2006 Caravan →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Caravan | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 Caravan | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 Caravan | 23 | 0 |
| 2014 Caravan | 20 | 0 |
| 2013 Caravan | 30 | 0 |
| 2012 Caravan | 87 | 0 |
| 2011 Caravan | 78 | 0 |
| 2010 Caravan | 172 | 2 |
| 2009 Caravan | 118 | 2 |
| 2008 Caravan | 302 | 2 |
| 2007 Caravan | 81 | 0 |
| 2006 Caravan | 173 | 2 |
| 2005 | 537 | 4 |
| 2004 Caravan | 65 | 1 |
| 2003 Caravan | 195 | 3 |
| 2002 Caravan | 245 | 4 |
| 2001 Caravan | 257 | 3 |
| 2000 Caravan | 470 | 4 |
| 1999 Caravan | 555 | 5 |
| 1998 Caravan | 629 | 5 |
| 1997 Caravan | 714 | 7 |
| 1996 Caravan | 1,403 | 9 |
| 1995 Caravan | 489 | 1 |
See all Dodge Caravan problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Caravan?
Owners most often report latches/locks/linkages, electrical system, exterior lighting problems. The top one, latches/locks/linkages, accounts for 203 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Dodge Caravan?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2005 Dodge Caravan a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Caravan model years, the 2005 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.