The Lemon IndexAll cars · Dodge Grand Caravan
2004 Dodge Grand Caravan.
The 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 62 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 30, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 17 to 20 mpg combined. The best Dodge Grand Caravan year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 181 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Grand Caravan year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 112K miles on the car (143 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 70K–122K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 35K–153K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 18K–91K miles
Recalls 8
- equipment 2010
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.
- lights 2008
EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS.
- lights 2008
MAXZONE IS RECALLING 2,520 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 3341103L-AS AND 334-1103R-AS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2001-2007 DODGE CARAVAN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 8 recalls
- visibility 2007
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 BRE…
- brakes 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- steering 2004
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.3 OR 3.8L V-6 ENGINE, THE UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE MAY SPLIT AND CAUSE A FLUID LEAK.
- fuel system, gasoline 2003
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, MODELS WIX FILTER PART NUMBERS 33576, 33577, 33734; NAPA FILTER PART NUMBERS 3576, 3577, 3734; AND CARQUEST FILTER PART NUMBERS 86576, 86577, 86734 USED ON 1996-2000 DAIMLERC…
- equipment 2003
AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 17, 2002, AND JANUARY 20, 2003, SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES LISTED ABOVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 70 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
- Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil…
- Engine Stall Immediately Following Fuel Tank Fill-Up (X60 Warranty Extension) This bulletin…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine stall after refueling2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The brakes failed at 55 mph. This caused extended stopping distance, and vehicle ran off the road. Consumer suffered minor injuries. The vehicle was towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
2004 Dodge Grand Caravan owner · NHTSA complaint 10099486
More owner reports
This problem has occurred several times in the last month or two. The brakes accumulated excessive amounts of brake dust. Dealer claims that the brakes are working normally.
NHTSA complaint 10073641
During inspection dealership informed the consumer that front brakes wore out prematurely. The brakes were replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10103743
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 30; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Grand Caravan year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (23%), engine (15%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
8 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan get?
17 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 112,000 miles. The middle report was at 75,000 miles, from 143 complaints.
Does the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Grand Caravan year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2015 and 2019.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works