The Lemon IndexAll cars · Dodge Grand Caravan
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan.
The 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 468 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 293, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about doors, locks & latches, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 18 to 20 mpg combined. The best Dodge Grand Caravan year is 2020.
Lemon alert. 2.9× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2020
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,532 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Grand Caravan year. 2005 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 42K to 94K miles on the car (1,297 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- doors, locks & latches complaints mostly came at 46K–82K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 49K–100K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 63K–110K miles
Recalls 11
- 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.
- equipment adaptive/mobility 2010
ALL IN ONE MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2008 CONVERSION VANS EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES.
- seats 2010
ARIZONA MOBILITY PRODUCTS (AMP) IS RECALLING ONE 2005 AND ONE 2007 CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH VMI/RICON 6-WAY POWER SEAT BASES.
Show all 11 recalls
- airbags 2010
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, INDI…
- 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.
- 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…
- airbags 2007
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.
- brakes 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- visibility 2006
ON CERTAIN VANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ARMATURE SHAFT MAY BREAK.
- seat belts 2004
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.
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 90 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Steering shudder
- The steering wheel tilt mechanism is inoperative
- Pulsation or vibration in the brake pedal and/or steering wheel
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
- ClosedLoss of headlight illumination2011–2012
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedLoss of headlight illumination2010–2011
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 $3200–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Power door locks quit working. I read that there is a software fix for this, but I can't afford to do this. I have read lots of complaints on this issue and think this should be a recall do to safety matter.
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan owner · NHTSA complaint 10230400
More owner reports
2005 Dodge Caravan automatic locks do not work correctly which allows a child to unlock the doors.
NHTSA complaint 10233146
Power door locks do not work at all resulting in a safety issue with children.
NHTSA complaint 10232247
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 293; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Grand Caravan year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are doors, locks & latches (31%), airbags (16%) and steering (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan have?
11 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 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 42,900 and 94,000 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 1,297 complaints.
Does the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 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 2005?
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