2005 Dodge Grand Caravan User Reviews

Pros

Lots of room

Cons

Bad brakes, AC went out, electrical problems, rust holes, leaks oil; all at 50,000 miles

Purchased As Used

We bought our 2005 Grand Caravan in 2007 with 48,000 miles on it. It seemed really nice at the time of purchase.
We had two Dodge Caravans in the past and had no problems with them so we figured this would be a no brainer.
A month after we bought the 2005 the brakes needed replacement, typical wear for 48,000 miles. I've been in the auto repair business for 20 years and did the work myself. I found the rear brake rotors were rusted onto the emergency brake shoes. The shoes had been dragging in there for who knows how long. Bad design I guess.
Next the power locks stopped working. I took it to the dealer and was told that this is common and Chrysler does not know what causes it. The service tech removed the fuse for 30 seconds and replaced it. The locks started working again. He told me to do that when the locks stop working. Great fix.
The first hot day of summer I discovered that the AC didn't blow cold anymore. A leak check showed all but one line was leaking. I replaced the lines and recharged the system, now it works. AC lines are expensive.
This spring I saw a rust hole starting on the right lower quarter panel. 52,000 miles is well within the rust through warranty. I took it to the dealer and was told that since I live in the rust belt, I should expect this. The dealer and Chrysler Corp refused to repair the rust. Thanks.
I noticed that the van was using about a quart of oil every 1000 miles or so. I found the valve covers and PCV valve were leaking. The parts were cheap, but it took 6 hours to do the repair. This is because you have to take half the van apart to get to the rear valve cover. The dealer charges $90 an hour for labor. Do the math.
The latest issue is that the van does not like to run when it's raining. It will stall out randomly and, if it feels like it, it will let you start it again. Most of the time, it doesn't feel like it. Once again the dealer was no help. All they had to offer was that they knew this was a common issue, but had no way to fix it.
I spoke to a friend who runs a garage, he told me that he has seen the wiring harness go bad from battery acid leaking onto it. The engine controller computer is mounted below the battery, as is all the wiring going from the fuse box to the ECU. A leaky battery ( like the one I replaced shortly after buying the van) will drip acid into the harness. This acid can find it's way through the tape and onto the wires.
This is exactly what happened to my van. I unwrapped the harness going to the ECU and found the wires wet with green residue on them. I found three wires had been eaten almost through. Once I repaired the wires, the van ran better again, but needed a new ECU.
The van has 52,800 miles on it now. I have never had a vehicle with this low of mileage have this many problems. I've spent about $2,000 making repairs on this van. That's with me doing all the labor. I can only imagine what it would have cost having it done by a mechanic or a dealer.
There is no excuse for this.
I can only imagine what repair adventures await me in the near future.
I was a die hard Mopar guy until I bought this van. The problems it's had and the poor service offered by the Chrysler dealer network and Chrysler Corp have left me bitter.
I won't miss them when they're gone.
I'll never buy another Chrysler product ever again....read morehide

Pros

Great, versatile, reliable car. Pleasure to drive.

Cons

None.

Purchased As Used

I have driven our car on three continents so far. At 45,000 miles, I haven't had any maintanence/repair costs yet other than the normal oil changes, air filters, brake pads, etc. I am knocking on wood that our good luck continues....

Pros

I Love the Stow-N-Go seating! The main reason I purchased..... but.....

Cons

Too many repairs - $$$$$$$$$$$

I loved my 2005 sxt at first, but within the first year, I had taken it back to the dealership twice. I have been back 3 more times since then.
Problems:
1. Strut and sway-bar links replaced @ 20,000 miles.
2. Fuel Sensor - ran out of gas because the gauge stayed at just below a half tank. (I keep track of my mileage now, as I do not trust the gauge - still has problems.)
3. Spark Plugs and Wires / O2 sensor replaced @ 40,000. Cost $400 plus rental car. Was not fixed correctly the first time and had to bring back a day later. They blamed it on a cracked spark plug.
4. Had to replace brakes at 43,000 miles. Rotors were shot, too.
5. Rack-and-Pinion replaced at 47,000. Unbelievable.
Luckily, I decided to purchase an extended warranty that Daimler-Chrysler offered me a few months ago (after the spark plug incident.) The Rack cost me just $100 in deductible, although the extended warranty is $2000.
This is the first and LAST Daimler-Chrysler product that I will EVER buy. I've owned Toyotas for the last 15 years, and decided to get the caravan because of the Stow-N-Go feature - was I a doofus or what? Of the 3 Toyota trucks and 5 cars we've owned, I never had problems like I've had with this vehicle....read morehide

Pros

I learned a very expensive lesson - never to buy a Chrysler again!!

Bought a brand new 2003 Dodge Caravan-SXT, and it has been nothing but grief:

-in 40,000km the breaks were gone
-the original tires are very low quality and are almost gone at 60,000km//winter tires are a must
-computer needed to be replaced
-replaced power steering pump
-replaced "rack and pinion"
- replaced tie-rods
-replaced bushings in the front end
-the power steering noise is back, and the dealership's solution is to flush the oil - they do not know what the problem is???!!!
-in 2.5 years my van is half the original purchase price

Think twice before buying a Chrysler...read morehide

Pros

STOW'N'GO, POWER EVERYTHING, GOOD FUEL ECONOMY

Cons

PASSING POWER ON THE HIGHWAY NOT LIKE MY OLD 2002 RAM

THIS IS THE GREATEST VAN I EVER HAD THE OPTIONS ARE GREAT. TO CLEAR UP SOME OTHER COMMENTS IT CAN HAVE A HITCH PUT ON. I HAVE ONE AND GOT IT FROM MY DEALER. THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WAS THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED NO REAL PROBLEMS GOT 10000 MILES ON IT. YOU NAME IT ITS A OPTION ON THIS VAN POWER EVERYTHING. IF YOUR GETTING ONE STOW'N'GO IS A MUST. I HAVE THE 3.8 ENG. IT HAS ALL THE POWER YOU NEED FOR A LITTLE VAN I PULLED A 10'TRAILER WITH IT WITH NO PROBLEMS.ITS STILL NOT MY RAM BUT HEY I GOT 2 KIDS THE QUAD CAB WASN'T CUTTING IT ANYMORE. WHAT CAN I SAY YOU WILL LOVE IT....read morehide

Pros

Pretty good fuel economy.

Cons

Car is falling apart at 52,000 miles!

We loved ythis van until the 3 year 36,000 mile mark went past. I have had to replace the heating module, fuses and today I noticed steam coming up from under the hood! It appears that neither fan is working near the radiator. I am NOT happy with the way things are panning out for this van. It will most likely be my LAST Chrysler product. If they can't build them to last, I DON"T WANT IT!...read morehide

Cons

Transmission problems??

I bought my minivan 6 months ago. BRAND NEW. The van stalls at stop lights and stop signs. When driving on the interstate at times it will not increase in speed but do just the opposite and decreased in speed. The van will run great for weeks at a time then ride roughly without any warning. There has been times when the van is riding gread and then all of a sudden, the speed goes down and would not go above 45 mph. It will do that for about 20 or 30 seconds and then after making noises will suddenly increase to the speed it should have been at. When pushing down on the gas peddle to pass a car doing 55 on the interstate, my van's speed went all the way down to 30. Had to hurry and get over to the shoulder and had to ride the shoulder for 2 miles-the whole time the van is jerking and making all kids of noises. Then for some unknown reason it will suddenly become normal again. I have taken this in 3 times to the local Dodge dealer on Lindberg Avenue located in St. Louis, MO. Each time they tell me nothing is wrong and they can not DUPLICATE what the van is doing. I have children this is a very UNSAFE vehicle. Never know when it is going to act up or be okay.

PLEASE DO NOT BUY THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I WISH I HAD DONE MORE RESEARCH ON IT. IT IS AWFUL....read morehide

Pros

This thing does everything

Cons

Interior trim pieces look cheap, although very durable and easy to clean

We bought this vehicle after a drunk rear ended and totaled our last Chrysler mini-van. It held together extremely well, and my son in the third row seat came out unscathed.

Opting for a fully loaded SXT with remote start, navigation system, and DVD entertainment, the family loves it. It handles competently, has decent fuel economy, and except for some warranty-covered glitches with the air bags, has been completely reliable. Our last one was going strong with over 150,000 miles before it got wrecked, and we expect this to last as well....read morehide

Pros

Stow N Go

Cons

Fuel economy

Own a 2005 Grand Caravan SXT 35230 miles. Have had this van in the shop on average every other month.
Headlight switch malfunctioned
Airbag malfunctioned
Spare tire winch malfunctioned
ABS braking system malfunctioned
Stabalizer links needed to be replaced because of noise and rough handeling.
CV Boot covers were misaligned.
Replaced brakes at 30,000 miles.
This was the first and last Dodge we have ever and will ever buy....read morehide

Pros

Sto and go seating, automatic rear hatch lift, radio controls on steering wheel

Cons

Very smooth ride

Great value for the money, get 21.5 MPG on highway, 20 MPG in town, happy with that. Easy to maintain. Best Chrsler van I have owned, have owned four. Looked at Honda and Toyota, very expensive for same features as dodge did not have all the features, stow and go.