2005 Dodge Grand Caravan User Reviews

Pros

Stow and go seating

Cons

Too many mechanical problems since purchased a year ago!

Since buying our Dodge Caravan SXT in October of 2004 (just over a year ago), it has been in for repair 5 times. The driver-side window switch needed to be replaced (window would not close), the passenger side slider door had to have repairs done on it twice (door wouldn't open automatically or wouldn't close once open) and, within the last 2 months, the power steering pump had to be replaced twice and the rack and pinion once. We just got our van back yesterday, after 4 days at the dealership (it took that long for the ordered parts to come in), and, already we've noticed that the gas guage is not working properly (it shows only a quarter tank of gas when it's actually full). So, the van will have to be taken in, for the 6th time, after the holidays!!

We will definitely think twice before buying another Dodge vehicle!...read morehide

Pros

good family vehicle

Cons

brake issues, power steering issues, door issues

We have a 2005 Grand Caravan. Started out great. Then the brakes were shot at 18,000 miles. Now we've hit 23000 and they're acting up again. PLUS the power steering is making awful noises and the power side doors don't work all the time. AND the driver's side power window is so slow going up that if I had a manual window I could crank up 2 windows faster....read morehide

Pros

Lots of good features ie. power options, decent mileage and power.

Cons

Absolute LEMON! This is the last time I ever buy a Daimler-Chrylser product.

Had my 2001 Grand Caravan for under 1 year and here's the list of problems that have developed:
- driver power window not working
- passenger power window not working
- a/c not working
- dash light fuse blows constantly
- 30 mph safety locks no longer activate
- power lock for left side sliding door not working
- stalls after a hard stop
- brakes noisey, replaced twice already
- windshield trim loose, flaps above 40 mph...read morehide

Pros

stow n' go seats are excellent, lots of options.

Cons

had to have rack & pinion replaced after 15000kms, fuel consumption

overall a real nice van. The stow n' go seats are awsome!!. All the power featues including side doors and lift gate are great. Excellent power with the 3.8 litre. The leather seats with heated seats are great too. The power sunroof is excellent and adds a neat feature to the ordinary mini-van. The probem I have encountered was that there was a nasty shutter in the steering when turning the wheels at slow speeds, delaership replaced the entire rack and pinion and has corrected the problem (under warranty). The fuel consumption is a little high, however, I guess I can't expect too much with the bigger engine (3.8L)...read morehide

Pros

Stow N Go , handles well, nice performance

Cons

Hmmm..

Great van! My wife and I have owned many, and this is by far the most comfortable and useful van we have owned. Stow N Go seats are awesome! With the rear seats up, nice storage area to put groceries so they don't slide all over the place. We're getting good gas milage, between 22-25 in mixed driving; has never been below 20 mpg yet in 8000 miles ( I use Mobil 1 synthetic, $25.00 if you do it yourself!). Been on a few long trips with the kids, very nice! Comfy, handles good for a van, though we have the tow package which has HD springs, oil and trans cooler, HD radiator, alternator, battery, etc. A good option to have even if you don't plan on towing. Stereo is not bad for a stock unit, overhead console is nice. Instruments and controls are easy to use/read and well laid out. Visibility is excellent front and rear. Some parking lots can be a little tight, but it is managable. We really love this van, and so far we've had no problems at all. I still drive a 94 Voyager with almost 180,000 miles on it, so I'm not really concerned with reliability. But, I do most of my own repairs, except when the car is still under warranty!...read morehide

Pros

Stow and Go Seats

Cons

Ride is too rough, speedometer and gas pedal sticks, losing power, transmission problems, too noisy

I bought this Grand Caravan a few months ago and have had nothing but problems from the day I drove it off the lot! It has been in for repairs 12 times already and it still isn't fixed. The dealership keeps telling me it's natural and how all the Caravans ride. The ride is too rough, I have my very own hurricane in my van because it's so noisy with the wind noise, the gas pedal sticks and then loses power when I'm driving, half the time the speedometer doesn't work, my wiper motor has been replaced twice and I've only used it a few times, I got a bad vibration in the steering wheel/seat that is worse when idling. I like to listen to techno/house music and my speakers crackle. I was told that it's a cheap stereo and I can't play that kind of music. This van is a lemon and I'm seeking recourse. But don't ever buy a Grand Caravan SXT, Dodge does not help you, the dealerships treat you like you don't know what you're talking about. This was a major mistake!...read morehide

Pros

A lot of space, excellent performance, overall great van.

Cons

A couple of small blind spots in back, but nothing that turning my head over my shoulder didn't fix.

I have two Dodge Caravans. Both are 05, one is a Grand Caravan, and Caravan SXTs. The Grand Caravan has quite a bit more space and leg room in the back. The bench seats also recline back as well. The regular Caravan doesn't have as much room but is still comfortable. DVD system is awsome. The only con about that is there are no head phone jacks so if the people in the back want to watch a movie, the people in the front have to listen to it. They can't listen to the radio or CD player....read morehide

Pros

ride is smooth, brakes are great, love the stow and go seating have 6500 miles on it with no troubl

Cons

need light by dash switches. sometimes bump head getting in, and I am not tall.

been good so far at 6500 miles. Too soon to tell for long haul.

have a 94 ply van with 12000 miles on it and if this van holds up and is as trouble free as it is I will be very happy.

Pros

Rides & handles well, driver's seat very comfortable, stow'n'go

Cons

Fuel economy, third row uncomfortable, sound system

A new baby forced us to move up to the SXT from a Saturn LW300, which was a good car, for the extra room. I was hesitant about Dodge as comparisons with Toyota and Honda have you expecting to be ripped off. Particularly the horsepower and quality issues. Our SXT with no bells and whistles has generally been a pleasant surprise. On L.I. the parkways have short on & offs so you need to haul A--. The SXT has handled it just fine. Drove it the first time home and then to a funeral in 3" of snow and I had no problems getting used to it after being used to only driving cars before. The driver's seat is very comfortable. Anybody can drive this minivan comfortably. The MPG has been disappointing but no Minivan has great MPG. We avg. 14-15 MPG overall. Mostly stop & go driving. Almost a year now, 9000 Miles, no mechanical problems. Our 3 child car seats make it a bit tight inside spacewise but it's still manageable. If you're tall the third row is going to be uncomfortable. Storage capacity is good. Stow'n 'go is worth the trouble. The standard CD player skips more that I'd like and is kind of spartan in its features & controls so you may want to get the better stereo. The a/c & heat work well. The power side doors work well so far. All the people I know of with Honda Odysseys & Toyota Siennas have had their power doors fail inside of a year. The rear hatch is a little hard for my wife to close you may want the power door. Running boards will probably be helpful for the kids to get in though mine got used to the climb. I wasn't in love with it when buying it and I guess that's why I got a good deal. I tend to see vehicles as tools rather than toys. I'm not in love with it now but it does what I need it to do. It is worth your time and consideration...read morehide

Pros

Plenty of room, easy entry & exit for children

Cons

POWER LIFTGATE, POWER SIDE DOORS, A/C, CUSTOMER SERVICE

I had my 2005 SXT for a month before I traded it in, bought it brand new had only 1400 miles on it at trade in. The power liftgate was stuck open twice, dealer says nothing wrong with it, electrical malfunction in power sliding doors, dealer checked..nothing wrong..the a/c had a freon leak, smell was obvious, dealer says nothing wrong. This vehicle was my first and last Dodge/Chrysler product I will ever purchase.....read morehide