2005 Dodge Caravan Problems and Recalls (531 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2005 Dodge Caravan is Lights (16% of 531 owner reports). There are 9 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Lights — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 531 complaints · 9 recalls
What problems show up on the 2005 Dodge Caravan?
83 of 531 filings named Lights (16% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Electrical (71 reports).
There are 9 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Seat belts, Glass / wipers / cameras, Airbags, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.
What owners reported
System named most often: Lights 83 complaints · 15.6% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 18
- Fires 0
- Injuries 18
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) | 83 | 15.6% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 71 | 13.4% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 40 | 7.5% | 4 crashes · 0 fires |
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 28 | 5.3% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Steering (STEERING) | 22 | 4.1% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) | 15 | 2.8% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 13 | 2.5% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 12 | 2.3% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 12 | 2.3% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 322 | 60.6% | 11 crashes · 0 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 06V067000 was reported 568 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 07V192000 was reported 936 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 07E104000 was reported 1,211 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 08E039000 was reported 663 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 08E048000 was reported 722 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 10V008000 was reported 1,920 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2004-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2005-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2005-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2005-Q3 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2005-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2006-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2006-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2006-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2006-Q4 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2007-Q1 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2007-Q2 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2007-Q3 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2007-Q4 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2008-Q1 | Owner reports | 17 | |
| 2008-Q2 | Owner reports | 24 | |
| 2008-Q3 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2008-Q4 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2009-Q1 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2009-Q2 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2009-Q3 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2009-Q4 | Owner reports | 30 | |
| 2010-Q1 | Owner reports | 30 | |
| 2010-Q2 | Owner reports | 20 | |
| 2010-Q3 | Owner reports | 27 | |
| 2010-Q4 | Owner reports | 24 | |
| 2011-Q1 | Owner reports | 14 | |
| 2011-Q2 | Owner reports | 17 | |
| 2011-Q3 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2011-Q4 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2012-Q1 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2012-Q2 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2012-Q3 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2012-Q4 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2013-Q1 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2013-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2013-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2013-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2014-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2014-Q2 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2014-Q3 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2014-Q4 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2015-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2015-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2015-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2015-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2016-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2016-Q2 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2016-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2016-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2017-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2017-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2017-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2018-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 04V047000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 06V067000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 06E022000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 07V192000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 07E104000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 08E039000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 08E048000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 10V008000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 10E034000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE05061 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA06003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ09003 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE10022 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | AQ10001 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA11010 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP14002 |
Safety Recalls (9)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Seat belts, Glass / wipers / cameras, Airbags, and Lights.
-
Recall campaign 04V047000
Seat belts
- Report date
- Component:
- Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
- Consequence:
- AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 06E022000
Safety recall 06E022000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy:
- AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
-
Recall campaign 06V067000
Glass / wipers / cameras
- Report date
- Component:
- Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 07E104000
Glass / wipers / cameras
- Report date
- Component:
- Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
- Consequence:
- IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
- Remedy:
- SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
-
Recall campaign 07V192000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 08E039000
Lights
- Report date
- Component:
- Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
- Consequence:
- DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy:
- MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: 1-888-286-1188 (WA, OR, CA, ID, NV, AZ, MT, WY, UT, CO, KS, NM, OK, TX, AR, LA, AK, HI) 1-877-253-8930 (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, WV, VA) 1-800-859-4755 (NC, SC, GA, FL, TN, AL, MS) 1-866-783-6858 (ND, SD, NE, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL, MI, IN, OH, KY).
-
Recall campaign 08E048000
Lights
- Report date
- Component:
- Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
- Consequence:
- DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy:
- EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
-
Recall campaign 10E034000
Safety recall 10E034000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- IF THE AREA IN QUESTION FRACTURES OR BREAKS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSTABLE DRIVING CONDITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
- Remedy:
- CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE THE HITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG AT 1-715-831-8713.
-
Recall campaign 10V008000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 7 of 531 complaints · page 1 of 22
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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!!
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 down manually. I feel this is a safety issue and I have seen that others online are having problems with their door locks not working or getting stuck and not unlocking. I don't understand why there is no recall on this issue with the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. This is a serious safe issue on any vehicle. My sliding doors have to be manually locked and as I said, the passenger side won't lock, so it's dangerous for me to have passengers. My local Dodge dealership offered to diagnose it, but it's $125.00 for them to just find out what's causing this if they could even do that. Clearly it is an issue of some kind since one door locks. Can you please look into this? Again, I know others have had door lock issues with the Dodge Caravan. Why hasn't this been fixed and recalled already? This is very frustrating. Also, I don't remember the exact date I purchased my vehicle in June, so I've given it my best guess. Thank you for your time in reviewing this. Resolution that fixes this for myself and everyone else who is dealing with this, would be much appreciated.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 VALLEY MOTORS, INC. 7535 APPALACHIAN HWY, BLUE RIDGE, GA 30513; ([redacted]) WHO INFORMED THEM THAT THE CHECK VALVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THEREFORE, THE ENTIRE TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WHERE THE VALVE WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,936.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING AROUND HER CHEST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE RADIATOR AND THEY REPLACED THE HOOD. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HER EMPLOYER OWNED A FLEET OF VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
REMOTE RANDOMLY WILL NOT LOCK/ UNLOCK DOORS. PULL THE BATTERY CABLE AND REMOTE WORKS. CHRYSLER SENT OUT TSB 08-040-04 ON SUBJECT. THEY HAVE A GLITCH IN ORIGINAL SOFTWARE AND SEEMS UNFAIR THAT CONSUMER MUST PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. SLIDING DOORS DO NOT HAVE KEYS TO LOCK SO ONE MUST CRAWL THROUGH THE DRIVER / PASSENGER SEAT TO LOCK MANUALLY. AS AN OLDER ADULT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIRS BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AN INDEPENDENT TOWING COMPANY TO A SALVAGE LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. BLEVINS SEAWAY MOTORS (98 CENTER ST, MASSENA, NY 13662, ([redacted]) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2005 Dodge Caravan?
Owners named Lights most often — 83 of 531 reports (16%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2005 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA lists 9 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Seat belts, Glass / wipers / cameras, Airbags, and Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2005 Dodge Caravan?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Walk around the vehicle: headlights, brake lights and turn signals all working. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.