2005 Dodge Grand Caravan Complaint Log

SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN.... *NM

I AM CONCERNED WITH OVERALL QUALITY CONTROL ON THIS VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW TO PROVIDE SAFETY AND COMFORT FOR MY GROWING FAMILY. I WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THE VEHICLES PERFORMANCE AND GAS MILEAGE DURING THE FIRST SEVERAL WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR UNITS THAT THEY SAID WHERE DEFECTIVE. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER WENT OUT. NEXT WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. NOW WITH LESS THAN 28.000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR WAS SOAKED, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING UNUSUAL SOUNDS WHEN TURNING AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY. AT THE DEALERSHIP I FOUND OUT THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT HAD FAILED ALONG WITH THE THE CABLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. ON INVESTIGATION OF THE WATER LEAK THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE PILLAR HAD NOT BEEN SEALED PROPERLY TO THE ROOF CAUSING WATER TO RUN INTO THE VAN AND ROT THE CARPET. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN FOR REPAIRS THE DEALERSHIP IS ALSO REPLACING THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER WHICH IS MAKING GRINDING SOUNDS AGAIN. *NM

THIS IS A RE-OCCURRING ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD JUST REACHED AROUND 50,000 MILES (I GUESSED AT THE DATE). THEN IT HAPPENS OFF AND ON OVER THE COURSE OF TIME. THE MOST RECENT OCCURENCE WAS 6/23/2012 (I NOW HAVE OVER 100000 MILES). WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER DIM, THEN BRIGHT, THEN THEY GO OUT ENTIRELY. I MUST TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON. THREE TIMES I HAVE HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN INTO THE SERVICE SHOP, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD I WAS JUST IMAGINING THE ISSUE. WHEN I INSISTED I WAS NOT IMAGING IT, I WAS TOLD THAT MAYBE I NEVER TURNED ON THE LIGHTS IN THE FIRST PLACE. NOT ONCE HAS DODGE SERVICE ACKNOWLEGED THAT THERE COULD BE AN ISSUE. THE SERVICE GUY DID OFFER TO TAKE MY VAN AND DRIVE IT PERSONALLY FOR A WEEK TO SEE IF HE COULD GET IT TO HAPPEN. I DIDN'T THINK IT APPROPRIATE THAT HE ADD SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES FOR HIS AMUSEMENT. *TR

EVERY TIME I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE I WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW, OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME. I STARTED HEARING A WHINING SOUND 5,000 MILES AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP, TOOK THE VAN IN AND THEY FOUND THE POWER STEERING RACK LEAKING FLUID, RESERVOIR EMPTY AND BLOCKED WITH P/S GEAR REMAINS, AND P/S PUMP NOISY. THEY REPLACED THE P/S GEAR, PUMP, AND RESERVOIR AT MY EXPENSE OF $1200.00. I WOULDN'T THINK THAT A 2005 VAN SHOULD HAVE MAJOR POWER STEERING PROBLEMS AFTER 2 YEARS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN A VEHICLE HIT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A RAILROAD STOP WAITING FOR A TRAIN TO PASS WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HER WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACTS VEHICLE TO HIT THE VEHICLE THAT WAS SITTING AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HIT THE VEHICLE WITH A HARD FORCE THAT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CRASH RESULTED IN ALL PASSENGERS HAVING BOTH BACK AND NECK INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHE AND HER 3 PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURIES WHICH SENT THEM TO THE HOSPITAL. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN THE PASSENGERS . THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE FELT THAT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OR DRIVER . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34618.*AK

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING UNIT. MINIMAL POWER STEERING FLUID LOSS. FIRST DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, THEN MISDIAGNOSED. SECOND DEALER DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING NEW RACK. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AUGUST OF 2006. THE DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING PROBABLY JANUARY OF 2007. NOTHING SEEMED TO CAUSE IT. IT JUST STOPPED WORKING. THE ONLY SOLUTION TO IT IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND RECONNECT IT AND IT WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS AND STOPS. IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. BEING ABLE TO QUICKLY LOCK AND UNLOCK YOUR DOORS IS IMPORTANT. NOW I HAVE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR AND CLIMB IN THE CAR TO UNLOCK ANY OTHER DOORS AND CLIMB BACK TO LOCK IT. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED OUR 2005 GRAND CARAVAN NEW TWO YEARS AGO. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO I FOUND A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDER IT. IT HAD 28,000 MILES ON IT. WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WERE INFORMED THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. JUST LAST WEEKEND I CAME HOME AND FOUND ANOTHER PUDDLE UNDER OUR VAN. WE TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND WERE TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR THIS TIME. AFTER THE WORK WAS FINISHED I TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE POWER STEERING RACK AND HE STATED THEY HAD REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 100 OF THEM THIS WINTER. HE SAID HE COULD NOT BELIEVE DODGE WAS NOT LOOKING INTO THIS MORE THOROUGHLY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DID NOT TAKE THIS INFORMATION AS VERY CONVERTING KNOWING MY WARRANTY WILL EXPIRE IN ABOUT 4,000 MILES. *NM

OCCASIONALLY WHEN I TRY TO TURN ON HEADLIGHTS THEY WILL NOT COME ON - OR THEY WILL TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CONTINUE TO FLICKER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING HOSE CAME LOOSE THEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE HOWEVER; THEY REATTACHED THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

GAS GAUGE DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY. RAN OUT OF GAS ON INTERSTATE AND GAUGE SAID IT WAS HALF FULL. *JB

THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED IN JAN 06 WITH 26,424 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING WHICH THE DEALER DETERMINED WAS A BAD POWER STEERING RACK. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN IN JAN 07 WITH 35, 649 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS TIME THERE WAS A DISTINCT HUMMING SOUND THAT CAUSED ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. I ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND HE STATED IT WAS NOT BUT READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, IT CERTAINLY IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *JB

1) LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID; NOISY STEERING 2) NO FAILURE, PROMPTLY TOOK TO MECHANIC 3) REPLACED STEERING RACK, FRONT- END ALIGNED. *NM

DASH BOARD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FLICKER. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOMORROW FOR A RECALL AND WILL BE INSPECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR THE LIGHTS FLICKERING. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAS MADE A STRANGE NOISE WHEN THE CHAIN ENGAGES TO OPEN EVER SINCE THE VAN WAS PURCHASED. IT WAS INSPECTED ONCE WITH THE DEALER NOT FINDING ANYTHING WRONG. A YEAR LATER, THE DOOR ONLY OPENS 1/2 WAY WHEN REMOTE OR BUTTON IS USED AND WILL NOT CLOSE WITH THE USE OF EITHER. THIS WILL BE INSPECTED TOMORROW AS WELL. *JB

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 7, 2006 WHEREIN HER 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WAS REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK WHILE SHE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THE IMPACT WAS GREAT ENOUGH TO PUSH HER VEHICLE INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. DESPITE THE DEGREE OF IMPACT, WHICH WAS ENOUGH TO TOTAL HER MINI VAN, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS RELEASED. I AM CONCERNED AS TO WHY THIS WAS THE CASE. *JB

THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN REACHING THE REQUIRED SPEED. EVEN WOULD NOT LOCK WITH THE KEY TOOK IT TO MECHANIC WAS ADVISED THAT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER, BUT BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY THAT IT WOULD RESET THE COMPUTER, IT IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION.SECOND PROBLEM WAS THE DOOR MOTOR STOP WORKING HAD THAT REPLACED. THIRD PROBLEM WAS THE FRONT AXLE BROKE WITH NO APPARENT WEAR, HAD THAT REPLACED. NOW IT'S THE GAS TANK, CAR WANTS TO STALL WAS ADVISED BY MECHANIC THAT THE GAS TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE VALVE THAT HAS SINCE BEEN CORRECTED IN THE NEWER MODELS. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND TURNING RIGHT, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT TO THE POINT OF ALMOST LOCKING UP. EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, ACCOMPANIED BY A NOISE AS IF THERE WAS PLASTIC FRACTURING INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE HORN, THE RADIO CONTROLS, THE AIR BAG, THE TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH, AND THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED THE PEDAL DISTANCE ALL DISENGAGED AT ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING HAD DETACHED. THE FIRST 3 TIMES THIS HAD OCCURRED, THE CLOCKSPRING WAS REPLACED. THE FOURTH TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CLOCKSPRING WERE REPLACED. THIS WAS THE FIFTH OCCURRENCE. IN THIS INSTANCE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED IN SPITE OF ALL THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND TURNED THE ROTORS. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD, MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STOP. HE HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

IT STARTED PRIOR TO 29 NOV 06 THAT MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR POWER DOOR WHEN YOU WOULD SHUT THE DOOR IT WOULD POP BACK OPEN AND SOMETIMES NOT SHUT AT ALL. IT HAS BEEN TO TWO GARAGES DATING 29 NOV 06,11 DEC 06,12 JAN 07, 18 JAN 07, AND HAS ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR 15 JUN 07. ALL OF THE TIMES IT WAS SEEN THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR THEY HAD CHANGED OUT A WIRING HARNESS. DODGELAND OF COLUMBIA SC IDENTIFIED THE PROBLE OF AN INCOMPLETE DOOR CLOSING VOLTAGE. THEY HAVE BEEN THE MOST HELPFUL. SUMTER DODGE OF SUMTER SC WAS UNABLE TO FIX OR IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. IF YOU NOTICE THE DATES DODGELAND WAS ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS AND IT IS NOW REACURRING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THIS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME HOWEVER; THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.

I BOUGHT NEW 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WITHIN 30,000 MILES DOOR LOCKS WORKED ERRATIC, DOORS WOULD LOCK ON THEIR OWN WITH NO ONE IN VEHICLE...LOCKED KEYS IN SEVERAL TIMES..ALL CHECKED GOOD AT DEALER...EVENTUALLY GOT WHERE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL...BY 37,000 MILES DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND REPAIR WAS ABOUT $900.00. I HAVE BEEN RESETTING BODY CONTROL MODULE BY PULLING FUSE. LOCKS WILL WORK FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE FAILING...HAVE ALSO HAD SIDE DOORS OPEN ON THEIR OWN WHILE GOING DOWN ROAD...THIS WHOLE THING IS FRUSTRATING.....HAVE FRIENDS WITH 2005 MODELS WITH SAME SYMPTOMS WHO HAVE PAID THE BIG BUCKS FOR REPAIRS AND STILL HAVE SAME ISSUES...I SEE ON INTERNET FORUMS THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE 2005 MODELS...MOST SAY IT IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WHICH THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF BUT STILL WANTS TO CHARGE FOR....I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE...I DOORS LOCKING, UNLOCKING, OPENING WHILE GOING DOWN ROAD IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN ON A 7 PASSENGER VEHICLE....CAN YOU PLEASE HELP! *TR

GAS GAUGE FAILURE ON 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. GAGE READS FULL WHEN VEHICLE IS SERVICED WITH GAS AND TANK IS FILLED. AS GAS IS USED THE GAGE WILL DECREASE CORRECTLY UNTIL 1/4 TANK IS REMAINING. GAUGE THEN HANGS UP, SHOWING 1/4 TANK, AND DOES NOT DECREASE AS GAS IS USED BELOW 1/4 TANK. THIS RESULTED IN MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE IN HEAVY EVENING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE FOUND OUT FROM RELIABLE SOURCES (AUTHORIZED DODGE REPAIR SHOPS) THAT THIS GAS GAGE FAILURE IS COMMON AMONG THE DODGE CARAVAN'S AND GRAND CARAVAN'S. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR POSSIBLE RECALL TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH RESULTING FROM RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *NM

2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN WHICH HAS 38500 MILES ON VEHICLE. THE FRONT SWAYBAR BUSHINGS ARE WORE OUT AND IT NOW MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME IT GOES OVER A BUMP . DODGE SAYS IT IS A WEAR ITEM AND WILL NOT REPLACE IT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EIGHT YEAR/80000 MILE WARRANTY. IF THEY WILL NOT FIX THIS I WILL SAY THIS IS THE LAST AMERICAN CAR I WILL BUY. *NM

THE 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS A SERIOUS HEADLIGHT SAFETY ISSUE. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF. I HAVE REPORTED TO DODGE IN NOVEMBER 2006 (REFERENCE NUMBER: 15635986). THEY ASKED ME TO HAVE THE DEALER TO FIX IT. BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENED IN RARE CASES. I KNEW IT HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES THESE YEARS. BUT PERHAPS SOMETIMES I DROVE IT WITHOUT KNOWING THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTUALLY OFF. *TR

THIS LETTER IS IN REGARDS TO A 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, WHICH WAS RECENTLY SERVICED BECAUSE OF A FAILED POWER STEERING RACK. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS DIAGNOSED AS LEAKING DUE TO BAD SEALS AND THE UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE OF A RESTRICTION OF FLOW. ACCORDING TO DIALOGUE WITH THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SCREEN IN THE RESERVOIR WAS PLUGGED, WHICH CAUSED THE SQUEAKING SOUND I WAS HEARING. I BELIEVE THE SCREEN WAS PLUGGED WITH DEBRIS GENERATED BY THE FAILING SEALS IN THE POWER STEERING RACK, SINCE THIS IS A RECIRCULATION HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 38,256 MILES, AND I BELIEVE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WAS PREMATURE. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES HAD I INDEED LOST ALL THE FLUID FROM THE SYSTEM PRIOR TO MY DISCOVERY OF THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED ON MY 2001 DODGE CARAVAN THIS YEAR, BUT THE MILEAGE WAS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER, AROUND 80,000 MILES. NEITHER THE PREVIOUS OWNER NOR I INFLUENCED THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING RACK, NOR THE PLUGGED SCREEN IN THE RESERVOIR; EVEN THOUGH THE MECHANICS ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE BLAME ON ME STATING THAT THE RESERVOIR FAILURE WAS DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ON A 2001 CARAVAN, I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND SHOULD WARRANT A DESIGN CHANGE TO AVERT FUTURE HARDSHIPS BY CARAVAN OWNERS. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE INTERVAL SPECIFIED FOR THIS SYSTEM AT THIS MILEAGE. POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURES ARE PREVALENT ACROSS THEIR ENTIRE MODEL LINEUP. I BELIEVE THIS STEERING PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. *JB

REFERENCE TO CASE WITH SWAY BAR BUSHING PROBLEM REF. NUMBER 10173990 . I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2005 GRAND CARAVAN WITH 25000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED IT NO PROBLEM AT NO COST. THEN ON 23 NOV 2006 MY VAN JUST DIED. BATTERY WAS DEAD. WOULD NOT JUMP START AT ALL. TOWING SERVICE COULD NOT JUMP START IT EITHER AND SAID SOMETHING MAJOR WAS WRONG. THEY TOWED TO DEALER IN SHREVEPORT ON FLAT BED WHERE THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS BAD. BUT THE GOOD NEWS THEY SAID IT WAS ALL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AND THEY ALSO TOLD ME EVERYTHING FROM FRONT BUMPER TO REAR BUMPER IS 100 PERCENT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY FOR THE FIRST 3 YEARS/36,000 MILES. SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE DEALERS ARE SO INCONSISTENT IS WARRANTY REPAIRS. IT STATES IN THE MANUAL WHAT IS AND IS NOT COVERED AND TO SUM THAT UP ANYTHING THAT SHOWS ANY SIGN IF HITTING A HAZARD IN THE ROAD IS NOT COVERED. MAYBE WE SHOULD START A CLASS ACTION HERE. *NM

I WRECKED MY 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN INTO A HILL SIDE AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK THE POLE IN TWO. MY AIR BAG SYSTEM DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID OVER $6000.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VAN BUT NO AIR BAGS. I HAVE HAD THE VAN SERVICED TWICE IN THE PAST FOR THE AIR BAG SENOR LIGHT COMING ON. I AM WORRIED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS FAULTY. *JB

PREMATURE FRONT BRAKE FAILURE-- WE PURCHASED OUR 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN NEW, IN LATE SPRING 2004. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES TWICE, ONCE AT 18,000 MILES, AND NOW AT 35,000 MILES. OUR DRIVING HABITS HAVE NOT CHANGED AND PREVIOUSLY (FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS, WITH 5 DIFFERENT CARS) WE HAVE GONE 30,000 - 40,000 MILES BETWEEN BRAKE JOBS. THIS VEHICLE REPLACED A 10-YEAR OLD PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER WHICH HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE WEAR. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAYS HE HAS SEEN 2005 GRAND CARAVANS COMING IN NEEDING BRAKE JOBS AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES, BUT NOT 18,000 MILES. YET, NEITHER THE DEALER NOR CHRYSLER ADMITS THAT THERE IS A SYSTEM OR COMPONENT PROBLEM. I SPOKE WITH CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE, AT BEST, RELUCTANTLY HELPFUL. THEY HAVE AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PARTS, BUT NOT THE LABOR. SO, I HAVE NOW HAD TO PAY, IN PART, FOR FRONT BRAKE JOBS TWICE IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS, AVERAGING LESS THAN 18,000 MILES BETWEEN THE REPAIRS. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IF CHRYSLER DOESN'T DO SOMETHING ELSE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHRYSLER PRODUCT I WILL OWN...AND I WILL NOT BE KEEPING THIS MINIVAN MUCH LONGER. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHENEVER IT WAS DRIVEN OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT SWAY LINKS AND BUSHINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED, WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.

DEAR SIRS: 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE . IT HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, FEW OF WHICH WERE FIXED PROPERLY WHEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. FINALLY, ON OCTOBER 04, 2006, WITH 29000+ MILES ON THE VEHICLE, AN AXLE BROKE AS MY SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, AND TWO GRANDCHILDREN UNDER TWO YEARS OLD PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO THE ROAD. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE, WITH THE VEHICLE MOVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THERE IS EVERY LIKELIHOOD THAT A FATAL ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. AXLES DO NOT BREAK EXCEPT UNDER EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES OR WHEN THERE IS SOME FATAL FAULT WITH THE MANUFACTURE ITSELF. THIS IS NOT A VEHICLE WHICH HAS BEEN ABUSED. IT HAS BEEN USED TO TRANSPORT HOUSEWIVES AND SMALL CHILDREN BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL, TO GROCERY, ETCETERA. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AT ALL PROPER INTERVALS AT THE MECHANICSVILLE, VA DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. EXCEPT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE SO AS TO AVOID STORAGE CHARGES, I WILL NOT HAVE ANY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY TRANSPORTED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MECHANICSVILLE DODGE CLAIMS TO HAVE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT IS SAFE. THEY HAVE ALL ''' DRIVEN IT AND IT DRIVES FINE!'' THAT IS ILLOGICAL FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. FIRST, IT ''DROVE FINE'' RIGHT UP UNTIL THE MOMENT THE AXLE BROKE, EVEN THOUGH NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL AND OTHER PROBLEMS EXISTED WHICH WERE NOT FULLY REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. SECOND, I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO REASON, BASED ON MY PAST EXPERIENCES WITH SHODDY WORK AND OUTRIGHT FALSEHOODS AT THIS STORE, TO BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOP IS CAPABLE OF PROPERLY REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THIRD, THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT OTHER LIFE THREATENING PROBLEMS DO NOT EXIST, LURKING IN THIS VEHICLE TO STRIKE MY FAMILY IF WE WERE TO TRUST IT OR MECHANICSVILLE DODGE ONCE AGAIN WITH OUR LIVES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE EMISSION GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR) HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO COINCIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINATION. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE EGR VALVE WAS PART OF THE EMISSION CONTROL. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - THE CONSUMER PURCHASED AND INSTALLED THE PART HIMSELF. *NM

LAST SATURDAY 09/16/2006 MY HUSBAND AND I WENT TO DROP OFF A KEY FOR THE OTHER CAR WE OWN. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. HE DROVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE VAN STALLED. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE VAN, IT WAS NOT STARTING. WE SWITCHED PLACES TO GET THE VAN OUT OF TRAFFIC. CALLED AAA AND HAD THE VAN TOWED TO TARPON DODGE LOCATED IN TARPON SPRINGS FL. THEY CHECKED THE VAN OUT AND SAID THE ENGINE WAS MESSED UP. IT WAS ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE ANY PROBLEM. WE HAD OUR OIL CHANGED WE HAVE ONE RECEIPT ABOUT ONE OR TWO WEEKS OLD, CAN NOT LOCATE THE OTHER RECEIPTS. THEY CLAIM THEY TESTED THE OIL AND IT IS DIRTY. DAILMER CHRYSLER CORPORATION IS TURNING US DOWN ON REPAIRS AND WE ARE ONLY GOING TO RECEIVE 1 DAY RENTAL CHANGE OF $35.00. THE DEALER SAID TELL WOULD TAKE $150.00 OFF OUR $3800.00 PLUS BILL NOT INCLUDING TAXES. THERE HAS BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. FIRST I TOLD THEM TO REPAIR THE 2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SO IT WOULD NOT VOID THE SO CALLED WARRANTY AFTER THE SHOCK OF THE BAD NEWS. FIRST I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS. SECOND I HOPE THAT OTHERS WILL BE PROTECTED BY YOUR INVESTIGATION, SO THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS ORDEAL. THIRD RENTAL CAR COST IS GOING TO BE AROUND $1500.00 APPROX. AND THEY SHOULD COVER THE COST WHILE THE REPAIR UNTIL THE VAN IS REPAIRED. I AM HOPEFUL THAT MAYBE THROUGH YOUR INVESTIGATION THAT SOME IF NOT ALL OF THE COST WOULD BE COVERED. BUT AS I STATED BEFORE IF YOU CAN ASSIST OTHERS SO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS ORDEAL IT WOULD HELP OTHER CONSUMERS THAT WOULD BE THE BEST OUT COME. *NM

BOUGHT MY 2005 GRAND CARAVAN IN JULY 2006 WITH 39,000 MILES ON IT. AT 41,000 HAD THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS REPLACED, COVERED BY DEALERSHIP WARRANTY. THIS IS THE THIRD CARAVAN THAT I HAVE OWNED SINCE 2001 AND EVERY ONE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

VEHICLE STOPS. MOTOR SHUTS OFF, NO POWER AVAILABLE. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS LOSS OF CONTROL IN TRAFFIC! HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES FROM DATE OF PURCHASE MAY 2005 TO AUGUST 2006, BUT ONLY AT START UP IN PARKING LOT. THEN IT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH 4 CHILDREN IN VAN AGES 1, 2, 8 AND 10 YEARS OLD! HAVE NO FAITH IN SAFETY OF VEHICLE! DEALER STILL WANTS ME TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THE KIDS IN THIS CONDITION AND I CANNOT PUT MY CHILDREN IN DANGER. *JB

2005 GRAND CARAVAN WITH PRIVACY GLASS, I WAS STANDING 10' FROM CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY PAST 14 HRS, LEFT REAR SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED OUTWARD SENDING GLASS SHARDS 10' PERIMETER. AMBIENT TEMP WAS 67'F. *JB

DASH COVER HAS FOGGED UP SOME AFTER HAVING VEHICLE SEVERAL MONTHS. DEALERSHIP SAID SOMETHING WAS SPRAYED ON PLASTIC AND GOT BEHIND IT AND IS NOT A FACTORY DEFECT. WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

MY 2005 DODGE CARAVAN (ID4GP24RX5B305163) HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED AT 30,709 MILES. AT 47,208 MILES THE RACK AND PINION AND PUMP HAD TO REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY DEALER BEFORE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER SIDE AXLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT FRACTURED AXLE. AFTERWARDS, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A CRASH WAS AVOIDED BY USING BRAKE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT FRACTURED AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 09/16/06. *JB

2005 DODGE CARAVAN THAT WHEN IT RAINS THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT MAKING THE VEHICLE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, TARPON DODGE AND CLEARWATER AUTOWAY DODGE TO HAVE THEM FIGURE OUT A REPAIR. BOTH DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL CHYRSLER CAME UP WITH A FIX. THE SERVICE MANAGER FROM TARPON DODGE TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN AND AVOID PUDDLES IF I DID DRIVE IN THE RAIN AND TO SLOW DOWN. I THEN SENT LETTERS TO CHYRSLER CUSTOMER CARE REQUESTING A FIX OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WITHOUT PENALTY FROM THE LEASE COMPANY. CUSTOMER CARE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. DRIVE SLOWER AND AVOID PUDDLES. I LIVE IN FLORIDA, WHEN IT RAINS, IT RAINS. ALL OF OUR STREET TURN INTO GIANT PUDDLES AND IF I WERE TO DRIVE MUCH SLOWER, I WOULD BE GOING BACKWARDS. THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT IS FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS. IT COMES BACK THEN YOU ARE OVER REACTING TO COMPENSATE FOR NO STEERING. AT ONE POINT I COULD NOT NEGOTIATE A TURN AFTER ALREADY MOVING INTO IT AND THEN THE STEERING CAME BACK ON AND I NEARLY WENT THROUGH A FENCE AND FIELD. I HAVE AN ILLNESS THAT REDUCES MY STRENGTH AND MAKES HANDLING THIS VAN WITHOUT POWER STEERING EVEN FOR 30 SECONDS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR OVER A YEAR. FOUR TIMES IN THE SHOP AFTER A RAIN STORM AND THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT.

POWER DOOR LOCKS ON DODGE GRAND CARAVAN ENGAGE/DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. HAS LOCKED DOORS WHEN CHILDREN WERE IN CAR WITH KEYS IN IGNITION. *TR

BOUGHT DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2005 IN AUG. 2006 WITH 29K MILES, NOW HAS 50K MILES. I'VE REPLACED THE BRAKES FIVE TIMES AND THE ROTOR ONCE AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I HAVE DRIVEN IN CO FOR 43 YRS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DOORS HAVE TO BE LOCKED MANUALLY. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE LOCKS NEEDED TO BE UPDATED WITH NEW SOFTWARE.

I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE IN DEC 2005, IN JUNE 2005 THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. MY VEHICLE HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT AND THE A/C COMPRESSOR JUST SEIZED. I CALLED MY DEALER TO INFORM HIM OF THIS AND THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED EVEN THOUGH I'M 4,000MILES OVER MY WARRANTY BECAUSE OF MY EARLIER COMPLAINTS, HE TOLD ME HE COULDN'T PROMISE ME ANYTHING BUT HE WOULD SPEAK TO HIS SUPERVISOR. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM MY DEALER AT THIS POINT. *NM

2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN PURCHASED APRIL 18, 2005 FROM ENTERPRISE CAR SALES. IT ALREADY HAD 24,000 MILES ON IT. IN JULY OF 2006- THE CV JOINT BROKE. THE VAN CURRENTLY HAD 39,000 MILES ON IT PUTTING IT JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY BY A FEW THOUSAND MILES. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR SINCE THE JOINT WAS BROKEN- IT MADE A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE AS THE GEARS GROUND AGAINST EACH OTHER. IT HAD TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE IS NO EXCESSIVE USE OR ABUSE OF THE VAN TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. NEVER HAD I A CAR OR VAN THAT HAD THE CV JOINT GO WITHIN A YEAR'S TIME. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT SUPPLY CV JOINTS- THE ENTIRE SHAFT MUST BE REPLACED. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING ON A BUSIER HIGHWAY AND AT A HIGHER SPEED, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. I HAD TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND HAD TO PUSH THE VAN OUT OF A BUSY INTERSECTION CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION. POWERTRAIN COVERAGE USED TO BE STANDARD AT 7 YEARS/70,000 MILE. WHY DID THIS CHANGE AND BECOME A PAID EXTENSION OF WARRANTY? DODGE SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND WARRANTY THEIR POWERTRAINS FOR LONGER THAN 36,000 MILES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH THROUGH A FLOODED AREA, WATER SEEPED IN THROUGH THE PLUG OPENING FOR THE SPARE TIRE. DUE TO THE WATER, THE PLASTIC COVER WAS PULLED HALFWAY OFF THE TIRE, CAUSING IT TO DRAG ON THE ASPHALT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECT WAS DUE TO WATER SPRAYING UNDER THE COVER OF THE TIRE THEREFORE WEIGHING IT DOWN.

THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WAS FORCED TO PULL TO THE ROADSIDE BECAUSE LIGHTS COULD NOT BE TURNED ON WITH THE SWITCH. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THEIR OWN. RECEIVED A TICKET BECAUSE LIGHTS WENT OUT DURING A DAYTIME RAIN SHOWER. NORTH CAROLINA REQUIRES HEADLIGHTS TO BE TURNED ON WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE IN THE RAIN. DODGE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE (ITEM NUMBER 5144579-AC) ($220.87 PARTS AND LABOR). *JB SEE ALSO 10180964 *DSY

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 22K MILES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WIPERS STUCK TOGETHER CAUSING THE MOTOR TO BURN OUT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V067000, REGARDING THE WIPER/WASHER MOTOR. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

BRAKES FAIL COMPLETELY EVERY 20K MILES, REQUIRE FULL ROTOR / PAD REPLACEMENT. OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW, IF THEY FAIL THAT QUICKLY THEN CERTAINLY SOMETHING MORE DANGEROUS COULD OCCUR. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. 5 OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER AND WAS TAKEN TO A STORAGE YARD. (LAWYER ON BEHALF OF HIS CLIENT) UPDATED 01/09/07. *JB