2005 Dodge Caravan

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Dodge Caravan
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Caravan Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 69 complaints 1988: 103 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1989 1990: 278 complaints 1991: 617 complaints 1992: 913 complaints 1993: 949 complaints 1994: 644 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1403 complaints 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2005 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2009: 118 complaints 2009 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2019 2020: 3 complaints 2020
2005: 537 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198418
198549
198649
198769
1988103
1989191
1990278
1991617
1992913
1993949
1994644
1995489
19961403
1997714
1998629
1999555
2000470
2001257
2002245
2003195
200464
2005537
2006173
200781
2008302
2009118
2010172
201178
201287
201330
201420
201523
201636
201711
20185
20193
20203

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 36%

36% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 193 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%

21% of complaints: electrical system — 113 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN OVER IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180131

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 13%

13% of complaints: exterior lighting — 68 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED IN A FIELD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20151116

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4%

4% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 22 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 4%

4% of complaints: air bags — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20040223 — seat belts

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 IMPROP

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 DAIMLER

Campaign 04V047000 — check if this car was fixed

2005 — complaint volume: 537
I 20051110 — PE (closed 20060308)

FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE

I 20060308 — EA (closed 20070522)

FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE

R 20060320 — service brakes, hydraulic

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAN

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 1-800-32

Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060619 — visibility

ON CERTAIN VANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ARMATURE SHAFT MAY BREAK.

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

Campaign 06V067000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070702 — air bags

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. THE U

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 LIFET

Campaign 07V192000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080115 — visibility

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

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 REIM

Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080616 — exterior lighting

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. THESE HEADLAMPS

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,

Campaign 08E039000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080930 — exterior lighting

EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. CS090-B001L AND CS090-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM

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.

Campaign 08E048000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090701 — RQ (closed 20100218)

FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE

R 20100419 — air bags

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,

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 CHRYS

Campaign 10V008000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100712 — PE (closed 20110913)

Loss of Headlight Illumination

R 20100813 — equipment

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 V

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.

Campaign 10E034000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20101118 — AQ (closed 20151228)

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

I 20110906 — EA (closed 20121129)

Loss of headlight illumination

I 20140905 — DP (closed 20150406)

Engine Stall After Refueling

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (193 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (113 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (68 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V047000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V067000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V192000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E039000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E048000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E034000 (equipment) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2013 ▲ 2016 ▲ 1985

WORST YEARS

■ 1996 ■ 1993 ■ 1992

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Dodge Caravan reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Dodge Caravan is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Caravan?

The most-reported component is latches/locks/linkages, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Dodge Caravan have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.