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.
2005 Dodge Caravan electrical problems
123 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000.
- owner complaints
- 123
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Instrument cluster/panel4
- Software2
- Ignition2
- Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
- Ignition: module1
- Horn1
- 12v/24v/48v battery1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Dodge Caravan electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Dodge Caravan electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Loss of headlight illumination
The subject vehicle (SV) population includes MY 2005-2006 vehicles built between March 2004 and December 2005 manufactured with a TRW supplied headlight switch assembly (HSA).The HSA was the primary focus of the investigation; earlier and later vehicles utilized different HSAs.Consumers complain that the headlights in the subject vehicles do not illuminate when the HSA is turned on, or that the headlights extinguish while on (subject failure).No other driving lights are affected.The front marker, tail, and instrument lamps operate.Also, the high beams can be illuminated by holding the turn signal stalk in the up position.As reported by consumers, turning the HSA off and on typically corrects the failure.Initially the failures occur infrequently but they become progressively more frequent with age.Chrysler has indicated its intention to offer of an extended lifetime warranty on the HSA, so that consumers with this problem can have their HSA replaced at no charge when they begin experiencing the subject failure.Commencing sometime in early 2013, Chrysler will send letters to SV owners notifying them of the lifetime warranty.The SV headlight system design is essentially the same as that described in EA 05-009, which involved headlight anomalies in earlier model Chrysler minivans; refer to it to for additional information.The subject failure is caused by friction between the plastic cam and metal surfaces of the electrical contacts in the HSA, which results in the production of plastic particles (debris).Analysis shows that debris can collect on the electrical contact that controls the headlights, resulting in an open circuit and preventing the headlights from turning on.Subsequent operation of the HSA may temporarily displace the debris, at which time the headlights operate correctly.Lubricant was applied to the plastic cam beginning in December 2005, reducing debris production.Consequently, subsequent failure levels were lower.The report counts shown above include only those that involve the subject failure.Reports involving other failure modes which were identified have not been included either because they were not safety related, or if they were safety related, because there was no defect trend.The single crash event listed in the Failure Report Summary Table above involved a deer strike allegedly due to loss of headlights in February 2006.No injuries were reported in this crash.An April 2004 non-crash incident (?Other? above) involved a momentary loss of headlights.The consumer drove into a ditch, and one minor injury was alleged. The subject vehicles experienced a 2.2% warranty claim rate.While standing alone this would appear to be significant, a portion of these warranty claims likely involve other problems with the HSA unrelated to the subject failure.In view of the on road experience of drivers in rapidly restoring headlight illumination by turning the headlight switch off and on again, the rate and particularly the recent trend in problems with the switch, and Chrysler?s extended lifetime warranty coupled with the owner notification of that extended warranty, further investigation does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Chrysler?s lifetime HSA warranty extension for the SV population will be available in the public file for this investigation.
EA11010
Loss of Headlight Illumination
To date, ODI has interviewed several complainants who confirmed that the headlights fully extinguish, and remain extinguished, on an intermittent basis.In most cases this occurred while the vehicle was in motion.The occurrences do not show a repeatable pattern, and the problem occurs at a low frequency, typically one or more weeks between failures.For this reason most complainants have not attempted diagnosis or repair of the problem, so the cause is unknown, and the problem continues to occur.In the cases where repairs have been attempted, which consisted mainly of headlight switch and body control module replacements, mixed success is reported.In interviews complainants advised ODI that they can usually toggle the headlight switch, or turn on the high beams by actuating the column stalk (pulling it upward), when the headlights unexpectedly turn off.Complainants report that toggling the switch is usually effective, and the high beams have always been available when the column is used.During the course of the interviews ODI was able to obtain a few suspect headlamp switches for further evaluation.No verifiable crashes or injuries have been identified in the vehicle owner complaints (VOQs).Chrysler notes that its complaints also include allegations of dimming or flickering of the headlights in addition to loss of headlamps, and that their analysis of available data indicates a declining trend occurring in the field.Chrysler data reports two alleged crash incidents; one where a consumers vehicle lost forward lighting and struck a deer, and one where a consumer alleged their lighting stopped working, causing them to depart the roadway and drive into a ditch.A minor injury is alleged in this second incident.Both incidents occurred several years ago, and neither allegation has been confirmed by ODI.ODI is upgrading this investigation to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-010) to continue its analysis of the alleged defect and its consequences, which will include additional analysis of consumer reports, their frequency and trend, and Chrysler's technical information for the headlight system and its components.Additionally testing will be conducted to evaluate possible root cause(s) of the alleged defect, and will include analysis of suspect components collected from the field, and/or assessment of subject vehicles that have reportedly experienced the condition.
PE10022
What 2005 Dodge Caravan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
2005 dodge caravan mini van. Consumer writes in regards to multiple issues with vehicle. *ld
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. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
Turn signal switch problem of the 2005 dodge grand caravan turn signals are not working correctly - VIN # [xxx] when you signal to turn right, the left turn signals comes on. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *jb
Airbag warning light lit. Looked up on the federal safety agency website, chrysler issued a"safety improvement campaign" copy enclosed. I took my van to the dealer to have it fixed plus a new key and a recall notice for a fuel/stalling problem. I was informed that the airbag problem was not covered because of the VIN number. The van was purchased in mass. And I purchased it in rhode island. I donot think I should have to pay 216.61 dollars to have this fixed. Thank you
For the last three years or so, in the winter time, my head lights would just randomly come on when it started to get cold outside. They would go out later but they would do this all night and day. This year, they now do this all year long and now they are doing while I am driving. My lights will flicker and just go black. I lose all my lights, headlights and interior lights. I have no clue what is causing this. I love my van and there is nothing else wrong with it. This is very dangerous I understand but this has to be something in the van that is faulty. In the past, I would just grab the light switch and turn it back and forth quickly and it would turn the lights off. This no longer works. I have seen similar issues like this reported. I am so afraid to take it to a shop and find out it is going to cost more than my van is worth. Again, this happens when I am driving or when the van is stationary, not running at all. This started about 3-4 years ago and it keeps getting worse. I put a new battery in it thinking that would help. Nope!
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. The contact stated that all of the doors failed to lock. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be reset. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge caravan. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the instrument panel lights and the headlights began to flicker after the ABS and brake light warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The contact was informed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but the failure was still unable to be determined. The contact was advised that the failure might have been due to the battery needing to be replaced. The battery was replaced and the ABS and brake light warning indicators were no longer illuminated but the instrument panel lights and headlights continued to flicker. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.
As I was driving, the electrical system on my 2005 dodge caravan wheelchair-accessible minivan failed completely, shutting down my power brakes, power steering, all dashboard indicators, and all vehicle lights (including the four-way flashers). Fortunately, the engine continued to run, so I was able to pull it to the side of the road. This has happened to me twice. The first time we took it to our regular mechanic, who could not find anything wrong. After it happened the second time, a dodge dealer mechanic told me that the automatic braking system locking mechanism had failed and shorted out the entire electrical system and would cost $900 to repair. It also cost an extra $500 to replace the mechanism that the part is attached to because it had rusted so severely. These incidents were frightening because it was difficult to pull the car over to the side of the road without power steering and power brakes. It would have been worse if it had happened at a higher speed or at night since all my lights would have shut off. I would consider buying a newer wheelchair van if they were not so incredibly expensive.
Questions about the 2005 Dodge Caravan electrical
Does the 2005 Dodge Caravan have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 123 complaints about the electrical of the 2005 Dodge Caravan, 23% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Caravan electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Dodge Caravan electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Dodge Caravan have the most electrical problems?
The Dodge Caravan model years with the most electrical complaints are 1996 (213 complaints), 2008 (162 complaints) and 2005 (123 complaints).
Other 2005 Dodge Caravan problems
Locks 203Lights 90Airbags 49Fuel system 37Steering 28Brakes 19Engine 17Suspension 17Visibility 16Body 15Transmission 13Acceleration 12Seat belts 9Tires 8Seats 4Driver assistance 3Wheels 1
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