Traveling east on the nys i90 yesterday, 12:45pm - lunch rush hour time, approximate speed 62 MPH when suddenly the vehicle stopped accelerating. Pumping the gas pedal, holding it down to the floor made no difference, although the rpms were racing. Luckily we were traveling in the far right lane (of the three available) and as I was coasting was able to do so on the shoulder. We were also fortunate that we were near an exit and we able to coast along to this point before we finally had to shut off the car, midway along an exit ramp, along the shoulder. Had we been in one of the other lanes during this mishap I probably would not be in any condition to file a report. Vehicle was placed on a flat bed, driven to our mechanic, where it currently is. I have noticed several complaints regarding the autolocks on this vehicle. Ours were fixed (partially) once. The driver's side rear still does not function as it should and needs to be locked and unlocked manually. This vehicle had no prior owners, purchased new.
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan fuel system complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 64 of 64, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle jerked and then stalled. The failure occurred after the contact filled up the fuel tank. The dealer stated that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
When parking and shutting the engine off, I get out and walk toward rear of the van, I can smell gas but I can not find any gas leaking on the ground and the gas cap is on tight. I had a friend tell me that they had similar problem on their dodge grand caravan and they had to drop the gas tank and found a leak on top of the tank. It is a strong odor and I am afraid a smoker tossing a butt near the van might cause an explosion. This is an e85 fuel engine but that is hard to find so I use unleaded regular. I have not had chance to get this in to have it checked and repaired. Just checking on recall possibilities first.
I originally called dodge when this issue started and they would not do anything about it but when we would put the van in reverse the engine would not go into reverse and if you were not listening for it to "catch" you would put on the gas and be going forward. After calling a few times we just gave up and began a habit of shifting into reverse and making sure the vehicle was indeed in reverse. After several years of this we started having a problem with the vehicle speed. The engine would rev but the vehicle would not go if it was under any kind of strain, uphill or grade. After replacing everything from fuel injector to catalytic converter to spark plugs, wires and sensors and spending close to $1000 on it we ended up in a transmission repair shop which found our problem to be a cracked flex plate. That was $1500 more but the problem was fixed. The reverse is now working properly as well so I feel that this flex plate may have been the reverse issue as well.
The fuel pump on our 2005 dodge grand caravan had to be replaced due to cracks and leaks which left a strong fuel odor along with the loss of gasoline. The fuel pump should have lasted at least 100,000 miles but it did not. When I searched online, I found that quite a few owners of the same vehicle had this problem. The sub par parts are costly to replace, especially when considering it was no fault of the owners.
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.
For at least a year now (dates and mileage above are some sort of approximation) our car has been having trouble upon refueling. As I drive away from the fueling station, within about the first mile the car hesitates, chokes and either threatens to stall or actually stalls. After a few moments, or upon restarting, the car does fine. I have asked the dealer about this and they expressed no knowledge of chrysler notices about it or what might be causing it. They said it would be expensive to pull the gas tank, so I have left it for now. But having the car do this is dangerous. I googled the problem and found that there are numerous people with this 4th generation caravan that have the exact same problem. Dodge's mediator suggested that it's a problem with topping off the tank, but I have found that not topping it makes no difference, and as you can see from the online strings I am attaching, there are others who never top off their tank and have the same problem as we do. This is apparently a design flaw that creates a danger. It is expensive for the consumer to fix, and my impression is that it will steadily get worse. We were part of the headlight problem with these cars too. The headlights on the car were unstable from the time we bought the car. After years of complaining, our dealer finally seemed to have fixed the problem, but we had to pay part of it. Since then we have received a notice that chrysler is taking responsibility for the problem. I hope this gas tank problem will not take so many years to correct as the headlight problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed a strong gasoline fuel smell. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician stated that the fuel pump housing was fractured and leaking fuel onto the exhaust system. The fuel pump was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 158,275.
First and foremost, I see 822 previous complaints (most refer to the exact same problems) with no sign of any intent by the federal safety agency-odi or the manufacturer to respond and/or rectify this situation. Electrical problems: vehicle repeatedly loses power and stalls while driving. Power door locks stopped working completely from both interior switches and the key fob; will not lock or unlock any of the 5 doors from interior. Manually able to lock and unlock doors individually. Unable to lock back hatch with key fob or from inside vehicle therefore, vehicle remains unlocked. Both power sliding doors and power hatch stopped working. Other mechanical problems: vehicle shakes uncontrollably when applying brakes downhill; new brake pads installed, problem still exists. My neighbors had the exact same problems with their 2005 town and country. Bottom line: this is a widespread safety issue that requires immediate action. Unfortunately, as you can clearly see below, it is highly unlikely that any of us will ever see a response by the manufacturer, the federal safety agency-odi or anyone else for that matter. The manufacturer has no intent to admit responsibility and help consumers resolve this issue. Without action by the federal safety agency-odi we as consumers do not stand a chance in solving this problem.
My tank showed I had 1/2 tank of gas and ran out of gas this has happened also at 1/4 tank of gas I am afraid I will run out of gas on a busy street or highway also my gas pedal sticks some times I am afraid it will stick some time and will cause an accident thanks
Fuel pump developed hairline cracks allowing fuel to seep from fuel tank onto the outside of the tank and onto the ground below the vehicle. The resulting buildup of fumes and leaked fuel poses a great risk of injury or death to occupants of the vehicle as well as damage to any property near the vehicle if combustion did occur.
2005 dodge grand caravan stalls after filling up with gas. Is now occurring everytime we fill up the vehicle (3 times so far). After filling the tank, the vehicle starts fine, we drive up to 1/4 mile and the vehicle stalls. Restarts after a couple of tries and no problems noted...until we fill up again.
Engine stalls after driving a few blocks after refueling creating a dangerous situation.
Filling van up with gas. About a mile after leaving the station car stalls. It now occurs each time we fill up with gas. If we need to get onto the interstate we drive around for about a mile for the car to stall and die before we try to get onto the interstate. Apparently this is becoming a problem with the dodge grand caravan. Dealership said this is happening more and more. Dealership said we have to replace the entire gas tank. Approximate cost is $800. We are handling the stalling until we can afford the $800 to fix a design problem. The fuel filter is in the gas tank and since we never have to replace the fuel filter dodge thought that would be the best place for it. Brilliant design.
My 2005 dodge grand caravan has been stalling after filling up the gas tank. It has been going on since mid dec. 2008. I took it in to the dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong (no codes in the car computer). They increased the idle. It only hesitated after I filled it up after they increased the idle, but it has stalled the last 2 fill ups since then. It has stalled while trying to pull out into traffic and while stopping or slowing down.
Purchased vehicle new. Have always topped gas past initial click. Sometime from the beginning of this year, after topping off the gas tank, vehicle started bucking and engine quit. First couple of times, couldn't figure out problem. Then remembered it always happened after fill up. Started varying topping off, and was able to notice length of problem related to amount of top off. Last couple of fill ups, went to first click and stopped. Did not resolve problem, but kept sequence of vehicle bucking and engine quitting. Engine had also died while driving on the highway. On last fill up, was preparing to take vehicle to dealer for check of problem. After filling tank (to first click), was at signal light, waiting to make a turn. Vehicle started bucking, engine died. Put transmission in neutral, started motor, then a sound like carburetor backfire occurred. Engine went to high idle, signal light changed, so proceeded to drive. Had sound like A/C coolant low. Speed was barely controllable. Had to use brakes. Gas pedal control was erratic. Seemed to stay at level applied. Took to dealer next morning. Had failure code (#po507), and eventually they said "pvc valve hose to upper peliunm" had came off. Never had a "check engine" light. Have not had fill up since, but will sometime this week. Have been looking in haynes repair manual, and noticed there was some type of check valve to keep fuel from entering air intake. Dealer did not bring up this idea, but did mention another customer had a similar problem by topping off. Looked under vehicle and noticed two valves/connections at lower level of gas tank.
I had purchased my vehicle december 26, 2004. I am the not-so-proud owner of a 2005 dodge grand caravan se. There were 20 k(give or take a thous miles) miles on it when I purchased it, and it currently has just shy of 79k. All of the listed complaints have happened since owning the vehicle for 3 months or less... 1---when I purchased the lemon, I heard a thudding sound, while driving (coming from the front driver wheel well side). I was assured that this was road noise. I persisted something was wrong, on the 3rd attempt, they had tighted/replaced a "sway bushing" (forgive me I think that is what it was called). I didn't hear the noise for a couple of days and it returned. I had brought it in about 3 additional times to 2 different dealers, finally telling me they can not duplicate the problem, their suggestion to be was to turn up the radio!! Out of pure it gets on my !@#$ nerves attitude, took it to another place I 6/07, and replaced the struts and shocks....still hear the thudding....2.5 years after initial complaint! 2----my headlights most of the time, do not come on. Or if you are driving at night, they go off without notice...how is this safe for me and my family...again could not duplicate. 3----my wipers rub funny while in use, which finally caused my back wiper to just not work on 7/4/2005. I go thru an unreasonable pairs of window wipers---once again, could not duplicate. This repair is still on the back burner for me to fix. 4--had to replace the egr valve to pass inspection/emissions....what about 7/70? 5-rust! I have several rust bubbles coating my white mini-van like a young child coming of age!
Airbag sensor started coming on about 6 weeks ago. I took vehic le to dealer two days ago, and was told that the sensors were bad and would need to be replaced. I was also told that they were not covered under warranty, have approx. 39,000 miles , and will it will cost around $300. At the same time, the right passenger sliding door was malfunctioning , so they checked that one as well. The track needed to be replaced and was covered under warranty since it was considered electrical. Why were the airbag sensors not considered electrical? The airbag sensors were on backorder, and could take 1 - 2 weeks. I was advised not to drive my car until the sensors were replaced. My car was only 2 years old and I bought it brand new. In march 2006 I had to have to fuel guage/sensor replaced as the light would not come on when I was low on gas. I ran out of gas twice.ak
Gas gauge does not read correctly. Ran out of gas on interstate and gauge said it was half full.
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.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated the exhaust pipe protrudes below the bottom of the vehicle. The child may touch this pipe. Updated 5/10/2006 - the exhaust pipe protrudes below the bottom of the vehicle and is too close to the outside edge (rocker panel). The pipe is located on the right side of the vehicle which is the side the consumer child safety seat is installed. When the sliding door is opened the child could be burned by the pipe. The consumer indicated that the pipe is only like this on the stow and go model grand caravan. Updated 5/10/2006 - the parking brake cable had to be replaced and rerouted. The engine ran rough while idling and in park. The fuel gauge was erratic. At 1/4 of a tank or less the needle moves back and forth from empty to 1/4 of a tank.
I was driving along at 70 MPH on the freeway. Car sputtered and died. I was able to get it to the side of the road before losing all hydraulics, thankfully. It was determined by the local dodge dealer that my fuel pump had failed and that the van ran out of gas. My gas gauge was giving a false reading. They are replacing fuel pump. We'll see if this problem surfaces again. I hope not. This was distressing to me because, if I wasn't able to get to the side of the freeway, I would have lost all power control over braking and steering. The dealer told me this was a "vendor" problem with the faulty part.
Automatic light switch is defective, lights come on at night and run battery down. This is a 2005 caravan and only 41000 miles on it. The fuel pump went out today. We were driving down the street and it just died in the middle of the road, almost got us run over. At over $25000 you expect a car to last longer than 10 months. I will not buy another one! The dealer said after 36000 miles its not covered. That's bull!. Now its gonna cost us $500 or more to fix just the fuel pump, not the defective lights. This van is a lemon!!!!!!!!!
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