2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan

Pros: What do you like about 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Very roomy.
Nice smooth ride.
Reasonably reliable for the price.
Pretty good on gas, not great, but pretty good.
The most practical and useful in class.

Cons: How would you improve 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Not a machine for people who drive over 80.
Handles like a airport bus.
Nowhere near the performance of a Sienna or Odyssey (but way less money too).

2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Review:
If you are looking for a very inexpensive reasonably reliable van then you cannot beat this ride. Try to find one that has maintenance records, and one that got rust-proofed regularly and you will not be disappointed. They are dirt cheap, but if maintained they are as solid as a Toyota or Honda. WARNING - this is not a "fun to drive" vehicle. This is a comfortable roomy people (and 2 dog) mover. It will get the crew, and a load of crap, to where you want to go. It is a passenger's vehicle more than a driver's vehicle.

You will notice 3 for everything except the overall rating, which I gave a perfect 5. This thing performs like a K-car, isn't beautiful to look at, and the interior is nothing special, but as far as reliable efficient people-movers go, it gets full marks. If there was a value rating I would give it a 10/5...

Pros: What do you like about 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Fits us Big Guys - very good seats, leg & head room. I'm 6'4" and can sleep in back comfortably. Excellent 'road trip' vehicle. At last, a 'minivan' for "The Man's Man"!

Road handling is superb, far better than a full size van with effectively similar interior room.

Bought used, and the 'creature features' are amazing - I discover something new daily.

Cons: How would you improve 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
The only real gripe I have is the left side door-mounted control panel hits my leg, causing a painful 'pressure point'. A bit of padding fixed it, but this is annoying. Probably only an issue for tall drivers.

Also, the parking brake release requires opening the door and NOT being belted in to reach - only an issue for us older fat guys.....

2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Review:
Overall, I like it! Never saw myself having a minivan, but this one fits my needs very well!

Checking the Net for reviews and recall history, I find only minor problems reported by most, and only three fairly minor recall issues.

Earliest Chrysler/Dodge minivan problems have been fixed in these later editions.

Pros: What do you like about 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Very useful for family or contractor.
Very reliable and almost no maintenance.

Cons: How would you improve 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Don't rush trough puddles with this van! Every time it happens, I have headaches.

2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Review:
I got it used. This was my 3rd Caravan and as expected I drove it from 103,000 till 170,000 with only one reparation, caused by crossing deep puddle in the winter. Few hours after that the temperature dropped dramatically and the ice cracked the transmissions computer and the belt tensioner.

But considering that this accident was the only problem for 4 years driving, it's a great car.

Pros: What do you like about 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Quiet.
Great on long trips.
Lots of room.
Average reliability.

Cons: How would you improve 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Fix the problem with the door locks and sway bar.

2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Review:
Good minivan but Chrysler can't seem to get the bugs out of the sway bar links and bushings; this is a problem year after year.

Pros: What do you like about 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Sto'n'Go is awesome.
3.8L gets up and goes.
Power features are nice (When they function).
Exterior looks sharp and aerodynamic.

Cons: How would you improve 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Terrible Reliability. I have a Toyota with same mileage and only been in shop for recalls. Dodge has had issues with sliding doors (3x), randomly the control module controlling he doorlocks will quit working, sliding windows decide when they want to work, rear cupholders on the captains chairs are poorly made and impossible to replace without taking out a 2nd loan, the brakes went after 30K, the battery at 34K, original tires did hold up to 40K, CV joints were replaced 15K, coolant has began disappearing. (Currently 62K and I dread every day I start the motor) About the only thing reliable are the headlights. Can't wait to replace the drivetrain soon. Mpg was about 20mpg until about 35K. Now it gets about 14.5. Changed spark plugs, follow regular maintenance schedule to the T (Schedule B in the manual or whichever one is for more harsh driving conditions) and still no improvement. Foam block hiding in the passenger side firewall decides to fall out at about 40K...service guy told me this was normal...what wasn't normal was the huge puddle of water on the passenger side floor after running the A/C. The drain would blow through the firewall and soak the interior. I had to plug it myself with JB Weld or pay $600 for Dodge to do it. I chose to face the burden myself and was severely disappointed that Dodge openly admits serious problems with their products but offers no remedy. Will never buy another Dodge product again. We're hoping to have this paid off in the next year and we'll be trading it in immediately for a Toyota Sienna.

Pros: What do you like about 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Rides nice.
Runs great.
Good looking.
Stow n go.

Cons: How would you improve 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Fix all that I have listed.
Bad gas mile average. 14mg with 3.8.
Turn signals don't work under 50 deg.
Air bag light is on.
Power door locks don't work on driver's sliding door, can't lock the doors from driver's side power lock.
Back seats not comfortable.
Power windows are slow in the winter.

All this at 60,000 mi.

2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Review:
Would be a great van if Dodge fixed its electrical problems, and gas mi.

Pros: What do you like about 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Love the van, it just has electric doors on both sides & the drivers side went out & hasn't near about been used as much as the other one.

Cons: How would you improve 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Fix the door problem. I've read hundreds of complaints but it hasn't been recalled & even with insurance I have to pay hundreds to get it fixed.

2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Review:
Love the van, just think they should recall the door & fix since there are so many complaints.

Pros: What do you like about 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Under seat storage.

2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Review:
I have 51000 miles.
Brakes no good after first 500 miles. Original tires did not last 30,000 miles.
Transmission repairs. Front suspension no good. Rear seat would not fold under. Original battery did not last.
This my fifth caravan. It will be my last.
PS: Engine light is on.

Pros: What do you like about 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
I like the room, the ride and handling.

Cons: How would you improve 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
I don't like the heater, I freeze until the van warms up, not good, should be independent.
I don't like not being able to get reliable free info on fixing problems with the engine and transmission and its components. I have heard from other owners this van has a problem with the transmission after 100,000 miles. Not true - it happens earlier and parts are hard to get used (pull a part) type.

Pros: What do you like about 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Love the storage and the ride is nice.
Also love the exterior looks.

Cons: How would you improve 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan?
Softer ride over bumps and a luminated steering wheel so I can see the cruise control buttons at night!!

2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan Review:
Over all it is nice and reliable!