Most common 2004 Dodge Caravan problems
Share of the 65 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Caravan complaints by model year
Best Caravan years: 2014, 2015, 2013. Years to avoid: 2005, 2000, 2008, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2004 Dodge Caravan recalls (1)
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
On certain minivans equipped with 3.3 or 3.8l v-6 engine, the upper power steering cooler hose May split and cause a fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper power steering cooler hose. This recall began on September 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2004 Dodge Caravan:
Engine Stall After Refueling
This defect petition evaluates July 7, 2014 allegations from an owner of a model year (MY) 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan that engine stall occurs in these vehicles without warning after refueling.The petitioner's vehicle is a Chrysler RS platform minivan.The RS platform includes MY 2003 through 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country and Chrysler Voyager minivans.NHTSA evaluated the…
What 2004 Dodge Caravan owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
Engine often hesitates after you have driven a few blocks after refueling. This form asks for a single specific date but this problem has happened every few weeks for the last year or so. Depending upon the traffic situation when the hesitation occurs, and accident could easily occur. My mechanic says that the liquid/vapor separator valve on the gas tank is not operating properly. This valve is a part of the tank and cannot be replaced as a separate item, so the cost of the repair is substantial. A brief search on the internet indicates that many other owners of Dodge caravans manufactured between about 2004 and 2007 are reporting this same problem.
I purchased my vehicle in the fall of 2013 and am starting to come to the conclusion that every time I fill my gas tank up my vehicle shuts off! Today I filled up my gas tank. My children were in the back seat and when I pulled out into the highway the van shut off and the steering wheel locked up! I had no control over the vehicle. This seems to be a common problem with these vans and something needs to be done before someone gets hurt! I can't fill my gas tank up because of this issue.
Electrical system
The issue is with the Dodge caravans 2004 ECM's, there are numerous complaints of these parts going out on these vans. I just had mine go out on my way to osu hospital two hours away from home. There was no warning at all one min my van is fine the next it jerked,engine light comes on and van drops in low gear and will not shift. Had tested by dealer with simulator and it was the ECM, I did some checking to see if there was a recall,to my surprise no recall but this is a known problem with these vans. The issue is: if known problem and the repair price is very costly why has there not been a recall? In my case there was no accident thankfully, now had we not been in traffic that was slow moving we would have for sure caused accident when it dropped in to low gear. These vans a normally used for families and most of us can not afford the price it cost to have our van fixed. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Caravan. While the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to use the horn, but it did not work. Approximately four days after the horn failure, the air conditioning failed as well. The contact suffers from a health condition and has been forced to monitor her vitals twice a day due to the failure. Approximately two days later, the radio failed and the instrument panel lights illuminated. There were no warning indicators prior to the failures. The manufacturer has not been notified and the vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 40,000 and failure mileage was 37,000.
Brakes
I originally filed a complaint against the pad manufacturer but it seems to be the composite piston in the caliper that is intermittently causing the brakes to overheat. The pedal travel goes to zero and the brake is locked. This is a manufactures defect and a hazard. It would be easy for these brakes to fail in highway conditions and have the grease melt out of the bearings from the heat and brake fluid to boil. This car has been garaged its entire life and maintained. It is Chrysler that in the interest of profit created a safety hazard.
I replaced the brakes on my 2004 Dodge Caravan with duralast brakes from auto zone. There is a severe problem with the tolerances on the pads. I have been installing brakes for 50 years. There is a sever defect with these replacement parts. The pads will not allow the caliper to retract the pads wedge against the rotor-disc. They caused a vehicle fire from the extreme heat. I contacted auto zone and installed another set . This time it caused the brake on the opposite side to overheat. I got a third set this time I measured the pads with a vernier caliper accurate to 1/1000 inch and they varied by a 1/10 of an inch which is outrageous. That just accounts for unacceptable measurements and not special or orientational defects which I suspect exist but have no exact pattern to compare. These brakes are an extreme hazard.
2004 Dodge Caravan engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Dodge Caravan a good car?
Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Caravan rates better than average: 78% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Caravan at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Dodge Caravan?
The fuel & propulsion system — 18 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the electrical system (8) and brakes (8).
How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Caravan have?
There is 1 recall for the 2004 Dodge Caravan, the most recent from August 5, 2004 (hose, piping, and connections). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Caravan?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2015 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2000, 2008, 1996 and 1997. See the full Dodge Caravan years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Caravan problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 38% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.