2004 Dodge Grand Caravan Problems & Complaints

Better than average78% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Grand Caravan at the same age

Owners have filed 116 complaints about the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 78% fewer than a typical Grand Caravan model year at the same age, making the 2004 one of the better Grand Caravan years. The most reported problem area is the fuel & propulsion system (36 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

116complaints
1recalls
4crashes
1fires
2injuries
0deaths

Most common 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

  • 3631%
  • Engine & cooling~85,000 miles
    2017%
  • Brakes~55,000 miles
    1513%
  • Electrical system~100,000 miles
    1311%
  • Steering~56,000 miles
    1311%
  • Locks & latches~85,000 miles
    98%
  • Air bags~74,000 miles
    54%
  • Body & structure~86,000 miles
    43%
  • Lights~121,000 miles
    43%
  • Equipment & accessories~69,000 miles
    33%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~44,000 miles
    33%
  • Wheels & tires~34,000 miles
    33%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~70,000 miles
    33%
  • Suspension~20,000 miles
    22%
  • Seats~200,000 miles
    22%
  • Other / not specified~200,000 miles
    22%
  • Seat belts
    11%

Share of the 116 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Dodge Grand Caravan complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’201081.2k5835594324422982902191169962861821.3k5448705305844723592811.0k41427124520
Owner complaints per model year, Dodge Grand Caravan. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Grand Caravan years: 2020, 2007, 2006. Years to avoid: 2008, 2016, 2005, 2010, 1996. Compare all years →

2004 Dodge Grand Caravan recalls (1)

Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

NHTSA recall 04V-386 · Aug 5, 2004 · 681,000 vehicles

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 Grand Caravan:

Engine Stall After Refueling

NHTSA investigation DP14002 · opened Sep 5, 2014 · closed Apr 6, 2015

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 Grand Caravan owners say

Fuel & propulsion system all 36 →

I went to the gas station and filled my gas tank, not topping it off, and as soon as I turned out of the station on a major road the vehicle stalled and almost resulting in an accident. After a quick restart the van ran fine and I was able to drive from nashville, tn to atlanta, ga with no problems. But when I filled up again in atlanta, right after pulling out of the gas station the vehicle stalled again, in the middle of a busy intersection. This problem is widely reported across Dodge and Chrysler vans, with over 100 complaints on this website. I'm hoping this issue with the gas tank/sensors will be address. Thank you.

115,000 miles · May 2015

While making left the vehicle stalled while in motion in the middle of major intersection. After a 20 or so seconds, the vehicle engine turned on. Another incident, approximately a year ago, while traveling 60+ miles on major interstate, the vehicle again shut down while in motion. I had to coast the vehicle, with loss of power, to median on the interstate. After about a minute or so, the vehicle turned on. Always upon filling the gas tank, the vehicle stalls while exiting the gas station or shortly thereafter. After a minute, the vehicle is able to turn back on.

108,000 miles · Apr 2015

Engine & cooling all 20 →

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 45 MPH, the temperature gauge on the instrument panel started going to the red side; indicating that the vehicle was having trouble regulating the engine cooling system. The contact also stated that there was a strong odor of fuel entering the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump and carbon filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

100,000 miles · Jun 2014

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle overheated without warning. The failure occurred several times. The contact stated as precaution the vehicle was stopped to allow the engine to cool down. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor was the manufactured notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 213,000. Consumer stated after changing the thermostat pieces of plastic came out of the motor. Problem with overheating has occured for 4 years.

213,000 miles · Mar 2017

Brakes

Tl contact owns a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact has been experiencing brake failures and the brake indicator would illuminate sporadically without warning. While driving 30 MPH, the brake light illuminated and the contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. The brake pedal extended to the floor. The contact crashed into the rear end of the preceding vehicle. The vehicle was severely damaged. The air bags failed to deploy and a police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle had to be towed to his residence. The insurance company will send someone to inspect the vehicle. The contact received a ticket for "failure to keep a vehicle in control". He will callthe manufacturer because the brakes had to be repaired at least four times within the last two years. The failure mileage was 85,000.

85,000 miles · Oct 2008 · crash

Replaced front brakes on 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan for the first time on 8/31/05 when mileage was at 39,320. Rotors were also resurfaced at this same time. On 4/22/06 at 46,806 miles brakes had to be replaced again, which were worn down metal to metal (in only 7K miles). Front passenger side brake rotor was bad, and had to also be replaced from the front brake problem. Both front brake calipers had to also be replaced at this time due to the rotors and brakes. (very expensive!!) on 7/6/06 at 49,179 miles, the front brakes were very shaky, and the front rotors were slightly warped, and had to be resurfaced again. On 10/17/06 at 52,762 miles, rotors had to be resurfaced again, since they were warped again. Front brakes were done again on the vehicle, a little over 6K miles from the most recent brake replacement. …

39,000 miles · Aug 2005

2004 Dodge Grand Caravan engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automaticFWD17 / 24 / 20
3.3L 6-cyl4-speed automaticFWD17 / 24 / 19
3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automaticFWD16 / 23 / 18
3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic4WD/AWD15 / 21 / 17

EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan a good car?

Based on 116 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Grand Caravan rates better than average: 78% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Grand 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 Grand Caravan?

The fuel & propulsion system — 36 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about storage › tank assembly. Next are the engine & cooling (20) and brakes (15).

How many recalls does the 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan have?

There is 1 recall for the 2004 Dodge Grand 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 Grand Caravan?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2007 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2016, 2005, 2010 and 1996. See the full Dodge Grand Caravan years comparison.

At what mileage do 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 83,000 miles; 31% 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.