Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Last night - for the 4th time now - after filling the tank at the gas station, my car just died. The first 3 times it was when I stopped at the stop sign leaving the gas station parking lot. Last night, it was after I was out on the main road and in heavy traffic. It was stop and go rush hour traffic, so I was thankfully only going approx 15-20 miles an hour. Power steering was lost, brakes were practically non existent. Barely managed to pull off into a parking lot and was able to set the parking brake to finish stopping. Once stopped and in park, was able to start it right back up. Every time this has happened it has been right after fueling up. I never thought much about it the other 3 times, but this time was different, and very dangerous. …
Stopped at the traffic light and proceeded through the intersection. The vehicle was in motion and suddenly accelerated. Tried to slow the vehicle down using the brake pedal which would not engage or press down. Car continued to accelerate faster. Continued to try to break the car and slow down. Brakes did not respond. Tried to change the gear to neutral or park. Car kept accelerating. Pulled off the road into the curb and through a fence. As the car was approaching the building at high speed. Turned the car off and it continued into a concrete block commercial building and bounced back about 15-20 feet and stopped at that point. Front-end damage to the car. Knocked concrete block wall and door down. Blessed to be alive. Car was totaled. Also, the air bag did not deploy. Police said that the throttle must have been stuck open.
On the evening of 03/04/2021 @ 9:00 pm. Whilr driving home from the grocery store doing approx 35 MPH, my van suddenly lost all power and ability to use power steering and use of brakes. I had my children in the vehicle at the time and they were able to help me get the van out of the travel lane and safely into a parking lot. Van did not want to start after cutting off the ignition switch and cutting it back on. When I restarted the van it wouldnt accelerate passed 15mph with the pedal all the way down to the floor then it constantly stalled out 8-10 times the last mile from home.
On 01\02\2020, the ABS, brake, and traction control warning lights displayed on the dash. Now into winter, the vehicle no longer has traction control and ABS. Diagnostics reveal that the ABS module has proper powers and grounds even under load. So far, the only problem is the ABS module has a problem with communication, diagnosed at the local independent repair shop. So far the vehicle is not repaired, and continues to be operated with the ABS and traction control out of operation.
I was braking as I was descending a hill on the highway when the front brakes got so hot that my automobile started to shimmy. I stopped and discovered that my right front brakes were on fire. I had my front brakes pads and rotors replaced about 7,000 miles ago with mopar value line brakes at the Dodge dealership. My vehicle is a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with 56,380 miles on it.
Premature front brake failure-- we purchased our 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan new, in late spring 2004. Since then, we have had to replace the front brakes twice, once at 18,000 miles, and now at 35,000 miles. Our driving habits have not changed and previously (for the last 25 years, with 5 different cars) we have gone 30,000 - 40,000 miles between brake jobs. This vehicle replaced a 10-year old Plymouth Grand voyager which had no problems with brake wear. The dealer service manager says he has seen 2005 Grand caravans coming in needing brake jobs at about 25,000 miles, but not 18,000 miles. Yet, neither the dealer nor Chrysler admits that there is a system or component problem. I spoke with Chrysler customer service and they were, at best, reluctantly helpful. They have agreed to pay for the parts, but not the labor. …
First and foremost, I see 822 previous complaints (most refer to the exact same problems) with no sign of any intent by the NHTSA-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. …
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. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a loud grinding noise and the brake pedal went down to the floorboard. The dealer stated that the front brake pads were worn. The dealer replaced the brake pads and turned the rotors. Approximately three months later, the ABS warning light illuminated. The dealer stated that the vehicle needed front brake pads and performed the repair. While driving 25 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and it went down to the floorboard, making the vehicle difficult to stop. He had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the brake line failed. The dealer replaced the brake line. Approximately two months later, the vehicle experienced the same failure. The dealer has not diagnosed the cause of failure. …
First noticed popping/rubbing noise in front end. Took in and they replaced the front stabilizer bushings and etc.. That was in oct 2005. I have taken back to wilson Dodge in jackson, ms 3/4 times since. The problem still exist. The service man said he hear noise when turning 1/4 to right. But when I went to pick up vehicle they had not done anything to it. I have a friend that's a mechanic. He said the rack and pinion system is going out and is bad. I have stated this to wilson Dodge. They wanted me to sign the last paper work but I would not sign because they had not fixed problem. I am taking to other Dodge dealer ship this week to see if they can find problem. Also I had to replace the brakes already at 26,000 miles. And they said I needed new rotors. This is ridiculous. I had a 1998 Dodge Caravan and only had to replace brakes once on it and it had 98,000 miles on it.
Brake complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, 4% of the model year's 996 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.