Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to turn on the headlight and became aware that the headlights were inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was unknown.
While at a stop light, another driver told us the van's tail light was smoking. We pulled around a corner and into a parking lot and found that the passenger tail light assembly was on fire with flames lapping up the side of the van. The van was turned off and the fire was extinguished. We removed the tail light assembly and found that the inside of the assembly and the wiring harness were destroyed. There is also body damage. We have had problems with the brake light bulb in the passenger side burning out frequently, and had seen evidence of overheating and some melting in the brake light connector socket in about 2010. Although the lights burn out frequently, the melting had not gotten worse since then. The driver's side tail light has never exhibited a problem like this. …
I just acquired this vehicle. I understand gas 6 recalls based in the NHTSA. Doors read model 2004. I called Chrysler Dodge dealer in hemet, california and the service receptionist stated there is nothing to do that are no recalls for this van. Please help. The light engine is on. The power train kicks sometimes (drags) suddenly. And I see the 6 recalls applicable to this model
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the low beam headlights failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.
The head lights go out while driving. No warning signs, you lose all headlights. If the switch is turned on and off several times they will come back on. My lights went off while I was driving down a county highway going 55 MPH. There were no street lights. It happened a total of 4 times on my 40 minute drive home through the country. Very scary!
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The vehicle was parked and shut off when the contact smelled a burning odor and noticed that the rear passenger side taillight was on fire. The fire was extinguished but the vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 100,000.
Lights off during operation.... Off at turn on and now will not come on no matter what I do.... Told by several they are having same trouble... Real safety issue the first time as it went out while driving down dark road.
Multiple electrical failures. Backup lights, door locks, interior lights, right side power window, and sliding side doors. The items do not function on our van. Upon pulling the battery terminal these items will work for a short period of time and then cease to function again. After extensive research on the internet and several hundred dollar in dealer "repairs" I have discovered that this is due to a software problem with the body control module on the 2005 Dodge Grand caravans. The fix is supposed to be a firmware update to the BCM provided by Dodge. The issue I have is that if this is a software/firmware update to the van's computer why should the dealer expect me to pay $70 so my vehicle will function properly the same as it did when purchased. No modifications have been made to the van and it currently has just over 60K mileage. …
Purchased 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan used in oct, 2005. Vehicle had approx. 9000 miles on odometer. Four months later the headlights would only work intermittently. Mileage was approx 13,500 miles. Dealer replaced dashboard switch under warranty. Approx. One year later headlight problem returned...very intermittent..so continued driving. Another year later, driving at night, on vacation, 2000 miles from home, headlights went out. Switching light switch on-off numerous times fixed lights temporarily. Lost lights several times that night. Texas dealer diagnosed bad switch. Replaced at approx 52800 miles. Paid for this repair. One year later switch again inop. Mileage approx 67700 miles. Lights will not work at all. Cannot drive car at night. This makes three times in three and a half years of ownership that headlights become inoperative. …
I am concerned about my 2005 Dodge Caravan. I have been experiencing power surges while driving for the past 6 months or so. The other issue I am having is my headlights turning off randomly while I am driving. It some times takes up to 5 minutes to get them to come back on. That has been happening since August of 2009. So far I have not had any accidents, but I have had some close calls. I have had to pull over in because it is dark and I don't have any lights. Recently I have been having more frequent power surges where my lights flicker, my gauges go haywire and my radio turns on and off. I recently brought it in to have it looked at and my mechanic contacted Chrysler because he couldn't figure out what was wrong. Chrysler told them they have had several other reports of this and some of them have resulted in fire. …
Headlight complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 155 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, 16% of the model year's 996 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.