Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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
My Dodge Mini van began to make a strange noise but I did not have the money to take it back to the dealer as they had already ripped me off for a previous failure of the EGR valve (at about 30,000 miles). After that huge bill I decided to ask a friend of mine from church who is a certified mechanic to listen to my Dodge. He said the power steering pump was wearing out and it would eventually need to be replaced! I could not believe this at only 65,000 miles. I wrote a letter to the Chrysler corporation and had a call from one of their reps. He refused to consider that Chrysler had any problems with the production of the Mini van. I was supposed to call my warranty folks (warranty already out) as my power steering should not have failed. Hello---does this not mean that Chrysler has major responsibility in this?? …
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan purchased April 18, 2005 from enterprise car sales. It already had 24,000 miles on it. In July of 2006- the cv joint broke. The van currently had 39,000 miles on it putting it just out of the warranty by a few thousand miles. The car would not go into any gear since the joint was broken- it made a loud rumbling noise as the gears ground against each other. It had to be put in neutral and pushed into a parking lot. There is no excessive use or abuse of the van to cause this to happen. This should be covered by the manufacturer. Never had I a car or van that had the cv joint go within a year's time. The manufacturer does not supply cv joints- the entire shaft must be replaced. Had I been traveling on a busier highway and at a higher speed, it could have been deadly. …
I originally called Dodge when this issue started and they would not do anything about it but when we would put the van in reverse the engine would not go into reverse and if you were not listening for it to "catch" you would put on the gas and be going forward. After calling a few times we just gave up and began a habit of shifting into reverse and making sure the vehicle was indeed in reverse. After several years of this we started having a problem with the vehicle speed. The engine would rev but the vehicle would not go if it was under any kind of strain, uphill or grade. After replacing everything from fuel injector to catalytic converter to spark plugs, wires and sensors and spending close to $1000 on it we ended up in a transmission repair shop which found our problem to be a cracked flex plate. That was $1500 more but the problem was fixed. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. After purchasing the vehicle, it began to shift out of gear. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer over ten times, but they could not duplicate the failure. The issue occurred whenever there was an incline in the road. The contact expressed extreme concern for the defect and the manufacturer informed her that they would not repair the vehicle for free. The most recent failure occurred while driving 50 MPH. The current mileage was 51,000 and failure mileage was less than 100. Updated 05/13/08 the transmission slipped out of gear, t went from drive to neutral. There was also a rattling noise when the vehicle was in reverse. It took several tries to get the vehicle out of reverse. The rattling noise was due to the sway bar being broken. Updated 05/13/08
Dt*: the contact stated there were multiple occasions were the transmission failed. When the transmission stuck in first gear the vehicle was taken to a dealership which replaced the veil body. Two years later the vehicle stalled twice while idling. Upon inspection the dealership determined although the rpms increased the vehicle failed to accelerate. The transmission stuck in second gear and the check engine light illuminated. The dealer rebuilt the transmission. Later, when the transmission slipped between first and second gears the dealership replaced the throttle position sensors. Afterwards the transmission had slippage and was slow to accelerate. Every incident occurred at 40 MPH or less. The check engine light illuminated. Updated 03/09/06
The first problem was the automatic door locks failed to function when reaching the required speed. Even would not lock with the key took it to mechanic was advised that would have to replace the computer, but by disconnecting the battery that it would reset the computer, it is only a temporary solution.second problem was the door motor stop working had that replaced. Third problem was the front axle broke with no apparent wear, had that replaced. Now it's the gas tank, car wants to stall was advised by mechanic that the gas tank would have to be replaced, that it is a defective valve that has since been corrected in the newer models.
At about 12,000 our 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan developed a thumping/binding in the steering/front axle. We had it in several times during the warranty period for the same problem; both axles were replaced and the steering column was replaced also, yet the thumping/binding never truly went away. Shortly outside the comprehensive warranty period, the right front axle broke. Fortunately it was in a parking lot, not on the highway. The right axle was replaced, but now the thumping/binding is back just like it was when we first started pursuing getting the problem fixed. The van only has 30,300 miles on it.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. Ever since the vehicle was purchased, the contact hears a thumping and knocking sound when the transmission is placed into drive. There is also tapping in the engine. He took the vehicle to the dealer several times, but the failure persists. On January 15, 2008, the dealer stated that the engine lifters failed and all of them needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced one lifter and declared the vehicle repaired. After leaving the dealer, the noise was still present. The current mileage was 66,128 and failure mileage was 61,287. Updated 02/11/08
Tl contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH the transmission shut down. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane and towed to her residence. A local mechanic informed the owner that the transmission would have to be replaced. A local transmission mechanic stated that the vehicle could be repaired at the contact expense for approximately $3,000. Dodge was notified and stated that they never heard of that type of transmission failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000. The current mileage was approximately 94,000.
Transmission complaints in other Grand Caravan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2% of the model year's 996 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.