Problems with 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan STRUCTURE

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. these problems have been around prior the end of the 3/36k warranty but since such a long time has passed the dealer will no longer honor any type of warranty on this vehicle. my complaint is that if this is a known software issue/fault with the van's software then dodge should upgrade them for free. it's not as if this is a wear and tear or customer induced failure. this is a fault in the core design of the vehicle. *tr

The power door locks repeatedly fail - i understand this to be a common issue with this vehicle - making it difficult to get access to vehicle from the outside, especially problematic with children in the backseats who have difficulty unlocking the doors manually. also, the passenger side power sliding door has not been operational for some time. we have also recently experienced a, as yet still undiagnosed, complete power failure in the whole electrical system - this occurred suddenly while the vehicle was traveling 65 mph with the cruise control engaged (it had been engaged for several miles). these issues range from very inconvenient to potentially hazardous. *tr

2005 dodge grand caravan power sliding door failure due to faulty wiring harnesses. this has occurred for the past two years. the wiring harness has broken wire internally and then the door will not function or will partially function. when it partially functions, the driver may begin to operate the vehicle when the rear doors are not completely shut. *tr

Power rear sliding doors just quit working. wires get cut by the track they are contained in called a wire track or sliding channel. this has happened numerous times on both driver & passenger sides. i'm concerned this could cause electrical fire or shock. dealer replaced once under warranty for passenger side but warranty was out when it happened again. this was on vin # [xxx] dodge grand caravan sxt 6cyl 3.3l. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

1. power sliding doors on my 2005 dodge grand caravan opened about 6 inches then stop. now they have stopped working altogether 2. the failure is constant 3. i have checked both fuses and relays. i took it into my electrical mechanic but he could not run a diagnostic because only chrysler diagnostic tools can read the doors. *tr

Cracks in roof under plastic molding. dealer refused to assist with repairs, out of warranty. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. the front driver side window will not go up or down. also, the electrical system (locking system) does not work. the key has to be manually inserted to unlock or lock the door. the sliding doors are no longer working properly and occasionally become stuck and cannot be opened at all. water is entering through the front passenger side door handle and creating puddles of water in the vehicle. the warranty expired and the contact was informed that the repair was his responsibility. the purchase date was unknown. the current mileage was 54,424 and failure mileage was 54,400. updated 02-06-08. *kb the consumer stated he had the vehicle repaired at the cost of $421.56 for locks and windows and obtained an estimate for the sliding van doors at the tune of $773.38. updated 02/06/08 *tr

Safety concern, power door locks will only engage manually. *tr

Door assembly has failed completed. it started with driver side rear sliding door - system could only open door a few inches, and then the door could not be latched closed. eventually it would not open at all electronically, but manually started to work again. identical problem then arose with passenger sliding door. had it looked at by dealership, claimed the track was gone. door then could not be opened at all. track completely disintegrated and the door will now open manually, but cannot be locked without climbing through vehicle. *tr

Cracks in roof under plastic molding in body assembly , which was not covered after 36,000 miles,denied by dodge but some assistance from dealer after yelling, caused water leakage into right pillar assembly , floor compartment and unknowing to us sub carpeting. our worries are structural safety , mold and odor possibly electrical wiring and if there are more in roof that we don't know about ,and on added note premature disc brake wear rotors and pads date is approximate have to look up service record ,dealer greenfield dodge lawrenceville nj *tr

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. on investigation of the water leak the dealership found that the passenger side pillar had not been sealed properly to the roof causing water to run into the van and rot the carpet. while the vehicle is in for repairs the dealership is also replacing the heater/air conditioner blower which is making grinding sounds again. *nm

dash board lights intermittently flicker. the vehicle will be taken to the local dealership tomorrow for a recall and will be inspected for the first time for the lights flickering. additionally, the rear passenger door has made a strange noise when the chain engages to open ever since the van was purchased. it was inspected once with the dealer not finding anything wrong. a year later, the door only opens 1/2 way when remote or button is used and will not close with the use of either. this will be inspected tomorrow as well. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated that while driving at 10 mph through a flooded area, water seeped in through the plug opening for the spare tire. due to the water, the plastic cover was pulled halfway off the tire, causing it to drag on the asphalt. the vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer determined the cause of the defect was due to water spraying under the cover of the tire therefore weighing it down.

Dt*: the contact stated the exhaust pipe protrudes below the bottom of the vehicle. the child may touch this pipe. updated 5/10/2006 - the exhaust pipe protrudes below the bottom of the vehicle and is too close to the outside edge (rocker panel). the pipe is located on the right side of the vehicle which is the side the consumer child safety seat is installed. when the sliding door is opened the child could be burned by the pipe. the consumer indicated that the pipe is only like this on the stow and go model grand caravan. updated 5/10/2006 - the parking brake cable had to be replaced and rerouted. the engine ran rough while idling and in park. the fuel gauge was erratic. at 1/4 of a tank or less the needle moves back and forth from empty to 1/4 of a tank. *nm

Have 2005 grand caravan. it has 24,000 miles. the air bag light came on. i am taking it to the dealer tomorrow. also, the driver interior map light doesn't work, eventhough the bulb is ok. (am having that checked tomorrow, too.) when the light first went out, the automatic side doors stopped working. they didn't work for about 2 weeks and when i decided i had time to go to the dealer to get it checked, the doors started working again and have seemed fine since. the light , however, still doesn't work. the rear passenger map lights also come on randomly (usually overnight). there is a clunking noise in the driver side front end. we had some parts repaired on it in dec. (though the dealer did say they weren't sure what the problem was), but the noise is still there. (am having that checked tomorrow as well.) *nm

2005 dodge caravan the power sliding doors on both sides started with only opening or closing a small amount now they don't do anything at all. the doors are no longer power doors the only way to get them open is manually. i did a search to try and find out what the problem could be and found 1000's of complaints of the same issues. my van has had problems from the get go when we purchased it , they wold fix it and it would work for a while and then the same problems would start again this happened over and over and now the warranty has expired. i would like to know what needs to happen to start a recall or a class action law suit against them? *tr

I had purchased my vehicle december 26, 2004. i am the not-so-proud owner of a 2005 dodge grand caravan se. there were 20 k(give or take a thous miles) miles on it when i purchased it, and it currently has just shy of 79k. all of the listed complaints have happened since owning the vehicle for 3 months or less... 1---when i purchased the lemon, i heard a thudding sound, while driving (coming from the front driver wheel well side). i was assured that this was road noise. i persisted something was wrong, on the 3rd attempt, they had tighted/replaced a "sway bushing" (forgive me i think that is what it was called). i didn't hear the noise for a couple of days and it returned. i had brought it in about 3 additional times to 2 different dealers, finally telling me they can not duplicate the problem, their suggestion to be was to turn up the radio!! out of pure it gets on my !@#$ nerves attitude, took it to another place i 6/07, and replaced the struts and shocks....still hear the thudding....2.5 years after initial complaint! 2----my headlights most of the time, do not come on. or if you are driving at night, they go off without notice...how is this safe for me and my family...again could not duplicate. 3----my wipers rub funny while in use, which finally caused my back wiper to just not work on 7/4/2005. i go thru an unreasonable pairs of window wipers---once again, could not duplicate. this repair is still on the back burner for me to fix. 4--had to replace the egr valve to pass inspection/emissions....what about 7/70? 5-rust! i have several rust bubbles coating my white mini-van like a young child coming of age! *tr

We own a 2005 dodge grand caravan with no automatic back door. after purchasing it in nov 2004 and upon periodic operation of the door, my back started getting sore and painful. one day in feb of 2005 after closing the back door manually within 2 days i reached over for an apple that fell on the floor and fell to the floor in terrible pain and had to be rushed to the doctor. i still have problems until this day and now have protruding disks in my lower back. i have never had low back problems and now sciatica before feb 2005. i am getting tired of doctors and chiropractors to solve this problem. what can i do? *jb

Brand new vehicle with 321 miles, 2 major manufacturer defects. #1. rear window seal leak . #2 major internal engine defect (lifters need to be replaced). *nm

Consumer noticed hairline cracks on all four sides of the pillars located on the vehicle's roof. dealer was notified.*ak