Problems with 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Head lights won't work. park lights work ok when switch is moved to the headlight position. have 100,125 miles just paid it off now this. this is a safety issue as it is intermittent right now but can't rely on it working all the time. *tr

Headlights would not work...drove about a mile when someone flashed their headlights at me. pulled into a parking lot and realized that only my parking lights were on. the lights on the dashboard were still on, so i was unaware that i had no headlights. took about 4 times turning the van on and off before they came back on...very dangerous situation! *tr

I was driving along at night and the head lights just turned off. i played with the switch and they came back on it has happened several times i have been able to get them to come back on so far. it is only a matter of time before this problem does serious damage. *dt

Re: 2005 dodge grand caravan sxt. headlights intermittently shut off while driving. parking lights, interior lights, etc. all continue to function. seems like short. *tr

The headlights on my 2005 dodge grand caravan won't come on sometimes when i turn the switch and once they have even gone out on me while i was driving down the road. if i turn the switch back to off and then on again they will come on but this is a problem that makes me worry. now i'm on edge when i drive at night wondering when it's going to happen again. last night for the first time my lights went from bright to dim on their own. they just changed while i was driving down the road. i have not had this looked at yet. the van isn't under warranty anymore and we know it's going to cost a fortune just to have it looked at. *tr

Headlights on my dodge grand caravan intermittently fail to turn on. failure occurs 60 - 75% of the time. after wiggling the knob for 5 - 10 minutes, lights usually will finally turn on. lights have turned off while driving several times. *tr

Driving at night, when dimming lights, headlights went out. this has happened three time in less than 100,000 miles. by holding dimmer switch control in "up" (bright lights) lights stayed on. after a period of time the lights again worked properly. when taken to a dealer, technicians could not duplicate the problem. *tr

I went on line to see how many customer complaints there is regarding my 2005 dodge grand caravan sxt. the problem i have with the safety issue is by turn signal don't function correctly. for example when i turn the signal for left it goes right and vise versa. sometimes the signals don't come on at all. well there's several complaints regarding this issue and i think it should be recall or fix due to the defect which is a safety issue. *tr

My caravan has had numerous electrical problems and is now sitting in my driveway unable to be driven or to sell. power window and door failure,gauges jumping, radio disconnecting itself, lights turning on and off when no one is in the car, and finally the end result is total power failure (sometimes in the middle of an intersection). scared for my life and the life of my children i have stopped driving it. i have spent 1600.00 at the dodge dealership only to finally be told they can no longer help me. i have talked to chrysler directly and they stopped calling me back. there is clearly thousands of complaints about similar problems. i am sick over the junk pile i can't remove or replace in this economy. when will chrysler be held accountable? *tr

While driving down the road the headlights turned off. i almost crashed because of it. i had the headlight switch replaced and it fixed the problem. i do have the old switch. *tr

I own a 2005 dodge caravan. not every time, but on a regular basis, the headlights will not come on. and sometimes when driving at night, the lights will go off. very scary. this has happened numerous times. i have been told that nothing can be done unless it happens when the mechanic has it. this is a very annoying and dangerous feature on a vehicle. *tr

2005 dodge grand caravan; headlights work only sporadically. will turn off by themselves while driving. will only come on with repeated turning of the switch, and then sometimes only after car has driven a few feet. this is apparently a common problem in this vehicle and is dangerous. *tr

I bought the car in last year and everything was fine. last month i was driving at night and i was pulled over my a police officer because my headlights were out. after explaining that i didn't know how this happened the officer checked my lights and all were working except my headlights, the only way i was able to drive home was with my bright lights which were annoying alot of people. i took the car to a mechanic and after running a diagnostic and checking it manually he could not find anything wrong, but my headlights still don't work. i have to drive at night with my bright lights. *tr

I used the turn signal to make a right hand turn and when i glanced at the dashboard, the left turn signal was blinking. it occurred every day for a week and then less frequent. it has not happened for two weeks. i was stopped when it first happened. other times i was driving. i took it for repair and they could not find anything wrong and it did not happen while they had the van. *tr

The headlights come on and go off on their own. sometimes they won't come on. sometimes they won't go off. they have come back on and killed the battery. they have even gone off while i was driving down the road at night in a rainstorm. this is very dangerous. *tr

I own a 2005 dodge grand caravan which i bought used in 2005. the headlights have been going off intermittently since aprox. 4 months after i bought it. the dealers shop said they couldn't find anything wrong. the issue is very random with problem not occurring for 2-3 months at a time, then multiple times, then won't occur again for a couple of weeks. if i turn the light switch off when i park, sometimes the parking lights won't turn off or will randomly come on. two nights ago, the light switch was completely off and the headlights briefly came back on before shutting off. there is nothing that seems to trigger the problem. to resolve it while driving, i have to turn the light switch on and off several times before the lights will come back on. this has happened numerous times while i've been driving at night. i contacted the customer service at dodge they recommended i take it in when the problem is occurring- unfortunately, it doesn't happen all the time and i only know of it happening at night and they're closed. it's becoming more of an issue since i have 2 teenaged children that drive it with my 2 yr old in the car. i researched the issue online and there are numerous other people with the same problem. this vehicle needs to be recalled. *tr

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. they would not release a way to fix it because they don't know how yet. i am very concerned for my family, i have 2 young kids that are frequently riding in this vehicle. i am worried that it will start on fire while driving it and my family could be injured. i would like a resolution for this problem asap. i feel that chrysler should make this a top priority because there are lives at stake. *tr

My headlights do not come on when turned on. if i would turn off and on the lights eventually they come back on. now it happens when i drive down the road. it happened again to my wife last night and she almost got into a car wreck. we cannot drive our van at night anymore. *kb

The headlights and parking lights started to randomly turn on and off. now the parking lights won't go off and the headlights will not go on. no matter how many times i flip the switch. this is awful and dangerous, as i can't drive at night. the windshield wipers also will not turn on. this is ridiculous and i can't find any help. *tr

The headlights went off while driving down the road. finally came back on after turning switch off and on while using the dimmer switch at the same time. this has happened several times over the last 3 years.

While driving at night, headlights go off. sometimes will come on after a few seconds and sometimes after turning switch off and on. sometimes the lights do not come back on until the car is shut off and restarted. this is not safe when you are traveling 55 mph with or without other cars on the road. *tr

Headlights will not come on intermittently. seem like alot of other are having the same problem when i did an internet search. *tr

The headlights on our 2005 dodge grand caravan have gone out. we've replaced the headlights and they still won't come on. we looked it up on the internet and their are hundreds of people having the same problem. we called the dealer and they said they have not heard of the issue. but this site shows there are plenty of people having the same issue. http://www.topix.net/forum/autos/dodge-grand-caravan/tfgks9o3llh1abobm/p5. *tr

Headlights turn off intermittently during operation. this is very disconcerting and dangerous. driver must flip the light switch multiple times to bring the lights back on. the frequency of this problem has increased recently. i feel that the vehicle is unsafe and unreliable. recently, the headlights would not come back on and we had to drive home using the fog lamps. *tr

Driving down freeway at night my headlights went out. about two months ago i brought it in to the dealer because the lights had been flickering for a few days, then lights would not turn on. they adjusted some wires and it turned back on. well two months later they are not working and have not worked for 3 week. they do not know how to fix them. they said it was the fuse , they said it was the wiring. they don't know. *tr

Turn signals don't work, or work on the wrong side and almost caused a huge crash. sometimes they blink, sometimes not. sometimes on wrong side indicated. *tr

Headlights stopped functioning. sometimes will not turn on, or if on will turn off while driving. *tr

Head lights would flicker since i bought it. 5 months later on the freeway in the evening they turned off. scary! i have taken it to 3 dealers they can not seem to fix it. they have not worked for 3 months. it is such a pain. please help *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that the turn signals stopped working. while driving 60 mph, the turn signals failed when they were activated. a few days later, he attempted to activate them again to indicate a left turn, but the right turn signal activated instead. there is no recall for the failure and the vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. the failure and current mileages were 31,000. updated 06/17/08. *lj the dealer replaced the multifunction switch

Every once in a while, my headlights won't turn on when i start my van. if i turn them off and on a few times, they will eventually turn on. a couple of times, my lights have shut off while i was driving in the van. turning the lights off and on brought them back on, so i was not in an accident. also, a couple of times all of my dashboard lights and gauges have gone crazy all at once. after about 10 seconds, they would be fine again. *tr

In my 2005 dodge grand caravan we had an issue with our turn signal either it would not work or you signal left and the right blinker came on. it took 3 visits and 6 phone calls to the dealer until fixed. we also have problems with the headlights working only when it wants to and it seems to work at the dealer so they say sorry come again! *tr

Headlight switch goes off intermittently, you have to turn the headlights off and back on. this has happened several times. there is no set condition for this to happen, it just does it when it feels like it. i've had it happen around town and on the interstate while driving. *tr

Have had numerous problems with van starting 3 months after purchase. dash lights flash but only for seconds so no code can be read. electric windows failing, batteries replaced numerous times. have gotten to point i purchase window tracks and replace myself to save on cost. most recently dash lights and headlights flashing rapidly radio and air go out and vehicle wanting to stall. this is a conversion van by braun. had handicapped person in wheelchair in passenger side front. van stalled in intersection but was able to get off to side of road. where i was, i could not get wheelchair out of van. we could have been killed not to mention i live in florida and heat was at a feel like temp of 108. after 10 or 15 minutes van restarted and was able to limp home. auto electric repair shop replaced ignition wiring harness but after 30 days it is now doing same again only worse. i now have no transport for handicapped person because why fix something that cannot be resolved without changing every part to figure out real problem. i know even if the bcm is replaced that is only temporary according to other reports of same problem i have. *tr

Turn signals are not working correctly - "confused". this problem has just begun in the past two months with our 2005 grand caravan. the problem is intermittent, when you signal to turn right, the left turn signals comes on. then, if you signal to the left, no turn signals will light. the turn signal lever movement feels normal when this occurs (doesn't appear to be catching or hanging up on any thing). if you jigglethe lever back and forth the signals will work normally again. the first time we noticed it was while driving in a heavy rain storm, but now it happens a couple of time a week. the vehicle was in to the dealership, but they were unable to duplicate the problem. however, it is becoming more prevalent and maybe the next time they can observe the actual failure. *tr

When using the switch the headlights will not come on. sometimes either need to turn off the engine and restart and then turn switch on again or turn headlight switch off and on several times before the headlights will come on. *tr

On november 20th, a module (part number 5144579-ac) was replaced in the vehicle due to intermittent headlights. january 8th, the vehicle was returned because the headlights failed to operate during operation. the service department was unable to find a problem. today, january 29th, the headlights failed three times during vehicle operation and twice the high-beam headlight switched to low-beam without any prompting from the vehicle operator. *nm see also 10175309. **dsy

This is a re-occurring issue. the first time it happened i had just reached around 50,000 miles (i guessed at the date). then it happens off and on over the course of time. the most recent occurence was 6/23/2012 (i now have over 100000 miles). when driving at night, the headlights flicker dim, then bright, then they go out entirely. i must turn the switch off and on several times before the lights come back on. three times i have had my children in the car. i have taken the van into the service shop, but have been told i was just imagining the issue. when i insisted i was not imaging it, i was told that maybe i never turned on the lights in the first place. not once has dodge service acknowleged that there could be an issue. the service guy did offer to take my van and drive it personally for a week to see if he could get it to happen. i didn't think it appropriate that he add several hundred miles for his amusement. *tr

The 2005 dodge grand caravan has a serious headlight safety issue. sometimes when you switch to the on position, the headlights are off. i have reported to dodge in november 2006 (reference number: 15635986). they asked me to have the dealer to fix it. but the dealer was unable to find the problem because it only happened in rare cases. i knew it happened about 10 times these years. but perhaps sometimes i drove it without knowing the headlights were actually off. *tr

The vehicle headlights stopped working while driving on multiple occasions. was forced to pull to the roadside because lights could not be turned on with the switch. a few seconds later the lights illuminated on their own. received a ticket because lights went out during a daytime rain shower. north carolina requires headlights to be turned on while operating a vehicle in the rain. dodge service department replaced the front control module (item number 5144579-ac) ($220.87 parts and labor). *jb see also 10180964 *dsy

Dt*: the contact stated the headlights were difficult to turn on/off. the headlights started cutting off intermittently while driving at night. the vehicle has been to the dealership four times. the first time the dealer said the alarm system prevented them from repairing the vehicle. the second and third times they could not duplicate the problem. the fourth time the body control module was replaced. after the fourth time, the headlights started flashing from low beam to high beam intermittently finally going completely off. this last time, all of the lights on the dash went out. ten seconds later all of the lights returned as normal.

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. internet search brings up hundreds of others with similar complaints. dealer says no reported problems with caravan headlights and car is out of warranty. owner responsibility. this car has documented problem with headlights. something not right here. *tr updated 09/11/12*lj the consumer sold the vehicle on june 30, 2012. updated 09/12/12. *jb

Automatic light switch is defective, lights come on at night and run battery down. this is a 2005 caravan and only 41000 miles on it. the fuel pump went out today. we were driving down the street and it just died in the middle of the road, almost got us run over. at over $25000 you expect a car to last longer than 10 months. i will not buy another one! the dealer said after 36000 miles its not covered. that's bull!. now its gonna cost us $500 or more to fix just the fuel pump, not the defective lights. this van is a lemon!!!!!!!!! *nm

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

Shortly after getting vehicle inspected there were severe temperature changes in our area. with the temperature both of our front headlight lens cracked, this makes the vehicle were it will not pass the state safety inspection this year. the lens themselves run about 250.00 each. *jb

I purchased my 2005 dodge grand caravan sxt new in 2005. from the time it was new i have had problems with the headlights. in the beginning they would randomly turn off while driving at night. i took it to the dealership and was told that my headlights worked for them and since they could not duplicate the problem, they couldn't diagnose and repair it, and that i needed to bring it in while it is happening (it happens at night-there are no dealerships open!). of course after the warranty ran out, i am constantly having problems. they still go off at random while driving at night, and they rarely turn on when the switch is turned off, and sometimes stay on when the switch is turned off, or they do turn off then turn themselves back on while the car is parked. sometimes i have to sit and turn the switch on and off repeatedly (so much that my wrist hurt)before they will come on, this has taken up to 15 minutes (while in a dark parking lot). i contacted dodge again and was told that my car was out of warranty. i know this is a manufacturer defect, as it began when the car was new. but, dodge doesn't care. in my daily commute to and from work i am on i-35 where there is construction going on, with narrow lanes and concrete walls and no shoulder to pull off onto, my headlights turning off and not coming back on can get me killed. i don't know what else to do. i called chrysler assistance 800 # and was told that my complaint was denied because of the mileage and warranty being out. i argued that the problem began when the car was new, so they should fix it. it has been escalated to a supervisor, and i am awaiting their denial at this time. while searching the internet for a possible cause/fix i found numerous people with the same vehicle and the same complaints. minivans are regularly purchased by families with children (as was mine). these vehicles need to be recalled and repaired before someone gets injured or killed. i believe that chrysler will not help voluntarily. *tr

Headlights turn off while driving. *tr

The headlights on my 2005 dodge grand caravan intermittently turn off while driving. this has happened at least a dozen times in the last year or so! *tr

The lights will randomly come on and off while driving. sometimes you are unable to turn head lights on. i have replaced the lights switch and the dealer does not seem to know what the problem is. the last problem occurred on 8/26/2004. *tr

Steering column switch controlling turn signals, windshield wipers. intermittent failure of wipers, washer, turn signals and turn signal reversal (indicate turn right signal for left actuates) to correct on a short term operating the tilt function corrects failure temporarily. this event occurs regularly at least every other time vehicle is used. dealer can not replicate failure. i am a automotive quality engineer trained in root cause and corrective actions this failure in my opinion is due to the harness connection either wire pull out or connector failure. i have had wipers fail during heavy rain driving. turn signals indicating incorrect direction nearly causing a rear end collision and washer not operate while driving in salt laden conditions. i have spoken to many owners who indicate this is an issue in their caravan as well. *tr