Faults:

I purchased this van used with 25,000 miles on it from a reputable dealer, and even got the Carfax report for it.

A month after I bought it, the steering rack began leaking fluid. I was told $800-$1000 to repair.

Shortly after that, the electric door locks quit working. I was told the BCM (body control module) needed to be replaced at $600.

A few months later the right turn signal wouldn't self cancel. I assume it needs a new switch in the column. No cost estimate on that.

Then the ABS light appeared on the dash, indicating the ABS module to be defective. Another $800-$1000 repair.

Most recently the heater controls went out. I cannot move the air flow from dash to defrost. I am told the vent control motor is bad and that the dash has to be removed in order to access the heater box to make the repair. Cost estimate around $1,000.

The front end is now making the clunking noises associated with bad bushings. The van now has 34,000 miles on it, and I wish I had never seen it.

General Comments:

I have had five Chrysler minivans and have had good luck with all but this 2005 Grand Caravan. I am very disappointed with this vehicle, and believe the factory should have recalled them and fixed the problems that seem to be so common place. I will never buy another Chrysler product ever.

Faults:

The engine was "knocking" when we bought it new. Even my wife could hear it. Mechanics could not hear it, said it was "OK". We took it on a 1200 mile trip, knocking was worse so we took it back in. They still said they couldn't hear anything. So I raised the hood and revved the engine, it sounded like it was going to come apart; mechanic said it was the lifters, I disagreed, but said they could try to see if it would help.

Three days later it was ready to pick up and my wife drove it home. I stayed to talk to the service manager to express my disagreement. As I left the dealership, I saw a dark stream on the road going the same way my wife went. I flew home (15 miles) only to find our new van in the driveway in a huge cloud of smoke. I had a screaming fit on the phone to the dealer. Before he arrived with a loaner and a towtruck, I raised the hood and saw the obvious problem... mechanic forgot to put a clamp back on the heater hose. They wanted to fix the hose and give it back saying it would be OK, I refused. After much screaming and yelling, I got a new engine. I had them pull the pan on the old (1500 miles) engine while I watched. A rod bearing was fried on #2 cylinder! The dealer gave me a 100000 mile warranty.

Steering has a popping noise as you turn. The first mechanic said it was an upper strut bearing. Fixed it, but about 2000 miles later, it started on the other side. I told the service manager that it sounded just like the last time, so it's probably the strut bearing. He said no, its the tie rod. No fix, next time the ball joint, no fix. Next time the sway bar bushings, no fix. Then the other tie rod, no fix. Then both inner tie rods, no fix. Then the rack and pinion assy, you guessed it, no fix! Mind you, every time I told them about the first time. 120000 miles on it now and still popping. I'm going to change it strut bearing myself.

After the mechanics changed the rack and pinion, the "check engine" lite came on. Read the code and saw a problem with the evaporative system. Took it back, they forgot to hook it up when they had replaced the rack and pinion. After that, the lite was OK but every time you shut the car off after a drive, it would "moan" for about 3 to 5 minutes. Took it back several times, they couldn't find it before it went away. About the same time, found it hard to fill the tank, it would shut off before full. I didn't put it together until I had pulled in to fill the tank, shut off the car. Popped the gas cap and the moaning quit. Took it back to the dealer and told him to look at the at the evaporative system. Then they found they had crimped the vent hose on the evaporative canister.

The AC has never worked for long or very good. Loses about a can of freon a month. Dealer never could find it (hoses, valves, compressor), so I add a can every so often.

The side doors are auto. But for a long time, the passenger door would go nearly shut, then go back open. Finally after two motors, two tracks and several rollers, they replaced the electronic sensor that senses if something is being shut in the door, good fix.

General Comments:

Believe it or not, we still like the van.

Gas mileage is 22 to 27.

Great ride.

GPS works great, we travel a lot.

Voice command Blue Tooth is OK.

Sto'n Go is ideal for hauling stuff.