18th Aug 2007, 21:55

I have a 2005 Caravan, and it has been pretty good overall. I too had a problem with it running rough (and check engine light), and the dealership found an engine miss, traced to a spark plug. So they replaced ONLY that ONE spark plug - give me a break! Out of warranty, the problem returned - I went to an independent technician, who found another plug bad. He replaced them ALL (as you should). Eats brakes - went through them at 8,000 and 17,000 miles - the dealer said it was the way my wife drives (BS!). I recommend installing the best pads and rotors to get any kind of life out of them - better quality parts got me 40,000 miles. I think that when push comes to shove, the Caravan is a good value (Keep the dealership service though, and go to an independent).

16th Sep 2007, 23:12

I have a 2001 Grand Caravan Sport with 65K and have not had any severe problems. I love my Van and will recommend to all my friends and family. I believe in regular maintenance and proper care in operating of vehicles, they will last a very long time (for instance not slamming on the brakes not gunning the engine all the time, etc., let the Motor warm up before taking off). My sister and Brother-in-law have had 3 Dodge Vans: a 1974, 1996 and a 2001 (1996 with about 120K is now my brothers), I purchased one of my sisters Dodge Van's and in turn sold it to a friend 120K (who ran it into the ground, could not afford to keep up with the regular maintenance). My Husband had a Dodge Ram 250 Van Conversion (sold at about 104K miles) & know he has a Dodge Coach House (with about 68K), both ran well.

20th Nov 2007, 17:59

I own a 2002 Dodge Dakota; the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned. Front brake calipers have a fiberglass composite piston which sticks & causes the brake pads to drag & cook the brake rotors. Front suspension is very light duty; have had to replace the tie rod ends at 72,000 miles. Ball joints have also been replaced. 3.9 V6 engine can't get out of it's own way & gets poor fuel mileage (15 mpg average). Light duty, low quality, problem vehicle. Don't buy any Chrysler vehicle; pretty on the outside; sub-par junk on the inside.

30th Jan 2008, 09:27

01 Dodge Caravan.

Had a Dodge dealer tell me that a sticking break piston that ruined the rotor was "Normal" after 21,000 miles. I also had another dealer tell me that we needed $800.00 worth of tune-up with only 56,000 miles.

Both times I called the 800 number in owners manual and both times Dodge made these problems right at no cost to me. For the brakes they told me to find a brake shop I trusted and they reimbursed me.

No lie, once I found a decent Dodge service center, all has been good to go. Remember, the dealers don't work for Dodge. I went through a number of "Five Star" dealer service centers before I found an honest one. I have had the same problem with my other cars as well.

20th Mar 2009, 18:20

I've had six Dodge B200 3/4 T vans and now am on sixth Grand Caravan.

My experience is they just start falling apart at about 20K miles.

Example, B-200 20k, right front coil spring crack, headliner falls off, rear view mirror falls off, A/C unit fails.

B-200 40k, power steering box cracks from frame, transmission lunches up, ignition coil shorts. 65k, water pump fails, A/C fails, power steering pump fails.

For the Grand Caravan (s), 30k A/C fails, door wires for all door controls and speakers crack (both sides), waterpump fails, rear gate door pressurized unit fails, 50k tie rod ends fail, ball joints fail, C/V shaft fails (both sides).

Geez, can't these guys make a vehicle by now, that doesn't just fall apart around you.

The folks that get 200k with these, are blessed.