6.9

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$80
Average Mileage:
72,750 miles
Total Complaints:
164 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (66 reports)
  2. remove & reinsert the 20 amp iod fuse (53 reports)
  3. disconnected battery for 1 minute (12 reports)
  4. remove and reinsert BCM #1 fuse (7 reports)
  5. update firmware in body control module (BCM) (7 reports)
  6. dealer charged me to reflash the computer (4 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Dodge dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #124

May 212011

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

We bought our 2005 Caravan when it was only a year old. It has been in the shop more than any other car I've ever owned! It's been a total piece of crap since day 1 and I would love to get rid of it! It was just in the shop 2 months ago to have things replaced on it and now we have to replace the entire a/c unit, the hoses, the brakes (AGAIN!) - which were just replaced 5 months ago - and now my power door locks don't work at all! My passenger side window stopped working about a year ago, the automatic sliding door on the passenger side doesn't work, the hatch will not open and close automatically, the lights on the dash are out only on the driver's side (also the map light on the driver's side)...

This car is just one problem after another and I can promise you I will NEVER, EVER buy ANYTHING made by Dodge again!!! They are the worst vehicles out there and I regret every single day that I ever bought this car and am now stuck with it! I understand that cars need repairs as they get older but this is definitely far above the normal wear and tear that a car normally has! The list above are only the problems we've had since the middle of last year and that's not even the entire list...just the hightlights!

- jenoh, Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #123

Oct 202010

Grand Caravan 3.3L 6v

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,313 miles

Same problem,started when automatic lock didn't work,and then all door locks followed..it's annoying to jump to unlock each and every door to get my family or friends in..Will try to remove the IOD fuse and put it back in 5 sec,and follow up..

Thanks for the info.

Mitry R,Montreal Canada

- mitryr, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

problem #122

Nov 172009

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

Like everyone else who owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Carvan, I too have the infamous power door lock failure. I have come to the conclusion that they all do it eventually and outside of a gallon of gas and a lit match… there is not cure. You can pull the 20 amp fuse to reset the firmware and even have the Dodge dealer re-flash the body control manager, but the problem seems to return eventually. This is a safety concern and the vehicle should be a recall. Dodge should be accountable for this and made to correct the problem. This is only one of the many problems that I have had with van since ownership. It is by far, the most problematic vehicle I have ever owned. A word to the wise… do not buy one!

- David W., Wallingford, CT, US

problem #121

Mar 312011

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

well we bought the van from my uncle in Ardmore, OK and noticed the problem there, they fixed it by resetting the bcm and it worked fine until we drove all the way back home to Las Vegas, NV and the problem reoccurred. so my husband and i were trying to fix the problem and he read the owners manual, section on locks, andf it seems to work for now, not sure how long it will, but i know eventually we will have to replace the bcm, which im sure will cost a lot, i think my cousin said around $500 but that was back in Ardmore, OK, with free labor, out here in Vegas hmmm, im sure an arm & a leg, well hope this helps some people

- Lacie P., Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #120

Mar 012011

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

ANOTHER ANNOYING PROBLEM HAVE TO HAND LOCK DOORS OR PULL AN REINSTALL FUSE

- Jay S., Gilbert, AZ, US

problem #119

Feb 182011

Grand Caravan 6.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

I just bought this "used" dodge grand caravan and it had this problem already, had a locksmith reprogram the BCM with his computer, it worked for 2 days and it is not working again, the only thing that works is the side sliding doors and the back door,then I noticed that in the car manual the previous owner had highlighted some instructions where you can reprogram the locks by switching the ignition key 4 times ending in the off position and then after 10 seconds turn the door lock on, a chime will sound, it did but locks still do not work, I saw on this site that there are over 100 complains listed, I will be calling the National Highway Traffic Safety administration and put in my complain, read below: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration @ 1-888-327-4236. CALL THIS NUMBER AND FILE A COMPLAINT. IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN AND THEY SEE A PATTERN THEN THEY MAY ISSUE A RECALL PLEASE CALL NOW! TOOK ME LESS THAN MINUTES! Goto DodgeForum for a fix if you have a mechanic you know well. It provides the procedure for the reprogram of the the BCM-Body Control Module

Update from Mar 5, 2011: locksmith reprogramed the system again and it has been working. He originally charged under $100.00, did not charge me again, thank God

- Dalia M., Miami Lakes, Fl, US

problem #118

May 172010

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

well I lock my van as always. its lights flashed and the horn honked, thought all was good. the first few times i thought maybe i didn't lock the van, but then in actuality the doors weren't locking at all.the hatch is still controlled by the clicker though. i did find this website that said the trick with the fuse, tried it worked for 2wks, tried it again lasted about a week, finally bought a new fuse, did trick again lasted a few days, did the trick again lasted 2 CLICKS, 2 FRICKING CLICKS. pissed. contacted the dealer only to find out that the van needs to be "reflashed" at 125.00, that "might" fix the problem. so i say screw it, i park in the garage leave drivers door open and passenger window down, that way if i need to get in its open no back and fourth. then i use my handy dandy umbrella to reach across and lock all doors.......fix 5.00 and extra time. i really love my van and my husband hates it and never wanted to get it so i'll do what i can to keep it even if it means "ghetto locks". i really wish dodge would recall this problem.

- Tracie M., joliet, IL, US

problem #117

Jan 282011

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration @ 1-888-327-4236.

CALL THIS NUMBER AND FILE A COMPLAINT. IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN AND THEY SEE A PATTERN THEN THEY MAY ISSUE A RECALL

PLEASE CALL NOW! TOOK ME LESS THAN MINUTES!

Goto DodgeForum for a fix if you have a mechanic you know well.

It provides the procedure for the reprogram of the the BCM-Body Control Module

- Joel L., Wayne, PA, US

problem #116

May 152007

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

I have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT and been having trouble with it almost from the day I got it, I've tried all the stuff that's been mentioned in these complaints.One dealer even said that I could remove the door locks one by one and clean the electrical contacts, they said it was pretty simple but time consuming .NO WAY!!! This is something the dealer should fix at their expense. Is Chrysler afraid to admit this is a HUGE problem or is it that they just don't give a darn? Do all the top executives get their car fixed for free ?

- John P., Snellville, GA, US

problem #115

Dec 102010

Grand Caravan SXT 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,354 miles

The owners manual does not indicate which fuse is tied to the power locks so I can check and replace if needed. Anyone know which fuse(s) need to be checked? I want to check the fuse before going to dealer for repairs - not under warranty and my last van payment is in January 2011. Help!!!

- rpfountain, Cooper City, FL, US

problem #114

Aug 222010

Grand Caravan LE 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

The power door locks have been failing intermittently for 2 yrs. I unhooked the BCM fuse or the battery cable momentarily at least 25 times.The door locks would work for a short time - then fail again until I repeated the fuse or battery cable removal procedure. As time went on the fix would last less & less time. At the end the locks would only work for 3 days- then would fail again.Initially the Dodge dealer told me it would cost $700.00 to fix it by replacing the BCM. (I didn't want to spend that much money!!) . I finally read about a possible fix from a consumer that merely involved "updating the BCM". I took it to the Dodge dealer again & asked to have the BCM reprogrammed. They did it for $177.27 last month & its been working fine since.

Luckily they didn't try to sell me a new BCM again as that would have been a lot more money to get it fixed.

- Arnie J., Tucson, AZ, US

problem #113

Oct 012010

Grand Caravan 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

It's nice to know I'm not the only one with this pain in the butt problem. First, the blower fan stopped working on my 2005 grand caravan, and I went online and found out how to fix, ( little fuse type set up behind glove box-cheap fix!) and that worked, but now my wife tells me that her power locks don't work-not with the button on her keys, but also the actual lock button inside her van doesn't work either. I tried replacing the fuses already, and I'm tight for cash right now, so I can't afford to keep taking it into the dealership for repairs. Yeah, I think most of you guys that wrote in hit it on the head. Dodge sucks, and it will be the last one I ever buy!

- towerofpower100, Appleton, WI, US

problem #112

May 152008

Grand Caravan V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

This Dodge Grand Caravan has had every problem possible. EGR sensor failed at 40,000 miles, electric door locks became inoperable at 35,000 miles, sliding door inop at 60,000 miles, brake problems at 50,000 miles. I've never owned such a piece of junk in my life. NEVER AGAIN will I buy a Dodge. They are complete junk.

- shagwella, Burke, VA, US

problem #111

Sep 142010

Grand Caravan V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

I pulled of the fuse and it work for a little while and now i had to replace the battery and it still dosent work.It is a real incovenince.

- Juan T., Corona, CA, US

problem #110

Sep 282010

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

This is the second electrical problem I have had with my Dodge caravan which I hate because I love the ride and design of the vehicle. I already had a complete electrical failure 2 years ago at the cost of $1000.00 to fix. Now my car doors will not auto lock or open. I have been afraid to lock my car for fear that I will not be able to get into it.This is real bad as I often watch my small nephews and keep car seats in the van and a stroller. I am afraid they are going to get stolen.

I do not understand why the electrical system seems to be a problem with this car. Even the CD Player sometimes goes nuts.

I do not know where the 20amp IOD fuse is located can anyone tell me?

- Sharon K., Waldorf, MD, US

problem #109

Sep 082010

Grand Caravan SXT 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Have read that this is a malfunctionning BCM and Ddoge has not provided any relief for this ongoing issue. Time to fix the problem-Dodge!

- moorema, Vineyard Haven, MA, US

problem #108

Sep 122010

Grand Caravan STX 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I can see by the posts this is a common issue. What is odd is that the dealer just had ours for a week doing the water pump, alternator, AC including new controls. They also did a flash on the computer and now this just 48 hours after we got it back. We have had this van since '06 and it has been average at best.

- Phillip M., Kalamazoo, MI, US

problem #107

Apr 022010

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

Thanks to this web site and the participants, I removed the IOD fuse (reset) and solve the problem for 1 to 18 days. Only once did I do the reset twice in one day. The dealer, Sport Dodge in Egg Harbor Twp. was useless. The service thought that I had no clue about the van and insisted that I had to have a complete diagnostic test, about $300. As per the this web site I asked to have the TSB applied. I was told that I had no business asking for a TSB.

Update from Oct 3, 2010: So far this has been a routine experience every couple of days. Today I had to do the reset with the IOD fuse 3 times.

Does anyone know the numbers/ids of the Dodge TSBs that maybe can cure this problem?

- mg_s81, Glen Rock, NJ, US

problem #106

May 122009

Grand Caravan 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Rear driver side door will not lock automatically anymore. I have to manually lock and unlock this door by reaching through the driver side door and pulling on the lock. I have tested the fuses and all are good and I have reseated the connector at the base of the door with no luck. Recently, I was driving through a rain storm and now when I lock the doors or unlock the doors the lights do no flash. The turn signals and brake lights work, but they dont flash anymore when locking or unlocking the door. Van was nice to drive but it just seems to be built very poorly. I also have brake issues.

Wish I could just give this back to dodge for a full refund!

- morganjp94, Noble, OK, US

problem #105

Sep 032010

Grand Caravan SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,389 miles

same as everyone else, power locks dont work, pain in my behind as i'm sure it is in your case. Hope pulling and replacing fuse works! dodge sucks. Thanks for this forum, and thanks for being free, very helpful to everyone without having to pay a fortune for dodge's faults!

- curtisburns, Brockville, Ontario, Canada

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