2005 Dodge Caravan mini van. Consumer writes in regards to multiple issues with vehicle.

- Hemet, CA, USA

Myself and two others just recently got into a car accident and my airbags didnt go off. Thank god that we had our seatbelts on. A car cut a bus off on hwy44 wwst in inverness fl, we all had to hit our brakes and ending up hitting another car at 30-40 mph. When made inpack with the other car the airbags did not go off leading to injuries and had to go to the hospital.

- Inverness, FL, USA

As I was driving, the electrical system on my 2005 Dodge Caravan wheelchair-accessible minivan failed completely, shutting down my power brakes, power steering, all dashboard indicators, and all vehicle lights (including the four-way flashers). Fortunately, the engine continued to run, so I was able to pull it to the side of the road. This has happened to me twice. The first time we took it to our regular mechanic, who could not find anything wrong. After it happened the second time, a Dodge dealer mechanic told me that the automatic braking system locking mechanism had failed and shorted out the entire electrical system and would cost $900 to repair. It also cost an extra $500 to replace the mechanism that the part is attached to because it had rusted so severely. These incidents were frightening because it was difficult to pull the car over to the side of the road without power steering and power brakes. It would have been worse if it had happened at a higher speed or at night since all my lights would have shut off. I would consider buying a newer wheelchair van if they were not so incredibly expensive.

- Easthampton, MA, USA

My husband and I purchased a Dodge Caravan from a dealer and since purchasing it, we have had nothing but problems. Our door lock system has stopped working in which my mother who is disabled and can only be put on one side of the van related to her stroke, was unable to exit the vehicle. The locking mechanism wouldn't let us open the door and we live in Texas. We had to keep the car running until we were able to transfer her to the other door. We now can only put her in on her "bad" side which puts her at risk for injury (and us). After that we had problems that started with the gages bobbing up and down and the interior lighting system is not working right half the time. It also has the anti-lock brake system light come on and then the front end shakes. We have replaced the alternator, grounding wires, checked fuses and battery and cables. Nothing has worked, but there is no check engine light to get codes from until the car was at an intersection and died!!!!! now it is frequently dying when we are at a stop for red lights, stop signs and...recently it died while I was yielding for a left turn. I have had several car accidents and I nearly got T-boned at this intersection. Even when the car dies, it would usually start right up until a month ago. Now it may start up right away or it may not start for 15-30 minutes after it dies. In Texas we need the air conditioning. I am now refusing to put her in something I consider a "death trap". I am now putting this down in writing because I have now a code that says it is the body control module. From reports, there are hundreds of these same vans with this same problem. It needs to be recalled as it isn't an isolated problem. And now if this van dies at a critical traffic maneuver and I or my husband or mother or children become injured, we will look into legal action.

- Copperas Cove, TX, USA

At first my Caravan started eating brake pads, changing them approx every 6-8 months...then, it started shimmying when brakes were applied at a high rate of speed or going down a steep grade...I have changed rotors 3 times and also have changed calipers & brake lines....it has been 6 months since and it is starting to shimmy and now it feels like the brake pedal is going farther to the floor, brake fluid checks out fine...I am starting to feel afraid or scared that the brakes may fail....current mileage is 94000....from searching the internet, it seems there are alot of brake issues with the Caravan.

- Elk Mills, MD, USA