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 #104

Jun 102009

Grand Caravan SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Door locks stopped working in June 09. Figured it was the fuse, couldn't find in the owners manual which fuse it was so I decided to check online. That's when I found out that this is a common problem. We tried the removing the fuse for 10-15 seconds trick and it worked for a few weeks. Then it happened again. Did the fuse trick again, worked for a while. It happened several more times during the summer. During the winter/colder months it maybe happened once or twice. Now I'm wondering if it has something to do with using the AC?

So now fast forward to summer 2010. It started doing it more frequently again. And now sometimes we would do the fuse trick and it would work but by the time we would drive home and then go to lock it, it wasn't working already. For the past three days it stops working, I remove the fuse, put it back in, the locks will work once or twice, and then stop working again. I have pulled that fuse about 12 times in the past 3 days!!!! Called the dodge dealer and explained this to them and how I'm only one of MANY with this problem. They claim to have never heard of this. They asked if the battery had recently been dead. About 10 days ago an interior light was accidentally left on over night. The next morning the van wouldn't start. There was enough power in the battery that the clock was still on and the interior lights came on when I opened the door. But not enough juice to start the van, it just made a clicking sound. So the service guy says because the battery was "dead" the computer lost its memory and needs to be reprogrammed for $85 plus tax.

So apparently every time you need to disconnect your battery, or if it's dead or when you replace it, you're going to have to pay to have it reprogrammed. So...I called another dodge dealer, they two say they have never heard of this. For now I stopped at the hardware store and bought a new fuse, even this one is still technically good, and it worked for about 5 lock/unlocks so far. Lets see what my next trip down the road brings. This is our 5th dodge van and our LAST!!!!!

- frustrated in ct, Uncasville, CT, US

problem #103

Jul 312010

Grand Caravan 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,015 miles

Noticed as I was pulling into driveway, door locks were up. Thought I might have accidentally hit door lock button instead of window control. Unloaded van, then hit remote door lock. Horn beeped. Was in driveway later and noticed door locks up. Opened passenger door and tried door lock. Nothing. Tried remote, locks still up. Tried drivers door. Nothing. Looked in owners manual for fuse, no help. Decided to try internet, and found this site. Pulled the fuse, cleaned the contacts, and it worked. Will wait and see for how long. A side note to this happening. Was not able to manually lock lift gate. Must need power to engage the lock.

- fbrown, Marysville, CA, US

problem #102

Dec 012009

Grand Caravan SXT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

When this first happened, I told a friend who also has the same van and he said he'd heard of the problem. He searched the internet and told me it was a known problem and gave me the site. Then my husband read up on it and fixed the problem. However, it continues regularly (at least 3x a week) to fail. I can fix it myself, but I'm a working mother of two young boys and it's not always convenient or safe. We have been hoping the hear that the issues being recalled. I am disgusted with Dodge for the numerous complaints all over the country and yet they haven't recalled this issue. We will never buy another Dodge car again.

- Helen D., Bloomington, IL, US

problem #101

Oct 162008

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

The only real fix to this problem is to have a dealer load new software on the BCM. There is a Dodge TSB for this.

The battery-disconnect "fix" was only temporary. Despite the dealer work only taking 30 minutes, the minimum charge is one hour labor $120. Kind of ridiculous for a software bug fix!

- daeven, Naperville, IL, US

problem #100

Aug 042009

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I don't have any comment, I don't have any solution yet, sorry guys

- Marco A., Omaha, NE, US

problem #99

Jun 182010

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

This is a constant problem. I don't know what the fix is besides taking it to the dealership and the cost to fix the problem is more than I can afford. I am struggling the way it is.

- tappy96, Denver, CO, US

problem #98

Jun 102010

Grand Caravan 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,850 miles

Locks went out yesterday. Glad i found this site. Disconnected battery and key now works, but doors don't lock at 20 mph like they used to. With the other probslems with rusty coolant lines, this is my 1 and only Dodge.

- lmn, Welch, MN, US

problem #97

Jun 202010

(reported on)

Grand Caravan 6 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,450 miles

Locks stopped working, we checked the owners manual and tried the fixed they mentioned. Then we found this website, pulled fuze, cleaned it and presto..it works again. Thanks for taking the time to post these fixes here. Just bought the car about a week ago!

- Barbara P., Colorado Springs, CO, US

problem #96

Apr 012010

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,273 miles

well it seems to be a common problem with the door locks and definitely a pain to deal with. have tried the fuse thing and battery too only lasted for a day or 2 ....now rear automatic side window not working also ??????? anyone have real solution to the door lock thing before I contact dealer ?????

- sarapnickas, Wallaceburg, ON, Canada

problem #95

Mar 122010

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,450 miles

Door locks stopped working. Called my dealer today and he said that I would have to bring it in. I used to think that I wanted a new Caravan or Town & Country but I am having second thoughts because of so many quirky problems with my 2005 Caravan.

- ellington, Wichita, KS, US

problem #94

Sep 202009

Grand Caravan SE 3.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,500 miles

It sounds like Dodge has a problem with the locks on the Grand Caravan from all of the other complaints regarding the locks. Now part of the dash does not work. I don't know if they are related but, only part of it will light up at night.

- Eric I., Oregon City, OR, US

problem #93

Mar 052010

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,220 miles

Went out to dinner the other night, parked the van, pressed the autolock on the Master Key Controller, the horn beeped once (as usual).....but for some reason, my eye was focused on the driver door lock button...which did not go down. OK. Maybe a minor system foul-up I thought. So I pressed the auto un-lock on the Master Key Controller, interior dome light comes on (as usual), then, pressed the auto door-lock button again...still nothing. Opened the Driver Door and manually pressed the toggle-lever for the door lock...still nothing. Dinner party waiting, so, I had to manually lock all the doors. After dinner, went home on-line and Googled my way to this web sight, read the possible ways to fix this problem. Tried disconnecting the negative battery cable (2nd choice), waited 1 minute, reconnected negative battery cable...door locks started responding again...except...now the flashing of the headlights usually associated with the auto door unlock feature (Driver-side headlamp on first try, both head lamps on the second try...which unlocks all doors) has stopped working. Go figure. I am curious about the "service bulletin" concerning this issue. Will report back later when the flashing headlight issue is resolved.

- Jim D., Reynoldsburg, OH, US

problem #92

Feb 012010

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,000 miles

I am so thankful to have stumbled on this site!!!! The electric locks on my van just quit working one day--no warning--. I took it to a mechanic and he ran a computer ck and reset something and they were working again -- that was 2 weeks ago and now they have quit again-- I happened to google "problems with Dodge GranCaravans " and came upon this site that tell me nearly all the complaints with the 05 Caravans are the Electrical Door Lockls.--- Why hasn't there been a recall and information sent to owners about this problem?? At least--Thanks to you I have found a temporary fix. Thank you so much.

- clovelady, Athens, TX, US

problem #91

Dec 012009

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

1st - Automatic doors stopped working

2nd - A few months later, automatic locks stopped working

Repair shop "re-flashed" computer... fixed the locks for two days or so. Then I heard to try the battery disconnect fix... worked for two days... repair shop now has it again. They tell me they think they have an "updated" flash for the computer from Chrysler that has been working for two days now. They say they are confident that this fix will work. If not, they've identified a repair for only a piece of the computer module that they can replace for $178 instead of the $1500 they originally quoted... stay tuned.

- ghostmansnuts, Avon, OH, US

problem #90

Dec 212009

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

Evidently this is a common problem in 2005. I've disconnected the battery and the fuse a couple of times but it is a temporary fix.

What is the permanant fix?

- James C., Kenbridge, VA, US

problem #89

Dec 012009

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

I purchased the vehicle in September of 2004. The power door lock failure occurred for the 1st time in about June of 2007. Through trial and error I discovered that the removal and replacement of the same 20amp fuse in the IOD slot corrected the problem, but only temporarily. This problem has continued to plague me many times within the past two and a half years. I discussed this at the dealer's service department and they are not aware of any such problem with the 2005 Grand Caravan. I certainly find that difficult to believe. I will be approaching the dealership again concerning the door locks very soon. Maybe they will resolve this problem without charge since it is an inherent trouble with their automobile.

Update from Jan 6, 2010: Please understand that I've had many power door lock failures since it first occurred in June of 2007. In fact I've had 4 incidents since my original complaint to carcomplaints.com. I have just returned from the Chrysler-Dodge service department. The mechanic ran diagnostics on the BCM and found two code failures. Apparently there is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that addresses this problem and the fix is to reprogram the BCM which was done. The locks are fine now. Now we wait and see. I have an extended service contract with a $100 deductible. I paid the deductible even though I feel that this is a stock problem with this vehicle and Chrysler should make the repair free of charge.

Update from Jan 6, 2010: I have forgotten to thank you for this carcomplaints.com web site. You give consumers such as myself a forum to express our concerns and learn that our automobile troubles are shared by many others. Contributors oftentimes have found the fixes to the problems and share them. Keep up the good work and may I reiterate "Thank you."

- rocky426, Carmel, NY, US

problem #88

Oct 142009

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles

Everyone - don't just rant and rave, report your complaint to http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

- Richard A., Miami Lakes, FL, US

problem #87

Nov 022009

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,419 miles

Complaints, Problem, Rants, Grumbles?????

I've had them all, but a Dodge Grand Caravan is the ONLY vehicle I will drive until my license is no longer renewable. My ownership of cars has seen everything from English racing (Austin Healey 10, 0-6) to high performance, to luxury, to absolute pieces of s---!!

Dodge is right on the money, as is your web site. Thanks for helping me find the problem with my current steed.

- gordonstillhere, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

problem #86

Oct 302009

Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,568 miles

This is suppose to be a convenience feature , already had it in for the same problem a 5,031 miles! Now same sh*t different day. No wonder why they went belly up for the 2nd time. What a piece of crap.

- Eric L., Walworth, NY, US

problem #85

Nov 012009

Grand Caravan

  • Automatic transmission
  • 164,000 miles

misery loves company after seeing all the complaints. After reading a few I tried removing, rotating and reinstalling the 40AMP BSM #1 fuse. Door locks immediately worked but I just did it. I did fill out a complaint at government consumer website listed in some of the complaints...can't remember it! Said that it should definately be considered a safety concern with a recall for all the complaints.

- piech4455, Jefferson, WI, US

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