2005 Dodge Caravan Review
Fuel Economy
20 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Enjoyable to drive and ride in, the Caravan offers no-frills minivan transportation for the family on a tight budget.
Pros
Surprisingly agile handling, quiet ride in V6 models, low price.
Cons
Some cheap interior bits, reliability record not as strong as some competitors', limited availability of major safety features.
What's New for 2005
The Caravan gets a styling refresh and a hefty base price reduction.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Great Van
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Caravan SXT 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I have 80,000 miles on my minivan and the only repair so far has been an EGR valve and one tune up and brakes. We completely filled the van when we took a trip to South Carolina with five passengers and all the luggage and the van still got 27 miles to the gallon with the 3.3 motor and the air - conditioner on for the entire ride! We also had plenty of room and everyone was comfortable for the entire ride. Buy this van, you won't be disappointed.
Favorite Features
Handling, smooth transmission, smooth and quiet engine.
Suggested Improvements
Left door pannel hits your left leg and better seats.
Comfortable ride
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Caravan SXT 4dr Minivan (3.3L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Purchased new in May 05, now has 36,400 miles. Only have changed the oil, same battery and brakes. Have not replaced or repaired anything. Comfortable seats and a quite comfortable ride. Average 27 MPG highway on the 3.3 engine which is very quite. Test drove a Honda van and it was not as comfortable as the Dodge.
Favorite Features
Comfortable front bucket seats. Quite engine.
Suggested Improvements
None.
Buy a solution, not a Chrysler
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Caravan SE 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
After 15,000 miles spark plugs, air bag, injectors, brakes (pads and rotors), air bag again, power steering leaks, noisy engine belts, cv joints, sliding doors dont close properly, so we can feel air coming thru doors rubber seals but, the worst one is that after 4 months trying to get a roof paint warranty thru Chrysler customer service they told me: Chrysler wont participate in this repair.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Not Happy after 3 years
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 2 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Caravan SE 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
At first I like our minivan. Some things are cheaply made like the seat covering. But it rode nice for 2 years. Then the sway bar links went and had them replaced but that didn't fix the noise that I hear still. My mechanic said the problem is with bushings on the sway bar and costly to repair. Now the transmission is going. After 67K miles I should have these kinds of problems. So overall I'm not happy with my Caravan
Favorite Features
The bucket seats are good and the double siding doors. Brand new it rode nice too.
Suggested Improvements
Better quality parts for the sway bar bushings (cover them under warranty)
Never again
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Dodge Caravan SE 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
Our 2005 Dodge Caravan has about 52,000 miles on it now. What's wrong with it? Transmission slips in reverse and the rack and pinion leaks on the pasenger side. Lucky for us this is covered under our extended warranty. Right side front impact sensor bad, right tie rod end bad, and the sway bar bushings are bad. Not covered under warranty. The dealer wanted $900 to fix the three problems. I told them no I would do the repairs myself. Well $12 for sway bar bushings, $35 for tie rod end and $35 for impact sensor. it took about 1.5 hours to do it. Anyway this van is not built very good. Driving thru little mountains in Arkansas and we getting passed by a Geo. Trust me don't buy a Dodge
Favorite Features
None
Suggested Improvements
Have GM build it
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2007 Dodge Caravan
- 2006 Dodge Caravan
- 2005 Dodge Caravan
- 2004 Dodge Caravan
- 2003 Dodge Caravan
- 2002 Dodge Caravan
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