This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My van has had flickering headlights and dashboard lights. I replaced the alternator and the battery had been replaced recently as well and it is still doing it. Driving home from work today it was flickering a lot and the dash board lights were flickering a lot as well. Makes it hard to see driving at night.
Courtesy lamp socket melted needing replacement. More recently, the right rear turn signal failed. When I replaced the lamp, I noticed that both sides the socket assembly had melted. The replacement bulb is not able to function as the contacts are not able to connect. The entire assembly needs to be replaced.
The headlights will flicker, the same time they flicker the dash lights for the odometer will flicker as well. I've also noticed when this started the small light next to my hazard button on the dash flickers as well, even though no one is in that seat. This problem is distracting and makes it difficult to drive at night. This problem has seemed to have gotten worse since it started. I've tried running the van with and without the A/C but this did not solve the issue.
The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the headlights malfunctioned. The contact then used the fog lamps to continue driving. The contact did not contact the manufacturer or a dealer for inspection or repairs to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 117,000.
- Oconomowoc, WI, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The headlights would not turn on. The parking lights would come on, but not the headlamps. Turning the switch/dial turned them off, and turned on parking lights, but nothing else. The switch would turn all the way, but nothing. Then the parking lights wouldn't go off at all. Then I got the headlights to come on after messing with the switch for a while. The headlights came on the next day. It seems to be an intermittent problem... there are a lot of posts about this problem online. There should be a recall. This is very unsafe.
Lights will not turn off when switch is turned off. Parking lights stay on for several minutes, turn themselves back on when car is unlocked. Occasionally blinks out when driving (less than 1 second blink).
The power door locks on this 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan just stopped working. Key fob sounds horn when locking, but locks do not engage. Very dangerous for travel as locks do not engage when vehicle reaches 18 mph.
I got in the vehicle at night. Turned on headlights and they would not come on. Played with switch and they flashed on. Driving down the road they went out and I had to pull over and play with the switch to get them to come back on. They are now, 2 weeks later, at the point that I cannot drive at night. They will not stay on, flash on then go off within a few seconds. After doing research I have found this to be a very common problem with this make and model. Very dangerous!
The headlights went out by themselves during night highway driving at ~64mph! this was an extremely dangerous situation as I had my wife and 3 children in the van. Completely unacceptable. I had to pull off the highway during heavy traffic, and cycle the headlight switch 6-10 times to get the headlights to illuminate again. Even after that, they would intermittently go out/come on for the duration of out trip home. This is a serious vehicle safety issue.
The headlights will go on and off at any time. This happens while driving or while parked for the night. I have replaced the headlight switch on three occasions, first only the switch, next the switch and battery, and then finally the switch and alternator. Each repair lasts for a few months then the problem returns. This is a very unsafe condition as it happens at night driving. As this is an intermittent issue I cannot get a true diagnosis.
Sometimes, my headlights won't turn on when I start the vehicle (the dashboards lights are still on when this happens). I usually solve the problem by switching the light switch on and off. The problem not only is fixed that way, but it goes away for months at a time and is quite random and mysterious. I am just concerned about the lights frying or suddenly turning off while the car is moving because I work evenings and often commute on the highway. Not only that, but after doing some research it appears quite a few people have this problem. It seems to be a known, mysterious glitch with Dodge Caravan from the same year. I get regular oil changes, always pass inspections, and the mechanics never find major issues with the battery, engine, or the headlights themselves. And they usually tell you that the car needs to be present in their shop while the problem is happening, which due to the random, intermittent nature of the problem is nigh impossible to do. It's a very strange problem, but there must be some cause if so many people driving similar cars have had similar complaints.
Headlights will randomly decide not to come on, or go off after car has been running. Parking lights, brake lights and directionals con't to work. Turning the lamp switch on and off a few times does not work. This has happen approximately 4 or 5 times over the last two months. Most recently on June 29 @ 10pm, had been driving on the highway with no incident. Off the highway stopped at a convenience store, after turning car back on and driving a few feet, on an unlit road the headlights went off, had to pull off to the side and shut car off and then restart, this is the only way they seem to come back on, the switch is not effective.
This is a re-occurring issue. The first time it happened I had just reached around 50,000 miles (I guessed at the date). Then it happens off and on over the course of time. The most recent occurence was 6/23/2012 (I now have over 100000 miles). When driving at night, the headlights flicker dim, then bright, then they go out entirely. I must turn the switch off and on several times before the lights come back on. Three times I have had my children in the car. I have taken the van into the service shop, but have been told I was just imagining the issue. When I insisted I was not imaging it, I was told that maybe I never turned on the lights in the first place. Not once has Dodge service acknowleged that there could be an issue. The service guy did offer to take my van and drive it personally for a week to see if he could get it to happen. I didn't think it appropriate that he add several hundred miles for his amusement.
The headlights and parking lights started to randomly turn on and off. Now the parking lights won't go off and the headlights will not go on. No matter how many times I flip the switch. This is awful and dangerous, as I can't drive at night. The windshield wipers also will not turn on. This is ridiculous and I can't find any help.
Following the advise of many whom have posted on the following website; autoforum.classifieds1000.com/Dodge-grand_caravan/2005_dodge_grand_caravan_random_headlamp_issue?pg=3. I am also experiencing problems with my Dodge Grand Caravan. I am currently experiencing problems with the headlights; they shut down by themselves while I am driving. I have also experiences problems with the brakes lights, power windows and the passenger sliding doors. I cannot use the sliding door behind the driver side. It had been permanently shut for the last 3 years, since the last visit to the Dodge dealership in miami, Florida. They did a dreadful job.
Headlights intermittently fail to illuminate when rotary switch is placed in on position. Multiple rotation of the switch from off to on position is required to get headlights to illuminate. In some cases, 20+ tries were required. I am afraid that complete failure may happen and make vehicle undriveable if it occurs at night. Online forums indicate that this is a fairly common problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fairfield, OH, USA