2005 Grand Caravan SXT with 70k that we've had since we bought it fall 2005 with 18k.

So far:

broken power wire in sliding door (2x)
bad front anti-roll bar bushings (4x, including the supposedly superior Moog bushings which lasted the same number of miles as the others)
water coming into passenger side from badly designed AC drain (1x)
water coming into passenger side from leaf buildup in cowl area (1x)
power lock issue (countless)
leaking power steering (1x)
excessive oil use due to clogged PCV valve (1x)
bad front brake rotors (2x)

What other common problems are there?

These items are inconveniences, and I've been able to repair them without much trouble (except the lock thing, that needs to go to the dealer, and I hate taking cars to the dealer, so I've been putting it off). What I'm really concerned with are expensive repairs like transmissions and engines. Any history of these with this model?

 

Change oil and Trans fluid regularly, you will be problem free with Engine and Trans. See plenty of owners goes pass 200k mark with these van with scheduled maint.

The list above doesn't seem bad, you should expect to spend money on those things on most cars out there.
check under the glove box and see if your car has a Cabin Air filter that should be changed.

other Common problem? Waterpump usually start leaking around 100k mark. fairly normal. most cars recommend Timing belt and water pump every 100k anyway.
Rear Evaporator for the A/C leaks causing A/C failure.

other than that, most of your money will probably be spent on Maintainece like Tires and Brakes.

 

thanks for the reply.

Hoping to make this one last at least another 4-5 years.

 

"Change oil and Trans fluid regularly, you will be problem free with Engine and Trans."

Ouch! That's quite a limb to go out on. I would have said ...increases your chances...

 

If you have a rear heater, you can expect those to go. There is also a hard pipe for the coolant down by the oil filter that frequently goes bad.

 

06 caravan sxt, 65000 miles.

I had to replace rear evaporator due to leak. I also has a crank shaft seal i put in due to leak.

This past week i put in water pump, not because of leak but had small wobble thinking that was causing my chirping sound. That was the the stimulus. The belt fixed the chirp.

Biggest problem now is the diesel sounding engine. Only problem is my engine is not a diesel. It sounds perfect when with the belt off and engine running.

This is what it sounds like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2cO0gIT5Y0
It must be good to hear other people respond saying tranny and engine stays well, if fluids are changed. I liked the sound of that.