2005 Grand Caravan Problems
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Joined: Jan 2007
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2005 Grand Caravan Problems
I have a 2005 grand caravan witk 14000 miles on it. So far the auto locks /power windows and radio have been replaced. Now after some front end noise i am told it needs a steering rack and front brakes! How do brakes wear after 14000 miles? I have never had a problem with my old mini van (windstar) and am getting frustrated. Are all dodges like this or just my lemon???
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1
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RE: 2005 Grand Caravan Problems
I too have a 2005 Grand Caravan and here's my story:
This van has been nothing but trouble since I purchased it new on 9/10/05. On 9/21/05 I took it in to Dependable Dodge in Reseda California, where I purchased it, because the driver side electric window would not open or close, Dependable Dodge said the regulator was bad and had to replace it. I was given a rental for two days. (I have the extended warranty that provides a rental car)
On 5/25/06 I took the van in to Dependable Dodge for a problem with the brakes at 10,662 miles. I also had a problem with the air conditioner which was making a squealing noise . I told them I heard a loud squealing noise when I applied the brakes. Dependable Dodge told me that the rotors were completely shot, they were metal to metal and that they replaced both the pads and the rotors under warranty because the car was less than a year old. Although they said they did it as a favor to me but the reason they were worn out was because of my driving habits. I called them several days later and informed them that the car was still making a squealing noise although it wasn't as bad as before and was told by Dodge that all cars make some noise in the brakes and that it was because they were new and I had to break them in. I continued to drive the van and although it didn't get worse, it didn't get better either. I was given a rental car.
On 8/29/06, at 13,635 miles, I took the van in again and told them that the van was still making a squealing noise in the brakes, they said they would check them out. I was told they were fine, at 50% and that again, all cars make some brake noise, it was normal. In addition to this, I had to leave the car in the shop so that they could perform numerous other repairs. There was an underbody heater hose and a windshield wiper motor recall that needed replaced. The car was also making a buzzing noise and was hard to start if it was over 100 degrees in the summer heat. The rear AC had also stopped working and would only blow out hot air. They found a faulty H-Vac module and had to replace that. The driver side electric door would also not open and close unless it was done manually. Again I was given a rental car.
Today, 3/08/07 at 20,415 miles (only 9,753 miles after a complete rotor/pad replacement) I called Dependable Dodge once again for the same squealing noise that is coming from the brakes which by now, is very loud and was told “sorry, but your car is out of manufacturers warranty , if you want the brakes fixed you will have to pay for them. We already fixed them once for you for free“. I explained that the original problem has never been FIXED, I was told they had no record of any complaints, which is a lie, they just did not DOCUMENT them. I was told that it would cost $29 to have it checked out and that I would have to pay to have it fixed. Although after further discussion I was told that they would check them for free but if there were any problems I would have to pay to have them fixed. I was told the reason the brakes were bad again was because most of my driving was done in town.
Honestly, this van has been nothing but a headache from the very beginning. I have been inconvenienced and I feel that the safety of my family is being jeopardized by driving this piece of junk. I will never recommend this car to anyone, this was a very bad purchase and not worth the price or headaches that go along with it.
This van has been nothing but trouble since I purchased it new on 9/10/05. On 9/21/05 I took it in to Dependable Dodge in Reseda California, where I purchased it, because the driver side electric window would not open or close, Dependable Dodge said the regulator was bad and had to replace it. I was given a rental for two days. (I have the extended warranty that provides a rental car)
On 5/25/06 I took the van in to Dependable Dodge for a problem with the brakes at 10,662 miles. I also had a problem with the air conditioner which was making a squealing noise . I told them I heard a loud squealing noise when I applied the brakes. Dependable Dodge told me that the rotors were completely shot, they were metal to metal and that they replaced both the pads and the rotors under warranty because the car was less than a year old. Although they said they did it as a favor to me but the reason they were worn out was because of my driving habits. I called them several days later and informed them that the car was still making a squealing noise although it wasn't as bad as before and was told by Dodge that all cars make some noise in the brakes and that it was because they were new and I had to break them in. I continued to drive the van and although it didn't get worse, it didn't get better either. I was given a rental car.
On 8/29/06, at 13,635 miles, I took the van in again and told them that the van was still making a squealing noise in the brakes, they said they would check them out. I was told they were fine, at 50% and that again, all cars make some brake noise, it was normal. In addition to this, I had to leave the car in the shop so that they could perform numerous other repairs. There was an underbody heater hose and a windshield wiper motor recall that needed replaced. The car was also making a buzzing noise and was hard to start if it was over 100 degrees in the summer heat. The rear AC had also stopped working and would only blow out hot air. They found a faulty H-Vac module and had to replace that. The driver side electric door would also not open and close unless it was done manually. Again I was given a rental car.
Today, 3/08/07 at 20,415 miles (only 9,753 miles after a complete rotor/pad replacement) I called Dependable Dodge once again for the same squealing noise that is coming from the brakes which by now, is very loud and was told “sorry, but your car is out of manufacturers warranty , if you want the brakes fixed you will have to pay for them. We already fixed them once for you for free“. I explained that the original problem has never been FIXED, I was told they had no record of any complaints, which is a lie, they just did not DOCUMENT them. I was told that it would cost $29 to have it checked out and that I would have to pay to have it fixed. Although after further discussion I was told that they would check them for free but if there were any problems I would have to pay to have them fixed. I was told the reason the brakes were bad again was because most of my driving was done in town.
Honestly, this van has been nothing but a headache from the very beginning. I have been inconvenienced and I feel that the safety of my family is being jeopardized by driving this piece of junk. I will never recommend this car to anyone, this was a very bad purchase and not worth the price or headaches that go along with it.
Joined: Jul 2006
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From:
RE: 2005 Grand Caravan Problems
It sounds more like a bad dealer than a bad van! YesI have had problems with my 05 but my dealer has been fantastic, Georgetown Chrysler here in Ontario, Canada. They make the difference now and in the past. The domestic dealers have to come out of the 80's mentality and service the customer.
I had a Ford Expedition that had a cowl leak that the dealer could not find, so on the third visit to get it fixed I asked for the shop forman to come out and look at it in person, being nice about it. He looked at the damp carpet put his finger into the damp area and smelled his finger. He looked in the back and saw the baby seat and said to me "I think your kid pissed in the back". Not a word of a lie!! Now we are in the service drive in bay with cars lined up out the door and about a dozen customers there. Well I went over the deep end, my screaming instantly had every manager in the dealer, one of the largest in the area, out trying to calm me down! When one asked why I was so angry I told him what his forman said! I then stated for some one to get me a water hose and started to disassemble the interior of the truck in what ever parts I could rip out and throw at the forman. I then took the hose put it over the leaky section of the cowl to prove there was a leak! I then went into my truck and got my Ford contractor ID badge (looksthe same as employee badge)and stated I wanted him fired or I would bring down the Ford God's on the dealer. They said no so I picked up the phone and and phoned Ford Canada head office (I know the number as I call it on business) onthe speaker phone and asked for the VP of dealer relations. The owner came over to me and said he would take care of everything and gave me the keys to his Lincoln. They fixed the leak, put in a new interior! The forman was fired, and well I went to my local (different dealer) small town Ford dealer for parts for my Mustang and guess who was now the Service Manager, same guy. I walked into his office and said I hope you enjoyed this job! Found the owner and he was gonzo! It is people like this ex forman that give domestics a bad name! I will chase his *** out of every dealer I see him at!
I to am curious about the front brakes on my Caravanas from day one they have been dusty! So I will be doing the brakes inthe next day or two as they are done after 40000 km. I ws looking at this fourm for tips on brands.
I had a Ford Expedition that had a cowl leak that the dealer could not find, so on the third visit to get it fixed I asked for the shop forman to come out and look at it in person, being nice about it. He looked at the damp carpet put his finger into the damp area and smelled his finger. He looked in the back and saw the baby seat and said to me "I think your kid pissed in the back". Not a word of a lie!! Now we are in the service drive in bay with cars lined up out the door and about a dozen customers there. Well I went over the deep end, my screaming instantly had every manager in the dealer, one of the largest in the area, out trying to calm me down! When one asked why I was so angry I told him what his forman said! I then stated for some one to get me a water hose and started to disassemble the interior of the truck in what ever parts I could rip out and throw at the forman. I then took the hose put it over the leaky section of the cowl to prove there was a leak! I then went into my truck and got my Ford contractor ID badge (looksthe same as employee badge)and stated I wanted him fired or I would bring down the Ford God's on the dealer. They said no so I picked up the phone and and phoned Ford Canada head office (I know the number as I call it on business) onthe speaker phone and asked for the VP of dealer relations. The owner came over to me and said he would take care of everything and gave me the keys to his Lincoln. They fixed the leak, put in a new interior! The forman was fired, and well I went to my local (different dealer) small town Ford dealer for parts for my Mustang and guess who was now the Service Manager, same guy. I walked into his office and said I hope you enjoyed this job! Found the owner and he was gonzo! It is people like this ex forman that give domestics a bad name! I will chase his *** out of every dealer I see him at!
I to am curious about the front brakes on my Caravanas from day one they have been dusty! So I will be doing the brakes inthe next day or two as they are done after 40000 km. I ws looking at this fourm for tips on brands.