2005-2007 Dodge Caravan: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2005-2007 Dodge Caravan and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Entry/exit
- Passenger and cargo room
- Interior storage space
Cons
- Fuel economy
Vehicle Highlights
Dodge redesigned its Caravan in 2005 adding available curtain side airbags and fold-away 2nd- and 3rd-row seats. Caravan is built from the same design as Chrysler's Town & Country. It came in regular- or extended-length body styles and in SE and SXT trim. All had 7-passenger seating. The regular-length SE had a 2.4-liter 4-cyl engine. Regular-length SXT and Grand SE had a 3.3-liter V6. Grand SXT got a 3.8-liter V6. All came with automatic transmission. Traction control was standard on Grand SXT, but all-wheel drive was no longer offered. ABS was standard on Grands, optional on SXT regular. Newly standard on all was a driver knee airbag. Newly available were curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows; they replaced front side airbags. Also available was a tire-inflation monitor. Standard on the Grand SXT was Dodge's Stow 'n Go 2nd- and 3rd-row seats that fold into floorwells. With the seats raised, the wells provide covered storage space. Other available features included power sliding side doors, power liftgate, power-adjustable pedals, DVD entertainment, and navigation system. Newly available were Chrysler's UConnect, which uses the audio system as a hands-free wireless link to cell phones, and ceiling tracks that allow moving and removing such items as storage bins, a CD holder, and a first-aid kit.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Dodge Caravan SE 4-cyl Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 7 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 10 | |
| Value within Class | 7 | |
| Total Score: | 60 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2005-2007 Dodge Caravan. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2005-2007 Dodge Caravan.
Year to Year Changes
2006 Dodge Caravan:
No significant changes were made for 2006.
2007 Dodge Caravan:
Caravan is unchanged for 2007.
Our road test for the 2005-2007 Dodge Caravan includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2005-2007 Dodge Caravan and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2005-2007 Dodge Caravan is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Weak 4-cyl engine feels even more lethargic than our test model's lengthy 11.3 sec 0-60-mph time suggests. The 3.3 V6 is OK in regular-length Caravan. Grands need the smooth, strong 3.8. Transmission sometimes shifts abruptly at low speeds, is otherwise responsive, unobtrusive. Test Grand Caravan SXT averaged 18.6 mpg. Experience suggests overburdened 3.3 V6 should average 15-17 mpg in Grands. Test SE regular-length with 4-cyl averaged 19.8 mpg. All Caravans use regular-grade fuel. Grands smooth out bumps better than regular-length models, but all Caravans ride comfortably. However, some testers cite suspension harshness over sharp road irregularities, and complain of float on wavy highways. Feels like a large, tall car in turns, and models with 16-inch tires have more grip and sharper responses than those with 15s. Noticeable nosedive in sudden stops, but good braking power despite slightly mushy pedal feel on some test examples. Stopping performance best on models with 4-wheel disc brakes. Heavy crosswinds and highway-speed cruising elevate wind rush, and certain road surfaces bring out marked tire noise, but neither is prominent enough to disturb conversation. SE has less sound insulation than other models, and its 4-cyl engine is louder, gruffer than V6s. Gauges unobstructed and clearly marked. Controls multiply with features such as power side doors and liftgate, but all are relatively easy to decipher, close to driver. Interior materials a mix of sensible, durable materials and attractive surfaces. Low step-in height, wide doorways. Front seats supportive, though taller drivers may wish for more head, leg room. Rear headrests can obstruct outward vision slightly. Power-adjustable pedals allow shorter drivers to sit farther from the steering wheel airbag. Generous head, knee, and foot clearance, but some testers complain that 2nd-row bucket seats are too thinly padded, and 3rd row is uncomfortable for adults. Regular-length models have tight cargo space with all seats in place. Grand's cleverly designed Stow 'n Go seats fold easily into floorwells to lay flush with load floor. With seats in place, 2nd-row floorwells provide about 12 cu ft of handy, covered storage. And rear floorwell a boon to cargo space.
Value for the Money
Dodge Caravan and its fancier Chrysler Town & Country sibling have laudable road manners and take a back seat to no minivan for convenience and utility. Toyota's Sienna and Honda's Odyssey are their only real rivals for all-around appeal. Those competitors have more-refined powertrains, and are newer designs. But Caravan has lower base prices and deeper discounts. Overall, it's a Best Buy.
Dodge Caravan and its fancier Chrysler Town & Country sibling have laudable road manners and take a back seat to no minivan for convenience and utility. Toyota's Sienna and Honda's Odyssey are their only real rivals for all-around appeal. Those competitors have more-refined powertrains, and are newer designs. But Caravan has lower base prices and deeper discounts. Overall, it's a Best Buy.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Dodge Caravan SE 4-cyl Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 7 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 10 | |
| Value within Class | 7 | |
| Total Score: | 60 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Dodge Caravan includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Dodge Caravan .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Starter:
The remote starter may not work because of a failed hood switch. (2004-05)
Steering problems:
Power steering additives containing Teflon can plug up the filter in the fluid reservoir. (2004-05)
Steering problems:
The steering wheel (column) has in/out play, which is corrected by installation of a hardware kit. (2005)
Suspension noise:
Knocking from the front suspension is often caused by bad sway bar bushings, but may also include the sway bar links. (2005)
Water leak:
Water may leak onto the passenger side floor from the A/C condensate drain hose unless an O-ring is installed at the drain outlet. (2001-06)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $855 |
| Alternator | $450 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $3,240 |
| Brakes | $540 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,520 |
| Exhaust System | $540 |
| Radiator | $650 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $930 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $830 |
Our price chart for this generation Dodge Caravan details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2007 | |||
| Caravan | $10,200-12,000 | $9,200-10,800 | $5,300-6,200 |
| Grand Caravan | $12,700-15,200 | $11,400-13,700 | $7,400-8,800 |
| 2006 | |||
| Caravan | $8,500-10,200 | $7,700-9,200 | $4,400-5,300 |
| Grand Caravan | $10,700-13,200 | $9,600-11,900 | $5,700-7,000 |
| 2005 | |||
| Caravan | $7,200-8,700 | $6,400-7,700 | $3,500-4,300 |
| Grand Caravan | $8,600-10,800 | $7,700-9,700 | $4,500-5,600 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Dodge Caravan include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Caravan 4-door van | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 113.3 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 189.1 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 78.6 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 68.9 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3908 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 146.7 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 20.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 7 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.6 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 40.6 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.9 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.5 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
The regular-length SE had a 2.4-liter 4-cyl engine. Regular-length SXT and Grand SE had a 3.3-liter V6. Grand SXT got a 3.8-liter V6. All came with automatic transmission. For 2006, horsepower on the 3.8 was reduced by 2 to 205 and torque increased by 2 to 240. All have automatic transmission. Dodge recommends regular-grade fuel for all engines.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V6 | 3.3 / 202 | 180 | 210 | 4-speed automatic: 19/26 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I4 | 2.4 / 148 | 150 | 165 | 4-speed automatic: 20/26 | 4-speed automatic: 19.8 |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 231 | 206 | 239 | 4-speed automatic: 18/25 | 4-speed automatic: 18.5 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Canada, USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Dodge Caravan include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 2005 Caravan |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2005-2007 Dodge Caravan directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2005 Caravan:
Certain aftermarket brake master cylinders can leak in cold temperatures leading to a loss in braking performance. The brake master cylinder will be replaced free of charge from point of purchase.
2005 Caravan:
Right-front seatbelt retractor assembly may not have been properly assembled causing the seatbelt to improperly restrain front passenger in the event of an accident. Dealers will replace defective retractor assemblies.
2005 Caravans sold in states that use large amount of salt for road deicing:
The up-front (UF) air bag sensors that contain brass bushings installed in these vehicles may corrode and crack allowing water to enter the sensor and render it inoperable. Dealers will inspect and replace affected parts.
2005-06 Caravan, Grand Caravan:
Front wiper-motor armature shaft may break leading to inoperative wipers. Dealers will replace defective wiper motors.
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