2005 Dodge GRAND CARAVAN NHTSA Investigations
Defect Investigations
The following investigations on the Dodge GRAND CARAVAN have been announced by the ODI. Interested in how this information is collected? Read more about investigations by the NHTSA.
Recent 2005 GRAND CARAVAN Investigations
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FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE Defect Investigation for the 2005 GRAND CARAVAN
Vehicle Component: Air Bags:Frontal*
Summary: DaimlerChrysler (DCC) will replace the frame rail-mounted front air bag crash sensors in approximately 270,958 MY 2005 DaimlerChrysler minivans (NHTSA recall no. 07V-192). These vehicles are equipped with front crash sensors with brass bushings and were built between April 24, 2003 and February 2, 2005. This action covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in 27 states (Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin) and the District of Columbia. Vehicles sold or currently registered outside of these states, approximately 133,128 MY 2005 minivans, will receive a lifetime warranty on the front crash sensors. Although these vehicles use the same brass bushing sensors and were built during the same period as the ones described above, they experience significantly lower failure rates because of reduced road salt exposure. DCC will also provide written notification to all affected vehicle owners. NHTSA and DCC differ regarding the significance and impact of the defect, but in the interest of remedying the affected vehicles expeditiously and to avoid a protracted dispute, DCC is implementing steps to replace the subject components. Based on these actions, the Agency has decided that further use of its resources does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists in the subject vehicles. The Agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. Select document search for additional information.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA06003 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on May 22 2007 and there was a recall ordered: #07V192000
* This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE Defect Investigation for the 2005 GRAND CARAVAN
Vehicle Component: Air Bags:Frontal*
Summary: The model year (MY) 2005 DaimlerChrysler (DC) minivans have the new advanced frontal air bag systems with two front crash sensors mounted on the frame rails behind the front bumper and a main crash sensor inside the air bag control module mounted in the passenger compartment. According to DC, the front crash sensors are designed to optimize detection of frontal offset and angular crashes. The advanced air bag system offers different levels of air bag inflation based on input from the crash sensors. This investigation revealed that the front crash sensors can corrode from water entering the sensor assembly. DC is still investigating all potential root causes of sensor failures. A corroded sensor can set a fault code, illuminate the air bag warning lamp, and become disabled. It appears that failure of one or both front crash sensors can potentially result in no/late deployment of frontal air bags and non-deployment of driver's higher inflation levels in certain frontal crashes. It should be noted that occupants of vehicles involved in a crash may not be aware of late or improperly reduced level of air bag inflation and thus field reporting of such events may be suppressed. This preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (EA06-003) for further investigation of MY 2005 (and 2006) DC minivans. Note: Total number of ODI and manufacturer complaints includes some duplicate reports.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE05061 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on March 08 2006 and no recall was issued.
* This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE Defect Investigation for the 2005 GRAND CARAVAN
Vehicle Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side Inflator Module*
Summary: Chrysler will replace the frame rail-mounted front air bag crash sensors in approximately 312,442 model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Chrysler minivans (recall 10V-008). These vehicles are equipped with front crash sensors with ultradur brand plastic housings and steel bushings and were built between January 19, 2005 and April 5, 2006. This action covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in 27 states (Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin) and the District of Columbia. Vehicles sold or currently registered outside of these states, approximately 185,000 MY 2005-2006 minivans, are not included in the recall. Although these vehicles use the same crash sensors and were built during the same period as the ones described above, they experience significantly lower failure rates because of reduced road salt exposure. Also, MY 2006-2007 minivans built after April 5, 2006, are not included in the recall. These vehicles are equipped with front crash sensors with crastin brand plastic housings and steel bushings and experience significantly lower failure rates compared to the recalled vehicles. NHTSA and Chrysler differ regarding the significance and impact of the defect, but in the interest of remedying the affected vehicles expeditiously and to avoid a protracted dispute, Chrysler is implementing steps to replace the front crash sensors. Based on these actions, the Agency has decided that further use of its resources does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists in the subject vehicles. The Agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. Select document search for additional information.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #RQ09003 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on February 18 2010 and there was a recall ordered: #10V008000
* This defect investigation is filed under 3 related vehicle components.
Loss of headlight illumination Defect Investigation for the 2005 GRAND CARAVAN
Vehicle Component: Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch*
Summary: ODI has received 75 complaints regarding the performance of the headlights on model year (MY) 2005 Chrysler minivans which are:Chrysler town and country and Voyager, and Dodge Grand Caravan and Caravan models. The complainants allege that the headlight performance range from going completely out, intermittent operation, go out but come back on, and won't come on at all. ODI is opening this PE to collect additional information from the manufacturer regarding the performance of the headlights and to further evaluate this issue.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE10022 »
Status of Investigation: and there is a possible recall.
* This defect investigation is filed under 3 related vehicle components.