Software problems of the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan

The 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan and 2005 Chrysler town and country have a known software bug for the body control module that controls the power locks on the vehicle. Once this occurs on your vehicle, the owner is unable to lock the vehicle remotely or from the power lock switch or when the vehicle exceeds 10 mph auto lock feature. Known service bulletins are: 08-028-05 and 08-040-04 to permanently fix this issue with the locks the owner can temporarily fix the problem by pulling the power to the vehicle and letting teh body control module reset. This is only a temporary fix as the problem has re-occurred 3 times since the original issue came up. The permanent fix for this known software issue results in the consumer/owner of the vehicle to take into a dealership for diagnostics and repair a minimum of $130+tax. I believe this a safety issue for this vehicle (the auto lock at speed doesn't work), and it is also a theft issue in that the owner can not properly lock the vehicle.

As I was driving my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, the dashboard flickered and then the car shut down. Power steering was disabled but I was luckily able to drift it to the side of the road. After researching online, it seems this electrical shut down is ongoing and problematic for this year and make. I had little children in the car and without warning the car dies. This needs to be a recall as it poses serious safety concerns for the driver of the vehicle and cars around it. Had I been on the highway, I would not be able to tell you about this incident. When I brought the vehicle in to the dealer, I was told it needed an electrical system software update otherwise it will get progressively worse. The dealer also explained that the other electrical issues that I have been having - tail lights burning out, sliding doors opening/closing, window not going down, power locks locking and unlocking) were also a part of this software update. Yet, it is not a recall because it is not considered a safety issue. I am appalled that we have to pay for this software update, that Dodge and the NHTSA have been aware of this issue and that is not considered a safety concern. Recall this make and model for this issue immediately. The car dying in the road is a major concern. The doors closing without notice could have killed my four year old, instead I threw my body in the middle to protect her. Please, please, please recall this to save lives. There are so many of this make and model car on the road with little children inside.

Power door locks are not working. Unable to lock or unlock doors with either key remote or button located on the door. This is a concern because the locks do not engage when vehicle is in mode of travel. This first started in August of 2012 with the passenger sliding door and now both sliding door locks are inoperable as well as the trunk hatch. Have tried changing fuses without success. I researched information online and found a site that indicated that a bcm software update could fix the problem but dealerships charge for the update. Should there be a fee involved when this mechanism is secondary to a software issue that creates a safety hazard? because safety issues are at hand should this be listed as safety recall?.

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that both sliding doors stopped working. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, it prevented the front driver and passenger doors from working as well. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the vehicle needed a software upgrade. The dealer also stated that if they disconnect and reconnect the battery, it will temporarily correct the problem. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 59,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that none of the interior or exterior door locks would function. The contact replaced the vehicle's battery, but the failure recurred approximately one week later. The contact then replaced the fuses for all of the locks. The failure began to recur a few weeks later. The contact also stated that the automatic rear sliding doors no longer functioned and would only open and close when operated manually. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the electrical software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.

2005 Dodge Grand Caravan all doors like quit working. They have a bcm software update that fixes the problem. This should be a recall notification.

The other day my automatic locks ceased to work in the 2005 Grand Caravan sxt. The door switch, key remote and when the car goes over 20mph did not lock the doors at all. Have looked in the manual, no help. From what I understand, I will have to take the van in to the dealer to have them change the software in the body control module. Since there is no recall on this, I will have to pay $150-200 to have it repaired. Since this is such a safety issue, we will take the van in, but after reading the internet sites--many other people are having this problem. I have also had several problems with the lights going off without notice (while I have them switched on). Eventually they will come back on, but there are times they do not come back on while I am driving. Another safety issue reported on the internet by other users. This has happened several times a year since I have had the van. Electrical problems exist with this van and have since I purchased it new. Lights going on and off, doors not working when buttons were pushed (should be automatic after buttons pushed), windows not working at all when button is pushed (eventually work--happens several times a year) and now the locks do not work at all. The door controls were eventually replaced by the dealer under warranty because they eventually would open so slowly. This problem was reported to the dealer over six times in the first year of ownership. Replaced and have worked fine since.

2005 Dodge caravan - the automatic door locks do not work. I have investigated several solutions, have tried them,and they only work temporarily, such as battery disconnects, fuse replacement, software updates. I am very concerned because my grandchildren are small and I am afraid they will open the doors and I cannot not catch them in time because I cannot get to the back seat. I have read numerous complains about this problem. I feel that a recall is needed.

The automatic locks just suddenly stopped working, which is a huge safety issue on a minivan with kids. I went online and discovered tons of people had the same problem with 2005 Grand Caravan/caravan. There is a quick, temporary fix of removing the 10d 20a fuse or the negative cable on the battery, but the problem apparently recurs with ever diminishing periods of time in between. The permanent fix is apparently an update to the software, which clearly states that Dodge/Chrysler is aware of the problem, that it is a problem with their engineering, and that they are only too happy to take money from consumers to fix a safety problem inherent in their faulty design. It should be recalled and fixed by them before we start hearing about tragedies, especially as this occurs without notice.

Multiple electrical failures. Backup lights, door locks, interior lights, right side power window, and sliding side doors. The items do not function on our van. Upon pulling the battery terminal these items will work for a short period of time and then cease to function again. After extensive research on the internet and several hundred dollar in dealer "repairs" I have discovered that this is due to a software problem with the body control module on the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravans. The fix is supposed to be a firmware update to the bcm provided by Dodge. The issue I have is that if this is a software/firmware update to the van's computer why should the dealer expect me to pay $70 so my vehicle will function properly the same as it did when purchased. No modifications have been made to the van and it currently has just over 60k mileage. These problems have been around prior the end of the 3/36k warranty but since such a long time has passed the dealer will no longer honor any type of warranty on this vehicle. My complaint is that if this is a known software issue/fault with the van's software then Dodge should upgrade them for free. It's not as if this is a wear and tear or customer induced failure. This is a fault in the core design of the vehicle.

Power door lock continues to blow fuses. Dealership failed to update the software in the body control module in 2008.

The contact owns a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that all of the power door locks were inoperative. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that it was a common failure with his year, make, and model vehicle. The bcm software would have to be repaired at the cost of $130. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance because there was no recall for this component. The failure and current mileages were 34,417.

(1) loss of battery power. (2) resulted in failure of power door locks to operate. (3) manufacture technical service bulletin 08-040-04 calls for re-programming of body control module due to updated software to correct the know failure. Known software related issue.

I have 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. The automatic door locks have quit working and I understand that it is a software issue in the cpu. My main concern is that when you put it in drive and begin to move, the doors are supposed to lock when you get to 18mph or so. I have 4 year old twins that ride in car seats, and am not comfortable not having this feature working properly. It is also my understanding that the problem is very widespread among this model of vehicle. My hopes are that the problem can be addressed by Dodge as I feel it is a safety hazard. Thank you.

Electronic door locks failed to engage locks. Lock verification signaled lights and horn indicating the locks were engaged. As a result of the failure the van was entered illegally and property was stolen. This was also a safety issue when the electronic locking system did not disengage from the controls in the van. This resulted in the inability to remove 3 children from the van quickly in an emergency situation. The body control module (bcm) has been reset several times to correct the problem. The reset only lasts for a few days before the problem repeats itself.