Dodge›Caravan›2005›2.4L L4/dodge/caravan/2005/2-4l-l4/

RS platform

2005 Dodge Caravan — 2.4L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 Caravan 2.4L L4.

Body VANEngine 2.4L L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2005 Dodge Caravan 2.4L L4 is a van built on the RS platform and driven by a 2.4‑liter inline‑four coupled to a four‑speed automatic transmission. It delivers an EPA rating of 17 city, 24 highway, and 20 combined miles per gallon and calls for five quarts of 5W‑30 API oil with filter at each change. Owner‑reported issues total 537, with the most common complaints centered on latches, locks, and linkages, and the model was subject to nine recalls. Those 537 complaints place the 2005 model well below the 1996 peak of 1,647 but far above the 2017 low of one, indicating a moderate complaint level across the Caravan’s 1990‑2017 history.

Model year2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 500 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	04861480AA
Battery	04727159AD alt 04686158AD
Front wiper blades	05096134AC
Serpentine belt	04593684AA
Thermostat	68210217AA alt 04781674AA
Cabin air filter	82205905

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	189 in
Overall width	78.7 in
Overall height	68.9 in
Wheelbase	113.4 in
Curb weight	3862 lb
Track (front / rear)	63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 24 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.5 Pints
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	134 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	14.1 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	21.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	20 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	118 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	8500
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Optional BCI Group Number	34
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	500 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	170
Engine Oil Pressure	25-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	125 ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	125 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake Application	WITH TEVES / WITH TRW

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Use new bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil. · M8 Bolts:

1	25.0 ft. lbs.; M11 Bolts:	25 ft. lbs
1	45.0 ft. lbs.	45 ft. lbs
2	65.0 ft. lbs.	65 ft. lbs
3	65.0 ft. lbs.	65 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees Do not use a torque wrench for this step.	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; coolant every 6,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 6,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 mi	Timing Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 Dodge Caravan represents a sharp deviation in the model's reliability trend, with complaints spiking to 537 after a low of 64 in 2004. This surge is followed by a steady decline, dropping to 173 complaints in 2006 and 82 in 2007, positioning 2005 as a high-point for reported issues. The target year also saw a peak in federal scrutiny with 7 investigations, while the most frequent complaints involved latches/locks/linkages (149) and exterior lighting (61). While the data does not specify the root causes for these trends, the 2005 model also recorded 19 crash complaints and 9 recalls. Because 2005 stands out as a statistical outlier for complaints and investigations compared to the surrounding years, this is not a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

537

Owner complaints

19 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04’05’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 537 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Latches/Locks/Linkages149

Exterior Lighting61

Electrical System40

Air Bags37

Electrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages37

Steering20

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting18

Fuel/Propulsion System16

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E048000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 08/08/2008

EAGLE EYES IS RECALLING 11,534 HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. CS090-B001L AND CS090-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE LOWER BEAM… Remedy: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.

07E104000Visibility:Glass, Side/RearReported 11/12/2007

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT… Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 83 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9004009	2021-04-07	Power Train	Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
9004009	2021-03-31	Power Train	Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-20	2020-04-30	Equipment	Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Caravan. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 34 battery Vehicles taking 5 qt w/ filter RS-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 04861480AA Battery 04727159AD Front wiper blades 05096134AC

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 Caravan 2.4L L4 take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 Caravan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L L4 get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.