DodgeCaravan20053.3L V6/dodge/caravan/2005/3-3l-v6/
RS platform

2005 Dodge Caravan — 3.3L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 Caravan 3.3L V6. Covers both the standard and High Output 3.3L V6.

Body VANEngine 3.3L V6Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2005 Dodge Caravan is a midsize van built on the RS platform and powered by a 3.3‑liter V6 paired with a four‑speed automatic transmission, a combination that delivers a modest 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway fuel economy. Its powertrain requires 5 qt of oil plus filter, typically using 5W‑20 or 5W‑30 API‑rated oil, and the vehicle’s overall complaint record—537 owner reports with latches, locks and linkages as the most frequent issue and nine recalls—places it well within the model’s long‑term trend. Compared with the broader 1990‑2017 Caravan history, the 2005 year sits between the peak complaint period of 1996 and the low‑complaint 2017 model, indicating a moderate reliability standing for researchers evaluating this generation.

Model year200720062005200320022001200019991998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-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 filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04861480AA
Spark plugSP303917AC
Battery04727159AD alt 04686158AD
Front wiper blades05096134AC
Serpentine belt04593684AA
Thermostat68210217AA alt 04781674AA
Cabin air filter82205905

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase113.4 in
Curb weight3862 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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-20 / 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 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. 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 FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 8.8 ft-lbs; Lower: 16.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance8500
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca
Optional BCI Group Number34
Optional BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-198 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression170
Engine Oil Pressure25-80 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake ApplicationWITH TEVES / WITH TRW

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

145.0 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step.; Bolts should be checked for stretching using a straight edge. Any bolts that show stretching should be replaced.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

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

125.0 ft. lbs.; M11 Bolts:25 ft. lbs
145.0 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 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; spark plugs every 100,000 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 miBrake 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 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (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 requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter 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 neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe 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 stands out within its fourth generation (20012007) for a sharp spike in complaints, recording 537 compared to just 64 in 2004 and 173 in 2006. While recalls remained steady at 9—consistent with the generation's range of 4 to 10—investigations jumped to 7, the highest for any year in this generation, signaling increased regulatory scrutiny. The top complaint area, latches/locks/linkages with 149 reports, far exceeds other categories and includes 19 crash-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. This anomaly suggests a concentration of owner-reported issues not reflected in the recall count, making the 2005 model a riskier choice than adjacent years like 2004 or 2006, which show far fewer complaints. For a used buyer, avoiding the 2005 model year in favor of a 2004 or 2006 Caravan would likely yield a more reliable experience within this generation.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
83
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
7
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
537
Owner complaints
19 involved a crash · 0 a fire

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.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
90040092021-03-31Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant 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

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VIN
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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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 Caravan 3.3L V6 take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API OR 5W-30 API REFER TO OIL CAP, 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 3.3L V6 get?

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