The 2004 Dodge Caravan is in the unfortunate position of being a pretty good vehicle at a fair price, surrounded by vehicles that do the same for less, or considerably more for a slight price bump. There were a lot of minivans to choose from in 2004, and the Caravan just doesn’t do anything to rise above the competition.
Is the 2004 Dodge Caravan a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – Disappointingly mediocre, the 2004 Dodge Caravan is far from being a lemon, and just as far from being anyone’s dream car.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Dock a point for cheap-feeling interior materials, but this is otherwise one of the most comfortable, spacious used vehicles on the road.
- Reliability 7/10 – If you don’t hit 250,000 miles on the original transmission, you’ll get close to it.
- Safety 7/10 – A 2004 minivan can’t help but feel dated on the safety front, but, grading on a curve, it’s better than most twenty year old cars, featuring anti-lock brakes in the entry-level trim.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The SE model gets 20/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and you could do a lot worse than that for a vehicle of this size and this age.
- Value 7/10 – An entry level model will typically cost you around $3,500. That’s not exactly a steal, but it’s not a bad deal, either. The high-end trims will cost you upwards of four grand, and it’s just not worth it at that price.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Dodge Caravan?
Consumer Reports reviewed the extended Grand Caravan, praising the comfortable interior and sharp handling, for such a large vehicle, but criticizing the road noise and generally low quality of interior materials.
Kelley Blue Book users give the Caravan a strong 88% recommendation, praising the reliable powertrain and low maintenance costs, with a handful of complaints for things like broken cupholders.
Edmunds found the Caravan surprisingly agile for its size with the V6 models running nice and smooth, but shared in the criticism for cheap-feeling interior materials.
What Common Problems Does the 2004 Dodge Caravan Have?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a recall early in the 2004 Dodge Caravan’s life, in late 2003, for possible leaks in the van’s fuel filters. The recall covered nearly 70,000 units, but complaints were still rolling in as late as 2017.
A handful of electrical issues have been reported including the low-fuel warning light staying on with a full tank of gas, headlights flickering on and off, and windshield wipers turning on by themselves. When test-driving, check all the electrical accessories, and take a look under the hood for chewed wires.
Powertrain complaints have been remarkably scarce, but drivers have reported whining noises and vibrating steering wheels as early signs of possible transmission failure.
The 2004 Dodge Caravan has 8 recalls on file with the NHTSA, plus one recall for engine stall after refueling. In total, the Caravan’s track record here is stellar.
How Long Will the 2004 Dodge Caravan Last?
The Dodge Caravan is typically reported to last around 250,000 miles before the more expensive repairs start to pile up. As you’re buying used, you should expect to hit somewhere between 200,000 and 250,000 miles with regular maintenance, as you can’t be sure how well-kept the van was by the previous owner.
RepairPal report an average annual maintenance cost of around $673. Your most expensive fix will probably be a new steering knuckle, starting at around $1,198, or a new ABS control module at $758.
Yes it slags been a very reliable vehicle. We have had some repair work done but mostly it’s ‘wear and tear’
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology onboard the 2004 Caravan is pretty generous. The Base model includes a CD player, and there are some with DVD players installed for the back row.
Safety technology is likewise generous, if a bit dated. All models include anti-lock brakes and full airbags, but if you want a rearview camera you’re going to have to go aftermarket for that.
Is the 2004 Dodge Caravan a Good Value?
The 2004 Dodge Caravan is a fair value. An entry-level SE typically lists at around $3,380 with under 160,000 miles on the odometer. If you get just 225,000 miles out of it, that’s not even two bucks a mile.
A high-end EX might cost you a little more than its worth, typically listing at around $4,223. At that price you’re better off expanding your shopping list to full-size SUVs and station wagons. Given that most of the features are pretty dated by now and we count on our phones to do what onboard entertainment tech used to, it’s not really worth an extra thousand bucks for a power-adjust seat that might not last the year.
What are the Different Models of the 2004 Dodge Caravan?
The 2004 Dodge Caravan is offered in four trim levels, from the entry-level Base and SE to the high-end EX.
With a Base model you’re getting:
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player with two speakers
- Cloth seating
- Front and rear
- 12v power outlets
- Manual fold-away exterior mirrors
- Anti-lock brakes
Next up is the SE, adding:
- Full bench third-row seating
- Highback bucket seats
- Two extra speakers
The mid-range SXT adds:
- Optional leather steering wheel
- Optional 8-way power driver seat
- Optional tri-zone air conditioning
- Two extra speakers
- Heated power mirrors
Finally, the top-of-the-line EX features:
- Fog lights
- Remote keyless entry
- Rear air conditioning with separate controls
- Traction control
What Engines Come In the 2004 Dodge Caravan?
- In the SE you’ll find a 2.4L inline-four producing 150 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. This is configured in front wheel drive and paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission, and averages 20/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- Standard in the Base and optional in the SXT is a 3.3L V6 delivering 154 horsepower and 243 lb.-ft. of torque. Front wheel drive, 4-speed automatic, and an average fuel economy of 19/26.
- At the top of the food chain you’ll find a 3.8L V6 delivering 245 lb.-ft. of torque and 215 horsepower. This is paired with a 4-speed automatic, configured in front wheel drive, and averages 18/25 miles to the gallon. This is standard in the EX and optional in the SXT.
What Colors Does the 2004 Dodge Caravan Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2004 Dodge Caravan?
The only complaint you can make about the 2004 Caravan when it comes to comfort is that the interior materials feel a bit cheap. By now you’ll probably be seeing a lot of cracking and peeling plastic and shredded cloth seat trim. But the ride itself is as comfortable as it gets outside of the luxury class.
You’ve got 57.2 inches of hip room in the front, 67.8 in the back, and the suspension has held up very well over the years with very few complaints having been registered with the NHTSA on that front.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Dodge Caravan Have?
The way-back has 15.1 cubic feet to start with, and that extends to 146.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. If you’re hauling something that wouldn’t be better off in a truck or a moving van, it’ll fit in the Caravan.
Your only concern is payload capacity, which maxes out at 1,642 pounds. Depending on the weight of what you’re carrying you might have more cargo space than the engine can handle.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2004 was the fourth model year for the 4th Generation of the Dodge Caravan, launching in 2001 and being retired with the 2007 model.
2001: Dodge gave the Caravan a total redesign for 2001, adding an industry-first power-tailgate.
2002: Backseat DVD players were added as an option, and tire-pressure monitoring was included in the instrument cluster. Adjustable pedals debuted in 2002.
2003: An optional power sunroof was the biggest change in 2003.
2004: A new keyfob was issued and Dodge added some 17″ Titan Chrome wheels, but there were no major changes for 2004.
2005: 2005 was another “no major changes” year, although the Grand Caravan did get a new grille.
2006: No major changes in 2006.
2007: And… no major changes in 2007. Dodge was gearing up the rebranded Dodge Minivan for reveal in 2008, so the Carvan took low priority.
How Does the 2004 Dodge Caravan Compare to the Competition?
The 2004 Dodge Caravan is a pretty good minivan in a model year with lots of great ones to pick from. A 2004 Honda Odyssey, for instance, sells for a bit more than the Caravan, but features power windows, cruise control, and a 240 horsepower 3.5L engine even at the base level.
The 2004 Chrysler Town & Country is almost the same vehicle as the Caravan in more ways than not, but it sells for about a thousand bucks cheaper.
A 2004 Caravan’s value is ultimately going to be determined by comparison shopping. If you can find it at the low end of the fair market range, there’s no good reason not to consider buying it. At around $3,500, it’s a solid deal but there are better minivans to pick from.
Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Dodge Caravan?
Yes It’s been a great vehicle. Bought it as second owners. First owners had taken really good care of it.
