RoadVitals

2011 Dodge Caravan Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
78
Latest Aug 25, 2021
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jun 20, 2014

What this page shows

Our database holds 78 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Dodge Caravan. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 78 · page 1 of 4

Fuel system
Filed Aug 25, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up without warning. Her father inspected under the hood and discovered that the wiring within the fuse box was melting due to the fuel pump relay. The contact went to an independent mechanic where she purchased jump wire cables and fuses. Her father repaired the vehicle and the vehicle resumed normal driving operation. Recently, while her son was stopped at a stop light, the vehicle began shaking and shut-off without warning. Her son was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure returned soon after start-up. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the replacement wires had started melting. Despite the failure, the contact's son was able to drive the vehicle home where it remained. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11430425
Incident
Jul 9, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Mar 5, 2019

FUEL PUMP RELAY FAULTY RESULTING IN HESITATION STALLING WHILE IN MOTION OR INABILITY IT START WHILE STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID
11184370
Incident
Mar 4, 2019
Filed Feb 9, 2019

NOT STARTING , STALLS, THEY SAID THE TIPM 1500.00 REPAIR. SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11175912
Incident
Nov 14, 2018
Mileage
87,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 14, 2018

SLIDING DOORS WILL OPEN AUTOMATICALLY AS I'M DRIVING. HEATER STAYS STUCK ON ON. WHILE DRIVING THE VAN WILL SHUT OFF. ITS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN I HAVE 4 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VAN WITH ME.

NHTSA ID
11161449
Incident
Jun 16, 2018
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 8, 2018

WHILE COMING TO A RED LIGHT THE ENGINE JUST STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS.

NHTSA ID
11118646
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Mileage
99,158 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 11, 2018

THE TIPN IS BAD. WE HAVE SEVERAL DODGE CARAVANS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11110812
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Brakes
Filed Jun 19, 2018

I BOUGHT THIS MINIVAN IN 2011. I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH SO IT CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT. NONETHELESS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS 4 TIMES (MAYBE 5) SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. I JUST HAD THEM REPLACED AGAIN IN NOVEMBER, AND YET 7 MONTHS LATER, I HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN. I HAVE ONLY PUT SOME 3,000 MILES ON IT SINCE THE LAST REPLACEMENT. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG. THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING AND VERY QUICKLY (LIKE A DAY OR TWO WITHOUT MY HARDLY DRIVING IT) TO THE ROTORS BEING GONE AS MY PEDALS ARE VIBRATING. I KNOW OTHERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS HERE AND ALL OVER THE INTERNET. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. NOT TO MENTION, INCREDIBLY COSTLY TO KEEP UP WITH THESE COSTS THAT I CANNOT AFFORD.

NHTSA ID
11102675
Incident
Jun 19, 2018
Mileage
35,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 5, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND RADIO OPERATING, THE ABS AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COVERT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (8107 RESEARCH BLVD, AUSTIN, TX 78758, (512) 371-6863), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11100066
Incident
Feb 1, 2018
Mileage
280,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 17, 2018

REAR A/C EVAPORATOR IS BAD, NEEDING REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS 57000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11096483
Incident
May 16, 2018
Electrical
Filed Jan 23, 2018

AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR 2 HOURS, WHEN RETURNING HOME AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, I HEARD WHIRLING NOISES COMING FROM MY FUEL TANK. UPON MOVING THE VEHICLE, 30 MINUTES LATER, THE VAN EXPERIENCED A ROUGH START. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. AFTER JUMPING OFF THE VEHICLE, IT RAN SMOOTHLY BUT I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
11064375
Incident
Jan 19, 2018
Mileage
35 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 28, 2017

THE VAN IS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING UP IT'S LIKE THE STARTER IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL AND MY THERMOMETER JUST WENT OUT ONE DAY MY VAN WOULD NOT WORK. I GOT HOME FROM WORK WENT IN THE HOUSE CAM E BACK OUT TO GO TO OTHER STORE AND THE REMOTE WOULDN'T WORK THE VEHICLE I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT STILL DIDN'T WORK SO MESSED AROUND WITH THE FUSE BOX AND AND AFTER I DONE THAT IT STARTED RIGHT UP I ALSO HAD TO BYPASS THE TIPM SO THAT THE VAN WOULD START PROPERLY AND NOT MAKE MY STARTER STICK

NHTSA ID
11057094
Incident
Sep 13, 2017
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 9, 2017

THE SPEED CONTROL FAILED TO TURN OFF WHEN THE CANCEL BUTTON WAS PRESSED. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS TURNED ON AND THE INDICATOR/LIGHT SHOWED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS WORKING. AS I APPROACHED A STOPLIGHT AT ABOUT 60 MPH, I PRESSED THE CANCEL BUTTON BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. AT THIS TIME I SAW THAT THE CRUISE INDICATOR WAS NOT SHOWING. I PRESSED THE CANCEL SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE CRUISE WAS STILL ENGAGED. I THEN TAPPED THE BRAKE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED. FROM THIS TIME ON WHEN I TRIED THE CRUISE CONTROL IT WOULD SOMETIMES TURN ON AND SOMETIMES NOT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH. PROBLEM I SEE IS THAT THE CRUISE WAS ENGAGED, WITHOUT ANY INDICATOR LIGHT, AND WOULD NOT CANCEL.

NHTSA ID
11053622
Incident
Nov 30, 2017
Mileage
40,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 8, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (GARDEN CITY JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM, 283 N. FRANKLIN STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE WIN MODULE AND POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WERE DETERMINED TO BE THE FAILED COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IT WAS THEN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT UPDATED 8/16/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11053502
Incident
Apr 10, 2017
Mileage
92,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 4, 2017

MY VECHILE WAS NOT TURNING WE TRIED TO TURN IT ON SEVERAL TIME AND IT GIVES US A CLICKING SOUND AND THEN A FUEL SENSOR INDICATED . WHICH IT HAS GAS I DON'T KNOW WHAT WRONG WITH IT.

NHTSA ID
11031790
Incident
Oct 4, 2017
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 19, 2017

TAKATA RECALL -- I HAVE CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR, STARTER , HAD THE ELECTRICAL BOX WORKED ON BY MY MECHANIC. AT THIS MOMENT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT START AND HASN'T STARTED FOR A WEEK. 3 YEARS AGO THE VEHICLE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. IT WOULD NOT START OR TURN OVER., HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID
11024176
Incident
Oct 10, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD FAIL TO START WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AT TIMES HE WOULD HEAR A CLICKING SOUND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARL BURGER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM WORLD: 8355 HERCULES ST, LA MESA, CA 91942 WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED AND NO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE TO OCCUR AT THE DEALER IN ORDER TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

NHTSA ID
11023026
Incident
Oct 13, 2015
Mileage
48,000 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 18, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING RUBBER ODOR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CARMAX DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, TIPM, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ID
11006096
Incident
Apr 3, 2017
Mileage
59,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 23, 2017

ALL OF SUDDEN THE THE ENGINE FAILS TO RUN AFTER I HIT THE SWITCH TO THE CRANKING POSITION. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE WILL RUN. THIS HAPPENS A MULTITUDE OF TIMES. I'M AFRAID THE ENGINE WILL STOP ALL TOGETHER AND I CAN GET STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. I'VE HAD THE CAM SENSOR CHANGED, BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS GOING. NEED HELP ASAP. I USE MY VAN TO COMMUTE BACK AND FORTH TO MY JOB. HELP, PLEASE!

NHTSA ID
10967977
Incident
Mar 21, 2017
Engine
Filed Feb 28, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION, THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ID
10957532
Incident
Feb 21, 2017
Mileage
116,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2016

I REPLACED A FUEL PUMP BECAUSE MY VAN WOULD START ONLY AFTER EXCESSIVE CRANKS AND THEN WOULD NOT STAY STARTED. AFTER REPLACING UNIT, THE PROBLEM CAME BACK THE VERY NEXT DAY. MY MECHANIC WAS STUMPED SO HE WENT ON LINE TO FIND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIPM MODULE. THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OTHER DODGES HAVE AND IS COVERED UNDER A RECALL, THIS VAN IS NOT UNDER SUCH A RECALL, YET HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY? THIS IS A DANGER TO MY WIFE AND KIDS. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WHICH IS THE PROBLEM COULD STOP AT ANY TIME WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PLEASE, DO SOMETHING SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BE SAFE WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR! *TR

NHTSA ID
10929584
Incident
Dec 1, 2016
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Aug 10, 2016

VAN HAS SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. ONCE WHILE IDLE AT A STOP LIGHT. I SPOKE WITH A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE KEY FOB. I CHANGED TO MY SPARE KEY TO SEE IF THIS MADE ANY DIFFERENCE BUT THE VAN SHUT OFF TWICE SINCE THEN. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON THE 2010 MODELS BUT NOT 2011. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT ASAP. LUCKILY THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WHEN IT HAS STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE THE RECALL GETS EXTENDED TO 2011 VEHICLES?

NHTSA ID
10894833
Incident
Aug 6, 2016
Mileage
65,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 13, 2016

WHEN THE ALTERNATOR IS BAD THE CAR WILL GO OFF IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. I WAS UNABLE TO USE THE HAZARD LIGHT OR TELL THE CARS BEHIND ME THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. YOU ARE JUST STOPPED WHEREVER YOU ARE. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE DIED IT CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET.

NHTSA ID
10873797
Incident
Jun 12, 2016
Mileage
125,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 14, 2016

CAR RANDOMLY WILL NOT START, CAN RANDOMLY STALLS AS WELL. BEEN READING THAT IT'S RELATED TO THE TIPM BUT CHRYSLER WON'T ISSUE A RECALL. THEY'VE ISSUED RECALLS FOR THE EXACT SAME YEAR FOR THE DODGE DURANGO, WHY IS THIS ANY DIFFERENT? HIGHLY FRUSTRATED FOR THE CONSUMER AND DANGEROUS FOR WHEN OUR VAN HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING. COMPLETE POWER LOSS.

NHTSA ID
10855399
Incident
Apr 13, 2016
Mileage
85,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 3, 2016

I TOWED MY CAR TO MY LOCAL GARAGE & THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID I HAD A FAULTY TIPM. THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE IT HAD TO BE PROGRAMMED AT A DEALERSHIP. I TOOK MY CAR TO SUMMIT DODGE AND THEY SAID THERE WERE "UPDATES" AVAILABLE TO FIX THE TIPM FOR $207. THAT DID NOT WORK AND THE NEXT DAY MY CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THEY THEN REPLACED THE TIPM FOR AN ADDITIONAL $1130. THIS PART WAS RECALLED IN THE DURANGOS AND THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, BUT NOT THE CARAVAN. IT'S THE SAME PART!! THERE IS ALSO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER FOR FAULTY TIPMS AND I FEEL MY PART SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL/LAWSUIT.

NHTSA ID
10823975
Incident
Feb 1, 2016
Mileage
77,700 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 15, 2016

I TOOK THE VAN TO DEALER ( AT THE TINME THAT IT DID TURNED ON) SPOKE TO A DEALER MAN AND HE CHECK THROUGH MY VIN NUMBER IF IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY FIRST (WHICH IS NOT) HE MENTIONED TO ME THAT IF I GET THE CODES AND THE CODES MATCH I WOULDNT BE CHARGED THE DIAGNOSTICCHARGES. I TOOK THE VAN (MIND YOU THEY KNOW AM A WOMAN ALONE AND VAN DOESNT TURN ON) TO AUTO ZONE GOT THE CODES. ONCE I GOT THE CODES PRINT OUT, I GOT STUCK BC THE VAN WOULD NOT TURN ON. WITH MANY ATTEMPS I MANGE TO TURN ON AND WENT STRAIGHT HOME. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALERS AND LEFT IT THERE OVER NIGHT. THE CODES HAPPENS TO MATCH AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD FIX VAN BC THE CYLINDER HEAD AND 3 SPARK PLUGS WHERE UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE VAN TAKES 3 EXTRA SPARK PLUGS AND PRESSURE SENSOR IS MALFUNTION AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR VAN TO WORK PROPERLY. I AGREE! THE NEXT DAY HE CALLS ME BACK TO P/U VAN. I HAD ONE OF THE DEALERS PICK ME UP AT WORK, WHEN I GET THERE HE CHARGES ME $124.34 JUST FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND VAN WASNT FIX TO BRING THE NEXT DAY BC THE PIECES NEEDEDTO BE ORDER. I TOOK VAN IN THE MORNING JAN 12 HE SAID VAN WOULD BE READY JAN 14. JAN 14 HE CALLED ME THAT VAN WAS READY. I GO AND EVEN BEFORE THEY SHOWED ME VAN THAT IT WORKS, I HAD TO PAY $226.63 IN ORDER FOR THEM TO GIVE ME KEYS. WHEN I GO TO GET MY VAN AND TURN ON..... THE VAN DID NOT TURN ON... OFCOURSE I WENT IN VERY UPSET AND TOLD THEM I WASNT LIVING UNTIL VAN WAS FIX. THEY GAVE ME A RENTAL YESTERDAY JAN 14 AND HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM YET. DODGE COMPANY SHOULD REMAKE ALL THIS CARS BC THEY ARE CLEARY A PIECE OF CRAP. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THEY ARE FAST TO CHARGE $$$ INSTEAD OF MAKING SURE THE SAFETY OF THE CUSTOMER SHOULD BE FIRST. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTENT THAT I AM IN THIS SITUATION AND THE VAN IN FROM 2011 YEAR IS NOT OLD AT ALL. WHAT CAN DODGE DO FOR ME? I BET NOTHING

NHTSA ID
10820560
Incident
Jan 8, 2016
Mileage
92,000 mi

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