2013 Dodge Caravan Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Dodge Caravan, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1551.7%
- Driver assistance310.3%
- Engine26.9%
- Airbags26.9%
- Body & structure26.9%
- Powertrain (other)26.9%
- Exterior lighting13.4%
- Visibility13.4%
- Fuel system13.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL I'M NOT SURE IF MY AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THIS MANUFACTURER BUT LAST WEEK THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT POPPED ON AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS LATELY I'M WORRIED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING INTERESTING HE MAIL ABOUT A RECALL BUT I AM WORRIED THAT THIS MAY DEPLOY AT ANY MOMENT
THE FUEL RELAY FAILED AND THE ONLY WAY TO REPLACE IT IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUSE CIRCUIT BOARD ( TIPMS ) , AS IT IS SOLDERED INTO THE BOARD , SO INSTEAD OF COSTING $8 FOR A RELAY IT WILL COST $1500 TO $2000 ACCORDING TO DEALER QUOTES
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIDING ON A HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 55-65MPH, THE ETC (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, FLASHED AND BEEPED. THE LIGHT WAS A RED LIGHTENING BOLT WITH LINES ON EITHER SIDE. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AROUND ME, I WAS CRUISING AND OUT OF NO WHERE FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THESE LIGHTS CAME ON. I REALIZED THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING, I HAD LOST POWER. I COASTED INTO THE NEXT DRIVE WHICH WAS A CHURCH. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. I HAVE GONE ABOUT 100 MILES SINCE THAT HAPPENED AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE. THE TCS (TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR) LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AS THE ETC LIGHT, WHICH IS A YELLOW LIGHT WITH A CAR AND ZIGZAG LINES UNDER THE CAR. UPON RESTART BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT. I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN UNDER MORE DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE HOWEVER 4 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A WEEK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY TO A NEARBY ADVANCE AUTO PARTS WHERE ANTI-COOLANT WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE APPROXIMATELY 2 MORE MILES AND POWERED OFF AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE BEING OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 8-9 HOURS, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND DRIVEN WHERE IT BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AGAIN. THE THERMOSTAT INDICATED THE VEHICLE WAS HOT AND THERE WAS SMOKE SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND EXHAUST PIPE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ODOR ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT MADE IT TO THEIR RESIDENCE AND LIFTED THE HOOD. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS RED FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND PIPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUNCOAST JEEP DODGE RAM (8755 PARK BLVD N, SEMINOLE, FL 33777, (727) 393-4621) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ENGINE MOUNT FRACTURED CAUSING THE BYPASS LINE, THE FITTINGS, AND THE WIRE HARNESS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR COSTS BEING $1,100.00. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT ALL ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS AND WAS CONCERNED FOR HER FAMILY'S SAFETY SINCE THERE WERE 4 CHILDREN WHO WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *DT
RIDING ON A HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 55-65MPH, THE ETC (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, FLASHED AND BEEPED. THE LIGHT WAS A RED LIGHTENING BOLT WITH LINES ON EITHER SIDE. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AROUND ME, I WAS CRUISING AND OUT OF NO WHERE FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THESE LIGHTS CAME ON. I REALIZED THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING, I HAD LOST POWER. I COASTED INTO THE NEXT DRIVE WHICH WAS A CHURCH. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. I HAVE GONE ABOUT 100 MILES SINCE THAT HAPPENED AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE. THE TCS (TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR) LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AS THE ETC LIGHT, WHICH IS A YELLOW LIGHT WITH A CAR AND ZIGZAG LINES UNDER THE CAR. UPON RESTART BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT. I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN UNDER MORE DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL I'M NOT SURE IF MY AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THIS MANUFACTURER BUT LAST WEEK THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT POPPED ON AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS LATELY I'M WORRIED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING INTERESTING HE MAIL ABOUT A RECALL BUT I AM WORRIED THAT THIS MAY DEPLOY AT ANY MOMENT
THIS PAST FRIDAY THE 22ND I WAS INVOLVE IN A ACCIDENT, IT WAS A BIG IMPACT FRONT DRIVER FENDER ,NONE OF THE AIR BAG WORKS ,MY WIFE GOT HURT IN THE HEAD ,NECK AND LEFT HAND WE WAS LEAVING GAS STATION GETTING TO THE ROAND WHEN CAR STRUCK MI MINIVAN...
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR SEIZED AND REMAINED STUCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR, "UNLOCK DOOR TO OPEN" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED, BUT THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER THIS WEEK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
MANUALLY OPERATED SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK MAKING THE DOOR UNABLE TO BE OPENED. HOWEVER DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE DOOR WILL OPEN ON ITS OWN. ONLY THE SAFETY LATCH KEEPS THE DOOR FROM OPENING ALL THE WAY. I CALLED DETROIT (800-423-6343 REP KAREN) AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. SHE HAD ME CALL THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AS THE CAR IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, REPAIRS MAY OR MAY NOT BE COVERED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOOT GAS PEDAL IS LOCKED IN ONE SPEED.AT ENGINE RPM OF 1200. RPM DROPS TO 500 WHEN STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL. I .HAD TO PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED.. NO RESPONSE USING GAS PEDAL.
WHILE IN MOTION THE TRANSMISSION GIVES A GRINDING NOISE. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DID A $1600 REPAIR, WHEN THE TRANS SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, AND A $500 REPAIR, NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE RANDOMLY WORKING AND NOT WORKING ON BOTH SIDES. ONE MINUTE BOTH THE BRAKE AND TURN LIGHT WORKS, THE NEXT ONE OR ANOTHER OR BOTH DON'T WORK. THEY ARE LED MODULES THAT REQUIRE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY BE REPLACED. THE VAN ONLY HAS 49,700 MILES ON IT. TO REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY AND THE WIRE HARNESS COSTS $700 PLUS LABOR EACH SIDE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP (NOT DODGE) CONFIRMED THAT IT IS THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND NOT A COMPUTER MODULE OR SWITCH. THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AND THE REVERSE LAMPS WORK PERFECTLY. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU HAVE YOUR RUNNING LIGHTS ON OR IF THEY ARE OFF. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT THEY ARE NOT WORKING. EVEN THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR ON THE DASH WILL BE BLINKING NORMALLY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN BLINK FAST (INDICATING LIGHT NOT WORKING) THEN GO RIGHT BACK TO BLINKING AT NORMAL SPEED. THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS ARE ACTUALLY BLINKING AND INDICATING CORRECTLY WHEN THE TURN/BRAKE LIGHT IS WORKING AND WHEN IT IS NOT BUT THERE IS NO WARNING. THEN THERE ARE TIMES THAT THE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND WILL RANDOMLY COME ON THEN FLICKER OFF. I FOUND THAT HEAT (OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES) PLAYS A ROLE. THE WARMER (OVER 50 DEGREES) IT IS, THE MORE APT THEY ARE TO QUIT WORKING. LED LIGHTS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST LONGER THAN STANDARD BULBS BUT THESE ARE NOT. I CONTACTED BOTH A DEALER AND DODGE CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD "WE'RE SORRY, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY COMPLAINTS". WHEN SOMETHING THIS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE GOES BAD ON A 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND RANDOMLY WORKS/DOESN'T WORK, IT BECOMES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I AM WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS TO COME IN BUT IT IS TAKING 2 WEEKS AND IN THE MEAN TIME, I HAVE TO DRIVE NEVER KNOWING WHEN THE TURN/BRAKE LIGHTS ARE GOING TO WORK AND WHEN THEY ARE NOT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A REAR WINDOW SWITCH. IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ELECTRICAL WORKINGS OF THE WINDOWS. I HAVE CONTACTED A DEALER FOR THIS, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REMOVED THE FAULTY PART. (ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO). THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLACEMENT PART FROM CHRYSLER AS OF YET. THE TIME FRAME IS NOT REASONABLE, AS I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ALMOST A YEAR FOR THIS TO BE FIXED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOOD OR SLOW MOVING POSITION, THE VAN ACCELERATES AT A HIGH SPEED CAUSING THE TIRES TO SPIN. THIS IS INTERMITTENT. IT IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IN THE SNOW AND ICE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .