RoadVitals

2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
19
Latest Oct 22, 2013
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 298 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 22, 2013

SITTING IDLE AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY VAN STALLED. WHILE I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. IT WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING AND LOSE ALL POWER AND THE STEERING/ BRAKES GET HARD. IT WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHILE THE BRAKE IS PUSHED. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED YESTERDAY AND IT IS A MELTED WIRING FUEL RAIL HARNESS THAT WAS PLACED RIGHT ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT CAN MELT AND CATCH FIRE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID
10548904
Incident
Oct 21, 2013
Mileage
168,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Apr 27, 2013

I HAVE A 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SPORT AND I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT FROM THE BRAKE LINES ROTTED AWAY TO THE ANTI FREEZE LINE ROTTED AWAY ALSO THE STEERING GETTING HARD TO WERE IT WONT BUDGE ALSO LIGHTS FLICKERING AND OVERHEATING SO THERE'S NOTHING ON MY VAN THAT ISN'T A PROBLEM I SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THESE PROBLEMS AND THEY JUST CONTINUE TO HAPPEN ANYTHING ON MY VAN THAT HOLDS FLUIDS JUST ROTS AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND NOW THE WATER PUMP HOUSING THAT'S BOLTED ONTO THE MOTOR WERE THE HOSE ATTACHES TO GOTO THE FIREWALL SO THAT YOU HAVE HEAT AND AC INSIDE THE VAN ROTTED OFF SO THERE'S A HOLE WERE THE NIPPLE WOULD BE TO CONNECT A HOSE TO AND THE DEALERSHIP WONT HELP ME IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM SO IM BASICALLY ON MY OWN SO I GUESS THERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE BEFORE THEY FIX ANYTHING ON THESE VANS THEY HAVE SO MUCH CONCERN FOR THE CIVILIANS THAT BUY THERE CAR VANS EXT. THEY KEEP UP LIKE THIS EVERYONE WHO BUYS A VEHICLE FROM THEM IS CERTAIN TO DIE AND THEY WONT HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS TO SELL TO PERIOD BECAUSE THEY WILL ALL BE DEAD.... ITS TIME TO TAKE OUR STORY TO THE PRESS AND YOU WILL SEE HOW FAST THE WILL FIX THESE ISSUES SO IF YOUR A OWNER OF A DODGE CHRYSLER AND HAVING PROBLEMS SUCH AS ME WE SHOULD GET THE PRESS INVOLVED AND HAVE THEM WRITE A STORY ABOUT THERE LACK OR CARE FOR THERE CUSTOMERS SAFETY SO LETS TEAM UP AND WRITE ME AT [XXX] AND LETS PUT A FLAME UNDER THERE BUTTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10509770
Incident
Apr 8, 2010
Mileage
121,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 14, 2012

MY VAN IS OVERHEATING. IT BROKE DOWN ON THE MASSACHUSETTS PIKE, IT THEN STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE FANS AREN'T TURNING ON WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT STAYING COOL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10470602
Incident
Aug 11, 2012
Mileage
170,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 15, 2007

METAL COOLANT LINES GOING TO REAR HEATER FAILED. COMPLETELY ROTTED/RUSTED OUT ($470 IN PARTS/LABOR, PART WAS $200). VEHICLE HAD 116K MILES ON IT. PART WAS REPLACE WITH NEW DESIGN COOLANT LINES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10205787
Incident
Oct 12, 2007
Mileage
116,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 17, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. HE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF ANTIFREEZE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE LINES IN THE TUBE SUPPLY AND RETURN RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS TUBES WERE MADE OUT OF STEAL, AND THE NEW ONES ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, CYLINDERS, AND DEALERSHIP INFORMATION WAS NOT UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10199938
Incident
Aug 16, 2007
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 25, 2006

METAL COOLANT LINES GOING TO REAR HEATER FAILED. COMPLETELY ROTTED/RUSTED OUT ($400 IN PARTS/LABOR). VEHICLE ONLY HAD 41931 MILES ON IT. SOULD BE FILED UNDER AIR CONDITIONER, HEATER, VENTILATION BUT THERE WAS NO CAT. FOR IT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10174224
Incident
Feb 14, 2006
Mileage
41,931 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2006

I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF ANTIFREEZE UNDER MY 2001 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. I TOOK IT INTO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A REAR COOLING/HEATING SYSTEM PIPE THAT HAD RUSTED AND WAS CAUSING MY ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK OUT AND NOT PROPERLY CIRCULATE IN MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT DODGE HAD A RECALL SO I CONSULTED MY LOCAL DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR 2004-2005 MODEL YEARS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR MY VEHICLES PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE SAME EXACT ONE THAT WAS ON RECALL FOR THE NEWER VEHICLES. I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHILE HAVING TO FILL THE RADIATOR WITH A GARDENHOSE EVERY TIME I TOOK IT OUT BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED MY RUSTED STEEL PIPE WITH THE NEWER DESIGNED ALUMINUM PIPE THAT DODGE IS NOW USING IN THE VEHICLES. THIS COST $300 TO REPLACE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10159894
Incident
May 22, 2006
Mileage
91,800 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE TUBING FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE REAR HEATER HAD ROTTED THROUGH. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10154744
Incident
Apr 6, 2006
Mileage
46,200 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 15, 2005

ENGINE HESITATES AND SPUTTERS BADLY WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR WITH BRAKE ON AND SPUTTERS BADLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. BUILT UP CARBON WAS CLEANED FROM THE INTAKE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. ALSO, THE FAN SPEED SWITCH WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT ONLY WORKED ON HIGH. IT HAS FAILED AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10139797
Incident
Oct 1, 2005
Mileage
109,865 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2004

A METAL HOSE UNDERNEATH THE VAN RUSTED THROUGH AND EXPLODED. THIS RESULTED IN ALL THE COOLANT LEAKING OUT. THIS CAUSED THE VAN TO IMMEDIATELY OVERHEAT AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP PEFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DISCOVERED THE HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB *SC

NHTSA ID
10097043
Incident
Oct 17, 2004
Mileage
88,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 28, 2004

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STEEL TUBE THAT RUNS TO THE WATER PUMP RUSTED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, EVENTUALLY LOSING FLUIDS. VEHICLE FINALLY SHUT DOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10098961
Incident
Sep 14, 2004
Mileage
46,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 8, 2004

THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING, DUE TO LOST OF COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND TWO METAL LINES, ONE LINE WAS LEADING TO THE A/C AND THE OTHER LINE TO THE HEATER. BOTH WERE CORRODED THROUGH. *JB

NHTSA ID
10095532
Incident
Oct 3, 2004
Mileage
45,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2004

EQUIPMENT FAILURE - 50,000 MILES - ALL COOLANT STEEL PIPING IN VEHICLE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. STAINLESS LINES FROM REAR HEATER OK BUT ALL OTHER LINES RUSTING. BLISTERS ON PIPING AND LINES UNDER PASSENGER SEAT RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKING. HAD TO REPLACE ALL STEEL LINES WITH RUBBER HOSE. STEEL LINES NOT REPLACEABLE WITHOUT REMOVAL OF ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10093082
Incident
Aug 1, 2004
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2002

THE ENGINE FAN COOLING SYSTEM HAS CREATED A CONSTANT VIBRATION OF THE VEHICLE. THEY ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT WITH BRACKETS, BUT IT CONTINUES TO VIBRATE. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN TEN TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY BASICALLY SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE NO OTHER FIXES FOR IT. THE VAN VIBRATES IN PARK, OR WHEN IDLING WITH THE BRAKE ON. IT IS WORSE WHEN THE AIR IS RUNNING. I WENT TO AN ARBITRATOR AND WAS TOLD EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES, THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY REPAIRED ONCE! THEY ONLY OFFERED ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AT NO COST TO ME. I JUST WANT THE VIBRATION TO STOP. IT IS VERY ANNOYING. AFTER SPENDING ALOT OF MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE, I WOULD LIKE A SMOOTH RIDE.*AK

NHTSA ID
766701
Incident
Jun 27, 2001
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2002

ENGINE DIES AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND STARTS UP AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. ENGINE NEVER CAME ON BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMOVED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8016958
Incident
Feb 28, 2000
Engine
Filed Aug 12, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL, HAVING EVERYTHING SHUTDOWN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8015982
Incident
May 2, 2002
Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2002

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE ON RIGHT FRONT, DEALER REPLACED A DEFECTIVE ENGINE MOUNT. NLM *YH

NHTSA ID
8006519
Incident
Jun 1, 2001
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2001

VEHICLE BUCKS, STALLS AND STOPS REGARDLESS OF SPEED OR ROAD CONDITIONS. PROBLEM PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE WHEN ACCELERATING. ENGINE LIGHT HAS ACTIVATED EACH TIME. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE; NO WARNING GIVEN BEFORE IT DIES WHILE DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ID
752489
Incident
Aug 14, 2001
Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2001

CAR JUST STOPPED SUDDENLY WHILE RUNNING. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT ON FREEWAY.*AK

NHTSA ID
752225
Incident
Sep 13, 2001

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .